Over the Counter similar games & best alternatives

Over the Counter

PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Mac • 2022

Should you play it?

A pharmaceutical business management game.

What works
  • Free to play
  • Challenging and strategic gameplay
  • Good replayability
  • Well-optimized and runs on low-end systems
  • Humorous and cynical take on pharma industry
Things to keep in mind
  • High rng impact leading to frustration
  • Steep difficulty curve
  • Repetitive gameplay after multiple runs
  • Lack of detailed tutorials or guides
  • Limited customization and story depth

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Mage and Monsters

  • Oxygen

  • Oxygen: First Breath

  • Overcrowd: A Commute 'Em Up

  • Red Planet Farming

  • Insider Trading

  • Project Hospital

  • Industry Giant 2

  • Solargene
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Tornado: Research and Rescue

  • Arcade Tycoon ™ : Simulation Game

  • Burger Shop 2
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Strategy

    Alpha League HD
  • Value

    Shape of Dreams: Prologue
  • Autonomy

    Beer Factory - Prologue

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).

Over the Counter: 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 Survival, Leadership. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation.

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 managing their factory, driving forklifts, upgrading equipment, and making decisions about production and contracts."

    Capsule for Beer Factory - Prologue Beer Factory - Prologue

    "Players manage multiple departments and make strategic decisions about hiring, firing, upgrading, and product development, indicating high control over actions."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "The game is challenging with a steep learning curve and requires skillful strategic planning and adaptation to RNG elements."

    Capsule for Hexguardian Hexguardian

    "The game is challenging with a steep learning curve, requiring skillful management and strategy to overcome RNG and financial difficulties."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on personal progression and survival rather than direct competition or leaderboards; no evidence of ranked or PvP modes."

    Capsule for Metal Thunder Metal Thunder

    "Focus is on personal progress and survival rather than direct competition or leaderboards; no evidence of ranked or PvP modes."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Players report habitual play and repeated attempts despite frustration, indicating a desire to keep playing and overcome challenges."

    Capsule for Golfing Over It with Alva Majo Golfing Over It with Alva Majo

    "Players report repeated playthroughs and attempts to win despite difficulty, indicating a desire to keep playing and improve."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Single-player management game with no multiplayer or cooperative elements."

    Capsule for Project Highrise Project Highrise

    "Single-player management game with no multiplayer or cooperative elements mentioned."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Some customization in franchise mode (training, diet, drugs) but limited visual or structural creation."

    Capsule for Super Blood Hockey Super Blood Hockey

    "Some customization in strategy and drug development choices, but limited creative expression like naming drugs or deep customization."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "No evidence of exerting control over other players; gameplay is solo and cooperative social dominance is absent."

    Capsule for Darwinia Darwinia

    "No evidence of exerting control over other players; interactions are with game systems rather than social dominance."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    3

    "Players use the game as a humorous distraction and stress relief while multitasking or working."

    Capsule for How to Train Your Cock How to Train Your Cock

    "Players use the game as a challenging distraction and stress relief, enjoying the cynical and humorous take on pharma business."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and challenge, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and challenge, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players try different characters, weapons, and trinkets, exploring various strategies and adapting to RNG elements."

    Capsule for Super Raft Boat Classic Super Raft Boat Classic

    "Players try different strategies and tactics to overcome RNG and difficulty, experimenting with hiring and production approaches."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    -2

    "Game focuses on known arenas and strategic programming rather than discovering new areas or secrets."

    Capsule for GLADIABOTS - AI Combat Arena GLADIABOTS - AI Combat Arena

    "Game is focused on managing known systems and strategies rather than discovering new areas or secrets."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Limited customization or self-expression; mostly standardized presentation of biological content."

    Capsule for The Body VR: Journey Inside a Cell The Body VR: Journey Inside a Cell

    "Limited cosmetic customization; some desire expressed for naming drugs but mostly standardized presentation."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    1

    "Game is grounded in realistic business simulation with some quirky and humorous fictional elements."

    Capsule for Laundry Store Simulator Laundry Store Simulator

    "Game presents a satirical, exaggerated version of pharmaceutical business with fictional elements like cartel involvement."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Sekiro™: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition Sekiro™: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition

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

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players learn game mechanics, improve skills, and develop strategies over multiple runs."

    Capsule for Kingsway Kingsway

    "Players learn and develop strategies over multiple runs, improving skills and understanding of game mechanics."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "The game is a sedentary simulation with no physical activity or health-related features."

    Capsule for Trainz Railroad Simulator 2022 Trainz Railroad Simulator 2022

    "No physical activity or health-related gameplay; sedentary management simulation."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires active micromanagement and attention; pausing allows planning but not idle play."

    Capsule for REDCON REDCON

    "Requires active management and attention, with pause function used for planning; not a casual idle game."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of forming close relationships or social interaction."

    Capsule for Crime Scene Cleaner: Prologue Crime Scene Cleaner: Prologue

    "No evidence of forming close relationships or social interaction."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    3

    "Players lead and manage a company, making decisions and guiding operations."

    Capsule for City Bus Manager City Bus Manager

    "Players lead and manage teams of scientists, lawyers, marketers, and HR, making key decisions and directing operations."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Players accumulate upgrades and unlock new areas, improving capabilities and advancing through the game."

    Capsule for Wasteland Bites Wasteland Bites

    "Players accumulate upgrades, improve staff, and develop better drugs to progress through the game."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -2

    "Game is tense and challenging, often inducing stress rather than relaxation."

    Capsule for Fate of the World: Tipping Point Fate of the World: Tipping Point

    "Game is challenging and tense due to RNG and financial pressure, causing stress rather than relaxation."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    1

    "Simple graphics and sounds provide moderate sensory stimulation; focus is on strategic gameplay."

    Capsule for War of Dots War of Dots

    "Simple graphics and sound provide moderate sensory stimulation; some players appreciate the presentation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "No social recognition or status systems; achievements are personal and not publicly visible."

    Capsule for Money Simulator: Brokeville (Free Prologue) Money Simulator: Brokeville (Free Prologue)

    "No social recognition or status systems; achievements are personal and not publicly visible."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    -3

    "Minimal and poorly developed story; mostly flavor text with little narrative immersion."

    Capsule for CATGIRL LOVER CATGIRL LOVER

    "Minimal narrative; some events and flavor text add context but no deep story immersion."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around strategic thinking, planning, and adapting to random elements."

    Capsule for Alpha League HD Alpha League HD

    "Core gameplay revolves around strategic planning, resource management, and adapting to random events."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Players experience suspense from economic risks, hostile takeovers, and challenging scenarios."

    Capsule for Railroad Tycoon II Platinum Railroad Tycoon II Platinum

    "Players experience suspense and tension from lawsuits, RNG events, and financial risks."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    5

    "Highly praised for being free with extensive content and replayability, perceived as excellent value."

    Capsule for Shape of Dreams: Prologue Shape of Dreams: Prologue

    "Highly praised for being free with substantial content and replayability, offering great value for time invested."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -4

    "No focus on combat or destruction; gameplay centers on constructive business management."

    Capsule for Pumping Simulator 2 Pumping Simulator 2

    "No combat or destruction; gameplay focuses on management and business operations."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    4

    "Players must avoid bankruptcy and manage risks to keep company alive and thriving."

    Capsule for GamersGoMakers GamersGoMakers

    "Players must avoid bankruptcy and manage threats like lawsuits and expenses to survive and succeed."

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Last update: 01/06/2026