Distrust: Polar Survival similar games & best alternatives

Distrust: Polar Survival

Mac, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Xbox One • 2017

Should you play it?

DISTRUST is an isometric survival adventure with procedural generation on an Arctic research station lost in the endless dark of a polar night. A story-rich fiction with multiple endings that suits both singleplayer fans and co-op enthusiasts.

What works
  • Engaging survival resource management
  • Atmospheric visuals and soundtrack
  • Cooperative multiplayer mode
  • Randomized zones and replayability
  • Active developer support and updates
Things to keep in mind
  • High reliance on rng can cause frustration
  • Some bugs and stability issues in co-op
  • Limited narrative depth
  • Monotonous enemy design
  • Steep learning curve for new players

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Shipwrecked 64

  • March of the Living

  • Terminus: Zombie Survivors

  • Hot Brass

  • Dig or Die

  • Subterrain: Mines of Titan

  • Siege Survival: Gloria Victis Prologue

  • Invisible, Inc.

  • Anomaly Exit

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Hot Brass

  • Subterrain: Mines of Titan

  • Bureau of Contacts

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Survival

    Plains of Pain

  • Autonomy

    SONG OF HORROR COMPLETE EDITION

  • Cooperation

    Skillshot City

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).

Distrust: Polar Survival: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression, Intimacy, Relaxation.

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 choose from multiple characters and make decisions that affect survival and story progression, with no manual save slots and permanent death mechanics emphasizing player control and consequence."

    Capsule for SONG OF HORROR COMPLETE EDITION SONG OF HORROR COMPLETE EDITION

    "Players direct multiple characters' actions and decisions freely in real-time survival management."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Challenging survival mechanics requiring planning and skillful resource management"

    Capsule for Survival: Fountain of Youth Survival: Fountain of Youth

    "Challenging resource management and survival mechanics with skill and strategy required to progress."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on cooperative play and personal survival rather than direct competition or leaderboards."

    Capsule for CRYO CRYO

    "Focus on personal survival and cooperative play rather than competitive ranking or leaderboards."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Players engage in multiple runs with meta progression and unlocks encouraging habitual play and replayability."

    Capsule for Crown Trick Crown Trick

    "Players engage in multiple runs with unlockable characters and randomized zones encouraging replay."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    4

    "Supports co-op campaign and multiplayer team modes requiring teamwork and coordination."

    Capsule for Skillshot City Skillshot City

    "Co-op mode supports teamwork and coordination to survive and complete zones together."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players can experiment with different strategies and unit combinations but within predefined game mechanics and structures."

    Capsule for Supremacy: 1914 Supremacy: 1914

    "Players experiment with different character combinations and strategies but within preset structures."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Gameplay emphasizes survival and cooperation rather than dominance or power over others."

    Capsule for Dead Pixels Dead Pixels

    "Gameplay emphasizes survival and cooperation over exerting control or superiority over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Strongly immersive atmospheric horror providing escape into a surreal, isolated arctic environment."

    Capsule for That Which Gave Chase That Which Gave Chase

    "Immersive survival experience in a harsh arctic setting provides escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for ICARUS ICARUS

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players try different characters and strategies to overcome difficult challenges, encouraging experimentation."

    Capsule for Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures

    "Players try different strategies, character abilities, and approaches to overcome randomized challenges."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Procedurally generated dungeons encourage discovery of new layouts and loot each run."

    Capsule for Overture Overture

    "Randomly generated zones and loot encourage discovery and adapting to new layouts each run."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Limited customization; players select characters but no deep avatar or environment personalization."

    Capsule for Zombie Bowl-o-Rama Zombie Bowl-o-Rama

    "Limited customization; players choose characters but no deep avatar or environment personalization."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    2

    "Set in a sci-fi/horror environment with some imaginative elements, though minimal gameplay depth."

    Capsule for Greetings Greetings

    "Game inspired by sci-fi horror but grounded in survival mechanics without heavy roleplaying or mythic elements."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    3

    "Community engagement and multiplayer co-op foster a sense of belonging and shared experience."

    Capsule for Endless Alice Endless Alice

    "Co-op mode and community engagement foster a sense of shared experience and collaboration."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players learn survival tactics, combat skills, and game mechanics progressively."

    Capsule for Dread Dawn Dread Dawn

    "Players learn survival strategies, character strengths, and game mechanics through repeated play."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; focus on virtual survival rather than physical health."

    Capsule for NEO Scavenger NEO Scavenger

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; focus on managing virtual health and survival stats."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires continuous attention and active management rather than passive or background play."

    Capsule for 112 Operator 112 Operator

    "Requires continuous attention and active management; no background or passive play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Social interactions are functional and task-oriented rather than emotionally close or intimate."

    Capsule for Firefighting Simulator: Ignite Firefighting Simulator: Ignite

    "Social interactions are functional and task-oriented with limited emotional or close relationship building."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    2

    "Players manage and lead a party of characters, making strategic decisions."

    Capsule for Legend of Grimrock 2 Legend of Grimrock 2

    "Players manage and direct multiple characters, making strategic decisions for the group."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Unlockables, achievements, and character upgrades provide clear progression incentives."

    Capsule for NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 2 NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 2

    "Unlockable characters, achievements, and zone completions provide clear progression incentives."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -3

    "Gameplay is tense and challenging, with frequent deaths and pressure."

    Capsule for Pharaonic Pharaonic

    "Tense and challenging gameplay with constant pressure to manage resources and avoid death."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "The atmospheric visuals and soundtrack provide sensory engagement, though not highly stimulating."

    Capsule for Colony Ship: A Post-Earth Role Playing Game Colony Ship: A Post-Earth Role Playing Game

    "Atmospheric visuals and synth soundtrack provide sensory immersion but not intense stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on individual survival without social recognition or status competition."

    Capsule for Dead In Vinland Dead In Vinland

    "Focus on individual or cooperative survival with minimal social recognition or status competition."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Narrative is present but minimal and surreal; story supports atmosphere rather than driving gameplay."

    Capsule for Hylics 2 Hylics 2

    "Narrative elements and lore present but limited; story supports atmosphere rather than driving gameplay."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Strong emphasis on resource management, planning, and tactical decision-making under pressure."

    Capsule for Siege Survival: Gloria Victis Siege Survival: Gloria Victis

    "Strong emphasis on planning, resource management, and tactical decision-making under pressure."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Tension and risk from survival threats and potential catastrophic failures create suspense and excitement."

    Capsule for Stationeers Stationeers

    "Tension from survival challenges and threat of anomalies creates suspense and excitement."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Good perceived value for price with solid gameplay, content, and replayability."

    Capsule for Pharaoh Rebirth+ Pharaoh Rebirth+

    "Good perceived value especially at low price; positive reception for gameplay depth and replayability."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -3

    "Combat is minimal and simplistic; focus is on avoidance and exploration rather than destruction."

    Capsule for Downward: Enhanced Edition Downward: Enhanced Edition

    "Combat is minimal and tactical; focus is on survival and avoidance rather than destruction."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around managing threats, resources, and staying alive in harsh conditions."

    Capsule for Plains of Pain Plains of Pain

    "Core gameplay revolves around managing threats, resources, and staying alive in harsh conditions."

Last update: 01/06/2026