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LISA: The First similar games & best alternatives

LISA: The First

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2024

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Quick resume

A memory of madness.

Global score

82/100

Genres

Role-playing (RPG), Free To Play, Adventure, Indie

Similar games

    Pros

    • Strong psychological horror atmosphere
    • Compelling and disturbing narrative
    • Free and short experience
    • Unique sound design and music
    • Exploration-based gameplay

    Cons

    • Frustrating spider puzzle sections
    • Buggy and poorly optimized port
    • Confusing and obtuse progression
    • Lack of clear guidance or hints
    • Unpolished visuals and interface

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Competition. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Exploration. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Continuation, 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
      3

      "Players explore nonlinear dreamlike environments with some puzzle solving and item usage, allowing personal decision-making in navigation and puzzle approach."

    • Competence
      1

      "The game involves puzzle solving and some timing-based challenges (spider sections) that require skill, but overall gameplay is simple and exploration-focused."

    • Competition
      -5

      "No evidence of competitive elements; gameplay is solitary and personal without leaderboards or player comparison."

    • Continuation
      -3

      "Short game with some players reporting frustration and disengagement due to confusing puzzles and annoying spider sections, limiting habitual play."

    • Cooperation
      -5

      "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

    • Creativity
      2

      "Exploration and puzzle solving in surreal environments encourage creative problem solving, though limited by linear puzzle design."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No social dominance or power dynamics; interactions are solitary and narrative-driven."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Strong psychological horror and surreal atmosphere provide a means to escape reality into a disturbing fictional world."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in story, atmosphere, and series lore rather than obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting
      2

      "Exploration and item interactions encourage some experimentation, though puzzle solutions are mostly fixed and linear."

    • Exploration
      4

      "Core gameplay revolves around exploring strange, dreamlike environments and uncovering narrative fragments."

    • Expression
      -4

      "No character customization or player-driven aesthetic expression; presentation is fixed and standardized."

    • Fantasy
      4

      "Surreal, symbolic, and dreamlike narrative and environments create a strong fantasy and psychological horror experience."

    • Fellowship
      -5

      "No social or community features; experience is solitary."

    • Growth
      1

      "Some learning involved in puzzle solving and navigation, but limited skill development due to short length and simple mechanics."

    • Health
      -5

      "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles and navigate; not designed for casual or background play."

    • Intimacy
      -5

      "No social or emotional relationship building; narrative is experienced individually."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management elements present."

    • Progression
      2

      "Progression through collecting and using items to unlock new areas, though limited and linear."

    • Relaxation
      -2

      "Atmosphere is tense, unsettling, and disturbing rather than relaxing or cathartic."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Strong sensory impact through unsettling sound design and disturbing visuals create emotional stimulation."

    • Status
      -5

      "No social recognition or status systems."

    • Story
      4

      "Narrative immersion through symbolic storytelling and environmental clues is a key motivation."

    • Strategy
      1

      "Some puzzle solving and timing challenges require basic planning and problem solving."

    • Thrill
      2

      "Tension and discomfort arise from psychological horror elements and challenging spider sections."

    • Value
      4

      "Free game with strong narrative and atmospheric value for players interested in the series and psychological horror."

    • Violence
      3

      "Themes include abuse and trauma with disturbing imagery, though no combat gameplay; violence is thematic rather than mechanical."

    • Survival
      1

      "Avoidance of spider enemies and puzzle completion imply minimal survival elements."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026