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Arise: A Simple Story similar games & best alternatives

Arise: A Simple Story

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 • 2020

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Quick resume

Embark on an emotional journey of losing the love of one's life. Manipulate time, solve puzzles, reshape surroundings as you push forward into the bittersweet recollections of a past life. This is a story about happiness and hardship, joy and sorrow. A story that all of us will one day experience.

Global score

92/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Platform

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    Pros

    • Beautiful and emotional story
    • Unique time manipulation mechanics
    • Stunning visuals and soundtrack
    • Accessible yet engaging platforming
    • Support for local co-op play

    Cons

    • Camera control limitations
    • Some frustrating platforming sections
    • Short game length
    • Lack of control customization
    • Occasional bugs and janky controls

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      3

      "Players can freely explore environments, solve puzzles with time travel mechanics, and interact with many objects, indicating a moderate level of control over actions."

      Capsule for Time Lock VR 1 Time Lock VR 1

      "Players manipulate time to solve puzzles and progress, allowing personal control over environment and actions."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      2

      "Gameplay involves simple platforming and puzzle-solving with some trial and error; not highly challenging but requires some skill and timing."

      Capsule for Little Nightmares Little Nightmares

      "Gameplay involves platforming and puzzle solving with moderate challenge and skill, including precision jumps and timing."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -4

      "Focus is on personal story progression and emotional experience without competitive elements."

      Capsule for The Walking Dead: The Final Season The Walking Dead: The Final Season

      "Focus is on personal emotional experience and story progression without competitive elements or leaderboards."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      3

      "Players often engage in multiple sessions to explore different story branches and achievements, showing attachment and replay interest."

      Capsule for Rusty Lake: Roots Rusty Lake: Roots

      "Players often engage in multiple sessions to explore collectibles and achievements, showing attachment and replay value."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      1

      "Supports local co-op and multiplayer versus modes, but limited evidence of teamwork or cooperative gameplay beyond shared play."

      Capsule for Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition

      "Supports local co-op play where one player controls character and another controls time, encouraging teamwork."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      4

      "Creative use of time manipulation mechanics and character abilities to solve puzzles and affect environments."

      Capsule for Chronology Chronology

      "Unique time manipulation mechanics and level design encourage creative problem solving and interaction with environment."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -5

      "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; experience is personal and introspective."

      Capsule for IMSCARED IMSCARED

      "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; experience is personal and cooperative."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      5

      "Strong emotional and immersive story experience provides escape from real-life through narrative and atmosphere."

      Capsule for OPUS: Echo of Starsong - Full Bloom Edition OPUS: Echo of Starsong - Full Bloom Edition

      "Strong emotional narrative and immersive atmosphere provide escape from real-life stress and grief."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily driven by intrinsic interest in story and emotional experience."

      Capsule for To the Moon To the Moon

      "Players engage voluntarily driven by intrinsic interest in story and emotional experience."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      3

      "Players try different skills and strategies; some repetition but encouragement to explore mechanics."

      Capsule for The Darkest Tales — Into the Nightmare The Darkest Tales — Into the Nightmare

      "Time manipulation mechanics and varied levels encourage players to try new strategies and explore mechanics."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      3

      "Players explore detailed environments and uncover memories and documents, encouraging discovery."

      Capsule for The Town of Light The Town of Light

      "Players explore diverse, symbolic environments and hidden memories, fostering discovery."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      2

      "Some customization through modules and upgrades, though mostly focused on exploration rather than avatar personalization."

      Capsule for Fractal Block World Fractal Block World

      "Some customization of experience through time control and exploration, but no avatar personalization."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      2

      "Abstract and symbolic narrative with imaginative elements, but grounded in relatable emotional themes."

      Capsule for Bubble People Bubble People

      "Story is allegorical and symbolic with imaginative elements, though grounded in human emotions and life."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      1

      "Some social play via co-op, but most experiences described are solitary and focused on individual progress."

      Capsule for Hellpoint: The Thespian Feast Hellpoint: The Thespian Feast

      "Some social connection via co-op play and community sharing, but primarily a solitary emotional journey."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      3

      "Players develop skills in platforming and puzzle solving, and experience emotional growth through story."

      Capsule for Seen Seen

      "Players develop skills in timing, platforming, and puzzle solving, and gain emotional insight."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

      Capsule for THE ENIGMA MACHINE THE ENIGMA MACHINE

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement due to puzzles and platforming challenges."

      Capsule for Tomb Raider V: Chronicles (2000) Tomb Raider V: Chronicles (2000)

      "Requires focused attention and engagement due to platforming and puzzle challenges."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      3

      "Emotional and intimate themes foster deep personal connection, though social interaction is limited to narrative."

      Capsule for What Comes After What Comes After

      "Emotional narrative fosters deep personal connection and empathy, though limited social interaction."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -4

      "No leadership roles; cooperative play is shared and balanced without authority dynamics."

      Capsule for Shank Shank

      "No leadership roles; cooperative play is shared and supportive without authority."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      3

      "Story progression through chapters and unlocking achievements provides a sense of advancement."

      Capsule for Fluffy Store Fluffy Store

      "Progression through story chapters and collectible memories provides sense of advancement."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      3

      "Calming music and visuals create a soothing atmosphere despite occasional mental challenge."

      Capsule for Manifold Garden Manifold Garden

      "Generally soothing and emotional experience with moments of challenge balanced by calming visuals and music."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      4

      "Rich audiovisual presentation with detailed pixel art, dynamic effects, and a celebrated soundtrack provide strong sensory stimulation."

      Capsule for Earthion Earthion

      "Rich audiovisual presentation with beautiful graphics and emotional soundtrack provides strong sensory stimulation."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -5

      "No social status or recognition systems; focus is on personal experience."

      Capsule for Brothers - A Tale of Two Sons Brothers - A Tale of Two Sons

      "No social status or recognition systems; focus is on personal experience."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      5

      "Narrative immersion is central, with emotional storytelling, character development, and thematic depth."

      Capsule for Neva Neva

      "Narrative immersion is central, with emotional storytelling conveyed through visuals, music, and gameplay."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      2

      "Puzzle solving requires reasoning and planning, though not highly complex."

      Capsule for Monochroma Monochroma

      "Puzzle solving and time manipulation require mental challenge and planning, though not highly complex."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      1

      "Some tension from platforming challenges and boss fights, but overall experience is more exploratory than thrilling."

      Capsule for Eternity Egg Eternity Egg

      "Some suspense and tension in platforming segments, but overall experience is more contemplative than thrilling."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Highly praised for emotional impact and quality relative to game length and price."

      Capsule for Lost Words: Beyond the Page Lost Words: Beyond the Page

      "Highly praised for emotional impact and artistic value relative to game length and price."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      -5

      "No violence or destructive gameplay; focus on constructive emotional experience."

      Capsule for Florence Florence

      "No violence or destructive gameplay; focus on constructive and emotional experiences."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      1

      "Avoiding failure in platforming sequences is present but low stakes and forgiving checkpoints."

      Capsule for TRY AGAIN TRY AGAIN

      "Some elements of avoiding death in platforming, but low risk overall and forgiving checkpoints."

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Intimacy, Survival, Violence, Competition. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Survival, Cooperation, Fellowship.

    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.

    Where to buy

    Last update: 30/04/2026