SELF similar games & best alternatives

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SELF

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Nintendo Switch • 2020

Should you play it?

SELF is a suspenseful Kafkaesque text-based adventure game with simulation and puzzle mechanics. Could you seize the opportunity to find your father and your SELF back in this introspective journey?

What works
  • Unique artistic and narrative style
  • Thought-provoking and symbolic storytelling
  • Multiple endings and replayability
  • Immersive sound design and atmosphere
  • Accessible gameplay mechanics
Things to keep in mind
  • Story can be confusing and abstract
  • Minimal gameplay challenge
  • Short overall playtime
  • Some players find pacing slow or dry
  • Translation and minor typos reported

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • The Midnight Walk

  • NORCO

  • Papo & Yo

  • ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies

  • Backfirewall_

  • Last Day of June

  • A Space for the Unbound

  • Five Hearts Under One Roof season2

  • What Remains of Edith Finch
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Backfirewall_

  • Demons' Timeline

  • PEPPERED: an existential platformer
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

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).

SELF: 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, Thrill, Creativity.

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 make meaningful choices affecting story branches and endings, with ability to replay and explore different paths."

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    "Players make meaningful choices affecting story branches and endings, with freedom to explore different narrative paths and replay from checkpoints."

  • Competence

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    "Gameplay involves simple puzzles and basic combat with minimal challenge, focusing more on story progression than skill mastery."

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    "Gameplay involves simple mini-games with low difficulty, primarily serving narrative branching rather than skill mastery."

  • Competition

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    "No competitive elements or player comparison; focus is on personal narrative experience."

    Capsule for I live under your house. I live under your house.

    "No competitive elements or player comparison; focus is on personal narrative experience."

  • Continuation

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    "Multiple endings and replayability encourage continued engagement despite short playtime."

    Capsule for Analogue: A Hate Story Analogue: A Hate Story

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  • Cooperation

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

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  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

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    "Highly creative with hand-drawn art, symbolic level design, and a unique narrative approach blending gameplay with personal storytelling."

    Capsule for Something for Someone Else Something for Someone Else

    "Highly creative narrative structure, artistic visual style, and unique integration of symbolic storytelling and gameplay."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

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    "No elements of dominance or power over others; experience is personal and introspective."

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    "No elements of dominance or power over others; experience is introspective and personal."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

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    "Dark, surreal world and story dealing with trauma and identity provide strong emotional escape and immersion."

    Capsule for Lucah: Born of a Dream Lucah: Born of a Dream

    "Strong emphasis on escaping reality through dreamlike, symbolic exploration of identity and trauma."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

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    "Players engage voluntarily driven by interest in narrative, art, and psychological themes rather than obligation."

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  • Experimenting

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    "Multiple endings and branching choices encourage exploration of different narrative possibilities."

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    "Encourages exploration of multiple endings and narrative branches through different choices and replay."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

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    "Exploration of multiple narrative branches and hidden story elements is central to gameplay."

    Capsule for Mandemon Mandemon

    "Exploration of symbolic environments and story fragments is central to gameplay and narrative discovery."

  • Expression

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    "Limited character customization, but strong artistic expression through visuals and narrative style."

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    "Limited character customization but strong artistic expression through visual and narrative style."

  • Fantasy

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    "Surreal world and symbolic imagery create an imaginative fictional experience."

    Capsule for Auf Abwegen Auf Abwegen

    "Abstract, surreal, and symbolic narrative elements create an imaginative fictional experience."

  • Fellowship

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

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  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

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    "Players develop understanding of complex themes and characters through repeated play and reflection."

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  • Health

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    "No physical activity or health-related gameplay aspects."

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  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

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    "Requires focused attention on narrative and choices; not designed for casual or background play."

    Capsule for The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood

    "Requires focused attention to narrative and choices; not designed for casual or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    2

    "Emotional engagement with characters and story fosters some sense of closeness, but no direct social bonding."

    Capsule for Tiny Bunny Tiny Bunny

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

  • Leadership
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    No nearest game available

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    2

    "Progression through unlocking multiple endings and hidden content, though no traditional leveling or items."

    Capsule for 氷点下30度の絶望 氷点下30度の絶望

    "Progression through unlocking endings and memory fragments, though no traditional leveling or item collection."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

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    "Atmospheric pacing and ambient music create a contemplative, immersive experience."

    Capsule for The Moon Sliver The Moon Sliver

    "Atmospheric pacing and music create contemplative, immersive experience balancing tension and calm."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Unique art style, sound design, and visual effects provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

    Capsule for Arboria Arboria

    "Distinctive monochrome art style and evocative sound design provide strong sensory and emotional impact."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

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    "No social recognition or status systems present."

    Capsule for Resident Evil 7 Biohazard Resident Evil 7 Biohazard

    "No social recognition or status systems present."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Narrative-driven game with deep, emotional, and immersive storytelling as the core experience."

    Capsule for If On A Winter's Night, Four Travelers If On A Winter's Night, Four Travelers

    "Narrative-driven game with deep, multi-layered story and symbolic storytelling as core experience."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

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    "Minimal strategic challenge; choices affect story but require little planning or problem solving."

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    "Minimal strategic challenge; choices affect story but gameplay mechanics are simple."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Some suspense and tension in story and puzzles, but overall controlled experience."

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    "Some suspense and emotional tension through story and symbolic mini-games, but overall controlled experience."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

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    "Generally positive perceived value for narrative and artistic experience, though some players note short length and price concerns."

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    "Generally positive value for players interested in narrative and artistic games, though some find it short."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

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    "No explicit violence or combat; themes are psychological and symbolic rather than physical."

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    "No focus on combat or destruction; themes are psychological and emotional rather than violent."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

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    "No survival mechanics; story involves threats but no player survival gameplay."

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Last update: 12/07/2026