ASYLUM

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Linux • 2025

2025

Quick resume

An epic supernatural horror adventure and the spiritual successor to cult classic Scratches set in a massive, decaying mental institute. Inspired by H. P. Lovecraft, Hammer Films and twisted Euro Horror from the 80s.

Global score

85/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Puzzle, Point-and-click

Similar games

Pros

Rich atmospheric horror experience
Engaging narrative and lore
Logical and accessible puzzles
Detailed and immersive environment
Voice acting and sound design

Cons

Technical bugs and crashes reported
Some pacing and ending dissatisfaction
Dated graphics and animations
Limited gameplay variety
Navigation can be cumbersome

Motivations

Autonomy

Game with the same Autonomy vibe

4

"Players explore a large asylum environment with freedom to investigate and solve puzzles at their own pace, with separate difficulty settings and no handholding."

True Fear: Forsaken Souls Part 2
"Players freely explore the asylum at their own pace, deciding where to go and what to investigate, with some linear progression but overall player-directed exploration."
Competence

Game with the same Competence vibe

2

"Puzzles are logical and straightforward, providing some challenge but generally accessible without excessive difficulty."

1954 Alcatraz
"Puzzles are logical and solvable without excessive difficulty, providing moderate challenge and feedback, though some are considered too easy or straightforward."
Competition

Game with the same Competition vibe

-5

"No competitive elements; focus is on solo exploration and story experience."

The Gallery - Episode 1: Call of the Starseed
"No competitive elements; focus is on solo exploration and story progression without comparison to others."
Continuation

Game with the same Continuation vibe

3

"Many players report long sessions and immersion that encourages habitual play, though some frustration with bugs and pacing exists."

Observer: System Redux
"Many players report engaging long sessions and immersion, though some mention frustration with bugs and pacing that could reduce attachment."
Cooperation

Game with the same Cooperation vibe

-5

"Single-player experience focused on individual interaction with NPCs; no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

While We Wait Here
"Single-player experience with limited NPC interaction; no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."
Creativity

Game with the same Creativity vibe

1

"Players engage in investigation and puzzle solving with some freedom in exploration, but limited creation or modification."

[Chilla's Art] Missing Children | 行方不明
"Players engage in exploration and puzzle-solving within a fixed environment; some freedom in how to approach tasks but no creation or modification."
Domination

Game with the same Domination vibe

-5

"No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are balanced and narrative-driven."

Blacksad: Under the Skin
"No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are balanced and narrative-driven."
Escapism

Game with the same Escapism vibe

4

"Strong immersion in a nostalgic, atmospheric horror world provides escape from real life; players appreciate the mood and tension."

Bloodwash
"Strong immersion in a dark, atmospheric setting provides escape from reality; players appreciate the eerie and unsettling mood."
Expectation

Game with the same Expectation vibe

-4

"Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and enjoyment, often praising the developer and expressing intrinsic motivation."

Paradigm
"Players engage out of personal interest and intrinsic motivation, often long-time fans of the developer's previous work."
Experimenting

Game with the same Experimenting vibe

2

"Exploration and puzzle solving encourage trying different approaches, though within a structured story."

Nancy Drew®: Secrets Can Kill REMASTERED
"Some exploration and discovery of story elements and puzzles encourage trying new approaches, though within a structured environment."
Exploration

Game with the same Exploration vibe

4

"Players explore a richly detailed house and other environments, discovering story elements and secrets."

Infliction
"Players explore a large, detailed asylum environment, uncovering documents, secrets, and story elements."
Expression

Game with the same Expression vibe

-5

"No character customization or cosmetic modifications; presentation is fixed and standardized."

Scorn
"No character customization or cosmetic modification; presentation is fixed and standardized."
Fantasy

Game with the same Fantasy vibe

4

"Strong Lovecraftian and sci-fi horror themes create an imaginative, fictional experience."

X-COM: Terror From the Deep
"Strong Lovecraftian and psychological horror themes create an imaginative, fictional experience beyond realistic scenarios."
Fellowship

Game with the same Fellowship vibe

-5

"Primarily solitary experience with minimal social or community interaction in gameplay."

Rain World
"Primarily a solitary experience with minimal social connection or community interaction within gameplay."
Growth

Game with the same Growth vibe

3

"Players learn puzzle solutions, explore narrative themes, and develop understanding through play."

SWOLLEN TO BURSTING UNTIL I AM DISAPPEARING ON PURPOSE
"Players learn story details, puzzle solutions, and develop understanding of the narrative and environment."
Health

Game with the same Health vibe

-5

"Sedentary gameplay typical of point-and-click adventure games with no physical activity."

Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard
"Sedentary gameplay typical of point-and-click adventure games with no physical activity."
Idle

Game with the same Idle vibe

-3

"Requires focused attention to progress through puzzles and story; not designed for casual or background play."

The Last Door: Season 2 - Collector's Edition
"Requires focused attention to progress through puzzles and story; not designed for casual or background play."
Intimacy

Game with the same Intimacy vibe

-4

"Limited social interaction; relationships with NPCs are functional and narrative-driven rather than emotional."

Tunguska: The Visitation - Final Cut
"Limited social interaction with NPCs; relationships are narrative-driven and not emotionally deep or personal."
Leadership

Game with the same Leadership vibe

-5

"No leadership or management roles; player acts independently without directing others."

Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider™
"No leadership or management roles; player acts independently without directing others."
Progression

Game with the same Progression vibe

3

"Players collect items and unlock new areas, progressing through story and puzzles."

MADiSON
"Players collect documents, items, and unlock new areas, progressing through the story and puzzles."
Relaxation

Game with the same Relaxation vibe

2

"Atmosphere is tense and eerie but gameplay is paced and puzzle-based, allowing moments of flow and relaxation."

True Fear: Forsaken Souls Part 1
"Atmosphere is tense and eerie but gameplay is slow-paced and methodical, allowing for moments of flow and calm."
Sensation

Game with the same Sensation vibe

3

"Strong sensory atmosphere through visuals and sound design, creating suspense and emotional tension."

[Chilla's Art] The Caregiver | 終焉介護
"Strong sensory atmosphere through visuals, sound design, and music create emotional engagement and suspense."
Status

Game with the same Status vibe

-5

"No social recognition or status systems; achievements are personal and not publicly ranked."

Bad North: Jotunn Edition
"No social recognition or status systems; achievements are personal and not publicly ranked."
Story

Game with the same Story vibe

5

"Narrative immersion is central, with rich lore, character development, and impactful choices driving the experience."

Roadwarden
"Narrative immersion is central, with extensive lore, character dialogue, and unfolding plot driving the experience."
Strategy

Game with the same Strategy vibe

1

"Puzzles require some problem solving and logical thinking but are generally straightforward and not highly complex."

UNREAL LIFE
"Puzzles require some logical thinking and problem solving but are generally straightforward and not highly complex."
Thrill

Game with the same Thrill vibe

3

"Psychological tension and suspense create thrill without heavy jump scares."

Golgotha
"Slow-building suspense and psychological tension create a sense of thrill without frequent jump scares."
Value

Game with the same Value vibe

1

"Mixed opinions on value; some find it worth the price for the experience, others feel content is limited for cost."

Bodycam
"Mixed opinions on value; some find the experience worth the price, others feel content is limited for cost."
Violence

Game with the same Violence vibe

-3

"Minimal direct violence; focus is on exploration and puzzle solving rather than combat or destruction."

The Last Door: Season 2 - Collector's Edition
"Minimal direct violence; focus is on exploration and story rather than combat or destruction."
Survival

Game with the same Survival vibe

-4

"No survival mechanics or threat of failure; gameplay is safe and story-driven."

True Fear: Forsaken Souls Part 1
"No survival mechanics or threat of failure; gameplay is safe and low-risk."

Analysis

Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Fellowship, Expression. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Thrill. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression, Value.

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

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Last update: 30/04/2026

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