Meridian 157: Chapter 3 similar games & best alternatives

Meridian 157: Chapter 3

Android, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Mac • 2021

Should you play it?

You have ventured this far, now there is no turning back. Uncover the island’s dark history by travelling through crumbling caverns and mysterious laboratories, but be warned, some may not be too welcoming of your presence…

What works
  • Immersive atmosphere and story
  • Logical and challenging puzzles
  • Good value for price
  • Well-integrated environmental storytelling
  • Accessible hint system
Things to keep in mind
  • Some puzzles can be frustrating or illogical
  • Short overall length
  • Lack of innovation in gameplay mechanics
  • Technical issues with video playback reported
  • Linear and confined movement

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • New York Mysteries: Secrets of the Mafia Collector's Edition

  • Myst III: Exile

  • Riven (1997)

  • Lost Lands: The Golden Curse Collector's Edition

  • Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures

  • Gray Matter

  • Putt-Putt® Travels Through Time

  • The Invisible Hours

  • Broken Sword 2 - the Smoking Mirror: Remastered (2010)

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Competence

    The 7th Guest: 25th Anniversary Edition

  • Escapism

    Meridian 157: Chapter 1

  • Exploration

    Luto

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).

Meridian 157: Chapter 3: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Competition, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Thrill. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression, Intimacy.

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

    3

    "Players have freedom to explore various areas, solve puzzles in different orders, and use a hint system or skip puzzles, indicating moderate control over actions."

    Capsule for Nearwood - Collector's Edition Nearwood - Collector's Edition

    "Players explore freely within the research facility, solving puzzles at their own pace with some ability to skip or use hints, indicating moderate control over actions."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "The game features challenging and varied puzzles that require skill and problem solving, with feedback and progression tied to puzzle completion."

    Capsule for The 7th Guest: 25th Anniversary Edition The 7th Guest: 25th Anniversary Edition

    "The game features challenging and logical puzzles that require skill and problem-solving, with feedback and progression tied to puzzle completion."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of competitive elements; gameplay is single-player and focused on personal puzzle solving without comparison to others."

    Capsule for Rusty Lake Paradise Rusty Lake Paradise

    "No evidence of competitive elements; gameplay is single-player and focused on personal puzzle solving without comparison to others."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Players report engaging story and gameplay that encourages playing through main and bonus chapters, though some find it short."

    Capsule for The Secret Order 3: Ancient Times The Secret Order 3: Ancient Times

    "Players report engaging deeply with the game and series, often playing multiple chapters in sequence and expressing attachment to the story and puzzles."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer components."

    Capsule for Lightmatter Lightmatter

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer components."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players engage in puzzle solving and exploration with some creative problem solving, though within predefined game structure."

    Capsule for Metaphobia Metaphobia

    "Players engage in puzzle solving that sometimes requires creative thinking and experimentation, though within predefined game structures."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; the game is a solitary experience."

    Capsule for The 7th Guest VR The 7th Guest VR

    "No indications of exerting control or superiority over others; the game is a solitary experience."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Immersive atmosphere and mystery provide distraction and escape from real life."

    Capsule for Meridian 157: Chapter 1 Meridian 157: Chapter 1

    "The immersive atmosphere, mystery, and exploration provide a strong escape from real life, as noted by players seeking distraction and immersion."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and enjoyment, with no obligation or external pressure noted."

    Capsule for TCG Card Shop Simulator TCG Card Shop Simulator

    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and enjoyment, with no obligation or external pressure mentioned."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players explore unique environments and try different puzzle solutions, encouraging experimentation."

    Capsule for The Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2 The Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2

    "Players try different puzzle solutions and explore the environment to uncover clues, indicating a tendency toward experimentation."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Game encourages discovery of new areas, secrets, and narrative layers through environmental exploration."

    Capsule for Luto Luto

    "The game emphasizes environmental exploration of new and varied areas within the research facility to uncover story elements and puzzles."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -5

    "No customization or personalization features reported; players use standard presentation."

    Capsule for CAPTURED CAPTURED

    "No customization or personalization features reported; players use standard character and environment presentations."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "The story involves supernatural and mysterious elements, creating an imaginative and fictional experience."

    Capsule for Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.4 Himatsubushi Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.4 Himatsubushi

    "The story involves mysterious phenomena and some supernatural elements, blending scientific fiction with imaginative narrative."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community features; the experience is solitary and individual."

    Capsule for Hiiro Hiiro

    "No social or community features; the experience is solitary and individual."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop problem-solving skills and learn puzzle mechanics progressively throughout the game."

    Capsule for Machinarium Machinarium

    "Players develop problem-solving skills and learn puzzle mechanics progressively throughout the game."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements; purely sedentary point-and-click adventure."

    Capsule for The Mind of Marlo The Mind of Marlo

    "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements; typical sedentary point-and-click adventure."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles and progress; not designed for idle or background play."

    Capsule for Carto Carto

    "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles and progress; not designed for idle or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No social or emotional relationship-building features; purely individual gameplay."

    Capsule for Lovely Planet Lovely Planet

    "No social or emotional relationship-building features; purely individual gameplay."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for DEEMO -Reborn- DEEMO -Reborn-

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

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players collect and use items to unlock new areas and solve puzzles, showing clear progression."

    Capsule for Blameless Blameless

    "Players collect and use items to solve puzzles and unlock new areas, showing incremental progression."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Game balances mild tension with puzzle solving and atmospheric moments, providing a moderate flow experience."

    Capsule for Amanda the Adventurer Amanda the Adventurer

    "The game balances challenge and atmosphere to create moments of flow, though some puzzles cause frustration."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Atmospheric audio and visuals provide sensory stimulation, though not extreme or overwhelming."

    Capsule for Alone in the Dark Alone in the Dark

    "Atmospheric sound and visuals provide immersive sensory stimulation, though not highly intense or extreme."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for City Car Driving City Car Driving

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

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Strong narrative focus with immersive story, audio logs, and environmental storytelling."

    Capsule for Estranged: The Departure Estranged: The Departure

    "Strong narrative focus with environmental storytelling, notes, and logs that immerse players in the mystery and plot."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Puzzles require logical thinking, planning, and problem solving rather than rote actions."

    Capsule for The Room Three The Room Three

    "Puzzles require logical thinking, planning, and problem solving rather than rote or simple actions."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Suspenseful atmosphere and mystery create mild tension and curiosity, but not intense thrills or scares."

    Capsule for Children of Silentown Children of Silentown

    "The suspenseful atmosphere and mystery create some tension and excitement, though not intense or high-risk thrills."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players report good value for money with satisfying gameplay duration and content."

    Capsule for Stacklands Stacklands

    "Players report good value for money with satisfying gameplay length and quality relative to price."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No violent or destructive gameplay; focus is on puzzle solving and exploration."

    Capsule for Mimpi Mimpi

    "No violent or destructive gameplay elements; focus is on puzzle solving and exploration."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -5

    "No survival mechanics or threat avoidance; stable environment focused on puzzles."

    Capsule for Cube Escape: Paradox Cube Escape: Paradox

    "No survival or threat avoidance mechanics; stable environment focused on exploration and puzzles."

Last update: 11/07/2026