hocus similar games & best alternatives

hocus

PC (Microsoft Windows), Android, Mac, iOS • 2015

Should you play it?

perspective illusion puzzle based on M.C. Escher drawings and impossible shapes

What works
  • Unique escher-inspired puzzles
  • Minimalist and relaxing design
  • Level editor and user-generated content
  • Low price and good value
  • Accessible controls and short levels
Things to keep in mind
  • Lack of narrative or story
  • Some difficulty inconsistency
  • Mobile port limitations (screen scaling, no exit button)
  • Limited sensory variety
  • No multiplayer or social features

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Qbeh-1: The Atlas Cube

  • PUSH

  • URBO

  • Keep on Mining! - Worlds

  • Optika

  • Scalak

  • Hexologic

  • The Artisan of Glimmith

  • URBO: Dream One
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Hexologic

  • macdows 95

  • Hook 2
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Autonomy

    Cubot
  • Relaxation

    CrossCells
  • Value

    Bullshot

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).

hocus: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Violence, Fantasy, Story, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Fantasy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Story, Survival.

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 freely decide how to move cubes and solve puzzles with no fixed routine; multiple strategies possible."

    Capsule for Cubot Cubot

    "Players freely decide cube movement direction and solve puzzles with no forced routines."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Puzzles require spatial reasoning and problem solving, with some levels challenging and others easier."

    Capsule for VOI VOI

    "Puzzles require spatial reasoning and problem solving with increasing complexity."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on individual puzzle solving without competitive or ranked elements."

    Capsule for FRAMED Collection FRAMED Collection

    "Focus is on individual puzzle solving without competitive or ranked elements."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Players engage for several hours to complete puzzles and achievements; some find it addictive, others find it repetitive."

    Capsule for Akin Akin

    "Players engage in multiple short puzzle sessions; some find it addictive, others stop after completion."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

    Capsule for Castle of Illusion Castle of Illusion

    "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Includes a level editor allowing players to create and share their own puzzles, fostering creative expression."

    Capsule for The Artisan of Glimmith The Artisan of Glimmith

    "Includes a level editor allowing players to create and share custom puzzles."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No elements of dominance or power over others; purely individual puzzle solving."

    Capsule for klocki klocki

    "No elements of dominance or power over others; purely individual puzzle play."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    3

    "Relaxing music and minimalistic design provide a calming escape from real life stress."

    Capsule for Lines X Free Lines X Free

    "Relaxing music and minimalistic design provide a calming escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and intellectual challenge, not obligation."

    Capsule for Unmechanical Unmechanical

    "Players engage voluntarily for intellectual challenge and enjoyment, not obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players explore environments and experiment with puzzle solutions; some trial and error involved."

    Capsule for Doorways: Holy Mountains of Flesh Doorways: Holy Mountains of Flesh

    "Players explore puzzle solutions and experiment with spatial illusions and level editor."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    2

    "Players discover new puzzle mechanics and spatial configurations, though within a defined set of levels."

    Capsule for Hook 2 Hook 2

    "Players discover new puzzle configurations and navigate complex impossible shapes."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Customization mainly through level creation and sharing; no character or avatar personalization."

    Capsule for I, Zombie I, Zombie

    "Customization mainly via level editor; no character or avatar personalization."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    1

    "The game has a stylized, metaphorical narrative about life but is grounded in abstract, non-realistic flight."

    Capsule for Lifeslide Lifeslide

    "Game involves abstract, impossible geometry but no narrative or fictional world."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Minimal social interaction; primarily a solo puzzle-solving experience."

    Capsule for Chroma Zero Chroma Zero

    "Minimal social interaction; primarily solo puzzle solving."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop spatial reasoning and puzzle-solving skills progressively."

    Capsule for Save Room - Organization Puzzle Save Room - Organization Puzzle

    "Players develop spatial reasoning and puzzle-solving skills over time."

  • 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 to solve puzzles; not a background or idle game."

    Capsule for Birth Birth

    "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles; not a background or idle game."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No social or emotional relationship building elements."

    Capsule for Big Pharma Big Pharma

    "No social or emotional relationship building elements."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management features."

    Capsule for Aim Hero Aim Hero

    "No leadership or group management features."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Progression through increasingly complex puzzles and unlocking new levels."

    Capsule for Perspective Perspective

    "Progression through increasingly complex puzzles and unlocking new levels."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    4

    "Calming music and minimalistic visuals create a relaxing atmosphere conducive to flow."

    Capsule for CrossCells CrossCells

    "Calming music and minimalist visuals promote relaxation and flow."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Pleasant visuals and soothing sound effects provide moderate sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for LYNE LYNE

    "Visual illusions and soothing audio provide moderate sensory stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems present."

    Capsule for Resident Evil 7 Biohazard Resident Evil 7 Biohazard

    "No social recognition or status systems present."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    -5

    "No narrative or story elements; purely puzzle-focused."

    Capsule for Save Room - Organization Puzzle Save Room - Organization Puzzle

    "No narrative or story elements; purely puzzle-focused."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Requires logical thinking and planning to arrange shapes correctly."

    Capsule for VOI VOI

    "Requires planning and logical thinking to navigate impossible shapes."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    -3

    "Low suspense or risk; calm puzzle solving without tension."

    Capsule for Save Room - Organization Puzzle Save Room - Organization Puzzle

    "Low risk, calm puzzle solving without suspense or tension."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Highly praised for low price and amount of content; good value for money."

    Capsule for Bullshot Bullshot

    "Highly praised for low price and good content value."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No violence; gameplay is constructive and contemplative."

    Capsule for Unium Unium

    "No violence; gameplay is constructive and contemplative."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -5

    "No survival or failure avoidance mechanics."

    Capsule for Ultimate Booster Experience Ultimate Booster Experience

    "No survival or failure avoidance mechanics."

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Last update: 01/06/2026