Absent similar games & best alternatives
Absent
2015
Related articles
Quick resume
Absent is the first freeware release from FNGames. Originally released in 2013, the game makes its' Steam debut this year.
Global score
81/100
Genres
Adventure, Free To Play
Similar games
Pros
- Free to play
- Engaging story with plot twists
- Voice acting and music
- Classic point-and-click gameplay
- Challenging but fair puzzles
Cons
- Low resolution and small window
- Rudimentary graphics and animation
- Some obtuse puzzle solutions
- No full screen or advanced options
- Linear gameplay with limited replayability
Analysis
Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Fellowship, Expression. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Thrill, Value, Story.
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
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Autonomy4
"Players freely explore environments, solve puzzles, and choose dialogue options in a classic point-and-click style, indicating high player control over actions."
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Competence3
"The game includes puzzles that require attention and logical thinking, providing a moderate challenge and feedback through progression."
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Competition-5
"No evidence of competitive elements; gameplay is single-player and focused on personal puzzle solving and story progression."
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Continuation2
"Players report spending around 4-6 hours in one or a few sessions; some mention replaying for achievements, indicating moderate attachment."
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Cooperation-5
"Entirely single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay elements."
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Creativity2
"Players interact with inventory items and combine them to solve puzzles, allowing some creative problem solving within predefined structures."
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Domination-5
"No social or multiplayer dominance aspects; interactions are individual and narrative-driven."
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Escapism4
"The supernatural mystery and immersive story provide an escape from reality, supported by atmospheric music and voice acting."
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Expectation-4
"Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and interest in the genre; no indications of obligation or external pressure."
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Experimenting1
"Some exploration and puzzle experimentation occurs, but gameplay largely follows classic point-and-click adventure conventions."
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Exploration3
"Players explore multiple locations including school, town, forests, and otherworldly areas, driven by curiosity and story progression."
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Expression-3
"Limited customization; players experience a fixed narrative and character presentation without avatar personalization."
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Fantasy4
"The game features supernatural elements, paranormal entities, and imaginative fiction typical of adventure mystery games."
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Fellowship-4
"Single-player experience with minimal social interaction; community guides exist but gameplay is individual."
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Growth3
"Players develop problem-solving skills and learn puzzle solutions; some report personal satisfaction from overcoming challenges."
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Health-5
"Sedentary gameplay typical of point-and-click adventures with no physical activity involved."
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Idle-3
"Requires focused attention to solve puzzles and follow story; not designed for casual or background play."
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Intimacy-4
"No close social or emotional relationships formed through gameplay; interactions are narrative and individual."
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Leadership-5
"No leadership or group management elements; gameplay is solo and story-driven."
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Progression3
"Players collect and combine items, unlock achievements, and advance through story chapters, showing clear progression."
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Relaxation2
"Generally a calm experience with some tension from puzzles and story, but overall balanced and not stressful."
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Sensation1
"Visuals are retro and simple, with voice acting and music providing moderate sensory stimulation."
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Status-4
"No social status or recognition mechanics; achievements are personal and not publicly ranked."
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Story5
"Strong narrative focus with voice acting, plot twists, and character development driving player engagement."
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Strategy3
"Requires logical thinking and planning to solve puzzles and progress through the story."
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Thrill2
"Some suspense and mystery elements create mild thrill, but overall gameplay is controlled and predictable."
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Value5
"Highly praised for being a free, content-rich game offering several hours of entertainment and achievements."
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Violence-5
"No violent gameplay; focus is on puzzle solving and narrative without combat or destruction."
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Survival-5
"No survival mechanics or threat avoidance; gameplay occurs in stable, low-risk environments."
Last update: 29/04/2026