Games Like Martial Law

1979 Revolution: Black Friday is a choice driven, narrative game that brings players into the brooding world of a nation on the verge of collapse. Play as Reza, an aspiring photojournalist, and make life and death decisions as you survive the gritty streets of Iran in the late 1970’s.

Why similar: Choices Matter 36.1%, Multiple Endings 19.6%, Story Rich 13%, Adventure 8.4%, Atmospheric 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: A powerful historical adventure that mirrors the political tension and life-altering choices found in Martial Law.

Attentat 1942 is a historically-accurate adventure about World War 2. Face moral dilemmas and existential struggles as you uncover the troubled past of your family.

Why similar: Multiple Endings 24.7%, Visual Novel 18%, Story Rich 16.2%, Atmospheric 13.8%, Emotional 12.9%

Why You'll Like It: This historical narrative game uses a similar documentary-style approach to explore the impact of totalitarian regimes on ordinary people.

You have five days to save your husband, who has just been arrested by the Gestapo. Investigate, explore and form allegiances in this story-rich RPG-lite. Who will you trust?

Why similar: Multiple Endings 34.8%, Emotional 18%, Story Rich 16.5%, Historical 10.3%, Adventure 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on the civilian experience during wartime, emphasizing difficult moral choices and survival over combat.

Congratulations. The October labor lottery is complete. Your name was pulled. For immediate placement, report to the Ministry of Admission at Grestin Border Checkpoint. An apartment will be provided for you and your family in East Grestin. Expect a Class-8 dwelling.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 33.1%, Multiple Endings 25.5%, Story Rich 11.5%, Indie 10.4%, Atmospheric 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: A quintessential game about the moral weight of living and working under an oppressive, bureaucratic regime.

Ukraine War Stories is a set of visual novels about the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Set in the early months of the war, it tells the stories of civilians trapped on Russian-occupied territory. All stories are based on real events and eyewitness accounts.

Why similar: Choices Matter 21.6%, Multiple Endings 20.8%, Visual Novel 16.9%, Story Rich 9.6%, Emotional 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: A visual novel that provides a raw, grounded look at the civilian experience during modern conflict.

A modern-day JRPG that imagines a world of war. Overcome language barriers, forge unlikely friendships, and find hope amidst conflict.

Why similar: Choices Matter 28.3%, Pixel Graphics 20.2%, Story Rich 16.1%, Visual Novel 14%, Emotional 12.2%

Why You'll Like It: Combines political themes with a character-driven story about the human cost of military service.

You’re a state-installed landlord in a totalitarian country. Place listening devices, steal and sneak into your tenants’ apartments. Use what you uncovered to report anyone capable of plotting against the state. You MUST! But WILL you?

Why similar: Choices Matter 31.1%, Multiple Endings 27.4%, Story Rich 14.9%, Atmospheric 13.6%, Indie 4%

Why You'll Like It: Explores the dark reality of living in a dystopian state where every choice has significant consequences for your family.

Lenin – The Lion is a Puzzle RPG game about overcoming fears. Walk into chaos and find the claws of loneliness or carefully build your path and find the benefits of understanding and acceptance.

Why similar: Multiple Endings 22.8%, Choices Matter 22.8%, Pixel Graphics 17.8%, Emotional 11.9%, Story Rich 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: An emotional, indie-driven narrative that explores psychological depth and the weight of personal choices.

In This War Of Mine you do not play as an elite soldier, rather a group of civilians trying to survive in a besieged city; struggling with lack of food, medicine and constant danger from snipers and hostile scavengers. The game provides an experience of war seen from an entirely new angle.

Why similar: Choices Matter 38.4%, Atmospheric 22.9%, Story Rich 15.5%, Emotional 13.8%, Singleplayer 5%

Why You'll Like It: Captures the desperate struggle for survival from the perspective of civilians caught in the crossfire of war.

Svoboda 1945: Liberation is a unique adventure game featuring dialogues with real actors. Talk to witnesses of the chaotic aftermath of World War 2 and discover the secret history of your own family in a captivating story about reconciliation with the dark past.

Why similar: Choices Matter 21.6%, Multiple Endings 17.9%, Visual Novel 15%, Emotional 11.5%, Story Rich 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: A deep historical narrative game that deals with the aftermath of WWII and the rise of Communism in Czechoslovakia.

Berlin 1933. “Adolf Hitler is chancellor!” We all know the consequences this message bore. Unspeakable horrors and suffering would sweep across the world. Few would stand and fight the monstrosity that was the German Reich. Will you? Lead an underground resistance group Through the Darkest of Times.

Why similar: Choices Matter 21.6%, Multiple Endings 17.1%, Story Rich 10.8%, Adventure 9.4%, Atmospheric 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: A strategy-adventure game about leading a resistance group, focusing on the human cost of opposing an authoritarian government.

The Heroes Around Me tells a story of a family of 3: the hard-working and quiet father – Nan, his daughter Lili, and their pet dog Sesame. Players will experience the harshness and warmth in the simpler time of the 1990s, where lots of stories are untold.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 25.4%, Visual Novel 25%, Story Rich 15.7%, Emotional 13.4%, Atmospheric 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: Uses a charming pixel-art style to tell a deeply emotional and grounded story about family and life in a changing society.

Path Out is an autobiographical narrative game following the real journey of Abdullah Karam, a young Syrian escaping the civil war in 2014. Abdullah himself comments the game through Youtube-style videos, giving insights into his dramatic travels through Syria's war torn countryside & daily life.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 83%, Adventure 17%

Why You'll Like It: A unique, autobiographical adventure game that blends historical reality with a distinct, personal narrative style.

Unrest is a role playing adventure game set in a fantasy interpretation of ancient India that adapts to death, failure, and the choices you make. Play as ordinary people in a struggle for safety, freedom, and a chance at peace. Use conversation, manipulation (and rarely, violence) to achieve your goals.

Why similar: Choices Matter 21.5%, Multiple Endings 20.5%, Visual Novel 17.4%, CRPG 16.4%, Story Rich 10.6%

Why You'll Like It: A choice-heavy RPG set in an ancient Indian city that focuses on the struggles of the common people rather than heroes.

Follow Sybil in her pursuit for survival, having to sacrifice everything - her culture, her identity, her values - to achieve a single objective: escape from a place that is constantly trying to kill her. A short game about persecution and identity.

Why similar: Multiple Endings 21.3%, Pixel Graphics 16.3%, Choices Matter 12.9%, Visual Novel 12%, Story Rich 11.5%

Why You'll Like It: A narrative-heavy adventure that emphasizes emotional storytelling and the impact of dark, life-altering events.

Chornobyl Liquidators is not a fantastic tale of exploring the Zone. It's a story about real people facing a real threat — the CNPP disaster. Invisible radiation, KGB, difficult moral choices... Do you have enough courage and strength to take on this challenge?

Why similar: Cold War 28.7% ★, 1980s 17.4%, Choices Matter 12.8%, Multiple Endings 12.6%, Story Rich 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on the cold-war era and the harsh realities of survival in a high-stakes, historically significant environment.

For the People is a mix of a political management sim and a visual novel, putting players in the shoes of an idealistic young state official tasked with shaping the future of a communist factory town. Will the party provide for the people, or are the people just cogs in its machine?..

Why similar: Choices Matter 24.8%, Multiple Endings 24.1%, Visual Novel 19.1%, Story Rich 12.4%, Atmospheric 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: A political simulation that forces players to navigate the moral complexities of governing under a strict regime.

Free Will is a 2D psychological puzzle RPG where the puzzles happen outside of the game. Dig deep into the system code to fix the corruption, and uncover information that might be better off hidden.

Why similar: Choices Matter 23.9%, Story Rich 22.4%, Multiple Endings 17.9%, Pixel Graphics 15%, Emotional 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: A psychological indie game that prioritizes deep, choice-based storytelling over traditional gameplay mechanics.

Person of European Heritage #112: Welcome to Relocation Block B, your new home. Your designated role is 'Bouncer'. Work hard, stay out of trouble, and we might let you stay in the UK.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 55.5%, Multiple Endings 17.8%, Story Rich 9.8%, 2D 5.4%, Adventure 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: A dystopian political game that examines the life of a citizen struggling to survive in a post-Brexit, restrictive society.

Sovietpunk is a cyberpunk story set in the setting of the Soviet Union after a global nuclear war. You have to guide the main character through the gloomy tunnels, in which the struggle for life is in full swing.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 26.4%, Visual Novel 20.5%, Story Rich 18.3%, Atmospheric 16.1%, 2D 7%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric, story-driven experience that leans into the aesthetic and thematic tropes of the post-Soviet era.

The year is 2036. In this famine-riddled world, food-centric sovereignty has been established. Living alone inside a food-inspection booth, you are striving to find truth and peace beyond the borderline.

Why similar: Choices Matter 20.3%, Multiple Endings 20.1%, Pixel Graphics 17.5%, Story Rich 11.5%, Atmospheric 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: A choice-driven narrative set in a dystopian world that mirrors the oppressive atmosphere of the seed game.

Big Brother has arrived - and it’s you. Investigate the lives of citizens to find those responsible for a series of terror attacks. Information from the internet, personal communications and private files are all accessible to you. But, be warned, the information you supply will have consequences.

Why similar: Choices Matter 89.8%, Story Rich 4%, Visual Novel 2%, Atmospheric 1.6%, Indie 1%

Why You'll Like It: Explores the ethics of surveillance and the power dynamics between the state and the individual.

Plague: London 1665 is an RPG with pixel art graphics set in 1665's during the Bubonic Plague outbreak in overcrowded and polluted London. As a body collector, graveyard keeper, and family provider, avoid the disease while clearing the streets. Will you survive the outbreak or become another victim?

Why similar: Choices Matter 23.4%, Multiple Endings 18.8%, Pixel Graphics 13.6%, Story Rich 9.3%, 2D 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: A historical 2D RPG that focuses on the struggle for survival in a harsh, unforgiving environment.

The game world is set in a turbulent state and the mighty Tang-Man declines. The threats from the old enemies keep coming one after another.As a nobody, will you choose either to leave yourself out of it or to fight for Tang-Man's future and turning the tide? The journey of yours,is unpredictable.

Why similar: Choices Matter 42.7%, Multiple Endings 41.9%, Atmospheric 4.6%, 2D 2.8%, Indie 2.8%

Why You'll Like It: Features a complex system of choices and multiple endings that reward players for navigating social and political relationships.

Justice.exe is a dialogue-heavy dystopian legal drama in which you defend sentient AI in court. Discover key story elements in dialogue, build your case by studying arguments, and engage the opposing counsel in wits, charisma and skullduggery. Small choices might alter the fate of your clients.

Why similar: Choices Matter 22.1%, Multiple Endings 20.2%, Pixel Graphics 18.4%, Story Rich 12.6%, Atmospheric 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: A story-rich simulation that forces players to make difficult moral judgments within a dystopian framework.

Coffee Talk is a coffee brewing and heart-to-heart talking simulator about listening to fantasy-inspired modern peoples’ problems, and helping them by serving up a warm drink or two.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 20.8%, Choices Matter 16.3%, Multiple Endings 15.6%, Visual Novel 14.8%, Story Rich 10.7%

Why You'll Like It: While lighter in tone, it shares the atmospheric, character-focused storytelling and intimate dialogue style of Martial Law.

The Cat Lady follows Susan Ashworth, a lonely 40-year old on the verge of suicide. She has no family, no friends and no hope for a better future. One day she discovers that five strangers will come along and change everything...

Why similar: Story Rich 32.6%, Atmospheric 18.1%, Emotional 16.7%, Adventure 13.2%, Indie 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric, story-rich indie game that excels at portraying dark, emotional, and psychological themes.

Insects Awaken is a puzzle visual novel set in the 1940s. It follows the story of Chen Shan, a young man entangled in espionage while defending his family and homeland. He embarks on a journey between the isolated cities of Chongqing and Shanghai, braving the chaos of war with his passion and youth.

Why similar: Choices Matter 26.4%, Multiple Endings 22.5%, Visual Novel 14.4%, Story Rich 14.2%, Adventure 6.4%

The story about an uneasy journey of one man. You will experience certain situations, those, that could have happened with our parents, children or even a neighbours on just any other war. Through the eyes of our hero you will see his struggle in a modern war, struggle with oneself.

Why similar: Story Rich 36.4%, Adventure 29.4%, Indie 20.1%, 2D 14.2%

Why You'll Like It: An indie adventure that focuses on philosophical storytelling and the weight of personal narrative.

Mars Underground is an apocalyptic adventure where you relive the same day over and over. With each cycle new items can be picked up and topics unlocked.​ Explore the possibilities of this timeloop and uncover multiple endings.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 36.1%, Adventure 21.1%, Story Rich 18.2%, Indie 14.6%, 2D 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: An indie adventure that uses a unique, surreal narrative to explore themes of choice and consequence.

A revolutionary crowd-based retro brawler

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 56.7%, Indie 35.5%, 2D 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: A pixel-art game that focuses on the collective struggle against systemic oppression and political corruption.

Chernobyl, USSR, 1986. Three nuclear plant workers go on a daring mission to prevent a radioactive fallout that would affect half of Europe. Every moment is permanent, and all is at stake.

Why similar: Cold War 32.7% ★, 1980s 20.1%, Multiple Endings 15.5%, Choices Matter 14.8%, Atmospheric 8%

An oriental narrative mystery. The story branches upon your choices. The dice lies.

Why similar: Choices Matter 25%, Multiple Endings 19.4%, Story Rich 13.9%, CRPG 13.6%, Visual Novel 10.8%

«Undying Symphony» tells a story about challenges that Leningrad people faced during the Siege and shows us one of the most tragic episodes of Leningrad history

Why similar: Multiple Endings 29.9%, Story Rich 17%, Atmospheric 13%, Choices Matter 10.5%, Visual Novel 9.7%

The protagonist of this lonely life is you. You leave your hometown and come to a strange world. The world is prosperous and cold, strange but real. You may like it or wish you could tear it to pieces. The good news is, you have the choice!

Why similar: Cold War 36.5% ★, Choices Matter 17.5%, Multiple Endings 16.5%, Pixel Graphics 14.2%, Story Rich 10.2%

Point and click comedy adventure game set during the cold war in a soviet bunker. Crack the code, feed the cat, save the world. Save the world again in the free DLC R3D STAR included in the game.

Why similar: Cold War 35.8% ★, Pixel Graphics 22.4%, Choices Matter 9.5%, Multiple Endings 9.1%, Adventure 8.3%

How did the communist regime in Czechoslovakia fall? This hidden-object game tells the story of ordinary people taking part in the peaceful demonstrations that changed the course of history. Big crowds hide those, who want to tell you why they took to the streets.

Why similar: 1980s 33.6%, Atmospheric 18.9%, Story Rich 15.8%, Historical 15.1%, 2D 9.1%

Crisis in the Kremlin is a global real-time political strategy about the Socialist world in its final decade. Shape the fate of the world as you manage economy, foreign relations, and domestic policy. Engage with countries across the globe, using diplomacy or even proxy wars to expand your reach.

Why similar: Cold War 42.2% ★, 1980s 22%, Multiple Endings 15.1%, Atmospheric 6.8%, Historical 4.8%

The story of a soldier left alone in a bunker.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 39%, Atmospheric 17.8%, Emotional 17.3%, 2D 12.8%, Adventure 6.6%

Don't Let Me Fade is an interactive adventure about memory, identity, and loss. Piece together fragments of a life - even if a simple teddy bear is the last symbol of connection to oneself in a world without time.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 21.3%, Visual Novel 20.4%, Adventure 13.3%, Atmospheric 10.4%, Emotional 10.1%

Escape from the Cursed Convent is a narrative-driven adventure game set in a medieval girls' convent, offering a rich storytelling experience, and several gameplay styles including QTE, hunting, cooking, and puzzle-solving.

Why similar: Choices Matter 19.2%, Multiple Endings 19.1%, Pixel Graphics 16.6%, Visual Novel 13.9%, Story Rich 10.5%

Take over the duties of a border guard inspector in a communist country of the 80's. Smuggling, corruption and forgery are the order of the day here. Be vigilant and earn the respect of your superiors.

Why similar: 1980s 36.4%, Multiple Endings 29.3%, Story Rich 14%, Atmospheric 9.4%, Action-Adventure 4.1%

Esports History: Prologue is a free RPG simulator about the era of the birth of eSports. Start from scratch and work your way up to an eSports career. Use your resources and time wisely to develop a unique character and win tournaments.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 41.2%, Choices Matter 32.3%, Atmospheric 9.8%, 2D 8.8%, Indie 6.9%

‘We. The Refugees: Ticket to Europe’ is a socially engaged, text-based RPG about a journalist looking for his big break by uncovering the plights of refugees travelling from Africa to Europe. It is a story inspired by true events.

Why similar: Multiple Endings 26.6%, Choices Matter 25.8%, Story Rich 15.4%, Emotional 14.1%, 2D 6.8%

Man I Just Wanna Go Home is an "MSPaint-noir" visual novel with 13 endings, a unique visual style and a killer 80s inspired soundtrack. The story revolves around a delivery person stranded in an unfamiliar part of the city under the devastating rain. All he wants is to get home. Help him!

Why similar: Choices Matter 21.9%, Multiple Endings 21.3%, Visual Novel 18%, Pixel Graphics 15.7%, Story Rich 10.4%

Wandering Sword is a Chinese martial-arts RPG where you play a young swordsman caught up in a feud and nearly dies. Escaping the event puts you on the path of pursuing the highest form of martial arts and exploring the pugilistic world to become the great hero you are always destined to be.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 56.7%, Story Rich 28.7%, Adventure 9.9%, Singleplayer 4.7%

Driving home late one night you encounter a refugee in distress. They are looking for salvation. Do you hand them over to violent authorities? Or risk sheltering them yourself?

Why similar: Choices Matter 24.2%, Multiple Endings 16.3%, Story Rich 14.1%, Visual Novel 13.3%, Emotional 12.1%

Back to the Dawn is a story-rich RPG set in a high-security prison ruled by factions and buried secrets. Investigate two conspiracies from the inside, gather evidence, and outsmart a system designed to silence you. Make friends (or foes) with fellow inmates and with their help, break out of prison.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 26.6%, Choices Matter 23.7%, Multiple Endings 19.7%, Story Rich 15.1%, CRPG 6.5%

Tyrania is a kinetic visual novel, meaning a text-based game with a one ending linear story. The story is focused on the opposition of two different ideas of Justice when dealing with crime and terrorism.

Why similar: Visual Novel 38.7%, Indie 25.5%, Story Rich 16.4%, Emotional 10.7%, 2D 5.3%

You decide how a civil war in the country of Izgub is supposed to end. Visual novel with strong themes of war, political violence and moral dilemma.

Why similar: Visual Novel 30.6%, Atmospheric 19.4%, Emotional 11.4%, 2D 11.3%, Adventure 10.9%

Explore a mysterious world as the protagonist in this short adventure game with pixel graphics.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 25%, Multiple Endings 23.4%, Choices Matter 21.4%, Story Rich 15.3%, 2D 7%

The Last Oath is a short story based game about a knight that fell in battle fighting for their king. You find yourself with a final task to keep your oath to the king. Complete this task as you find out more about the world by interacting with the environment through text based dialogue.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 45.4%, Atmospheric 20.1%, Adventure 17.9%, 2D 14.1%, Indie 1.4%

Play as a farmer who struggles to manage a failing farm. You come to a point where there is no more hope, and you must do something.

Why similar: Visual Novel 37.4%, Atmospheric 22.8%, Story Rich 15.2%, Adventure 13%, 2D 7.1%

WARSAW RISING: City of Heroes is a challenging turn-based tactical RPG set in an occupied capital during WWII. Pick your heroes. Navigate historic streets. Confront occupiers. And try to survive the 63 days of hell in this historically accurate portrayal of Poles fighting for their city.

Why similar: Historical 50.4%, 2D 49.6%

A PSX retro horror game made by a sixth grader. Your car runs out of gas on your way to an abandoned carnival now infested with danger at every corner.

Why similar: 1980s 39.7%, Pixel Graphics 33.3%, Atmospheric 7.9%, Adventure 7%, Indie 6.9%

Cody, haunted by psychological demons, envisions a monstrous threat eliminating all he hates.

Why similar: Multiple Endings 23.2%, Choices Matter 18.3%, Pixel Graphics 14.8%, Visual Novel 12.7%, Story Rich 9.3%

Forgotten Polish town, Incident at a soviet military base and hellish monsters... This is a horror investigation story... Will you stop the relentless fight, or give into it?

Why similar: Cold War 51.3% ★, 1980s 22.6%, Pixel Graphics 14.4%, Atmospheric 6.9%, Action-Adventure 4.8%

Moonlaw is a mini-micro-metroidvania about a heroic knight's adventure to destroy a horrible monster on the moon!

Why similar: Multiple Endings 39.5%, Pixel Graphics 33.8%, Adventure 10.8%, Action-Adventure 8.4%, Indie 4.4%

"Crisis: The Third Way" is a fantastic visual novel set in a world struggling to recover from a devastating financial crisis that led to World War III.

Why similar: Visual Novel 38.4%, Atmospheric 26.4%, 2D 14.2%, Adventure 13.4%, Colorful 7.7%