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SIMULACRA: Pipe Dreams similar games & best alternatives

SIMULACRA: Pipe Dreams

PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Android • 2018

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Quick resume

A spin-off of the critically acclaimed SIMULACRA, Pipe Dreams tells a brand new story, with a new interface, live-action cast and horrors to unravel. Follow the story of Teddy as he tries desperately to break free from the hold of a cursed video game.

Global score

83/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Simulator, Role-playing (RPG)

Similar games

    Pros

    • Free to play
    • Engaging and immersive story
    • Multiple endings and secrets
    • Effective psychological horror and social commentary
    • Well-made audiovisual presentation

    Cons

    • Flappee bird mini-game can be frustrating and tedious
    • Some players find the ad-watching mechanic annoying
    • Shorter and less content than original simulacra
    • Limited character development and customization
    • Some acting and humor may not appeal to all

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Competition. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, Value. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence.

    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 have some freedom in dialogue choices and multiple endings, but progression is forced through playing the Flappee Bird mini-game, limiting full autonomy."

    • Competence
      3

      "The game challenges players with the Flappee Bird mini-game and puzzle elements, requiring skill and offering a good challenge."

    • Competition
      -3

      "Focus is on personal story progression and self-set goals rather than competing against others."

    • Continuation
      2

      "Players engage in multiple endings and achievements, encouraging replay, though some find the mini-game grind tedious."

    • Cooperation
      -4

      "Gameplay is primarily single-player and individual, focusing on personal interaction with the story and phone interface."

    • Creativity
      1

      "Some exploration of secrets and multiple endings allows for creative decision-making, but overall structure is predefined."

    • Domination
      -5

      "Interactions are equal and narrative-driven without exerting control or superiority over others."

    • Escapism
      4

      "The game offers immersive horror and psychological themes that allow players to escape real-life through story and atmosphere."

    • Expectation
      -4

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

    • Experimenting
      2

      "Multiple endings and secret discoveries encourage trying new choices and exploring game elements."

    • Exploration
      3

      "Players discover hidden easter eggs, secrets, and alternate story paths within the phone interface."

    • Expression
      -3

      "Limited customization or personalization; players mainly interact with preset content and narrative."

    • Fantasy
      4

      "The game features horror fiction, supernatural elements, and an imaginative narrative centered on a haunted phone and addiction."

    • Fellowship
      -4

      "The experience is solitary with minimal social connection or community involvement."

    • Growth
      2

      "Players develop skills in the mini-game and learn story details through exploration and multiple playthroughs."

    • Health
      -5

      "The game is sedentary with no physical activity involved."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires focused attention to progress through story and mini-game challenges."

    • Intimacy
      1

      "Some emotional connection to characters and story, but limited deep relationship building."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management elements; players follow narrative paths."

    • Progression
      3

      "Players accumulate in-game currency (eggs) and unlock multiple endings and achievements."

    • Relaxation
      -2

      "The game includes suspense and jump scares, creating tension rather than relaxation."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Engages players with audiovisual effects, jump scares, and immersive horror atmosphere."

    • Status
      -4

      "Focus is on personal experience without social recognition or ranking systems."

    • Story
      4

      "Strong narrative immersion with multiple endings, character interactions, and psychological themes."

    • Strategy
      1

      "Some decision-making and puzzle elements, but largely straightforward progression."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Includes suspense, jump scares, and psychological horror elements that create tension and excitement."

    • Value
      5

      "Free to play with substantial content, multiple endings, and replayability offering high value for time invested."

    • Violence
      -4

      "No emphasis on combat or destruction; focus is on narrative and psychological horror."

    • Survival
      2

      "Players must overcome challenges in the mini-game and story to avoid negative outcomes."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026