The Desolate Hope similar games & best alternatives

The Desolate Hope

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2014

Should you play it?

On a distant edge of an unknown planet, an abandoned structure sits in silence. Constructed by an unmanned research vessel sent from Earth, the Lun Infinus station was designed to run simulations for a five year period, exploring possibilities of human colonization in the case that Earth became uninhabitable.

What works
  • Unique genre blend
  • Engaging and challenging combat
  • Strong narrative and atmosphere
  • Beautiful and distinctive art style
  • Free to play
Things to keep in mind
  • Some repetitive gameplay sections
  • Steep learning curve without tutorials
  • Time limit may cause pressure
  • Platforming can feel clunky
  • Lack of pause function and ui quirks

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • LISA: The Painful

  • Brigand: Oaxaca

  • Fortune Summoners

  • Indivisible

  • Monsters Domain: Prologue

  • Miasma Chronicles

  • Banquet for Fools

  • Judgment: Apocalypse Survival Simulation

  • Convoy

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Brigand: Oaxaca

  • Heroes of Steel RPG

  • Subterrain: Mines of Titan

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Story

    Still Life

  • Value

    RYB

  • Autonomy

    Crypt Custodian

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

    4

    "Players have freedom to explore multiple paths non-linearly and choose upgrades and play styles."

    Capsule for Crypt Custodian Crypt Custodian

    "Players have freedom to explore multiple simulations and choose upgrade paths; no strict linearity."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Battles require skill and strategy, with challenging bosses and need for grinding and preparation."

    Capsule for Labyronia RPG Labyronia RPG

    "Boss battles require skill and strategy; platforming and other segments are simpler but contribute to progression."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on personal progress and story; no evidence of player-vs-player or leaderboard competition."

    Capsule for Interrogation: You will be deceived Interrogation: You will be deceived

    "Focus is on personal progress and story; no evidence of player-vs-player or leaderboard competition."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Players report addictive gameplay with repeated retries and some replay value, but some find it repetitive."

    Capsule for Orborun Orborun

    "Players report addictive gameplay and desire to replay, though some find parts repetitive."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    2

    "Combat involves link attacks and team strategies; cooperation with AI teammates is important, but no multiplayer cooperation noted."

    Capsule for The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV

    "Players cooperate with AI-controlled robots in battles; no multiplayer cooperation."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Highly creative surreal art style, narrative, and music; players explore unique visuals and story elements."

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

    "Unique genre blend, original art style, and creative narrative elements."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control over other players; interactions are with AI and story-driven."

    Capsule for Vestaria Saga I: War of the Scions Vestaria Saga I: War of the Scions

    "No evidence of exerting control over other players; interactions are with AI and story characters."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Immersive sci-fi atmosphere and story provide a strong escape from real life."

    Capsule for The Station The Station

    "Strongly immersive sci-fi atmosphere and story provide escape from reality."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for Cosmodread Cosmodread

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

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players explore mechanics and tactics, with a learning curve that encourages trying new skills and strategies."

    Capsule for Pro Soccer Online Pro Soccer Online

    "Players must learn mechanics and experiment with strategies, especially in combat."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Exploration of different areas and collecting items is a core gameplay element."

    Capsule for Re:Fresh Re:Fresh

    "Exploration of multiple simulation worlds and collecting items is core gameplay."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Some customization through item merging and upgrades, but limited avatar or environment personalization."

    Capsule for Super Chipflake Ü: Quest for the Uncooked Schnitzel Super Chipflake Ü: Quest for the Uncooked Schnitzel

    "Some customization via upgrades and item collection, but limited avatar personalization."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Fictional sci-fi setting with robots and imaginative worldbuilding."

    Capsule for MIO: Memories in Orbit MIO: Memories in Orbit

    "Fictional sci-fi setting with imaginative robots and surreal environments."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -3

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

    Capsule for Shardpunk Shardpunk

    "Single-player experience with limited social interaction or community focus."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills in tactical combat and learn complex game systems."

    Capsule for Baldur's Gate 3 Baldur's Gate 3

    "Players develop skills and knowledge of complex combat and game systems."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for World of Tanks Blitz World of Tanks Blitz

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention during combat and exploration."

    Capsule for StarCrawlers StarCrawlers

    "Requires focused attention especially during fast-paced combat; some downtime during exploration."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Limited to character interactions within narrative; no formation of close social relationships."

    Capsule for Return to Monkey Island Return to Monkey Island

    "Limited to narrative character interactions; no close social relationships formed."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    3

    "Player directs party actions and strategy, guiding team decisions in combat."

    Capsule for Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2: Sisters Generation Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2: Sisters Generation

    "Player directs AI party members in combat, making strategic decisions."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Strong emphasis on acquiring upgrades, leveling up, and collecting items to improve character power."

    Capsule for Ys: The Oath in Felghana Ys: The Oath in Felghana

    "Strong emphasis on collecting items and upgrades to improve characters and abilities."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -2

    "Tense and suspenseful atmosphere with moments of relief; overall sustained tension."

    Capsule for SILENT HILL 2 SILENT HILL 2

    "Some tension from time limits and challenging battles; atmosphere can be somber."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    4

    "Visual and auditory effects, cinematic sequences, and intense combat provide strong sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for Resident Evil 6 Resident Evil 6

    "Visually striking and intense combat effects provide strong sensory stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or ranking systems; focus is on individual experience."

    Capsule for Atomic Heart Atomic Heart

    "No social recognition or ranking systems; focus is on individual experience."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Narrative-driven game with deep storylines, character development, and immersive plot."

    Capsule for Still Life Still Life

    "Narrative-driven game with deep story, character development, and plot twists."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Requires planning, character knowledge, and tactical decision-making in fast-paced combat."

    Capsule for Samurai GUNN 2 Samurai GUNN 2

    "Complex, fast-paced combat requires planning and multitasking."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Time pressure and challenging bosses create suspense and excitement."

    Capsule for GIGANTIC ARMY GIGANTIC ARMY

    "High stakes boss battles and time pressure create suspense and excitement."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    5

    "Highly praised for excellent value, especially given it is free with substantial content."

    Capsule for RYB RYB

    "Highly praised for quality and content, especially given it is free."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    2

    "Combat involves attacking and defeating enemies, but not excessive or gratuitous violence."

    Capsule for The Dungeon Beneath The Dungeon Beneath

    "Combat involves defeating viruses and enemies, but not gratuitous violence."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Time limit mechanic and combat require managing threats and resources to avoid failure; survival is a core theme."

    Capsule for UNSIGHTED UNSIGHTED

    "Time limit and challenging battles create a sense of urgency and survival."

Last update: 01/06/2026