Submerged similar games & best alternatives

Submerged

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

Should you play it?

Submerged is a third-person combat-free game in which you explore a mysterious flooded city and discover the beauty of desolation in vast outdoor environments. You take on the role of Miku, a young girl who has brought her wounded brother to the city in their small fishing boat.

What works
  • Beautiful and immersive world
  • Relaxing and stress-free gameplay
  • Unique environmental storytelling
  • Simple and accessible controls
  • Good soundtrack and atmosphere
Things to keep in mind
  • Short and repetitive gameplay
  • Limited variety in climbing and exploration
  • Lack of challenge or strategic depth
  • Minimal story depth and character development
  • No multiplayer or social features

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • AER Memories of Old

  • Europa

  • A Park Full of Cats

  • Scrap Garden

  • The Mooseman

  • ABZU

  • Macbat 64

  • Hiiro

  • Tick Tock Isle
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Europa

  • Macbat 64

  • Hiiro
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Relaxation

    Islands & Trains
  • Escapism

    Submerged: Hidden Depths
  • Exploration

    MANDAGON

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).

Submerged: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Strategy, Experimenting, Competence, Survival. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Exploration, Idle. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Intimacy.

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 can explore the open world and choose the order of three main levels, allowing some freedom in progression."

    Capsule for Effie Effie

    "Players have freedom to explore the open world and choose the order of climbing buildings and collecting supplies."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    1

    "Gameplay is mostly straightforward walking and driving with some simple puzzles and decision making; skill demands are low but some challenge exists in navigation and survival."

    Capsule for Fears to Fathom - Norwood Hitchhike Fears to Fathom - Norwood Hitchhike

    "Gameplay involves simple climbing and boat navigation with no failure states or combat, offering low but present skill engagement."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

    "No competitive elements; focus is on personal exploration and story progression."

    Capsule for Call of the Sea Call of the Sea

    "No competitive elements; focus is on personal exploration and story progression."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    1

    "Players enjoy exploring secrets and collectibles, but the game is relatively short and some find it too brief for extended habitual play."

    Capsule for Cavern of Dreams Cavern of Dreams

    "Some players enjoy extended exploration and collecting secrets, but the game is short and repetitive, limiting long-term engagement."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Castle of Illusion Castle of Illusion

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

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players can explore and uncover story elements in different ways; however, gameplay follows a linear structure with limited creative input."

    Capsule for The Lightkeeper The Lightkeeper

    "Players interpret story through pictograms and explore at their own pace, but gameplay mechanics are fixed and repetitive."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No elements of dominance or control over others; cooperative and equal interaction absent."

    Capsule for The Old Tree The Old Tree

    "No elements of dominance or power over others; cooperative and equal interaction absent."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Strong escapism through immersive, relaxing exploration of a post-apocalyptic world."

    Capsule for Submerged: Hidden Depths Submerged: Hidden Depths

    "Strong escapism through relaxing exploration of a post-apocalyptic flooded city and immersive atmosphere."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for relaxation and exploration without obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for Caravan SandWitch Caravan SandWitch

    "Players engage voluntarily for relaxation and exploration rather than obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    -2

    "Gameplay is straightforward with limited novelty; exploration is encouraged but within linear constraints."

    Capsule for Necrophosis Necrophosis

    "Exploration is open but climbing paths and objectives are linear and repetitive, limiting experimentation."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Core gameplay involves discovering new areas, secrets, and story elements in a small but detailed world."

    Capsule for MANDAGON MANDAGON

    "Core gameplay is about discovering new areas, secrets, and story elements in a flooded city environment."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Limited customization or self-expression; players mostly experience predefined characters and environments."

    Capsule for Indigo Park: Chapter 1 Indigo Park: Chapter 1

    "Limited customization; players express themselves mainly through exploration choices rather than character or environment modification."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    2

    "Post-apocalyptic setting with some supernatural elements blends realistic survival with fantasy."

    Capsule for NEO Scavenger NEO Scavenger

    "Post-apocalyptic setting with mutated creatures and mysterious story elements adds a mild fantasy layer."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for INFRA INFRA

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

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    1

    "Some learning involved in puzzle solving and story comprehension, but gameplay is simple and repetitive."

    Capsule for ARAYA ARAYA

    "Some learning in navigation and story interpretation, but gameplay is simple and repetitive."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Detroit: Become Human Detroit: Become Human

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

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    3

    "Gameplay allows for relaxed, slow-paced sessions and free exploration without pressure."

    Capsule for Beyond Blue Beyond Blue

    "Gameplay allows for relaxed, slow-paced sessions with no urgency or constant attention required."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No social or emotional relationship building with others; solitary experience."

    Capsule for Braid, Anniversary Edition Braid, Anniversary Edition

    "No social or emotional relationship building with others; focus is on solitary experience."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements present."

    Capsule for Trover Saves the Universe Trover Saves the Universe

    "No leadership or group management elements present."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    2

    "Progression through sinking tonnage and mission completion; limited item or upgrade accumulation."

    Capsule for Wolfpack Wolfpack

    "Progression through collecting supplies and boat upgrades, though limited and straightforward."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    5

    "Highly relaxing and calming gameplay with soothing music and stress-free environment."

    Capsule for Islands & Trains Islands & Trains

    "Highly relaxing experience with calming music, beautiful visuals, and stress-free gameplay."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Enjoyable sensory experience through detailed visuals, ambient sounds, and subtle environmental effects."

    Capsule for Stone Simulator – Just Be a Rock Stone Simulator – Just Be a Rock

    "Enjoyable sensory experience through visuals, water effects, and ambient sounds."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems; achievements are personal and not publicly emphasized."

    Capsule for Loot Grind Simulator Loot Grind Simulator

    "No social recognition or status systems; achievements are personal and not publicly emphasized."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "Narrative is conveyed through found lore and environmental storytelling, providing moderate story immersion."

    Capsule for The Classrooms The Classrooms

    "Story is told through environmental storytelling and pictograms, providing narrative immersion without dialogue."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    -2

    "Minimal strategic or planning elements; mostly straightforward driving and exploration."

    Capsule for EarthKart: Google Maps Driving Simulator EarthKart: Google Maps Driving Simulator

    "Minimal strategic challenge; climbing and exploration paths are mostly linear and straightforward."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    -4

    "No suspense or risk; gameplay is calm and controlled."

    Capsule for Grow: Song of the Evertree Grow: Song of the Evertree

    "No suspense or risk; gameplay is calm and controlled without tension or danger."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    2

    "Generally considered good value especially when purchased on sale; short length limits full price justification."

    Capsule for Runespell: Overture Runespell: Overture

    "Good value when purchased on sale; short length and simplicity limit full price justification."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No violence or combat; gameplay focuses on exploration and interaction."

    Capsule for A Short Hike A Short Hike

    "No combat or violence; gameplay focuses on exploration and collection."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -4

    "No survival mechanics or threats; stable and safe environments."

    Capsule for Kayak VR: Mirage Kayak VR: Mirage

    "No survival mechanics or threats; stable and safe environment throughout."

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Last update: 01/06/2026