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Barotrauma similar games & best alternatives

Barotrauma

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Linux • 2023

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Quick resume

Barotrauma is a 2D co-op submarine simulator – in space, with survival horror and RPG elements. Steer your submarine, complete missions, fight monsters, fix leaks, operate machinery, man the guns and craft items, and stay alert: danger in Barotrauma doesn’t announce itself!

Global score

94/100

Genres

Action, Indie, Simulator, Strategy, Adventure

Similar games

    Pros

    • Deep cooperative multiplayer experience
    • High replayability with mods and customization
    • Immersive atmosphere and sound design
    • Complex and rewarding gameplay mechanics
    • Strong community and social bonding

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve for new players
    • Some griefing and trolling in multiplayer
    • Singleplayer ai limitations
    • Performance issues on some systems
    • Campaign pacing can feel slow

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Leadership, Survival. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation.

    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 have significant freedom to choose roles, make decisions, and customize submarines and gameplay parameters."

    • Competence
      4

      "The game rewards skillful teamwork, technical knowledge, and mastery of complex mechanics."

    • Competition
      -3

      "Focus is primarily on cooperative play and survival rather than direct competition or ranked modes."

    • Continuation
      4

      "Players report long sessions, habitual play, and high replayability with campaigns and mods."

    • Cooperation
      5

      "Core gameplay revolves around teamwork, communication, and coordinated roles within a submarine crew."

    • Creativity
      5

      "Strong emphasis on building, modding, customizing submarines, characters, and gameplay mechanics."

    • Domination
      -4

      "Interactions emphasize shared decision-making and teamwork; griefing and trolling exist but are discouraged."

    • Escapism
      5

      "Players use the game as a deep immersive escape into a tense sci-fi underwater world."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, not obligation."

    • Experimenting
      4

      "Encouraged to try new roles, strategies, and mod content; game supports exploration of mechanics."

    • Exploration
      4

      "Exploration of unknown underwater biomes, discovery of secrets, and dynamic events."

    • Expression
      4

      "Customization of characters, submarines, and environments allows personal expression."

    • Fantasy
      4

      "Set in a sci-fi underwater world with monsters and fictional elements, supporting imaginative play."

    • Fellowship
      5

      "Strong sense of community and bonding through multiplayer cooperation and shared experiences."

    • Growth
      4

      "Players learn complex systems, improve teamwork skills, and develop strategies over time."

    • Health
      -4

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; some references to drug use in roleplay."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires continuous attention and coordination during gameplay; not suited for passive play."

    • Intimacy
      3

      "Players form close bonds and friendships through shared multiplayer experiences."

    • Leadership
      4

      "Roles like captain require managing crew and making strategic decisions."

    • Progression
      4

      "Players accumulate upgrades, skills, and items through campaign and gameplay."

    • Relaxation
      -2

      "Gameplay is often tense and stressful, with moments of relief after overcoming challenges."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Atmospheric audio and visuals provide immersive sensory experiences."

    • Status
      -2

      "Social recognition is limited; focus is on team success rather than individual status."

    • Story
      3

      "Campaign and lore provide narrative immersion, though gameplay can be emergent and player-driven."

    • Strategy
      4

      "Requires planning, problem solving, and tactical decision-making in managing the submarine and crew."

    • Thrill
      4

      "High suspense and tension from environmental threats and unpredictable events."

    • Value
      4

      "Players perceive strong value for time and money due to extensive content and replayability."

    • Violence
      3

      "Combat and destruction are present but balanced with constructive and cooperative gameplay."

    • Survival
      5

      "Core gameplay centers on avoiding failure, managing resources, and surviving hostile threats."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026