Obduction similar games & best alternatives

Obduction

Windows Mixed Reality, Mac, PlayStation VR, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Oculus Rift, Xbox One, SteamVR, iOS • 2016

Should you play it?

A new sci-fi adventure from Cyan, the creators of Myst. Abducted far across the universe, you find yourself on a broken alien landscape with odd pieces of Earth. Explore, uncover, solve, and find a way to make it home.

What works
  • Beautiful and immersive environments
  • Clever and satisfying puzzles
  • Engaging and mysterious story
  • Non-linear exploration
  • Strong nostalgia for myst fans
Things to keep in mind
  • Tedious backtracking and walking
  • Frequent loading screens especially late game
  • Some obtuse or overly complex puzzles
  • Lack of hand-holding may frustrate some players
  • Limited character interaction and social elements

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Haven Moon

  • realMyst: Masterpiece Edition

  • Machinarium

  • Slice of Sea

  • Milo and the Magpies

  • Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space

  • Isles of Sea and Sky

  • Deponia

  • 1 Moment Of Time: Silentville
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Slice of Sea

  • Goetia

  • Cleo - a pirate's tale
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Escapism

    BELOW
  • Exploration

    SWOLLEN TO BURSTING UNTIL I AM DISAPPEARING ON PURPOSE
  • Autonomy

    Ether One

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).

Obduction: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Competition, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Exploration. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, 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

    4

    "Players have freedom to explore large open areas and solve puzzles in any order; non-linear progression and optional puzzles support autonomy."

    Capsule for Ether One Ether One

    "Players have freedom to explore non-linearly and solve puzzles in various orders, though the game subtly guides progression."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "Puzzles are challenging, require logical thinking, and provide satisfying feedback upon solving."

    Capsule for Escape Memoirs: Questionable Side Stories Escape Memoirs: Questionable Side Stories

    "Puzzles require logical thinking and problem solving, offering satisfying challenges without being unfair."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on individual exploration and puzzle solving without competitive elements or comparison to others."

    Capsule for Welcome To The Dark Place Welcome To The Dark Place

    "Focus is on individual exploration and puzzle solving without competitive elements."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Many players report long play sessions and deep immersion, though some find the difficulty and backtracking frustrating."

    Capsule for System Shock System Shock

    "Many players report long play sessions and immersion, though some frustration with backtracking and loading may reduce continuous play."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Single-player experience focused on individual puzzle solving and exploration."

    Capsule for La-Mulana 2 La-Mulana 2

    "Single-player experience focused on individual puzzle solving and exploration."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Players engage in creative problem solving and exploration within a unique surreal art world."

    Capsule for LEAVES - The Journey LEAVES - The Journey

    "Players engage in creative problem solving and exploration within a richly designed world."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No elements of dominance or power over others; gameplay is solitary and cooperative interactions are absent."

    Capsule for Holoidle Holoidle

    "No social dominance or power dynamics; gameplay is solitary and cooperative elements absent."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    5

    "Strong immersion in a mysterious, atmospheric world provides escape from real life."

    Capsule for BELOW BELOW

    "Strong immersion in a mysterious, otherworldly environment provides escape from reality."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage out of intrinsic interest and nostalgia for Cyan's style rather than obligation."

    Capsule for Firmament Firmament

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by intrinsic interest and nostalgia for Cyan's style."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Players experiment with puzzle mechanics and explore environments to discover solutions and secrets."

    Capsule for Kairo Kairo

    "Players explore and experiment with puzzles and environments to discover solutions."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around discovering new areas, secrets, and piecing together story elements."

    Capsule for SWOLLEN TO BURSTING UNTIL I AM DISAPPEARING ON PURPOSE SWOLLEN TO BURSTING UNTIL I AM DISAPPEARING ON PURPOSE

    "Core gameplay involves discovering new areas, secrets, and piecing together story elements."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Limited customization; focus is on interacting with preset environment and puzzles."

    Capsule for Please, Don't Touch Anything 3D Please, Don't Touch Anything 3D

    "Limited character customization; focus is on interacting with preset environments and puzzles."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Engages players in a surreal, dreamlike, and abstract fictional world with imaginative environments and characters."

    Capsule for Fatum Betula Fatum Betula

    "Engages players in a sci-fi fantasy world with imaginative settings and narrative."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "Minimal social interaction; the experience is solitary and individual."

    Capsule for The Room Two The Room Two

    "Minimal social interaction; experience is solitary."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop problem-solving skills and learn complex puzzle mechanics."

    Capsule for The Eyes of Ara The Eyes of Ara

    "Players develop problem-solving skills and understanding of complex puzzles."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with long sessions and minimal physical activity."

    Capsule for Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with extensive walking and sitting."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires active attention; walking and puzzle solving demand focus."

    Capsule for Whispering Willows Whispering Willows

    "Requires focused attention; walking and puzzle solving demand engagement."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No close social relationships formed; solitary experience."

    Capsule for Layers of Fear 2 (2019) Layers of Fear 2 (2019)

    "No close social relationships formed; solitary experience."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Black Myth: Wukong Black Myth: Wukong

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

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Players progress by unlocking new areas, acquiring new abilities, and solving puzzles to advance the story."

    Capsule for Goetia Goetia

    "Players progress by unlocking new areas, solving puzzles, and uncovering story elements."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Atmospheric and immersive experience provides relaxation despite some frustrating puzzles."

    Capsule for Cradle Cradle

    "Atmospheric and immersive, but some frustration from backtracking and loading screens may reduce relaxation."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    4

    "Visually stunning environments and engaging audio provide strong sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for Horizon Zero Dawn™ Complete Edition Horizon Zero Dawn™ Complete Edition

    "Visually stunning environments and ambient sound design provide strong sensory stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or status elements present."

    Capsule for Narita Boy Narita Boy

    "No social recognition or status elements present."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Narrative is immersive and conveyed through visuals and environmental storytelling rather than text or dialogue."

    Capsule for Hyper Light Drifter Hyper Light Drifter

    "Narrative is integral and immersive, delivered through environmental storytelling and notes."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Requires logical thinking and planning to solve puzzles, though not deeply strategic."

    Capsule for 20 Small Mazes 20 Small Mazes

    "Requires logical reasoning and planning to solve puzzles, though not heavily strategic."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    -2

    "Low suspense or risk; gameplay is calm and contemplative rather than thrilling."

    Capsule for Contrast Contrast

    "Low suspense or risk; gameplay is contemplative and calm."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Players report good value for time invested, especially fans of the genre."

    Capsule for IXION IXION

    "Players perceive good value for time spent, especially fans of the genre and Cyan's style."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No violence; gameplay centers on exploration and puzzle solving."

    Capsule for The Inner World The Inner World

    "No violence; gameplay centers on exploration and puzzle solving."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -5

    "No survival elements; stable, low-risk environment."

    Capsule for Draw & Guess Draw & Guess

    "No survival elements; stable, low-risk environment."

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Last update: 01/06/2026