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Yesterday similar games & best alternatives

Yesterday

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2012

Related articles

Quick resume

Yesterday is a thrilling and dark mystery from the masters of adventure, Pendulo Studios.

Global score

83/100

Genres

Adventure, Strategy, Indie

Similar games

    Pros

    • Engaging dark story with plot twists
    • Logical and integrated puzzles with hint system
    • Unique comic book visual style
    • Multiple endings and replay options
    • Immersive atmosphere and voice acting

    Cons

    • Very short gameplay duration
    • Limited character development
    • Some awkward animations and lip-sync
    • Linear and straightforward puzzle design
    • Lack of save system beyond autosave

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Competition. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Survival, Continuation, Value.

    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 control multiple characters and make dialogue choices affecting endings, indicating moderate autonomy."

    • Competence
      2

      "Puzzles are logical and moderately challenging but mostly straightforward with a hint system, supporting skillful problem solving."

    • Competition
      -5

      "No competitive elements or player comparison; focus is on personal story progression."

    • Continuation
      -3

      "Short game length (~3-6 hours) and low replay value limit habitual or long-term engagement."

    • Cooperation
      -5

      "Single-player experience with no cooperative gameplay."

    • Creativity
      2

      "Players combine items and explore story branches, allowing some creative problem solving within a structured narrative."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Dark, mysterious story and immersive atmosphere provide strong escape from reality."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for intrinsic interest in story and puzzles, not out of obligation."

    • Experimenting
      1

      "Some exploration of dialogue options and puzzle solutions, but mostly follows a linear narrative."

    • Exploration
      1

      "Exploration of different locations and flashbacks, but limited by few locations and short length."

    • Expression
      -3

      "Limited character customization; expression mainly through dialogue choices and story."

    • Fantasy
      4

      "Supernatural themes, occult, immortality, and dark thriller elements strongly emphasize fantasy."

    • Fellowship
      -5

      "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social interaction."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players learn story details and solve puzzles, gaining knowledge and problem-solving skills."

    • Health
      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires focused attention and engagement throughout; no background or idle play."

    • Intimacy
      -4

      "Limited emotional connection mostly through story; no social or close relationship building."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management elements."

    • Progression
      3

      "Progression through story advancement, puzzle solving, and unlocking multiple endings."

    • Relaxation
      2

      "Atmosphere is immersive and dark but not overly tense; some players find it engaging and relaxing."

    • Sensation
      2

      "Visual comic style and soundtrack provide moderate sensory stimulation."

    • Status
      -5

      "No social recognition or status elements."

    • Story
      5

      "Strong narrative focus with multiple endings, complex plot, and character-driven story."

    • Strategy
      1

      "Puzzles require some logical thinking but overall straightforward and linear gameplay."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Dark thriller elements and plot twists provide suspense and tension."

    • Value
      0

      "Mixed opinions on value due to short length; recommended mostly on sale."

    • Violence
      3

      "Themes include murder, torture, and occult violence, though not graphically explicit."

    • Survival
      -3

      "No survival mechanics; story involves danger but gameplay is safe and puzzle-focused."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026