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Sepia Tears similar games & best alternatives

Sepia Tears

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Android, Linux • 2016

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Quick resume

A visual novel about a memory that a boy named Mark tries very hard to forget, and a girl named Myra who unearths it.

Global score

88/100

Genres

Casual, Indie, Simulator, Free To Play, Visual Novel

Similar games

    Pros

    • Free to play
    • Emotional and engaging story
    • Relatable characters
    • Pleasant soundtrack
    • Easy achievements

    Cons

    • Linear plot with limited choices
    • Somewhat rough art style
    • Slow pacing at times
    • Lack of voice acting
    • Minimal replayability

    Analysis

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

    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
      2

      "Players make a few meaningful choices that slightly affect the story, but the overall plot is mostly linear with limited branching."

    • Competence
      3

      "The game involves reading and decision making with some skill in understanding narrative and language, but no complex gameplay mechanics."

    • Competition
      -5

      "No competitive elements; the experience is personal and story-driven without comparison to others."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Many players report being drawn in to finish the story in one or few sittings, indicating engagement and desire to continue."

    • Cooperation
      -5

      "Single-player visual novel with no multiplayer or cooperative features."

    • Creativity
      3

      "Players engage with a crafted story and art style, but have limited ability to create or modify content."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No social dominance or power dynamics; interactions are narrative and personal."

    • Escapism
      4

      "The game offers emotional immersion and distraction through story and atmosphere, helping players escape real-life stress."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment, emotional experience, and curiosity without external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      1

      "Limited experimentation with choices; mostly linear story with few decision points."

    • Exploration
      -3

      "Story unfolds in familiar settings with little exploration; focus is on narrative rather than discovery."

    • Expression
      -2

      "Some character customization through choices, but no avatar personalization or cosmetic modifications."

    • Fantasy
      2

      "The story contains some mysterious and surreal elements but is grounded in a realistic high school setting."

    • Fellowship
      -4

      "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social interaction or community involvement."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players develop understanding of story and characters, and may improve language skills through reading."

    • Health
      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay typical of visual novels with no physical activity involved."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused reading and attention; not designed for background or idle play."

    • Intimacy
      3

      "Emotional connection to characters and story fosters a sense of closeness and empathy."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management elements present."

    • Progression
      2

      "Progression is narrative-based with story advancement and achievement collection."

    • Relaxation
      4

      "Many players find the game calming and emotionally soothing despite some melancholic themes."

    • Sensation
      2

      "Visual and auditory elements provide moderate sensory stimulation appropriate for a visual novel."

    • Status
      -4

      "Achievements exist but social recognition or status seeking is minimal or absent."

    • Story
      5

      "Strong narrative focus with emotional depth, character development, and plot twists."

    • Strategy
      -3

      "Minimal strategic thinking required; choices have limited impact on story outcomes."

    • Thrill
      1

      "Some suspense and emotional tension in story, but overall controlled and calm experience."

    • Value
      5

      "Highly praised for being a free, quality visual novel offering good return on time invested."

    • Violence
      -5

      "No violent or destructive gameplay elements; focus is on narrative and emotional content."

    • Survival
      -5

      "No survival or threat avoidance mechanics; stable and safe narrative environment."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026