Tales of the Black Forest similar games & best alternatives

Tales of the Black Forest

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2019

Should you play it?

In a world filled with yōkai, a surging dark power has overshadowed a Japanese town. A group of 2 developers have produced a Japanese pixel adventure game to tell a tale that dates back to the Heisei era...In the name of dreams and passion.

What works
  • Engaging and emotional story
  • Beautiful pixel art and music
  • Blend of japanese folklore and real events
  • Accessible gameplay with mild puzzles
  • Excellent value for price
Things to keep in mind
  • Linear and guided gameplay
  • Some awkward translations
  • Limited gameplay depth
  • Short game length
  • Lack of fullscreen option in menu

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Alicemare

  • The Forgotten City

  • The Count Lucanor

  • Ann

  • Neo Cab

  • Greyfox RPG

  • My Big Sister

  • Zelle

  • An Octave Higher
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • My Big Sister

  • Zelle

  • An Octave Higher
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Story

    Mundaun
  • Value

    While We Wait Here
  • Escapism

    Xuan-Yuan Sword: The Gate of Firmament

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).

Tales of the Black Forest: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Competition, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Survival, Intimacy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

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    "Players have freedom to explore environments, interact with objects, and solve puzzles with some choice in approach, though the game is mostly linear."

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    "Players have freedom to explore, interact with objects, and choose endings, though gameplay is mostly linear and guided."

  • Competence

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    "Gameplay involves exploration, item collection, and chase sequences that require some skill but are generally straightforward."

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    "Gameplay involves simple puzzles and some chase sequences that require basic skill, but mostly focuses on story and exploration."

  • Competition

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    "No competitive elements; experience is personal and narrative-driven without comparison to others."

    Capsule for Before Your Eyes Before Your Eyes

    "No competitive elements; experience is single-player and narrative-driven without comparison to others."

  • Continuation

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    "Players report habitual play, returning for story expansions, endless mode, and character interactions, indicating sustained engagement."

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  • Cooperation

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

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  • Creativity

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

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    "Players can explore and uncover hidden story elements and secrets, but limited creative modification or building."

  • Domination

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    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; cooperative and equal narrative experience."

    Capsule for Serre Serre

    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; cooperative and equal narrative experience."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

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    "Strong immersion in Chinese mythology and story provides escape from real life."

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    "Strong immersion in a fictional world blending Japanese folklore and real events provides escape from reality."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

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    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in story, art, and atmosphere rather than obligation or external pressure."

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    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in story, folklore, and atmosphere rather than obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

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    "Some exploration and puzzle solving encourage trying new approaches, but overall gameplay is linear and guided."

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    "Some exploration and puzzle solving encourages trying new things, but overall gameplay is guided and linear."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

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    "Players explore different environments and uncover secrets and story elements."

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    "Players explore different environments and uncover hidden story elements and lore throughout the game."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

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    "Limited customization; players experience preset characters and environments without personal modification."

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    "Limited customization; players experience preset characters and environments without personal modification."

  • Fantasy

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    "Strong fantasy elements with yokai, magic, and historical mythological themes dominate the game experience."

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    "Strong fantasy elements with yokai, supernatural events, and time travel blended with real historical events."

  • Fellowship

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    "Primarily a solo experience focused on individual narrative engagement with minimal social connection."

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    "Solo experience focused on individual narrative engagement with minimal social interaction."

  • Growth

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    "Players develop understanding of story and characters; some learning through puzzle solving."

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  • Health

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    "Sedentary gameplay typical of RPG Maker games; no physical activity involved."

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  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

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    "Requires focused attention on puzzles and story; not designed for background or casual intermittent play."

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    "Requires focused attention on story and puzzles; not designed for background or casual intermittent play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

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    "Emotional connection to characters and story creates a sense of closeness despite lack of direct social interaction."

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    "Emotional connection to characters and story creates some sense of closeness despite lack of social features."

  • Leadership

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    "No leadership or group management elements; purely single-player narrative experience."

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    "No leadership or group management elements; purely single-player narrative experience."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

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    "Progression through story chapters and unlocking different endings; no item or upgrade accumulation."

    Capsule for Beyond: Two Souls Beyond: Two Souls

    "Progression through story chapters and unlocking endings; minimal item or upgrade accumulation."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

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    "Atmospheric music and art create a contemplative, immersive experience that some find relaxing."

    Capsule for q.u.q. q.u.q.

    "Atmospheric music and art create a soothing experience balanced with some suspenseful moments."

  • Sensation

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    "Enjoyable pixel art and soundtrack provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

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    "Enjoyable pixel art visuals and evocative soundtrack provide sensory and emotional engagement."

  • Status

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    "No social recognition or status systems; gameplay is private and individual."

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    "No social status or recognition systems; gameplay is private and individual."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Strong narrative focus with multiple endings, character development, and folklore-driven plot."

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    "Strong narrative focus with rich characters, emotional depth, and integration of folklore and history."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

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    "Puzzles require some problem solving but overall mental challenge is moderate and straightforward."

    Capsule for The Coffin of Andy and Leyley The Coffin of Andy and Leyley

    "Simple puzzles and some problem solving present mild mental challenge but no complex strategy."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

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    "Includes suspenseful chase sequences and eerie moments that create tension and occasional thrills."

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    "Some suspenseful chase sequences and eerie moments provide mild thrills within a mostly calm experience."

  • Value

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    "Highly praised for excellent value given low price and quality storytelling."

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    "Highly praised for delivering excellent story and atmosphere at a low price; considered a great value."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

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    "Minimal violence; gameplay focuses on puzzle-solving and story rather than combat or destruction."

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  • Survival

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    "Some chase and escape sequences present, but not a core survival mechanic."

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Last update: 01/06/2026