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Over the Counter similar games & best alternatives

Over the Counter

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Linux • 2022

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Quick resume

A pharmaceutical business management game.

Global score

91/100

Genres

Simulator, Strategy

Similar games

    Pros

    • Free to play
    • Challenging and strategic gameplay
    • Good replayability
    • Well-optimized and runs on low-end systems
    • Humorous and cynical take on pharma industry

    Cons

    • 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

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Leadership, Survival, Violence, Strategy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence, Story, Expression.

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

    • Competence
      4

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

    • Competition
      -3

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

    • Continuation
      3

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

    • Cooperation
      -5

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

    • Creativity
      2

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

    • Domination
      -4

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

    • Escapism
      3

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

    • Expectation
      -4

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

    • Experimenting
      3

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

    • Exploration
      -2

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

    • Expression
      -3

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

    • Fantasy
      1

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

    • Fellowship
      -5

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

    • Growth
      4

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

    • Health
      -5

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

    • Idle
      -3

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

    • Intimacy
      -5

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

    • Leadership
      3

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

    • Progression
      4

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

    • Relaxation
      -2

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

    • Sensation
      1

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

    • Status
      -4

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

    • Story
      -3

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

    • Strategy
      5

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

    • Thrill
      3

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

    • Value
      5

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

    • Violence
      -4

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

    • Survival
      4

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

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026