The Way similar games & best alternatives

The Way

PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Mac, Xbox One • 2016

Should you play it?

Journey to another planet and discover its secrets in order to bring your loved one back to life. Experience an adventure, inspired by old school classics like Another World, Heart of Darkness and Flashback.

What works
  • Engaging sci-fi story and atmosphere
  • Challenging and varied puzzles
  • Beautiful pixel art and music
  • Nostalgic homage to classic cinematic platformers
  • Well-balanced difficulty for patient players
Things to keep in mind
  • Clunky platforming controls and animations
  • Frustrating checkpoint placement causing repeated retries
  • Some puzzles overly obscure or tedious
  • Lack of manual save and replayability
  • Final sections and ending divisive among players

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • La-Mulana 2

  • La-Mulana

  • Environmental Station Alpha

  • Rain World

  • INSIDE

  • LIMBO

  • Astalon: Tears of the Earth

  • Axiom Verge

  • MO:Astray
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Lethe - Episode One

  • Lamentum

  • Adventures of Pip
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Fantasy

    XCOM® 2
  • Story

    Skyborn
  • Competence

    Candle

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 Way: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression, 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

    3

    "Players have freedom to explore, solve puzzles, and make decisions on how to progress, though some puzzle sequences are linear and require specific actions."

    Capsule for Never Again Never Again

    "Players have freedom to explore, solve puzzles, and choose approaches, though some sequences are linear and scripted."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "The game offers challenging puzzles and platforming sections requiring skill, precision, and problem-solving, with frequent feedback through trial and error."

    Capsule for Candle Candle

    "Game offers challenging puzzles and precise platforming requiring skill and problem-solving, with frequent feedback through trial and error."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

    "Single-player experience focused on personal progress without any comparison or competitive elements."

    Capsule for CAYNE CAYNE

    "Single-player experience focused on personal progress without any competitive elements or comparison to others."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Players report engaging story and atmosphere encouraging continued play, though some frustration with difficulty spikes and bugs may hinder long sessions."

    Capsule for The Darkest Tales The Darkest Tales

    "Players report engaging story and atmosphere that encourage continued play, though some frustration with difficulty and checkpoints may limit long sessions."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of The Baskervilles Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of The Baskervilles

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

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Players engage in creative problem solving for puzzles, though within predefined game structures."

    Capsule for Somewhere in the Shadow Somewhere in the Shadow

    "Players engage in creative problem solving with varied puzzles and mechanics, though within predefined game structures."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No social dominance or power dynamics; experience is solitary and equal."

    Capsule for Anemoiapolis: Chapter 1 Anemoiapolis: Chapter 1

    "No social dominance or power dynamics; experience is solitary and equal."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Immersive story and atmospheric world provide strong escape from real life stresses."

    Capsule for The Banner Saga The Banner Saga

    "Strongly immersive sci-fi story and atmosphere provide escape from real life stresses."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by interest in story, atmosphere, and nostalgia rather than obligation."

    Capsule for Mafia II (Classic) Mafia II (Classic)

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by interest in story, puzzles, and nostalgia, not obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Game encourages trying different forms and puzzle approaches, though some trial and error is involved."

    Capsule for Plazma Being Plazma Being

    "Game encourages trying new puzzle solutions and mechanics, though some trial and error can be repetitive."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Players explore diverse environments and uncover secrets within a linear structure."

    Capsule for Half-Life 2 Half-Life 2

    "Players explore diverse alien environments and uncover secrets, though within linear level design."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -5

    "No character customization or player expression; fixed protagonist and visuals."

    Capsule for Black Mirror II Black Mirror II

    "No character customization or player expression; fixed protagonist and visuals."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Strong sci-fi narrative with alien invasions, futuristic tech, and imaginative settings provide a clear fantasy experience."

    Capsule for XCOM® 2 XCOM® 2

    "Strong sci-fi fantasy narrative with alien worlds, advanced technology, and imaginative story."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "Solo experience with minimal social interaction or community involvement."

    Capsule for INFRA INFRA

    "Solo experience with minimal social interaction or community involvement."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills in timing, puzzle solving, and strategic thinking throughout the game."

    Capsule for Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee® Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee®

    "Players develop skills in puzzle solving, platforming precision, and strategic thinking throughout the game."

  • 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 continuous engagement; not suitable for casual or background play."

    Capsule for Resident Evil Resident Evil

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement; not suitable for casual or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Aporia: Beyond The Valley Aporia: Beyond The Valley

    "No social or emotional intimacy features; solitary narrative experience."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements; single-player focused."

    Capsule for Ghostrunner Ghostrunner

    "No leadership or group management elements; single-player focused."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players accumulate clues, solve puzzles, and unlock story progression, though no item collection or upgrades."

    Capsule for Nancy Drew®: Secrets Can Kill REMASTERED Nancy Drew®: Secrets Can Kill REMASTERED

    "Players progress through story, puzzles, and gain new abilities, though no extensive item collection or upgrades."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -2

    "Atmospheric and beautiful but includes frustrating trial-and-error and challenging bosses causing tension."

    Capsule for Teslagrad Teslagrad

    "Atmospheric and immersive but includes frustrating platforming and challenging puzzles causing tension."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Enjoyable pixel art visuals and atmospheric music provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

    Capsule for Stray Cat Crossing Stray Cat Crossing

    "Enjoyable pixel art visuals and atmospheric music provide sensory pleasure and emotional engagement."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems; individual experience."

    Capsule for The Turing Test The Turing Test

    "No social recognition or status systems; individual experience."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Strong narrative focus with engaging characters and plot driving player motivation."

    Capsule for Skyborn Skyborn

    "Strong narrative focus with emotional sci-fi story driving player motivation and immersion."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Requires logical thinking and planning to solve puzzles and navigate challenges."

    Capsule for Paper Lily - Chapter 1 Paper Lily - Chapter 1

    "Requires logical thinking and planning to solve puzzles and overcome challenges."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    1

    "Some suspense and tension from platforming challenges and enemy encounters, but overall controlled experience."

    Capsule for Tomb Raider: Anniversary Tomb Raider: Anniversary

    "Some suspense and tension from challenging platforming and enemy encounters, but mostly controlled experience."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players perceive good value for price, especially during sales; nostalgic and gameplay value noted."

    Capsule for Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter

    "Players perceive good value for price, especially during sales, with satisfying gameplay and story."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    1

    "Includes combat and monster encounters, but violence is not gratuitous or central focus."

    Capsule for The Crooked Man The Crooked Man

    "Includes combat elements with shooting and enemy encounters, but violence is not gratuitous or central."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players must avoid death from enemies and hazards while managing health and resources."

    Capsule for SHOWTIME 2073 SHOWTIME 2073

    "Players must avoid death from enemies and hazards, requiring careful resource and risk management."

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Last update: 01/06/2026