SOMA similar games & best alternatives

SOMA

Mac, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Linux, Xbox One • 2015

Should you play it?

From the creators of Amnesia: The Dark Descent comes SOMA, a sci-fi horror game set below the waves of the Atlantic ocean. Struggle to survive a hostile world that will make you question your very existence.

What works
  • Deep philosophical story
  • Immersive atmosphere and sound design
  • Thought-provoking moral choices
  • Strong emotional impact
  • Well-crafted sci-fi setting
Things to keep in mind
  • Simple and limited gameplay mechanics
  • Linear progression
  • Some pacing issues with slow sections
  • Lack of replayability beyond story
  • Minor technical issues reported

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Penumbra: Black Plague Gold Edition

  • Master Reboot

  • Amnesia: The Dark Descent

  • Lethe - Episode One

  • Enigma of Fear

  • Penumbra Overture

  • Lifeless Planet Premier Edition

  • Ad Infinitum

  • Stray Cat Crossing
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Lethe - Episode One

  • Stray Cat Crossing

  • Doorways: Holy Mountains of Flesh
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Story

    Ukrainian ball in search of gas
  • Escapism

    ROUTINE
  • Value

    Arcade Spirits

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).

SOMA: 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 Story, Exploration. 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

    3

    "Players explore the environment freely and make some choices affecting perception, but the story is mostly linear."

    Capsule for Martha Is Dead Martha Is Dead

    "Players explore and interact with environment objects freely, making moral choices that affect their experience, though the game is mostly linear."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    1

    "Gameplay involves exploration and dialogue with some puzzle elements, but no combat or skill challenges; mostly simple tasks."

    Capsule for Greyfox RPG Greyfox RPG

    "Gameplay involves exploration, puzzle solving, and stealth with some challenge, but puzzles are generally simple and combat is absent."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

    "Single-player experience focused on personal story and exploration without any competitive elements."

    Capsule for Deliver Us The Moon Deliver Us The Moon

    "Single-player experience focused on personal story and exploration without any competitive elements."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Players report addictive gameplay and replayability through different strategies and difficulty levels, though some find it short."

    Capsule for Buggos Buggos

    "Players report immersive experience and emotional attachment leading to replay and reflection, though gameplay is not highly addictive."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Entirely single-player with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

    Capsule for Half-Life: Alyx Half-Life: Alyx

    "Entirely single-player with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players interact with environment and solve puzzles creatively, but within a structured narrative and predefined world."

    Capsule for Mr. Saitou Mr. Saitou

    "Players interact with many objects and solve puzzles creatively, but within a fixed narrative and environment."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No social or multiplayer interactions involving dominance or power over others."

    Capsule for Grim Legends 2: Song of the Dark Swan Grim Legends 2: Song of the Dark Swan

    "No social or multiplayer elements involving dominance or power over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

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

    Capsule for ROUTINE ROUTINE

    "Strong immersion in a deep sci-fi horror world provides escape from reality and existential reflection."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by intrinsic interest in story and themes."

    Capsule for The MISSING: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories The MISSING: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by interest in story, atmosphere, and philosophical themes."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    1

    "Some exploration and puzzle solving encourage experimentation, though gameplay is mostly linear and guided."

    Capsule for The Shore The Shore

    "Some exploration and puzzle solving encourages experimentation, but mostly within established gameplay loops."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Exploration of underwater caves and discovery of relics and secrets is a core gameplay element."

    Capsule for Ocean Keeper: Dome Survival Ocean Keeper: Dome Survival

    "Exploration of underwater stations and environments is a key part of gameplay and story discovery."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Limited customization or self-expression; focus is on narrative and atmosphere."

    Capsule for The Walking Fish 2: Final Frontier The Walking Fish 2: Final Frontier

    "Limited character customization or self-expression; focus is on narrative and atmosphere."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Sci-fi horror setting with cosmic and psychological horror elements, imaginative but grounded in fiction."

    Capsule for The Voidness - Lidar Horror Survival Game The Voidness - Lidar Horror Survival Game

    "Fictional sci-fi setting with philosophical and existential themes, blending horror and speculative fiction."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "Solo experience with minimal social interaction or community involvement."

    Capsule for Dead Space Dead Space

    "Solo experience with minimal social interaction or community involvement."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop understanding of characters, story, and moral dilemmas through repeated play and exploration."

    Capsule for Quarantine Circular Quarantine Circular

    "Players develop understanding of story, moral dilemmas, and philosophical questions through gameplay."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Okami HD Okami HD

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

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focus and attention; not a casual or background game."

    Capsule for POSTAL POSTAL

    "Requires focused attention and immersion; not a casual or background game."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Limited to narrative relationships; no social or emotional connections with other players."

    Capsule for The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition

    "Limited to narrative relationships; no social or emotional connections with other players."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements; single-player story-driven experience."

    Capsule for missed messages. missed messages.

    "No leadership or group management elements; single-player story-driven experience."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    1

    "Narrative progression through story and puzzle completion; no item collection or upgrades."

    Capsule for Subsurface Circular Subsurface Circular

    "Progression through story and puzzle completion rather than item collection or upgrades."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -1

    "Atmosphere is tense and unsettling rather than relaxing."

    Capsule for Neverending Nightmares Neverending Nightmares

    "Atmosphere is tense and unsettling rather than relaxing, though pacing varies."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Strong sensory immersion through visuals, sound design, and atmospheric effects create emotional engagement."

    Capsule for Blair Witch Blair Witch

    "Strong sensory immersion through sound design, visuals, and atmosphere enhances emotional impact."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social status or recognition systems; individual experience."

    Capsule for Bendy and the Ink Machine Bendy and the Ink Machine

    "No social status or recognition systems; individual experience."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Highly praised narrative with deep lore, emotional impact, and philosophical themes."

    Capsule for Ukrainian ball in search of gas Ukrainian ball in search of gas

    "Highly praised narrative with deep philosophical themes and emotional engagement."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    1

    "Some puzzle solving and stealth require planning, but overall gameplay is straightforward."

    Capsule for Ad Infinitum Ad Infinitum

    "Some puzzle solving and stealth require planning, but overall gameplay is straightforward."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Tense atmosphere and suspenseful moments provide moderate thrill and emotional engagement."

    Capsule for The Fall The Fall

    "Tense moments and suspenseful encounters create thrill, though not constant."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players perceive good value through story length, replayability, and emotional payoff."

    Capsule for Arcade Spirits Arcade Spirits

    "Players find great value in story, atmosphere, and emotional experience despite short length."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -3

    "Minimal combat; violence is mostly implied or symbolic rather than explicit gameplay focus."

    Capsule for CINERIS SOMNIA CINERIS SOMNIA

    "Minimal violence; combat is absent and player mostly avoids enemies."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    1

    "Some stealth and avoidance mechanics require managing threats, but no complex survival systems."

    Capsule for Ad Infinitum Ad Infinitum

    "Some stealth and avoidance of threats, but no complex survival mechanics."

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Last update: 01/06/2026