Toby: The Secret Mine similar games & best alternatives

Toby: The Secret Mine

Mac, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Nintendo Switch, Wii U, Xbox One, Android, iOS • 2015

Should you play it?

A challenging puzzle platformer inspired by games like Limbo and Badland.

What works
  • Charming atmospheric visuals
  • Engaging puzzle-platformer gameplay
  • Intuitive controls
  • Two alternate endings
  • Pleasant soundtrack
Things to keep in mind
  • Short game length
  • Limited replay value
  • Some bugs and glitches reported
  • Lack of originality compared to limbo
  • Some frustrating trial-and-error moments

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Small Radios Big Televisions

  • Expand

  • Verde Station

  • Etherborn

  • Samsara Room

  • Hiiro

  • Planet of the Eyes

  • SILT

  • Cats are Liquid - A Light in the Shadows
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Small Radios Big Televisions

  • Expand

  • Verde Station
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Autonomy

    Mr. Hopp's Playhouse
  • Competence

    Adventures of Pip
  • Escapism

    Q.U.B.E. 2

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).

Toby: The Secret Mine: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Status. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Value, Continuation, Violence.

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 character's movement and decisions, including exploration and puzzle solving, with some freedom in approach."

    Capsule for Mr. Hopp's Playhouse Mr. Hopp's Playhouse

    "Players control the character's movement and decisions in puzzle-platforming, with some freedom in exploration and puzzle solving."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "The game offers a moderate challenge with platforming and puzzle elements that require skillful timing and problem solving, though not overly difficult."

    Capsule for Adventures of Pip Adventures of Pip

    "The game offers moderate challenge with puzzles and timing-based platforming requiring skill and reaction, but not overly difficult."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on individual puzzle solving and personal progress without competitive or ranked elements."

    Capsule for Moncage Moncage

    "Focus is on individual progress and puzzle solving without competitive or ranked elements."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    -3

    "Short game length (~2-4 hours) and limited replay value reduce habitual or long session play."

    Capsule for A Case of Distrust A Case of Distrust

    "Short game length (~2-4 hours) and limited replay value reduce habitual or long session play."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Accounting+ Accounting+

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

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players engage in puzzle solving and exploration but limited creation or modification of game elements."

    Capsule for Amanda the Adventurer 2 Amanda the Adventurer 2

    "Players engage in puzzle solving and exploration with some hidden collectibles, but limited creation or modification."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; single-player experience."

    Capsule for ITORAH ITORAH

    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; purely single-player."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    3

    "Atmospheric and immersive environment provides a relaxing escape from reality."

    Capsule for Q.U.B.E. 2 Q.U.B.E. 2

    "Atmospheric and immersive gameplay provides a relaxing escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and challenge, not out of obligation."

    Capsule for Thief Thief

    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and challenge, not out of obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    2

    "Some puzzle experimentation and exploration encouraged, though mostly within established gameplay routines."

    Capsule for Milkmaid of the Milky Way Milkmaid of the Milky Way

    "Some exploration and puzzle experimentation encouraged, though gameplay largely follows established platformer conventions."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    2

    "Game features hidden areas and collectibles that reward curiosity and exploration."

    Capsule for REANIMAL REANIMAL

    "Game includes hidden areas and collectibles encouraging curiosity-driven exploration."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Limited customization or self-expression; players mainly experience preset characters and environments."

    Capsule for Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala

    "Limited customization or self-expression; character and environment visuals are preset."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Imaginative, stylized world with a fictional narrative and mystical elements."

    Capsule for Jusant Jusant

    "Imaginative, stylized world with a fictional story and fantasy elements."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community features; strictly solo play."

    Capsule for The Red Stare The Red Stare

    "No social or community features; strictly solo play."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    2

    "Players develop coordination and puzzle-solving skills, though learning curve is moderate."

    Capsule for Space Farmers Space Farmers

    "Players develop skills in timing 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 involved."

    Capsule for World of Tanks Blitz World of Tanks Blitz

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement during play sessions."

    Capsule for EMPTY SHELL: PROLOGUE EMPTY SHELL: PROLOGUE

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement during play sessions."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No social or emotional relationship building; single-player experience."

    Capsule for Tomba! Special Edition Tomba! Special Edition

    "No social or emotional relationship building; single-player experience."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements present."

    Capsule for Trover Saves the Universe Trover Saves the Universe

    "No leadership or group management elements present."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Progression through levels and story with multiple endings and achievements."

    Capsule for Chronigma Chronigma

    "Progression through levels and rescuing friends, with collectible achievements and two endings."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Atmospheric music and visuals create a calming, immersive experience despite emotional intensity."

    Capsule for Everlasting Summer Everlasting Summer

    "Atmospheric music and visuals create a calming experience despite some challenging moments."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Enjoyable visual style and sound design provide sensory pleasure and emotional engagement."

    Capsule for Bad North: Jotunn Edition Bad North: Jotunn Edition

    "Enjoyable visual and auditory aesthetics with some emotional engagement."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems involved."

    Capsule for MADiSON MADiSON

    "No social recognition or status systems involved."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

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

    Capsule for The Night of the Scissors The Night of the Scissors

    "Simple narrative with two endings, but minimal dialogue or deep plot."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    2

    "Requires some planning and timing to solve puzzles, but generally straightforward."

    Capsule for Oik Oik

    "Requires some problem solving and timing strategy, but puzzles are generally straightforward."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    1

    "Some suspense from stealth and timing elements, but overall low risk and tension."

    Capsule for See No Evil See No Evil

    "Some suspense from timing challenges and traps, but overall low risk and tension."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    -2

    "Short length and limited replayability make full price questionable; better value on sale."

    Capsule for Jazzpunk: Director's Cut Jazzpunk: Director's Cut

    "Short length and limited replay value make full price questionable; better value on sale."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -3

    "Minimal violence; focus on avoidance rather than combat or destruction."

    Capsule for Color Symphony Color Symphony

    "Minimal violence; focus on avoiding hazards rather than combat or destruction."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    1

    "Avoiding hazards and death is a core mechanic, but threat level is moderate and manageable."

    Capsule for Cats are Liquid - A Light in the Shadows Cats are Liquid - A Light in the Shadows

    "Avoiding death and hazards is a core mechanic, but threats are predictable and manageable."

Come talk about it on Discord!

Last update: 01/06/2026