Exertus similar games & best alternatives

Exertus

Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2019

Should you play it?

Through use of the fluid movement set and dynamic level elements, players have the simple aim of getting from point A to point B, either by using the beaten path or the off-path environment within semi-linear levels.

What works
  • Addictive and challenging gameplay
  • Good value for price
  • Leaderboards for competition
  • Varied movement mechanics
  • Smooth and fluid movement when working
Things to keep in mind
  • Clunky and inconsistent controls
  • Poor graphics and minimal textures
  • Wall running mechanics frustrating
  • Short and repetitive levels
  • Lack of controller support and tutorial

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Jumps

  • BETON BRUTAL

  • FrostRunner

  • LOVE

  • Inertia

  • Element4l

  • EDGE

  • Flight Control HD

  • Neon Boost

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Jumps

  • 1 Screen Platformer

  • Arcade Moonlander

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Autonomy

    Spark the Electric Jester 3

  • Continuation

    Cyber Hook

  • Value

    Slash or Die

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).

Exertus: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Status, Story, Intimacy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence, Expression, Story.

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 have extensive control over movement, can choose routes, and explore levels freely with multiple paths and abilities."

    Capsule for Spark the Electric Jester 3 Spark the Electric Jester 3

    "Players can choose their own routes in semi-linear levels and use various movement mechanics freely."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Game challenges players with platforming, puzzles, and combat requiring skill and timing."

    Capsule for Prince of Persia®: The Sands of Time Prince of Persia®: The Sands of Time

    "Game challenges player skill with precise platforming and speedrunning, though some mechanics are inconsistent."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    3

    "Leaderboards and time trials encourage competition, though multiplayer racing is asynchronous; competition mainly via comparing times."

    Capsule for Hot Lava Hot Lava

    "Leaderboards and time trials encourage competing against others' times."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Many players report addictive gameplay with repeated attempts and long play sessions to improve times."

    Capsule for Cyber Hook Cyber Hook

    "Many players report addictive gameplay with long sessions and repeated attempts to improve times."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Game is focused on solo play with no cooperative or team-based elements."

    Capsule for Downtown Drift Downtown Drift

    "Game is focused on solo play with no cooperative elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players can experiment with movement and routes, but level design and challenges are predefined."

    Capsule for BZZZT BZZZT

    "Players can experiment with different routes and movement techniques, but level design is fixed."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Interactions are mostly individual and skill-based without emphasis on dominating others or social power."

    Capsule for Pizza Tower Pizza Tower

    "Interactions are individual and competitive but lack aggressive or dominating social behaviors."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    3

    "Players use the game as a fun distraction and stress relief, enjoying fast-paced platforming and speedrunning."

    Capsule for FrostRunner FrostRunner

    "Players use the game as a fast-paced distraction and stress relief through speedrunning."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and challenge, not out of obligation."

    Capsule for 60 Seconds! 60 Seconds!

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and challenge, not out of obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Encourages trying different routes and playstyles, including speedrunning and collecting hidden items."

    Capsule for High Hell High Hell

    "Game encourages trying new movement combos and routes to optimize speedruns."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    1

    "Levels are linear but allow some exploration of verticality and alternate paths."

    Capsule for Shadwen Shadwen

    "Some exploration of semi-linear paths, but levels are relatively short and similar."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Minimal customization or personalization; presentation is mostly fixed and standardized."

    Capsule for I live under your house. I live under your house.

    "Minimal customization or personalization; mostly standardized presentation."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    -2

    "Focus on realistic mechanical simulation rather than imaginative or fictional fantasy."

    Capsule for GearBlocks GearBlocks

    "Realistic parkour-inspired mechanics without strong fictional or imaginative elements."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Minimal social interaction; focus is on solo play and individual achievement."

    Capsule for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

    "Minimal social interaction; focus is on individual achievement."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop skills and learn complex mechanics over time, improving performance."

    Capsule for Valkyrie of Phantasm Valkyrie of Phantasm

    "Players develop skills and learn mechanics to improve performance."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for Car Manufacture Car Manufacture

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement during runs."

    Capsule for Hades Hades

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement during runs."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No close social or emotional connections formed through gameplay."

    Capsule for BEHEMOTH BEHEMOTH

    "No close social or emotional connections formed through gameplay."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles present."

    Capsule for Half-Life: Alyx Half-Life: Alyx

    "No leadership or group management roles present."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    2

    "Progression through score and achievements, but no item or upgrade accumulation."

    Capsule for Freebie Freebie

    "Progression through levels and achievements, but no item or upgrade accumulation."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "While fast-paced and challenging, some players find flow and catharsis in mastering gameplay."

    Capsule for Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX

    "Some players find flow and catharsis in mastering levels despite occasional frustration."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Music and fast-paced action provide sensory stimulation and excitement."

    Capsule for Road Scars: Origins Road Scars: Origins

    "Fast-paced movement and music provide sensory stimulation and excitement."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    2

    "Leaderboards and achievements offer recognition, though some cheating issues noted."

    Capsule for Only Up: LIZARDS MUST FALL Only Up: LIZARDS MUST FALL

    "Leaderboards offer recognition, though some report cheating issues."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    -5

    "No narrative or story elements; purely gameplay focused."

    Capsule for Golf With Your Friends Golf With Your Friends

    "No narrative or story elements; purely gameplay focused."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    2

    "Requires planning routes and timing jumps, but overall straightforward platforming."

    Capsule for Spectraball Spectraball

    "Requires planning routes and timing jumps, but overall straightforward platforming."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "High-speed racing and stunt execution provide excitement and adrenaline."

    Capsule for Riptide GP2 Riptide GP2

    "Adrenaline from high-speed runs and risk of failure creates thrill."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players feel the game offers good value for its low price and replayability."

    Capsule for Slash or Die Slash or Die

    "Many players feel the game offers good value for its low price and replayability."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No combat or destructive elements; focus on constructive movement."

    Capsule for Tricking 0 Tricking 0

    "No combat or destruction; focus on constructive movement."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    1

    "Some challenge in avoiding falls and failures, but no traditional survival mechanics or resource management."

    Capsule for Climbey Climbey

    "Some challenge in avoiding falling or failing, but no survival mechanics."

Last update: 12/07/2026