Carto Thumbnail

Carto similar games & best alternatives

Carto

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

Related articles

Quick resume

Carto is a charming adventure game wrapped around a unique, world-altering puzzle mechanic. Use this power to explore mysterious lands, help a quirky cast of characters, and guide Carto on her journey back to her family.

Global score

96/100

Genres

Adventure, Casual, Indie, Role-playing (RPG), Puzzle

Similar games

    Pros

    • Unique and creative puzzle mechanics
    • Charming art style and characters
    • Relaxing and wholesome atmosphere
    • Engaging and heartwarming story
    • Moderate puzzle challenge with rewarding solutions

    Cons

    • Short game length with limited replayability
    • Some puzzles can be obscure or unintuitive
    • Lack of hint system frustrates some players
    • Minimal depth in story and character development
    • No multiplayer or competitive features

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players freely place directional tiles and other elements to solve puzzles, allowing control over their approach and decisions."

      Capsule for RUSH RUSH

      "Players freely rearrange map tiles to explore and solve puzzles, directing their own path and decisions."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      3

      "Puzzles provide moderate challenge with logical problem solving and feedback, though generally not very difficult."

      Capsule for Machinika: Museum Machinika: Museum

      "Puzzles provide moderate challenge with rewarding problem solving and feedback, though not overly difficult."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -5

      "Focus is on personal puzzle solving and story progression without competitive elements or player comparison."

      Capsule for Underground Blossom Underground Blossom

      "Focuses on personal puzzle solving and story progression without competitive elements or player comparison."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      2

      "Players often engage in long sessions to complete the story; some replay for nostalgia but limited replayability."

      Capsule for The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition

      "Players often engage in longer sessions to complete the story and puzzles, though some find limited replay value."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -5

      "Single-player experience focused on individual puzzle solving and exploration without multiplayer or cooperative play."

      Capsule for Machinarium Machinarium

      "Single-player experience focused on individual puzzle solving and exploration without multiplayer cooperation."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      4

      "Encourages creative problem solving with limited tools; post-game map swapping and meta gameplay enhance creative exploration."

      Capsule for Anodyne Anodyne

      "Unique mechanic of rearranging map pieces encourages creative problem solving and exploration."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -5

      "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are friendly and equal."

      Capsule for Sable Sable

      "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are friendly and equal."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Provides a whimsical, charming world that offers a relaxing escape from real life."

      Capsule for TOHU TOHU

      "Provides a relaxing, charming world that offers a pleasant escape from real life stress."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and intrinsic interest in story and puzzles."

      Capsule for The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 The Book of Unwritten Tales 2

      "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and intrinsic interest in puzzles and story."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      3

      "Players try new puzzle mechanics and approaches, exploring different solutions."

      Capsule for We Were Here Forever We Were Here Forever

      "Players try new puzzle mechanics and map arrangements, exploring different solutions."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      4

      "Exploration of maps, discovery of new territories, and uncovering secrets are core gameplay elements."

      Capsule for Sid Meier's Civilization® V Sid Meier's Civilization® V

      "Exploring new map areas and uncovering secrets is a core gameplay and narrative element."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      2

      "Some self-expression through puzzle solving and character creation, though limited customization."

      Capsule for Birth Birth

      "Some self-expression through puzzle solving and map arrangement, though limited character customization."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      3

      "The game features a whimsical, imaginative world with quirky characters and a lighthearted story."

      Capsule for Slider Slider

      "Whimsical, imaginative story and world with fantastical elements and charming characters."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      1

      "Players experience a sense of community through story and character interactions."

      Capsule for Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin

      "Players meet and interact with many characters, fostering a sense of community within the story."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      3

      "Players develop puzzle-solving skills and learn new mechanics progressively throughout the game."

      Capsule for The Entropy Centre The Entropy Centre

      "Players develop puzzle-solving skills and learn new mechanics progressively throughout the game."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

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

      Capsule for Borderlands 2 Borderlands 2

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

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles and progress; not designed for idle or background play."

      Capsule for Kindergarten 2 Kindergarten 2

      "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles and progress; not designed for idle or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      2

      "Emotional connection to characters and story fosters some intimacy."

      Capsule for Pleh! Pleh!

      "Emotional connection to characters and story creates a warm, affectionate player experience."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -5

      "No leadership or group management elements; single-player focused."

      Capsule for Ghostrunner Ghostrunner

      "No leadership or group management elements; single-player focused."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      3

      "Progression through collecting clues, items, and unlocking new areas drives gameplay forward."

      Capsule for Nancy Drew®: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake Nancy Drew®: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake

      "Progression through collecting map pieces and unlocking new areas drives gameplay forward."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      4

      "Relaxing atmosphere, soothing music, and gentle pacing contribute to a calming experience."

      Capsule for Odyssey - The Story of Science Odyssey - The Story of Science

      "Relaxing atmosphere, gentle pacing, and soothing music promote a calm, stress-free experience."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Enjoyable visual art style and pleasant music provide sensory pleasure and emotional comfort."

      Capsule for Tukoni: Prologue Tukoni: Prologue

      "Enjoyable visual art style and pleasant music provide sensory pleasure and emotional warmth."

    • 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

      4

      "Strong narrative focus with charming writing and engaging characters."

      Capsule for Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island

      "Strong narrative focus with charming characters and emotional engagement."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      3

      "Requires logical thinking, planning, and problem solving to complete puzzles efficiently."

      Capsule for Escape Academy Escape Academy

      "Requires logical thinking and planning to solve puzzles and arrange map pieces effectively."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      -3

      "Generally calm and controlled gameplay with little suspense or risk."

      Capsule for Far Fishing Far Fishing

      "Generally calm and predictable gameplay with minimal suspense or risk."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      3

      "Players find good value in gameplay, skill improvement, and artistic experience despite bugs and short length."

      Capsule for Nanotale - Typing Chronicles Nanotale - Typing Chronicles

      "Players find good value in the game's charm, art, and puzzle mechanics despite its short length."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      -5

      "No combat or destruction; gameplay centers on constructive puzzle solving."

      Capsule for Q.U.B.E. 2 Q.U.B.E. 2

      "No emphasis on combat or destruction; gameplay centers on constructive puzzle solving."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      -5

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

      Capsule for Superliminal Superliminal

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

    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 Strategy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Thrill, Cooperation.

    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