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Detention similar games & best alternatives

Detention

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2017

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Quick resume

Detention is an atmospheric horror game set in 1960s Taiwan under martial law. Incorporated religious elements based in Taiwanese/Chinese culture and mythology, the game provided players with unique graphics and gaming experience.

Global score

96/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Point-and-click

Similar games

    Pros

    • Deep and meaningful story
    • Unique art style and atmosphere
    • Engaging puzzles
    • Historical and cultural education
    • Strong emotional impact

    Cons

    • Short gameplay length
    • Limited replay value
    • Some puzzles can be obtuse
    • Lack of multiplayer or social features
    • Minimal character customization

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      3

      "Players have freedom to explore scenes, solve puzzles in various ways, and choose endings; gameplay is point-and-click with some player-driven puzzle solving."

      Capsule for Mr. Pumpkin Adventure Mr. Pumpkin Adventure

      "Players navigate the story-driven point-and-click gameplay with freedom to explore and solve puzzles, reflecting personal agency within the narrative."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      2

      "Puzzles provide some challenge but are generally easy to moderate; gameplay involves exploration and puzzle-solving rather than high skill or fast reflexes."

      Capsule for Spirit of the North Spirit of the North

      "Puzzles provide moderate challenge requiring problem-solving skills, but gameplay is generally straightforward and accessible."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -5

      "No competitive elements; focus is on personal narrative experience without comparison to others."

      Capsule for Oxenfree Oxenfree

      "No competitive elements; focus is on personal narrative experience without comparison to others."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      1

      "Short playtime with multiple endings encourages replaying, but overall a brief experience with limited habitual play."

      Capsule for missed messages. missed messages.

      "Players engage deeply to finish the story, but limited replay value beyond alternate endings suggests moderate habitual play."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -5

      "Single-player experience focused on individual exploration and story progression without multiplayer or teamwork."

      Capsule for CAT & ONION CAT & ONION

      "Single-player experience focused on individual exploration and story progression without multiplayer or cooperative features."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      2

      "Players solve puzzles and explore symbolic environments, but within a fixed narrative and game design."

      Capsule for DISTRAINT 2 DISTRAINT 2

      "Players creatively solve puzzles and interpret story symbolism, though within a fixed narrative and environment."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -5

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

      Capsule for Replica Replica

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

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Strong immersion in a psychological horror atmosphere that provides escape from real life through unsettling narrative."

      Capsule for DEAD LETTER DEPT. DEAD LETTER DEPT.

      "Strong immersion in a fictionalized historical and psychological horror setting provides escape from real life."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily driven by interest in story, genre, and atmosphere rather than obligation."

      Capsule for The Excavation of Hob's Barrow The Excavation of Hob's Barrow

      "Players engage voluntarily driven by interest in story, atmosphere, and cultural themes rather than obligation."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      1

      "Some exploration and puzzle experimentation occur, but mostly within established game mechanics and routines."

      Capsule for Tales of the Neon Sea Tales of the Neon Sea

      "Some exploration and puzzle experimentation occur, but mostly within established game mechanics and story progression."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      3

      "Players explore new environments and uncover story elements and secrets"

      Capsule for Garten of Banban 8: Anti Devil Garten of Banban 8: Anti Devil

      "Players explore new environments and uncover story elements and secrets in a narrative-driven setting."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      -4

      "Limited customization; players experience a fixed protagonist and environment with minimal personalization."

      Capsule for No one lives under the lighthouse Director's cut No one lives under the lighthouse Director's cut

      "Limited customization or self-expression; players experience a fixed protagonist and environment."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      3

      "The game blends imaginative dream narratives with historical and occult themes, creating a semi-fictional experience."

      Capsule for Ahnayro: The Dream World Ahnayro: The Dream World

      "Game blends Taiwanese mythology and supernatural elements with historical fiction, creating an imaginative experience."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      -5

      "Solo play with minimal social interaction or community involvement."

      Capsule for Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition

      "Solo play with minimal social interaction or community involvement."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      2

      "Players develop problem-solving skills and learn historical facts, gaining knowledge and emotional growth."

      Capsule for Valiant Hearts: The Great War™ / Soldats Inconnus : Mémoires de la Grande Guerre™ Valiant Hearts: The Great War™ / Soldats Inconnus : Mémoires de la Grande Guerre™

      "Players develop problem-solving skills and gain understanding of historical and cultural context through gameplay."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

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

      Capsule for Terror At Oakheart Terror At Oakheart

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

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

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

      Capsule for Broken Age Broken Age

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

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -4

      "Limited social interaction; emotional engagement is with story and characters rather than real people."

      Capsule for At Home Alone Final At Home Alone Final

      "Emotional engagement with story and characters but limited social or relational interaction."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -5

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

      Capsule for Twelve Minutes Twelve Minutes

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

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      2

      "Players collect items and complete tasks to advance the story and unlock endings, showing some progression."

      Capsule for Harvester Harvester

      "Players progress through story and unlock alternate endings; some item collection and puzzle completion."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      1

      "Atmosphere is tense and dark but gameplay is paced to allow moments of calm and reflection."

      Capsule for Sally Face - Episode One Sally Face - Episode One

      "Atmosphere is tense and eerie but gameplay pacing allows moments of calm and reflection."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Strong sensory appeal through art style, music, and atmospheric sound design."

      Capsule for Between Me and The Night Between Me and The Night

      "Strong sensory engagement through unique art style, sound design, and atmospheric music."

    • 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

      5

      "Central focus on narrative immersion with a deep, emotional, and historically grounded story."

      Capsule for The Town of Light The Town of Light

      "Narrative immersion is central, with a deep, meaningful story exploring historical and psychological themes."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      1

      "Some puzzle solving requires logical thinking, but overall gameplay is straightforward."

      Capsule for NaissanceE NaissanceE

      "Some puzzle-solving requires logical thinking, but overall gameplay is straightforward."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      2

      "Psychological horror elements create suspense and unease, though jump scares are minimal."

      Capsule for Gray Dawn Gray Dawn

      "Psychological horror and suspense create tension and unease rather than frequent jump scares."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Highly praised for story, music, and atmosphere; considered good value for price."

      Capsule for VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action

      "Highly praised for storytelling and atmosphere, offering strong perceived value especially at discounted price."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      1

      "Contains some violent and disturbing imagery but gameplay focuses on puzzle solving rather than combat."

      Capsule for Sanitarium Sanitarium

      "Contains themes of death and oppression but gameplay focuses on avoidance and puzzle-solving rather than combat."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      2

      "Players must avoid instant death hazards and enemies, requiring careful timing and resourceful movement."

      Capsule for iZBOT iZBOT

      "Players must avoid supernatural threats by stealth and timing, adding survival tension to gameplay."

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Competition. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Value, Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression.

    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