Copycat similar games & best alternatives

Copycat

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S, Mac, PlayStation 5 • 2024

Should you play it?

A poignant narrative-driven game about rejection, belonging and the meaning of home. It follows the story of a newly adopted shelter cat whose space in the home is taken by a copycat. Bring the tissues.

What works
  • Emotional and impactful narrative
  • Unique cat perspective
  • Beautiful music and atmosphere
  • Meaningful themes about abandonment and responsibility
  • Accessible gameplay
Things to keep in mind
  • Short playtime
  • Some technical issues and janky animations
  • Linear gameplay with limited freedom
  • Controversial story elements and ending
  • Price perceived as high by some

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Goodnight Universe

  • Blair Witch

  • Lost Words: Beyond the Page

  • Kemono Teatime

  • Harmonia

  • Under The Waves

  • DISTRAINT 2

  • The Midnight Walk

  • Blackberry Honey
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Goodnight Universe

  • Lost Words: Beyond the Page

  • Harmonia
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Story

    Seen
  • Escapism

    A Taste of the Past
  • Intimacy

    Last Day of June

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).

Copycat: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Strategy, Experimenting, Competence, Survival. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Survival, Intimacy, 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

    3

    "Players control the cat Aspen and direct its actions freely within a linear narrative, with some agency in exploration and puzzle solving."

    Capsule for Cats and the Other Lives Cats and the Other Lives

    "Players control the cat's actions and make some choices affecting the story, though gameplay is mostly linear and guided."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    1

    "Gameplay involves some skill in time and resource management, but is generally simple and grindy with minimal challenge."

    Capsule for My Lovely Wife My Lovely Wife

    "Gameplay involves simple interactions and some quick time events, not highly challenging but requires some skill."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

    "No competitive elements; focus is on personal emotional experience and narrative."

    Capsule for Lost Words: Beyond the Page Lost Words: Beyond the Page

    "No competitive elements; focus is on personal emotional experience and narrative."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Players tend to play in sessions to complete the story; some mention replaying for achievements or enjoyment."

    Capsule for The 39 Steps The 39 Steps

    "Players often play in one sitting and reflect on the story afterward, some replay for achievements."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Single-player narrative experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

    Capsule for Oxenfree Oxenfree

    "Single-player narrative experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    1

    "Some customization in builds and pets, but limited character appearance customization and mostly predefined content."

    Capsule for Evitania Online - Idle RPG Evitania Online - Idle RPG

    "Some customization of cat appearance, but mostly following a fixed story and environment."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; focus is on empathy and personal experience."

    Capsule for and Roger and Roger

    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; focus on empathy and emotional connection."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as emotional catharsis and distraction from real-life grief and stress."

    Capsule for A Taste of the Past A Taste of the Past

    "Players use the game to experience emotional catharsis and reflect on real-life issues like abandonment."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and emotional connection, not obligation."

    Capsule for ATRI -My Dear Moments- ATRI -My Dear Moments-

    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and emotional connection, not obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    -2

    "Mostly linear narrative with minimal branching; limited opportunity to explore or experiment with mechanics."

    Capsule for Creature Romances: Kokonoe Kokoro Creature Romances: Kokonoe Kokoro

    "Limited exploration of choices; mostly linear narrative with some minor branching."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    -1

    "Some environmental exploration but within confined, linear levels and limited discovery."

    Capsule for Moons of Madness Moons of Madness

    "Some limited exploration of environments but mostly linear progression through known areas."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Players customize cats by choosing hats, allowing some self-expression through appearance."

    Capsule for Mushroom Cats Mushroom Cats

    "Players can choose cat breed and collar, allowing some self-expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Players embody anthropomorphic cats in a whimsical world with magic and a story-driven narrative."

    Capsule for Snacko Snacko

    "Players experience the world through a cat's perspective with symbolic dream sequences."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Primarily a solitary experience with minimal social interaction or community involvement."

    Capsule for Little Nightmares II Little Nightmares II

    "Primarily a solitary experience with minimal social interaction or community involvement."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players learn about complex social issues and personal identity themes, gaining insight and empathy."

    Capsule for A Normal Lost Phone A Normal Lost Phone

    "Players develop emotional understanding and empathy, reflecting on personal and societal issues."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements."

    Capsule for Jaded Jaded

    "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention during play; not designed for background or casual intermittent play."

    Capsule for Fears to Fathom - Carson House Fears to Fathom - Carson House

    "Requires focused attention during play; not designed for background or casual intermittent play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    4

    "Strong emotional connection to characters and story, fostering empathy and intimacy."

    Capsule for Last Day of June Last Day of June

    "Strong emotional connection to characters and themes, fostering empathy and emotional sharing."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements; single-player narrative focus."

    Capsule for OMORI OMORI

    "No leadership or group management elements; single-player narrative focus."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    2

    "Some progression through story and achievements, but no complex item or upgrade systems."

    Capsule for Mr. Saitou Mr. Saitou

    "Some progression through story and achievements, but no complex item or upgrade systems."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Emotional flow and catharsis from story; some tension from dramatic events but overall a reflective experience."

    Capsule for Tomoyo After ~It's a Wonderful Life~ English Edition Tomoyo After ~It's a Wonderful Life~ English Edition

    "Emotional flow with moments of calm and reflection balanced with tension in the story."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Pleasant visuals and music provide sensory enjoyment, though graphics are modest."

    Capsule for Rune Factory 5 Rune Factory 5

    "Pleasant visuals and music provide sensory enjoyment, though graphics are modest."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social status or recognition systems; focus on personal narrative experience."

    Capsule for NieR Replicant™ ver.1.22474487139... NieR Replicant™ ver.1.22474487139...

    "No social recognition or status systems; focus on personal narrative experience."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Strong narrative immersion with emotional storytelling and meaningful plot."

    Capsule for Seen Seen

    "Strong narrative immersion with emotional storytelling and meaningful themes."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    -3

    "Minimal strategic or problem-solving elements; gameplay is straightforward and routine."

    Capsule for Lake Lake

    "Minimal strategic or problem-solving elements; gameplay is straightforward and guided."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    1

    "Some emotional tension and suspense in story but no high-risk or adrenaline gameplay."

    Capsule for South of the Circle South of the Circle

    "Some emotional tension and suspense in story, but no high-risk or adrenaline gameplay."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    1

    "Players find value in emotional experience and art despite short length; some note price is high for duration."

    Capsule for Herdling Herdling

    "Mixed opinions on price versus length; many find emotional value high despite short playtime."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No violence or destructive gameplay; focus is on cute, constructive, and playful cat activities."

    Capsule for The Cat Games The Cat Games

    "No enjoyment of combat or destruction; focus on emotional narrative and cat behavior."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Themes of survival in a dystopian setting are prominent in the story."

    Capsule for Togainu no Chi ~Lost Blood~ Togainu no Chi ~Lost Blood~

    "Themes of abandonment and survival as a stray cat are central to the story."

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Last update: 01/06/2026