Odyssey - The Story of Science similar games & best alternatives

Odyssey - The Story of Science

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac • 2017

Should you play it?

Odyssey is an enchanting and innovative science adventure game. Help Kai and her family escape their captors on the Wretched Islands - and learn the history of astronomy, mechanics, and scientific reasoning as you read Kai's journal and solve puzzles along the way!

What works
  • Educational and intellectually stimulating
  • Beautiful and relaxing environment
  • Engaging scientific puzzles
  • Well-written narrative through journal
  • Suitable for all ages, especially educational use
Things to keep in mind
  • Short game length
  • Heavy reading may deter some players
  • Linear progression limits exploration freedom
  • Some clunky controls and minor bugs
  • Incomplete story with no current sequel

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Shadows on the Vatican - Act I: Greed

  • THE CORRIDOR

  • Taiji

  • Hyperbolica

  • Anemoiapolis: Chapter 1

  • LEAVES - The Journey

  • Ship Graveyard Simulator 2: Prologue

  • A Case of Fraud

  • Click To Continue
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • A Case of Fraud

  • Another Perspective

  • Gordian Rooms 1: A curious heritage
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Growth

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  • Relaxation

    Truberbrook / Trüberbrook
  • Autonomy

    The Fidelio Incident

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).

Odyssey - The Story of Science: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Violence, Fantasy, Story, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression, Survival.

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 freedom to explore the island and solve puzzles at their own pace within a linear narrative."

    Capsule for The Fidelio Incident The Fidelio Incident

    "Players explore an island and solve puzzles at their own pace with freedom to investigate, though the progression is fairly linear."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    2

    "Puzzles require logical thinking and problem solving, with some difficulty and occasional frustration, providing a moderate challenge."

    Capsule for Normality Normality

    "Puzzles require understanding scientific concepts and reasoning, offering moderate challenge especially for those new to the topics."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

    "No competitive elements; focus is on individual puzzle solving without comparison to others."

    Capsule for Doors: Paradox Doors: Paradox

    "No competitive elements; focus is on individual learning and puzzle solving without comparison to others."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    1

    "Players enjoy the game despite its short length and some frustrations, with some expressing desire for a sequel."

    Capsule for Greak: Memories of Azur Greak: Memories of Azur

    "Players express interest in continuing with potential sequels, but the game itself is short and linear, limiting habitual long sessions."

  • Cooperation

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    "Single player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

    Capsule for Ghost of a Tale Ghost of a Tale

    "Single player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players experiment with puzzle solutions and explore environment, though within predefined structures."

    Capsule for Still There Still There

    "Players experiment with scientific models and puzzles, though within predefined structures and guided by journal entries."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -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

    3

    "Provides a relaxing, stress-relieving experience with immersion in nature-themed environments, offering a gentle escape."

    Capsule for Little Mouse's Encyclopedia Little Mouse's Encyclopedia

    "Provides a relaxing, immersive environment to escape into scientific exploration and discovery."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -3

    "Players engage out of personal interest and curiosity rather than obligation."

    Capsule for Hello Guest: Hello Neighbor 2 pre-alpha Hello Guest: Hello Neighbor 2 pre-alpha

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  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

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    "Encourages experimentation with physics and puzzle solutions, though within set scenarios."

    Capsule for Penumbra Overture Penumbra Overture

    "Encourages trying out scientific experiments and models to understand concepts, though within guided parameters."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Players explore multiple islands and environments, discovering new areas and interacting with many characters."

    Capsule for Return to Monkey Island Return to Monkey Island

    "Players explore a visually appealing island environment with multiple areas and puzzles to discover."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

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    "Limited customization or self-expression; players follow a set narrative and environment."

    Capsule for Dr. Langeskov, The Tiger, and The Terribly Cursed Emerald: A Whirlwind Heist Dr. Langeskov, The Tiger, and The Terribly Cursed Emerald: A Whirlwind Heist

    "Limited customization or personalization; players follow a set narrative and puzzle structure."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    -4

    "Strongly grounded in realistic historical context and scientific facts, with no fantasy or fictional elements."

    Capsule for PRINCIPIA: Master of Science PRINCIPIA: Master of Science

    "Grounded in realistic scientific concepts and history rather than imaginative fiction."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for LIMBO LIMBO

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

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on learning, developing inductive reasoning skills, and personal intellectual growth."

    Capsule for Understand Understand

    "Strong emphasis on learning scientific knowledge, reasoning, and personal intellectual development."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity components."

    Capsule for Stray Stray

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity components."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention on reading and puzzle solving; not designed for casual or background play."

    Capsule for NORCO NORCO

    "Requires focused reading and puzzle solving; not designed for casual or background play."

  • 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

    "Progression through solving puzzles and unlocking new areas and story elements."

    Capsule for The Looker The Looker

    "Progression through unlocking puzzles and advancing scientific understanding, though linear and narrative-driven."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    4

    "Relaxed pacing, atmospheric music, and calming visuals promote a soothing experience."

    Capsule for Truberbrook / Trüberbrook Truberbrook / Trüberbrook

    "Relaxing atmosphere, soothing music, and gentle pacing contribute to a calming experience."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    1

    "Visuals and audio are pleasant but not highly stimulating; focus is on intellectual engagement."

    Capsule for Plasma Plasma

    "Visuals and audio are pleasant but not highly stimulating; focus is on intellectual engagement."

  • 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

    3

    "Story is delivered through exploration and discoveries, with a unique narrative revealed at the end."

    Capsule for Keplerth Keplerth

    "Narrative told through a journal with a coherent story that integrates with puzzles and scientific discovery."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    2

    "Requires problem solving and logical thinking for puzzles, though some solutions are obscure or trial and error."

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

    "Requires logical thinking and application of scientific principles to solve puzzles, though solutions are often guided."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    -3

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

    Capsule for Haven Moon Haven Moon

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

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    2

    "Generally considered worth the price especially on sale, with positive remarks on content and learning value."

    Capsule for Anonymous Hacker Simulator Anonymous Hacker Simulator

    "Generally considered good value especially on sale; educational content adds perceived worth."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No violence; focus on constructive searching and discovery."

    Capsule for 100 hidden birds 2 100 hidden birds 2

    "No violence; focus on constructive scientific exploration."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for A Little to the Left A Little to the Left

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

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Last update: 01/06/2026