Dex similar games & best alternatives

Dex

Mac, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Linux, Xbox One, PlayStation Vita • 2015

Should you play it?

Dex is a 2D, side-scrolling, open-world cyberpunk RPG with a focus on exploration and non-linear gameplay.

What works
  • Engaging cyberpunk story and atmosphere
  • Multiple quest solutions and character builds
  • Appealing pixel art and soundtrack
  • Open world exploration with secrets
  • Good replayability with multiple endings
Things to keep in mind
  • Combat can be clunky and frustrating
  • Hacking minigame repetitive and simplistic
  • Limited stealth mechanics
  • Some bugs and control awkwardness
  • Short main story length

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights

  • Momodora: Reverie Under The Moonlight

  • Phoenotopia: Awakening

  • Catmaze

  • ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist

  • Afterimage

  • Gestalt: Steam & Cinder

  • Another Crab's Treasure

  • Vigil: The Longest Night

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • BIOMORPH

  • Vernal Edge

  • Ato

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Autonomy

    UnderRail

  • Escapism

    Shadowrun Returns

  • Exploration

    FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH

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).

Dex: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Violence, Survival, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Expression, Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Leadership.

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 freedom to choose character builds, playstyles, and multiple quest solutions, emphasizing personal decision-making."

    Capsule for UnderRail UnderRail

    "Players have freedom to choose playstyle, character development, and multiple quest solutions"

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Gameplay offers skill-based combat, hacking, and character builds with meaningful feedback and challenge."

    Capsule for Cyberpunk 2077 Cyberpunk 2077

    "Requires skillful combat, hacking, and exploration with meaningful feedback and progression"

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on personal exploration and story progression without player-vs-player or leaderboard elements."

    Capsule for Choice of Life: Middle Ages Choice of Life: Middle Ages

    "Focuses on personal story and exploration without player-vs-player or leaderboard elements"

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Strong narrative and engaging characters encourage extended play sessions and replay for nostalgia or story enjoyment."

    Capsule for Broken Sword: Director's Cut (2009) Broken Sword: Director's Cut (2009)

    "Engaging story and exploration encourage extended play sessions and replayability"

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Alicemare Alicemare

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

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Players can customize character development, choose skills and professions, and approach quests in multiple ways."

    Capsule for Gothic II: Gold Edition Gothic II: Gold Edition

    "Players customize character skills, implants, and approach quests in multiple ways"

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of dominance or power over others; interactions are cooperative or individual without competitive hierarchy."

    Capsule for Trainz: A New Era Trainz: A New Era

    "No evidence of power over others or competitive dominance; cooperative or equal interactions"

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Immersive cyberpunk-fantasy world and engrossing story provide strong escape from real life."

    Capsule for Shadowrun Returns Shadowrun Returns

    "Immersive cyberpunk world and story provide strong escape from real life"

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for Minoria Minoria

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

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players explore different dialogue options, endings, and hacking puzzles, encouraging experimentation."

    Capsule for ERROR143 ERROR143

    "Multiple gameplay styles, hacking, combat, and dialogue choices encourage experimentation"

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Large open world with multiple regions, hidden secrets, and side quests encourage discovery."

    Capsule for FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH

    "Open world with multiple districts, secrets, and side quests invites discovery"

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Character customization through armor sets and implants allows self-expression in appearance and playstyle."

    Capsule for The Surge The Surge

    "Character customization via implants and outfits allows personal expression"

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Futuristic cyberpunk setting with cyborg agents, hacking, and sci-fi elements creates imaginative fiction."

    Capsule for Satellite Reign Satellite Reign

    "Cyberpunk setting with AI, hacking, and futuristic augmentations provides imaginative fiction"

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No multiplayer or social community features; primarily solo play."

    Capsule for Star of Providence Star of Providence

    "No multiplayer or social community features; primarily solo play"

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Skill trees, leveling, and character development provide learning and personal progression."

    Capsule for Avadon: The Black Fortress Avadon: The Black Fortress

    "Skill trees, leveling, and character progression support learning and development"

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics"

    Capsule for Winkeltje: The Little Shop Winkeltje: The Little Shop

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics"

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires focused attention on combat, exploration, and quest solving; not designed for idle or background play."

    Capsule for Drova - Forsaken Kin Drova - Forsaken Kin

    "Requires focused attention on combat, exploration, and hacking; not idle play"

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Limited social interaction; some dialogue choices but no deep relationship building."

    Capsule for Alpha Polaris : A Horror Adventure Game Alpha Polaris : A Horror Adventure Game

    "Limited social interaction mostly through dialogue; no deep relationship building"

  • Leadership
    Insufficient data

    No nearest game available

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Character builds, gear upgrades, and quest completion drive progression."

    Capsule for Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon

    "Character upgrades, implants, and quest completion drive progression"

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Some players find flow in combat and exploration, but game is challenging and tense at times."

    Capsule for Clash: Artifacts of Chaos Clash: Artifacts of Chaos

    "Some players find flow in exploration and story; combat can be frustrating or tense"

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Appealing pixel art, sound effects, and music provide sensory enjoyment."

    Capsule for Scream Collector Scream Collector

    "Appealing pixel art, music, and sound design provide sensory enjoyment"

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social status or recognition systems present"

    Capsule for The Saboteur™ The Saboteur™

    "No social status or recognition systems present"

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Strong narrative focus with multiple endings, rich side quests, and character-driven plotlines."

    Capsule for Fate Seeker Fate Seeker

    "Strong narrative with multiple endings, character interactions, and side quests"

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Players plan character builds, weapon upgrades, and power management to overcome challenges."

    Capsule for MEGA MAN X DiVE Offline MEGA MAN X DiVE Offline

    "Players plan character builds, combat tactics, and hacking approaches"

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Combat and exploration provide some suspense and challenge but not extreme thrills."

    Capsule for Cubic Odyssey Cubic Odyssey

    "Combat and hacking provide some tension and challenge, but not extreme thrill"

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Offers good content and replayability for the price, especially with frequent sales."

    Capsule for Space Crew: Legendary Edition Space Crew: Legendary Edition

    "Good content and replayability for price, especially on sale"

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Combat involves hack-and-slash fighting and defeating enemies with weapons and powers."

    Capsule for Omensight: Definitive Edition Omensight: Definitive Edition

    "Combat involves melee, firearms, and hacking to disable enemies"

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    2

    "Players manage resources and avoid death, but environment is generally stable without extreme threats."

    Capsule for The Quest The Quest

    "Players must avoid death and manage resources, but environment threats are moderate"

Last update: 01/06/2026