Cold Waters similar games & best alternatives

Cold Waters

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac • 2017

Should you play it?

Spiritual Successor to the Microprose Classic “Red Storm Rising”.

What works
  • Realistic and immersive submarine warfare
  • Challenging and rewarding gameplay
  • Active and supportive modding community
  • Good value especially on sale
  • Steep learning curve with growth opportunities
Things to keep in mind
  • No multiplayer or cooperative play
  • Limited base game content without mods
  • Some ai detection inconsistencies
  • Graphics and models somewhat dated
  • Campaign missions can feel repetitive

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Empires of the Undergrowth

  • Dawn of Man

  • Sudden Strike 4

  • Ultimate General: Gettysburg

  • Marble Age

  • Hegemony III: Clash of the Ancients

  • Battlestations: Midway

  • Children of a Dead Earth

  • Victory At Sea
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Vigilantes

  • Afghanistan '11

  • Codename: Panzers, Phase Two
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Competence

    Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
  • Growth

    Prismata
  • Strategy

    Space Empires IV Deluxe

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).

Cold Waters: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Violence, Survival, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Leadership. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy, Expression.

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 high control over their actions and decisions, managing complex submarine operations manually and coordinating roles."

    Capsule for Wolfpack Wolfpack

    "Players have significant control over submarine maneuvers, tactics, and strategic decisions in campaigns and missions."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    5

    "High skill ceiling with emphasis on aiming, map knowledge, team coordination, and tactical execution; steep learning curve noted by many players."

    Capsule for Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege

    "High skill ceiling with complex sonar use, torpedo evasion, and tactical planning; steep learning curve noted by many players."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on single-player experience against AI with no multiplayer or ranked modes; competition is against game challenges rather than other players."

    Capsule for The Ouroboros King The Ouroboros King

    "Focus is on solo play against AI with no multiplayer; players compete against game challenges rather than other players."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Many players report long sessions and repeated play to improve performance and complete missions perfectly."

    Capsule for Carrier Deck Carrier Deck

    "Many players report long play sessions, repeated attempts to master missions, and hundreds of hours played."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Gameplay is single-player with no cooperative multiplayer elements; players manage their own party independently."

    Capsule for Ruined King: A League of Legends Story™ Ruined King: A League of Legends Story™

    "Gameplay is primarily single-player with no cooperative multiplayer; players operate independently."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Modding community is active with many mods and custom maps, enabling creative expansions beyond the base game."

    Capsule for Command & Conquer™ Generals Zero Hour Command & Conquer™ Generals Zero Hour

    "Modding community adds new subs, campaigns, and missions, allowing some creative expansion beyond base game."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of player dominance over others; interactions are with AI antagonist only."

    Capsule for Will You Snail? Will You Snail?

    "No evidence of player dominance over others; interactions are against AI with balanced engagements."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    3

    "Players use the game as a distraction and stress relief, enjoying immersive WW1 trench warfare experience."

    Capsule for TrenchesWIP TrenchesWIP

    "Players use the game for immersion in submarine warfare and distraction, enjoying tense and atmospheric gameplay."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and intrinsic motivation, not obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Battle Brothers Battle Brothers

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and intrinsic motivation, not obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players experiment with different units, strategies, and modding, exploring game mechanics and tactics."

    Capsule for Command & Conquer™ Tiberian Sun™ and Firestorm™ Command & Conquer™ Tiberian Sun™ and Firestorm™

    "Players experiment with different subs, tactics, and mods; learning and adapting strategies is key."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    1

    "Some exploration of mission areas and enemy types, but mostly focused on known environments and combat."

    Capsule for M.A.S.S. Builder M.A.S.S. Builder

    "Some exploration of different campaigns and missions, but mostly within known naval combat scenarios."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Limited customization; players mainly use predefined characters and environments."

    Capsule for BLACKHOLE BLACKHOLE

    "Limited customization; players mainly use predefined subs and missions, though mods add some variety."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    -4

    "Strong focus on historical accuracy and realistic WWII scenarios rather than imaginative fiction."

    Capsule for Aviators Aviators

    "Strong focus on realistic Cold War era submarine warfare and historical accuracy rather than imaginative fiction."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Mostly solo play with minimal social interaction; community exists mainly around modding and discussion rather than in-game socializing."

    Capsule for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

    "Minimal social interaction; community exists mainly around modding and discussion rather than in-game social play."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    5

    "Steep learning curve with extensive tutorials, puzzles, and replay analysis; players develop skills and knowledge over time."

    Capsule for Prismata Prismata

    "Steep learning curve with skill acquisition in sonar, tactics, and multi-tasking; players develop expertise over time."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of PC simulation games, no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for Construction Simulator 2015 Construction Simulator 2015

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of PC strategy/simulation games; no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention during missions; some waiting and slow segments but overall active engagement."

    Capsule for AquaNox 2: Revelation AquaNox 2: Revelation

    "Requires sustained attention during missions; slow pacing but active engagement needed."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No close social or emotional relationships formed in-game; interactions are minimal and surface-level."

    Capsule for Tiny Town VR Tiny Town VR

    "No close social or emotional relationships formed in-game; interactions are minimal and surface-level."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    3

    "Players act as captain making decisions and managing crew and ship resources."

    Capsule for Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown

    "Players act as submarine captain making command decisions, managing resources and crew actions."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Campaign unlocks new units and upgrades; mods add more content and progression elements."

    Capsule for Battlestations Pacific Battlestations Pacific

    "Campaigns and missions involve completing objectives and unlocking new subs and scenarios, with mod content expanding options."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Some players find the game relaxing and enjoyable, though combat can be tense."

    Capsule for Airmen Airmen

    "Some players find the slow, methodical gameplay relaxing, though tense moments occur during combat."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Sound design and atmosphere provide immersive sensory experience, though graphics are dated."

    Capsule for ARMA: Cold War Assault ARMA: Cold War Assault

    "Sound design and atmosphere provide immersive sensory experience, though graphics are modest."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "No social status or recognition systems; achievements are personal and not publicly displayed."

    Capsule for Farthest Frontier Farthest Frontier

    "No social status or recognition systems; achievements are personal and not publicly displayed."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    1

    "Campaigns provide some narrative context, but story is minimal and secondary to gameplay."

    Capsule for Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) Stronghold Crusader HD (2012)

    "Campaigns have some narrative context and mission consequences, but story is minimal and functional."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    5

    "Heavy emphasis on strategic planning, problem solving, and tactical combat."

    Capsule for Space Empires IV Deluxe Space Empires IV Deluxe

    "Heavy emphasis on tactical and strategic thinking, planning, and problem solving in combat and campaign."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    4

    "Tense moments of evasion, attack, and survival create suspense and thrill."

    Capsule for Wolfpack Wolfpack

    "Tense moments of evading torpedoes and engaging enemies create suspense and excitement."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Many players feel the game offers good value for price, especially with frequent updates and mod support."

    Capsule for F1® Manager 2024 F1® Manager 2024

    "Players generally feel the game offers good value, especially with mods and on sale; some consider full price steep."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Combat involves defeating enemies and bosses with weapons, magic, and ship battles; destruction is a core gameplay element."

    Capsule for Cat Quest III Cat Quest III

    "Combat involves sinking enemy ships and submarines with torpedoes and missiles; destruction is central gameplay."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around surviving waves of enemies and avoiding failure."

    Capsule for Gem Defender: Soyjak Survivors Gem Defender: Soyjak Survivors

    "Core gameplay revolves around avoiding detection, evading torpedoes, and surviving engagements."

Come talk about it on Discord!

Last update: 01/06/2026