ABZU similar games & best alternatives

ABZU - Trailer
ABZU - abzu_1.avif
ABZU - abzu_2.avif
ABZU - abzu_3.avif
ABZU - abzu_4.avif
ABZU - abzu_5.avif
ABZU - abzu_6.avif

ABZU

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch • 2016

Should you play it?

From the art director of Journey®, ABZÛ is a beautiful underwater adventure that evokes the dream of diving. Immerse yourself in a vibrant hidden world bursting with color and life as you descend into the heart of the ocean. But beware as you swim deeper as dangers lurk in the depths.

What works

  • Beautiful and vibrant underwater visuals
  • Soothing and dynamic soundtrack
  • Relaxing and meditative gameplay
  • Immersive exploration of marine life
  • Emotional and interpretive narrative

Things to keep in mind

  • Short playtime
  • Simple and repetitive puzzles
  • Limited gameplay depth
  • Some control and camera issues
  • Price considered high for length

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feels the closest overall

  • Submerged: Hidden Depths

  • Flower

  • Shape of the World

  • Koral

  • Submerged

  • Beasts of Maravilla Island

Less idle-friendly

Games that feels like ABZU but with less of an idle filler feel

  • A Story About My Uncle

  • Planet of the Eyes

  • Sword of the Sea

  • LOST EMBER

  • Omno

  • AER Memories of Old

Choose your own criteria ->

Similarity map

How to compare these games

Compare nearby games

Each card is a nearby game on the similarity map, compared with ABZU. Swipe sideways to move between games. Titles already listed in What to play next are left out.

  • Cover and title: open that game’s page.
  • What works / keep in mind: the same highlights as the desktop comparison panel.
  • Bars: the main motivational differences versus this game.
How to use the graph

Similarity map

Each dot is a game placed from its motivation profile relative to this page’s game. Direction shows which motivation differs most; distance along that axis shows how large the gap is.

  • Purple star: this page’s game at the centre — everything is relative to it.
  • Direction: each axis is a main motivational difference vs this game (e.g. more / less competitive).
  • Distance on an axis: how large that difference is (ring scales show +/− points).
  • 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 to preview that game in the panel on the right; click to keep that comparison.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom.

How to read the map This is a polar difference map: direction = which motivation differs, and distance = how much (same units as the sidebar deltas).

Swipe to compare nearby games with ABZU. These titles are not in What to play next.

ABZU: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Competition, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Idle. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Strategy, Competence.

Last update: 21/08/2026