Inked: A Tale of Love similar games & best alternatives

Inked: A Tale of Love

Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Android, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, PlayStation 5, Mac, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch • 2021

Should you play it?

Inked is a narrative-driven puzzle game set in a world of beautiful ballpoint pen-drawn landscapes. Playing as the Nameless Hero, you will solve intriguing puzzles while searching for your love Aiko.

What works
  • Unique hand-drawn art style
  • Emotional and reflective narrative
  • Calming ambient music
  • Accessible and creative puzzles
  • Short and focused gameplay
Things to keep in mind
  • Some control and camera issues
  • Puzzles can be too easy or repetitive
  • Short game length
  • Limited replay value without new content
  • Some bugs and lack of save points

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Monument Valley 2

  • Pinstripe

  • When The Past Was Around

  • Papo & Yo

  • Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery

  • A Guidebook of Babel

  • Universe For Sale

  • Insomnia: Theater in the Head

  • Röki

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Universe For Sale

  • What Lies in the Multiverse

  • Leila

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

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    Don't Disturb

  • Story

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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).

Inked: A Tale of Love: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Thrill, Competition. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Intimacy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Thrill, Value.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

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    "Players control two characters and solve puzzles with freedom in approach, but gameplay is linear and puzzle solutions are mostly fixed."

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    "Players control the Nameless Hero and manipulate objects to solve puzzles with some freedom, but the game is linear and puzzle solutions are mostly fixed."

  • Competence

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    "Puzzles require some thinking and spatial reasoning but are generally easy and straightforward, providing moderate skill challenge."

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  • Competition

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    "No competitive elements; gameplay is single-player and focused on personal progress."

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    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative gameplay."

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  • Creativity

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    "Players creatively solve puzzles and manipulate objects, but within predefined puzzle structures."

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  • Domination

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    "No elements of domination or power over others; interactions are minimal and narrative-driven."

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  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

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    "The game offers a calming, immersive experience that helps players escape real-life stress through reflective gameplay."

    Capsule for The August Before The August Before

    "The game offers a meditative, emotional journey that helps players reflect and escape real-life stress through art and story."

  • Expectation

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    "Players engage voluntarily for intrinsic interest in story, art, and puzzles without external pressure."

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  • Experimenting

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    "Some experimentation with puzzle solutions and exploration is encouraged, though within a fixed game structure."

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  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

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    "Players explore varied environments and hidden collectibles, though exploration is somewhat guided."

    Capsule for Ministry of Broadcast Ministry of Broadcast

    "Players explore different hand-drawn environments and search for hidden collectibles, though areas are limited and linear."

  • Expression

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    "Artistic expression through visuals and narrative, but limited player customization."

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    "The story involves imaginative fiction elements like deals with Death and surreal scenarios."

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  • Fellowship

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    "No social or community features; experience is solitary."

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  • Growth

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    "Players develop puzzle-solving skills and understanding of game mechanics, though learning curve is moderate."

    Capsule for THE MULLER-POWELL PRINCIPLE: Foreword THE MULLER-POWELL PRINCIPLE: Foreword

    "Players develop problem-solving skills and understanding of puzzle mechanics, though learning curve is mild."

  • Health

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    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

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  • Idle

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    "Requires focused attention during gameplay; some players find pacing slow but tasks demand active engagement."

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    "Requires focused attention; some players find pacing slow but generally demands active engagement."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

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    "Emotional connection to story and characters, though no direct social intimacy."

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    "Emotional narrative fosters a sense of connection with characters and story, though no social intimacy."

  • Leadership

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    "No leadership or group management elements; single-player experience."

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  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

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    "Progression through story chapters and puzzle completion, with some collectible achievements."

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    "Progression through chapters and puzzle completion with collectible achievements; limited item accumulation."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

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    "Calm, meditative atmosphere with soothing music and art style, promoting relaxation and emotional flow."

    Capsule for Don't Disturb Don't Disturb

    "Calm, meditative atmosphere with soothing music and art encourages relaxation and flow."

  • Sensation

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    "Distinctive visual style and soundtrack provide sensory enjoyment and emotional engagement."

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  • Status

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    "No social recognition or status systems; focus is on personal experience."

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  • Story

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    "Strong narrative focus with multiple endings and emotional depth."

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    "Strong narrative focus with metafictional elements and emotional depth, though some find it abstract or uneven."

  • Strategy

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    "Puzzles require logical thinking and planning, but complexity is moderate and solutions are mostly straightforward."

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    "Puzzles require logical thinking and spatial reasoning, but complexity is moderate and solutions are straightforward."

  • Thrill

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

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    "Minimal suspense or risk; gameplay is calm and contemplative rather than thrilling."

  • Value

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    "Generally considered good value especially on sale; some players note short length but satisfying content."

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    "Generally considered good value on sale due to short length; some players feel full price is high for content."

  • Violence

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    "No violent gameplay; focus on constructive puzzle solving and story."

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  • Survival

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    "No survival mechanics or threats; stable and safe game environment."

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Last update: 12/07/2026