Games Like Thomas Was Alone

What if someone knew your mind better than you did? The Swapper is an award-winning, narrative driven puzzle game set in the furthest reaches of space.

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

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric sci-fi puzzle-platformer that explores deep philosophical questions through its unique cloning mechanic.

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 44.9%, 2D Platformer 20.2%, Platformer 19.9%, Indie 3.8%, 2D 3.5%

Why You'll Like It: A seminal puzzle-platformer that uses time-manipulation mechanics to tell a poignant, layered story.

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 25.2%, Platformer 17.3%, 2D Platformer 16.8%, Minimalist 14.4%, Story Rich 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, wordless narrative experience that uses environmental storytelling and physics-based puzzles to build tension.

The Stanley Parable is a first person exploration game. You will play as Stanley, and you will not play as Stanley. You will follow a story, you will not follow a story. You will have a choice, you will have no choice. The game will end, the game will never end.

Why similar: Narration 73.6%, Story Rich 8.2%, Indie 7.5%, Atmospheric 5.8%, Singleplayer 3.4%

Why You'll Like It: A meta-narrative masterpiece that uses witty, reactive narration to challenge the player's agency.

Uncertain of his sister's fate, a boy enters LIMBO

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 43.9%, Platformer 20.9%, Atmospheric 9.1%, Side Scroller 7.2%, Indie 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: A minimalist, monochromatic puzzle-platformer that relies on atmosphere and clever mechanics to guide the player.

The Beginner's Guide is a narrative video game from Davey Wreden, the creator of The Stanley Parable. It lasts about an hour and a half and has no traditional mechanics, no goals or objectives. Instead, it tells the story of a person struggling to deal with something they do not understand.

Why similar: Narration 45%, Philosophical 19.5%, Story Rich 16.5%, Atmospheric 11.1%, Indie 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: A deeply personal and experimental narrative game that explores the relationship between creator and player.

Gris is a hopeful young girl lost in her own world, dealing with a painful experience in her life. Her journey through sorrow is manifested in her dress, which grants new abilities to better navigate her faded reality.

Why similar: Atmospheric 24%, Platformer 22.1%, Puzzle Platformer 18.2%, Story Rich 10.3%, Indie 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: An emotionally resonant platformer that uses color and art to convey a powerful narrative about grief and healing.

140 is a challenging minimalistic platformer with abstract colorful graphics. Rhythmic awareness is required to overcome obstacles controlled by an energetic, yet melancholic electronic soundtrack.

Why similar: Platformer 43.9%, Minimalist 24.6%, Precision Platformer 8.9%, Indie 7%, Colorful 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: A minimalist, rhythm-based platformer that relies on precision and audio-visual synchronization.

Unravel is a physics-based puzzle platformer. Yarny, a character made from a single thread of yarn, must embark on a larger than life adventure.

Why similar: Platformer 20.9%, Puzzle Platformer 19.3%, Family Friendly 16.8%, Atmospheric 12.2%, Side Scroller 10.5%

Why You'll Like It: A physics-based platformer that uses a charming protagonist and environmental storytelling to evoke strong emotions.

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: Platformer 46.4%, Puzzle Platformer 30.1%, Indie 8.7%, 2D 6.9%, Atmospheric 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: A surreal puzzle-platformer where light and shadow are used to define the playable environment.

Guide two brothers on an epic fairy tale journey from visionary Swedish film director, Josef Fares and top-tier developer Starbreeze Studios. Control both brothers at once as you experience co-op play in single player mode, like never before.

Why similar: Atmospheric 34.8%, Story Rich 32.8%, Platformer 13.9%, Indie 10.3%, Singleplayer 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: A unique narrative adventure where character-based movement mechanics are essential to the emotional story.

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

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 25.8%, Narration 19.7%, Platformer 19%, Side Scroller 9.9%, Colorful 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A color-swapping puzzle-platformer that features a touching narrative and minimalist aesthetic.

Portal™ is a new single player game from Valve. Set in the mysterious Aperture Science Laboratories, Portal has been called one of the most innovative new games on the horizon and will offer gamers hours of unique gameplay.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 46.7%, Sci-fi 19.3%, Physics 10%, Platformer 9.9%, Story Rich 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: A quintessential sci-fi puzzle game featuring sharp, humorous narration that drives the experience forward.

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: Platformer 52.6%, Puzzle Platformer 15.9%, Indie 9.7%, Mystery 8.7%, 2D 3.4%

Why You'll Like It: A puzzle-platformer that uses perspective-shifting mechanics to uncover a mysterious and layered world.

Help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain, in this super-tight platformer from the creators of TowerFall. Brave hundreds of hand-crafted challenges, uncover devious secrets, and piece together the mystery of the mountain.

Why similar: Precision Platformer 33.8%, Platformer 17.4%, 2D Platformer 15.2%, Puzzle Platformer 9%, Side Scroller 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: A challenging platformer that weaves a touching story about mental health and perseverance into its core gameplay.

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: Minimalist 27%, Indie 25%, Atmospheric 15.1%, Singleplayer 14.2%, Colorful 7.5%

Why You'll Like It: A surreal, first-person puzzle game that defies traditional logic and encourages deep exploration.

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 Platformer 35.1%, Physics 19.2%, Philosophical 12.1%, Platformer 11.6%, 2D 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: A hand-drawn puzzle-platformer that explores surreal physics and perspective-based challenges.

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

Why similar: Precision Platformer 40.3%, Platformer 23%, 2D Platformer 19.3%, 2D 4.3%, Sci-fi 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: A precision-based platformer that uses a minimalist aesthetic and unique gravity-flipping mechanics.

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: Philosophical 52.3%, Sci-fi 17.8%, Story Rich 11.1%, Atmospheric 10%, Mystery 4.2%

Why You'll Like It: A philosophical sci-fi puzzle game that explores the nature of consciousness and artificial intelligence.

Baba Is You is a puzzle game where the rules you have to follow are present as blocks you can interact with. By manipulating them, you can change how the game works, repurpose things you find in the levels and cause surprising interactions!

Why similar: Indie 28.4%, 2D 24%, Minimalist 22.7%, Singleplayer 16%, Atmospheric 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: A minimalist puzzle game that forces players to rethink logic and language in a way that feels incredibly rewarding.

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

Why similar: Philosophical 33.5%, Atmospheric 17.5%, Colorful 16.7%, Mystery 12.5%, Singleplayer 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: A deep, atmospheric puzzle exploration game that encourages players to observe and learn from their environment.

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: Story Rich 29.1%, Narration 26.7%, Atmospheric 18.7%, Mystery 18.5%, Indie 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: A narrative-focused exploration game that delivers a series of emotional, bite-sized stories.

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: Mystery 28.1%, Story Rich 27.8%, Atmospheric 25.2%, Colorful 6%, Singleplayer 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: A dialogue-heavy narrative experience that excels at building an atmospheric and personal connection with the player.

Perception is reality. In this mind-bending first-person puzzler, you escape a surreal dream world through solving impossible puzzles using the ambiguity of depth and perspective.

Why similar: Narration 34.9%, Puzzle Platformer 19.2%, Physics 15.9%, Minimalist 11.2%, Story Rich 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: A perspective-based puzzle game that uses surreal environments to deliver a thought-provoking narrative.

Pikuniku is an absurdly wonderful puzzle-exploration game that takes place in a strange but playful world where not everything is as happy as it seems. Help peculiar characters overcome struggles, uncover a deep state conspiracy, and start a little revolution in this delightful dystopian adventure!

Why similar: Platformer 25.3%, Puzzle Platformer 21.3%, Family Friendly 15.3%, Casual 9.5%, Indie 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: A charming, minimalist platformer that balances simple mechanics with a quirky and humorous narrative.

World of Goo is a multiple award winning physics based puzzle / construction game made entirely by two guys.

Why similar: Physics 46%, Indie 13.2%, 2D 10.3%, Singleplayer 7.4%, Casual 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: A physics-based puzzle game with a distinct, quirky charm and a surprisingly engaging narrative.

Gorogoa is an elegant evolution of the puzzle genre, told through a beautifully hand-drawn story designed and illustrated by Jason Roberts. Winner of Debut Game at the 2018 BAFTA Games Awards, as well as Best Mobile Game and the Innovation Award at the GDC 2018 Choice Awards.

Why similar: Atmospheric 23.6%, Mystery 20.4%, Story Rich 17.1%, 2D 11.5%, Indie 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: An artistic, narrative-focused puzzle game that uses unique panel-shifting mechanics to tell its story.

An attractive puzzle platformer where you use magnetism to escape a factory. Meet a cast of magnet characters and work together to solve logical conundrums.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 25.7%, Platformer 15.5%, 2D Platformer 14.7%, Side Scroller 11.4%, Sci-fi 10%

Hike, climb, and soar through the peaceful mountainside landscapes of Hawk Peak Provincial Park as you make your way to the summit.

Why similar: Family Friendly 40.8%, Indie 27.3%, Casual 18.8%, Singleplayer 13.1%

Why You'll Like It: A peaceful, narrative-focused exploration game that emphasizes charm and discovery.

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

Why similar: Story Rich 60.1%, Indie 15.9%, Linear 9.3%, 2D 6.4%, Singleplayer 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: A story-driven experience that focuses on emotional depth and character development over complex gameplay.

Donut County is a story-based physics puzzle game where you play as an ever-growing hole in the ground. Meet cute characters, steal their trash, and throw them in a hole.

Why similar: Physics 34.7%, Family Friendly 18.9%, Story Rich 14.6%, Casual 14.5%, Indie 12.4%

Why You'll Like It: A quirky, narrative-driven puzzle game that uses a simple mechanic to deliver a humorous story.

Throw your toys into your fire, and play with them as they burn. An adventure that takes place almost entirely in front of a fireplace - about looking up up up out of the chimney, and the cold world just on the other side of the wall. From the creators of World of Goo and Human Resource Machine.

Why similar: Casual 24.4%, Indie 21.1%, Story Rich 18%, Atmospheric 17.7%, Singleplayer 11.5%

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 44.3%, Platformer 31.6%, Side Scroller 8.4%, Indie 7.8%, Atmospheric 4%

A short narrative puzzle experience about a lost frog who has dug too far into the sand during a beach day. Use your trusty shovel to move blocks and create paths for you to continue upward.

Why similar: 2D Platformer 19.6%, Puzzle Platformer 15.2%, Linear 14.8%, Story Rich 12.4%, Platformer 12.2%

When indie game developers Alexey and Markus are in trouble, their only hope comes from their creation.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 30.8%, Platformer 24.5%, 2D Platformer 21.5%, 2D 7.1%, Casual 4.3%

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: Philosophical 17.7%, Puzzle Platformer 15.9%, Narration 13.6%, Platformer 11.4%, Precision Platformer 9.1%

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 34%, Platformer 29.1%, Story Rich 8.5%, Atmospheric 8.3%, Side Scroller 7.3%

Someone stole people's faces! Will any hero be able to collect the 100 Chistorbes to recover the face of the whole world? Game mechanics of gravity, run jump and dodge with a distinctive touch: Can you master both gravities?

Why similar: Precision Platformer 19.5%, Side Scroller 13.5%, Platformer 12.5%, 2D Platformer 11.4%, Linear 9.6%

You are Tiny, a nerdy inventor, who tries to reclaim his most beloved possession - Grandpa's underpants!

Why similar: Platformer 42.8%, Physics 36.8%, Indie 15.5%, Atmospheric 2.8%, Singleplayer 2.2%

Run, jump, shoot, fly and explore your way through a massive action-adventure reminiscent of classic 8- and 16-bit games.

Why similar: Platformer 60.6%, 2D 10.5%, Indie 10.4%, Story Rich 7.9%, Sci-fi 6.2%

Nominated as a IGF Seamus McNally Finalist, NightSky is an ambient action-puzzle game that offers a gameplay experience unlike any other—cerebral challenges fill uniquely designed picturesque worlds. The player must maneuver a sphere by using realistic physics to advance; each of these worlds is broken into different areas.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 41%, Platformer 22.6%, Physics 14.4%, Atmospheric 8.6%, Indie 5.6%

A puzzle game with challenging puzzles, but forgiving mechanics. Master the use of your color changing staff to solve mind bending puzzles, unlock new areas, and help out your friends. Undo any mistake with the press of a button.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 28.5%, Side Scroller 25.1%, Colorful 9.9%, Atmospheric 8.9%, Physics 8.8%

Snapshot is the tale of a lone robot lost in an abandoned world. Armed with only his trusty camera, Pic sets forth on his great adventure. A camera might not seem like enough for a puzzle platforming adventure, but this camera is different from most: It has the ability to capture and remove from the world the very objects that it...

Why similar: Platformer 45.9%, Puzzle Platformer 28.8%, Indie 12.3%, Casual 10.7%, Singleplayer 2.5%

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: Philosophical 33.4%, Puzzle Platformer 23.3%, Minimalist 13.9%, Mystery 10%, Atmospheric 8.5%

Step into rhythmic bliss with Runner2! Best Indie Game winner, Guinness World Record holder, and narrated by Charles Martinet. Unleash vibrant moves and beats in 120 levels!

Why similar: Precision Platformer 26.1%, Platformer 25.3%, Side Scroller 18.8%, Linear 11.8%, Colorful 6.5%

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 27.8%, Platformer 21.9%, Sci-fi 14.5%, Side Scroller 13.3%, Indie 5.8%

Wakey Wakey is a Puzzle Platformer with a unique world-bending twist. Navigate your everchanging bedroom, take control of new household objects, and overcome surprising obstacles to help this sleepy guy get a good night's rest.

Why similar: Precision Platformer 21.9%, Puzzle Platformer 16.5%, Platformer 12.3%, 2D Platformer 12.1%, Linear 10.1%

A laid-back but smart puzzle game. Stuffo is the last remaining puzzle bot stuck in a world filled with bite-sized brain-teasers. Help Stuffo to solve the mind-bending puzzles by using various blocks to climb, push and teleport your way to the exit.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 43.5%, Minimalist 20.7%, Sci-fi 20.5%, 2D 9.5%, Indie 3.1%

McPixel is a save-the-day guy that you guide through 100 short challenges to prevent stuff from blowing up. You have only 20 seconds to save the day! Think quick!

Why similar: Indie 48.4%, 2D 20.7%, Singleplayer 20.4%, Casual 10.6%

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: Platformer 21.6%, Narration 21.6%, Puzzle Platformer 19.4%, Sci-fi 14.8%, Atmospheric 6.6%

Gravity Error is an indie 2D puzzle/platformer about changing gravity. Guide Force in his quest seeking emotional stableness in a set of levels and avoid being crushed. Solve the puzzles in multiple creative ways.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 40.7%, Platformer 36.6%, Indie 11.7%, 2D 11%

Tales of the Tiny Planet tells the story of a separated group of planet friends who want to reunite. You have to assist them against the dangers of time and space.

Why similar: Physics 22.3%, Puzzle Platformer 16.2%, Platformer 13.7%, 2D Platformer 13.2%, Indie 9.7%

A carefully created world with unique environments and an engrossing atmosphere, Unmechanical offers over 30 unique puzzles of exploration and adventure!

Why similar: Physics 33.9%, Platformer 31.6%, Indie 18.8%, Casual 15.8%

Complete physics-based platformer puzzles as you venture deeper into an abandoned research facility responsible for developing ominously powerful quantum entanglement technology.

Why similar: 2D Platformer 16.5%, Side Scroller 14.4%, Sci-fi 13.9%, Physics 13.5%, Platformer 11.2%

Accompany the spirit of a Pharaoh reincarnated as a hieroglyph on his final journey. Help him understand the circumstances of his death and overcome the obstacles of his tomb. Will you uncover the identity of his murderer?

Why similar: Narration 27.4%, Puzzle Platformer 21.2%, Physics 11.4%, Mystery 10.1%, Story Rich 8.7%

I can see the signs in my sleep now, always guiding me closer. Will this really work? Have we almost achieved the impossible?

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 20.3%, Side Scroller 18.1%, Platformer 13.6%, 2D Platformer 12.5%, Mystery 8.8%

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: Platformer 46.8%, Sci-fi 25.2%, Physics 10.2%, Indie 9.2%, 2D 7.1%

A game about the limits of your screen. Four Sided Fantasy is a seamless experience where you wrap the screen to solve mind-bending puzzles. Play as a man and woman who attempt to find each other throughout four seasons in a year, constantly separated by the boundaries of the screen.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 35.7%, Platformer 17.7%, Minimalist 13.8%, Physics 11%, Indie 7.2%