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Gloomhaven similar games & best alternatives

Gloomhaven

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 • 2021

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Quick resume

Lead your band of mercenaries in the land of Gloomhaven, work with unsavoury individuals, shape the fate of the region, fight your way through horrific places and get rich or die trying in this ruthless Tactical-RPG.

Global score

82/100

Genres

Adventure, Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical

Similar games

    Pros

    • Faithful adaptation of the board game
    • Deep and challenging tactical combat
    • Strong cooperative multiplayer
    • Extensive content and replayability
    • Automation reduces setup and bookkeeping

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve and complexity
    • Some ui and technical bugs reported
    • Slow pacing and long scenario durations
    • Lack of undo for some actions
    • Multiplayer connectivity issues reported

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, Cooperation. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation.

    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

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have significant control over their actions and decisions, including card choices, character selection, and strategic planning."

    • Competence
      5

      "The game demands high skill and strategic thinking, with complex tactical combat and a steep learning curve."

    • Competition
      -3

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

    • Continuation
      5

      "Players report long sessions, habitual play, and strong attachment to the game with hundreds of hours logged."

    • Cooperation
      5

      "Strong emphasis on cooperative multiplayer with teamwork and strategic coordination among players."

    • Creativity
      3

      "Players customize decks, choose character builds, and modify strategies, though within structured scenarios."

    • Domination
      -4

      "Interactions emphasize equal participation and collaboration rather than exerting control or superiority."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players use the game to immerse themselves in a rich fantasy world and escape real-life stress."

    • Expectation
      -4

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

    • Experimenting
      4

      "Players explore different character classes, card combinations, and strategies, especially in Guildmaster mode."

    • Exploration
      3

      "Players discover new scenarios, secrets, and story elements within a branching campaign and sandbox modes."

    • Expression
      2

      "Some character customization and deck building allow for personal expression, though limited to game mechanics."

    • Fantasy
      5

      "Strong fantasy setting with imaginative fiction, roleplaying elements, and a dark, immersive world."

    • Fellowship
      4

      "Players feel part of a community through multiplayer co-op and shared campaign experiences."

    • Growth
      5

      "Significant learning curve and personal development through mastering mechanics, strategies, and character progression."

    • Health
      -5

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires constant attention and focus during tactical combat and decision making."

    • Intimacy
      3

      "Players form social bonds and friendships through cooperative play and shared experiences."

    • Leadership
      1

      "Some players may take lead in strategy discussions, but overall balanced and collaborative group dynamics."

    • Progression
      5

      "Strong emphasis on character leveling, unlocking new classes, gear upgrades, and campaign advancement."

    • Relaxation
      -2

      "Gameplay is challenging and tense, requiring focus and strategic planning rather than relaxation."

    • Sensation
      2

      "Visuals and audio add to immersion but are more atmospheric than intense sensory stimulation."

    • Status
      -3

      "Little focus on social recognition or leaderboards; emphasis is on personal and group achievement."

    • Story
      3

      "Narrative immersion through campaign and Guildmaster modes with lore and character-driven storylines."

    • Strategy
      5

      "Highly strategic gameplay requiring planning, problem solving, and tactical decision making."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Players experience tension and suspense from challenging combat and risk management."

    • Value
      4

      "Players perceive high value due to extensive content, replayability, and automation of complex board game mechanics."

    • Violence
      3

      "Combat and destruction are core gameplay elements, with tactical battles against monsters."

    • Survival
      4

      "Players must manage resources and avoid failure to keep characters alive and progress."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026