Distance similar games & best alternatives
Distance
2018
Related articles
Quick resume
Distance is an atmospheric racing platformer. Fusing futuristic arcade racing with parkour, survive a deadly, mysterious, neon-drenched city by jumping, rotating, and flying.
Global score
92/100
Genres
Action, Indie, Racing, Simulator
Similar games
Pros
- Unique and satisfying gameplay mechanics
- Robust level editor and extensive community content
- Immersive neon-futuristic atmosphere and soundtrack
- High skill ceiling with rewarding progression
- Active and friendly community
Cons
- Short official campaign content
- Multiplayer community is small and sometimes inactive
- Steep learning curve for new players
- Some control issues with certain controllers
- Potential motion sickness in vr
Analysis
A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Status, Story, Expression. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story, Cooperation, Fantasy.
How to use the graph
Similar games map
Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.
- Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
- Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
- Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
- 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.
Motivations
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Autonomy4
"Players have high control over their car's movement including flying, jumping, boosting, and wall riding, with freedom to choose routes and create custom maps."
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Competence4
"The game has a high skill ceiling with challenging tracks, requiring mastery of complex controls and physics, rewarding player improvement."
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Competition3
"Includes leaderboards, ghost racing against others, and multiplayer modes, but multiplayer is less active; focus on time trials and personal bests."
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Continuation4
"Players report long playtimes, addiction, and habitual return due to extensive workshop content and level editor."
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Cooperation1
"Supports multiplayer and split-screen play, but mostly competitive rather than cooperative; some cooperative play with friends possible."
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Creativity5
"Robust level editor and Steam Workshop support enable extensive player creativity and content creation."
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Domination-3
"Community described as friendly and supportive; interactions emphasize shared experiences rather than dominance."
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Escapism4
"Players use the game for distraction, immersion in a futuristic neon world, and stress relief through engaging gameplay and music."
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Expectation-4
"Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."
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Experimenting4
"Encourages trying new routes, tricks, and map creation; players explore mechanics and experiment with level design."
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Exploration3
"Game features multiple routes, secrets, and encourages discovering shortcuts and hidden areas on tracks."
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Expression3
"Allows car color customization and map design, enabling player self-expression within the game."
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Fantasy4
"Futuristic, neon-lit sci-fi setting with imaginative car abilities and surreal track designs."
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Fellowship2
"Active but small community with social interaction on Discord and multiplayer, though mostly competitive."
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Growth4
"Players develop skills over time mastering controls and techniques; learning curve is a key part of the experience."
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Health-4
"Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements; some reports of motion sickness in VR."
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Idle-3
"Requires focused attention and continuous engagement due to fast-paced and challenging gameplay."
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Intimacy-3
"Social interactions are mostly surface-level competitive or cooperative play; limited evidence of close relationships."
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Leadership-2
"No strong evidence of leadership roles; multiplayer is mostly peer-based competition or collaboration."
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Progression3
"Players unlock cars, achievements, and new maps; progression is tied to skill and content unlocking."
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Relaxation2
"Some players find it relaxing and cathartic, but overall gameplay is intense and fast-paced with moments of tension."
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Sensation4
"Strong sensory stimulation from neon visuals, dynamic lighting, and electronic soundtrack."
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Status2
"Leaderboards and ghost racing provide social recognition, but community is small and less focused on status."
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Story2
"Campaign mode offers atmospheric narrative and lore, but story is minimal and abstract."
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Strategy3
"Players plan routes, use tricks and shortcuts, and solve platforming challenges requiring mental skill."
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Thrill4
"High-speed racing with risk of crashing, overheating, and intense obstacles creates suspense and thrill."
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Value3
"Players perceive good value due to extensive content, workshop, and replayability despite short official campaign."
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Violence-2
"Destruction is limited to car damage from obstacles; focus is more on survival and platforming than combat."
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Survival3
"Gameplay involves avoiding failure by managing boost, heat, and navigating deadly obstacles to survive tracks."
Last update: 29/04/2026