Hourglass similar games & best alternatives
Should you play it?
In Hourglass you can create a time-clone of yourself to solve challenging puzzles. You will play as Aywa, a young adventurer who is traveling to Egypt to find her missing father - an archeologist, who never returned from his latest expedition.
What works
- Innovative time-clone puzzle mechanic
- Well-designed and challenging puzzles
- Atmospheric egyptian-themed environments
- Calm and immersive sound design
- Progressive difficulty and learning curve
Things to keep in mind
- Minimal story and character interaction
- Some frustrating timing-based puzzles
- Lack of control customization
- Repetitive environments and visuals
- Short game length for full price
What to play next
Top picks
Games that feel the closest overall
Hidden Gems
Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity
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Similarity map
Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.
Hourglass: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fantasy, Violence, Story, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Cooperation, Fantasy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression.
Why this game works
A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.
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Autonomy
Game with the same Autonomy vibe
4"Players have freedom to solve puzzles in multiple ways, can skip puzzles, and explore mechanics at their own pace."
"Players have freedom to explore puzzles and solve them in various orders, with some ability to experiment with mechanics and timing."
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Competence
Game with the same Competence vibe
4"Puzzles require logical thinking and skillful manipulation; difficulty ramps up and some puzzles are challenging."
"Puzzles require logical thinking, timing, and mastery of mechanics; difficulty ramps up and some puzzles are challenging and rewarding."
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Competition
Game with the same Competition vibe
-4"Focus is on individual puzzle solving at personal pace without competitive elements or leaderboards."
"Focus is on individual puzzle solving at personal pace without competitive elements or leaderboards."
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Continuation
Game with the same Continuation vibe
2"Players report spending many hours completing puzzles, with save features encouraging long-term engagement."
"Players engage in multiple puzzle areas and some spend hours progressing, though some report frustration and loss of interest near the end."
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Cooperation
Game with the same Cooperation vibe
1"Players switch between two characters working together to solve puzzles, but this is a single-player experience without multiplayer cooperation."
"The core mechanic involves cooperating with a time clone of oneself, a form of solo cooperative puzzle solving."
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Creativity
Game with the same Creativity vibe
3"Players creatively use time clones and mechanics to solve puzzles, with some room for experimenting with solutions."
"Players creatively use time clones and mechanics to solve puzzles; some experimentation encouraged though within defined mechanics."
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Domination
Game with the same Domination vibe
-5"No evidence of exerting control over others; gameplay is solitary and self-directed."
"No evidence of exerting control over others; gameplay is solitary and cooperative with oneself."
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Escapism
Game with the same Escapism vibe
3"The charming, immersive puzzles and atmosphere provide a pleasant escape and relaxation for players."
"Players enjoy immersive atmospheric environments and puzzles as a form of mental escape and relaxation."
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Expectation
Game with the same Expectation vibe
-4"Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no evidence of obligation or pressure."
"Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no evidence of obligation or pressure."
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Experimenting
Game with the same Experimenting vibe
3"Players try different strategies and timing to solve puzzles; game encourages exploration of mechanics."
"Game encourages trying different puzzle solutions and timing strategies, though within a limited mechanic set."
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Exploration
Game with the same Exploration vibe
2"Players explore procedurally generated zones and secrets, though environments are somewhat repetitive."
"Players explore multiple pyramid areas and secret zones, though environments are somewhat repetitive and minimalistic."
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Expression
Game with the same Expression vibe
-3"Limited customization or self-expression; players use predefined characters and environments."
"Limited customization or self-expression; players use predefined characters and environments."
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Fantasy
Game with the same Fantasy vibe
2"Abstract, surreal world with minimal story; some imaginative elements but no strong narrative fantasy."
"Set in an Egyptian-themed fictional world with some narrative elements, but story is minimal and subdued."
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Fellowship
Game with the same Fellowship vibe
-4"Gameplay is primarily solo with minimal social or community interaction."
"Gameplay is primarily solo with minimal social interaction or community involvement."
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Growth
Game with the same Growth vibe
4"Players develop puzzle-solving skills and learn new mechanics progressively throughout the game."
"Players develop puzzle-solving skills and learn new mechanics progressively throughout the game."
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Health
Game with the same Health vibe
-5"Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."
"Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."
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Idle
Game with the same Idle vibe
-3"Requires focused attention and active problem solving; not designed for casual or background play."
"Requires focused attention and problem solving; not designed for casual or background play."
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Intimacy
Game with the same Intimacy vibe
-5"No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing; solitary experience."
"No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing; solitary experience."
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Leadership
Game with the same Leadership vibe
-5"No leadership or group management roles; purely individual gameplay."
"No leadership or group management roles; purely individual gameplay."
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Progression
Game with the same Progression vibe
3"Players collect crystals and items to unlock new areas and progress the story."
"Players collect crystals and unlock new areas, progressing through puzzles and story."
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Relaxation
Game with the same Relaxation vibe
3"The calming music and atmosphere promote relaxation despite challenging puzzles."
"Atmospheric and calm environments with soothing sound design promote relaxation despite some challenging puzzles."
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Sensation
Game with the same Sensation vibe
2"Visual and auditory design is pleasant but understated; not highly stimulating."
"Visual and auditory design is pleasant and immersive but not intense or highly stimulating."
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Status
Game with the same Status vibe
-5"No social recognition or status systems; achievements are personal and not socially evaluated."
"No social recognition or status systems; achievements are personal and not socially evaluated."
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Story
Game with the same Story vibe
1"Minimal narrative with brief story elements; mostly context-light gameplay."
"Minimal narrative with light story elements that provide context but do not dominate gameplay."
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Strategy
Game with the same Strategy vibe
4"Solving puzzles requires planning, timing, and logical reasoning."
"Puzzles require logical reasoning, planning, and timing strategies to solve."
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Thrill
Game with the same Thrill vibe
-2"Some timed modes add mild tension, but overall gameplay is calm and methodical."
"Some timing elements add mild tension, but overall gameplay is calm and controlled."
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Value
Game with the same Value vibe
1"Generally considered good value especially on sale, though some feel full price is high for content length."
"Generally considered good value especially on sale; some feel full price is high for content length."
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Violence
Game with the same Violence vibe
-5"No violence or combat; gameplay focuses on constructive puzzle solving and exploration."
"No violence or combat; gameplay focuses on constructive puzzle solving."
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Survival
Game with the same Survival vibe
-5"No survival elements or threats; stable and safe puzzle environment."
"No survival elements or threats; stable and safe puzzle environments."
Last update: 11/07/2026