Estranged: The Departure similar games & best alternatives

Estranged: The Departure

PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Linux, Mac • 2020

Should you play it?

Estranged: The Departure follows the story of a fisherman, stranded on a mysterious island during a violent storm. Little does he know his adventure has just begun, and the island is home to more than it first seems.

What works
  • Immersive atmosphere and story
  • Good graphics and lighting for indie game
  • Puzzle solving and exploration
  • Low price or free
  • Regular updates and developer engagement
Things to keep in mind
  • Short game length
  • Some combat feels unsatisfying
  • Linear gameplay with limited novelty
  • Minor bugs and glitches
  • Lack of save system in early versions

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • The Death | Thần Trùng

  • Apocalipsis

  • It Comes In Waves

  • SAMOLIOTIK

  • Garten of Banban 0

  • Lake Haven - Chrysalis

  • ARAYA

  • Reveal The Deep

  • The Land of Pain

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Apocalipsis

  • It Comes In Waves

  • Lake Haven - Chrysalis

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Escapism

    Elroy and the Aliens

  • Story

    realMyst: Masterpiece Edition

  • Value

    Arco

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).

Estranged: The Departure: 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 Relaxation. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Experimenting, Expression.

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 an island and solve puzzles at their own pace with freedom to investigate, though the progression is fairly linear."

    Capsule for Odyssey - The Story of Science Odyssey - The Story of Science

    "Players explore a mysterious island with some freedom, solving puzzles and progressing the story, though gameplay is mostly linear."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    2

    "The game involves puzzle solving and creative thinking, providing some skill challenge, though combat is described as simple and sometimes frustrating."

    Capsule for Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure

    "Game involves puzzle solving and some combat, but combat is described as simple and sometimes unsatisfying; puzzles are straightforward."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of competitive or ranked modes; focus is on single-player experience without comparison to others."

    Capsule for SCP: Fragmented Minds SCP: Fragmented Minds

    "No evidence of competitive or ranked modes; focus is on single-player experience without comparison to others."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Players express desire to replay for achievements and look forward to sequels, though game is short."

    Capsule for Gordian Rooms 1: A curious heritage Gordian Rooms 1: A curious heritage

    "Players express anticipation for sequels and replay for achievements, but game is short and some find it easy to put down."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Entirely single-player with no multiplayer or cooperative elements mentioned."

    Capsule for METAL EDEN METAL EDEN

    "Entirely single-player with no multiplayer or cooperative elements mentioned."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    1

    "Some creative puzzle solving and interaction with environment, but mostly follows predefined level designs and story progression."

    Capsule for Disney•Pixar WALL-E Disney•Pixar WALL-E

    "Some environmental interaction and puzzle solving, but mostly following designed paths and scripted events."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No social dominance or power over others; purely single-player narrative focus."

    Capsule for Half-Life 2: Episode Two Half-Life 2: Episode Two

    "No social dominance or power over others; single-player narrative focus."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players enjoy immersive storytelling and nostalgic atmosphere as a form of relaxation and escape."

    Capsule for Elroy and the Aliens Elroy and the Aliens

    "Players enjoy immersive atmosphere, suspense, and story as a form of escape and relaxation."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and nostalgia; no indication of obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for Trials of Mana Trials of Mana

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and nostalgia; no indication of obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    -2

    "Gameplay is mostly linear with simple puzzles; limited novelty or experimentation beyond exploring scenes."

    Capsule for Gomo Gomo

    "Gameplay is mostly linear with limited experimentation; some exploration and puzzle solving allow minor novelty."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Players explore changing environments and uncover story elements, though within limited and repeated spaces."

    Capsule for Locked Up Locked Up

    "Exploration of diverse environments and uncovering story elements is a key part of the experience."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -5

    "No character customization or player expression; fixed protagonist and presentation."

    Capsule for Phantasmagoria Phantasmagoria

    "No character customization or player expression; fixed protagonist and presentation."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Game features fictional zombie outbreak and exaggerated combat scenarios; some realistic elements but overall imaginative fiction."

    Capsule for The Killing Antidote The Killing Antidote

    "Game features fictional story with zombies and mysterious corporations, providing imaginative fiction."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community features; purely solo play."

    Capsule for CARRION CARRION

    "No social or community features; purely solo play."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    2

    "Players learn story details, puzzle solutions, and game mechanics through play, but limited skill development."

    Capsule for Repella Fella Repella Fella

    "Players learn puzzles and game mechanics, but limited skill development or complexity."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for World of Tanks Blitz World of Tanks Blitz

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention during play; not designed for background or casual intermittent play."

    Capsule for Copycat Copycat

    "Requires focused attention during play; not designed for background or casual intermittent play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No social or emotional relationship building; single-player narrative only."

    Capsule for Valley Valley

    "No social or emotional relationship building; single-player narrative only."

  • 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

    "Players collect items and unlock new areas, but progression is relatively linear and limited."

    Capsule for Hello Neighbor 2 Hello Neighbor 2

    "Players collect items and unlock new areas, but progression is linear and limited."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Atmosphere and pacing provide a balance of tension and flow, with moments of calm and suspense."

    Capsule for The Last Door: Season 2 - Collector's Edition The Last Door: Season 2 - Collector's Edition

    "Atmosphere and pacing provide a balance of suspense and calm moments, offering a relaxing experience."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Strong atmospheric audio and visual effects create immersive sensory experience."

    Capsule for Near Death Near Death

    "Visuals and audio create immersive sensory experience with atmospheric effects and occasional scares."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems."

    Capsule for Alan Wake Alan Wake

    "No social recognition or status systems."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Strong narrative immersion through environmental storytelling, journals, and audio messages."

    Capsule for realMyst: Masterpiece Edition realMyst: Masterpiece Edition

    "Strong narrative focus with immersive story, audio logs, and environmental storytelling."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    1

    "Puzzle solving and some combat require planning, but overall gameplay is straightforward."

    Capsule for The Crooked Man The Crooked Man

    "Some puzzle solving and light combat require basic planning, but overall straightforward gameplay."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Suspenseful atmosphere and occasional scares provide moments of thrill and tension."

    Capsule for Loan Shark Loan Shark

    "Suspenseful atmosphere and occasional scares create moments of thrill and tension."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players feel the game offers good content and quality for its price."

    Capsule for Arco Arco

    "Players appreciate the game’s quality and content relative to its low price or free availability."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    1

    "Includes combat and defeating enemies, but violence is mild and not a primary focus."

    Capsule for My Little Universe My Little Universe

    "Includes combat with zombies and mercenaries, but violence is moderate and not the main focus."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    2

    "Some survival elements exist such as resource management and defending against raids, but not highly challenging."

    Capsule for Noble Legacy Noble Legacy

    "Some survival elements like limited ammo and avoiding threats, but not highly challenging."

Last update: 01/06/2026