Lake Haven - Chrysalis similar games & best alternatives

Lake Haven - Chrysalis

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2023

Should you play it?

This game serves as a prequel chapter for the upcoming game 'Lake Haven'. Detective Zeke Reynold is called to investigate what he assumes will be another case he'll quickly forget, but what he finds will be sewn into the fabric of his existence forever.

What works
  • Excellent atmospheric and audio design
  • Strong nostalgic homage to ps1-era survival horror
  • Engaging puzzles and exploration
  • Compelling narrative and mystery
  • Good value for price
Things to keep in mind
  • Short length as a prologue/demo
  • Some camera angle issues causing disorientation
  • Limited combat and survival elements
  • Occasional immersion-breaking overt references
  • Tank controls may be challenging for some players

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Left Alone

  • That Which Gave Chase

  • Face It - A game to fight inner demons

  • DARQ: Complete Edition

  • Dread X Collection 5

  • CINERIS SOMNIA

  • Legend of Mysteria RPG

  • Unforgiving - A Northern Hymn

  • J.U.L.I.A.: Among the Stars
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Left Alone

  • That Which Gave Chase

  • Dread X Collection 5
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).

Lake Haven - Chrysalis: A very typical example of its motivational profile. 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 Violence, 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 have control over exploration, puzzle solving, and item usage with some freedom in approach."

    Capsule for New York Mysteries: High Voltage Collector's Edition New York Mysteries: High Voltage Collector's Edition

    "Players have control over exploration, puzzle solving, and item usage, with some fixed camera constraints but freedom in decision-making."

  • Competence

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    "Puzzles require logical thinking and some trial and error, providing moderate challenge and skill engagement."

    Capsule for CAYNE CAYNE

    "Puzzles require thought and item examination, providing a moderate challenge and skill engagement."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

    "No competitive elements; focus is on solo exploration and puzzle solving."

    Capsule for Whispering Willows Whispering Willows

    "No competitive elements; focus is on solo exploration and puzzle solving."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

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    "Players express eagerness to continue with the full game and show attachment to the story and atmosphere."

    Capsule for A Space For The Unbound - Prologue A Space For The Unbound - Prologue

    "Players express interest in continuing with the full game and show attachment to the atmosphere and story."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative gameplay."

    Capsule for POOLS POOLS

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative gameplay."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players engage in puzzle solving which requires creative problem solving, though within predefined puzzle structures."

    Capsule for Furry Feet Furry Feet

    "Players engage in item examination and puzzle solving that require creative thinking, though within a fixed structure."

  • Domination

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    -5

    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; purely individual experience."

    Capsule for Poppy Playtime Poppy Playtime

    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; purely individual experience."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

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    "Strong narrative immersion and atmospheric world provide escape from real life."

    Capsule for Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales

    "Strong atmosphere and narrative encourage immersion and escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

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    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and nostalgia rather than obligation."

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    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and nostalgia rather than obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

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    "Players explore environments and try different puzzle solutions, with some encouragement to experiment with item combinations."

    Capsule for Decay: The Mare Decay: The Mare

    "Players explore environments and experiment with item combinations and puzzle solutions."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Large maps with hidden areas, objectives, and easter eggs encourage discovery and curiosity."

    Capsule for Sker Ritual Sker Ritual

    "Encourages discovery of new areas, secrets, and easter eggs within a small but atmospheric environment."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -5

    "No character or environment customization; uses fixed presentation."

    Capsule for Instruction Instruction

    "No character or environment customization; uses fixed presentation."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Engages players in a fictional horror narrative with surreal and disturbing elements."

    Capsule for SEPTEMBER 1999 SEPTEMBER 1999

    "Engages players in a surreal, paranormal narrative inspired by horror fiction and Lynchian themes."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Outlast 2 Outlast 2

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

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop puzzle-solving skills and narrative understanding through gameplay."

    Capsule for Killer Frequency Killer Frequency

    "Players develop puzzle-solving skills and understanding of the story through gameplay."

  • 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 active attention to solve puzzles and progress; not a background or idle game."

    Capsule for Freddi Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds Freddi Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds

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

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No social or emotional relationship building; solitary experience."

    Capsule for Resident Evil Resident Evil

    "No social or emotional relationship building; solitary experience."

  • 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

    3

    "Players collect and use items to progress through puzzles and story."

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    "Players collect and use items to progress through puzzles and story."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

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

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    "Atmosphere balances tension and calm, providing a flow state with mild suspense."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

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    "Strong sensory stimulation through sound design and atmospheric visuals."

    Capsule for Unforgiving - A Northern Hymn Unforgiving - A Northern Hymn

    "Strong sensory stimulation through atmospheric audio, visuals, and camera work."

  • 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 with mystery, character dialogue, and unfolding plot."

    Capsule for Nancy Drew®: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake Nancy Drew®: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake

    "Narrative immersion with mystery, character notes, and unfolding plot."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

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    "Requires logical thinking and planning to solve puzzles and use items effectively."

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    "Requires logical thinking and planning to solve puzzles and use items effectively."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

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    "Combat and atmosphere create suspense and thrill."

    Capsule for 9 Days 9 Days

    "Creates suspense and tension through atmosphere and limited combat encounters."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Highly praised for content and quality relative to low price"

    Capsule for Ember Ember

    "Highly praised for delivering quality content and atmosphere at a low price."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -3

    "Minimal combat; focus is on puzzles and exploration rather than destruction or fighting."

    Capsule for Eye of the Temple Eye of the Temple

    "Minimal combat; focus is on puzzle solving and exploration rather than destruction."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

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    "Some threat elements and tension but no complex survival mechanics; mostly narrative suspense."

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    "Some survival horror elements like limited combat and tension, but mostly stable conditions."

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Last update: 01/06/2026