Dry Drowning similar games & best alternatives

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Dry Drowning

PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch • 2019

Should you play it?

Dry Drowning is a psychological investigative visual novel set in a futuristic dystopian city. Follow the story of Mordred Foley, unscrupulous private detective haunted by his dark past, and look into a series of macabre serial killings inspired by Greek mythology.

What works
  • Engaging noir/cyberpunk narrative
  • Meaningful player choices with consequences
  • Unique interrogation mechanics
  • Atmospheric art and music
  • Multiple endings and replayability
Things to keep in mind
  • Translation and localization issues
  • Some pacing and narrative density problems
  • Limited gameplay depth beyond visual novel mechanics
  • Lack of voice acting
  • Ui and save system could be improved

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Tiny Bunny

  • Crimson Gray

  • Burnhouse Lane

  • Folie Fatale

  • Leviathan: The Last Day of the Decade

  • AI: The Somnium Files

  • YOU and ME and HER: A Love Story

  • AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative

  • Killer Frequency
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Crimson Gray

  • Burnhouse Lane

  • Psychedelica of the Ashen Hawk
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Story

    NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD
  • Autonomy

    I've Fallen For You!
  • Escapism

    No Umbrellas Allowed

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).

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

Why this game works

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

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players make meaningful choices affecting story branches, character relationships, and endings, showing high player control over narrative direction."

    Capsule for I've Fallen For You! I've Fallen For You!

    "Players make meaningful choices that shape the narrative and character relationships, reflecting high player control over story direction."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Investigation involves puzzle solving, managing NPC schedules, and logical deduction, providing a moderate skill challenge."

    Capsule for The Posthumous Investigation The Posthumous Investigation

    "Investigation and interrogation mechanics require logical thinking and evidence use, providing moderate skill challenge."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on personal story progression and moral choices without competitive elements or player comparison."

    Capsule for Beholder: Conductor Beholder: Conductor

    "Focus is on personal story progression and moral choices without competitive elements or player comparison."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Multiple endings and branching paths encourage replayability and extended engagement."

    Capsule for SIFU Kidnapped! Adventure in the Women's Kingdom SIFU Kidnapped! Adventure in the Women's Kingdom

    "Multiple endings and branching paths encourage replay and extended engagement."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -3

    "Gameplay centers on individual detective work and decision making, with limited social or cooperative interaction."

    Capsule for Lacuna – A Sci-Fi Noir Adventure Lacuna – A Sci-Fi Noir Adventure

    "Gameplay centers on individual detective work and personal decision-making rather than teamwork."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players creatively solve puzzles and explore, though within a structured narrative and predefined environments."

    Capsule for Nancy Drew®: Secret of the Old Clock Nancy Drew®: Secret of the Old Clock

    "Players creatively solve puzzles and interrogations, but within a structured narrative and predefined scenarios."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Interactions emphasize mutual respect and narrative relationships rather than exerting control over others."

    Capsule for Heroes Rise: The Prodigy Heroes Rise: The Prodigy

    "Interactions emphasize mutual respect and narrative consequences rather than exerting control over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Dystopian setting and immersive story provide strong escape from real life."

    Capsule for No Umbrellas Allowed No Umbrellas Allowed

    "The dystopian setting and immersive story provide a strong escape from reality."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by interest in story and management, not obligation."

    Capsule for This Is the Police 2 This Is the Police 2

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by interest in story and investigation, not obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Multiple branching choices and endings encourage players to explore different narrative paths and outcomes."

    Capsule for Batman: The Enemy Within - The Telltale Series Batman: The Enemy Within - The Telltale Series

    "Branching choices and multiple endings encourage players to explore different narrative paths."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    2

    "Players explore detailed environments and uncover story clues, though locations are limited and guided."

    Capsule for Towards Future Towards Future

    "Players explore various locations and uncover clues, though within a limited set of environments."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    1

    "Some character customization through choices and text input, but limited cosmetic or avatar personalization."

    Capsule for natsuno-kanata - beyond the summer natsuno-kanata - beyond the summer

    "Some character customization through choices, but limited visual or avatar personalization."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Based on Greek mythology with imaginative reinterpretation, providing a fictional and symbolic experience."

    Capsule for The Game of Sisyphus The Game of Sisyphus

    "Fictional dystopian future with mythological references creates an imaginative experience."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -3

    "Primarily a solo narrative experience with limited social or community features."

    Capsule for Sumire Sumire

    "Primarily a solo narrative experience with limited social or community interaction."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop investigative skills and understanding of complex narratives through gameplay."

    Capsule for Orwell: Ignorance is Strength Orwell: Ignorance is Strength

    "Players develop investigative skills and moral reasoning through gameplay and story."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of visual novels with no physical activity."

    Capsule for Senren＊Banka Senren＊Banka

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of visual novels with no physical activity."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires focused attention on reading and decision making; no background or passive play."

    Capsule for Tokyo Dark Tokyo Dark

    "Requires focused attention on reading, investigation, and decision-making without passive or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    2

    "Emotional connection develops with characters through story and choices, though limited to scripted interactions."

    Capsule for Motesolo : No Girlfriend Since Birth Motesolo : No Girlfriend Since Birth

    "Emotional connections with characters develop through narrative and choices."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -4

    "No leadership or management roles; player acts as a lone detective."

    Capsule for Mohism: Battle of Words Mohism: Battle of Words

    "No leadership roles; player acts as lone detective without managing others."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Progression through unlocking story branches, endings, and side stories; narrative advancement is key."

    Capsule for Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly

    "Narrative progression and unlocking new story branches and endings provide a sense of advancement."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -2

    "Tense atmosphere and moral dilemmas create sustained emotional strain rather than relaxation."

    Capsule for Beholder 2 Beholder 2

    "Tense, dark narrative and moral dilemmas create sustained emotional tension."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Atmospheric music and art provide sensory engagement, though not highly stimulating or intense"

    Capsule for Murders on the Yangtze River Murders on the Yangtze River

    "Atmospheric music and art provide sensory engagement, though not intense stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "Achievements exist but social recognition or popularity is not a core motivator."

    Capsule for Portal Portal

    "Achievements exist but social recognition or popularity is not a core motivator."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Strong narrative focus with multiple endings and deep character development."

    Capsule for NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD

    "Strong narrative focus with deep plot, character development, and multiple endings."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Players engage in logical reasoning, evidence evaluation, and planning deductions."

    Capsule for Roman's Christmas / 罗曼圣诞探案集 Roman's Christmas / 罗曼圣诞探案集

    "Players use reasoning and deduction to solve cases and make impactful decisions."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Suspense from mystery and investigation elements creates moderate tension and emotional engagement."

    Capsule for Love Chase Love Chase

    "Investigation and interrogation sequences create suspense and emotional engagement."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "High replay value and rich story content provide good return on time investment."

    Capsule for SILENT HILL f SILENT HILL f

    "Good return on investment with rich story content and replayability for the price."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    1

    "Some violent and disturbing imagery, but no combat mechanics; violence is thematic and narrative-driven."

    Capsule for Little Nightmares Little Nightmares

    "Violence is thematic and narrative-driven rather than gratuitous or action-focused."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    1

    "Some elements of avoiding failure in investigations, but no traditional survival mechanics."

    Capsule for Song of Farca Song of Farca

    "Some elements of avoiding failure in investigations and managing consequences."

Last update: 12/07/2026