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Cleo - a pirate's tale similar games & best alternatives

Cleo - a pirate's tale

PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Mac • 2021

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Quick resume

Cleo is a solo-developed, top-down, pixel-art, retro, pirate adventure with a lot of nostalgic flair, humor and a linear story, inspired by the old Zelda games and the classic LucasArts adventure games.

Global score

98/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Puzzle, Point-and-click

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    Pros

    • Charming pixel art and animation
    • Excellent voice acting
    • Engaging and well-written story
    • Accessible and enjoyable puzzles
    • Unique card mini-game (kraken fodder)

    Cons

    • Short game length
    • Some minor ui and control quirks
    • Mandatory luck-based mini-game sections
    • Few minor translation and text issues
    • Limited replayability beyond story

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players have freedom to explore, investigate, choose dialogue options, and decide how to solve puzzles and progress the story."

      Capsule for Legend of Mysteria RPG Legend of Mysteria RPG

      "Players have freedom to explore, solve puzzles, and choose actions within a narrative-driven adventure."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      3

      "Puzzles require thinking and problem solving but are generally accessible and not overly difficult."

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

      "Puzzles require thought and problem solving, with some challenge but generally accessible."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -4

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

      Capsule for Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma

      "Focus is on personal story progression and puzzle solving without player-vs-player competition."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      2

      "Players often replay the game for nostalgia and story, but the game length is relatively short."

      Capsule for The Dig® The Dig®

      "Players enjoy the story and world, with some replay value and engagement, but game length is short."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -5

      "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative elements."

      Capsule for NieR:Automata™ NieR:Automata™

      "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative elements."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      2

      "Players engage in puzzle solving and exploration but limited creation or modification of game elements."

      Capsule for Amanda the Adventurer 2 Amanda the Adventurer 2

      "Players engage in puzzle solving and some mini-games but limited creation or modification."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -5

      "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; cooperative and narrative-focused."

      Capsule for Syberia II Syberia II

      "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; cooperative and story-focused."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Immersive world and story provide strong escape from real life"

      Capsule for ELEX ELEX

      "Immersive story and charming world provide a strong escape from real life."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

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

      Capsule for Big Pharma Big Pharma

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

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      2

      "Some exploration and puzzle experimentation, but mostly guided by the story and linear progression."

      Capsule for Father's Day Father's Day

      "Some exploration of puzzles and mini-games, but mostly guided by narrative progression."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      3

      "Players explore various locations, uncover mysteries, and discover secrets within the game world."

      Capsule for Dreams in the Witch House Dreams in the Witch House

      "Players explore a colorful world with some hidden items and secrets to discover."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      -3

      "Limited customization; players experience predefined characters and environments."

      Capsule for King's Quest™ Collection King's Quest™ Collection

      "Limited customization; players mostly experience predefined characters and environments."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      4

      "Set in a fantasy world with pirates, magic, and adventure, providing an imaginative experience."

      Capsule for Hero of the Kingdom II Hero of the Kingdom II

      "Imaginative pirate adventure with supernatural elements and whimsical storytelling."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      -5

      "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social interaction."

      Capsule for Graveyard Keeper Graveyard Keeper

      "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social interaction."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      3

      "Players develop problem-solving skills and progress through story-driven challenges."

      Capsule for Broken Sword 5 - the Serpent's Curse Broken Sword 5 - the Serpent's Curse

      "Players develop problem-solving skills and progress through story-based challenges."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay typical of classic adventure games."

      Capsule for Tomb Raider IV: The Last Revelation (1999) Tomb Raider IV: The Last Revelation (1999)

      "Sedentary gameplay typical of adventure games."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles and follow story; not idle or background play."

      Capsule for NAIRI: Tower of Shirin NAIRI: Tower of Shirin

      "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles and follow story; not idle or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -4

      "Limited social or emotional connection beyond narrative; no multiplayer or relationship-building."

      Capsule for SCP: Secret Files SCP: Secret Files

      "Limited social or emotional connection beyond story; no multiplayer or relationship building."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -5

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

      Capsule for OMORI OMORI

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

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      3

      "Players collect items, unlock puzzles, and advance through story chapters with achievements and collectibles."

      Capsule for The Last Dream: Developer's Edition The Last Dream: Developer's Edition

      "Players collect items and unlock story chapters, progressing through puzzles and mini-games."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      3

      "Generally relaxing gameplay with balanced puzzles and atmospheric music."

      Capsule for New York Mysteries: High Voltage Collector's Edition New York Mysteries: High Voltage Collector's Edition

      "Generally relaxing gameplay with light puzzles and charming atmosphere."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      2

      "Enjoyable pixel art, animations, voice acting, and music provide sensory pleasure without intense stimulation."

      Capsule for Loco Motive Loco Motive

      "Enjoyable pixel art, voice acting, and music provide sensory pleasure without intense stimulation."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -5

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

      Capsule for Layers of Fear (2016) Layers of Fear (2016)

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

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      5

      "Strong narrative immersion with voice acted characters, emotional plot, and rich lore."

      Capsule for Wylde Flowers Wylde Flowers

      "Strong narrative immersion with well-written characters, voice acting, and emotional depth."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      2

      "Puzzles require some planning and problem solving, but overall gameplay is straightforward."

      Capsule for Draw a Stickman: EPIC Draw a Stickman: EPIC

      "Puzzles and mini-games require some mental challenge but are generally straightforward."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      1

      "Some suspenseful moments and plot twists, but overall low risk and tension."

      Capsule for Grim Legends 3: The Dark City Grim Legends 3: The Dark City

      "Some suspense and plot twists, but overall a lighthearted and low-risk experience."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      3

      "Good perceived value especially on sale; short length balanced by quality and humor."

      Capsule for Stick it to The Man! Stick it to The Man!

      "Good perceived value especially on sale; praised for quality despite short length."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      -4

      "Minimal violence; focus on puzzle solving and story rather than combat or destruction."

      Capsule for The Journey Down: Chapter Three The Journey Down: Chapter Three

      "Minimal violence; focus on puzzle solving and story rather than combat or destruction."

    • 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 Survival, Violence, Fellowship, Expression. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story, Thrill. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Survival.

    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