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Submerged similar games & best alternatives

Submerged

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

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Quick resume

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.

Global score

76/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Platform, Puzzle

Similar games

    Pros

    • Beautiful and immersive world
    • Relaxing and stress-free gameplay
    • Unique environmental storytelling
    • Simple and accessible controls
    • Good soundtrack and atmosphere

    Cons

    • 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

    Analysis

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

    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
      3

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

    • Competence
      1

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

    • Competition
      -5

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

    • Continuation
      1

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

    • Cooperation
      -5

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

    • Creativity
      2

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

    • Domination
      -5

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

    • Escapism
      4

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

    • Expectation
      -4

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

    • Experimenting
      -2

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

    • Exploration
      4

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

    • Expression
      -3

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

    • Fantasy
      2

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

    • Fellowship
      -5

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

    • Growth
      1

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

    • Health
      -5

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

    • Idle
      3

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

    • Intimacy
      -5

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

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management elements present."

    • Progression
      2

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

    • Relaxation
      5

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

    • Sensation
      3

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

    • Status
      -5

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

    • Story
      3

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

    • Strategy
      -2

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

    • Thrill
      -4

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

    • Value
      2

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

    • Violence
      -5

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

    • Survival
      -4

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

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026