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A Walk in the Dark similar games & best alternatives

A Walk in the Dark

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One • 2013

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Quick resume

In this action platformer you play as a cat, Bast, running through a dark fantasy world. You’ll be running, jumping and sliding with smooth and precise controls designed to make you feel like a cat. But it wont be easy. In the dark you never know what lies in the shadows.

Global score

80/100

Genres

Action, Indie, Platform

Similar games

    Pros

    • Challenging and precise platforming
    • Beautiful atmospheric art and music
    • Varied gameplay with two characters
    • Short levels suitable for repeated attempts
    • Good value for price

    Cons

    • Frustrating controls and hitboxes
    • High difficulty may deter casual players
    • Some levels cause lag or technical issues
    • Lack of checkpoints increases frustration
    • Minimal narrative and character development

    Analysis

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

    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 control two characters with distinct mechanics and can choose how to approach levels, including optional challenges."

    • Competence
      5

      "The game is highly challenging, requiring precise timing and skillful platforming, with achievements rewarding mastery."

    • Competition
      -3

      "Focus is on personal skill improvement and self-set goals rather than direct competition or leaderboards."

    • Continuation
      4

      "Many players report addictive gameplay with repeated attempts and long play sessions despite frustration."

    • Cooperation
      -5

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

    • Creativity
      2

      "Level design allows multiple approaches and includes different gameplay styles, but no player creation or modification."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; purely individual experience."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players appreciate the atmospheric, immersive world and music as a form of stress relief and distraction."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for intrinsic interest and challenge, not due to obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Players explore different mechanics between characters and try varied strategies to overcome levels."

    • Exploration
      2

      "Levels have varied design and backgrounds, encouraging discovery within a structured platforming environment."

    • Expression
      -4

      "No character customization or cosmetic modifications; presentation is fixed and stylized."

    • Fantasy
      3

      "Game features a dark fantasy atmosphere with silhouette art and a story about a cat and girl in a mystical world."

    • Fellowship
      -5

      "No social or community features; entirely single-player experience."

    • Growth
      4

      "Players develop platforming skills and learn precise timing through repeated practice and challenges."

    • Health
      -5

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

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires focused attention and precise input; not suitable for casual or background play."

    • Intimacy
      -5

      "No social or emotional relationship-building features."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management elements."

    • Progression
      3

      "Progression through levels and achievements, with collectibles and time challenges adding depth."

    • Relaxation
      2

      "Atmospheric music and art provide a calming effect, though gameplay can be tense and frustrating."

    • Sensation
      2

      "Enjoyable visual style and piano soundtrack offer sensory pleasure, balanced with challenging gameplay."

    • Status
      -5

      "No social recognition or ranking systems present."

    • Story
      2

      "Minimal narrative about a cat and girl separated in a dark world, serving mostly as a backdrop."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Players must plan precise jumps and timing, adapting strategies to overcome difficult obstacles."

    • Thrill
      3

      "High tension from precise timing and risk of failure creates suspense and excitement."

    • Value
      4

      "Players find good value in the amount of content, challenge, and price point."

    • Violence
      -4

      "No combat or destruction; gameplay focuses on avoidance and survival."

    • Survival
      4

      "Avoiding death and overcoming hazards is core to gameplay, requiring careful resource of timing and skill."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026