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The Mirror Lied similar games & best alternatives

The Mirror Lied

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2018

Related articles

Quick resume

This isn't a horror game. Nothing will jump out at you.

Global score

88/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie

Similar games

    Pros

    • Free and short
    • Unique surreal atmosphere
    • Thought-provoking abstract story
    • Well-crafted pixel art and music
    • Accessible gameplay

    Cons

    • Confusing and vague narrative
    • Minimal gameplay depth
    • Some clunky controls
    • Lack of clear direction
    • No replay incentives beyond interpretation

    Analysis

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

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • 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.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      3

      "Players control the protagonist's movements and interactions freely within a small environment, with some puzzle solving and exploration."

    • Competence
      -2

      "Gameplay involves simple point-and-click and walking puzzles with minimal challenge or skill variation."

    • Competition
      -5

      "No competitive elements or comparison to others; purely single player experience."

    • Continuation
      1

      "Short playtime (~20-30 minutes) with some incentive to replay for alternate interpretations, but not habitual or long sessions."

    • Cooperation
      -5

      "Entirely single player with no cooperative or multiplayer features."

    • Creativity
      2

      "Players interpret the abstract story and symbolism creatively, though gameplay itself is fixed and linear."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No social dominance or power dynamics; solo experience without interactions with others."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Abstract, surreal, and mysterious atmosphere provides a form of escapism and immersion away from reality."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in the developer or genre; no obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "The game is an experimental early work with abstract storytelling encouraging players to explore and interpret."

    • Exploration
      2

      "Players explore a small house environment and discover subtle changes and clues."

    • Expression
      -3

      "No character customization or player-driven visual expression; fixed pixel art presentation."

    • Fantasy
      3

      "Surreal, dreamlike narrative with metaphorical and abstract elements rather than realistic scenarios."

    • Fellowship
      -5

      "No social or community features; purely individual play."

    • Growth
      1

      "Some personal development through interpreting story and symbolism, but minimal skill growth."

    • Health
      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention during short play sessions; not a background or idle game."

    • Intimacy
      -5

      "No social or emotional relationships formed; solitary experience."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management roles; single player only."

    • Progression
      2

      "Players collect items and unlock areas to advance the story, though progression is linear and limited."

    • Relaxation
      2

      "Atmospheric and subtle tension with a slow pace, allowing for a contemplative experience."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Creepy and eerie atmosphere with unsettling audio cues and pixel art visuals evoke emotional responses."

    • Status
      -5

      "No social recognition or status systems present."

    • Story
      4

      "Narrative-driven experience with abstract, metaphorical storytelling that is central to the game."

    • Strategy
      -3

      "Minimal puzzle solving with straightforward item usage; no complex planning or problem solving."

    • Thrill
      2

      "Subtle suspense and unease create a mild thrill but no intense or high-risk moments."

    • Value
      5

      "Free game with short playtime offers high perceived value for time invested."

    • Violence
      1

      "Some minor violent elements (shooting bird) but overall low emphasis on violence."

    • Survival
      -4

      "No survival mechanics or threat avoidance; stable environment despite narrative tension."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026