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Varenje similar games & best alternatives

Varenje

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Linux • 2018

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Quick resume

Varenje is a cute colorful adventure with a number of puzzles and mini-games made by artists for anyone that considers games to be an art.

Global score

87/100

Genres

Adventure, Casual, Indie, Free To Play, Point-and-click, Puzzle

Similar games

    Pros

    • Beautiful hand-drawn art style
    • Relaxing music and atmosphere
    • Intuitive and casual puzzle gameplay
    • Free first chapter to try
    • Unique and intriguing narrative twist

    Cons

    • Short overall game length
    • Some puzzles unclear or confusing
    • Technical bugs and glitches reported
    • Story cutscenes feel out of place or disturbing
    • Lack of tutorial or instructions

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Fellowship, Expression. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Thrill, Survival, Story.

    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
      4

      "Players explore freely, solve puzzles at their own pace, and can skip difficult puzzles, indicating high player control."

    • Competence
      2

      "Puzzles vary in difficulty with some requiring thought, but many are easy or skippable, providing moderate skill challenge."

    • Competition
      -5

      "No competitive elements or player comparison; focus is on individual puzzle solving and hidden object searching."

    • Continuation
      1

      "Some players report short playtime but express desire to continue with DLC; overall moderate habitual engagement."

    • Cooperation
      -5

      "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay mentioned."

    • Creativity
      3

      "Players engage in puzzle solving and exploration in a richly detailed, hand-drawn world, encouraging creative problem solving."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; gameplay is solitary and non-confrontational."

    • Escapism
      4

      "The surreal, colorful world and story provide an escape from reality, with players enjoying immersion in a whimsical setting."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for relaxation and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      2

      "Players explore puzzles and hidden objects with some trial and error, but gameplay largely follows established hidden object mechanics."

    • Exploration
      3

      "Players discover new areas and hidden items in a colorful, detailed environment, encouraging curiosity-driven activities."

    • Expression
      -3

      "No character customization or avatar personalization; presentation is fixed and standardized."

    • Fantasy
      3

      "The game features a surreal, whimsical world with fantastical elements and a meta-narrative involving hallucinations."

    • Fellowship
      -5

      "No social or community features; gameplay is solitary and individual."

    • Growth
      2

      "Players develop observation and puzzle-solving skills, though learning curve is moderate and puzzles are mostly straightforward."

    • Health
      -5

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

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires active attention to find objects and solve puzzles; not designed for passive or background play."

    • Intimacy
      -5

      "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions within the game."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management roles; gameplay is individual and self-directed."

    • Progression
      3

      "Players collect items and unlock new areas and achievements, showing a sense of advancement and accumulation."

    • Relaxation
      4

      "Game praised for relaxing atmosphere, soothing music, and casual pace, providing a stress-free experience."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Vibrant colorful graphics and pleasant music provide sensory stimulation and visual enjoyment."

    • Status
      -4

      "Achievements exist but social recognition or popularity is minimal; focus is on personal accomplishment."

    • Story
      2

      "The game includes a narrative with cutscenes, though some find it confusing or out of place; story adds depth beyond gameplay."

    • Strategy
      1

      "Puzzles require some reasoning but are mostly straightforward; limited strategic planning involved."

    • Thrill
      -3

      "Gameplay is calm and low-risk; lacks suspense or intense emotional tension."

    • Value
      2

      "Free first chapter allows trial before purchase; overall considered good value especially on sale."

    • Violence
      -5

      "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus is on constructive puzzle solving and exploration."

    • Survival
      -5

      "No threats or survival mechanics; stable, low-risk environment."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026