DashBored similar games & best alternatives

DashBored

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2016

Should you play it?

Enter a bizarre and idiosyncratic world! Adventure into the unknown, and defeat horrid monsters! A story of Love, Loss, and the end of the Multiverse.

What works
  • Engaging story and characters
  • Memorable soundtrack
  • Multiple endings and secrets
  • Unique surreal atmosphere
  • Reasonable price and replayability
Things to keep in mind
  • Some combat is repetitive and easy
  • Navigation can be frustrating
  • Lack of save points early on
  • Minor bugs and glitches
  • No localization beyond english

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • A House of Many Doors

  • HorrorVale

  • Bloomtown: A Different Story

  • Sword of Asumi

  • The NOexistenceN of Morphean Paradox : The Forest of Silver Shallots

  • The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky

  • Purrfect Apawcalypse: Patches' Infurno

  • The Albino Hunter (Original)

  • Winds of Change

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • A House of Many Doors

  • HorrorVale

  • Purrfect Apawcalypse: Patches' Infurno

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Story

    Mad Father

  • Escapism

    //TODO: today

  • Exploration

    Drakensang: The River of Time

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).

DashBored: 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 Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Cooperation, Competition.

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 explore multiple locations, solve puzzles, and make decisions influencing multiple endings, indicating moderate player control."

    Capsule for The Crooked Man The Crooked Man

    "Players can explore different areas, choose party members, and make decisions affecting multiple endings, indicating moderate player control."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    2

    "Combat is simple and puzzle-like with some strategic elements; not highly challenging but requires attention and some skill."

    Capsule for Meg's Monster Meg's Monster

    "Combat involves timed hits and some strategy, puzzles require thinking, but battles are often easy and some players found combat repetitive."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of competitive modes or player comparison; focus is on personal exploration and story."

    Capsule for Atomfall Atomfall

    "No evidence of competitive modes or player comparison; focus is on personal story and exploration."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Players report spending multiple hours and replaying for secrets and achievements, indicating engagement and habitual play."

    Capsule for Suits: A Business RPG Suits: A Business RPG

    "Players report being engaged for multiple hours, replaying for different endings and secrets, indicating habitual play."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -3

    "Gameplay is single-player with party members controlled by the player, no multiplayer or teamwork with others."

    Capsule for Shadows: Awakening Shadows: Awakening

    "Party members can be recruited but gameplay is single-player with no multiplayer cooperation."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Players experiment with different choices and explore various endings; some creative puzzle solving involved."

    Capsule for At Home Alone Final At Home Alone Final

    "Players can recruit different party members and explore multiple endings, with some puzzle solving and exploration encouraging creative approaches."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; interactions are single-player and cooperative within party."

    Capsule for FANTASIAN Neo Dimension FANTASIAN Neo Dimension

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; interactions are balanced and cooperative within party."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as a comforting, relatable escape from real-life stress and mental health struggles."

    Capsule for //TODO: today //TODO: today

    "Players use the game as a comforting escape from real-life stress and mental health struggles."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment, with no mention of obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for Nanotale - Typing Chronicles Nanotale - Typing Chronicles

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment, with no mention of obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    2

    "Multiple choices and endings encourage trying different routes, though gameplay mechanics are somewhat repetitive."

    Capsule for Return to Shironagasu Island Return to Shironagasu Island

    "Multiple endings and optional content encourage trying new paths, though core gameplay is somewhat routine."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Game world includes multiple locations, secrets, side quests, and encourages revisiting areas and discovery."

    Capsule for Drakensang: The River of Time Drakensang: The River of Time

    "Game features multiple areas, secrets, optional dungeons, and encourages re-exploration on different days."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Some character customization and party building allow for personal expression, though limited to class and skill choices."

    Capsule for Lords of Xulima Lords of Xulima

    "Character recruitment and some customization of party composition allow limited self-expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Imaginative, surreal world with bizarre characters and scenarios far from realistic experiences."

    Capsule for Morsels Morsels

    "Surreal, eldritch, and bizarre world with imaginative characters and story elements."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    2

    "Players feel part of a community through shared interests and emotional connection to characters, though gameplay is solo."

    Capsule for Love, Ghostie Love, Ghostie

    "Players feel attachment to characters and community around the game, though gameplay is solo."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players learn puzzle solutions, combat mechanics, and story nuances through multiple playthroughs."

    Capsule for Burnhouse Lane Burnhouse Lane

    "Players learn combat timing, puzzle solving, and story understanding over multiple playthroughs."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "No physical activity involved; sedentary gameplay."

    Capsule for Human Fall Flat Human Fall Flat

    "No physical activity involved; sedentary gameplay."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement during combat and puzzles."

    Capsule for Shadows: Awakening Shadows: Awakening

    "Requires focused attention during combat and puzzles; some frustration with navigation but generally engaging."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    3

    "Strong emotional connections with characters and story; players report empathy and attachment."

    Capsule for BROK the InvestiGator BROK the InvestiGator

    "Players form emotional connections with characters and story, feeling attachment and empathy."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    1

    "Players manage party composition and strategy but no leadership over other players."

    Capsule for Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1 Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1

    "Players manage party composition and strategy but no leadership over others."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players collect items, unlock costumes, and achieve multiple endings, showing progression."

    Capsule for Trick & Treat Trick & Treat

    "Players collect items, recruit party members, and unlock multiple endings, showing progression."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

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    "Game balances challenge and fun, providing flow and enjoyment but also moments of tension."

    Capsule for Sven Co-op Sven Co-op

    "Game balances challenge and story, providing moments of flow and enjoyment despite some frustration."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Visually and aurally rich with detailed environments and a memorable soundtrack providing sensory enjoyment."

    Capsule for Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

    "Memorable soundtrack and unique visuals provide sensory enjoyment."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "Achievements and recognition are mostly personal; the game lacks social status or popularity mechanics."

    Capsule for Help Will Come Tomorrow Help Will Come Tomorrow

    "Game and achievements are mostly unnoticed socially; no emphasis on recognition."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Strong narrative focus with multiple endings, character development, and lore."

    Capsule for Mad Father Mad Father

    "Strong narrative focus with multiple endings, character development, and lore exploration."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Combat and puzzles require planning, timing, and problem solving."

    Capsule for Crimson Desert Crimson Desert

    "Combat requires timing and some planning; puzzles require problem solving."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Some suspense and dark humor create moments of tension and surprise, but overall controlled environment."

    Capsule for Kindergarten 3 Kindergarten 3

    "Some suspense and dark moments create tension, balanced with humor."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players report high value for money due to replayability, content variety, and lasting enjoyment."

    Capsule for Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® - Dark Crusade Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® - Dark Crusade

    "Players report high value for money with engaging content and replayability."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

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    "Turn-based combat involves fighting monsters, but violence is stylized and non-gratuitous."

    Capsule for DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined

    "Turn-based combat involves fighting monsters, but not gratuitous or excessive violence."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

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    "Players manage health and positioning to avoid defeat; no extreme survival mechanics or resource scarcity."

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    "Players manage resources and health but game is balanced to avoid excessive grinding or failure."

Last update: 01/06/2026