The Grounding similar games & best alternatives
The Grounding
2020
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Quick resume
If she catches you, she kills you. Smoke 6 times without getting killed.
Global score
89/100
Genres
Indie
Pros
- Effective jump scares
- Unique thematic narrative
- Short and replayable
- Atmospheric graphics and sound
- Free or low cost
Cons
- Short game length
- Teleporting mother ai issues
- Limited gameplay depth
- Lack of polish in enemy movement
- Removed community features and memes
Motivations
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Autonomy3
"Players have freedom to explore rooms and choose when to approach blunts, but must follow stealth mechanics to avoid the mother."
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Competence2
"Requires skillful timing and stealth to avoid instant death from the teleporting mother, with some challenge in navigation."
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Competition-4
"Focus is on individual play and personal achievement; no evidence of player-vs-player or ranked competition."
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Continuation3
"Players report multiple playthroughs and speedrunning attempts, indicating desire to replay despite short length."
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Cooperation-5
"Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."
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Creativity2
"Game features unique thematic elements and narrative creativity, but gameplay follows a fixed stealth pattern."
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Domination-5
"No evidence of exerting control over other players; interactions are with AI only."
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Escapism4
"Players use the game as a scary, immersive distraction and stress relief, often playing to experience jump scares."
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Expectation-4
"Players engage voluntarily for fun and personal interest, no indication of obligation or external pressure."
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Experimenting1
"Some exploration of different rooms and strategies, but core gameplay loop is repetitive and fixed."
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Exploration2
"Players explore multiple distinct rooms with thematic differences and hidden lore elements."
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Expression-4
"No character customization or player-driven aesthetic changes reported."
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Fantasy3
"Game includes surreal and exaggerated elements like teleporting mother and abstract narrative themes."
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Fellowship-5
"No social or community features; experience is solitary."
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Growth2
"Players develop stealth and timing skills to improve performance, though limited learning depth."
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Health-5
"Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."
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Idle-3
"Requires focused attention due to sudden jump scares and instant death mechanics."
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Intimacy-5
"No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions."
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Leadership-5
"No leadership or group management roles present."
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Progression3
"Progression through collecting six blunts and unlocking the ending, though game is short and linear."
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Relaxation-3
"High tension and jump scares create sustained alertness rather than relaxation."
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Sensation3
"Jump scares and atmospheric audio-visuals provide strong sensory stimulation and emotional excitement."
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Status-4
"No social recognition or leaderboard systems; focus is on personal experience."
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Story3
"Narrative and lore are emphasized with symbolic paintings and thematic storytelling."
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Strategy2
"Requires planning routes and timing to avoid the mother, but overall mechanics are simple."
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Thrill5
"Jump scares and unpredictable enemy teleportation create strong suspense and thrill."
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Value3
"Players appreciate the game as a free or low-cost horror experience with replay value."
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Violence2
"Includes violent death from mother character and jump scares, but no player-inflicted violence."
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Survival4
"Core gameplay revolves around avoiding death and surviving until all objectives are completed."
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Last update: 06/03/2026