Games Like The Swapper

The Talos Principle is a first-person puzzle game in the tradition of philosophical science fiction. Made by Croteam and written by Tom Jubert (FTL, The Swapper) and Jonas Kyratzes (The Sea Will Claim Everything).

Why similar: Puzzle 34.1%, Philosophical 19.5%, Sci-fi 18.6%, Atmospheric 9.6%, Great Soundtrack 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: A deeply philosophical puzzle game that challenges the player's perception of humanity and existence through complex environmental challenges.

Antichamber is a mind-bending psychological exploration game where nothing can be taken for granted. Discover an Escher-like world where hallways wrap around upon each other, spaces reconfigure themselves, and accomplishing the impossible may just be the only way forward.

Why similar: Puzzle 67%, Indie 8.1%, Atmospheric 5.4%, Exploration 4%, Great Soundtrack 3.3%

Why You'll Like It: A surreal, mind-bending puzzle game that forces players to rethink their understanding of space and geometry.

From the creators of Amnesia: The Dark Descent comes SOMA, a sci-fi horror game set below the waves of the Atlantic ocean. Struggle to survive a hostile world that will make you question your very existence.

Why similar: Sci-fi 23.9%, Puzzle 20.3%, Philosophical 14.1%, Atmospheric 13.9%, Psychological Horror 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: This game explores profound questions about the nature of consciousness and identity within a claustrophobic, atmospheric sci-fi environment.

A classic survival horror experience set in a dystopian future where humanity has uncovered a dark secret. Unravel a cosmic mystery, escape terrifying creatures, and scavenge an off-world government facility as Elster, a technician Replika searching for her lost dreams.

Why similar: Sci-fi 34.8%, Puzzle 22.6%, Atmospheric 18.3%, Psychological Horror 13%, Mystery 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the same sense of existential dread and isolation in a sci-fi setting with intricate, logic-based puzzles.

The Turing Test is a challenging first-person puzzle game set on Jupiter’s moon, Europa. You are Ava Turing, an engineer for the International Space Agency (ISA) sent to discover the cause behind the disappearance of the ground crew stationed there.

Why similar: Puzzle 28.7%, Space 23.5%, Sci-fi 23%, Atmospheric 6.7%, Great Soundtrack 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: A first-person puzzle game set on a space station that explores themes of artificial intelligence and human morality.

Hunted and alone, a boy finds himself drawn into the center of a dark project. INSIDE is a dark, narrative-driven platformer combining intense action with challenging puzzles. It has been critically acclaimed for its moody art style, ambient soundtrack and unsettling atmosphere.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 24.9%, Puzzle 24.8%, Platformer 17.1%, Atmospheric 16.3%, Indie 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: Like The Swapper, this game uses a dark, atmospheric 2.5D perspective to tell a wordless, haunting story through environmental puzzles.

Named Game of the Year 2019 by Giant Bomb, Polygon, Eurogamer, and The Guardian, Outer Wilds is a critically-acclaimed and award-winning open world mystery about a solar system trapped in an endless time loop.

Why similar: Space 27.7%, Puzzle 15.9%, Sci-fi 13.5%, Great Soundtrack 12.7%, Atmospheric 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: An exploration-heavy space mystery that rewards curiosity and deep thinking, much like the discovery process in The Swapper.

Guide a group of rectangles through 120 levels, using their different skills together to overcome a series of obstacles in each environment. Discover the human-made story of the first sentient artificial intelligences with Danny Wallace’s BAFTA-winning narration.

Why similar: Sci-fi 21.3%, Philosophical 17.5%, Puzzle Platformer 17.3%, Platformer 15.4%, Atmospheric 11%

Why You'll Like It: A minimalist platformer that uses narration and character movement to explore themes of identity and purpose.

This is the original version of Braid from 2009, which may not work well on newer systems. For an updated version of the game with nicer graphics, more levels and a large amount of developer commentary, see Braid, Anniversary Edition.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 37.2%, Puzzle 27.1%, Platformer 16.5%, Great Soundtrack 7%, Indie 5%

Why You'll Like It: A seminal puzzle-platformer that uses time-manipulation mechanics to explore complex themes and narrative depth.

You wake up, alone, on a strange island full of puzzles that will challenge and surprise you.

Why similar: Puzzle 57.2%, Atmospheric 11.8%, Philosophical 8.8%, Indie 4.4%, Exploration 4.2%

Why You'll Like It: A cerebral, open-world puzzle game that emphasizes observation and the gradual understanding of complex systems.

The "Perpetual Testing Initiative" has been expanded to allow you to design co-op puzzles for you and your friends!

Why similar: Puzzle 25.4%, Puzzle Platformer 21.6%, Sci-fi 18.6%, Platformer 17.8%, Atmospheric 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: The gold standard for sci-fi puzzle-platformers, featuring a compelling narrative and mechanics that manipulate the environment.

Gomez is a 2D creature living in a 2D world. Or is he? When the existence of a mysterious 3rd dimension is revealed to him, Gomez is sent out on a journey that will take him to the very end of time and space. Use your ability to navigate 3D structures from 4 distinct classic 2D perspectives.

Why similar: Puzzle 34.1%, Platformer 25%, Great Soundtrack 13.5%, Puzzle Platformer 7.6%, Indie 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: A perspective-shifting puzzle-platformer that rewards exploration and lateral thinking in a charming, mysterious world.

In the dark and mysterious world of Closure, only what you see exists. Manipulate lights to phase objects in and out of reality in this multiple-award-winning puzzle game. Play as a strange spider-like demon who explores the stories of three human characters through beautiful, eerie environments such as a decrepit factory, a murky...

Why similar: Puzzle 39%, Platformer 24.4%, Puzzle Platformer 15.8%, Indie 7.2%, Great Soundtrack 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: A surreal, dark puzzle-platformer where the mechanic of light and shadow defines the boundaries of the world.

A journey begins... A treacherous tower... Unravel its mysteries!Discover the secrets kept in the long abandoned Tesla Tower!Magnetism and other electromagnetic powers will help you explore a non-linear world of beautiful hand-drawn environments, in a steampunk-inspired vision of old Europe.

Why similar: Puzzle 25.1%, Platformer 23.6%, Metroidvania 13.4%, Puzzle Platformer 12.8%, Indie 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: A 2D puzzle-platformer that uses electromagnetic mechanics to navigate a beautifully realized, atmospheric world.

The Moon has gone dark, cutting off Earth’s last source of energy. As a lone astronaut, you’ll explore abandoned lunar bases, solve intricate puzzles, and navigate stunning zero-gravity environments. Operate advanced vehicles, uncover hidden truths, and survive in this gripping sci-fi thriller.

Why similar: Space 33.1%, Sci-fi 22.1%, Puzzle 12%, Atmospheric 9.8%, Indie 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: A narrative-driven sci-fi adventure that captures the lonely, atmospheric feeling of exploring a desolate space facility.

Take the role of ARID, the artificial intelligence within a high-tech combat suit. The Fall is a unique combination of adventure-game puzzle solving and side-scroller action, all set within a dark and atmospheric story. Get ready for a disturbing journey as you explore the world of The Fall.

Why similar: Sci-fi 38.9%, Puzzle 22.2%, Atmospheric 13.8%, Indie 6.5%, Adventure 6%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, story-rich puzzle-adventure that explores the consciousness of an AI trapped in a combat suit.

The Bridge is a logic puzzle game that forces you to reevaluate your preconceptions of physics and perspective. It is Isaac Newton meets M. C. Escher. Manipulate gravity to redefine the ceiling as the floor while venturing through impossible architectures.

Why similar: Puzzle 30.4%, Puzzle Platformer 30%, Platformer 9.9%, Atmospheric 8.3%, Philosophical 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: A physics-based puzzle game with a hand-drawn, surreal aesthetic that challenges the player's perception of gravity.

Observation is a sci-fi thriller uncovering what happened to Dr. Emma Fisher, and the crew of her mission, through the lens of the station’s artificial intelligence S.A.M.

Why similar: Space 28.1%, Sci-fi 23.8%, Puzzle 11.9%, Indie 11.7%, Adventure 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: You play as the AI of a space station, providing a unique perspective on a sci-fi mystery that feels deeply grounded.

Q.U.B.E: Director's Cut is the definitive version of the brain-twisting first-person puzzler. Using special high-tech gloves to manipulate cubes in the environment, the player solves an array of conundrums - from physics-based challenges; to 3D jigsaws; to platform-based trials.

Why similar: Puzzle 42.1%, Sci-fi 20.6%, Space 13.7%, Platformer 6.1%, Indie 6%

Why You'll Like It: A first-person puzzle game that focuses on manipulating the environment to progress through a sterile, sci-fi facility.

In 2097, life is discovered on Mars. When your mission of first contact becomes trapped by a cave-in, you must master the alien ecosystem to survive. Soon you stumble upon more than anyone expected, and with time running out, you will make a decision that determines the fate of a lost planet.

Why similar: Sci-fi 32.8%, Puzzle 19.2%, Platformer 15%, Metroidvania 7.5%, Atmospheric 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: An exploration-based sci-fi game where you interact with an alien ecosystem to solve environmental puzzles.

Explore and uncover the mystery of a surreal alien world by blasting aliens and glitching your environment in this intense retro side-scrolling action/adventure.

Why similar: Metroidvania 28.4%, Sci-fi 19.5%, Platformer 16%, Great Soundtrack 15%, Indie 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi metroidvania that features a mysterious, alien world and creative mechanics that reward experimentation.

The Talos Principle 2 is a thought-provoking first-person puzzle experience that greatly expands on the first game's philosophical themes and stunning environments with increasingly mind-bending challenges.

Why similar: Puzzle 27.4%, Sci-fi 23.4%, Philosophical 21.9%, Puzzle Platformer 19%, Story Rich 3%

Starseed Pilgrim is a game about tending a symphonic garden, exploring space, and embracing fate.You are a gardener, tending to empty noise and empty space to fill them both with colour.You are a refugee, building your own world away from the spreading darkness.You are an explorer, discovering new places, new rules, and new fascinations.

Why similar: Puzzle 34.7%, Puzzle Platformer 19.3%, Indie 12.3%, Atmospheric 11.6%, Platformer 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: A minimalist, abstract puzzle game that requires the player to learn the rules of its world through trial and error.

VVVVVV is a platform game all about exploring one simple mechanical idea - what if you reversed gravity instead of jumping?

Why similar: Platformer 29%, Great Soundtrack 23.8%, Sci-fi 10.1%, Indie 8.1%, Space 6%

Why You'll Like It: A precision-based platformer that uses gravity-flipping mechanics to create complex, rewarding puzzle rooms.

Discover a world where life is cheap, identities are bought & sold, & a quest for redemption can change the fate of a whole galaxy.

Why similar: Sci-fi 54.8%, Atmospheric 12.7%, Adventure 10.2%, Great Soundtrack 7.6%, Indie 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: A gritty, noir-inspired sci-fi adventure that deals with themes of memory and identity in a dystopian future.

PREMIER EDITION - While seeking life on a distant planet, an astronaut discovers an abandoned Russian town. He suspects his mission is a hoax until a mysterious young woman saves him from a strange and deadly phenomenon...

Why similar: Space 19.9%, Sci-fi 18.3%, Puzzle Platformer 15%, Puzzle 14.9%, Platformer 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric exploration game set on a mysterious, desolate planet that emphasizes narrative discovery.

BLACKHOLE is an award-winning hardcore platformer with over 15 hours of story-driven sci-fi comedy and gravity-twisting puzzles. Complete Edition out now!

Why similar: Space 18.4%, Puzzle Platformer 18.1%, Puzzle 16.4%, Sci-fi 11.7%, Great Soundtrack 10.4%

Why You'll Like It: A challenging puzzle-platformer set in space that combines gravity-shifting mechanics with a witty, narrative-driven story.

Discover the beautiful world of Nihilumbra and join Born on his adventure to find himself whilst trying to escape from his inevitable curse. Born was created from the absolute nothingness: The Void. But somehow he separates himself from the black emptiness and appears in the world.

Why similar: Puzzle 25.7%, Platformer 18.5%, Puzzle Platformer 18.2%, Atmospheric 10.5%, Great Soundtrack 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric platformer where the player uses different colors to manipulate the environment and escape a void.

You play an explorer stranded on a dangerous alien planet. Low on fuel, your only hope for escape is to find the planet’s core in this incredibly clever action-puzzle-platformer.

Why similar: Platformer 20.1%, Puzzle 18.4%, Sci-fi 13.6%, Great Soundtrack 11.9%, Puzzle Platformer 10.3%

Shift Quantum is a brain-busting platformer using a unique mechanic called SHIFTING, a way to twist your environment and invert space around you. Bend your mind to reach the exit of each level and unveil the secrets of a strange program. Extend the experience, create and share your own levels.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 18.5%, Sci-fi 14.3%, Puzzle 12.5%, Great Soundtrack 12.1%, Platformer 10.6%

Why You'll Like It: A stylish, monochromatic puzzle-platformer that uses a 'shift' mechanic to manipulate the world's negative space.

Element4l is an immersive and experimental indie platform game, with a strong focus on flow and smooth gameplay, wrapped in an exceptional soundtrack by Mind Tree.

Why similar: Platformer 24.6%, Puzzle 22%, Great Soundtrack 20.4%, Atmospheric 16.2%, Indie 12%

Why You'll Like It: A unique platformer that focuses on atmospheric movement and changing states to navigate challenging environments.

MO: Astray is a pixel art, side-scrolling, action-platformer. Lead MO through mind-bending puzzles using special abilities. Bizarre enemies, threatening traps and ingenious level designs await.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 21.3%, Sci-fi 20%, Platformer 13.7%, Great Soundtrack 10.1%, Atmospheric 10%

Venineth is a single-player game focusing on unraveling the mysteries of ancient alien technology, somewhere in the universe via exploration, platforming, and puzzle-solving, in a dangerous, distant worlds.

Why similar: Space 16.5%, Sci-fi 16.2%, Puzzle 13.2%, Puzzle Platformer 12.9%, Great Soundtrack 9.4%

Journey to another planet and discover its secrets in order to bring your loved one back to life. Experience an adventure, inspired by old school classics like Another World, Heart of Darkness and Flashback.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 21.4%, Sci-fi 20.9%, Platformer 16.9%, Puzzle 10.7%, Indie 7.1%

From Jeppe Carlsen, the lead gameplay designer of LIMBO and INSIDE — COCOON takes you on an adventure across worlds within worlds. Master world-leaping mechanics and solve intricate puzzles to unravel a cosmic mystery.

Why similar: Puzzle 33.9%, Puzzle Platformer 16.3%, Space 13.9%, Atmospheric 10.9%, Sci-fi 6.2%

You are stranded on a strange and peculiar planet. It’s time to embark on your journey and find your way home! Explore a gravity defying and challenging platformer with striking visuals and a captivating story that transports you to a world beyond ours.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 30.9%, Platformer 22.1%, Puzzle 17.1%, Indie 8.5%, Great Soundtrack 6.5%

Rediscover gravity and explore an Escher-esque world of impossible architecture. Witness infinity in first-person and master its rules to solve physics-defying puzzles. Cultivate a garden to open new paths forward, where an eternal expanse awaits.

Why similar: Puzzle 30.1%, Puzzle Platformer 20%, Philosophical 19.3%, Atmospheric 12.6%, Indie 3.9%

Guacamelee! is a Metroidvania-style action-platformer set in a magical Mexican-inspired world. The game draws its inspiration from traditional Mexican culture and folklore, and features many interesting and unique characters.

Why similar: Metroidvania 37.3%, Platformer 35.9%, Indie 7.9%, Great Soundtrack 6.4%, Adventure 3.9%

Immerse yourself in a gorgeous hand-painted world on a search for your true identity. As the mysterious warrior, Dust, your action-packed journey will take you from peaceful glades to snowy mountaintops and beyond.

Why similar: Platformer 28.6%, Metroidvania 24.1%, Great Soundtrack 15.7%, Indie 7.6%, Atmospheric 4.9%

Hue is a vibrant, award-winning puzzle-adventure, where you alter the world by changing its background colour.

Why similar: Puzzle 29.5%, Puzzle Platformer 21.1%, Platformer 15.5%, Great Soundtrack 12.6%, Indie 7.2%

SteamWorld Dig is an action-adventure puzzler with strong Metroidvanian influences set in the SteamWorld Universe. You’ll need to dig deep into the earth, gather resources to upgrade your tools and abilities, take on enemies, solve challenging puzzles and uncover the secrets to save a dying town.

Why similar: Platformer 35.2%, Metroidvania 26%, Sci-fi 10.2%, Indie 7.9%, Adventure 5.7%

Capsized is a fast paced 2D platformer focused on intense action and exploration. As a intrepid space traveler, your ship has crash landed on a mysterious alien planet. You must navigate through the perilous environment and fight off blood-thirsty creatures to save your crewmates and escape with your lives!

Why similar: Sci-fi 32.3%, Platformer 32%, Indie 9.9%, Great Soundtrack 9.1%, Space 8.7%

Defy Gravity is an action platformer that is a mix between classic platforming and gravity based puzzle solving.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 30.9%, Platformer 22.4%, Space 15.1%, Puzzle 12.2%, Sci-fi 7.2%

Explore an abandoned space station in this retro-themed explorative action platformer.

Why similar: Metroidvania 27.6%, Platformer 17.5%, Great Soundtrack 10.4%, Sci-fi 9.1%, Space 6.4%

An atmospheric narrative-platformer about a service robot stranded on a mysterious planet, Planet of the Eyes features a stunning visual mix of puzzle and platforming challenges, an original musical score, and fully voiced audio logs left by another survivor. Explore the mystery of an unknown world.

Why similar: Puzzle 22.9%, Sci-fi 19.5%, Platformer 15.1%, Puzzle Platformer 13.6%, Space 8.1%

MindSeize is a 2D Metroidvania game set in a Sci-Fi-universe. Transfer your mind to a robot and rescue your beloved one!

Why similar: Sci-fi 17.4%, Metroidvania 14.9%, Indie 14%, Platformer 11.9%, Great Soundtrack 10.3%

In Between is set inside the mind of a man hit by a cruel twist of fate. Together you are on a journey through the protagonist's head, a world that doesn’t obey the laws of physics.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 19.7%, Puzzle 19.2%, Philosophical 14.8%, Platformer 14.2%, Atmospheric 12.3%

A handcrafted adventure about overcoming fear and doubt. Will you defeat your inner demons or be crippled with regret ?

Why similar: Platformer 18.5%, Puzzle Platformer 18.2%, Great Soundtrack 17.8%, Atmospheric 13.6%, Indie 9.9%

A story-driven experience about two doctors traversing backwards through a dying man's memories to artificially fulfill his last wish.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 59%, Indie 16.1%, Story Rich 12.6%, Adventure 6%, Singleplayer 3.7%

Exographer is an exploration game based on science. Become an explorer, stranded in an alien planet, and discover the secrets of an extinct civilization. Gain new powers to avoid dangers and obstacles in your journey, and use your camera to reveal particles and hidden clues.

Why similar: Puzzle 22.6%, Puzzle Platformer 18.9%, Sci-fi 15.8%, Platformer 13.6%, Atmospheric 9.4%

Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams is a blistering hardcore platformer with contrasting worlds.

Why similar: Platformer 38.3%, Great Soundtrack 14.8%, Side Scroller 11.5%, Difficult 8.2%, Indie 7.9%

Adventures of different characters with their unique atmosphere and puzzles.

Why similar: Puzzle 30.9%, Platformer 20.4%, Atmospheric 18%, Indie 7.5%, Mystery 4.3%

Experience an immersive sci-fi adventure. Walk in the footsteps of the ill-fated crew members of the Miranda station. Explore a world cloaked in mystery and danger, solve clever puzzles to help discover the questions that...

Why similar: Space 31.4%, Sci-fi 21.8%, Puzzle 19.2%, Atmospheric 8.3%, Adventure 5.5%

An award-winning anti-platformer where destruction is the only way to move. Mold yourself into any form by destroying your cells, and traverse a devastated landscape filled with brain-twisting puzzles and bizarre mutations. Are you ready to break the mold?

Why similar: Puzzle 31.4%, Puzzle Platformer 21%, Platformer 20%, Indie 8.6%, Atmospheric 8.5%

DeadCore is a Platformer-FPS blending exploration and speedrun. Become immersed in a futuristic and dreamlike adventure which will see you climb a huge Tower born from the void and truly put your capabilities to the test. Will you be able to reveal the secrets that lie beneath this fog-ridden world?

Why similar: Platformer 28.6%, Sci-fi 21.9%, Puzzle 19.6%, Great Soundtrack 14.3%, Indie 6.1%

Help a small body save a head-like organism full of air, from a leak that threatens its life. Explore their Metroidvania-style world and overcome challenging environmental puzzles to find the key to the head's survival.

Why similar: Puzzle 17.3%, Puzzle Platformer 16.7%, Metroidvania 12.1%, Atmospheric 10.6%, Indie 9.6%

Navigate the beauty and hazards of the solar system while riding a wave of light through 100+ levels in this innovative action-puzzle game!

Why similar: Puzzle 27.4%, Space 21.8%, Great Soundtrack 16.3%, Indie 13.5%, Sci-fi 8.8%

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: Atmospheric 30.8%, Puzzle 20.6%, Great Soundtrack 12%, Mystery 11.5%, Adventure 5.1%

A psychological 2D puzzle platformer. You must switch between two versions of the past: dark & light, positive & negative, hope & despair. Every action is innately tied to this dualistic battle. Traverse a surreal landscape of memory to try and mend a fragile mind.

Why similar: Platformer 27.4%, Puzzle Platformer 27.1%, Great Soundtrack 16.8%, Indie 15.5%, Difficult 3.6%