Wretched Depths similar games & best alternatives

Wretched Depths

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2023

Should you play it?

Play as Sam and fish to your hearts content, sell fish you've caught, collect better gear, and use it to explore the depths of the mysterious lake, but be warned as no one knows what lies at the bottom. Wretched Depths is a PSX-style horror fishing game created by students at the University of Utah.

What works
  • Great atmosphere and spooky vibe
  • Simple and accessible fishing mechanics
  • Engaging lovecraftian story elements
  • Polished for a free student project
  • Charming retro psx-style graphics and music
Things to keep in mind
  • Short length and limited content
  • Lack of inventory upgrades and customization
  • Some ui and gameplay annoyances (e.g. inventory management)
  • Abrupt or underdeveloped story ending
  • 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

  • Cognition Method: Initiation

  • Aurora Hills: Chapter 1

  • Gravitas

  • Isle of Ewe

  • Porcelain Tales

  • Slender Threads: Prologue

  • Time Lock VR 1

  • Lake Haven - Chrysalis

  • Trick & Treat
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Lake Haven - Chrysalis

  • Elong Plug

  • Slender Threads
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Escapism

    Penko Park
  • Fantasy

    X-COM: Terror From the Deep
  • Value

    Atma

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).

Wretched Depths: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Competition, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Thrill. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, 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, choose fishing spots, and upgrade their boat, indicating control over actions."

    Capsule for UMIGARI | ウミガリ UMIGARI | ウミガリ

    "Players have freedom to explore the lake, choose fishing spots, and decide which fish to catch and sell, though some constraints exist like limited inventory and fixed story progression."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    2

    "Fishing has a skill component with two difficulty modes, but overall gameplay is simple and accessible with minimal challenge."

    Capsule for Luna's Fishing Garden Luna's Fishing Garden

    "Fishing mechanics provide a moderate challenge with skill-based reeling and lure depth control, but overall gameplay is simple and accessible."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on personal progression and exploration without any player-vs-player or leaderboard elements."

    Capsule for Lumberjacked Lumberjacked

    "Focus is on personal exploration and progression without any player-vs-player or leaderboard elements."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Players express excitement to continue playing and replay levels, though the current content is short, limiting long habitual play."

    Capsule for Forgive Me Father 2 Forgive Me Father 2

    "Players express desire to keep playing and exploring despite the short length; some mention habitual play and anticipation for updates."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Gameplay is entirely single-player with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

    Capsule for Train Station Renovation Train Station Renovation

    "Gameplay is entirely single-player with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players explore and uncover story through environmental storytelling and item collection; limited player creation or modification."

    Capsule for Hollowbody Hollowbody

    "Players can explore and uncover story elements and fish variety, but limited customization or building; some creative narrative and atmosphere elements."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; interactions are equal and non-competitive."

    Capsule for Kiosk Kiosk

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; interactions are neutral and non-competitive."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as a relaxing, immersive escape into a whimsical and sometimes spooky world."

    Capsule for Penko Park Penko Park

    "Players use the game as a relaxing yet spooky escape from reality, enjoying atmosphere and distraction."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment, with no obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for InfraSpace InfraSpace

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment, with no obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    2

    "Players explore different lakes, lures, and fishing techniques, though some mechanics are repetitive."

    Capsule for Bassmaster® Fishing Bassmaster® Fishing

    "Some exploration of mechanics and fishing strategies, but limited by straightforward gameplay and short length."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Players explore varied locations and environments, uncovering story elements and secrets."

    Capsule for The Drifter The Drifter

    "Players explore the lake environment, uncover secrets, and discover new fish and story elements."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -2

    "Limited character customization; players use predefined characters and abilities with minimal cosmetic modification."

    Capsule for Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince

    "Minimal character customization; some players note desire for more cosmetic options but currently limited to preset visuals."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Strong Lovecraftian and sci-fi horror themes create an imaginative, fictional experience."

    Capsule for X-COM: Terror From the Deep X-COM: Terror From the Deep

    "Strong Lovecraftian horror and supernatural themes create an imaginative and eerie fictional experience."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Primarily a solo experience with little social interaction or community involvement."

    Capsule for Murder by Numbers Murder by Numbers

    "Primarily a solo experience with little social interaction or community involvement."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop skills and knowledge about fish and upgrades, though learning curve is mild."

    Capsule for Fishing Inc Fishing Inc

    "Players develop fishing skills and progress through upgrades and story discovery, though learning curve is moderate."

  • 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

    -3

    "Requires focused attention during fishing; not suitable for background or idle play."

    Capsule for Ice Lakes Ice Lakes

    "Requires focused attention during fishing and exploration; not designed for passive or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Limited social or emotional connections; interactions are brief and surface-level."

    Capsule for Elong Plug Elong Plug

    "Limited social or emotional connections; interactions are brief and functional rather than deep or personal."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles present in gameplay."

    Capsule for Typoman Typoman

    "No leadership or management roles present in gameplay or narrative."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Progression through upgrades and reaching deeper fishing levels."

    Capsule for Beneath The Surface Beneath The Surface

    "Players accumulate better fishing gear and unlock new fish types, progressing through upgrades and story."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Gameplay balances calm fishing with moments of tension and dread, providing a flow experience."

    Capsule for DREDGE DREDGE

    "Fishing mechanics and ambient atmosphere provide a relaxing experience with occasional suspense."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Enjoyable retro visuals and music create pleasant sensory experience, though not intense stimulation."

    Capsule for Space Pilgrim Episode IV: Sol Space Pilgrim Episode IV: Sol

    "Enjoyable retro visuals, music, and eerie sounds provide sensory engagement without overwhelming stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "No social recognition or status systems; achievements and visibility are minimal or absent."

    Capsule for Stalingrad Stalingrad

    "No social recognition or status systems; achievements and visibility are minimal or absent."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "Narrative and lore elements are present and engage players, though story is short and somewhat anticlimactic."

    Capsule for Escape First Alchemist ⚗️ Escape First Alchemist ⚗️

    "Narrative and lore elements are present and engaging, though some players find story underdeveloped or abrupt."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    1

    "Some light strategy in choosing upgrades and fishing spots, but overall straightforward gameplay."

    Capsule for Fishing Inc Fishing Inc

    "Basic planning involved in fishing gear upgrades and lure use, but overall gameplay is straightforward with limited strategic depth."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Some suspenseful moments and mild scares, especially early in the game, but overall controlled tension."

    Capsule for Nancy Drew®: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake Nancy Drew®: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake

    "Some suspense and mild scares create moments of tension, balanced with relaxing gameplay."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Highly praised for being a free, polished, and artistic experience with good return on time invested."

    Capsule for Atma Atma

    "Highly praised for being a free, polished, and enjoyable experience with good return on time invested."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -3

    "Focus on fishing and survival rather than combat or destruction."

    Capsule for Voodoo Fishin' Voodoo Fishin'

    "Focus on fishing and exploration rather than combat or destruction; some body horror elements but no direct violence."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -3

    "No survival mechanics; environment is stable with no threats requiring resource management."

    Capsule for Bucket Detective Bucket Detective

    "No survival mechanics or threats requiring resource management; environment is stable and low risk."

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Last update: 01/06/2026