Isoland 2 - Ashes of Time similar games & best alternatives

Isoland 2 - Ashes of Time

Android, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Mac, Nintendo Switch • 2018

Should you play it?

Isoland 2: Ashes of Time is a puzzle game with a fascinating non-linear story, charming 2D hand-drawn art, numerous challenging puzzles, and unique twists. Besides numerous sci-fi references and easter-eggs hidden throughout the game, you’ll find things aren’t quite the same second time you play through the story.

What works
  • Unique hand-drawn art style
  • Thought-provoking and atmospheric narrative
  • Varied and creative puzzles
  • Non-linear exploration and replayability
  • Useful in-game notepad and screenshot tools
Things to keep in mind
  • Lack of steam achievements integration
  • Some puzzles can be obscure or frustrating
  • Short overall playtime
  • Minimal story depth and character development
  • No multiplayer or social features

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Strange Horticulture

  • Penko Park

  • Dollmare

  • Quern - Undying Thoughts

  • Broken Reality

  • Chants of Sennaar

  • Wytchwood

  • Stacking

  • NAIAD

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Penko Park

  • NAIAD

  • Dimhaven - The Lost Source

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Autonomy

    The Alien Cube

  • Escapism

    Close Your Eyes [Old Version]

  • Exploration

    Dear Esther: Landmark Edition

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).

Isoland 2 - Ashes of Time: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Thrill, Competition. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, Fellowship, Survival.

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

    4

    "Players explore and solve puzzles at their own pace with freedom to investigate environments; linear but with some choice in exploration."

    Capsule for The Alien Cube The Alien Cube

    "Non-linear exploration and puzzle approach with freedom to explore locations and solve puzzles at own pace"

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Puzzles require logical thinking and observation, with some challenging and obtuse moments, demanding skillful problem solving."

    Capsule for Unusual Findings Unusual Findings

    "Puzzles require logical thinking, observation, and lateral thinking; moderate difficulty with some challenging puzzles"

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Single-player experience focused on personal puzzle solving without competitive elements."

    Capsule for The Guest The Guest

    "Single-player experience focused on personal puzzle solving without competitive elements"

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Replayability through New Game+ and challenges encourages extended play, though some find gameplay repetitive over time."

    Capsule for Bastion Bastion

    "Encourages replay through new game+ mode with altered puzzles and additional content"

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Raji: An Ancient Epic Raji: An Ancient Epic

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

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Players use an in-game drawing tool to annotate and explore puzzle solutions, enhancing creative problem solving."

    Capsule for Tametsi Tametsi

    "Players use an in-game notepad to record clues and draw, supporting creative problem solving"

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No social dominance or power dynamics; purely individual puzzle solving"

    Capsule for Strata Strata

    "No social dominance or power dynamics; purely individual puzzle solving"

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Atmospheric horror and surreal story provide strong escape from reality."

    Capsule for Close Your Eyes [Old Version] Close Your Eyes [Old Version]

    "Atmospheric, contemplative world offering escape through mystery and surreal narrative"

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by curiosity and intrinsic interest in puzzles and story."

    Capsule for realMyst: Masterpiece Edition realMyst: Masterpiece Edition

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by curiosity and intrinsic interest in puzzles and story"

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players try new puzzle mechanics and approaches, exploring different solutions."

    Capsule for We Were Here Forever We Were Here Forever

    "Puzzle variety and new game+ encourage trying different solutions and approaches"

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Encourages discovery of new areas, narrative fragments, and environmental details on a mysterious island."

    Capsule for Dear Esther: Landmark Edition Dear Esther: Landmark Edition

    "Non-linear exploration of island and time periods with discovery of secrets and environmental clues"

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Character selection and some UI customization allow self-expression, but limited note skin or layout customization currently."

    Capsule for PLATiNA :: LAB PLATiNA :: LAB

    "Limited character customization but in-game drawing tool allows personal note-taking and expression"

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Lovecraftian horror and surreal elements create an imaginative, fictional experience."

    Capsule for No one lives under the lighthouse Director's cut No one lives under the lighthouse Director's cut

    "Surreal, sci-fi and Lovecraftian themes create imaginative fictional experience"

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "Minimal social interaction; solitary play."

    Capsule for Kona Kona

    "Minimal social interaction; focus on solitary play"

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop puzzle-solving skills and learn game mechanics through play."

    Capsule for Creepy Tale Creepy Tale

    "Players develop puzzle-solving skills and learn game mechanics through play and replay"

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary point-and-click gameplay with no physical activity."

    Capsule for CHUCHEL CHUCHEL

    "Sedentary point-and-click gameplay with no physical activity"

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention and active puzzle solving rather than idle or background play."

    Capsule for LEGO® Indiana Jones™: The Original Adventures LEGO® Indiana Jones™: The Original Adventures

    "Requires focused attention and active puzzle solving rather than idle or background play"

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No close social relationships or emotional sharing; solitary experience."

    Capsule for BELOW BELOW

    "No close social relationships or emotional sharing; solitary experience"

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements"

    Capsule for Raji: An Ancient Epic Raji: An Ancient Epic

    "No leadership or group management elements"

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Progression through puzzle completion and unlocking new areas and endings."

    Capsule for The Witch's House MV The Witch's House MV

    "Progression through puzzle completion, unlocking new areas and story elements"

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Atmospheric and calming art and music create a contemplative, low-stress experience despite heavy themes."

    Capsule for Looking Up I See Only A Ceiling Looking Up I See Only A Ceiling

    "Calm, atmospheric music and art style promote relaxed, contemplative mood"

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Visual and auditory style is subtle and artistic rather than intense; provides moderate sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for The Bridge The Bridge

    "Visual and auditory style is understated but artistically distinctive, providing moderate sensory stimulation"

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or visibility; achievements are internal and not integrated with Steam."

    Capsule for Isoland Isoland

    "No social recognition or status systems; achievements are internal and not linked to Steam"

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Strong narrative immersion with philosophical themes, character interactions, and multiple endings."

    Capsule for The Talos Principle 2 The Talos Principle 2

    "Narrative immersion through fragmented, philosophical story and character dialogue"

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Puzzles require logical thinking, pattern recognition, and planning to solve."

    Capsule for Aurora Hills: Chapter 1 Aurora Hills: Chapter 1

    "Puzzles require logical reasoning, pattern recognition, and problem solving"

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    -2

    "Low risk and suspense; experience is more contemplative than thrilling."

    Capsule for Frame of Mind Frame of Mind

    "Low suspense or risk; experience is more contemplative than thrilling"

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Good value for price with many hours of gameplay and replayability."

    Capsule for FATE: Undiscovered Realms FATE: Undiscovered Realms

    "Good value for price with several hours of gameplay and replayability"

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus on constructive puzzle solving."

    Capsule for Superliminal Superliminal

    "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus on constructive puzzle solving"

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Superliminal Superliminal

    "No survival mechanics or threat avoidance; stable, safe game environment"

Last update: 09/07/2026