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Barotrauma similar games & best alternatives

Barotrauma

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Linux • 2023

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Quick resume

Barotrauma is a 2D co-op submarine simulator – in space, with survival horror and RPG elements. Steer your submarine, complete missions, fight monsters, fix leaks, operate machinery, man the guns and craft items, and stay alert: danger in Barotrauma doesn’t announce itself!

Global score

94/100

Genres

Action, Indie, Simulator, Strategy, Adventure

Similar games

    Pros

    • Deep cooperative multiplayer experience
    • High replayability with mods and customization
    • Immersive atmosphere and sound design
    • Complex and rewarding gameplay mechanics
    • Strong community and social bonding

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve for new players
    • Some griefing and trolling in multiplayer
    • Singleplayer ai limitations
    • Performance issues on some systems
    • Campaign pacing can feel slow

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players have significant freedom to choose sides, missions, tactics, and equipment customization, enabling personal decision-making and control."

      Capsule for 7,62 High Calibre 7,62 High Calibre

      "Players have significant freedom to choose roles, make decisions, and customize submarines and gameplay parameters."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      4

      "The game rewards skillful maneuvering, strategic planning, and mastery of complex mechanics with a high skill ceiling and meaningful feedback."

      Capsule for Fire & Maneuver Fire & Maneuver

      "The game rewards skillful teamwork, technical knowledge, and mastery of complex mechanics."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -3

      "Focus is primarily on personal survival and cooperative play rather than competitive ranked modes or leaderboards."

      Capsule for Grounded 2 Grounded 2

      "Focus is primarily on cooperative play and survival rather than direct competition or ranked modes."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Players report long sessions, deep engagement, and replayability especially with mods extending campaigns."

      Capsule for War on the Sea War on the Sea

      "Players report long sessions, habitual play, and high replayability with campaigns and mods."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      5

      "Core gameplay revolves around teamwork in a submarine crew, with multiple players manning different stations and communicating."

      Capsule for IronWolf VR IronWolf VR

      "Core gameplay revolves around teamwork, communication, and coordinated roles within a submarine crew."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      5

      "Strong emphasis on building, crafting, modding, and customizing towns, characters, and gameplay."

      Capsule for Elin Elin

      "Strong emphasis on building, modding, customizing submarines, characters, and gameplay mechanics."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -4

      "Interactions emphasize shared survival and mutual support; while some trolling or betrayals occur, overall players participate equally without authoritative control."

      Capsule for Lethal Company Lethal Company

      "Interactions emphasize shared decision-making and teamwork; griefing and trolling exist but are discouraged."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      5

      "Players use the game as an immersive escape into a tense, unpredictable sci-fi universe."

      Capsule for FTL: Faster Than Light FTL: Faster Than Light

      "Players use the game as a deep immersive escape into a tense sci-fi underwater world."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, not obligation."

      Capsule for SENRAN KAGURA Burst Re:Newal SENRAN KAGURA Burst Re:Newal

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, not obligation."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      4

      "The game encourages trying different strategies, roles, and mods, fostering exploration of mechanics."

      Capsule for Mount & Blade Mount & Blade

      "Encouraged to try new roles, strategies, and mod content; game supports exploration of mechanics."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      4

      "Large underwater map with varied biomes and hidden items; exploration is a core part of gameplay despite some backtracking."

      Capsule for The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human

      "Exploration of unknown underwater biomes, discovery of secrets, and dynamic events."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      4

      "Customization of characters’ jobs, abilities, and equipment allows personal expression."

      Capsule for FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles

      "Customization of characters, submarines, and environments allows personal expression."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      4

      "Set in a whimsical underwater world with imaginative characters and story."

      Capsule for Beatbuddy: Tale of the Guardians Beatbuddy: Tale of the Guardians

      "Set in a sci-fi underwater world with monsters and fictional elements, supporting imaginative play."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      5

      "Strong community and social bonding through cooperative multiplayer experiences."

      Capsule for Smithworks Smithworks

      "Strong sense of community and bonding through multiplayer cooperation and shared experiences."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Players learn complex systems, improve skills, and develop strategies over time."

      Capsule for Weedcraft Inc Weedcraft Inc

      "Players learn complex systems, improve teamwork skills, and develop strategies over time."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -4

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; some references to drug use but no health-related mechanics."

      Capsule for Beat Cop Beat Cop

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; some references to drug use in roleplay."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires continuous attention and coordination during gameplay; not suited for passive or background play."

      Capsule for We Need To Go Deeper We Need To Go Deeper

      "Requires continuous attention and coordination during gameplay; not suited for passive play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      3

      "Multiplayer fosters close social bonds and shared emotional experiences among friends."

      Capsule for Bob Was Hungry Bob Was Hungry

      "Players form close bonds and friendships through shared multiplayer experiences."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      4

      "Captain role involves leading crew, coordinating actions, and making strategic decisions."

      Capsule for Wolfpack Wolfpack

      "Roles like captain require managing crew and making strategic decisions."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Players accumulate upgrades, weapons, and skills throughout the game."

      Capsule for RoboCop: Rogue City - Unfinished Business RoboCop: Rogue City - Unfinished Business

      "Players accumulate upgrades, skills, and items through campaign and gameplay."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      -2

      "Gameplay is tense and challenging with moments of high stress and intensity."

      Capsule for Squad 44 Squad 44

      "Gameplay is often tense and stressful, with moments of relief after overcoming challenges."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Strong atmospheric audio and visual effects create immersive sensory experience."

      Capsule for Near Death Near Death

      "Atmospheric audio and visuals provide immersive sensory experiences."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -2

      "Limited emphasis on social recognition or popularity; focus is on team success and personal progress."

      Capsule for Space Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Edition Space Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Edition

      "Social recognition is limited; focus is on team success rather than individual status."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      3

      "Campaigns and lore provide narrative immersion, though many players focus on random maps and scenarios."

      Capsule for Age of Wonders III Age of Wonders III

      "Campaign and lore provide narrative immersion, though gameplay can be emergent and player-driven."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      4

      "Requires tactical thinking, planning, and problem solving in submarine operation and combat scenarios."

      Capsule for IronWolf VR IronWolf VR

      "Requires planning, problem solving, and tactical decision-making in managing the submarine and crew."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      4

      "High suspense and tension from environmental dangers and survival challenges."

      Capsule for Green Hell Green Hell

      "High suspense and tension from environmental threats and unpredictable events."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players perceive strong value for time and money due to extensive content and replayability."

      Capsule for Graveyard Keeper Graveyard Keeper

      "Players perceive strong value for time and money due to extensive content and replayability."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      3

      "Combat and destruction present but balanced with constructive and cooperative gameplay."

      Capsule for Elin Elin

      "Combat and destruction are present but balanced with constructive and cooperative gameplay."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      5

      "Core gameplay centers on managing resources, avoiding threats, and surviving in hostile environments."

      Capsule for Duskers Duskers

      "Core gameplay centers on avoiding failure, managing resources, and surviving hostile threats."

    Analysis

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

    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.

    Last update: 30/04/2026