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Handshakes similar games & best alternatives

Handshakes

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Android, Web browser, Linux • 2023

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Quick resume

Take your brain for a walk in Handshakes, a simple yet tricksy sokoban puzzle game. Guide two hands through puzzles designed to stump, not frustate, so that they may achieve their dream of a warm, firm handshake.

Global score

99/100

Genres

Casual, Free To Play, Indie, Puzzle

Similar games

    Pros

    • Free to play
    • Unique and clever puzzle mechanics
    • Supports local co-op
    • Charming pixel art and music
    • Well-paced difficulty curve

    Cons

    • Short length (only 30 levels)
    • Some players find speedrun achievements frustrating
    • Minimal narrative and customization
    • Limited exploration and replay content
    • Controls can be unintuitive for speedrunning

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Status, Story, Expression. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Cooperation, Intimacy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Survival.

    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 control two hands independently with separate inputs, allowing free decision-making and problem solving."

    • Competence
      3

      "Puzzles require skillful thinking and coordination, with increasing difficulty and speedrun challenges."

    • Competition
      2

      "Includes speedrun leaderboards and achievements encouraging competition, but can be played casually."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Players report enjoying multiple sessions, replaying for achievements and speedruns."

    • Cooperation
      4

      "Supports local co-op play with two players controlling separate hands, fostering teamwork."

    • Creativity
      3

      "Players experiment with mechanics like cutting off hands and pushing characters to solve puzzles."

    • Domination
      -3

      "Interactions are cooperative and balanced; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."

    • Escapism
      3

      "Players use the game as a relaxing and enjoyable distraction with charming aesthetics and music."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Engagement is voluntary and motivated by intrinsic interest and enjoyment."

    • Experimenting
      4

      "Game encourages trying new solutions and mechanics, including unconventional puzzle approaches."

    • Exploration
      -2

      "Puzzle levels are fixed and known; limited discovery but some novelty in mechanics."

    • Expression
      -3

      "Minimal customization; players use predefined characters and environments."

    • Fantasy
      -3

      "Realistic puzzle scenario with simple pixel art; no strong fantasy elements."

    • Fellowship
      3

      "Community engagement through co-op play and shared achievements."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players develop problem-solving skills and improve speedrunning ability."

    • Health
      -5

      "Sedentary puzzle game with no physical activity component."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles; not suitable for idle play."

    • Intimacy
      2

      "Cooperative play and shared experiences foster social connection."

    • Leadership
      -3

      "No leadership roles; cooperation is equal and collaborative."

    • Progression
      3

      "Players progress through levels and unlock achievements, including speedrun goals."

    • Relaxation
      3

      "Described as charming and chill; music and aesthetics promote relaxation."

    • Sensation
      2

      "Enjoyable pixel art and music provide moderate sensory stimulation."

    • Status
      1

      "Some recognition through achievements and leaderboards, but limited social status focus."

    • Story
      1

      "Minimal narrative; some thematic elements about connection but mainly puzzle-focused."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Puzzles require logical thinking, planning, and problem solving."

    • Thrill
      1

      "Some tension from challenging puzzles and speedrun pressure, but overall controlled."

    • Value
      5

      "Free game with high enjoyment and replay value; excellent return on time investment."

    • Violence
      1

      "Includes cartoonish severing of hands as puzzle mechanic, but no graphic violence."

    • Survival
      -5

      "No survival or risk elements; stable puzzle environment."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026