9 Clues 2: The Ward similar games & best alternatives

9 Clues 2: The Ward

Mac, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Android, Xbox Series X|S, Windows Phone, iOS • 2015

Should you play it?

Solve the mystery of Mnemosyne Asylum!

What works
  • Engaging detective story with plot twists
  • Atmospheric and creepy asylum setting
  • Varied puzzles and mini-games
  • Option to play mahjong instead of hidden object scenes
  • Good voice acting and music
Things to keep in mind
  • Short game length
  • Need to replay for all achievements
  • Some minor bugs and animation issues
  • Limited replay value beyond achievements
  • Price considered high for content

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • 9 Clues: The Secret of Serpent Creek

  • Enigmatis: The Ghosts of Maple Creek

  • Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome Collector's Edition

  • Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of The Baskervilles

  • Cursed

  • Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened (2008)

  • Adam Wolfe

  • Goosebumps: The Game

  • Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Story

    Death end re;Quest
  • Escapism

    CUPID - A free to play Visual Novel
  • Autonomy

    1 Moment Of Time: Silentville

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

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

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • 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 (hidden on purpose).

9 Clues 2: The Ward: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Relaxation, Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Value.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    3

    "Players have freedom to explore the town, solve puzzles, and combine items in various ways, indicating moderate autonomy."

    Capsule for 1 Moment Of Time: Silentville 1 Moment Of Time: Silentville

    "Players have freedom to explore the asylum, investigate clues, solve puzzles, and choose between hidden object or mahjong modes, indicating moderate autonomy."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    2

    "Puzzles and hidden object scenes are generally easy and straightforward, providing light skill challenges."

    Capsule for Crime Secrets: Crimson Lily Crime Secrets: Crimson Lily

    "Puzzles and hidden object scenes are generally easy but require some skill and attention, providing a mild sense of competence."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on personal investigation and story progression without competitive elements or player comparison."

    Capsule for Whispers of a Machine Whispers of a Machine

    "The game focuses on personal investigation and story progression without competitive elements or player comparison."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    1

    "Some players enjoy replaying for achievements and collectibles, but the game is short and easy to complete."

    Capsule for Mushroom Cats 2 Mushroom Cats 2

    "Players are engaged enough to replay for achievements and collectibles, but the game is relatively short and can be completed quickly."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

    Capsule for Cookie Clicker Cookie Clicker

    "Single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    1

    "Some creative puzzle mechanics and use of magical abilities, but mostly uses predefined hidden object scenes and puzzles."

    Capsule for Theatre Of The Absurd Theatre Of The Absurd

    "Some creative elements in detective mode and puzzle solving, but mostly uses predefined scenes and puzzles."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; gameplay is individual and narrative-driven."

    Capsule for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; gameplay is individual and narrative-driven."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Dark, psychological story offers strong immersion and escape from reality."

    Capsule for CUPID - A free to play Visual Novel CUPID - A free to play Visual Novel

    "The dark, psychological asylum setting and immersive story provide a strong escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and curiosity, not out of obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Monster Loves You! Monster Loves You!

    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and intrigue, not due to obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    2

    "Players try different difficulty modes and strategies to overcome puzzles, though gameplay is based on established mahjong rules."

    Capsule for Delicious! Pretty Girls Mahjong Solitaire Delicious! Pretty Girls Mahjong Solitaire

    "Players try different puzzle types and modes (hidden object or mahjong), exploring game mechanics moderately."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Players explore multiple locations and revisit areas to uncover new clues."

    Capsule for Blackwell Epiphany Blackwell Epiphany

    "Players explore various locations in the asylum and uncover clues, encouraging discovery."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Limited customization; players interact with preset characters and environments without personal expression."

    Capsule for 12 Labours of Hercules IV: Mother Nature (Platinum Edition) 12 Labours of Hercules IV: Mother Nature (Platinum Edition)

    "Limited customization; players interact with preset characters and environments without personal expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Game features fictional horror story with supernatural and psychological elements."

    Capsule for Remothered: Tormented Fathers Remothered: Tormented Fathers

    "The game features a fictional, psychological thriller narrative with some supernatural or horror elements."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community features; gameplay is solitary."

    Capsule for Sekiro™: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition Sekiro™: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition

    "No social or community features; gameplay is solitary."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    2

    "Players develop observational and puzzle-solving skills, though the challenge level is moderate."

    Capsule for Hiiro Hiiro

    "Players develop investigative skills and puzzle-solving abilities, though challenges are moderate."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for World of Tanks Blitz World of Tanks Blitz

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles and progress; not suitable for passive or background play."

    Capsule for Grim Legends 3: The Dark City Grim Legends 3: The Dark City

    "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles and progress; not suitable for passive or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No close social interactions or relationship building; solitary gameplay."

    Capsule for Vampire Legends: The True Story of Kisilova Vampire Legends: The True Story of Kisilova

    "No close social interactions or relationship-building; solitary gameplay."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements present."

    Capsule for Trover Saves the Universe Trover Saves the Universe

    "No leadership or group management elements present."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players collect items, clues, and achievements to progress through the story."

    Capsule for Hope Lake Hope Lake

    "Players collect clues, achievements, and collectibles, showing progression through story and gameplay."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "The game offers a calm, atmospheric experience with balanced challenge and soothing music."

    Capsule for The Silent Age The Silent Age

    "The game offers a balanced challenge with atmospheric music and pacing conducive to relaxed play."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Visuals and sound create an eerie and immersive experience with moderate sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for Cube Escape Collection Cube Escape Collection

    "Visuals and music create a creepy, immersive atmosphere with moderate sensory stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "Achievements exist but social recognition or popularity is not a core motivator."

    Capsule for Day of the Tentacle Remastered Day of the Tentacle Remastered

    "Achievements exist but social recognition or popularity is not a core focus."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Strong narrative immersion with dark, suspenseful plot, multiple endings, and character-driven storytelling."

    Capsule for Death end re;Quest Death end re;Quest

    "Strong narrative immersion with a dark, suspenseful plot and character development."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    1

    "Some puzzles require logical thinking and problem solving, but overall challenge is light and straightforward."

    Capsule for Puzzler World Puzzler World

    "Some puzzle solving and clue ordering require basic reasoning, but overall mental challenge is light."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Horror atmosphere and suspenseful moments provide moderate thrill and tension."

    Capsule for Realms of the Haunting Realms of the Haunting

    "The suspenseful and creepy atmosphere provides moderate thrill and tension."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    -2

    "Short playtime and lack of bonus content reduce perceived value at full price."

    Capsule for Crime Secrets: Crimson Lily Crime Secrets: Crimson Lily

    "Short playtime and need for multiple playthroughs for achievements reduce perceived value at full price."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Contains graphic violence and body horror as part of the narrative and atmosphere."

    Capsule for STASIS STASIS

    "Includes themes of murder and death, with some graphic scenes, fitting the psychological thriller genre."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    1

    "Players must avoid failure in puzzles and progress carefully, though there is no traditional survival gameplay."

    Capsule for Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened (2008) Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened (2008)

    "Players must avoid failure in puzzles and uncover mysteries, but no direct survival mechanics."

Come talk about it on Discord!

Last update: 01/06/2026