In Other Waters Thumbnail

In Other Waters similar games & best alternatives

In Other Waters

PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Mac • 2020

Related articles

Quick resume

Play as an Artificial Intelligence guiding a stranded xenobiologist through a beautiful and mysterious alien ocean. A non-violent sci-fi story, enter a world of wonder, fear and vulnerability, unraveling the history and ecology of an impossible planet. What will you discover together?

Global score

87/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Puzzle, Simulator

Similar games

    Pros

    • Unique immersive narrative
    • Beautiful minimalist ui and sound design
    • Engaging exploration of alien ecosystems
    • Thoughtful ecological and emotional themes
    • Accessible gameplay mechanics

    Cons

    • Slow and repetitive movement controls
    • Short game length
    • Limited map and navigation aids
    • Some players find text-heavy gameplay tedious
    • Lack of tutorial or in-game guidance

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players have freedom to explore, solve puzzles, and choose actions within a narrative-driven adventure."

      Capsule for Cleo - a pirate's tale Cleo - a pirate's tale

      "Players control an AI suit with freedom to explore and make decisions, though within a structured narrative and map-based movement system."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      3

      "Players engage in learning and mastering complex but subtle mechanics, with progression tied to strategic placement and resource management."

      Capsule for Settlemoon Settlemoon

      "Engages players in learning and mastering a unique interface and exploration mechanics, with some resource management challenges."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -5

      "No competitive elements; focus is on personal exploration and story experience."

      Capsule for AER Memories of Old AER Memories of Old

      "No competitive elements; focus is on personal exploration and story experience."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      2

      "Players enjoy replaying to unlock all endings and explore lore, though game is short and sessions are brief."

      Capsule for Bloody Painter Dating Sim Bloody Painter Dating Sim

      "Players often engage in multiple sessions and some replay to complete taxonomy and explore further, though the game is relatively short."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      3

      "Players build relationships and cooperate with a team of heroes, though social interactions are single-player and narrative-driven."

      Capsule for Marvel's Midnight Suns Marvel's Midnight Suns

      "Narratively cooperative with the human scientist character; players assist and protect her, fostering a sense of partnership."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      4

      "Strong creative expression through customizing biomes, evolving species, and designing unique ecosystems."

      Capsule for Equilinox Equilinox

      "Players imagine alien ecosystems and creatures from textual descriptions and sketches, engaging creative visualization."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -5

      "No elements of domination or superiority; interactions are cooperative and equal."

      Capsule for Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna) Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna)

      "No domination or power over others; interactions are cooperative and equal."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Strong atmospheric and immersive experience providing a unique alien world to explore, offering a clear escape from reality."

      Capsule for Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet

      "Provides a calming, immersive escape into an alien ocean world with contemplative themes."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest in exploration and story."

      Capsule for Knytt Underground Knytt Underground

      "Players engage voluntarily out of curiosity and interest in exploration and story."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      3

      "Players experiment with new abilities and mechanics to progress and explore."

      Capsule for Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition

      "Players experiment with samples and navigation mechanics to progress and discover new areas."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      5

      "Core motivation is discovering new areas, secrets, and atmospheric details in a mysterious environment."

      Capsule for The Complex: Found Footage The Complex: Found Footage

      "Core motivation is discovering new alien species and environments through detailed exploration."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      2

      "Limited character customization, but players express themselves through choices in exploration and puzzle approach."

      Capsule for The Night of the Rabbit The Night of the Rabbit

      "Limited character customization but players express themselves through exploration choices and interpretation of descriptions."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      4

      "Strong sci-fi narrative with AI, space exploration, and alien worlds."

      Capsule for J.U.L.I.A.: Among the Stars J.U.L.I.A.: Among the Stars

      "Strong sci-fi setting with imaginative alien ecosystems and AI perspective."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      1

      "Some social connections and relationships with characters, but primarily a solo narrative experience."

      Capsule for Choice of the Deathless Choice of the Deathless

      "Some social connection through narrative partnership, but primarily a solo experience."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      3

      "Players learn alien languages, improve strategies, and unlock technologies through repeated play."

      Capsule for Out There: Ω Edition Out There: Ω Edition

      "Players develop understanding of alien biology and master interface mechanics."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

      Capsule for World of Tanks Blitz World of Tanks Blitz

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention due to navigation and narrative, not suitable for background play."

      Capsule for That Which Gave Chase That Which Gave Chase

      "Requires focused attention on reading and navigation; not suitable for background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      2

      "Emotional connection with characters and story, though limited to narrative rather than social interaction."

      Capsule for A Space For The Unbound - Prologue A Space For The Unbound - Prologue

      "Narrative builds emotional connection with the scientist character, though social interaction is limited."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      2

      "Player leads companions and influences factions, guiding decisions and outcomes in the story."

      Capsule for The Outer Worlds 2 The Outer Worlds 2

      "Player guides and supports the scientist, acting in a leadership role within the narrative."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      3

      "Progression through collecting and using items, unlocking new areas and story advancement."

      Capsule for Cursed Cursed

      "Progression through collecting samples, unlocking taxonomy entries, and story advancement."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      4

      "Calming, meditative atmosphere with soothing music and gentle gameplay pacing."

      Capsule for FAR: Lone Sails FAR: Lone Sails

      "Calm, meditative gameplay with soothing music and ambient sound design."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Visual and auditory effects create an intense and immersive sensory experience."

      Capsule for Space Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Edition Space Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Edition

      "Engaging auditory and visual minimalism creates immersive sensory experience."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -5

      "No social status or recognition mechanics present."

      Capsule for CUPID - A free to play Visual Novel CUPID - A free to play Visual Novel

      "No social status or recognition mechanics present."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      5

      "Strong narrative focus with emotional, mysterious, and surreal storytelling driving player engagement."

      Capsule for Stray Cat Crossing Stray Cat Crossing

      "Strong narrative focus with emotional depth and mystery driving player engagement."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      1

      "Some light resource management and planning, but overall straightforward gameplay."

      Capsule for Plantera 2: Golden Acorn Plantera 2: Golden Acorn

      "Some light resource and navigation management, but overall simple mechanics."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      1

      "Some tension from story choices and resource management, but overall low risk and suspense."

      Capsule for Bladesong Bladesong

      "Occasional tension from resource management and story moments, but generally low risk."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      3

      "Players perceive good value in story, atmosphere, and experience despite short length."

      Capsule for The Song of Saya The Song of Saya

      "Players find value in unique narrative and immersive experience despite short length."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      -5

      "No violence or combat; focus on exploration and story."

      Capsule for Verde Station Verde Station

      "No violence or combat; focus on exploration and study."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      1

      "Some survival elements like oxygen and temperature management, but no combat threats or high risk."

      Capsule for Eden Crafters Eden Crafters

      "Light survival elements like oxygen and energy management, but no real threat of failure."

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Intimacy, Survival, Violence, Competition. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Leadership, Cooperation, Survival.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • 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.

    Last update: 30/04/2026