Games Like The Red Pearls Of Borneo

Lost at sea 1803 ~ The good ship Obra Dinn.

Why similar: Detective 55.7%, Puzzle 14.6%, Story Rich 9.1%, Historical 6.6%, Atmospheric 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: It shares the core mechanic of using supernatural vision to reconstruct past events and solve a complex historical mystery.

"Murders on Yangtze River" is an Ace Attorney-like detective game that takes you on a journey through early 20th century China as you solve a series of intriguing cases. Use your logical reasoning and deduction skills to uncover clues, interrogate suspects, and solve the mysteries.

Why similar: Detective 46.8%, Puzzle 15.6%, Story Rich 9.9%, Historical 9.4%, Adventure 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: This detective game focuses on logical deduction and historical mystery, closely aligning with the puzzle-solving feel of the seed game.

A new kind of detective game that allows you to think and investigate freely. Discover clues surrounding 12 strange and gruesome deaths and build your own theory. Pick your suspect, deduce the motive, unmask the awful truth.

Why similar: Detective 38.8%, Interactive Fiction 18.2%, Puzzle 12.2%, Historical 10.2%, Story Rich 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: This game excels at the same type of deduction-based puzzle solving where you must piece together motives across different time periods.

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 49.4%, Puzzle 17.1%, Interactive Fiction 10.9%, Story Rich 7.3%, Atmospheric 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: This is a pure investigation game that requires meticulous note-taking and deduction to solve a complex family mystery.

Hauma is a deduction visual novel set in Munich. Discover a conspiracy amongst the upper echelons of society alongside former detective Judith, while visiting real locations in a comic-inspired look.

Why similar: Detective 31.5%, Interactive Fiction 16.6%, Visual Novel 10.4%, Puzzle 10%, Story Rich 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: It mirrors the noir detective atmosphere and visual novel style while featuring a strong female protagonist in a mystery-heavy narrative.

A thrilling point-and-click adventure game where you play as Di Renjie, ancient China's most famous and gifted investigator, as he tracks a serial killer in the heart of the Tang Dynasty's capital city.

Why similar: Detective 30%, Interactive Fiction 19.4%, Historical 13.1%, Dialogue Heavy 8.9%, Story Rich 7.5%

Why You'll Like It: It features a historical setting and point-and-click investigation mechanics that mirror the classic detective vibe of the seed game.

Disco Elysium - The Final Cut is a groundbreaking role playing game. You’re a detective with a unique skill system at your disposal and a whole city to carve your path across. Interrogate unforgettable characters, crack murders or take bribes. Become a hero or an absolute disaster of a human being.

Why similar: Detective 57.7%, Story Rich 18.8%, Visual Novel 9.7%, Atmospheric 7.5%, Adventure 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: It offers the gold standard for deep, narrative-driven detective work with a heavy emphasis on internal monologue and atmospheric world-building.

Step into a living illustrated world in a time when Europe is at a crossroads of great religious and political change. Walk in the footsteps of Andreas Maler, a master artist who finds himself in the middle of murders, scandals, and intrigue in the Bavarian Alps.

Why similar: Detective 26.5%, Interactive Fiction 20.4%, Historical 15.2%, Hand-drawn 9.7%, Story Rich 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a rich, historical mystery experience where your choices and investigation skills determine the outcome of a long-spanning narrative.

In 1936, something terrible happened at Galley House. Decades later, with a strange contraption that reveals echoes of the past, you must uncover the truth behind this grisly mystery.

Why similar: Detective 39.5%, Puzzle 16.5%, Visual Novel 12%, Nonlinear 10.6%, Story Rich 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a focused, story-rich mystery experience that emphasizes puzzle-solving and detective work in a contained environment.

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: World War II 24% ★, Interactive Fiction 16.1%, Historical 14.8%, Hand-drawn 7.9%, Dialogue Heavy 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: Set during World War II, this game captures the emotional weight and historical atmosphere of a civilian caught in a dangerous conflict.

Chinatown Detective Agency is a cybernoir point and click adventure blending stunning retro design with innovative mechanics. Play as Amira Darma, an ex-cop who has just opened her own detective agency. Choose your clients, travel around the world and solve dangerous cases using real world research.

Why similar: Detective 47.9%, Dialogue Heavy 13%, Story Rich 11.4%, Adventure 7%, Retro 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: It combines classic detective investigation with a noir aesthetic and real-world research elements for a grounded mystery experience.

A narrative adventure that combines the exploration and investigation of the enigmatic town of Düstenburg and its people, with trials that test your knowledge about the case.

Why similar: Detective 34.5%, Interactive Fiction 21.4%, Puzzle 13.1%, Dialogue Heavy 9.7%, Story Rich 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: It is a detective-focused interactive fiction game that relies on puzzle solving and uncovering secrets in a mysterious setting.

A woman is interviewed seven times by the police. Search the video database and explore hundreds of authentic clips to discover her story in this groundbreaking and award winning narrative game.

Why similar: Detective 30.4%, Interactive Fiction 19.6%, Nonlinear 11.5%, Puzzle 10.7%, Visual Novel 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: It pioneered the non-linear investigation format where you must piece together a fragmented narrative to uncover the truth.

Paradise Island, a world outside reality. There’s been a murder that only "investigation freak" Lady Love Dies can solve. Gather evidence and interrogate suspects in this open world adventure. You can accuse anyone, but you’ll have to prove your case in trial. It’s up to you to decide who’s guilty.

Why similar: Detective 51.8%, Story Rich 13.6%, Stylized 9.8%, Atmospheric 9.1%, Female Protagonist 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: This open-ended investigation game allows you to explore a unique world and gather evidence at your own pace to solve a central crime.

Intruder In Antiquonia is a narrative mystery adventure that will immerse you in the Internet-hostile town of Antiquonia. Sarah does not remember who she is and how she got there. Help her solve the mysteries of her past while exploring beautiful hand-drawn environments.

Why similar: Detective 30.7%, Interactive Fiction 16.5%, Puzzle 11.7%, Story Rich 8.3%, Hand-drawn 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: This story-rich mystery game features point-and-click investigation and puzzle elements that align well with the seed game's genre.

Follow amateur geologist and reluctant detective Nancy Maple to the ghost town of Crimson, Ontario to investigate the discovery of a massive diamond in this retro-inspired, EGA text parser mystery adventure!

Why similar: Text-Based 19.3%, Interactive Fiction 18.9%, Detective 16.8%, Historical 14%, Retro 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: This retro-styled mystery game focuses on exploration and investigation, perfect for fans of classic detective stories.

2D sidescrolling adventure narrative game with puzzle solving and platforming elements.

Why similar: Detective 31.4%, Interactive Fiction 17.3%, World War II 15.8% ★, Puzzle 10.8%, Visual Novel 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the detective noir aesthetic and puzzle-solving gameplay in a stylized 2D world.

Detective Red July must stop a serial killer who patterns his murders after optical illusions in this mystery visual novel set in the world of Methods.

Why similar: Detective 28.2%, Interactive Fiction 20.4%, Text-Based 14%, Puzzle 11%, Visual Novel 10%

Why You'll Like It: It blends visual novel storytelling with deductive puzzle-solving, making it a great mechanical match for the seed game.

Take on the role of a private investigator in this immersive detective simulator. Solve murders and other crimes in a procedurally generated and persistent city where every NPC lives and breathes their own independent lives. Find the killer quickly… or they will kill again!

Why similar: Detective 71.5%, Puzzle 15%, Adventure 7.1%, Atmospheric 4.8%, Indie 1.6%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a procedurally generated noir detective experience that emphasizes investigation, surveillance, and deductive reasoning.

Players will enter the Town of Dusk, built on the eve of Empire of Japan's defeat in World War II, along with other characters. Avoid being killed by other characters! Find the mastermind behind the scenes, unravel all the conspiracies, and uncover the truth! Ultimately escape the Town of Dusk!

Why similar: Detective 29.3%, Interactive Fiction 18.3%, Text-Based 13.2%, Puzzle 12.2%, Visual Novel 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: This mystery game focuses on psychological tension and puzzle solving, fitting the atmospheric tone of the seed game.

An interactive thriller about a man trapped in a time loop. Featuring James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley, and Willem Dafoe.

Why similar: Puzzle 39%, Story Rich 24.5%, Adventure 21.6%, Atmospheric 9.7%, Indie 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: The time-loop mechanic forces you to repeat events to gather information, similar to the non-linear timeline exploration in the seed game.

A woman vanishes without a trace on a cross-country train. The catch? Nobody on board remembers her ever existing in the first place - nobody, except for you. Uncover the story in this mystery adventure game!

Why similar: Detective 48.8%, Interactive Fiction 15.4%, Visual Novel 15%, Adventure 13.4%, Story Rich 7.5%

Why You'll Like It: It is a visual novel that leans heavily into the detective genre with a focus on mystery and investigation.

A narrative detective game blended with supernatural elements. Play as a rookie investigator, discover vital clues in every case, dive into unscripted interrogations and uncover truths that break minds. But with each revelation, the world feels... less human.

Why similar: Detective 42.5%, Puzzle 17%, Visual Novel 15.9%, Story Rich 13.3%, Adventure 7%

Why You'll Like It: It mirrors the supernatural detective theme while utilizing a visual novel format to deliver its narrative.

A demon has possessed you and used your body to tear a swath of bloodshed through New York. You are now free, but life as you knew it is over. Your only path forward is joining the Unavowed - an ancient society dedicated to stopping evil. No matter what the cost.

Why similar: Detective 43.1%, Adventure 17.7%, Story Rich 16.6%, Atmospheric 6.5%, Female Protagonist 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: This supernatural detective game features a strong narrative and point-and-click mechanics that feel very similar to the seed game's structure.

Solve Pixel Puzzles to find clues. Use those clues to interrogate witnesses. Work your way to the truth... ...and uncover the mystery of Murder by Numbers!

Why similar: Detective 30.5%, Interactive Fiction 19.6%, Puzzle 11.7%, Visual Novel 10.8%, Dialogue Heavy 8%

Why You'll Like It: This game combines investigation with logic-based puzzles, providing a satisfying detective experience.

Join Norah, a woman plagued by a mysterious illness, in her search for her missing husband in this adventure puzzle game set on a lush island paradise. Immerse yourself in stunning visuals and unlock forbidden secrets in a moving tale of mystery and love.

Why similar: Puzzle 29%, Story Rich 17.7%, Adventure 15.4%, Historical 15.2%, Female Protagonist 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: It features a strong atmospheric mystery set in a historical period with a heavy emphasis on environmental puzzle solving.

It's a choice-oriented story game. Play as a group of underground workers who fight in the dark, and stage a treacherous spy war story in Nanjing during World War II. How will you respond to identity crises, betrayals, and collapsed beliefs? Loyalty or betrayal, abandon others or be abandoned...

Why similar: Detective 18.9%, World War II 16.4% ★, Puzzle 10.1%, Visual Novel 9.7%, Hand-drawn 8.8%

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: Detective 39.6%, Interactive Fiction 28.6%, Text-Based 16.3%, Story Rich 8.9%, Atmospheric 3.5%

A narrative AVG focused on everyday mysteries from the lives of elementary school students. The two protagonists encounter ordinary yet unusual incidents at school, and through investigation and deduction, players uncover the truth together with them.

Why similar: Detective 42.6%, Interactive Fiction 13.7%, Adventure 10.5%, Visual Novel 9.8%, Puzzle 6.1%

Detective Game. Murder Investigation. Interrogate witnesses. Rebut with evidence.

Why similar: Detective 50.9%, Visual Novel 15.1%, Text-Based 13.8%, Adventure 7.3%, Story Rich 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a straightforward detective investigation experience within a visual novel framework.

Tails Noir Preludes is a post-noir narrative adventure with branching choices. It is an intertwined series of vignettes about change, circumstance, and consequence. Guide four characters through formative moments in their lives in a dystopian Vancouver inhabited by anthropomorphic animals.

Why similar: Detective 26.4%, Interactive Fiction 19.4%, Visual Novel 14.6%, Dialogue Heavy 13.8%, Story Rich 7.6%

Four private lives. One big lie. Search through secretly recorded video conversations to discover the truth. The successor to the acclaimed Her Story.

Why similar: Detective 35.7%, Interactive Fiction 20.2%, Nonlinear 12%, Puzzle 10.9%, Story Rich 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: Like the seed game, it uses a non-linear database of information that you must navigate to uncover a hidden truth.

A narrative puzzle-thriller that blurs the lines between games and books, reality and fiction, puzzles and storytelling.

Why similar: Detective 29.3%, Interactive Fiction 15.2%, Text-Based 11.3%, Puzzle 10.3%, Hand-drawn 8.4%

Dragon Maiden is a 2D pixel-art mystery adventure. As Wang Xie, you’re trapped in a time loop on the day of the Mountain God Ceremony. Relive the 22 hours before midnight, uncover the truth behind the village’s destruction, and break free from the cycle.

Why similar: Detective 34%, Puzzle 17.8%, Adventure 15.3%, Text-Based 11.7%, Story Rich 6.2%

There's only one detective to unravel this murder turned museum heist... and they're the cat's meow. Interrogate a "colorful" cast of suspects until they cough up hairballs... and the truth. Will you wrap up the case in time for an afternoon nap, and make injustice knead its last biscuit?

Why similar: Detective 32.3%, Interactive Fiction 17.4%, Puzzle 11.3%, Hand-drawn 9.1%, Visual Novel 8.4%

《江华号》是一款国风水墨横版卷轴叙事游戏。1928年，武汉的大街小巷流传着一则“头七夜死者还魂”的诡异消息，引发各界关注。《楚城时报》新人记者虞慧龄奉命前去采访，却误打误撞，被种种谜团指引着登上了一艘名为“江华号”的豪华客轮。在那里，一段不为人知的隐秘往事渐渐浮出水面……

Why similar: Detective 25.2%, Interactive Fiction 21.6%, Puzzle 10.9%, Historical 10.9%, Story Rich 7.4%

Trials of Innocence is an indie courtroom detective game. Step into the shoes of the main character, rookie lawyer Luna Ray, and navigate her journey through the legal world. Unravel a shocking conspiracy that changes the fate of many, including herself, and confront her inner choices.

Why similar: Detective 34.2%, Interactive Fiction 20.6%, Visual Novel 10.7%, Puzzle 9.2%, Story Rich 8.2%

Role-play as an ancient Chinese constable. Solving cases and bringing criminals to justice is only part of your duty. Every choice leads the story down a different path, and the world itself evolves in response to your actions.

Why similar: Detective 34.5%, Text-Based 13.5%, Historical 13.5%, Interactive Fiction 8.8%, Story Rich 8.3%

Moving into a shabby apartment, a saturnine girl with hidden secrets finds a notebook that allows her to communicate with another world. A thrilling adventure taking place across multiple timelines ensues.

Why similar: Detective 34.1%, Puzzle 22.3%, Interactive Fiction 13.3%, Story Rich 8%, Visual Novel 6.4%

Between 1930 and 1933, Lieutenant Chen, an ambitious Asian officer, travels to a remote mine in the mountains of French Indochina to investigate a decrease in mineral production. Various forces become entangled in the power play, revealing the truth amid diplomatic mediation and supernatural events.

Why similar: Detective 30.2%, Visual Novel 15.1%, Hand-drawn 13.2%, Story Rich 10.8%, Historical 10.2%

In a world of fairies, a childhood friend suddenly calls Beatrice back to her old hometown. Yet when she arrives, her friend is mysteriously missing.

Why similar: Detective 35%, Dialogue Heavy 13.8%, Visual Novel 11.7%, Interactive Fiction 11.7%, Story Rich 8.2%

Explore the intertwined fates of humans and youkai in this interactive fiction. As an unwitting protagonist, enter the sealed realm of Gensokyo to investigate a series of bizarre murders. Unearth ancient secrets and witness a gripping saga hidden for millennia.

Why similar: Detective 42.2%, Text-Based 18.2%, Interactive Fiction 15.5%, Visual Novel 15.4%, Story Rich 5.4%

A series of murders is shocking Hollywood! Use your detective skills: search the crime scene, find clues, solve the mystery. Who is pulling the strings behind these Confidential Killings?

Why similar: Detective 30.3%, Interactive Fiction 17.8%, Puzzle 10.5%, Text-Based 9.8%, Adventure 7.6%

The Wild Case is a 2D first-person point-and-click adventure. In this story-focused adventure, players meet a cast of colorful characters, experience mysterious encounters, and solve puzzles to progress through the game.

Why similar: Detective 37.4%, Text-Based 16.1%, Puzzle 14%, Story Rich 9.2%, Hand-drawn 8.2%

Episode 1 and 2 of the award winning murder mystery, visual novel adventure in which you become the Honourable Miss Phryne Fisher, the glamorous and stylish detective!

Why similar: Detective 40.1%, Visual Novel 20.1%, Adventure 17.4%, Story Rich 13.1%, Female Protagonist 5.5%

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: World War II 25.5% ★, Historical 16.2%, Interactive Fiction 16.2%, Visual Novel 11.1%, Story Rich 9.6%

It all started with a simple robbery. When that thread was pulled, a tapestry of mysteries was revealed. Solve cases and outsmart criminals in a detective story full of lies, confessions, and maybe even a murder or two.

Why similar: Detective 44.6%, Puzzle 14.8%, Visual Novel 13.9%, Story Rich 8.5%, Adventure 7.2%

Staffer Retro is a mystery adventure game where you uncover past incidents related to ‘Mana’, the source of supernatural powers. Gather information through dialogue and exploration, and piece together clues found in documents to guide the choices of Verita Retro, the protagonist.

Why similar: Detective 40%, Text-Based 13.3%, Visual Novel 11.9%, Puzzle 10.4%, Story Rich 8.8%

A marriage between first person exploration and visual novel, blessed with a sprinkle of puzzle gameplay. Immerse yourself in a period drama that intertwines romance with murder mystery, as a young cleric who must resist or give in to the charms of a strikingly beautiful maid.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 26.1%, Story Rich 20.6%, Adventure 16.8%, Puzzle 13.2%, Visual Novel 11.8%

Germany, 1956. The war is over, but justice is not served. Former Nazis walk free, while their victims lie in unmarked graves. As a prosecutor, you'll unearth long-buried evidence, confront witnesses and hunt down perpetrators. Will you have the courage to bring these "ordinary men" to court?

Why similar: Detective 40.6%, Historical 16.4%, Puzzle 13.6%, Adventure 8.6%, Nonlinear 7.1%

Play as a sharp-witted detective in late 19th-century Leipzig, Germany, in this retro pixel-art point & click adventure. Search for clues, question suspects, and piece together evidence on your deduction board to solve four gripping murder cases.

Why similar: Detective 45.9%, Historical 17.2%, Adventure 10.4%, Story Rich 8.4%, 2D 5.5%

《REWIND》 is a hardcore text-based detective puzzle game containing nearly a hundred clues. Players need to carefully examine and deduce the clues to find the answer to the case.

Why similar: Detective 45.9%, Puzzle 19.7%, Text-Based 16.9%, Visual Novel 8.5%, Hand-drawn 5.1%

A mysterious woman is sitting in front of you. Who is she? And who are you? And why are you both there? Case #1472 is mystery information digging interrogation thriller game where there are more things going on than what meets the eye, but are you able to unravel what has happened?

Why similar: Detective 27.7%, Interactive Fiction 24.3%, Puzzle 13.2%, Visual Novel 11.2%, Adventure 7.6%

Investigate. Interrogate. Descend into a world of intrigue to untangle the Mystery of the Malign.

Why similar: Puzzle 27.6%, Story Rich 18.5%, Detective 14%, Atmospheric 12.8%, Nonlinear 11.4%

In the not so distant past, the Isle of Abbot underwent a mysterious evacuation event. Delve into the secrets of this unsettling place and elicit the girls' tragic fate. An interactive visual novel with psychological and lovecraftian undertones.

Why similar: Visual Novel 45.5%, Story Rich 21.8%, Female Protagonist 15.8%, 2D 9%, Dialogue Heavy 7.9%

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: Interactive Fiction 22%, Detective 18.7%, Historical 14.3%, Visual Novel 12.5%, Story Rich 11.9%

A Case of Distrust is a narrative mystery from 1924 San Francisco. Play as private investigator Phyllis Cadence Malone in this historical 2D adventure game.

Why similar: Detective 34.9%, Interactive Fiction 23%, Historical 12.1%, Visual Novel 11.5%, Story Rich 7%

GET AWAY WITH MURDER. Highly replayable detective game where you're the one whodunnit. From the creators of 80 Days and Heaven's Vault.

Why similar: Detective 25.7%, Interactive Fiction 16.6%, Text-Based 9.8%, Puzzle 9.1%, Historical 8.2%