Yesterday similar games & best alternatives

Yesterday

PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS • 2012

Should you play it?

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

What works
  • 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
Things to keep in mind
  • Very short gameplay duration
  • Limited character development
  • Some awkward animations and lip-sync
  • Linear and straightforward puzzle design
  • Lack of save system beyond autosave

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • The Supper

  • Detention

  • Bulb Boy

  • Heaven Does Not Respond

  • Edna & Harvey: Harvey's New Eyes

  • The Last Door - Collector's Edition

  • Alpha Polaris : A Horror Adventure Game

  • Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper

  • Grandpa High on Retro
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Heaven Does Not Respond

  • Northmark: Hour of the Wolf

  • The Interactive Adventures of Dog Mendonça & Pizzaboy®
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Story

    Sakura Santa
  • Escapism

    Theatre Of The Absurd
  • Fantasy

    Among Ashes

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).

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

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 can choose dialogue options and explore multiple endings, showing personal freedom in decisions."

    Capsule for Friendly Fire Friendly Fire

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

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    2

    "Puzzles are logical and moderately challenging with a helpful hint system, allowing players to feel effective without excessive difficulty."

    Capsule for Jolly Rover Jolly Rover

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

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Message Quest Message Quest

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

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    -3

    "Short game length (~3-5 hours) and limited replay value reduce habitual or long-term engagement."

    Capsule for The Walking Dead: Michonne - A Telltale Miniseries The Walking Dead: Michonne - A Telltale Miniseries

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

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Single-player experience with no cooperative gameplay."

    Capsule for Nobody Wants to Die Nobody Wants to Die

    "Single-player experience with no cooperative gameplay."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players creatively solve puzzles and explore different narrative branches, though within predefined story structure."

    Capsule for Zero Escape: The Nonary Games Zero Escape: The Nonary Games

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

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for To the Moon To the Moon

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

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

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

    Capsule for Theatre Of The Absurd Theatre Of The Absurd

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

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for The Guest The Guest

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

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    1

    "Some exploration of different dialogue choices and puzzle approaches, but mostly follows a guided narrative."

    Capsule for Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins

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

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    1

    "Some exploration of environments and revisiting locations, though somewhat linear and repetitive."

    Capsule for Legacy of Kain: Defiance (2003) Legacy of Kain: Defiance (2003)

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

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

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

    Capsule for Randal's Monday Randal's Monday

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

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Strong elements of psychological horror, supernatural themes, and surreal narrative contribute to fantasy experience."

    Capsule for Among Ashes Among Ashes

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

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social interaction."

    Capsule for Nightmare House: The Original Mod Nightmare House: The Original Mod

    "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social interaction."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop problem-solving skills and gain understanding of the story and puzzles."

    Capsule for Follow the meaning Follow the meaning

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

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity."

    Capsule for Microtransaction Simulator Microtransaction Simulator

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for Pumpkin Jack Pumpkin Jack

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

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for Cross of the Dutchman Cross of the Dutchman

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

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements."

    Capsule for High On Life High On Life

    "No leadership or group management elements."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

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

    Capsule for Primordia Primordia

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

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Atmosphere is immersive and sometimes tense but generally balanced; some players find it relaxing."

    Capsule for REVEIL REVEIL

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

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Visual comic style and soundtrack provide sensory engagement, but limited dynamic sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for Soul Gambler Soul Gambler

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

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or status elements."

    Capsule for Pony Island Pony Island

    "No social recognition or status elements."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

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

    Capsule for Sakura Santa Sakura Santa

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

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    1

    "Puzzles require some logical thinking and problem solving, but overall gameplay is straightforward and linear."

    Capsule for Apocalipsis Apocalipsis

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

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Suspenseful plot twists and dark endings create emotional thrill and tension."

    Capsule for Nurse Love Addiction Nurse Love Addiction

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

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    0

    "Mixed opinions on value due to short length; recommended on sale but some find full price less justified."

    Capsule for Iris.Fall Iris.Fall

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

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Themes include abuse and trauma with disturbing imagery, though no combat gameplay; violence is thematic rather than mechanical."

    Capsule for LISA: The First LISA: The First

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

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -3

    "No survival mechanics; story involves danger but gameplay is stable and safe."

    Capsule for The 39 Steps The 39 Steps

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

Come talk about it on Discord!

Last update: 01/06/2026