MO:Astray similar games & best alternatives
MO:Astray
2019
Related articles
Quick resume
MO: Astray is a pixel art, side-scrolling, action-platformer. Lead MO through mind-bending puzzles using special abilities. Bizarre enemies, threatening traps and ingenious level designs await.
Global score
92/100
Genres
Action, Adventure, Indie, Platform, Puzzle
Similar games
Pros
- Unique and engaging platforming mechanics
- Beautiful pixel art and atmospheric soundtrack
- Challenging and creative puzzles and boss fights
- Immersive and emotional story
- Generous checkpoint system and multiple difficulty levels
Cons
- Some difficulty spikes and occasional frustration
- Story can be confusing or disjointed
- Limited control customization
- Non-skippable cutscenes and text during gameplay
- Keyboard and mouse controls less optimal than controller
Motivations
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Autonomy
Game with the same Autonomy vibe
4"Players have control over movement and combat decisions with a unique jumping mechanic and upgrade choices, allowing personal freedom in playstyle."
Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition
"Players have control over a unique jumping mechanic and can choose difficulty levels that alter puzzles and gameplay, allowing personal decision-making and exploration."
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Competence
Game with the same Competence vibe
4"The game offers challenging puzzles and boss fights that require skill and coordination, with feedback and progression rewarding player effectiveness."
POPUCOM
"The game offers challenging puzzles and boss fights that require skill and mastery of mechanics, with difficulty spikes and rewarding progression."
-
Competition
Game with the same Competition vibe
-3"Focus is on individual puzzle solving without direct player-vs-player competition or leaderboards."
Hexcells Plus
"Focus is on individual puzzle solving and platforming without explicit player-vs-player competition or leaderboards."
-
Continuation
Game with the same Continuation vibe
4"Many players report long play sessions and replaying for multiple endings and achievements, showing strong attachment."
Otaku's Adventure
"Many players report long sessions, replaying for achievements and multiple endings, indicating strong attachment and habitual play."
-
Cooperation
Game with the same Cooperation vibe
-5"The game is a single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."
Baby Steps
"The game is a single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."
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Creativity
Game with the same Creativity vibe
4"Players engage in puzzle solving, exploration, and some customization of abilities, encouraging creative problem solving."
The Last Case of Benedict Fox Definitive Edition
"Players engage with unique mechanics like aiming jumps, mind reading, and varied puzzle solutions, encouraging creative problem solving."
-
Domination
Game with the same Domination vibe
-5"No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are single-player and narrative-driven."
Assassin's Creed® Origins
"No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are single-player and narrative-driven."
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Escapism
Game with the same Escapism vibe
4"Emotional story and immersive sci-fi setting provide strong escape from reality"
Stella of The End
"The dark, immersive sci-fi world and emotional story provide a strong escape from real life."
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Expectation
Game with the same Expectation vibe
-4"Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."
Prison Architect
"Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."
-
Experimenting
Game with the same Experimenting vibe
4"Players try different movement mechanics and puzzle solutions, exploring secrets and alternate routes."
Knytt Underground
"Players experiment with novel movement mechanics and puzzle solutions, exploring different strategies and approaches."
-
Exploration
Game with the same Exploration vibe
3"Game includes secrets, hidden areas, and encourages discovery within levels."
Battle Shapers
"The game encourages discovering secrets, hidden memories, and lore through exploration of levels."
-
Expression
Game with the same Expression vibe
-3"Limited character customization; focus is on gameplay and story rather than avatar personalization."
METAL GEAR & METAL GEAR 2: Solid Snake
"Limited character customization; focus is on gameplay and story rather than avatar personalization."
-
Fantasy
Game with the same Fantasy vibe
4"Set in a dark sci-fi universe with imaginative fiction elements and narrative."
Deep Sky Derelicts
"Set in a dark sci-fi world with imaginative creatures and narrative, providing a strong fictional experience."
-
Fellowship
Game with the same Fellowship vibe
-5"No social or community features; entirely single-player experience."
Terra Nil
"No social or community features; entirely single-player experience."
-
Growth
Game with the same Growth vibe
4"Players develop skills in puzzle solving and platforming, learning new mechanics and improving over time."
Escape Goat 2
"Players develop skills in platforming and puzzle solving, learning new mechanics and improving over time."
-
Health
Game with the same Health vibe
-5"Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."
THE ENIGMA MACHINE
"Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."
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Idle
Game with the same Idle vibe
-4"Requires focused attention and continuous engagement due to challenging puzzles and platforming."
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft
"Requires focused attention and continuous engagement due to challenging platforming and puzzles."
-
Intimacy
Game with the same Intimacy vibe
-5"No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions within the game."
Sekiro™: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition
"No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions within the game."
-
Leadership
Game with the same Leadership vibe
-5"No leadership or group management roles; single-player focused."
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
"No leadership or group management roles; single-player focused."
-
Progression
Game with the same Progression vibe
3"Players collect upgrades, unlock abilities, and progress through story and levels."
Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones™
"Players collect memories and upgrades, unlocking new abilities and story elements as they progress."
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Relaxation
Game with the same Relaxation vibe
2"Some players find the game relaxing and immersive; others note difficulty spikes and tension in combat."
Hellslave
"While some find the game relaxing and immersive, others note difficulty spikes and tension in boss fights."
-
Sensation
Game with the same Sensation vibe
3"Enjoyable pixel art visuals and atmospheric music provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."
Stray Cat Crossing
"Enjoyable pixel art visuals and atmospheric soundtrack provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."
-
Status
Game with the same Status vibe
-5"No social recognition or status systems present."
Crying Suns
"No social recognition or status systems present."
-
Story
Game with the same Story vibe
4"Narrative immersion through environmental storytelling, notes, and unfolding mystery drives player engagement."
Lethe - Episode One
"Narrative immersion through environmental storytelling, mind reading, and comics enriches player engagement."
-
Strategy
Game with the same Strategy vibe
4"Players use logic and planning to solve puzzles and avoid threats; strategic thinking is rewarded."
Escape the Backrooms
"Players must use logic and planning to solve puzzles and defeat bosses, requiring strategic thinking."
-
Thrill
Game with the same Thrill vibe
3"Combat and boss fights provide suspense and excitement, though some players find difficulty spikes frustrating."
Sands of Aura
"Boss fights and chase sequences provide suspense and excitement, though some players find difficulty spikes frustrating."
-
Value
Game with the same Value vibe
4"Players report high value for price with engaging story, gameplay, and replayability."
SKALD: Against the Black Priory
"Players report high value for price with engaging gameplay, story, and replayability."
-
Violence
Game with the same Violence vibe
2"Includes combat with enemies and use of weapons, but balanced with exploration and puzzle solving."
Tomb Raider IV: The Last Revelation (1999)
"Includes combat and boss fights with some gore, but also significant puzzle and platforming focus."
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Survival
Game with the same Survival vibe
3"Players manage health and avoid hazards to survive challenging platforming and boss encounters."
Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment
"Players must avoid hazards and manage health to survive challenging platforming and boss encounters."
Analysis
A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Cooperation, Leadership, Violence. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression, Intimacy.
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