A Guidebook of Babel similar games & best alternatives

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A Guidebook of Babel

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Nintendo Switch • 2022

Should you play it?

A narrative-driven puzzle adventure game with the butterfly effect at its core. Board the Babel, a mysterious cruise ship that takes you on a whimsical journey to the afterlife. Use a special pen to help fellow travelers fulfill their wishes by rewriting the past, changing how the future unfolds.

What works
  • Unique butterfly effect mechanic
  • Engaging multi-perspective narrative
  • Charming hand-drawn art style
  • Thoughtful puzzle design with notebook system
  • Emotional and imaginative storytelling
Things to keep in mind
  • Slow pacing and some repetitive backtracking
  • Some players find puzzles too easy or hand-holding excessive
  • Translation and localization issues
  • Limited gameplay complexity and replayability
  • Some narrative elements and character portrayals controversial or underdeveloped

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • NORCO

  • Chaos on Deponia

  • Anna's Quest

  • Whispers of a Machine

  • The Dark Eye: Memoria

  • Deponia: The Complete Journey

  • The Journey Down: Chapter Two

  • Edna & Harvey: The Breakout - Anniversary Edition

  • Birth
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • The Journey Down: Chapter Two

  • Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse

  • A Tiny Sticker Tale
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Fantasy

    Deep Sleep: Labyrinth of the Forsaken
  • Story

    Amelie
  • Autonomy

    Bring Me that Shawarma

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 Guidebook of Babel: 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 Strategy, Intimacy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fellowship.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

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    "Players have freedom in narrative choices affecting story outcomes and endings, indicating control over decisions."

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    "Players have control over rewinding and rewriting past events to influence outcomes, allowing freedom in decision-making within the narrative puzzle framework."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

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    "The game involves solving puzzles and combining clues, requiring logical thinking and attention to detail, providing a moderate challenge."

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    "The game involves logical deduction and puzzle solving with a notebook system that supports reasoning, providing a moderate challenge especially in later chapters."

  • Competition

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    "The game is a single-player narrative puzzle adventure with no competitive elements or player comparison."

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  • Continuation

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    "Players engage in multiple chapters and replay to improve scores, showing some habitual play."

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  • Cooperation

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  • Creativity

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    "Unique time manipulation mechanic and diverse characters encourage creative problem solving."

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    "The butterfly effect mechanic and time rewriting system offer creative problem-solving and narrative exploration; the unique world and art style also support creative engagement."

  • Domination

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    "Interactions are narrative-driven with no player dominance or power over others."

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  • Escapism

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    "Strong immersion in a nostalgic, surreal narrative world providing escape from reality."

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    "The surreal afterlife setting and emotional storytelling provide a strong escape from reality and immersion in a whimsical, imaginative world."

  • Expectation

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    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in story and puzzles, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

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  • Experimenting

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    "Players try different drawings and narrative paths to explore varied and unexpected outcomes."

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  • Exploration

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    "Exploration of detailed, surreal environments and uncovering story elements and collectibles drives curiosity."

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    "Exploration of the ship’s various unique areas and uncovering hidden story elements and collectibles motivates curiosity-driven play."

  • Expression

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    "Some character and story customization through choices, but limited avatar or cosmetic personalization."

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    "Some character and story customization through choices and rewriting events, but limited avatar or environment personalization."

  • Fantasy

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    "The game is set in a surreal dream world with supernatural elements and imaginative fiction."

    Capsule for Deep Sleep: Labyrinth of the Forsaken Deep Sleep: Labyrinth of the Forsaken

    "The game is set in a fantastical afterlife with surreal creatures and imaginative settings, emphasizing fictional and mythical elements."

  • Fellowship

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    "The game is a solo experience with minimal social interaction or community involvement."

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    "The game is a solo narrative experience with minimal social or community interaction."

  • Growth

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    "Players develop skills in puzzle solving, deduction, and understanding complex narratives."

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  • Health

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    "The game is sedentary with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

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  • Idle

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    "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles and follow storylines; not suitable for casual or background play."

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  • Intimacy

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    "Emotional connection to characters is emphasized, but no social or interpersonal relationship building with other players."

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  • Leadership

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  • Progression

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  • Relaxation

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  • Sensation

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  • Status

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  • Story

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    "Strong narrative focus with multi-perspective storytelling, emotional depth, and interconnected plotlines."

  • Strategy

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    "Requires logical thinking and planning to solve puzzles and navigate timelines."

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    "Requires logical reasoning and planning to solve puzzles and determine which past events to alter."

  • Thrill

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    "Game is low on suspense or risk; emotional tension is subtle and contemplative rather than thrilling."

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  • Value

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  • Violence

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  • Survival

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    "No survival or threat avoidance mechanics; stable and safe game environment."

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Last update: 10/07/2026