Auf Abwegen similar games & best alternatives

Auf Abwegen

Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2019

Should you play it?

Explore the beauty and dangers of nature in this narrative mini-puzzle-platformer - a one-man project from Kindman. Slip into the role of a red fox in its natural habitat - feed your family and survive the threats of the forest - and humans too!

What works
  • Unique atmospheric horror experience
  • Interesting and symbolic story
  • Beautiful art style and music
  • Free to play
  • Challenging platforming and puzzles
Things to keep in mind
  • Frustrating and unresponsive controls
  • Short game length
  • High difficulty spikes
  • Lack of save system
  • Some confusing gameplay mechanics

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Wild Dive

  • Fork Parker's Holiday Profit Hike

  • Black Rose

  • Shio

  • Bouncy Goat Climb

  • On Rusty Trails

  • Gizmo

  • Blameless

  • Mimic Search

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • On Rusty Trails

  • GuGu Pizza : Delivering Pizza to the Space Station? Boss, this is just not right!

  • PEXIT 8

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

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).

Auf Abwegen: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Competition, Status. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence.

Why this game works

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

  • Autonomy

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  • Competence

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    "The game is challenging with difficult platforming and puzzles requiring skill and precision."

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  • Competition

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    "Includes leaderboard-based endgame modes and ranked challenges, but many players focus on story and personal progression without heavy competition."

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    "Includes a challenge mode with leaderboards and achievements encouraging competition, but main story mode is single player and personal."

  • Continuation

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    "Short game length and some frustration cause some players to quit early, though others persist to complete it."

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  • Cooperation

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    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

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  • Creativity

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    "Players engage in puzzle solving and exploration, but within predefined environments and mechanics."

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  • Domination

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    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; gameplay is individual and narrative-driven."

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  • Escapism

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    "Atmospheric horror and surreal story provide strong escape from reality."

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  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

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    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in story, art, and atmosphere rather than obligation."

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  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

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    "Trial and error gameplay encourages players to try different approaches to puzzles and platforming challenges."

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    "Players try to solve puzzles and master difficult platforming, requiring trial, error, and novel approaches."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

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    "Exploration of detailed, surreal environments and uncovering story fragments is a core part of gameplay."

    Capsule for 异化之恶〇Abnormal Treatment 异化之恶〇Abnormal Treatment

    "Exploration of surreal and symbolic environments is a core gameplay element."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

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    "No customization or personalization options; presentation is fixed and standardized."

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    "No customization or personalization options; presentation is fixed and standardized."

  • Fantasy

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    "Abstract, surreal narrative and imagery evoke imaginative and symbolic experiences."

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    "Surreal world and symbolic imagery create an imaginative fictional experience."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community features; purely solo play."

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    "No social or community features; purely solo play."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

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    "Players develop platforming skills and puzzle-solving abilities progressively."

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    "Players develop skills in platforming and puzzle solving, learning through repeated attempts."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

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

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  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

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    "Requires focused attention and timing; not suited for casual or background play."

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  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

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    "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions."

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  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

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    "No leadership or group management elements present."

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    "No leadership or group management elements present."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

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    "Progression through levels and unlocking story notes and achievements."

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    "Progression through levels and story, with some achievements and challenge mode goals."

  • Relaxation

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    "High difficulty and frequent failures create tension rather than relaxation."

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    "Frustrating difficulty and unresponsive controls create tension rather than relaxation."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

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    "Art, music, and atmosphere provide strong sensory and emotional stimulation."

    Capsule for The Coffin of Andy and Leyley The Coffin of Andy and Leyley

    "Art style, music, and atmosphere provide sensory and emotional stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

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    "Some recognition through Steam achievements and leaderboards, but limited social status impact."

    Capsule for Mega Man X Legacy Collection Mega Man X Legacy Collection

    "Some recognition through Steam achievements and leaderboards in challenge mode."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

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    "Strong narrative immersion with voice acting, character interactions, and unfolding plot."

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    "Narrative immersion with voice acting, dialogue, and unfolding plot is a key feature."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

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

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    "Puzzle solving and timing require mental challenge and planning."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

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    "Tense chase sequences and suspenseful moments create thrill and adrenaline."

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    "Tense chase sequences and difficult platforming create suspense and thrill."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

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    "Free to play with impressive art and music; good value for short, free experience."

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  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

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    "Limited combat; focus on evasion and survival rather than destruction."

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    "No explicit combat or destruction; focus is on survival and evasion."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

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    "Gameplay involves avoiding enemies and overcoming threats to survive and progress."

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    "Gameplay involves avoiding threats and gathering food to survive as a fox."

Last update: 10/07/2026