School Years similar games & best alternatives

School Years

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2019

Should you play it?

A visual novel adapted from a real story.To tell the most authentic Chinese story in the most simple words

What works
  • Deep and relatable emotional story
  • Innovative use of 3d environments and interactive elements
  • Full chinese voice acting
  • Multiple endings and replayability
  • Pleasant soundtrack
Things to keep in mind
  • Poor english translation
  • Buggy and sometimes confusing puzzles
  • Slow pacing and repetitive dialogue
  • Unfinished story with controversial ending
  • Ui and animation quality issues

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • The NOexistenceN of you AND me

  • Hymer 2000

  • Ten Dates

  • Love is All Around: Echoes of Yesterday

  • 他人世界末 On-looker

  • Five Dates

  • Revenge on gold diggers

  • Motesolo : No Girlfriend Since Birth

  • Miracle Snack Shop

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Hymer 2000

  • Motesolo : No Girlfriend Since Birth

  • I've Fallen For You!

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Creativity

    Autonauts vs Piratebots

  • Escapism

    Tricolour Lovestory

  • Story

    Can I Not Fall for Idols?

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).

School Years: 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 Intimacy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy, Relaxation.

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 make timed choices that influence story endings, allowing some control over narrative direction."

    Capsule for Aozora Meikyuu Aozora Meikyuu

    "Players can make timed choices that influence story direction and endings, including skipping choices as a valid option, indicating some control over narrative flow."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    2

    "The game includes puzzles and mini-games that require skill and problem solving, though not overly challenging."

    Capsule for Jerma & Otto: The Curse of the Late Streamer Jerma & Otto: The Curse of the Late Streamer

    "Game includes puzzles such as math problems, mazes, and minigames that require some skill and problem solving, though some are considered confusing or repetitive."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on personal story experience and emotional engagement without competitive elements or player comparison."

    Capsule for True Love ~Confide to the Maple~ True Love ~Confide to the Maple~

    "Focus is on personal story progression and emotional experience without competitive elements or player comparison."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Multiple endings encourage replaying; some players report spending hours exploring all outcomes despite short base playtime."

    Capsule for [Chilla's Art] The Karaoke | ヒトカラ🎤 [Chilla's Art] The Karaoke | ヒトカラ🎤

    "Players report long playtimes (10-20+ hours) and multiple endings encouraging replay, though some find the pacing slow and the ending disappointing."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Single player visual novel experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

    Capsule for Urban Myth Dissolution Center Urban Myth Dissolution Center

    "Single player visual novel experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Players create and modify bot programs and base layouts, enabling creative automation solutions."

    Capsule for Autonauts vs Piratebots Autonauts vs Piratebots

    "Innovative use of Unity engine with 3D environments, interactive elements, minigames, and a unique bullet comment (danmaku) system for player interaction."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; experience is personal and narrative-driven."

    Capsule for INMOST INMOST

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; experience is personal and narrative-driven."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game to immerse in an emotional story and escape real life stresses."

    Capsule for Tricolour Lovestory Tricolour Lovestory

    "Players use the game to immerse in a nostalgic, emotional story that offers escape from real life stress and pressures."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -3

    "Players engage voluntarily for story interest and emotional experience, not out of obligation."

    Capsule for Sakura no Mori † Dreamers Sakura no Mori † Dreamers

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in story and emotional experience; some frustration with translation and bugs but no obligation reported."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    2

    "Some exploration of dialogue branches and puzzle solutions, but overall gameplay follows established routines."

    Capsule for KOEWOTAYORINI / 声之寄托 KOEWOTAYORINI / 声之寄托

    "Some exploration of different story branches and puzzle solving, but many players note repetitive dialogue and limited novelty after first playthrough."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Exploration of dreamlike environments and hidden collectibles adds to discovery."

    Capsule for DARQ: Complete Edition DARQ: Complete Edition

    "Includes 3D exploration segments such as walking in school corridors and dream mazes, adding discovery elements beyond typical visual novel."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Players customize character abilities and influence story outcomes, but no avatar or visual customization."

    Capsule for Metropolis: Lux Obscura Metropolis: Lux Obscura

    "Players can influence character relationships and story outcomes through choices, but no deep avatar customization or cosmetic expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    -2

    "Story grounded in realistic school life and emotional relationships rather than fantastical or mythical elements."

    Capsule for 千面 Melancholy Love 千面 Melancholy Love

    "Story grounded in realistic high school life and emotional struggles, though some dream and time-travel elements add limited fantasy."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Experience is solitary with minimal social connection; community discussion is external to gameplay."

    Capsule for The Beginner's Guide The Beginner's Guide

    "Experience is largely solitary; some social interaction via in-game bullet comments but no community gameplay."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players experience character development and story growth, with some learning through puzzles and narrative understanding."

    Capsule for Bye Sweet Carole Bye Sweet Carole

    "Players engage with character development and story progression; some learning through puzzles and narrative insight."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of visual novels; no physical activity or health-related features."

    Capsule for Aviary Attorney Aviary Attorney

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of visual novels; no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused reading and attention; some players note slow pacing but generally immersive."

    Capsule for Magical Girl Witch Trials Magical Girl Witch Trials

    "Requires focused reading and interaction; some players note slow pacing and need for attention during timed choices."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    3

    "Strong emotional connections to characters and story; some themes of close relationships."

    Capsule for Masquerada: Songs and Shadows Masquerada: Songs and Shadows

    "Strong emotional connections to characters and story; players empathize deeply with protagonist's relationships."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements present."

    Capsule for FORM FORM

    "No leadership or group management elements present."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players progress through story chapters, unlock endings, and develop relationships, showing narrative progression."

    Capsule for Crystalline Crystalline

    "Players progress through story chapters, unlock achievements, and explore multiple endings, showing narrative progression."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    1

    "Some players find story immersive and relaxing, others note slow pacing and occasional frustration."

    Capsule for Sierra Ops - Space Strategy Visual Novel Sierra Ops - Space Strategy Visual Novel

    "Some players find the story immersive and emotionally soothing, others find pacing slow and some segments stressful."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Pleasant music and voice acting add sensory enjoyment, though visuals are simple and consistent."

    Capsule for Unhack Unhack

    "Pleasant music and voice acting enhance sensory enjoyment; some find 3D scenes and animations less polished."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog

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

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Narrative-driven visual novel with multiple endings and character arcs."

    Capsule for Can I Not Fall for Idols? Can I Not Fall for Idols?

    "Narrative-driven visual novel with deep emotional story, multiple endings, and character development; some criticism of ending and translation."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    1

    "Choices affect story outcomes but require limited strategic planning or problem solving."

    Capsule for Mystic Destinies: Serendipity of Aeons Mystic Destinies: Serendipity of Aeons

    "Limited strategic elements mainly in puzzle solving and choice timing; story choices have minor impact on outcomes."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    -2

    "Game is mostly calm and whimsical; occasional tension in puzzles but overall low suspense and risk."

    Capsule for Botanicula Botanicula

    "Game is mostly calm and reflective; some suspense in puzzles and story twists but no intense thrills."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Generally considered good value for price with extensive content and replayability, though some criticize bugs and lack of polish."

    Capsule for FRONT MISSION 3: Remake FRONT MISSION 3: Remake

    "Generally considered good value especially at low price or free; some complaints about bugs and translation but overall worth it."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus on constructive emotional and narrative engagement."

    Capsule for Love Delivery Love Delivery

    "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus on constructive narrative and emotional experience."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -5

    "No survival or threat avoidance mechanics; stable narrative environment."

    Capsule for Love Is All Around Love Is All Around

    "No survival or threat avoidance mechanics; stable narrative environment."

Last update: 10/07/2026