Bastard Bonds similar games & best alternatives

Bastard Bonds

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2016

Should you play it?

Bastard Bonds is a mature, fast-paced tactical RPG with high-end pixel art and in-depth character customization.

What works
  • Deep character customization
  • Unique risk-based combat
  • Large explorable world
  • Engaging party bonding
  • High replayability
Things to keep in mind
  • Steep learning curve
  • Some ui and tutorial shortcomings
  • Combat ai can be simplistic
  • Some difficulty spikes
  • Lack of animation

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Divinity: Original Sin - Enhanced Edition

  • Wildermyth

  • Marvel's Midnight Suns

  • Pillars of Eternity

  • Elin

  • Popup Dungeon

  • Our Adventurer Guild

  • Thea 2: The Shattering

  • Cyber Knights: Flashpoint

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Embers Adrift

  • A House of Many Doors

  • Battle Suit Aces

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Creativity

    DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 2

  • Escapism

    Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

  • Exploration

    Blasphemous

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).

Bastard Bonds: A very typical example of its motivational profile. 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, Expression, Exploration.

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 have meaningful choices affecting story, factions, and character builds, allowing personal direction and freedom."

    Capsule for GreedFall GreedFall

    "Players make meaningful choices affecting story, character builds, and stronghold management with freedom to explore and recruit."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Combat requires tactical positioning and resource management with skill trees and character progression, though combat depth is moderate and some find it simple."

    Capsule for Pathway Pathway

    "Combat is simple but engaging with risk mechanic requiring tactical decisions; character progression and stronghold building add depth."

  • Competition

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    -3

    "Focus is on personal progression and exploration without competitive multiplayer or leaderboards."

    Capsule for Cave Story+ Cave Story+

    "Focus is on personal progression and exploration without competitive multiplayer or leaderboards."

  • Continuation

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    4

    "Players report long playtimes, high replayability, and addictive progression encouraging extended sessions."

    Capsule for Space Pirates and Zombies Space Pirates and Zombies

    "Players report long playtimes, high replayability, and addictive gameplay encouraging extended sessions."

  • Cooperation

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    2

    "Some cooperation with NPC factions and party members, but mostly individual player control and decisions."

    Capsule for Dead Age 2: The Zombie Survival RPG Dead Age 2: The Zombie Survival RPG

    "Party-based gameplay with bonding and team synergy; some cooperation with NPCs and recruited monsters."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on character creation and customization including appearance, skills, and movesets."

    Capsule for DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 2 DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 2

    "Extensive character customization, ability to create/import sprites, and flexible skill builds."

  • Domination

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    -3

    "Interactions emphasize mutual relationships and collaboration rather than dominance or control over others."

    Capsule for Youtubers Life Youtubers Life

    "Interactions emphasize mutual respect and bonding rather than dominance or power over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    5

    "Highly immersive fantasy world with rich lore and exploration offers strong escape from real life."

    Capsule for Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

    "Immersive fantasy world with rich lore and exploration offers strong escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for ICARUS ICARUS

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Players try different combat strategies, explore secrets, and experiment with character builds and abilities."

    Capsule for Escape from Ever After: Onboarding Escape from Ever After: Onboarding

    "Players experiment with builds, risk-taking in combat, recruitment, and exploration of secrets."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    5

    "Large interconnected world with many secrets, hidden areas, and lore encourages discovery and curiosity."

    Capsule for Blasphemous Blasphemous

    "Large world map with many unique locations, secrets, and lore encourages discovery."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    5

    "Highly detailed character creation and cosmetic customization support strong self-expression."

    Capsule for Black Desert Black Desert

    "Highly detailed character creation and sprite customization allow for strong self-expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Set in an imaginative dungeon fantasy world with magic, monsters, and mythical elements."

    Capsule for WazHack WazHack

    "Set in a dark fantasy prison island with monsters, magic, and mythical elements."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    3

    "Building relationships with NPCs and party members creates a sense of community and belonging."

    Capsule for Look Outside Look Outside

    "Bonding with party members and NPCs creates a sense of community and attachment."

  • Growth

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    4

    "Players develop skills, knowledge of game mechanics, and character builds over time."

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    "Players develop skills, knowledge of mechanics, and character builds over time."

  • Health

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    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for Don't Starve Together Don't Starve Together

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

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    "Requires focused attention due to complex management and combat; not suited for idle play."

    Capsule for Caravaneer 2 Caravaneer 2

    "Requires focused attention on combat and management, not suited for idle play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    3

    "Bonding events and character interactions foster emotional connections and close relationships."

    Capsule for The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel

    "Bonding system and character interactions provide emotional connection beyond surface level."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    3

    "Players lead and manage a party of characters, making strategic decisions for the group."

    Capsule for Knights in Tight Spaces Knights in Tight Spaces

    "Players lead a band of characters and manage a stronghold, guiding decisions and strategy."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on leveling characters, collecting items, and unlocking upgrades."

    Capsule for Bloons Adventure Time TD Bloons Adventure Time TD

    "Strong emphasis on leveling characters, recruiting, upgrading strongholds, and collecting items."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Generally balanced challenge with moments of flow, though some difficulty spikes cause tension."

    Capsule for Shantae and the Pirate's Curse Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

    "Some tension from risk mechanic and difficulty spikes, but overall balanced challenge and flow."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Enjoyable pixel art visuals and music provide sensory stimulation; gameplay is exciting and fast-paced."

    Capsule for Rivals of Aether Rivals of Aether

    "Pixel art and music provide enjoyable sensory experience; some players appreciate the adult themes."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -3

    "No social recognition or leaderboard status; focus is on personal achievement."

    Capsule for QP Shooting - Dangerous!! QP Shooting - Dangerous!!

    "No social status or leaderboard recognition; focus is on personal achievement."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "Narrative is subtle and atmospheric, delivered through environmental storytelling and protagonist commentary."

    Capsule for Titan Chaser Titan Chaser

    "Narrative is present with character backstories and environmental storytelling, though not deeply intrusive."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Combat and party management require tactical thinking and planning."

    Capsule for CHRONO TRIGGER® CHRONO TRIGGER®

    "Combat and party management require tactical thinking and planning."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

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    "Tense battles and risk-reward decisions create suspense and excitement."

    Capsule for Sins of a Solar Empire II Sins of a Solar Empire II

    "Risk mechanic adds suspense and excitement to combat decisions."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players report high value for price with many hours of content and replayability."

    Capsule for Secrets of Grindea Secrets of Grindea

    "Players report high value for price with many hours of content and replayability."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    2

    "Combat involves fighting and defeating enemies, but also includes constructive elements like army building."

    Capsule for King's Bounty: Armored Princess King's Bounty: Armored Princess

    "Combat involves fighting and defeating enemies, but also recruiting and cooperating with them."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

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    "Players must manage health and resources to survive hostile environments and enemies."

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    "Players must manage resources, risk, and character health to survive hostile environments."

Last update: 01/06/2026