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The World Next Door similar games & best alternatives

The World Next Door

PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Mac • 2019

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Quick resume

An addictive mix of lightning-fast puzzle battles, powerful storytelling and immersive visual novel elements, The World Next Door follows Jun, a rebellious teen girl trapped in a parallel realm inhabited by magical creatures, who must find her way home before time runs out.

Global score

80/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Indie, Visual Novel, Puzzle

Similar games

    Pros

    • Unique and engaging combat system
    • Beautiful art and character design
    • Charming story and characters
    • Relaxing soundtrack and atmosphere
    • Accessible difficulty with assist mode

    Cons

    • Short game length
    • Some combat control issues and jankiness
    • Abrupt and incomplete feeling ending
    • Limited character development depth
    • Minimal replayability and branching

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Intimacy, Survival, Violence, Competition. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Survival, Leadership. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Continuation.

    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 can make dialogue choices affecting character interactions and select companions for battles, indicating some control over actions and decisions."

    • Competence
      3

      "Combat involves skillful real-time match-3 puzzle mechanics with strategic spellcasting and dodging, providing a moderate challenge."

    • Competition
      -3

      "Focus is on single-player story and puzzles with minimal competitive elements; multiplayer versus mode exists but is rarely mentioned."

    • Continuation
      -4

      "Game is short (3-6 hours), with some players finishing in one or two sittings; limited replayability due to linear story and few endings."

    • Cooperation
      1

      "Players can invite friends into battles for buffs, but mostly gameplay and story are single-player focused with limited cooperation."

    • Creativity
      3

      "Unique combat system mixing match-3 with movement and spellcasting; players customize party composition and dialogue choices."

    • Domination
      -5

      "Interactions emphasize friendship and equal relationships; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players enjoy immersion in a magical alternate world with charming characters and story, providing a pleasant escape from reality."

    • Expectation
      -5

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or external pressure to play."

    • Experimenting
      2

      "Players try different strategies in combat and explore dialogue options, though story progression is mostly linear."

    • Exploration
      2

      "Players explore a small world with shrines and side quests, discovering character stories and optional puzzles."

    • Expression
      2

      "Players express themselves through dialogue choices and party selection, though character customization is limited."

    • Fantasy
      5

      "Set in a magical alternate dimension with fantastical creatures and magic, strongly embodying imaginative fiction."

    • Fellowship
      3

      "Strong emphasis on friendships and community among characters; players build relationships through dialogue and side quests."

    • Growth
      2

      "Players learn combat mechanics and develop strategies; story offers some character development but limited depth."

    • Health
      -5

      "Game is sedentary with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention during combat and story segments; not designed for background or idle play."

    • Intimacy
      3

      "Players form meaningful connections with characters through dialogue and side quests, fostering emotional engagement."

    • Leadership
      1

      "Players select party members and manage combat roles but do not lead or manage groups beyond this."

    • Progression
      3

      "Players collect items, complete side quests, and unlock abilities; some achievements tied to progression."

    • Relaxation
      3

      "Generally relaxing and charming experience with a chill soundtrack and moderate challenge."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Enjoyable visual art, music, and sound design provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

    • Status
      -4

      "Game focuses on personal story and relationships without social recognition or status competition."

    • Story
      4

      "Narrative-driven with character interactions, dialogue choices, and an overarching plot, though some find ending abrupt."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Combat requires planning spell combos, positioning, and timing to overcome enemies effectively."

    • Thrill
      1

      "Some tension in combat due to enemy attacks and time pressure, but overall experience is more relaxing than thrilling."

    • Value
      3

      "Generally considered good value especially on sale; short length noted but quality and charm appreciated."

    • Violence
      1

      "Combat involves magical attacks on enemies but is stylized and not focused on graphic violence."

    • Survival
      2

      "Players manage health and avoid damage in combat to survive battles; failure results in minor setbacks."

    Last update: 29/04/2026