DISTRAINT: Deluxe Edition similar games & best alternatives

DISTRAINT: Deluxe Edition

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2015

Should you play it?

DISTRAINT is a 2D psychological horror adventure game for PC. In order to secure a partnership in a famous company, Price seizes the property of an elderly woman. In that very moment, he finds out the price of his humanity.

What works
  • Engaging psychological narrative
  • Unique pixel art style
  • Atmospheric sound design
  • Meaningful moral themes
  • Short and accessible gameplay
Things to keep in mind
  • Very short playtime
  • Simple and linear gameplay
  • Some puzzle sections frustrating
  • Limited replay value
  • Lack of gameplay depth

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • and Roger

  • One Dreamer

  • Another Lost Phone: Laura's Story

  • Pentiment

  • Hello Charlotte EP2: Requiem Aeternam Deo

  • Hello Charlotte EP3: Childhood's End

  • A Wolf in Autumn

  • Morphine

  • Omen Exitio: Plague
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • One Dreamer

  • A Wolf in Autumn

  • Neversong
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Story

    Many Nights a Whisper
  • Escapism

    Family Man
  • Autonomy

    Fears to Fathom - Ironbark Lookout

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).

DISTRAINT: Deluxe Edition: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Intimacy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy, Survival.

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 have freedom to explore the environment, make choices, and interact with various objects, though the story is linear and guided."

    Capsule for Fears to Fathom - Ironbark Lookout Fears to Fathom - Ironbark Lookout

    "Players follow a linear story with limited choices but can explore and interact with environment items freely."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    2

    "Gameplay is simple with basic puzzles and quick-time events, offering some skill challenge but mostly straightforward mechanics."

    Capsule for The Happyhills Homicide 2: Out For Blood The Happyhills Homicide 2: Out For Blood

    "Simple puzzles and interactions provide some skill challenge but mostly straightforward gameplay."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Firewatch Firewatch

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

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    1

    "Short game (~2-3 hours) with some replay value for achievements, but generally a one-time experience."

    Capsule for Father's Day Father's Day

    "Short game with some replay value for achievements but generally a one-time experience."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative features."

    Capsule for What Remains of Edith Finch What Remains of Edith Finch

    "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative features."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Players can create pixel art drawings that appear in the game, showing some creative expression."

    Capsule for KinitoPET KinitoPET

    "Unique pixel art style and symbolic storytelling show creative expression."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No social dominance or power dynamics, story focuses on mutual relationships"

    Capsule for Stella of The End Stella of The End

    "No social dominance or power over others; story focuses on internal conflict."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players engage in a fictional narrative to escape real-life stress and explore moral dilemmas."

    Capsule for Family Man Family Man

    "Players immerse in a dark psychological narrative to escape or reflect on real-life moral dilemmas."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and personal desire, not obligation."

    Capsule for Soccer Online: Ball 3D Soccer Online: Ball 3D

    "Players engage voluntarily for personal interest and reflection, not obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    1

    "Some exploration and puzzle experimentation, but mostly linear progression."

    Capsule for Find Yourself Find Yourself

    "Some exploration and item interaction experimentation but mostly linear progression."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    2

    "Players explore various environments and uncover story elements and puzzles."

    Capsule for Shiver Shiver

    "Players explore limited environments to uncover story elements and puzzles."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    1

    "Minimal character customization; expression mainly through narrative choices and unique art style."

    Capsule for The Cat Lady The Cat Lady

    "Minimal character customization; expression mainly through narrative and art style."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    -3

    "Grounded in realistic social and psychological themes rather than imaginative or supernatural elements."

    Capsule for BURIED STARS BURIED STARS

    "Grounded in realistic social and moral issues despite some surreal horror elements."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community features; solitary narrative experience."

    Capsule for Dysfunctional Systems: Learning to Manage Chaos Dysfunctional Systems: Learning to Manage Chaos

    "No social or community features; solitary narrative experience."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players learn about story consequences, character development, and explore moral dilemmas, supporting personal growth."

    Capsule for Life is Strange Remastered Life is Strange Remastered

    "Players reflect on moral growth and consequences through story progression."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

    Capsule for Sultan's Game Sultan's Game

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles and progress the story."

    Capsule for Broken Sword - Shadow of the Templars: Reforged Broken Sword - Shadow of the Templars: Reforged

    "Requires focused attention to progress through puzzles and story."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    2

    "Emotional connection to characters and story, but no social intimacy or relationships."

    Capsule for The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales

    "Emotional connection to story and characters but no social intimacy."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements."

    Capsule for High On Life High On Life

    "No leadership or group management elements."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    2

    "Progression through story and puzzles, but no item collection or upgrades."

    Capsule for Evan's Remains Evan's Remains

    "Story and puzzle progression with some item collection but no complex upgrades."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -1

    "Atmosphere is tense and unsettling rather than purely relaxing."

    Capsule for Sagebrush Sagebrush

    "Atmosphere is tense and somber rather than relaxing."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Strong atmospheric audio-visual elements create sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

    Capsule for PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo

    "Strong atmospheric audio-visual elements create emotional and sensory engagement."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social status or recognition systems."

    Capsule for Half-Life: Alyx Half-Life: Alyx

    "No social status or recognition systems."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Narrative immersion and moral dilemmas are central, with strong emphasis on story and character."

    Capsule for Many Nights a Whisper Many Nights a Whisper

    "Central narrative focus with strong psychological and moral themes."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    1

    "Simple puzzle solving requires some planning but no complex strategy."

    Capsule for Reveal The Deep Reveal The Deep

    "Simple puzzle solving requires some planning but no complex strategy."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Some suspense and light horror elements create mild thrill, but not intense or scary."

    Capsule for Perceptions of the Dead Perceptions of the Dead

    "Some suspense and psychological horror elements create mild thrill."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Good value for price especially on sale; short but satisfying experience."

    Capsule for Singularity™ Singularity™

    "Good value for price especially on sale; short but meaningful experience."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    2

    "Contains disturbing imagery and gore as part of horror elements but no player-directed violence."

    Capsule for Heaven Does Not Respond Heaven Does Not Respond

    "Contains disturbing imagery and some gore but no player-driven violence."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -3

    "No survival mechanics; stable conditions throughout gameplay."

    Capsule for Tormentum - Dark Sorrow Tormentum - Dark Sorrow

    "No survival mechanics; stable conditions throughout gameplay."

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Last update: 01/06/2026