Games Like Passpartout: The Starving Artist

Embark on your struggling artist adventure. Draw and sell art to cheeky critics to reclaim your lost art career. Explore the endearing art-starved town of Phénix and show them you're a true artist!

Why similar: Design & Illustration 31.5% ★, Simulation 29.5%, Casual 14.3%, Indie 9.7%, Hand-drawn 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: This direct sequel expands on the original's art-creation mechanics with a more immersive world and deeper narrative exploration.

A unique artist sim game with realistic paint mixing, physics and numerous painting tools. Upgrade and customize your studio, complete tasks, sell and expose art, buy instruments and get famous!

Why similar: Design & Illustration 34.1% ★, Simulation 15.8%, Relaxing 14.8%, Casual 9.8%, Funny 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a highly detailed painting experience with realistic physics and a sandbox environment that lets you focus purely on your creative process.

Paint on any surfaces with numerous tools in Creative Space — a free sandbox version of SuchArt: Genius Artist Simulator. Create masterpieces, complete commissions, and decorate your studio in the most advanced artist sim!

Why similar: Simulation 35.4%, Funny 14.2%, Casual 12.1%, Relaxing 11.3%, Family Friendly 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: A free-to-play version of the painting simulator that provides a dedicated space to experiment with various art tools and techniques.

Experience the joy of running your own cozy small business: Create stickers, pack orders and hear your customers’ stories. Time to build the cutest shop on the internet!

Why similar: Simulation 27.6%, Relaxing 24%, Casual 18.8%, Indie 10.5%, Family Friendly 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: You manage a small business designing and selling custom stickers, perfectly capturing the satisfying loop of creating art and fulfilling customer orders.

For creation and collection aficionados, The Painter’s Playground offers a game-based sandbox to craft and collect 2D artwork and share it with the online community. Strive to either be the buzz of the arthouse as a creator of sought-after works, or own the most coveted collection - or both!

Why similar: Simulation 48%, Casual 32.4%, Indie 19.6%

Why You'll Like It: A straightforward and relaxing simulation that focuses on the joy of painting without the pressure of a harsh art market.

In Game Dev Tycoon you replay the history of the gaming industry by starting your own video game development company in the 80s. Create best selling games. Research new technologies and invent new game types. Become the leader of the market and gain worldwide fans.

Why similar: Simulation 58.5%, Casual 16.7%, Indie 14.6%, Singleplayer 5.1%, Funny 3.8%

Why You'll Like It: Like Passpartout, this game tasks you with managing the business side of a creative endeavor while trying to balance quality with market trends.

Return to Calypso Island to serve seasonal sundae treats in Papa's Freezeria Deluxe! Craft sundaes in the Freezeria for all your quirky customers while earning tips, points and Special Recipes. Switch gears and take a trip in the Food Truck to concoct your own chilly creations and see who shows up!

Why similar: Simulation 40.5%, Casual 24.2%, Indie 11.8%, Singleplayer 6.8%, Family Friendly 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: A classic job-simulation game that requires you to manage customer orders and time effectively, mirroring the pressure of the starving artist lifestyle.

A realistic cooking sim where every ingredient reacts with real physics. Master 80+ dishes in Career mode or go wild in Sandbox as you cook, experiment, or cause total kitchen chaos in a fully interactive chef’s playground.

Why similar: Simulation 62.4%, Funny 12.2%, Relaxing 11.2%, Singleplayer 7.8%, Family Friendly 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: This game offers a high-fidelity simulation of a professional kitchen where you must balance culinary creativity with the demands of running a business.

Guide brush strokes and solve a variety of puzzles to help an aspiring artist complete her masterpiece amid her brusque neighbor’s gaze and his pesky cat. As her painting starts to take shape, uncover an emotional tale of chance and artistry revealed behind unrelated yet familiar moments.

Why similar: Hand-drawn 36%, Relaxing 33.9%, Casual 20.4%, Singleplayer 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: A beautiful, narrative-driven game that centers on an artist finishing their masterpiece, blending painting mechanics with a touching story.

Potion Craft is an alchemist simulator where you physically interact with your tools and ingredients to brew potions. You're in full control of the whole shop: invent new recipes, attract customers and experiment to your heart's content. Just remember: the whole town is counting on you.

Why similar: Simulation 27.9%, Relaxing 25%, Hand-drawn 19%, Casual 12.3%, Indie 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: You manage a shop and experiment with ingredients to create unique potions, combining creative crafting with inventory and customer management.

Live the life of a starving artist in 19th century alternative history. Survive poverty, alchoholism, madness, depression, and 67 different feelings. Paint masterpieces by combining inspirations, sell them for riches (or scraps) and create a painting that will change the world.

Why similar: Design & Illustration 38.1% ★, Simulation 28.1%, Casual 17.2%, Indie 12.3%, Singleplayer 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: A thematic simulation that explores the highs and lows of an artist's career through a mix of life-sim and strategy elements.

Unpacking is a zen puzzle game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking.

Why similar: Relaxing 37.7%, Simulation 21.6%, Casual 17.7%, Indie 8.4%, Family Friendly 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: A cozy, meditative game about organizing and placing items that tells a story through the objects you choose to display.

House Flipper is a unique chance to become a one-man renovation crew. Buy, repair and remodel devastated houses. Give them a second life and sell them at a profit!

Why similar: Design & Illustration 34.6% ★, Simulation 24%, Relaxing 16%, Casual 11%, Multiplayer 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: This simulation allows you to express your design sensibilities by renovating and decorating homes to sell for a profit.

A game about writing nice letters to real people. Write and receive encouraging letters in a cozy room. Trade stickers and listen to chill music. We're all in this together. Sometimes all you need are a few kind words.

Why similar: Relaxing 35.2%, Casual 21%, Indie 12.9%, Funny 11.5%, Multiplayer 11.2%

Why You'll Like It: A wholesome, creative experience centered on writing and receiving letters, capturing the emotional and social side of creative expression.

Start out on an island with a basic rod. Progress into a radar-wielding master fisher-cat scouring the sea for the biggest and baddest fish. Each fish has unique behaviors that you will learn to exploit as you tailor your arsenal of fishing rods to suit your style of play. Mrrrow!

Why similar: Relaxing 19.5%, Casual 18.1%, Simulation 17.7%, Funny 15.7%, Indie 12.1%

Why You'll Like It: A relaxing, casual indie game that offers a simple but addictive loop of upgrading your gear to catch better fish.

You are bread. Your mission, become toast! Take on all hazards to deliciousness as you head on an epic adventure in one of the the toughest games ever baked. All of the game modes (including Bagel Race) are now unlocked so there's sure to be something to suit everyone's taste!

Why similar: Simulation 38.5%, Funny 20%, Casual 15.2%, Family Friendly 10.3%, Indie 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: It shares the funny, physics-based, and slightly chaotic tone of Passpartout as you navigate the world in an unconventional way.

Instant town building toy. Place housing blocks and watch them transform, piece by piece, into idyllic ocean-side towns, pastoral gardens, or sweeping cities on the sea.

Why similar: Simulation 25.5%, Relaxing 24.6%, Casual 17.4%, Indie 10.2%, Family Friendly 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: An instant town-building toy that focuses entirely on the creative joy of building colorful, charming structures without complex management systems.

The hottest bird lawyering game to come out of 1840s France! Join Jayjay Falcon and his witty apprentice, Sparrowson, as the two take on clients, interview witnesses, collect evidence, and deliver justice to the guilty.

Why similar: Indie 39.1%, Hand-drawn 30.5%, Singleplayer 11%, Great Soundtrack 10.7%, Funny 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: A charming and eccentric visual novel that features unique art styles and a humorous tone similar to the indie aesthetic of Passpartout.

A Hilarious Insult-‘em up in which players must verbally take-out their friends and family in different game modes. Assemble witty insults using different word strings, and employ combos, criticals, continuations and more to battle your opponents both offline and online across multiple devices.

Why similar: Simulation 39.2%, Funny 21.9%, Indie 18.5%, Multiplayer 10.8%, Casual 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: This game captures the same quirky, humorous, and indie spirit found in the interactions between the artist and their rude customers.

DAVE THE DIVER is a casual, singleplayer adventure RPG featuring deep-sea exploration and fishing during the day and sushi restaurant management at night. Join Dave and his quirky friends as they seek to uncover the secrets of the mysterious Blue Hole.

Why similar: Relaxing 27.5%, Simulation 26.7%, Casual 22.4%, Funny 11%, Singleplayer 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A delightful mix of exploration and restaurant management that balances creative menu building with a charming, colorful art style.

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: Relaxing 33.3%, Simulation 28.9%, Casual 19.8%, Indie 11.2%, Singleplayer 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: A relaxing simulation where you listen to customers and brew drinks, focusing on the atmosphere and the personal stories of those you serve.

Explore the mysterious Hotel Norwood in this surreal first-person adventure. Curious characters, forgotten secrets, and head-nodding music await your arrival.

Why similar: Casual 32.4%, Great Soundtrack 31.2%, Indie 28.2%, Singleplayer 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: A surreal and atmospheric first-person exploration game that feels like an art piece in itself, perfect for fans of indie creativity.

Run an adventurers shop – a serious business in a fantasy environment. Stock your store with dangerous weapons, fancy hats, sturdy armour and magical potions.

Why similar: Simulation 70%, Indie 21.7%, Funny 3.1%, Multiplayer 2.7%, Singleplayer 2.5%

Why You'll Like It: A management simulation that puts you in charge of a shop, requiring you to balance stock and pricing to survive in a fantasy world.

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: Simulation 47.2%, Indie 28.8%, Singleplayer 8.8%, Casual 8.8%, Great Soundtrack 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: While more serious, it masterfully handles the 'job simulator' genre by making the mundane tasks of a worker feel high-stakes and personal.

Event[0] is a sci-fi narrative exploration game where you build a relationship with a lonely spaceship computer to get home to Earth.

Why similar: Indie 66.7%, Singleplayer 33.3%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric, narrative-driven indie game that relies on unique communication mechanics to progress through a mysterious environment.

Carto is a charming adventure game wrapped around a unique, world-altering puzzle mechanic. Use this power to explore mysterious lands, help a quirky cast of characters, and guide Carto on her journey back to her family.

Why similar: Hand-drawn 25%, Relaxing 20.1%, Indie 12.8%, Cartoon 12%, Funny 10.7%

Why You'll Like It: A charming indie adventure that uses map-manipulation mechanics to express creativity and solve puzzles in a beautiful, hand-drawn world.

Even the smallest person can make a big difference. Join Alba, as she sets out to save her beautiful island and its wildlife. And possibly start a revolution.

Why similar: Casual 30.1%, Family Friendly 18.3%, Funny 18.1%, Indie 13.6%, Colorful 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: A cozy, colorful, and relaxing indie game that focuses on the joy of exploring and documenting the world around you.

Wilmot's Warehouse is a puzzle game about keeping a warehouse running in tip-top shape. Just remember where you put everything, because when the service hatch opens, you'll need to find the things people want quickly, in order to earn the coveted Performance Stars.

Why similar: Simulation 31.3%, Casual 20.4%, Relaxing 19%, Indie 13.9%, Family Friendly 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: A satisfying organizational simulation that turns the act of sorting and managing items into a fun, creative puzzle.

Recettear is the story of an item shop, the girl who lives in it, and the fairy who turned her life upside down. Recette Lemongrass finds herself in charge of an item shop built into her house, in order to pay back a loan her father took and then skipped out on - and Tear, her newfound fairy "companion", won't take no for an answer!

Why similar: Simulation 56.3%, Indie 29.1%, Singleplayer 14.5%

Why You'll Like It: A classic management game about running a shop that requires you to balance inventory and customer satisfaction to pay off a debt.

Emily is Away Too is a brand new story featuring new characters and multiple different endings. Message your friends, surf the web and choose your path through this branching narrative.

Why similar: Simulation 43.5%, Casual 20.6%, Indie 18.8%, Funny 7.5%, Singleplayer 6.2%

STRAFE® is the worlds bloodiest roguelike first-person shooter! Featuring mind melting secrets and persistent gore that allows you to paint levels red with the excessive entrails of your enemies. 30+ weapons, 20+ enemies, & a red hot soundtrack.

Why similar: Indie 71.7%, Singleplayer 28.3%

Build, repair, refuel and drive a dilapidated old car on a grand journey through the territories of the former Eastern bloc. Explore Germany, CSFR, Hungary, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria

Why similar: Simulation 57%, Relaxing 16.6%, Indie 13.6%, Singleplayer 7.8%, Multiplayer 5.1%

Search for hidden folks in hand-drawn, interactive, miniature landscapes. Unfurl tent flaps, cut through bushes, slam doors, and poke some crocodiles! Rooooaaaarrrr!!!!!

Why similar: Hand-drawn 27.6%, Casual 17.3%, Relaxing 15.2%, Design & Illustration 10.8% ★, Indie 9.8%

RIVALS OF AETHER is an indie fighting game where warring civilizations summon the power of Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. Play with up to four players either locally or online.

Why similar: Indie 38.4%, Multiplayer 31.9%, Great Soundtrack 24.3%, Singleplayer 5.4%

Build airplanes by snapping parts together, designing wing sections, and attaching engines. At any time, you can strap yourself into the cockpit and see how it flies with realistic physics. If you're not in the mood for building, over 100,000 airplanes are available to download for free.

Why similar: Funny 100%

World to the West is a standalone followup of Teslagrad, the indie hit that sold more than 1.6 million copies worldwide. A vast world of blue skies and dark caves awaits you in this 3D action adventure, as you try to unveil the mysteries of an ancient prophecy.

Why similar: Indie 39.1%, Funny 18.1%, Family Friendly 14.9%, Singleplayer 10.6%, Great Soundtrack 10.1%

The Sexy Brutale — a never-ending masked ball featuring intrigue, murder and the (quite possibly) occult! Relive the same mysterious day where the guests at the casino mansion are being murdered by the staff over and over again...

Why similar: Indie 46%, Great Soundtrack 35.4%, Singleplayer 18.6%

Seasons After Fall is a 2D platform-puzzler game that will let you dive into a captivating universe and explore a land governed by magic and nature.

Why similar: Hand-drawn 37%, Indie 24.2%, Great Soundtrack 18.5%, Relaxing 11.9%, Singleplayer 8.3%

Ready to settle in with a soothing shift behind the counter? Feel the dough, hear the quiet crackle of the oven, and serve warm slices to grateful guests. Good Pizza, Great Pizza is the cozy, asmr-friendly escape you didn’t know you kneaded.

Why similar: Design & Illustration 22.8% ★, Simulation 16.8%, Hand-drawn 14.3%, Relaxing 14.1%, Funny 11.7%

Master of Pottery is a pottery-themed creation + simulation game. Make pottery, open exhibitions, complete orders, train apprentices, run your own showroom and start a relaxing pottery journey.

Why similar: Simulation 41%, Casual 23.8%, Relaxing 17.5%, Indie 14.2%, Singleplayer 3.5%

Your Excellency, in this short systems-management survival game, we prepare for the awakening of our Lord. He hungers for human sacrifice. Sinners try to hide their dark secrets, but all must be purged...

Explore a lovingly crafted world with all its odd inhabitants as you experience the ethereal realm and deliver messages to the spirits. Make your mark in the wordless narrative - with a Tiny Echo.

Why similar: Hand-drawn 28.6%, Relaxing 23.3%, Casual 21.1%, Indie 14.1%, Family Friendly 6.8%

Cursed Castilla (Maldita Castilla EX) is an arcade action platformer full of creatures from medieval myths from Spain and the rest of Europe, as well as from chivalric romances. The extended version of the classic Maldita Castilla, originally created by the indie Locomalito.

Why similar: Indie 68.8%, Singleplayer 31.2%

Feel like the star of a martial arts film in Overgrowth, as you jump, kick, throw, and slash your way to victory. Free the rabbits from their evil overlords in the main story, then play through the prequel story, and finally, try out nine years of mods developed by the community, or create your own!

Why similar: Indie 53.4%, Funny 20.9%, Multiplayer 16.1%, Singleplayer 9.6%

Top, bake, and serve delicious pizzas in Papa's Pizzeria Deluxe! Craft pizzas for Papa Louie's loyal customers while earning tips, points, and Special Recipes. Unlock holiday ingredients for seasonal pies, and take a trip in the Food Truck to serve your own unique creations!

Why similar: Simulation 44.3%, Casual 25.8%, Indie 9.5%, Family Friendly 9.5%, Colorful 5.6%

C&F Inc. teleporters are going offline all over the place, and it's up to an intrepid frog employee to fix the situation.

Why similar: Indie 46.9%, Singleplayer 26.6%, Great Soundtrack 26.4%

A painting meleon without any talent - and a talent without money. Help your meleon-artist to satisfy his need for recognition in this ultimate Idle-Painting-game where everything is about being part of a great community to reach your goals together with other players to become a famous painter!

Why similar: Design & Illustration 30.1% ★, Simulation 20.6%, Hand-drawn 16.7%, Casual 13.9%, Indie 8.7%

Welcome to Kindergarten! Have fun trying to learn and share...and not die. That's important too. In a school that's just not quite right, it's important to be friendly...and take out those that aren't.

Why similar: Funny 59.7%, Indie 23.6%, Singleplayer 16.7%

Moving Out is a ridiculous physics-based moving simulator that brings new meaning to "couch co-op"! Are you ready for an exciting career in furniture? As a newly certified Furniture Arrangement & Relocation Technician, you’ll take on moving jobs all across the busy town of Packmore.

Why similar: Simulation 36.2%, Casual 25.2%, Indie 15.2%, Funny 6.2%, Multiplayer 5.1%

Craft, Steal, Brawl and Escape! It’s time to bust out of the toughest prisons in the world as you return to the life of an inmate in The Escapists 2, now with multiplayer! Have you got what it takes to escape?

Why similar: Simulation 37.4%, Multiplayer 25%, Indie 15.1%, Funny 14.3%, Singleplayer 8.2%

Buy and sell art, manage employees, and grow your shop in this immersive simulator set in Europe. Curate a unique collection, attract customers, and become the premier art dealer. Transform your humble gallery into a thriving art empire!

Why similar: Simulation 43.6%, Relaxing 31.7%, Family Friendly 15.9%, Singleplayer 8.8%

Become the most successful youtuber on the planet! Create videos, get subscribers, attend events, interact with your fans… and grow your channel. Live a youtuber’s life!

Why similar: Simulation 26.3%, Casual 16.8%, Cartoon 16.4%, Funny 13.9%, Family Friendly 10.4%

Overcooked is a chaotic couch co-op cooking game for one to four players. Working as a team, you and your fellow chefs must prepare, cook and serve up a variety of tasty orders before the baying customers storm out in a huff.

Why similar: Simulation 19.2%, Casual 19.1%, Indie 18.3%, Funny 14.9%, Multiplayer 14.2%

'BlazBlue: Chronophantasma Extend' is the sixth installment of the BlazBlue series, a combination of 2D fighting action game and visual novel.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 63.9%, Multiplayer 26.8%, Singleplayer 9.2%

Drill for oil like it's 1899! Turmoil offers players a visually charming, tongue-in-cheek take on the simulation genre inspired by the 19th century oil rush in North America.

Why similar: Simulation 34.8%, Relaxing 33.9%, Multiplayer 12.1%, Indie 10.5%, Singleplayer 8.7%

A game I made for a certain kind of person. To hurt them.

Why similar: Funny 29.6%, Singleplayer 22.7%, Indie 20.2%, Casual 19.4%, Great Soundtrack 8.1%

Use spraypaint to paint whatever you want in a blank art gallery. Send your galleries to your friends for them to view your artwork.

Why similar: Simulation 37.1%, Casual 24.6%, Relaxing 18.5%, Indie 15.9%, Singleplayer 4%

Haunt your way through town in the dead of night! Possess objects to scare people away from a museum, a hospital, a theatre and a cruise ship. Will you be able to scare everyone out and reclaim what has been lost, before the night is over? A side-scrolling action puzzle game starring ghosts!

Why similar: Casual 24.3%, Funny 18%, Indie 16.2%, Cartoon 10.9%, Family Friendly 10.8%