The Backrooms: Survival similar games & best alternatives

The Backrooms: Survival

PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 • 2023

Should you play it?

Survival horror with roguelike elements. Explore randomized levels with different items and entities while trying to maintain your thirst, hunger, and sanity, ensuring a new experience every time. Play alone or with up to TEN friends online! Cross-platform multiplayer with Nintendo Switch.

What works
  • Strong horror atmosphere and tension
  • Procedurally generated levels with replayability
  • Active developer with frequent updates
  • Engaging multiplayer cooperative mode
  • Good value for price
Things to keep in mind
  • Repetitive level design and enemy behavior
  • Bugs and glitches especially in multiplayer
  • Loud and repetitive jump scares
  • Limited crafting and item variety
  • Some performance and control issues

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Rem Survival

  • StarBreak

  • Zombie Party

  • Storm Chasers

  • Hand Simulator: Survival

  • SURV1V3

  • RUSSIA BATTLEGROUNDS

  • Hospital 666

  • Plains of Pain
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Rem Survival

  • Plains of Pain

  • Forsaken Frontiers
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

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).

The Backrooms: Survival: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Survival. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Story, Relaxation.

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 choose different characters with unique abilities and weapons, and can experiment with play styles, indicating moderate player control over actions."

    Capsule for Madballs in Babo:Invasion Madballs in Babo:Invasion

    "Players can choose character appearance, voice, and profession with unique bonuses, and decide how to approach encounters (fight or flee), indicating moderate control over actions."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Game involves skillful crafting, survival, and combat, with some challenge in managing hunger and fighting monsters."

    Capsule for Forsaken Isle Forsaken Isle

    "The game involves survival mechanics, managing hunger, thirst, sanity, and combat with weapons, requiring skill and strategy to progress."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    1

    "There is a leaderboard and some comparison to others, but competition is minor and not central to gameplay."

    Capsule for Swarm Simulator: Evolution Swarm Simulator: Evolution

    "Leaderboards and entity kill counts exist, but competition is not a primary focus; gameplay is mostly cooperative or solo survival."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Procedural generation, custom modes, and frequent updates encourage repeated play and long-term engagement."

    Capsule for The Classrooms The Classrooms

    "Procedural generation, permadeath, and weekly updates encourage repeated play and long-term engagement."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    4

    "Multiplayer cooperative play with friends is highly encouraged and enhances the experience significantly."

    Capsule for Terraria Terraria

    "Multiplayer with friends is highlighted as a fun and engaging experience, with proximity voice chat and cooperative survival."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players customize base, gear, and character skills; crafting system allows some personalization though limited."

    Capsule for Dead Age 2: The Zombie Survival RPG Dead Age 2: The Zombie Survival RPG

    "Character customization and crafting system exist, though crafting is limited; players can personalize characters and use various items."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -3

    "Interactions focus on skill and cooperation rather than exerting control or superiority over others; balanced multiplayer."

    Capsule for Shatter Shatter

    "Interactions emphasize survival and cooperation rather than exerting control or superiority over others; multiplayer is cooperative."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    5

    "Immersive horror atmosphere and intense gameplay provide strong escape from real-life stress and tension."

    Capsule for Space Beast Terror Fright Space Beast Terror Fright

    "Strong horror atmosphere, tension, and anxiety relief through immersive survival gameplay provide significant escape from reality."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™ STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

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

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players try different characters, weapons, and upgrade builds; procedural levels encourage exploration of new layouts."

    Capsule for Bunker Punks Bunker Punks

    "Procedural levels and random item spawns encourage exploration of new layouts and strategies each run."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Maze-like levels with secrets and side paths encourage curiosity-driven discovery."

    Capsule for Total Chaos Total Chaos

    "Randomly generated mazes and multiple themed levels promote discovery and curiosity-driven navigation."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Some character customization and voice acting personalization; limited cosmetic options noted."

    Capsule for Talvisota - Winter War Talvisota - Winter War

    "Character creator allows for appearance and voice customization; some cosmetic options exist but limited."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Game features imaginative backrooms setting with supernatural elements and lore, blending horror and surrealism."

    Capsule for Backrooms Cleanup Crew Backrooms Cleanup Crew

    "Game features supernatural entities and surreal environments inspired by Backrooms lore, blending fiction and horror."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    3

    "Community and multiplayer interactions foster a sense of belonging and shared experience."

    Capsule for JUMP KING QUEST JUMP KING QUEST

    "Multiplayer mode and community interaction foster a sense of belonging and shared experience."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players learn survival skills, crafting, and navigation through repeated play and progression."

    Capsule for The Flame in the Flood The Flame in the Flood

    "Players learn survival mechanics, combat, and map navigation over repeated runs, improving skills and strategies."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Sedentary gameplay with potential stress and jump scares; no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for Five Nights at Freddy's 2 Five Nights at Freddy's 2

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; intense audio and jump scares may cause stress rather than promote health."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires constant attention and focus due to survival demands and threats."

    Capsule for Green Hell Green Hell

    "Requires continuous attention and focus due to survival mechanics and threat of entities."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    1

    "Some social interaction in multiplayer, but limited evidence of close emotional relationships."

    Capsule for Age of Empires® III (2007) Age of Empires® III (2007)

    "Some social interaction in multiplayer, but limited evidence of close emotional connections or deep relationships."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -2

    "No clear evidence of leadership roles; multiplayer play is cooperative with shared decision-making and balanced interactions."

    Capsule for Scott Pilgrim EX Scott Pilgrim EX

    "No clear evidence of leadership roles; multiplayer is cooperative with shared decision-making."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Players collect items, weapons, upgrades, and level up stats; progression is a key motivator."

    Capsule for Angeline Era Angeline Era

    "Players collect weapons, items, and blueprints; permadeath and level advancement provide a sense of progression."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -3

    "Game induces tension and suspense rather than relaxation; jump scares and anxiety are common."

    Capsule for Granny Remake Granny Remake

    "Game is tense and anxiety-inducing with frequent jump scares and high suspense, limiting relaxation."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    4

    "Strong sensory stimulation through audio-visual scares, jump scares, and atmospheric tension."

    Capsule for Five Nights At Floppa Five Nights At Floppa

    "Strong sensory stimulation through audio scares, visual effects, and atmospheric tension."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    1

    "Leaderboards and achievements offer some recognition, but social status is not a major motivator."

    Capsule for Death From Above: A Ukrainian Drone Warstory Death From Above: A Ukrainian Drone Warstory

    "Leaderboards and achievements provide some recognition, but social status is not a major motivator."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    -3

    "No overarching narrative; gameplay is survival and exploration focused without deep story immersion."

    Capsule for CastleMiner Z CastleMiner Z

    "No overarching narrative; gameplay focuses on survival and exploration rather than story immersion."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Players plan routes, manage resources, and decide when to retreat, requiring strategic thinking."

    Capsule for Cargo Commander Cargo Commander

    "Players must manage resources, decide when to fight or flee, and plan routes through mazes, requiring strategic thinking."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    5

    "High suspense, jump scares, and fear create intense thrill and adrenaline."

    Capsule for DARK NIGHT WITH FLOPPA DARK NIGHT WITH FLOPPA

    "High suspense, jump scares, and unpredictable encounters create intense thrill and adrenaline."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players perceive good value for price with frequent updates, engaging gameplay, and replayability."

    Capsule for Omelet You Cook Omelet You Cook

    "Players perceive good value for price due to frequent updates, content variety, and replayability."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Combat against enemies is a core mechanic, with attacks and destruction of foes."

    Capsule for Nimble Quest Nimble Quest

    "Combat with weapons and killing entities is a core mechanic, involving destruction and aggression."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    5

    "Central theme is managing hunger, warmth, hygiene, and defending against threats to stay alive."

    Capsule for Garbage: Hobo Prophecy Garbage: Hobo Prophecy

    "Central focus on managing hunger, thirst, sanity, and avoiding or fighting deadly threats to stay alive."

Come talk about it on Discord!

Last update: 01/06/2026