A guard walks into a tavern similar games & best alternatives

A guard walks into a tavern - a-guard-walks-into-a-tavern_1.avif
A guard walks into a tavern - a-guard-walks-into-a-tavern_2.avif
A guard walks into a tavern - a-guard-walks-into-a-tavern_3.avif
A guard walks into a tavern - a-guard-walks-into-a-tavern_4.avif
A guard walks into a tavern - a-guard-walks-into-a-tavern_5.avif
A guard walks into a tavern - a-guard-walks-into-a-tavern_6.avif

A guard walks into a tavern

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2023

Should you play it?

You are a guard whose job is to post bounties. Try your best to deal with various matters and make money to raise your family. But remember, when various factions come to you, you will have to make choices!

What works
  • Deep and immersive narrative
  • Complex management and strategy systems
  • High replayability with multiple endings
  • Unique blend of fantasy and political intrigue
  • Meaningful player choices with consequences
Things to keep in mind
  • Clunky and unintuitive ui
  • Repetitive music and minimal sound design
  • Bugs and technical issues at launch
  • Slow pacing and text-heavy gameplay
  • Some mechanics feel under-explained or tedious

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Yes, Your Grace 2: Snowfall

  • Black Closet

  • 60 Parsecs!

  • Dead In Vinland

  • Frostpunk 2

  • Monster Girls and the Mysterious Adventure 2

  • King of Dragon Pass

  • Dungeon Inn

  • Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Black Closet

  • Monster Girls and the Mysterious Adventure 2

  • King of Dragon Pass
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Fantasy

    Tactics Ogre: Reborn
  • Story

    Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy Remastered
  • Autonomy

    Total War: THREE KINGDOMS

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).

A guard walks into a tavern: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Domination. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Sensation, Violence.

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

    4

    "Players have freedom to choose factions, characters, and strategies with many meaningful decisions in diplomacy, army composition, and character development."

    Capsule for Total War: THREE KINGDOMS Total War: THREE KINGDOMS

    "Players make many meaningful decisions affecting story, resource management, and faction relations, with freedom to choose how to handle contracts and alliances."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "The game involves tactical combat, hero and unit progression, and strategic resource management, providing skill challenges and feedback."

    Capsule for Disciples II: Gallean's Return Disciples II: Gallean's Return

    "Game involves strategic planning, resource allocation, and managing hero assignments, requiring skillful decision-making and adaptation."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on personal story progression and survival rather than competing against other players."

    Capsule for Chernobylite Complete Edition Chernobylite Complete Edition

    "Focus is on managing personal progress and story outcomes rather than competing against other players."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Multiple endings, branching storylines, and side stories encourage replay and extended engagement."

    Capsule for The Haunted Building The Haunted Building

    "Multiple storylines, randomized events, and numerous endings encourage replay and extended engagement."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    1

    "Interactions mostly involve helping NPCs through quests but no multiplayer or direct player cooperation."

    Capsule for Kraken Academy!! Kraken Academy!!

    "Some interaction with heroes and NPCs involves cooperation, but largely player manages independently."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players can experiment with different strategies and unit combinations but within predefined game mechanics and structures."

    Capsule for Supremacy: 1914 Supremacy: 1914

    "Players can experiment with different strategies, alliances, and economic manipulations, though within structured systems."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    2

    "Players can exert control by sabotaging others and stealing money, creating social tension and dominance dynamics."

    Capsule for KEEP GAMBLING KEEP GAMBLING

    "Players can exploit heroes and manipulate factions, exerting control and influence over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Dark fantasy setting and immersive story provide a strong escape from real life through exploration and roleplaying."

    Capsule for Disciples: Liberation Disciples: Liberation

    "Provides an immersive fantasy world with dark narrative and role-playing elements that allow escape from reality."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -3

    "Engagement driven by intrinsic interest and personal desire rather than obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Memoness Memoness

    "Engagement appears driven by intrinsic interest and personal choice rather than obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Encourages trying different choices and exploring alternate story paths."

    Capsule for As Dusk Falls As Dusk Falls

    "Encourages trying different decisions, exploring multiple story paths, and testing various management approaches."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Players explore multiple locations on a city map and uncover hidden story elements and secrets."

    Capsule for Insects Awaken Insects Awaken

    "Players can visit various city locations and uncover hidden events, contributing to discovery."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    1

    "Limited character customization; expression mainly through strategic choices and city design."

    Capsule for Knights and Merchants Knights and Merchants

    "Limited character customization, but some personalization through economic and strategic choices."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Strong fantasy setting with political intrigue, magic, mythical creatures, and imaginative fiction"

    Capsule for Tactics Ogre: Reborn Tactics Ogre: Reborn

    "Strong fantasy setting with monsters, magic, and dark political intrigue."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    0

    "Primarily single-player with NPC interactions; no strong community or multiplayer focus."

    Capsule for Little Kitty, Big City Little Kitty, Big City

    "Minimal social community aspects; focus is on single-player experience with NPC interactions."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop reasoning skills, puzzle-solving ability, and narrative understanding through gameplay."

    Capsule for Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy

    "Players develop skills in management, strategy, and narrative understanding through gameplay."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

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    "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements."

    Capsule for Nefarious Nefarious

    "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention on resource management and decision-making; not suited for passive or background play."

    Capsule for The Pale Beyond The Pale Beyond

    "Requires focused attention on management and decision-making; not suited for passive or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    1

    "Some relationship building with NPCs and family, but limited emotional depth and social bonding."

    Capsule for Kynseed Kynseed

    "Some personal relationship management with family and NPCs, but limited emotional depth."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    3

    "Player leads and manages a party of characters, making strategic decisions."

    Capsule for Dream Tactics Dream Tactics

    "Player leads and manages heroes and factions, making authoritative decisions."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Progression through acquiring resources, upgrading home, and unlocking story endings and achievements."

    Capsule for My Lovely Daughter My Lovely Daughter

    "Progression through acquiring resources, upgrading heroes, and unlocking story content."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

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    "Gameplay is intense and fast-paced, with moments of tension rather than pure relaxation."

    Capsule for Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts

    "Gameplay involves tension and difficult choices, though pacing is slow and contemplative rather than stressful."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    -2

    "Minimal sensory stimulation due to simple graphics and limited sound; focus is on text and strategy."

    Capsule for Avadon: The Black Fortress Avadon: The Black Fortress

    "Minimal sensory stimulation due to simple visuals and repetitive music; focus on text and strategy."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "No social recognition or multiplayer status systems; achievements are personal."

    Capsule for Dead Effect Dead Effect

    "No social recognition or multiplayer status systems; achievements are personal and narrative-based."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Strong narrative focus with branching storylines and multiple endings."

    Capsule for Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy Remastered Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy Remastered

    "Strong narrative focus with branching storylines, moral complexity, and multiple endings."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Requires strategic thinking in resource management, city layout, and military planning."

    Capsule for Grand Ages: Rome Grand Ages: Rome

    "Requires strategic thinking in resource management, faction relations, and mission assignments."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Tension arises from timed decisions and consequences, creating suspense without high-risk gameplay."

    Capsule for Lacuna – A Sci-Fi Noir Adventure Lacuna – A Sci-Fi Noir Adventure

    "Tension arises from uncertain consequences and political intrigue, though gameplay is slow-paced."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

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    "Mixed player opinions on value; some praise content and length, others criticize pacing and bugs affecting experience."

    Capsule for Legend Of Mercy 神医魔导 Legend Of Mercy 神医魔导

    "Mixed player opinions on value; some praise depth and originality, others note bugs and slow pacing."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -3

    "Combat is indirect and minimal; focus is on support and survival rather than direct violence."

    Capsule for Siege Survival: Gloria Victis Prologue Siege Survival: Gloria Victis Prologue

    "Combat is indirect and managed through heroes; player does not engage directly in violent actions."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    4

    "Survival elements include resource management, avoiding threats, and strategic defense."

    Capsule for Fallout 2: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game Fallout 2: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game

    "Survival elements include managing resources, balancing faction satisfaction, and avoiding game-ending failures."

Last update: 09/07/2026