The Howler similar games & best alternatives

The Howler

PC (Microsoft Windows), Android, Mac, iOS • 2014

Should you play it?

Use gravity, tension, and wind currents to get your hot air balloon to its destination, dropping off cargo on your way, in this ultra-challenging physics-based game. All art used in the Howler was meticulously created by classically-trained experienced painters.

What works
  • Unique voice control mechanic
  • Beautiful hand-drawn steampunk art style
  • Simple and accessible gameplay
  • Low price with trading cards
  • Relaxing atmosphere
Things to keep in mind
  • Very short game length
  • Lack of achievements
  • Limited replay value
  • No fullscreen or resolution options
  • Some frustration with controls and balloon physics

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Snake Pass

  • Nihilumbra

  • Fort Meow

  • Vessel

  • Typoman

  • Lemon Cake

  • Braid

  • Ynglet

  • Drop Alive
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Fort Meow

  • Ynglet

  • The Multi-Medium
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Value

    Road Scars: Origins
  • Autonomy

    The Plan
  • Creativity

    Gomo

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 Howler: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Violence, Fantasy, Story, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Survival, 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

    3

    "Players control the fly's movement upward with simple inputs, allowing some freedom in navigation despite the linear goal."

    Capsule for The Plan The Plan

    "Players control the balloon's vertical movement freely via mouse or voice commands, but horizontal movement is dictated by wind currents, blending player control with environmental influence."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    2

    "The game offers puzzles and skill use with wind mechanics and season changes, but difficulty is generally low and accessible."

    Capsule for LostWinds 2: Winter of the Melodias LostWinds 2: Winter of the Melodias

    "The game involves skillful timing and precision to navigate wind currents and avoid obstacles, with some levels requiring repeated attempts, but overall mechanics are simple and accessible."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "No evidence of competitive modes or player comparison; gameplay focuses on personal progress and exploration."

    Capsule for Disney Alice in Wonderland Disney Alice in Wonderland

    "No evidence of competitive modes or player comparison; gameplay focuses on individual progress and personal challenge."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    1

    "Short playtime (~1-2 hours) with some replay value for 100% completion and speedrunning, but limited long-term habitual engagement."

    Capsule for Conbunn Cardboard Conbunn Cardboard

    "Short game length (~1-2 hours) and some frustration with controls limit long-term engagement, but unique voice control and art style encourage replay for enjoyment."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative elements mentioned."

    Capsule for Lost in Vivo Lost in Vivo

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative elements mentioned."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Creative hand-drawn art style and humorous animations enrich the experience, though gameplay follows established point-and-click conventions."

    Capsule for Gomo Gomo

    "Unique voice control mechanic and hand-drawn art style provide creative expression, though gameplay follows preset level designs."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; gameplay is solitary and non-confrontational."

    Capsule for Cube Escape: Paradox Cube Escape: Paradox

    "No elements of exerting power or superiority over others; gameplay is solitary and non-confrontational."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    3

    "The immersive steampunk world and atmospheric music provide a strong escape from reality."

    Capsule for Vessel Vessel

    "Relaxing steampunk atmosphere and artistic visuals offer a pleasant escape from reality."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and personal interest, often attracted by gameplay or art rather than obligation."

    Capsule for Wedding Witch Wedding Witch

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun or relaxation, often attracted by art style and unique controls rather than obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Wind mechanics invite players to try different gestures and approaches to solve puzzles."

    Capsule for LostWinds LostWinds

    "Voice control and physics-based wind navigation encourage players to experiment with different strategies and sounds."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    1

    "Players explore different themed levels and environments, though levels are short and segmented."

    Capsule for Donut County Donut County

    "Players explore different levels with varying objectives and environments, though the game is short and levels are limited."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Some character personality and voice acting allow for expression, but limited customization."

    Capsule for Desperados III Desperados III

    "Artistic style and voice input allow some personal expression, but no character customization or environment modification."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    1

    "Set in a historical period with some fictionalized elements and dramatization."

    Capsule for We. The Revolution We. The Revolution

    "Set in a stylized steampunk version of Vilnius with some fictional elements, blending imaginative fiction with historical setting."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community features; gameplay is entirely individual."

    Capsule for High Hell High Hell

    "No social or community features; gameplay is individual."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    2

    "Players develop skill in controlling wind and completing achievements, but learning curve is low."

    Capsule for Flower Flower

    "Players improve skill in controlling the balloon and mastering wind currents, though learning curve is mild."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements."

    Capsule for Mothlight Mothlight

    "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention and precision; not suitable for passive or background play."

    Capsule for Solar Flux Solar Flux

    "Requires focused attention due to timing and precision; not suitable for passive or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No close social relationships or emotional sharing involved."

    Capsule for RollerCoaster Tycoon® Classic RollerCoaster Tycoon® Classic

    "No close social relationships or emotional sharing involved."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements."

    Capsule for High On Life High On Life

    "No leadership or group management elements."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    2

    "Progression through levels and unlocking achievements, but no item collection or upgrades."

    Capsule for Red Trigger Red Trigger

    "Progression through levels with increasing difficulty and unlocking a bonus level, but no item collection or upgrades."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Calm, minimalist visuals and music create a relaxing atmosphere; some frustration from trial and error but overall low tension."

    Capsule for Zup! 9 Zup! 9

    "Calm, artistic atmosphere and simple controls provide a relaxing experience despite some challenging moments."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Appealing hand-drawn visuals and sound design provide sensory enjoyment."

    Capsule for Feudal Alloy Feudal Alloy

    "Enjoyable hand-drawn visuals and ambient sounds provide sensory pleasure, though sound design is minimal."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or ranking systems present."

    Capsule for AMID EVIL AMID EVIL

    "No social recognition or ranking systems present."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    1

    "Minimal narrative mostly conveyed through atmosphere and setting; story is light and secondary."

    Capsule for Zortch Zortch

    "Minimal narrative connected to a steampunk novel, presented in brief texts before levels; story is light and secondary."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    2

    "Requires planning routes and timing for challenges, but overall gameplay is straightforward."

    Capsule for Grand Mountain Adventure: Wonderlands Grand Mountain Adventure: Wonderlands

    "Requires planning and timing to navigate wind currents and complete objectives, though gameplay is straightforward."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    0

    "Some tension from time limits and managing obstacles, but overall low risk and mild excitement."

    Capsule for Farm Frenzy Collection Farm Frenzy Collection

    "Some tension from avoiding obstacles and time limits, but overall experience is calm and low risk."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Low price and trading cards provide good perceived value; many players find it worth the cost."

    Capsule for Road Scars: Origins Road Scars: Origins

    "Low price and availability of trading cards make it a good value for short, casual play."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -3

    "Minimal violence; gameplay focuses on navigation and puzzles rather than combat or destruction."

    Capsule for I Am Fish I Am Fish

    "Minimal violence; some levels involve dropping bombs but gameplay is mostly non-violent and focused on navigation."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    1

    "Avoiding death from falls and hazards provides light survival challenge."

    Capsule for Doorways: Old Prototype Doorways: Old Prototype

    "Avoiding balloon popping and managing time limits adds light survival challenge."

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Last update: 01/06/2026