12 orbits similar games & best alternatives

12 orbits

Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Nintendo Switch • 2016

Should you play it?

12 orbits is the only local multiplayer game for 2-12 people at once, no matter what you play on. A single keyboard, touchscreen or controller will do.

What works
  • Supports up to 12 local players on one device
  • Simple one-button controls accessible to all ages
  • Multiple game modes and modifiers
  • Low price with good value
  • Fun party game fostering social interaction
Things to keep in mind
  • No online multiplayer
  • Limited single-player content
  • Can become repetitive over time
  • Requires physical proximity of players
  • Minimal graphics and sound design

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Chaos

  • Floppy Heroes

  • I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES 1N IT!!!1

  • Totemori

  • Just Another Night Shift

  • Flat Heroes

  • Hockey Super Squad

  • BombTag

  • Perfect Heist

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Floppy Heroes

  • Flat Heroes

  • Ultimate Racing 2D

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Competition

    War Selection

  • Fellowship

    Brain Show: Party Game

  • Value

    Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes

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).

12 orbits: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Status, Domination. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy, Story, Status.

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 a small orb with simple inputs but can freely decide when to switch colors and gravity, allowing personal timing and movement choices."

    Capsule for OVIVO OVIVO

    "Players control their orb with a single button allowing orbiting or dashing, offering simple but meaningful control choices."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Game is easy to learn but hard to master; players improve skills over time and receive feedback through progression and combat."

    Capsule for World of Warplanes World of Warplanes

    "Game modes are easy to learn but hard to master, with skillful timing and strategy rewarded in multiplayer."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    4

    "Strong multiplayer focus with ranked modes and competitive matches against others."

    Capsule for War Selection War Selection

    "Strong competitive multiplayer focus with modes emphasizing outmaneuvering and outscoring opponents."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    1

    "Some players report repeated play sessions and enjoyment, but content is limited and can get boring over time."

    Capsule for Super Totally Ultimate Dad Showdown Super Totally Ultimate Dad Showdown

    "Some players report repeated sessions and party play, but others note limited lasting appeal and eventual boredom."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    2

    "Some multiplayer modes and team-based gameplay encourage cooperation, though much play is solo or against AI."

    Capsule for The Spike Cross The Spike Cross

    "Team modes like Blizzard and Multiball encourage cooperation, though many modes are free-for-all."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players can customize some aspects like character appearance and build monuments, but core gameplay follows preset mechanics."

    Capsule for Idling to Rule the Gods Idling to Rule the Gods

    "Players can customize game modifiers and maps, but core gameplay follows preset mechanics."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -2

    "Interactions are competitive but generally respectful; no reports of trash talk or dominance behaviors."

    Capsule for Terraforming Mars Terraforming Mars

    "Interactions are competitive but generally respectful; no reports of toxic domination or trash talk."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    2

    "Players use the game as a casual distraction and stress relief."

    Capsule for Aeon Command Aeon Command

    "Players use the game as a fun distraction and social outlet, including stress relief in difficult times."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and social reasons, not out of obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for Lethal Company Lethal Company

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and social reasons, not out of obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    2

    "Players try different strategies, powers, and modes, though limited modes constrain experimentation."

    Capsule for Tricky Towers Tricky Towers

    "Modifiers and multiple modes allow players to try different strategies and setups."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    -3

    "Gameplay occurs in small arenas with fixed maps; limited discovery or new area exploration."

    Capsule for Circle of Sumo: Online Rumble! Circle of Sumo: Online Rumble!

    "Gameplay occurs on known maps with limited discovery; focus is on mastering existing arenas."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -2

    "Minimal customization; player expression mainly through choices rather than visual or avatar personalization."

    Capsule for Repair this! Repair this!

    "Minimal customization limited to player color; no avatar personalization or cosmetic expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    -4

    "Game is abstract and minimalistic without strong fictional narrative or roleplay."

    Capsule for WAVESHAPER WAVESHAPER

    "Game is abstract and minimalist, with no narrative or fictional setting."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    4

    "Strong social component with local multiplayer and group play; game fosters community and shared experiences."

    Capsule for Brain Show: Party Game Brain Show: Party Game

    "Strong social component with local multiplayer for up to 12 players, fostering group play and community."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    2

    "Some skill development in mastering timing and strategy, but limited depth and learning curve."

    Capsule for Pretty Girls Panic! Pretty Girls Panic!

    "Skill development and learning curve present, especially in mastering timing and tactics."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Typical sedentary multiplayer game with no physical activity elements."

    Capsule for BACKROOMS: APPREHENSION BACKROOMS: APPREHENSION

    "Sedentary local multiplayer game with no physical activity component."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention and quick reactions during matches; not suited for passive play."

    Capsule for Nidhogg 2 Nidhogg 2

    "Requires active attention and quick reactions during matches; not suited for passive play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    1

    "Social interactions occur but are mostly casual and competitive rather than deeply intimate."

    Capsule for SpeedRunners SpeedRunners

    "Social interactions occur in group settings but are surface-level competitive rather than emotionally intimate."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -2

    "Mostly individual play with some team modes; no strong evidence of leadership roles or group management."

    Capsule for Circle of Sumo: Online Rumble! Circle of Sumo: Online Rumble!

    "Team modes involve cooperation but no explicit leadership or management roles."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    2

    "Progression through collecting orbs and unlocking new areas, though overall game is short and linear."

    Capsule for Etherborn Etherborn

    "Players collect orbs and grow in modes like Trails, showing incremental in-game progression."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    1

    "Some players find the game relaxing and fun, though others note tension from fast timers and competition."

    Capsule for Journey of Greed Journey of Greed

    "Some find the game relaxing and fun, but others note tension and fast-paced competitive stress."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Minimalist visuals and soothing music provide moderate sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for 6180 the moon 6180 the moon

    "Minimalist visuals and sound provide moderate sensory stimulation; music is unobtrusive."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -3

    "No significant social recognition or ranking systems; focus is on casual play."

    Capsule for Drunken Wrestlers Drunken Wrestlers

    "No social status or ranking systems; focus is on casual local play without external recognition."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    -5

    "No narrative or story elements; purely abstract gameplay."

    Capsule for 140 140

    "No narrative or story elements; purely abstract gameplay."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Players use timing, positioning, and character-specific tactics to outplay opponents."

    Capsule for Indie Pogo Indie Pogo

    "Players use timing, positioning, and tactics to outplay opponents in various modes."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Fast-paced, chaotic matches create suspense and excitement."

    Capsule for RoboSquare RoboSquare

    "Fast-paced matches create suspense and excitement, especially in multiplayer chaos."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Highly praised for value; low cost with high replayability and social enjoyment."

    Capsule for Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes

    "Highly praised for low price and replay value in social settings."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    1

    "Gameplay involves destroying abstract shapes, but in a non-graphic, non-violent style."

    Capsule for Nodebuster Nodebuster

    "Game involves 'killing' opponents by hitting orbs, but in a non-graphic, abstract manner."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    2

    "Certain modes involve survival elements like avoiding failure or clearing blocks before they reach the bottom."

    Capsule for Tumblestone Tumblestone

    "Modes involve avoiding elimination and managing positioning to survive longer."

Last update: 10/07/2026