Games Like Summerland

Embark on an emotional first-person narrative adventure where you control the story—and affect its outcomes—with your real-life blinks. With this innovative technique you will fully immerse yourself in a world of memories, both joyous and heartbreaking, as your whole life flashes before your eyes.

Why similar: Philosophical 18.4%, Walking Simulator 17.9%, Story Rich 15.4%, Interactive Fiction 15.3%, Emotional 14.7%

Why You'll Like It: A deeply emotional narrative experience that centers on the review of a life's memories, capturing the same existential weight as the seed game.

What Remains of Edith Finch is a collection of strange tales about a family in Washington state. As Edith, you’ll explore the colossal Finch house, searching for stories as she explores her family history and tries to figure out why she's the last one in her family left alive.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 33.5%, Story Rich 21.4%, Atmospheric 13%, First-Person 10.6%, Exploration 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: This masterpiece of narrative design uses unique, memory-based vignettes to explore the history of a family, mirroring the door-to-memory mechanic in Summerland.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a first-person story-driven mystery. Purchase this game to get both the original and the Unreal Engine 4 remaster called The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Redux.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 28.5%, Detective 23.9%, Atmospheric 10.9%, First-Person 9.1%, Exploration 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: It features a strong focus on atmospheric investigation and reconstructing past events through supernatural, memory-driven clues.

Dear Esther immerses you in a stunningly realised world, a remote and desolate island somewhere in the outer Hebrides. As you step forwards, a voice begins to read fragments of a letter: 'Dear Esther...' - and so begins a journey through one of the most original first-person games of recent years.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 26.1%, Interactive Fiction 18.2%, Investigation 9.7%, First-Person 8.6%, Exploration 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: A foundational atmospheric walking simulator that shares the philosophical, contemplative tone and first-person perspective of Summerland.

Tacoma is a sci-fi narrative adventure from the creators of Gone Home. Set aboard a high-tech space station in the year 2088, explore every detail of how the station’s crew lived and worked, finding the clues that add up to a gripping story of trust, fear, and resolve in the face of disaster.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 42.4%, Story Rich 16.2%, First-Person 11.6%, Exploration 9.3%, Adventure 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: Players explore a space station by replaying holographic recordings of past events, which perfectly aligns with the detective-style memory exploration of Summerland.

Ether One is a first person adventure that deals with the fragility of the human mind. There are two paths in the world you can choose from. At its core is a story exploration path free from puzzles where you can unfold the story at your own pace.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 36.1%, First-Person 15.9%, Adventure 12.4%, Exploration 11.9%, Story Rich 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: It tasks players with entering the fragmented memories of a patient to restore their mind, directly echoing the psychological and memory-diving themes of the seed.

Firewatch is a single-player first-person mystery set in the Wyoming wilderness, where your only emotional lifeline is the person on the other end of a handheld radio.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 36.5%, Story Rich 15.7%, Atmospheric 13.5%, First-Person 11.9%, Exploration 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: This game excels at first-person, character-driven storytelling within a highly atmospheric environment, focusing on the mystery of the protagonist's past.

Lost at sea 1803 ~ The good ship Obra Dinn.

Why similar: Detective 41.6%, Story Rich 13.9%, Atmospheric 11.4%, Puzzle 8.3%, Mystery 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: A brilliant detective game where you relive the final moments of the deceased to piece together a complex, tragic narrative.

Featuring a beautiful, detailed open-world and a haunting soundtrack, Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is non-linear storytelling at its best.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 56.6%, Atmospheric 12.6%, Story Rich 9.6%, First-Person 7.7%, Exploration 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric, slow-paced exploration game that uses echoes of the past to tell a poignant, non-linear story.

Eternal Threads is a single-player, first-person story-driven puzzle game of time manipulation, choice and consequence.

Why similar: Detective 18.2%, Interactive Fiction 16%, Investigation 15.9%, Story Rich 9.9%, First-Person 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: A complex narrative puzzle game where you manipulate timelines to uncover the truth behind a tragic event, emphasizing choice and consequence.

Investigate an infamous cold case in the eerie, abandoned town of Painscreek. Search for evidence, connect the dots and uncover who killed Vivian Roberts. Can you expose the truth behind this town’s dark secrets?

Why similar: Investigation 18.5%, Detective 18.2%, Walking Simulator 16.5%, Story Rich 8.4%, Exploration 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: A pure detective experience that relies on careful observation and environmental storytelling to uncover long-buried secrets.

June 7th, 1995. 1:15 AM. You arrive home after a year abroad. You expect your family to greet you, but the house is empty. Something's not right. Where is everyone? And what's happened here? Unravel the mystery for yourself in Gone Home, a story exploration game from The Fullbright Company.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 59.3%, Exploration 7.8%, First-Person 7.7%, Atmospheric 7.5%, Story Rich 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: The quintessential narrative walking simulator that focuses on uncovering the intimate, hidden history of a family through exploration.

Forgotten Fields is a game about yearning and nostalgia. Play as Sid - a struggling writer who travels back to his childhood home one last time before it's sold off. Visit old friends, relive memories and play through sections of Sid's book in this warm game about the passage of time.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 20.1%, Philosophical 18.3%, Interactive Fiction 17.3%, Cinematic 15.6%, Story Rich 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: A narrative-heavy exploration of memory, nostalgia, and the creative process that feels intimate and grounded.

A story-driven, first-person adventure game offering a cinematic experience. Embark on a journey to HaustVille, an abandoned settlement in a post-apocalyptic world. Explore your surroundings and uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of the last survivors.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 23.2%, Investigation 14.5%, Cinematic 13.2%, Story Rich 9.9%, Atmospheric 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric mystery that emphasizes environmental storytelling and the feeling of isolation in a forgotten world.

A short atmospheric adventure game about finding meaning in a meaningless world.

Why similar: Philosophical 53.9%, Point & Click 16.7%, Adventure 14.8%, Atmospheric 14.7%

Why You'll Like It: Shares the philosophical, existential weight and atmospheric indie feel of Summerland in a short, impactful experience.

The Magnificent Trufflepigs is a first-person, metal-detecting narrative game. It combines laid-back detecting and exploration with a dramatic story, all set in a beautiful English countryside. It’s a game about trying to find something.

Why similar: Story Rich 18.9%, First-Person 18.4%, Walking Simulator 18.2%, Atmospheric 14.9%, Interactive Fiction 12.6%

Why You'll Like It: A quiet, reflective exploration game that focuses on uncovering hidden objects and the stories attached to them.

What Never Was is a short, story-driven first-person game focused on exploration and puzzle-solving about Sarah, having to shoulder the arduous task of clearing out her grandfathers attic, and soon finds that not everything about the attic is what it seems.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 15%, Point & Click 14.3%, Story Rich 13.4%, First-Person 11%, Investigation 10.7%

Why You'll Like It: A short, poignant narrative adventure that captures the feeling of uncovering forgotten secrets in an attic full of memories.

12 March 1938, Renée, 16, was ripped out of her world, her only fault was that of not knowing her place in the world.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 30.9%, Exploration 19.2%, Atmospheric 15.2%, Story Rich 14.5%, Adventure 10%

Why You'll Like It: A heavy, narrative-driven exploration of psychological trauma that uses a grounded, first-person perspective to tell a haunting story.

Uncover the mystery of Thalassa, a first-person psychological drama set under the sea. Ill-fate has fallen on your former crew and friends and it’s up to you to find answers onboard the wreckage. Experience the melancholic underwater journey of human stories facing life and loss.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 23.1%, First-Person 12.8%, Adventure 10.2%, Atmospheric 10.2%, Walking Simulator 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on deep-sea mystery and uncovering the past through emotional, narrative-driven exploration.

Virginia is a single-player first-person thriller set in a small town with a secret. Experience a missing person investigation through the eyes of graduate FBI agent Anne Tarver.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 21.6%, Detective 17.4%, Cinematic 15.9%, Interactive Fiction 10%, Story Rich 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: A cinematic, non-verbal narrative experience that uses surreal, dream-like transitions to tell a compelling detective story.

Northern Canada, 1970. A strange blizzard ravages Atamipek Lake. Step into the shoes of a detective to explore the eerie village, investigate surreal events, and battle the elements to survive. Kona is a chilly interactive tale you won't soon forget.

Why similar: Detective 26.6%, Walking Simulator 21.2%, First-Person 12.3%, Atmospheric 10.8%, Story Rich 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric detective mystery set in a remote, snowy environment that rewards players for piecing together clues from the past.

Atmospheric first person adventure game focusing on immersion and exploration. Meet strange characters, discover secrets and try to unfold the mystery of the Fragmentation.

Why similar: First-Person 16.9%, Investigation 16.7%, Exploration 14%, Atmospheric 13.6%, Adventure 10%

Why You'll Like It: An immersive, atmospheric experience that leans into surreal, abstract storytelling and environmental discovery.

A first‑person cyberpunk horror detective story set in a decaying, neon‑scarred future. As an Observer who invades minds to hunt for clues, you will sift through corrupted memories to track down a mysterious killer and confront your own dark past.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 29%, Investigation 23%, Detective 21.3%, First-Person 12.2%, Story Rich 11.6%

Why You'll Like It: Combines gritty detective work with surreal, psychological memory-diving into the minds of others.

The Longest Walk is a deeply personal biographical walking-simulator game about my father's experience of living with depression.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 41.8%, First-Person 13.5%, Exploration 11.7%, Linear 8.7%, Adventure 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: A reflective, narrative-driven walking simulator that focuses on personal history and the weight of past experiences.

Empathy: Path of Whispers is an atmospheric and story-driven adventure game where you explore a seemingly abandoned world through the emotions and memories of the people who once inhabited it, trying to restore the world’s lost balance by journeying through its past.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 35.4%, Story Rich 17.8%, Adventure 16.4%, Atmospheric 13.9%, First-Person 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: Explores the memories of others to solve mysteries in a surreal, dream-like world that mirrors the structure of Summerland.

Explore the shifting manor of the enigmatic Henri Villemaine and uncover the truth behind his family’s sudden disappearance. Bend reality to recreate the scenes from his diary and expose long-buried secrets. What if your role in this case went beyond that of a simple investigator?

Why similar: Walking Simulator 24.2%, Interactive Fiction 15.6%, Cinematic 13.6%, First-Person 7.2%, Puzzle 6.5%

As a young soldier returning to an eerily deserted home, you'll explore enigmatic rooms and uncover a haunting, tragic story. Experience an atmospheric journey filled with suspense, mysterious encounters, and a deep narrative.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 23.9%, Investigation 11.4%, Story Rich 11%, First-Person 10.1%, Atmospheric 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on atmospheric, first-person narrative exploration of a troubled mind and the secrets hidden within.

The Occupation is a fixed-time, investigative thriller set in North West England on Saturday 24th October, 1987.

Why similar: Detective 30.1%, Story Rich 13.1%, First-Person 12.9%, Investigation 9.4%, Adventure 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: A detective thriller that requires players to investigate a conspiracy by piecing together events within a strict, time-sensitive narrative structure.

Jung's Labyrinth is a psychological exploration game that uses Jungian psychology, mythology, alchemical and dream symbolism in a series of active imaginations to map the process of individuation. Confront your inner archetypes, collect messages that other travelers left behind and reach your Self.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 23.6%, Philosophical 20.3%, First-Person 9.4%, Story Rich 9.1%, Interactive Fiction 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: A psychological journey through the subconscious that explores deep philosophical themes through first-person exploration.

A walking simulator about dear memories, overcoming obstacles, and finding your path. Experience a story inspired by finno-karelian folklore.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 36.5%, First-Person 12.2%, Story Rich 11.3%, Atmospheric 11.2%, Exploration 10.7%

Why You'll Like It: A meditative, atmospheric walking simulator that prioritizes mood and environmental storytelling over complex mechanics.

Step into the mind of John Morley, a 1940s detective on his final case. Explore shadowed places long forgotten by time, and piece together crime scenes in a narrative adventure steeped in mystery, unexpected twists, and a truth buried for decades.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 18.7%, Detective 16.3%, Interactive Fiction 13.8%, First-Person 8.1%, Story Rich 7.8%

Unable to sleep, you navigate a quiet condo complex. There's no rush - just you, the building, its inhabitants, and the stories they hold.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 34.4%, Interactive Fiction 12.3%, First-Person 11.5%, Exploration 10.4%, Atmospheric 10.4%

Uncover a story of intrigue, betrayal, and a civilization teetering on the brink of collapse as you solve intricate puzzles to unlock the secrets of Riven. Built from the ground-up and expanded from the award-winning original game released in 1997.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 15.7%, Philosophical 14.6%, Investigation 10.2%, First-Person 9.3%, Story Rich 8.3%

The End of the Sun: Prologue is a first-person, story-driven mystery adventure set in a Slavic fantasy world. As the ashter, a sage sorcerer gifted with the ability to travel in time, you come to a mysterious village where the line between myth and reality begins to fade perilously.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 19.9%, Detective 18.6%, Point & Click 12.6%, Story Rich 9.5%, First-Person 8.3%

Haven Moon will transport you to a mysterious world where you have to explore abandoned islands and solve their secrets to find a treasure. In this Myst-like game inspired by Jules Verne’s universe, use your senses and intelligence to find your way through secret passages and curious machinery.

Why similar: Philosophical 18.8%, Point & Click 14.9%, Walking Simulator 14.7%, Investigation 12.5%, First-Person 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: A puzzle-heavy, atmospheric adventure that rewards careful exploration of mysterious, isolated environments.

Discover the truth about Quern’s past, unfold the mysteries of its present, and be the explorer who shapes its future. Quern introduces reusable puzzle mechanics to the classic genre, making the player think about the game as a whole, and not just as a series of individual challenges.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 17.7%, Cinematic 12.5%, Investigation 12.1%, Point & Click 9.9%, First-Person 7.5%

HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE is an award winning, hour long melancholy, point-and-click narrative mystery set in the bible belt of Sweden.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 27.1%, Interactive Fiction 21.4%, Philosophical 18%, Adventure 10.2%, Emotional 6.7%

You're a detective. Investigate the haunting events surrounding the murder of Ann Peterson and her boyfriend. Explore an old safehouse for clues, deduce keywords and reveal redacted words as you search Ann's digital journal, and piece together your case report as this unfortunate story unfolds.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 21.1%, Detective 20.8%, Investigation 17.7%, Walking Simulator 17.5%, Story Rich 9.5%

7th Chance is a short (20-30 minute) story-based exploration adventure game. Waking up from a night of heavy drinking ... something isn't right.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 21.3%, Interactive Fiction 16.9%, Philosophical 11.6%, Exploration 8.2%, First-Person 7.5%

Jack Beckham is found dead, hanging in his apartment alone. Police rule it a suicide. His father, refusing to accept the conclusion, hires you to investigate. Delve into the clues left behind in his apartment to discover what really happened.

Why similar: Detective 24.6%, Investigation 19.9%, Atmospheric 9.2%, Story Rich 8.6%, Exploration 7.3%

Where We Went is a narrative driven puzzle game. Step into the role of a mysterious character that can control ancient guardians to solve puzzles. Uncover the story behind your visit to the tomb and the reason for its existence!

Why similar: Cinematic 19.7%, Story Rich 14.4%, Adventure 13.2%, Emotional 12.9%, Puzzle 10.7%

An exploration game about emotional ties that transcend even death. Riley is faced with a headstrong ghost, urging her on an adventure across atmospheric shores, uncovering the island's tragic secret. Choices in dialogue shape the bond between the two, ultimately deciding Riley's fate.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 26.6%, Story Rich 12.4%, Atmospheric 11.3%, Point & Click 11.3%, Exploration 10.2%

Imagined Leviathans is a narrative survival game set in a frozen British village. Explore the countryside and unite the survivors to face down your Leviathans together.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 18.2%, Detective 14.7%, Interactive Fiction 13.7%, Point & Click 12.1%, First-Person 8.7%

Lewis, an intelligent detective, finds himself on a mission to uncover the truth behind the many disappearances including his sister's. With the help of Joy, Lewis is going to explore what lies behind these walls. only to realize that there's much more to discover than he initially thought.

Why similar: Detective 39.8%, First-Person 11.2%, Exploration 11.2%, Puzzle 10.5%, Atmospheric 9.1%

The Honours Project is an autobiographical walking simulator. Enjoy a narrative experience, adventuring through dream-like levels, solving an occasional puzzle and listening to the dark and sometimes comical dialogue that acts as a commentary about being a student and game development.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 32.4%, Cinematic 17.9%, Story Rich 13.4%, First-Person 8.7%, Adventure 6.8%

3D first-person walking simulator with a side of exploration/interaction with the environment. The game tells the story of the Space Lemmings from Space who, after running many experiments with breakfast alphabet and the space-time continuum, got blocked between dimensions (or something).

Why similar: Walking Simulator 25.7%, Interactive Fiction 18.7%, Cinematic 18.2%, First-Person 10.2%, Atmospheric 9%

Play as the Cat Detective Albert Wilde. Walk, talk, interrogate, joke, solve a mystery, and experience an old film noir setting with humanoid animal characters. A story of quantum theory and parallel universes served with a lot of humour.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 18.2%, Cinematic 17.6%, Detective 12.6%, Investigation 11%, Interactive Fiction 10.2%

Hitchhiker is a mystery game set along lost highways, where your goal is to solve the puzzle of your own backstory.

Why similar: Philosophical 25.7%, Story Rich 12.1%, First-Person 11.1%, Interactive Fiction 10.9%, Walking Simulator 10.2%

Uncover secrets, experience history, solve puzzles and understand one another. Immerse yourself and explore a surreal and colorful world in this short, first-person adventure.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 31%, Investigation 11.1%, Exploration 10.8%, First-Person 10.3%, Adventure 9.7%

In the quiet of conscience and shadows of sin, four souls find themselves entwined in crimes involving a woman. In this narrative puzzle game, you don the sacred robe of a priest, hear the confessions of sinners, uncover secrets, seek the truth behind their crimes and deliver the final judgment.

Why similar: Cinematic 22.4%, Interactive Fiction 20.6%, Point & Click 19.2%, Story Rich 10%, Atmospheric 7.9%

You are the Ashter – a Slavic fire mage and tracker of mythical beings. Following a legendary creature, you reach a village caught in a time rift. Embark on a magical investigation – travel through time, explore the ancient land, and bond with fire to shape villagers’ fate and uncover the mystery.

Why similar: Detective 16.2%, Walking Simulator 14.8%, Investigation 12.6%, Point & Click 12.3%, Story Rich 7.8%

Explore Mandagon, a world inspired by Tibetan theology and philosophy. With a focus on life and death, discover what it means to make a true sacrifice . . .

Why similar: Atmospheric 27.1%, Adventure 24%, Story Rich 18.7%, Walking Simulator 13.5%, Exploration 8.3%

Explore an unknown and abandoned world. Each step, each puzzle, brings you closer to discovering the history and secrets of a lost civilization. Can you find the light?

Why similar: Philosophical 23.5%, Walking Simulator 22.4%, Investigation 11%, Atmospheric 6.9%, Emotional 6.6%

Andarin Weppes is a first person puzzle experience of a man with ever advancing dementia...

Why similar: Walking Simulator 29.4%, Atmospheric 16.7%, First-Person 14.7%, Adventure 10.8%, Puzzle 10.1%

Forgotten Hope is a short, single-player narrative-driven video game presented through the eyes of a teenage girl who is trying to reconnect with her past to find answers.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 22.1%, Story Rich 13.2%, First-Person 12.4%, Atmospheric 10.6%, Investigation 10%

A meditative experience that invites players to explore the serene beauty of a living, breathing cemetery as it changes with the seasons.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 37%, First-Person 13.8%, Exploration 12.9%, Story Rich 11.6%, Atmospheric 7.6%

Spiral is a third-person narrative exploration game that shares a poetic vision of cognitive degeneration. Step into the shoes of Bernard as you help him and support him while braving his unravelling mind and reliving his most treasured moments.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 30.9%, Story Rich 15.1%, Emotional 12%, Cinematic 11.2%, Atmospheric 9.6%

Aurora Hills: Chapter 1 is the first part in series of point and click puzzle adventure games. Follow the journey of Ethan Hill, a park ranger tasked with investigating strange disappearances from the region to uncover the mystery of Aurora Hills!

Why similar: Point & Click 23.5%, Cinematic 17.6%, First-Person 9.6%, Adventure 9.5%, Exploration 9.3%

A genealogical mystery straight out of 1998. Scour the early Internet for clues, uncover hidden connections, and piece together the family tree behind the secretive Roottree Corporation.

Why similar: Detective 26%, Investigation 16.7%, Point & Click 16.2%, Interactive Fiction 8.9%, Story Rich 8.4%