How We Got Here similar games & best alternatives

How We Got Here - how-we-got-here_1.avif
How We Got Here - how-we-got-here_2.avif
How We Got Here - how-we-got-here_3.avif
How We Got Here - how-we-got-here_4.avif
How We Got Here - how-we-got-here_5.avif
How We Got Here - how-we-got-here_6.avif

How We Got Here

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2021

Should you play it?

You wake up on a floating island with no idea how you got there. Find ways to reach new and strange islands and meet other survivors all while uncovering the story of how you all got there.

What works
  • Unique surreal narrative and atmosphere
  • Engaging puzzle design
  • Multiple endings and replayability
  • Free to play
  • Strong voice acting and character interactions
Things to keep in mind
  • Slow pacing and movement
  • Lack of skip for dialogues
  • Some puzzles can be obscure or frustrating
  • Limited story clarity and abstract narrative
  • Minor bugs and control issues

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • A Book of Beasts and Buddies

  • 白花 the white flower

  • Forgotton Anne

  • Buy a Croquette!

  • Night Reverie: Prologue

  • Poco

  • The Lar

  • The Last Dream: Developer's Edition

  • Postmouse
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • 白花 the white flower

  • Night Reverie: Prologue

  • The Last Dream: Developer's Edition
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Exploration

    Miasmata
  • Fantasy

    Solar Ash
  • Value

    Connected Hearts - Visual novel

From the same developer

From the same developer, ranked by motivational fit.

  • He Needs His Medicine

  • Flesh Water

  • Introvert: A Teenager Simulator

  • Garten of Banban 0

  • Garten of Banban 4

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).

How We Got Here: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Competition, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, Exploration. 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.

  • Autonomy

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  • Competence

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  • Competition

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  • Continuation

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    "Players often replay to discover all endings and achievements, showing habitual engagement and attachment."

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    "Players often replay to discover alternate endings and achievements, showing moderate attachment."

  • Cooperation

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    "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

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  • Creativity

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    "Unique puzzle designs and surreal environments encourage creative problem solving and exploration."

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  • Domination

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    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; cooperative and equal interactions."

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    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; cooperative and equal interactions."

  • Escapism

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    "Immersive, atmospheric world and surreal story provide escape from reality and stress relief."

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    "Atmospheric, surreal world and story provide a relaxing escape from reality."

  • Expectation

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    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and curiosity, not obligation or pressure."

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    "Players engage voluntarily out of curiosity and interest, not obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

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    "Encourages trying different choices and routes to unlock endings and piece together story, promoting exploration."

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    "Encourages exploration and trying different choices to unlock multiple endings and secrets."

  • Exploration

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    "Core gameplay is discovering new areas, mapping, and uncovering island secrets."

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    "Core gameplay revolves around discovering new floating islands, secrets, and story fragments."

  • Expression

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    "Limited customization; focus is on narrative and atmosphere rather than avatar or environment personalization."

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    "Limited customization; focus is on narrative and exploration rather than avatar or environment modification."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

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    "Set in a surreal sci-fi world with imaginative environments, characters, and narrative themes."

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  • Fellowship

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    "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social interaction or community involvement."

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  • Growth

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    "Players learn puzzle solutions, resource management, and story details through repeated play."

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  • Health

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

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  • Idle

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    "Requires focused attention on puzzles and story; slow pacing but no background or idle play."

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  • Intimacy

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    "Emotional connections with characters through story and dialogue, though no direct social or relationship-building mechanics."

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    "Emotional connections develop with characters through dialogue and story, though limited social depth."

  • Leadership

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    "No leadership or management roles; player follows story and puzzle progression individually."

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  • Progression

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

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  • Relaxation

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    "Calm, slow-paced gameplay with soothing music and atmosphere promotes relaxation and emotional flow."

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    "Calm, slow-paced gameplay with soothing audio and atmosphere promotes relaxation and flow."

  • Sensation

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    "Stylized visuals, voice acting, and music provide engaging sensory stimulation."

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  • Status

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    "No social status or recognition systems; achievements are personal and not publicly ranked."

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  • Story

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    "Narrative-driven with scripted dialogue, character interaction, and emotional story elements."

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    "Narrative-driven with emotional storytelling and character interactions, though somewhat abstract."

  • Strategy

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    "Puzzles require logical thinking and problem solving, but overall gameplay is straightforward."

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  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

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    "Low suspense or risk; experience is calm and contemplative rather than thrilling."

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    "Low suspense or risk; experience is calm and contemplative rather than thrilling."

  • Value

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    "Free to play with substantial content and replayability, offering excellent value for time invested."

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    "Free to play with satisfying content and replayability, offering excellent value for time invested."

  • Violence

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    "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus is on exploration, dialogue, and puzzle solving."

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    "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus is on exploration, puzzle solving, and narrative."

  • Survival

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    "No survival mechanics or threats; stable, low-risk environment."

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    "No survival mechanics or threats; stable, low-risk environment."

Last update: 10/07/2026