Absent similar games & best alternatives

Absent

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2015

Should you play it?

Absent is the first freeware release from FNGames. Originally released in 2013, the game makes its' Steam debut this year.

What works
  • Free to play
  • Engaging story with plot twists
  • Voice acting and music
  • Classic point-and-click gameplay
  • Challenging but fair puzzles
Things to keep in mind
  • Low resolution and small window
  • Rudimentary graphics and animation
  • Some obtuse puzzle solutions
  • No full screen or advanced options
  • Linear gameplay with limited replayability

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Aurora Hills: Chapter 1

  • Cognition Method: Initiation

  • Isle of Ewe

  • Wretched Depths

  • Red Comrades Save the Galaxy: Reloaded

  • Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers 20th Anniversary Edition

  • Slender Threads: Prologue

  • Postmouse

  • Space Pilgrim Episode I: Alpha Centauri
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Wretched Depths

  • Penelope Pendrick and the Art of Deceit

  • Elong Plug
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Story

    Riddle Joker
  • Value

    Darkenstein 3D
  • Autonomy

    Metal Dead

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).

Absent: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. 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 freely explore environments, solve puzzles, and make decisions in a classic point-and-click style with multiple interaction options."

    Capsule for Metal Dead Metal Dead

    "Players freely explore environments, solve puzzles, and choose dialogue options in a classic point-and-click style, indicating high player control over actions."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "The game offers challenging puzzles that require logical thinking and attention, providing a sense of skill and accomplishment."

    Capsule for Sanitarium Sanitarium

    "The game includes puzzles that require attention and logical thinking, providing a moderate challenge and feedback through progression."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of competitive elements; gameplay is single-player and focused on personal puzzle solving and story progression."

    Capsule for Bulb Boy Bulb Boy

    "No evidence of competitive elements; gameplay is single-player and focused on personal puzzle solving and story progression."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Players report spending 6-15 hours completing the game and some replaying for secrets, indicating moderate attachment and continued play."

    Capsule for Adventures of Pip Adventures of Pip

    "Players report spending around 4-6 hours in one or a few sessions; some mention replaying for achievements, indicating moderate attachment."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Entirely single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay elements."

    Capsule for Hogwarts Legacy Hogwarts Legacy

    "Entirely single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players combine and interact with inventory items and solve varied puzzles, allowing some creative problem solving."

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

    "Players interact with inventory items and combine them to solve puzzles, allowing some creative problem solving within predefined structures."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No social or multiplayer dominance aspects; interactions are individual and narrative-driven."

    Capsule for Phantasmagoria Phantasmagoria

    "No social or multiplayer dominance aspects; interactions are individual and narrative-driven."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "The dark, atmospheric story and immersive music provide a strong escape from reality into a mysterious narrative."

    Capsule for PRICE PRICE

    "The supernatural mystery and immersive story provide an escape from reality, supported by atmospheric music and voice acting."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and interest in the genre and story; no obligation or external pressure noted."

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

    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and interest in the genre; no indications of obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    1

    "Some exploration and puzzle experimentation, but gameplay largely follows established adventure game routines."

    Capsule for Syberia: The World Before Syberia: The World Before

    "Some exploration and puzzle experimentation occurs, but gameplay largely follows classic point-and-click adventure conventions."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Players explore a richly detailed world with multiple locations and hidden elements, driven by curiosity."

    Capsule for NORCO NORCO

    "Players explore multiple locations including school, town, forests, and otherworldly areas, driven by curiosity and story progression."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Limited customization; players experience a fixed narrative and character presentation without avatar personalization."

    Capsule for The Hungry Lamb: Traveling in the Late Ming Dynasty The Hungry Lamb: Traveling in the Late Ming Dynasty

    "Limited customization; players experience a fixed narrative and character presentation without avatar personalization."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "The game features supernatural elements, ghosts, and a fictional mystery story, providing an imaginative experience."

    Capsule for Nancy Drew®: Ghost of Thornton Hall Nancy Drew®: Ghost of Thornton Hall

    "The game features supernatural elements, paranormal entities, and imaginative fiction typical of adventure mystery games."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Single-player experience with minimal social interaction; community exists but gameplay is individual."

    Capsule for Graviteam Tactics: Operation Star Graviteam Tactics: Operation Star

    "Single-player experience with minimal social interaction; community guides exist but gameplay is individual."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop problem-solving skills and learn puzzle solutions, with some cognitive challenge and personal development."

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

    "Players develop problem-solving skills and learn puzzle solutions; some report personal satisfaction from overcoming challenges."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of point-and-click adventures with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for Indiana Jones® and the Fate of Atlantis™ Indiana Jones® and the Fate of Atlantis™

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of point-and-click adventures with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles and follow story; not designed for casual or background play."

    Capsule for Secret Files: Tunguska Secret Files: Tunguska

    "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles and follow story; not designed for casual or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "No close social or emotional relationships formed through gameplay; mostly individual."

    Capsule for 100 Asian Cats 100 Asian Cats

    "No close social or emotional relationships formed through gameplay; interactions are narrative and individual."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements; gameplay is individual and story-driven."

    Capsule for The Testament of Sherlock Holmes The Testament of Sherlock Holmes

    "No leadership or group management elements; gameplay is solo and story-driven."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players collect items, unlock story chapters, and find collectibles, showing clear progression."

    Capsule for Sacra Terra: Angelic Night Sacra Terra: Angelic Night

    "Players collect and combine items, unlock achievements, and advance through story chapters, showing clear progression."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Generally a calm experience with moments of tension in puzzles and story."

    Capsule for The Dark Eye: Memoria The Dark Eye: Memoria

    "Generally a calm experience with some tension from puzzles and story, but overall balanced and not stressful."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    1

    "Visuals are simple and retro; audio and voice acting add some sensory enjoyment but overall modest stimulation."

    Capsule for Immortal Empire Immortal Empire

    "Visuals are retro and simple, with voice acting and music providing moderate sensory stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "No social status or recognition mechanics; achievements are personal and not publicly ranked."

    Capsule for The Last Spell The Last Spell

    "No social status or recognition mechanics; achievements are personal and not publicly ranked."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Strong narrative focus with multiple routes, character development, and plot twists driving player engagement."

    Capsule for Riddle Joker Riddle Joker

    "Strong narrative focus with voice acting, plot twists, and character development driving player engagement."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Requires logical thinking and planning to solve puzzles and progress through the story."

    Capsule for Deponia Deponia

    "Requires logical thinking and planning to solve puzzles and progress through the story."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Some suspense and mystery elements create mild thrill, but gameplay is generally controlled and calm."

    Capsule for Blackwell Convergence Blackwell Convergence

    "Some suspense and mystery elements create mild thrill, but overall gameplay is controlled and predictable."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    5

    "Highly praised for being a free, high-quality game offering many hours of entertainment."

    Capsule for Darkenstein 3D Darkenstein 3D

    "Highly praised for being a free, content-rich game offering several hours of entertainment and achievements."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No violent or destructive gameplay; focus is on story and puzzle solving."

    Capsule for 永冻之壳 The Shell of Permafrost 永冻之壳 The Shell of Permafrost

    "No violent gameplay; focus is on puzzle solving and narrative without combat or destruction."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -5

    "No survival or threat avoidance mechanics; gameplay occurs in stable, low-risk environments."

    Capsule for Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping

    "No survival mechanics or threat avoidance; gameplay occurs in stable, low-risk environments."

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Last update: 01/06/2026