Ghost in the pool similar games & best alternatives

Ghost in the pool - ghost-in-the-pool_1.avif
Ghost in the pool - ghost-in-the-pool_2.avif
Ghost in the pool - ghost-in-the-pool_3.avif
Ghost in the pool - ghost-in-the-pool_4.avif
Ghost in the pool - ghost-in-the-pool_5.avif
Ghost in the pool - ghost-in-the-pool_6.avif

Ghost in the pool

PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch • 2021

Should you play it?

A bizarre campus legend, take you into the traditional Japanese black-and-white comic horror story. Witness the familiar scenes and contemplate the terrifying moments.

What works
  • Unique monochrome comic art style
  • Atmospheric horror with psychological tension
  • Multiple endings with branching story paths
  • Short and accessible gameplay duration
  • Affordable price with replayability
Things to keep in mind
  • Slow text speed and no skip function
  • Limited gameplay interaction and challenge
  • Some translation and localization issues
  • Short story with minimal character development
  • Repetitive reading required for full completion

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Sanator: Scarlet Scarf

  • Banebush

  • I live under your house.

  • The Lightkeeper

  • Saint Kotar

  • Close To The Sun

  • Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.5 Meakashi

  • Late Shift

  • The Mirror Lied
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Sanator: Scarlet Scarf

  • I live under your house.

  • Saint Kotar
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Escapism

    Alone in the Dark
  • Fantasy

    The Charnel House Trilogy
  • Story

    Saimin Gakushū: Secret Desire

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).

Ghost in the pool: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Competition. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Strategy, Competence, Growth.

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

    3

    "Players can choose different character routes and make decisions affecting endings, with some freedom in story progression via flowchart."

    Capsule for PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse

    "Players make choices that affect story branches and endings, with a flowchart to jump between nodes after first completion, allowing some control over narrative progression."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    -2

    "Gameplay is mostly reading with minimal interaction; no significant skill or challenge."

    Capsule for There is No GreenDam There is No GreenDam

    "Gameplay is mostly reading and clicking with minimal skill challenge; interaction with objects is simple and does not affect outcomes significantly."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

    "No competitive elements; experience is single-player and story-driven without comparison to others."

    Capsule for Maitetsu:Pure Station Maitetsu:Pure Station

    "No competitive elements or comparison with others; experience is single-player and story-driven."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Multiple endings and routes encourage replaying, but the game is short and players note it can be completed quickly."

    Capsule for Sakura Santa Sakura Santa

    "Short game with multiple endings encourages replay to explore all routes, but some players find repeated reading tedious due to lack of skip."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer features."

    Capsule for Little Inferno Little Inferno

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer features."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players combine items and explore narrative elements creatively, though within a limited and predefined environment."

    Capsule for The Mind of Marlo The Mind of Marlo

    "Players explore scenes and interact with objects, though interactions are limited and mostly for lore; some creative narrative branching."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Subway Midnight Subway Midnight

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

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Strong atmospheric horror and immersive story provide distraction and escape from real life."

    Capsule for Alone in the Dark Alone in the Dark

    "Provides atmospheric horror and distraction from reality through immersive story and visuals."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for entertainment and interest in horror genre, not out of obligation."

    Capsule for Palmyra Orphanage Palmyra Orphanage

    "Players engage voluntarily for entertainment and interest in horror visual novels, not out of obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    1

    "Some exploration of story branches and endings, but gameplay mechanics are consistent and familiar."

    Capsule for Demons Never Lie Demons Never Lie

    "Some exploration of different story branches and endings, but overall gameplay is linear and repetitive."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    2

    "Exploration is limited to discrete scenes but players discover new cases and interact with many objects and characters."

    Capsule for The Darkside Detective The Darkside Detective

    "Players interact with objects in scenes to uncover additional lore and details, though exploration is limited and mostly scripted."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "No character customization or personal expression; presentation is fixed and artistic."

    Capsule for Tengami Tengami

    "No character customization or personal expression; presentation is fixed comic-style visuals."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Psychological horror with surreal and supernatural elements."

    Capsule for The Charnel House Trilogy The Charnel House Trilogy

    "Supernatural horror story with ghostly elements and surreal visuals inspired by Japanese horror manga."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community features; entirely solo experience."

    Capsule for Terror At Oakheart Terror At Oakheart

    "No social or community features; entirely solo experience."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    1

    "Some learning about characters and story through multiple playthroughs, but limited skill development."

    Capsule for DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia

    "Some learning about story and characters through multiple playthroughs, but limited skill or knowledge development."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Source of Madness Source of Madness

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

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused reading and attention; no background or idle play."

    Capsule for SC2VN - The eSports Visual Novel SC2VN - The eSports Visual Novel

    "Requires focused attention to read and interact; no background or idle play suggested."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Limited emotional connection mainly through narrative; no social or close relationship building."

    Capsule for Perils of Man Perils of Man

    "Limited emotional connection mainly through narrative; no social or close relationship building."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements; purely individual narrative experience."

    Capsule for STEINS;GATE STEINS;GATE

    "No leadership or group management elements; purely individual narrative experience."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    2

    "Progression through story branches and unlocking endings and achievements, but no item or power accumulation."

    Capsule for 永不停息的黑暗之歌 ~ Endless Black Song 永不停息的黑暗之歌 ~ Endless Black Song

    "Progression through story branches and unlocking endings and achievements, but no item or power accumulation."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    1

    "Atmospheric and moody but pacing and dense text can cause fatigue; mixed relaxation experience."

    Capsule for 寄居隅怪奇事件簿 Hermitage Strange Case Files 寄居隅怪奇事件簿 Hermitage Strange Case Files

    "Atmospheric and immersive but pacing issues and slow text speed may reduce flow and relaxation."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Visual style and sound design create sensory engagement and emotional impact."

    Capsule for Bring Me that Shawarma Bring Me that Shawarma

    "Strong visual style and sound design create sensory engagement and emotional tension."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems present."

    Capsule for Resident Evil 7 Biohazard Resident Evil 7 Biohazard

    "No social recognition or status systems present."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Narrative-driven visual novel with branching storylines and multiple endings."

    Capsule for Saimin Gakushū: Secret Desire Saimin Gakushū: Secret Desire

    "Narrative-driven visual novel with multiple endings and branching paths; story is central to experience."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    -3

    "Limited strategic decision-making; choices affect story but no complex problem solving."

    Capsule for Asphyxia Asphyxia

    "Limited decision making with minor impact on story; no complex planning or problem solving."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Psychological horror and suspense create tension and emotional thrills, though not focused on jump scares."

    Capsule for Mouthwashing Mouthwashing

    "Psychological horror and suspense create tension and some scares, though no jump scares or high risk gameplay."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Affordable price and replayability through multiple endings provide good value for time and money."

    Capsule for First Date : Late To Date First Date : Late To Date

    "Affordable price for short, polished horror visual novel with replayability through multiple endings."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    2

    "Contains disturbing imagery and gore as part of horror elements but no player-directed violence."

    Capsule for Heaven Does Not Respond Heaven Does Not Respond

    "Contains some graphic and gore elements consistent with horror genre, but no player-driven violence or combat."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    1

    "Story involves overcoming supernatural threats; no active survival gameplay mechanics."

    Capsule for 目盲/Blind 目盲/Blind

    "Story involves avoiding supernatural threats, but no gameplay mechanics for survival or resource management."

Last update: 12/07/2026