MO:Astray similar games & best alternatives

MO:Astray

PC (Microsoft Windows), Android, Nintendo Switch, iOS • 2019

Should you play it?

MO: Astray is a pixel art, side-scrolling, action-platformer. Lead MO through mind-bending puzzles using special abilities. Bizarre enemies, threatening traps and ingenious level designs await.

What works
  • Unique and engaging platforming mechanics
  • Beautiful pixel art and atmospheric soundtrack
  • Challenging and creative puzzles and boss fights
  • Immersive and emotional story
  • Generous checkpoint system and multiple difficulty levels
Things to keep in mind
  • Some difficulty spikes and occasional frustration
  • Story can be confusing or disjointed
  • Limited control customization
  • Non-skippable cutscenes and text during gameplay
  • Keyboard and mouse controls less optimal than controller

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • qomp

  • Islets

  • Astalon: Tears of the Earth

  • LIMBO

  • Axiom Verge

  • Pharaoh Rebirth+

  • In Sound Mind

  • The Way

  • Freedom Planet
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • qomp

  • Pharaoh Rebirth+

  • Blaster Master Zero 2
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Autonomy

    Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition
  • Competence

    POPUCOM
  • Continuation

    Otaku's Adventure

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).

MO:Astray: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Violence, Survival, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression, Leadership.

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 have control over movement and combat decisions with a unique jumping mechanic and upgrade choices, allowing personal freedom in playstyle."

    Capsule for Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition

    "Players have control over a unique jumping mechanic and can choose difficulty levels that alter puzzles and gameplay, allowing personal decision-making and exploration."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "The game offers challenging puzzles and boss fights that require skill and coordination, with feedback and progression rewarding player effectiveness."

    Capsule for POPUCOM POPUCOM

    "The game offers challenging puzzles and boss fights that require skill and mastery of mechanics, with difficulty spikes and rewarding progression."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on individual puzzle solving without direct player-vs-player competition or leaderboards."

    Capsule for Hexcells Plus Hexcells Plus

    "Focus is on individual puzzle solving and platforming without explicit player-vs-player competition or leaderboards."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Many players report long play sessions and replaying for multiple endings and achievements, showing strong attachment."

    Capsule for Otaku's Adventure Otaku's Adventure

    "Many players report long sessions, replaying for achievements and multiple endings, indicating strong attachment and habitual play."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "The game is a single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

    Capsule for SUPERHOT: MIND CONTROL DELETE SUPERHOT: MIND CONTROL DELETE

    "The game is a single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Players engage in puzzle solving, exploration, and some customization of abilities, encouraging creative problem solving."

    Capsule for The Last Case of Benedict Fox Definitive Edition The Last Case of Benedict Fox Definitive Edition

    "Players engage with unique mechanics like aiming jumps, mind reading, and varied puzzle solutions, encouraging creative problem solving."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are single-player and narrative-driven."

    Capsule for Assassin's Creed® Origins Assassin's Creed® Origins

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are single-player and narrative-driven."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Emotional story and immersive sci-fi setting provide strong escape from reality"

    Capsule for Stella of The End Stella of The End

    "The dark, immersive sci-fi world and emotional story provide a strong escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Prison Architect Prison Architect

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Players try different movement mechanics and puzzle solutions, exploring secrets and alternate routes."

    Capsule for Knytt Underground Knytt Underground

    "Players experiment with novel movement mechanics and puzzle solutions, exploring different strategies and approaches."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Game includes secrets, hidden areas, and encourages discovery within levels."

    Capsule for Battle Shapers Battle Shapers

    "The game encourages discovering secrets, hidden memories, and lore through exploration of levels."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Limited character customization; focus is on gameplay and story rather than avatar personalization."

    Capsule for Ori and the Blind Forest Ori and the Blind Forest

    "Limited character customization; focus is on gameplay and story rather than avatar personalization."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Set in a dark sci-fi universe with imaginative fiction elements and narrative."

    Capsule for Deep Sky Derelicts Deep Sky Derelicts

    "Set in a dark sci-fi world with imaginative creatures and narrative, providing a strong fictional experience."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community features; entirely single-player experience."

    Capsule for Sakura Dungeon Sakura Dungeon

    "No social or community features; entirely single-player experience."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills in puzzle solving and platforming, learning new mechanics and improving over time."

    Capsule for Escape Goat 2 Escape Goat 2

    "Players develop skills in platforming and puzzle solving, learning new mechanics and improving over time."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    Capsule for DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement due to challenging puzzles and platforming."

    Capsule for Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement due to challenging platforming and puzzles."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions within the game."

    Capsule for D'LIRIUM D'LIRIUM

    "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions within the game."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles; single-player focused."

    Capsule for Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered

    "No leadership or group management roles; single-player focused."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players collect upgrades, unlock abilities, and progress through story and levels."

    Capsule for Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones™ Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones™

    "Players collect memories and upgrades, unlocking new abilities and story elements as they progress."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Some find the game relaxing and immersive, others note tension from difficulty spikes."

    Capsule for Out Of Hands Out Of Hands

    "While some find the game relaxing and immersive, others note difficulty spikes and tension in boss fights."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Enjoyable pixel art visuals and atmospheric music provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

    Capsule for Stray Cat Crossing Stray Cat Crossing

    "Enjoyable pixel art visuals and atmospheric soundtrack provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

  • 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

    4

    "Narrative immersion through environmental storytelling, notes, and unfolding mystery drives player engagement."

    Capsule for Lethe - Episode One Lethe - Episode One

    "Narrative immersion through environmental storytelling, mind reading, and comics enriches player engagement."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Players use logic and planning to solve puzzles and avoid threats; strategic thinking is rewarded."

    Capsule for Escape the Backrooms Escape the Backrooms

    "Players must use logic and planning to solve puzzles and defeat bosses, requiring strategic thinking."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Combat and boss fights provide suspense and excitement, though some players find difficulty spikes frustrating."

    Capsule for Sands of Aura Sands of Aura

    "Boss fights and chase sequences provide suspense and excitement, though some players find difficulty spikes frustrating."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players report high value for price with engaging story, gameplay, and replayability."

    Capsule for SKALD: Against the Black Priory SKALD: Against the Black Priory

    "Players report high value for price with engaging gameplay, story, and replayability."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    2

    "Includes combat with enemies and use of weapons, but balanced with exploration and puzzle solving."

    Capsule for Tomb Raider IV: The Last Revelation (1999) Tomb Raider IV: The Last Revelation (1999)

    "Includes combat and boss fights with some gore, but also significant puzzle and platforming focus."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players manage health and avoid hazards to survive challenging platforming and boss encounters."

    Capsule for Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment

    "Players must avoid hazards and manage health to survive challenging platforming and boss encounters."

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Last update: 01/06/2026