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39 Days to Mars similar games & best alternatives

39 Days to Mars

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Linux • 2018

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Quick resume

Embark on the 19th century's most unreliable spaceship in this 2 player couch co-op adventure. 39 Days to Mars is a unique game designed to be played with a friend, where both players have important roles in the expedition. Solo players are aided by the computer-controlled ship's cat.

Global score

85/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Platform, Puzzle

Similar games

    Pros

    • Unique cooperative puzzle mechanics
    • Charming art style and music
    • Engaging british humor and story
    • Accessible for casual players
    • Great for playing with friends or loved ones

    Cons

    • Very short gameplay duration
    • Limited replay value
    • Some control awkwardness especially in single player
    • Repetitive minigames (tea and scones)
    • Price considered high for content length

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Intimacy, Survival, Violence, Competition. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Cooperation, Fellowship. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Continuation.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have control over their own actions and decisions, especially in cooperative puzzle solving and managing different tasks on the ship."

    • Competence
      3

      "Puzzles require skill and coordination, providing a moderate challenge that rewards problem solving and dexterity."

    • Competition
      -4

      "Focus is on cooperative play and personal progress rather than competing against others."

    • Continuation
      -3

      "Short game length and limited replay value lead to relatively low habitual or long-term engagement."

    • Cooperation
      5

      "Core gameplay revolves around two players working together closely to solve puzzles and progress."

    • Creativity
      4

      "Players engage in creative problem solving and interact with unique, physics-based puzzles and quirky scenarios."

    • Domination
      -5

      "Gameplay emphasizes equal participation and mutual cooperation without dominance or power imbalance."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players enjoy a whimsical, imaginative Victorian space adventure that provides a charming escape from reality."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for fun and social connection, not out of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Players try different puzzle solutions and coordinate actions, though puzzle variety is somewhat limited."

    • Exploration
      2

      "Some exploration of the ship and environment occurs, but mostly within familiar, structured settings."

    • Expression
      -2

      "Limited customization or self-expression; players mainly interact within predefined puzzle and story frameworks."

    • Fantasy
      4

      "The game features a whimsical, steampunk Victorian sci-fi setting with imaginative characters and scenarios."

    • Fellowship
      5

      "Strong sense of community and shared experience through local cooperative play."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players develop coordination and problem-solving skills through puzzle challenges."

    • Health
      -5

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention and coordination during puzzles; not designed for passive or background play."

    • Intimacy
      4

      "Encourages close social interaction and bonding through cooperative gameplay and shared humor."

    • Leadership
      -3

      "Players share responsibilities equally without formal leadership or hierarchical roles."

    • Progression
      3

      "Progression through puzzle completion and story advancement, though no item collection or upgrades."

    • Relaxation
      3

      "Relaxed pacing with soothing music and charming atmosphere, though some puzzles add mild tension."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Enjoyable art style, music, and humorous dialogue provide pleasant sensory and emotional experiences."

    • Status
      -4

      "Focus is on private cooperative experience rather than social recognition or status."

    • Story
      4

      "Engaging narrative with characters and humor integrated into the cooperative puzzle adventure."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Puzzles require logical thinking, timing, and coordination, though complexity is moderate."

    • Thrill
      1

      "Some suspense in puzzle timing and ship events, but overall a low-risk, lighthearted experience."

    • Value
      -2

      "Many players feel the price is high relative to the short playtime and limited replayability."

    • Violence
      -5

      "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus is on cooperative problem solving and maintenance."

    • Survival
      2

      "Players manage ship repairs and challenges to avoid failure, but gameplay is forgiving and low-stakes."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026