Gloomhaven similar games & best alternatives

Gloomhaven

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

Should you play it?

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.

What works
  • Faithful adaptation of the board game
  • Deep and challenging tactical combat
  • Strong cooperative multiplayer
  • Extensive content and replayability
  • Automation reduces setup and bookkeeping
Things to keep in mind
  • 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

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Divinity: Original Sin - Enhanced Edition

  • Dungeons 3

  • Sunderfolk

  • Jagged Alliance 3

  • Cubicle Quest

  • Look Outside

  • STAR WARS™ Knights of the Old Republic™ II - The Sith Lords™

  • Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked

  • Divinity: Original Sin (Classic)
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Dark Quest 2

  • Embers Adrift

  • Perennial Order
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

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).

Gloomhaven: 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 Cooperation, Intimacy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on 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 have strong control over their actions and decisions, including choosing characters, upgrading skills, and planning moves strategically."

    Capsule for Shogun Showdown Shogun Showdown

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

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    5

    "The game demands high skill in tactical thinking, army building, and adapting to complex piece abilities; players report a steep learning curve and deep strategic gameplay."

    Capsule for Chess Evolved Online Chess Evolved Online

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

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

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

    Capsule for EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5 EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5

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

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    5

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

    Capsule for Derail Valley Derail Valley

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

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on cooperative multiplayer with up to 4 players, requiring teamwork and coordination."

    Capsule for Gauntlet™ Slayer Edition Gauntlet™ Slayer Edition

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

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

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    "Players customize decks and build strategies; some experimentation with different characters and builds encouraged."

    Capsule for Meteorfall: Krumit's Tale Meteorfall: Krumit's Tale

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

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for Tribes of Midgard Tribes of Midgard

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

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

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

    Capsule for Millennium - A New Hope Millennium - A New Hope

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

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for Deep Rock Galactic Deep Rock Galactic

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

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Players explore different character classes, party setups, and tactical approaches to combat."

    Capsule for Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition

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

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Players explore diverse levels and sandbox environments, uncover secrets and lore."

    Capsule for BONELAB BONELAB

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

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Some character customization and deck building allow for personal expression, though limited cosmetic options."

    Capsule for Menace from the Deep Menace from the Deep

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

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Strong fantasy setting with imaginative fiction, mythical elements, and roleplaying."

    Capsule for King Of The Castle King Of The Castle

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

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    4

    "Players feel part of a community through cooperative multiplayer and shared gameplay experiences."

    Capsule for Ale & Tale Tavern: First Pints Ale & Tale Tavern: First Pints

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

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    5

    "Strong learning curve with skill acquisition, understanding complex mechanics, and personal development."

    Capsule for Antimatter Dimensions Antimatter Dimensions

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

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Borderlands 2 Borderlands 2

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

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for HighFleet HighFleet

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

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

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

    Capsule for Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine

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

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

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    "Some players take leadership roles in discussions and voting, but overall balanced group dynamics prevail."

    Capsule for Among Us 3D Among Us 3D

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

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on character leveling, acquiring better gear, and unlocking new skills and modes."

    Capsule for Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance

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

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -2

    "Gameplay is tense and challenging, requiring caution and strategic thinking rather than relaxation."

    Capsule for ARMA: Cold War Assault ARMA: Cold War Assault

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

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

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    "Visual and audio effects enhance immersion but are moderate and functional rather than intense sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for Order of Battle: World War II Order of Battle: World War II

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

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -3

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

    Capsule for Barony Barony

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

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "Campaign mode and lore provide narrative immersion; story mode is limited but appreciated."

    Capsule for Star Crusade CCG Star Crusade CCG

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

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

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

    Capsule for Knights in Tight Spaces Knights in Tight Spaces

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

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Players experience suspense and tension from challenging battles and risk-reward decisions."

    Capsule for Decktamer Decktamer

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

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

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    "Players perceive high value due to extensive content, unique gameplay, and replayability."

    Capsule for Baba Is You Baba Is You

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

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

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    "Combat and monster fighting are core gameplay elements involving destruction and damage."

    Capsule for OrbusVR: Reborn OrbusVR: Reborn

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

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    4

    "Players must manage resources and avoid failure to survive scenarios."

    Capsule for Mansions of Madness Mansions of Madness

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

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Last update: 01/06/2026