Subside similar games & best alternatives

Subside

PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation VR2, SteamVR • 2024

Should you play it?

Subside is an immersive aquatic VR experience with multiple areas to explore and lifelike aquatic creatures to interact with. Crafted with unparalleled realism, it aims to replicate the nuances of real-life swimming and diving in shallow waters

What works
  • Extremely immersive and realistic underwater experience
  • High-quality graphics and sound design
  • Intuitive and natural swimming mechanics
  • Relaxing and meditative atmosphere
  • Meaningful progression through collectibles and unlockables
Things to keep in mind
  • Limited content and maps at launch
  • Lack of multiplayer or social features
  • Some minor control and interaction quirks
  • No narrative or story elements
  • Price considered high by some for amount of content

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • The Bus

  • Aerofly FS 4 Flight Simulator

  • Google Earth VR

  • Train Sim World® 4

  • Steam Engine Simulator

  • VR: Vacate the Room (Virtual Reality Escape)

  • Train Simulator Classic

  • DrainSim

  • Exo One: Prologue
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • VR: Vacate the Room (Virtual Reality Escape)

  • PomoFarm

  • Lakehopper
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Escapism

    Beyond Blue
  • Exploration

    Subnautica
  • Relaxation

    Exo One

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).

Subside: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Competition, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Health. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Story, Fantasy.

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 freely explore underwater environments with fluid movement and minimal constraints, allowing personal pacing and discovery."

    Capsule for ABZU ABZU

    "Players have freedom to explore underwater environments at their own pace, choose movement style (physical swimming or button propulsion), and decide how to approach exploration and collectibles."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    2

    "Progression involves skill trees and optimization, but gameplay is repetitive and grindy with limited skill variation."

    Capsule for Keep on Mining! - Worlds Keep on Mining! - Worlds

    "There is a progression system with collectibles and unlockables that improve abilities, but gameplay is mostly exploration with moderate skill challenge rather than intense technical mastery."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of competitive modes or player comparison; focus is on personal exploration and experience."

    Capsule for Judero Judero

    "No evidence of competitive modes or player comparison; focus is on personal exploration and relaxation."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Players report repeated sessions and desire for more content, indicating habitual play and attachment."

    Capsule for The Bonerooms The Bonerooms

    "Players report habitual play, long sessions, and desire for more content and DLC, indicating attachment and continued engagement."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "No multiplayer or cooperative gameplay; experience is entirely single-player and individual."

    Capsule for Superflight Superflight

    "No multiplayer or cooperative gameplay; experience is single-player and individual."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    1

    "Customization mainly involves gear upgrades and weapon mods; limited player-driven creation or environment modification."

    Capsule for STALCRAFT: X STALCRAFT: X

    "Some customization through unlocking equipment and upgrades, but no player-driven creation or modification of environments."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are with environment and creatures only."

    Capsule for Penko Park Penko Park

    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are with environment and wildlife only."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    5

    "Strongly immersive and relaxing underwater experience providing escape from real-life stress."

    Capsule for Beyond Blue Beyond Blue

    "Strong emphasis on immersive, relaxing underwater exploration providing escape from real life stress and environment."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -5

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment; no obligation or external pressure noted."

    Capsule for MULLET MADJACK MULLET MADJACK

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment; no obligation or external pressure noted."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players explore different areas, try various interactions, and discover hidden animations and minigames."

    Capsule for Putt-Putt® Saves The Zoo Putt-Putt® Saves The Zoo

    "Players explore different areas, try various movement upgrades and unlockables, and enjoy discovering hidden items."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around discovering new biomes, secrets, and story elements in a vast underwater world."

    Capsule for Subnautica Subnautica

    "Core gameplay revolves around discovering new underwater environments, hidden collectibles, and secrets."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Some equipment customization but no avatar personalization or extensive self-expression."

    Capsule for Braveland Braveland

    "Limited self-expression through equipment unlocks; no avatar customization or cosmetic personalization."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    -4

    "Realistic underwater setting and activities; no fantasy or mythical elements."

    Capsule for Depth Hunter 2: Deep Dive Depth Hunter 2: Deep Dive

    "Highly realistic simulation of snorkeling and diving; no fantasy or fictional elements present."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "Single-player experience with minimal social or community interaction."

    Capsule for Deep Sky Derelicts Deep Sky Derelicts

    "Single-player experience with minimal social interaction or community features."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop kayaking skills, improve race times, and learn map layouts; some learning curve in mastering controls and physics."

    Capsule for Kayak VR: Mirage Kayak VR: Mirage

    "Players learn to master swimming mechanics and improve through unlocking better gear and exploring more complex environments."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    3

    "Physical arm movements provide light exercise and workout benefits during play."

    Capsule for Hatsune Miku VR Hatsune Miku VR

    "Physical arm movements for swimming provide light exercise; some players report it as a workout."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires active attention; no background or idle mechanics."

    Capsule for Bird Assassin Bird Assassin

    "Requires active attention and physical movement; not a background or idle experience."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No social or emotional relationship building; purely individual experience."

    Capsule for BPM: BULLETS PER MINUTE BPM: BULLETS PER MINUTE

    "No social or emotional relationship building; purely individual 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

    4

    "Collectibles, skill upgrades, and challenges provide clear progression and reward."

    Capsule for Asterix & Obelix XXL 2 Asterix & Obelix XXL 2

    "Collectibles and unlockables provide a clear sense of progression and reward exploration."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    5

    "Frequently described as soothing, calming, and meditative with a relaxing pace and atmosphere."

    Capsule for Exo One Exo One

    "Widely described as relaxing, immersive, and meditative with a calm atmosphere."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    4

    "High-quality sound design and satisfying physics provide strong sensory and emotional engagement."

    Capsule for Egging On Egging On

    "High-quality visuals, sound design, and realistic physics provide strong sensory stimulation and emotional enjoyment."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments

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

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    -4

    "No narrative or plot; gameplay is context-free and focused on collection and management."

    Capsule for Tiny Pasture Tiny Pasture

    "No narrative or plot; gameplay is context-free exploration and collection."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    -2

    "Minimal strategic or problem-solving elements; mostly exploration and discovery."

    Capsule for Yume Nikki Yume Nikki

    "Minimal strategic or problem-solving elements; some planning in exploration and item collection."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    1

    "Mild tension from combat and exploration, but overall experience is more relaxed than suspenseful."

    Capsule for Lay of the Land Lay of the Land

    "Some moments of mild suspense or tension (e.g., cave diving), but overall experience is calm and controlled."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Players generally feel the game offers good value for its price and content."

    Capsule for Whisper of the House Whisper of the House

    "Players generally feel the game offers good value for money, though some mention price is a bit high for content amount."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No combat or destructive elements; focus on peaceful exploration and interaction."

    Capsule for Harold Halibut Harold Halibut

    "No combat or destructive elements; focus on peaceful exploration and interaction."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    1

    "Some survival elements like oxygen and temperature management, but no combat threats or high risk."

    Capsule for Eden Crafters Eden Crafters

    "Limited survival elements such as breath management and air pockets, but no real threat or danger."

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Last update: 01/06/2026