The Night of the Scissors similar games & best alternatives

The Night of the Scissors

Mac, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Linux, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S • 2022

Should you play it?

Scrap hunting season has gone wrong, VHS slasher survival horror.

What works
  • Strong nostalgic ps1-style horror atmosphere
  • Effective tension and scares
  • Simple but engaging puzzle and exploration
  • Good value for price
  • Well-executed retro aesthetic and sound design
Things to keep in mind
  • Very short gameplay duration
  • Challenging tank controls for some players
  • Limited replay value
  • Minimal story depth
  • No multiplayer or social features

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • ARAYA

  • Suite 776

  • Dungeon Nightmares II : The Memory

  • Unspoken

  • Apsulov: End of Gods

  • CARNAL

  • Endoparasitic 2

  • AfterHours

  • Skinwalker Hunt
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Suite 776

  • Dungeon Nightmares II : The Memory

  • Unspoken
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 Night of the Scissors: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Status. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Continuation, Relaxation, Expression.

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 have freedom to explore environments and solve puzzles with some degree of personal decision-making, though the game follows a linear narrative and fixed camera angles."

    Capsule for Post Trauma Post Trauma

    "Players have freedom to explore the map and solve puzzles with some choice in camera perspective, though gameplay is linear and puzzle-driven."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    2

    "Combat and puzzles provide skill challenges and strategic thinking, but some players find controls clunky and progression sometimes frustrating."

    Capsule for Inquisitor’s Heart and Soul Inquisitor’s Heart and Soul

    "Requires learning tank controls and puzzle solving; some players find controls challenging but progression is forgiving."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

    "No competitive elements or player comparison; purely single-player experience focused on personal progress."

    Capsule for Sacra Terra: Angelic Night Sacra Terra: Angelic Night

    "No competitive elements or comparison to others; purely single-player experience focused on personal progress."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    -3

    "Short game (~2 hours) with limited replay value; some players replay for achievements but generally not habitual play."

    Capsule for The Light Remake The Light Remake

    "Short game (~30-40 mins) with limited replay value; some players replay for achievements but generally brief engagement."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Single-player game with no cooperative or multiplayer features."

    Capsule for Infliction Infliction

    "Single-player game with no cooperative or multiplayer features."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    1

    "Some exploration and puzzle solving allow for minor creative problem solving, but mostly predefined structure."

    Capsule for Ann Ann

    "Some exploration and puzzle solving allow for minor creative problem solving, but overall follows preset structure."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No social dominance or power dynamics; player is vulnerable and pursued."

    Capsule for Slender: The Arrival Slender: The Arrival

    "No social dominance or power dynamics; player is vulnerable and hunted, emphasizing helplessness."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Strong escapism through immersive horror atmosphere and tension, providing distraction from real life."

    Capsule for [Chilla's Art] Night Security | 夜間警備 [Chilla's Art] Night Security | 夜間警備

    "Strong escapism through immersive horror atmosphere and tension, providing distraction from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for nostalgia and enjoyment, no obligation or external pressure noted."

    Capsule for GIGANTIC ARMY GIGANTIC ARMY

    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and nostalgia, no obligation or external pressure noted."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    1

    "Some experimentation with camera mechanics and puzzle solving, but mostly routine gameplay."

    Capsule for Lights Off! Lights Off!

    "Some experimentation with camera modes and puzzle approaches, but mostly linear gameplay."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    2

    "Players explore a few distinct locations and discover secrets, but environment is small and linear."

    Capsule for The Secret of Tremendous Corporation The Secret of Tremendous Corporation

    "Players explore a confined map with some secrets and notes to discover, though environment is small."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -5

    "No character customization or player expression features."

    Capsule for Poppy Playtime Poppy Playtime

    "No character customization or player expression features."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Engages players in a fictional horror scenario with supernatural elements and story."

    Capsule for The Cabin Factory The Cabin Factory

    "Engages players in a fictional horror scenario with a supernatural slasher villain and stylized setting."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Primarily solo play with minimal social connection; some players mention playing with friends but no in-game social features."

    Capsule for I'm on Observation Duty 2 I'm on Observation Duty 2

    "Primarily solo play; some players stream or play with friends via voice chat but no in-game social features."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    2

    "Players develop skills in timing and puzzle solving, though learning curve is moderate and game is short."

    Capsule for Toby: The Secret Mine Toby: The Secret Mine

    "Players develop skill in tank controls and puzzle solving, though learning curve is moderate and game is short."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    Capsule for DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires focused attention and coordination; not suited for background or idle play."

    Capsule for Holdfast: Nations At War Holdfast: Nations At War

    "Requires focused attention due to tension and chase mechanics; not suited for background or idle play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No close social or emotional relationships formed within the game."

    Capsule for RollerCoaster Tycoon® 3: Complete Edition RollerCoaster Tycoon® 3: Complete Edition

    "No close social or emotional relationships formed within the game."

  • 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

    3

    "Players collect items and unlock new areas to advance the story and puzzles."

    Capsule for Hello Neighbor 2 Alpha 1.5 Hello Neighbor 2 Alpha 1.5

    "Players collect items and unlock new areas to progress through the story and puzzles."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -3

    "Game induces tension and suspense rather than relaxation or flow."

    Capsule for Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach

    "Game induces tension and suspense rather than relaxation or flow."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Strong sensory stimulation through atmospheric visuals, sound design, and jump scares."

    Capsule for Until Dawn™ Until Dawn™

    "Strong sensory stimulation through atmospheric sound design, jump scares, and retro visuals."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems."

    Capsule for Alan Wake Alan Wake

    "No social recognition or status systems."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Light narrative with some story elements and historical context, but minimal plot depth."

    Capsule for GET OUT! GET OUT!

    "Simple narrative with some lore notes and atmosphere, but minimal plot depth."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    1

    "Some basic puzzle solving and stealth strategy required, but overall gameplay is simple and straightforward."

    Capsule for Devolverland Expo Devolverland Expo

    "Basic puzzle solving and stealth tactics required, but overall straightforward gameplay."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    4

    "High suspense and jump scares provide thrill and tension."

    Capsule for Find Yourself Find Yourself

    "High suspense and jump scare moments create strong thrill and tension."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Generally perceived as good value for price and gameplay length, though some mention short duration."

    Capsule for Sharks and Minnows Sharks and Minnows

    "Generally considered good value for price given short length and entertainment; some feel price is high for duration."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "The game involves murder and executions as central themes, with stylized violent content."

    Capsule for Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

    "Violence is central theme with a slasher villain and player being hunted and killed."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    4

    "Core gameplay involves avoiding death and escaping threats."

    Capsule for Haunted Gas Station Haunted Gas Station

    "Core gameplay revolves around avoiding death, hiding, and escaping the killer."

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Last update: 01/06/2026