SIMULACRA 2 similar games & best alternatives

SIMULACRA 2

PC (Microsoft Windows), Android, iOS • 2020

Should you play it?

A dead influencer. An obsessed detective. Three suspects. Piece the truth together by going through the victim’s phone messages, videos, and social media in the follow up to the critically acclaimed SIMULACRA.

What works
  • Immersive and engaging story
  • Multiple endings and replayability
  • Unique phone interface gameplay
  • Well-developed characters and atmosphere
  • Good value for price
Things to keep in mind
  • Acting can be cringy or awkward
  • Some tedious or repetitive content
  • Limited skip options for cutscenes
  • Characters often unlikable
  • Some technical issues and bugs reported

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Grunn

  • Ukrainian ball in search of gas

  • Legend of Mysteria RPG

  • SIMULACRA: Pipe Dreams

  • Breathedge

  • Out There: Ω Edition

  • Still There

  • CINERIS SOMNIA

  • J.U.L.I.A.: Among the Stars
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Ukrainian ball in search of gas

  • Hand of Doom

  • Lake Haven - Chrysalis
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Story

    BURIED STARS
  • Autonomy

    AI: The Somnium Files
  • Continuation

    Kindred Spirits on the Roof

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).

SIMULACRA 2: 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, Continuation. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence.

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 make choices that affect branching story routes and investigation paths, with freedom to explore different endings via a flowchart system."

    Capsule for AI: The Somnium Files AI: The Somnium Files

    "Players have significant control over investigation choices, dialogue options, and exploration paths, with multiple endings and branching storylines."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "The game involves puzzle solving and minigames that require skill and thinking, with feedback and progression tied to player effectiveness."

    Capsule for 24 Killers 24 Killers

    "Game involves puzzle solving, clue gathering, and decision making that require skill and attention, though not highly technical."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on personal investigation and story progression without competitive elements or player comparison."

    Capsule for Whispers of a Machine Whispers of a Machine

    "Focus is on personal investigation and story progression without competitive elements or player comparison."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Players report long playtimes, multiple replays to unlock extras, and strong attachment to characters and story."

    Capsule for Kindred Spirits on the Roof Kindred Spirits on the Roof

    "Players report long play sessions, multiple replays to unlock endings, and high engagement with the story."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Single-player experience focused on individual detective work and exploration."

    Capsule for Darkness Within 1: In Pursuit of Loath Nolder Darkness Within 1: In Pursuit of Loath Nolder

    "Single player experience focused on individual detective work and personal decision making."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players experiment with dialogue choices to explore different story outcomes, showing some creative exploration."

    Capsule for Trapped with Jester Trapped with Jester

    "Players experiment with dialogue choices and exploration of clues, but within a structured narrative and predefined content."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are investigative and narrative-driven."

    Capsule for Cyber Manhunt 2: New World - The Hacking Simulator Cyber Manhunt 2: New World - The Hacking Simulator

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are investigative and narrative-driven."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as a psychological horror experience to escape reality and engage with unsettling digital environments."

    Capsule for 98xx 98xx

    "Players use the game as an immersive mystery and horror experience, escaping into a digital investigation world."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and curiosity, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Heart of the Machine Heart of the Machine

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and curiosity, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Branching choices and multiple endings encourage trying different narrative paths and exploring story variations."

    Capsule for The Lion's Song: Episode 1 - Silence The Lion's Song: Episode 1 - Silence

    "Multiple endings and branching dialogue encourage trying different approaches and exploring alternate story paths."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Players explore a detailed virtual phone environment, uncovering secrets, messages, and clues."

    Capsule for SIMULACRA SIMULACRA

    "Players explore a virtual phone environment, uncovering hidden clues, social media posts, and secrets."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Limited customization; players interact with preset characters and environments without avatar personalization."

    Capsule for The Bathhouse | 地獄銭湯 Restored Edition The Bathhouse | 地獄銭湯 Restored Edition

    "Limited customization; players interact with preset characters and content without avatar or environment personalization."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    2

    "Game includes supernatural and psychological horror elements beyond realistic scenarios."

    Capsule for Confess My Love Confess My Love

    "Game blends realistic investigative scenarios with supernatural and horror elements, creating a partly fictional experience."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Primarily a solitary experience with minimal social interaction beyond scripted conversations."

    Capsule for Twin Mirror Twin Mirror

    "Experience is solitary with minimal social interaction beyond scripted character conversations."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop investigative skills and understanding through clue analysis and puzzle solving."

    Capsule for The Blackwell Legacy The Blackwell Legacy

    "Players develop investigative skills and knowledge through clue analysis and decision making."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    Capsule for DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention to puzzles and story; not designed for passive or background play."

    Capsule for OneShot: World Machine Edition OneShot: World Machine Edition

    "Requires focused attention to progress through puzzles and story; not designed for passive or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Interactions with characters are surface-level and functional for story progression without deep emotional connections."

    Capsule for Nancy Drew®: Secrets Can Kill REMASTERED Nancy Drew®: Secrets Can Kill REMASTERED

    "Interactions are surface-level and functional for story progression rather than forming close emotional bonds."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements; player acts independently."

    Capsule for Hi-Fi RUSH Hi-Fi RUSH

    "No leadership or group management elements; player acts independently."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players collect clues, documents, and unlock multiple endings, showing narrative progression."

    Capsule for Dead Secret Dead Secret

    "Players accumulate clues, unlock story branches, and achieve multiple endings reflecting progression."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    1

    "Some moments of tension release and flow, but overall suspenseful and sometimes slow pacing."

    Capsule for Tales Beyond The Tomb - Pineville Night Stalker Tales Beyond The Tomb - Pineville Night Stalker

    "Some tension and suspense present, but overall pacing allows for thoughtful investigation and moderate flow."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Visuals, sound design, and jump scares provide sensory stimulation and emotional excitement."

    Capsule for PROJECT: PLAYTIME PROJECT: PLAYTIME

    "Visuals, audio, and jump scares provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or ranking systems; focus is on personal story experience."

    Capsule for Space Pilgrim Episode II: Epsilon Indi Space Pilgrim Episode II: Epsilon Indi

    "No social recognition or ranking systems; focus is on personal story experience."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Strong narrative immersion with multiple endings, character development, and mystery plot."

    Capsule for BURIED STARS BURIED STARS

    "Strong narrative immersion with multiple endings, character interactions, and mystery plot."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Players must analyze clues, plan interrogations, and solve puzzles requiring logical thinking."

    Capsule for L.A. Noire L.A. Noire

    "Players must analyze clues, plan dialogue approaches, and solve puzzles requiring reasoning."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Jump scares and suspenseful moments create excitement and tension relief."

    Capsule for HELLMART HELLMART

    "Jump scares and suspenseful moments create tension and excitement."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players find the game worth the price due to its unique art, story, and immersive experience."

    Capsule for Mundaun Mundaun

    "Players find the game worth the price due to story depth, replayability, and immersive experience."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -4

    "Game focuses on investigation and puzzle solving rather than combat or destruction."

    Capsule for Cyber Manhunt 2: New World - The Hacking Simulator Cyber Manhunt 2: New World - The Hacking Simulator

    "Game focuses on investigation and puzzle solving rather than combat or destruction."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    1

    "Some elements of avoiding negative outcomes through choices, but no active survival mechanics."

    Capsule for Scarlet Hollow — Episode 1 Scarlet Hollow — Episode 1

    "Some elements of avoiding failure or negative outcomes through choices, but no direct survival mechanics."

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Last update: 01/06/2026