A Place, Forbidden similar games & best alternatives

A Place, Forbidden

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2020

Should you play it?

A Place, Forbidden is a first-person, lo-fi horror-puzzle game set in the Library of Ouroboros, a seemingly innocuous library that, rumor has it, contains knowledge not meant for the eyes of mortal man. We hope you enjoy your visit.

What works
  • Immersive lovecraftian atmosphere
  • Challenging and logical puzzles
  • Well-written narrative and lore
  • Free to play with substantial content
  • Unique retro low-poly visual style
Things to keep in mind
  • Lack of save slots frustrates replay
  • Some puzzles can be obtuse or vague
  • Slow movement and controls
  • Minor technical issues and optimization
  • No multiplayer or social features

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • The Room Syndrome

  • He Needs His Medicine

  • We Went Back

  • Lucid Dream

  • TELEFORUM

  • Alpaca Stacka

  • UNDEFEATED

  • BABBDI

  • Devolverland Expo
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • The Complex: Found Footage

  • Darkarta: A Broken Heart's Quest Collector's Edition

  • Slider
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Value

    Friendly Fire
  • Autonomy

    The Alien Cube
  • Escapism

    Don't Escape Trilogy

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).

A Place, Forbidden: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Competition, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Thrill. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression, Intimacy.

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

    4

    "Players explore and solve puzzles at their own pace with freedom to investigate environments; linear but with some choice in exploration."

    Capsule for The Alien Cube The Alien Cube

    "Players explore and solve puzzles at their own pace with freedom to investigate the environment and read lore, indicating high autonomy."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Puzzles require thought and item examination, providing a moderate challenge and skill engagement."

    Capsule for Lake Haven - Chrysalis Lake Haven - Chrysalis

    "Puzzles require critical thinking and note-taking, providing a moderate challenge and sense of skill mastery."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of competitive elements; focus is on personal exploration and puzzle solving."

    Capsule for Toilet Chronicles Toilet Chronicles

    "No evidence of competitive elements; focus is on personal exploration and puzzle solving."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Players express desire to replay for multiple endings and collectibles, though game length is short and some find replayability limited."

    Capsule for REVEIL REVEIL

    "Some players replay to discover alternate endings and collectables, but overall short playtime and limited replay value."

  • Cooperation

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    -5

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

    Capsule for Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

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

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players engage in puzzle solving and some item combination, but no creation or modification of game elements."

    Capsule for Eventide: Slavic Fable Eventide: Slavic Fable

    "Players engage in puzzle solving and interpretation of lore, but no creation or modification of game elements."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No social or power dynamics; experience is solitary and non-competitive."

    Capsule for The Cubicle. The Cubicle.

    "No social or power dynamics; experience is solitary and non-competitive."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Atmospheric horror and immersive storytelling provide a strong escape from reality."

    Capsule for Don't Escape Trilogy Don't Escape Trilogy

    "Strong atmospheric horror and immersive storytelling provide an escape from reality."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and intrinsic motivation; no obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for Perspective Perspective

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and intrinsic motivation; no obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Encourages trying different puzzle approaches and exploration of environments."

    Capsule for Myst Myst

    "Exploration of changing environments and puzzle experimentation encourages trying new approaches."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Game emphasizes discovering new rooms, secrets, and navigating a complex house environment."

    Capsule for Sucker for Love: Date to Die For Sucker for Love: Date to Die For

    "Game emphasizes discovering new rooms, secrets, and lore in a shifting library environment."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -5

    "No character customization or player expression features."

    Capsule for Poppy Playtime Poppy Playtime

    "No character customization or player expression features."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Strong Lovecraftian and cosmic horror themes with imaginative fiction and surreal elements."

    Capsule for Dread X Collection 2 Dread X Collection 2

    "Strong Lovecraftian and cosmic horror themes create an imaginative, surreal experience."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community features; solitary gameplay."

    Capsule for Alan Wake Alan Wake

    "No social or community features; solitary gameplay."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop problem-solving skills and understanding of story through puzzle solving and exploration."

    Capsule for Never Again Never Again

    "Players develop problem-solving skills and uncover story elements through reading and puzzle solving."

  • 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 explore and solve puzzles; not a casual or background game."

    Capsule for The Vanishing of Ethan Carter The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

    "Requires sustained attention to puzzles and exploration; not a casual or background game."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No social or emotional connections formed within gameplay."

    Capsule for Death to Spies: Moment of Truth Death to Spies: Moment of Truth

    "No social or emotional connections formed within 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

    "Progression through collecting items, solving puzzles, and unlocking new areas."

    Capsule for Mountain Crime: Requital Mountain Crime: Requital

    "Progression through unlocking new areas, solving puzzles, and collecting lore items."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Atmosphere is immersive and dark but not overly tense; some players find it engaging and relaxing."

    Capsule for Yesterday Yesterday

    "Atmosphere is tense and eerie but lacks jump scares; some players find it immersive and calming."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Visual and auditory design create an evocative and sometimes unsettling sensory experience."

    Capsule for tomorrow won't come for those without ██████ tomorrow won't come for those without ██████

    "Visual and audio design create a distinctive, unsettling sensory experience."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems."

    Capsule for Alan Wake Alan Wake

    "No social recognition or status systems."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Narrative is delivered through environmental storytelling, cryptic lore, and the evolving manual, engaging players deeply."

    Capsule for TUNIC TUNIC

    "Narrative is delivered through environmental storytelling, books, and notes, engaging players in lore."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Puzzles require logical thinking and planning to solve."

    Capsule for Creepy Tale Creepy Tale

    "Puzzles require logical thinking and planning to solve."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Creates suspense and eerie tension through atmosphere rather than jump scares or high risk."

    Capsule for Chasing Static Chasing Static

    "Atmospheric tension builds unease and dread without jump scares or high risk."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    5

    "Highly praised as a free game with quality content and replayability."

    Capsule for Friendly Fire Friendly Fire

    "Highly praised for being a free, well-crafted game with substantial content and replayability."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus on exploration and puzzle solving."

    Capsule for Hypnospace Outlaw Hypnospace Outlaw

    "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus on exploration and puzzle solving."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -5

    "No survival mechanics or threats; stable environment."

    Capsule for Greetings Greetings

    "No survival mechanics or threats to avoid; stable environment despite eerie atmosphere."

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Last update: 01/06/2026