ROUTINE similar games & best alternatives

ROUTINE

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One • 2025

Should you play it?

ROUTINE is a First Person Sci-Fi Horror set on an abandoned lunar base designed around an 80s vision of the future. Explore and investigate your surroundings as you survive against unknown threats.

What works
  • Exceptional atmosphere and sound design
  • Immersive retro-futuristic sci-fi setting
  • Challenging and clever puzzles
  • Minimal hand-holding enhances immersion
  • Unique cat device mechanics
Things to keep in mind
  • Short game length
  • Some narrative ambiguity and open-endedness
  • Enemy ai can become predictable
  • Lack of map or navigation aids can confuse
  • Some players find controls clunky

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • BELOW

  • Remothered: Tormented Fathers

  • Apsulov: End of Gods

  • Wick

  • Dead Seater

  • Dungeon Nightmares II : The Memory

  • Skinwalker Hunt

  • Suite 776

  • Unspoken
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Wick

  • Dungeon Nightmares II : The Memory

  • Skinwalker Hunt
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

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).

ROUTINE: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Exploration. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation, 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 must explore and solve puzzles largely on their own without handholding or guidance, reflecting high player control and decision-making."

    Capsule for Tomb Raider I (1996) Tomb Raider I (1996)

    "Players must figure out puzzles and progress with minimal hand-holding, relying on their own decisions and exploration."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "The game offers challenging puzzles that require skill and thinking, rewarding problem solving and mastery of mechanics."

    Capsule for Black The Fall Black The Fall

    "The game offers challenging puzzles and requires problem-solving skills, rewarding player effectiveness."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of competitive elements; focus is on individual experience and personal progression."

    Capsule for No one lives under the lighthouse Director's cut No one lives under the lighthouse Director's cut

    "No evidence of competitive elements; focus is on individual experience and personal progression."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Players report immersive story and atmosphere encouraging extended play sessions, though game length is relatively short."

    Capsule for Gemini Rue Gemini Rue

    "Players report being captivated and playing long sessions; immersive atmosphere encourages extended play."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for HAAK HAAK

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

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players experiment with different puzzle mechanics and strategies, but no creation or modification of content."

    Capsule for hexceed hexceed

    "Players engage with unique mechanics like the CAT device and puzzle solving, but no creation or modification of content."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No indication of exerting control over others; gameplay is solitary and non-competitive."

    Capsule for Hand of Doom Hand of Doom

    "No indication of exerting control over others; gameplay is solitary and non-competitive."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Strong immersion in horror atmosphere provides escape from reality."

    Capsule for [Chilla's Art] Aka Manto | 赤マント [Chilla's Art] Aka Manto | 赤マント

    "Strong immersion in a sci-fi horror world provides escape from reality and intense atmosphere."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and intrinsic motivation; no obligation or pressure noted."

    Capsule for Shattered Lights Shattered Lights

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and intrinsic motivation; no obligation or pressure noted."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players explore unique mechanics and puzzle solutions, encouraging experimentation within the game."

    Capsule for Sonder Sonder

    "Players explore mechanics like the CAT device and puzzle solutions, encouraging experimentation."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Strong emphasis on discovering new areas, interacting with characters, and uncovering secrets on the moon."

    Capsule for Putt-Putt® Goes to the Moon Putt-Putt® Goes to the Moon

    "Exploration of detailed lunar base environments and uncovering story elements is central to gameplay."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -5

    "No customization or personalization options; presentation is fixed and standardized."

    Capsule for 9.03m 9.03m

    "No customization or personalization options reported; presentation is fixed and diegetic."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Imaginative horror setting with exaggerated characters and surreal elements."

    Capsule for Lunch Lady Lunch Lady

    "Strong sci-fi horror setting with retro-futuristic and imaginative elements."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "The experience is solitary with no social or community features described."

    Capsule for It Steals It Steals

    "Experience is solitary with no social or community features described."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop skills in puzzle solving and game mechanics through gameplay."

    Capsule for Garten of Banban 7 Garten of Banban 7

    "Players develop skills in puzzle solving and understanding game mechanics."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements."

    Capsule for 80 Days 80 Days

    "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement due to difficulty and complex puzzles"

    Capsule for Environmental Station Alpha Environmental Station Alpha

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement due to tension and puzzle complexity."

  • 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 present."

    Capsule for Stray Stray

    "No leadership or group management elements present."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players progress by solving puzzles and unlocking new areas, advancing story and game state."

    Capsule for The House of Da Vinci 2 The House of Da Vinci 2

    "Players progress by solving puzzles, upgrading the CAT device, and advancing the story."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -3

    "The horror and suspense create tension and adrenaline rather than relaxation or flow."

    Capsule for Evil Nun: The Broken Mask Evil Nun: The Broken Mask

    "Sustained tension and dread dominate the experience, with moments of horror and suspense."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    4

    "Strong sensory stimulation through immersive sound design, visual effects, and atmospheric tension."

    Capsule for Apsulov: End of Gods Apsulov: End of Gods

    "Strong sensory stimulation through immersive sound design, visuals, and atmospheric tension."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems involved."

    Capsule for MADiSON MADiSON

    "No social recognition or status systems involved."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Narrative immersion through environmental storytelling and symbolic, ambiguous plot."

    Capsule for REANIMAL REANIMAL

    "Narrative immersion through environmental storytelling, logs, and unfolding mystery."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Players use problem solving and planning to overcome puzzles and survive."

    Capsule for Backrooms: Escape Together Backrooms: Escape Together

    "Players engage in problem solving and planning to overcome puzzles and avoid threats."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    4

    "Suspenseful horror elements and tense encounters create thrill and fear."

    Capsule for White Night White Night

    "Horror elements and suspenseful encounters create thrilling and tense moments."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Players feel the game offers good value for price given immersive gameplay and ongoing updates."

    Capsule for IRON REBELLION IRON REBELLION

    "Players feel the game offers good value for price with immersive experience and quality content."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    2

    "Combat is present but not gratuitous; violence is tactical and restrained."

    Capsule for Knights and Merchants Knights and Merchants

    "Combat is minimal and tactical, mainly to stun enemies; violence is present but not gratuitous."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Survival elements through avoiding and managing threats with limited resources like flashlight battery."

    Capsule for Kraven Manor Kraven Manor

    "Avoiding enemies and managing resources like CAT battery adds survival challenge."

Come talk about it on Discord!

Last update: 01/06/2026