Games Like What Never Was

Marie's Room is a short story exploration game about an unconventional friendship between two classmates. You play as Kelsey, remembering Marie's room as it was twenty years ago. But something’s off. What happened to Marie?

Why similar: Story Rich 17.6%, Walking Simulator 14.5%, Female Protagonist 9.9%, Mystery 9.2%, First-Person 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: This short, narrative-driven experience perfectly mirrors the emotional, object-based storytelling found in 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: Story Rich 21.4%, Walking Simulator 16.4%, Mystery 13.8%, First-Person 9.2%, Female Protagonist 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: It shares the same focus on uncovering a family's history through intimate exploration of a house filled with secrets.

Home is Where One Starts... is a short, first-person exploration game in the same vein as Dear Esther or Gone Home. It’s a story about childhood, hope, and the miracle of memory. You play as a little girl from a broken home somewhere in the American South.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 19.5%, Adventure 13.1%, Female Protagonist 12.8%, First-Person 12.2%, Indie 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: A short, first-person exploration game that captures the same sense of nostalgic discovery and atmospheric isolation.

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 39.8%, Story Rich 10.2%, Exploration 9.4%, First-Person 9.1%, Female Protagonist 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: It is the definitive domestic exploration game where you piece together a narrative by examining everyday items in a quiet house.

Lake Ridden is a story-driven, first-person puzzle game! A cozy supernatural adventure where you unravel a mysterious past, trying to find your sister. Luckily, you are not alone...

Why similar: Puzzle 23.9%, Adventure 19.1%, Female Protagonist 14.2%, Mystery 13.8%, Indie 11.6%

Why You'll Like It: A first-person adventure that blends puzzle-solving with a mysterious, atmospheric setting.

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: Mystery 22.4%, Walking Simulator 18.8%, First-Person 10.6%, Story Rich 9.7%, Atmospheric 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a deep, atmospheric mystery that relies on environmental storytelling and careful observation to progress.

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 19.3%, Mystery 17.3%, Story Rich 16.9%, First-Person 11%, Adventure 10%

Why You'll Like It: While set in a larger environment, it excels at the same kind of character-driven narrative and immersive first-person interaction.

A mysterious invitation leads to the attic of an abandoned house. In the room is a cast-iron safe laced with strange carvings and on top, a note from your distant companion. It promises something ancient and astonishing concealed in the iron chamber - you need only find a way in.

Why similar: Puzzle 38%, Mystery 20.7%, Point & Click 18.1%, Atmospheric 6.2%, Adventure 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: If you enjoyed the tactile puzzle-solving of the attic, this game provides a highly polished, first-person experience focused on intricate mechanical puzzles.

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 19.9%, Story Rich 15.5%, Female Protagonist 13.6%, Mystery 11.4%, First-Person 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: It features a similar 'detective' style of uncovering past events by interacting with digital recordings and objects in a confined space.

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

Why similar: Exploration 20.1%, Relaxing 17.7%, Adventure 14.9%, Female Protagonist 10.4%, Walking Simulator 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: While more open, it captures the same cozy, low-stress exploration vibe that makes short indie games so memorable.

Another Tomorrow is a first-person point and click game. Trapped without your memories you’ll explore abandoned apartments, airfields, temples, and underground facilities to search for clues, solve puzzles, and unlock secrets to answer the question; who are you?

Why similar: Point & Click 18.1%, Puzzle 15%, First-Person 14.2%, Adventure 12.9%, Mystery 11.5%

Why You'll Like It: A first-person adventure that focuses on surreal environments and logical puzzle-solving to uncover a hidden history.

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: Puzzle 18.4%, Relaxing 18%, Story Rich 13.7%, Point & Click 13.3%, Female Protagonist 10.5%

Why You'll Like It: It tells a poignant story entirely through the act of organizing and interacting with personal belongings, much like the attic cleanup in the seed game.

Nephise Begins tells the player what happened at the time before Nephise was an orb collector. The main setting is forest again, but this time without snow, instead a more sunny and foggy weather.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 15.8%, Puzzle 13.7%, Mystery 9.9%, First-Person 9.8%, Female Protagonist 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: A short, atmospheric walking simulator that emphasizes exploration and environmental discovery.

Trikaya is an atmospheric first-person puzzle game where the player explores a long-forgotten temple and pieces together a mighty and mysterious artifact to master Wind, Earth, and Fire magic to solve puzzles and uncover the intriguing history of the extraordinary artifact.

Why similar: Puzzle 25.7%, First-Person 13.1%, Casual 10.5%, Exploration 10.4%, Adventure 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: A first-person puzzle game that emphasizes exploration and environmental interaction in a mysterious setting.

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: Mystery 14.9%, Puzzle 11.6%, Walking Simulator 11%, Story Rich 10.8%, Point & Click 10.7%

Why You'll Like It: A mystery-focused adventure that uses folklore and exploration to build its narrative foundation.

Eos is a first-person, 3D puzzle game in which you take control of a little girl who ventures into a tower. Confronted with a voice who seems to know an awful lot about her, he puts forth a series of trials to teach her about the past she never knew.

Why similar: Puzzle 26.1%, First-Person 16%, Story Rich 15%, Investigation 11.4%, Mystery 10.6%

Why You'll Like It: A linear, story-rich puzzle game that keeps the focus tight and the atmosphere consistent.

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: Walking Simulator 28.9%, Story Rich 25.3%, First-Person 14.7%, Atmospheric 10.6%, Indie 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: A short, experimental narrative game that explores the relationship between the creator and the player through interactive environments.

This is the prologue chapter of "When the Past was Around", an upcoming adventure point-and-click puzzle game about love, moving on, letting go, and the joy and pain of everything in between.

Why similar: Point & Click 17.5%, Puzzle 16.9%, Mystery 15.7%, Female Protagonist 12.7%, Relaxing 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: It features a beautiful, puzzle-heavy narrative that focuses on emotional storytelling through point-and-click mechanics.

Down the Rabbit Hole is an adventure set in Wonderland prior to Alice's arrival. You will guide a girl who is looking for her lost pet by solving puzzles, uncovering secrets and making choices about the story along the way.

Why similar: Point & Click 20.2%, Puzzle 19.2%, Female Protagonist 16.8%, Adventure 11.1%, Story Rich 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: A charming adventure game that utilizes puzzle-solving and exploration to advance its whimsical story.

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: Mystery 14.2%, Point & Click 14.1%, Puzzle 12.8%, Investigation 12%, Story Rich 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: A point-and-click mystery that prioritizes narrative depth and environmental investigation.

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 17.4%, Mystery 17.2%, Puzzle 12.5%, Story Rich 10.8%, Walking Simulator 10.4%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a more expansive take on the 'investigate a location to solve a mystery' gameplay loop.

Oxenfree is a supernatural thriller about a group of friends who unwittingly open a ghostly rift. You are Alex, and you’ve just brought your new stepbrother Jonas to an overnight island party gone horribly wrong.

Why similar: Story Rich 25.8%, Mystery 20.6%, Female Protagonist 18.2%, Atmospheric 10.5%, Adventure 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: Though 2D, it excels at building a supernatural mystery through dialogue and exploration of a confined, atmospheric location.

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: First-Person 15.4%, Walking Simulator 15%, Story Rich 13.9%, Adventure 11.4%, Exploration 10.9%

Why You'll Like It: It combines exploration and mystery-solving in a cold, isolated setting that feels similarly intimate and focused.

Summerland is a first-person narrative game about morality and the afterlife. You take control of Matthew, a detective reliving the events of his past, being questioned on his morals along the way. In every door lies another memory, and every memory unlocks another door.

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

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric, first-person walking simulator that focuses on short, narrative-heavy exploration.

Embark on a journey of discovery and inspiration in The Search - a story-driven puzzle-adventure set in a mysterious world where art comes to life!

Why similar: Point & Click 14.1%, Puzzle 13.3%, Female Protagonist 11.6%, Mystery 10.5%, Story Rich 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on exploration and hidden-object style puzzles to tell a story about art and memory.

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: Puzzle 22.2%, Walking Simulator 19.2%, Adventure 13.2%, Exploration 12%, First-Person 11.3%

Why You'll Like It: A short, surreal, and puzzle-oriented experience that captures the indie spirit of the seed game.

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: Puzzle 24.4%, Mystery 22.1%, Story Rich 14.8%, Adventure 14.5%, Exploration 7.8%

Get lost beneath the fog in The Wild Eternal, a reflective first-person exploration game. Embark on a meditative journey to heal the scars of your past. Can you escape the cycle of reincarnation?

Why similar: Walking Simulator 14%, Female Protagonist 13.1%, Mystery 12.6%, Story Rich 10.7%, Adventure 10.4%

Why You'll Like It: A journey-based game that emphasizes exploration and a reflective, story-rich atmosphere.

Keepsake was a labor of love developed 10 years ago by us as an independent studio. For its anniversary, we thought it would be great to see it live again on steam and gain a new following, as we feel that it is still relevant today.

Why similar: Point & Click 23.7%, Adventure 17.4%, Female Protagonist 13.1%, Puzzle 13%, Story Rich 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: A classic-style adventure game that leans into puzzle-solving and a fantasy-driven mystery.

Night Reverie: Prologue is the first act of a Puzzle/Adventure game in which a child must solve the mystery behind the distortion of his house. Explore puzzle-filled environments and discover strange creatures as you reach the truth behind of what looks like a bizarre nightmare.

Why similar: Puzzle 24.4%, Story Rich 15.3%, Exploration 14.7%, Mystery 13.2%, Relaxing 9.8%

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: Story Rich 14.8%, Female Protagonist 13.3%, Walking Simulator 12.1%, First-Person 12%, Exploration 9.8%

Nephise is a short and atmospheric puzzle game with narration. It is a relaxing and mysterious experience especially with the help of its music.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 14.1%, Puzzle 13.9%, Mystery 13.1%, First-Person 9.5%, Female Protagonist 9.4%

Classic point-and-click adventure with a magical atmosphere. Discover what happens one night Beyond the Wall of the garden. Immerse yourself into a mysterious world where fantasy meets reality with a pinch of humor. Solve puzzles, collect items, and overcome obstacles that await you on your journey.

Why similar: Point & Click 27%, Adventure 14.3%, Puzzle 12.8%, Relaxing 10.2%, Family Friendly 9.2%

In this game, you’ll encounter puzzles which require you to use your environment in order to solve them. Take note of every detail, they can help you in uncovering Sofia’s story.

Why similar: Puzzle 25.9%, Story Rich 23.7%, Female Protagonist 15.6%, Casual 11.3%, Mystery 9.4%

Explore a vast, mysterious castle riddled with secret rooms and challenging puzzles in this award-winning puzzle adventure.

Why similar: Point & Click 13.2%, Puzzle 13%, Mystery 12.9%, Investigation 12.2%, First-Person 8%

A short lore exploration puzzle game inspired by walking simulators such as Gone Home, Dear Esther, and Layers of Fear.

Why similar: Puzzle 20.7%, Walking Simulator 20%, Female Protagonist 17.1%, First-Person 12.8%, Exploration 11.4%

The August Before: Chapter One is the first chapter in a meditative narrative 3D puzzle about cleaning up, sorting out and packing up your life before moving on. Clean up and don’t forget your old belongings on your way to the new life!

Why similar: Puzzle 24.6%, Female Protagonist 21%, Story Rich 13.5%, Atmospheric 10%, Relaxing 9.9%

Find clues to your father's whereabouts in a Victorian mansion!

Why similar: Mystery 15.1%, Point & Click 15%, Adventure 14.1%, Female Protagonist 12.9%, Puzzle 10%

A woman alone in a house. A mystery and a love story. Explore the present to uncover the past, in a short story of love and loss and a life well-lived. A narrative exploration game that examines a world where memories are constantly fading and jumbled.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 21.5%, Mystery 18.7%, Exploration 12.8%, First-Person 11.7%, Adventure 10.4%

"Hold Me Still" is a point-and-click puzzle mystery game where you investigate your friend's disappearance by exploring their house, collecting clues, solving puzzles, and uncovering the truth.

Why similar: Point & Click 23.5%, Puzzle 20.4%, Adventure 13.2%, Casual 10.6%, Mystery 10.5%

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: Mystery 13.5%, Puzzle 13.5%, Investigation 10.8%, Walking Simulator 10.5%, Point & Click 9%

Conduct an investigation as shapeshifter!

Why similar: Point & Click 15.5%, Female Protagonist 13.3%, Adventure 12.9%, Story Rich 11.4%, Puzzle 8.9%

Walk as Lula, on the path you choose, as she journeys to discover the meaning of the Genie and fulfill her destiny.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 13.9%, Mystery 13.2%, Female Protagonist 11.6%, First-Person 9.7%, Story Rich 9.6%

Sans Logique is a first-person game that blends puzzle and adventure gameplay. You'll explore different dreamlike worlds, discover the story of your character, and solve some original puzzles.

Why similar: Puzzle 21.9%, Walking Simulator 15.5%, First-Person 12.4%, Adventure 11.8%, Exploration 11.3%

Puzzle Box Palace is an escape room style puzzle game where you are pulled into your grandfather's magical puzzle box. Solve puzzles, manipulate the puzzle box, and jump across furniture as you look for a way out.

Why similar: Puzzle 40.4%, Adventure 26.6%, Exploration 17.3%, Indie 15.8%

A short find it game that helps you make sense of a tragic accident as you uncover a piece of the story with each item found.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 22.1%, Female Protagonist 20.3%, Story Rich 19.6%, First-Person 12%, Atmospheric 8%

Whimsy is a hand-drawn point & click game about a girl who lives in the forest stumbling upon little red footprints. Following these footsteps leads her on a whimsical journey through the forest to solve puzzles, assist woodland creatures and discover rituals.

Why similar: Adventure 34.7%, Indie 24.5%, Puzzle 20.7%, Casual 20.1%

Gordian Rooms: A Curious Heritage is a Victorian escape game, where you solve various puzzles in your late uncle’s mansion in the hope of obtaining his legacy. In the prologue you can play through the first level of the game.

Why similar: Mystery 17.7%, Point & Click 15.8%, Puzzle 14.5%, Story Rich 9.5%, Atmospheric 7.3%

An elaborate puzzle challenge combined with an unconventional story.

Why similar: Point & Click 26.4%, Adventure 16.6%, Female Protagonist 16%, Indie 11.5%, Puzzle 10.1%

Pick up your magnifying glass as writer-turned-detective Penelope Pendrick in this first-person point and click mystery adventure! Three people have suddenly vanished from the sleepy town of Carlisle. Follow the clues, interrogate suspects, and solve puzzles to end this case - before it ends you.

Why similar: Mystery 21.6%, Point & Click 18.5%, Story Rich 13.1%, Puzzle 11.6%, Adventure 10.4%

When the Past was Around is an adventure point-and-click puzzle game about love, moving on, letting go, and the joy and pain of everything in between.

Why similar: Female Protagonist 19.6%, Point & Click 19.1%, Puzzle 17.9%, Story Rich 14.7%, Relaxing 12%

Step onto the stage in Forgetmenots, a story-driven puzzle adventure where memories take center stage. Explore a theatrical world that unfolds like a live performance, solving puzzles in a whimsical yet bittersweet journey about loss and remembrance.

Why similar: Story Rich 29.6%, Puzzle 25.4%, Female Protagonist 21.3%, Relaxing 7.8%, Atmospheric 5.5%

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: Point & Click 17.2%, Puzzle 13.3%, Adventure 9.6%, Female Protagonist 9%, Relaxing 7.8%

Save the kingdom from curse!

Why similar: Adventure 12.8%, Puzzle 11.2%, Female Protagonist 9.8%, Point & Click 9.4%, Mystery 9.2%

Floodcore is a puzzle adventure game in which you explore an ancient civilization in a flooded world, and discover a mysterious power to overcome the temple's challenges.

Why similar: Puzzle 19.8%, Mystery 15.2%, Exploration 10.7%, Relaxing 9.9%, Adventure 9.2%

Discover the truth about the legacy of ancient gods!

Why similar: Female Protagonist 15.5%, Point & Click 15.5%, Adventure 13.5%, Story Rich 11.4%, Casual 8.7%

Lead Spe, the game‘s protagonist, through an eerie dollhouse in an effort to find her little brother. On her way, Spe will encounter the ghost-children, who are also trapped, and can use their different abilities to solve the environmental puzzles in order to escape the house.

Why similar: Point & Click 33.3%, Puzzle 27.6%, Adventure 15.4%, Female Protagonist 7.7%, Atmospheric 6.3%

URLate is a short and free point & click adventure that immerses you in a hand-drawn world filled with puzzles and mysteries to solve.

Why similar: Point & Click 29.7%, Adventure 14.8%, Story Rich 13.4%, Puzzle 12.1%, Casual 8.4%