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Locke(d) similar games & best alternatives

Locke(d)

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Linux • 2023

Related articles

Quick resume

An algorithm decided to show you this. What now?

Global score

93/100

Genres

Adventure, Casual, Indie, Free To Play, Point-and-click, Visual Novel

Similar games

    Pros

    • Thought-provoking philosophical narrative
    • Beautiful art and calming music
    • Short and accessible
    • Free to play
    • Unique meta storytelling

    Cons

    • Very short length
    • Lack of interactivity or choices
    • Linear and predictable gameplay
    • May feel anticlimactic or shallow to some
    • No replay value

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Strategy, Survival, Competence, Violence. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Continuation, Idle, Experimenting.

    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 experience a narrative with no choices, but the game emphasizes philosophical themes of free will and control, provoking reflection on autonomy."

    • Competence
      -3

      "The gameplay is simple and predictable, mostly reading and clicking through a linear visual novel with minimal interaction."

    • Competition
      -5

      "No competitive elements or comparison to others; the experience is solitary and introspective."

    • Continuation
      -4

      "The game is very short (10-30 minutes) with no replay incentives beyond philosophical reflection; players tend to finish quickly and move on."

    • Cooperation
      -5

      "Single-player experience focused on individual reflection; no cooperative or multiplayer features."

    • Creativity
      1

      "Some minor interaction with environment and narrative exploration, but largely follows a fixed script and structure."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No elements of exerting control over others; the game centers on mutual existential questioning."

    • Escapism
      3

      "Players use the game as a philosophical escape and mental exploration, often reflecting on real-life concepts through the narrative."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of curiosity and intrinsic interest in philosophy and narrative, not obligation."

    • Experimenting
      -4

      "The game is linear with no branching paths or experimental mechanics; players follow a set narrative."

    • Exploration
      2

      "Some limited exploration of the environment through clicking objects, but mostly confined to a single room and fixed story."

    • Expression
      -3

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

    • Fantasy
      1

      "The game uses fictional characters and metaphors but is grounded in philosophical realism and existential themes."

    • Fellowship
      -5

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

    • Growth
      3

      "Players gain philosophical insight and personal reflection, learning about free will and consciousness."

    • Health
      -5

      "Sedentary, reading-based experience with no physical activity."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires focused reading and attention during the short playtime; not a background or idle game."

    • Intimacy
      1

      "Some emotional connection to the Host character and narrative, but limited to surface-level interaction."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management elements; purely individual experience."

    • Progression
      1

      "Minimal progression through story and achievements; no item collection or upgrades."

    • Relaxation
      3

      "Calming music and art create a relaxing atmosphere despite philosophical tension."

    • Sensation
      2

      "Pleasant visuals and music provide sensory enjoyment, though subdued and atmospheric rather than intense."

    • Status
      -5

      "No social recognition or status systems; experience is private and personal."

    • Story
      5

      "Strong narrative focus with philosophical storytelling and meta elements driving the experience."

    • Strategy
      -5

      "No strategic or problem-solving gameplay; purely linear reading experience."

    • Thrill
      0

      "The game evokes existential tension but lacks traditional suspense or risk elements."

    • Value
      5

      "Free to play with high perceived value due to thought-provoking content and artistic quality."

    • Violence
      -5

      "No violence or destructive gameplay; focus is on dialogue and reflection."

    • Survival
      -5

      "No survival or threat elements; stable and safe environment."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026