Shadows of Adam similar games & best alternatives

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Shadows of Adam

PlayStation 4, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Nintendo Switch • 2017

Should you play it?

Gorgeous pixel art. Intense, blazing fast battles. An epic adventure. This is the must-play retro indie JRPG built for the modern era.

What works
  • Faithful retro jrpg style
  • Engaging and strategic combat
  • Challenging puzzles
  • Beautiful pixel art and music
  • No random encounters
Things to keep in mind
  • Linear progression
  • Some repetitive puzzles
  • Story and characters somewhat shallow
  • Minor bugs and ui quirks
  • Limited replayability without dlc

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Paper Sorcerer

  • Cosmic Star Heroine

  • SKALD: Against the Black Priory

  • StarCrawlers

  • Remyadry

  • Kingdoms of the Dump

  • Zoria: Age of Shattering

  • Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3

  • SteamWorld Heist II
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Remyadry

  • Kingdoms of the Dump

  • Zoria: Age of Shattering
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).

Shadows of Adam: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Violence, Survival, Fellowship, Intimacy. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Leadership, Relaxation. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Continuation.

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 can explore environments and solve puzzles with some freedom, but the game is mostly linear with fixed progression paths."

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    "Players can explore towns, dungeons, and puzzles with some freedom, but the game is mostly linear with fixed encounters and story progression."

  • Competence

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    "Combat requires skillful timing, dodging, and combo execution; puzzles and boss fights provide mental challenges."

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    "Combat requires strategic use of AP and abilities, puzzles are challenging but intuitive, and boss fights demand tactical thinking."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on single-player experience with no mention of multiplayer or leaderboards; gameplay is self-paced without social comparison."

    Capsule for Hard West Hard West

    "Focus is on single-player experience with no multiplayer or leaderboards; gameplay is paced individually without social comparison."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "The game has moderate length (around 10 hours) with replayability due to multiple endings and difficulty modes, encouraging repeated play."

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  • Cooperation

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    "Gameplay centers on controlling a fixed party of four characters with no multiplayer or cooperative elements."

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    "Gameplay centers on a fixed party of four controlled by the player; no multiplayer or cooperative play."

  • Creativity

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    "Players can explore environments and interact with many objects; some customization of approach to puzzles."

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    "Players can customize equipment and experiment with artifact combinations, but puzzles and environments follow classic templates."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

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    "Interactions are cooperative within the party; no evidence of dominance or power assertion over others."

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    "Interactions are balanced and cooperative within the party; no evidence of power assertion over others."

  • Escapism

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    "The game offers an immersive fantasy world that provides a pleasant escape from reality."

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  • Expectation

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    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and nostalgia, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

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    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and nostalgia, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

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    "Players experiment with different weapons, combos, and puzzle solutions within the game’s mechanics."

    Capsule for Darksiders Warmastered Edition Darksiders Warmastered Edition

    "Players experiment with battle strategies, artifact combinations, and puzzle solutions, though within classic RPG frameworks."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

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    "Exploration of towns, dungeons, and hidden areas is rewarding and encouraged, with branching paths and secrets to discover."

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    "Exploration of towns, dungeons, and hidden treasures is encouraged, with some secrets and sidequests to discover."

  • Expression

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    "Customization through character builds and equipment allows some personal expression, though visual options are limited."

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    "Character equipment and artifact customization allow some personal expression, though character visuals are fixed."

  • Fantasy

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    "Classic JRPG fantasy setting with mythical creatures, magic, and heroic quests."

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  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on solo play with minimal social or community interaction."

    Capsule for Way of the Samurai 4 Way of the Samurai 4

    "Focus is on solo play with minimal social interaction or community features."

  • Growth

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    "Players learn new abilities, improve skills, and develop strategies throughout the game."

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    "Players develop skills, learn new abilities, and improve strategies throughout the game."

  • Health

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    -4

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of JRPGs with no physical activity elements."

    Capsule for WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY® WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY®

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of JRPGs with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

  • Idle

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    "Requires continuous attention and engagement during combat and puzzle solving."

    Capsule for Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition

    "Requires continuous player attention during exploration, combat, and puzzle solving."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

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    "Character relationships exist but limited to scripted interactions; no close social bonding with others."

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    "Character relationships are present but limited to scripted party interactions without deeper social connection."

  • Leadership

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    "Player leads a party and makes decisions affecting group composition and strategy."

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    "Player directs the party and makes strategic decisions, effectively leading the group."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

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    "Players accumulate experience, unlock upgrades, and customize equipment, reflecting meaningful progression."

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    "Players accumulate experience, level up, and collect better equipment and artifacts."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

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    "Balanced challenge and pacing provide satisfying flow and tension release."

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    "Balanced challenge and pacing provide a satisfying flow without excessive tension."

  • Sensation

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    "Enjoyable pixel art, animations, and music provide sensory pleasure and emotional engagement."

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    "Enjoyable pixel art, animations, and music provide sensory pleasure and emotional engagement."

  • Status

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    "Achievements and progression are personal; no social status or recognition systems."

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    "Achievements and progression are personal; no social status or recognition mechanisms."

  • Story

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    "Engaging narrative with character interactions and plot twists, though somewhat typical JRPG."

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    "Narrative is classic JRPG style with character-driven plot and some twists, though not deeply complex."

  • Strategy

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    "Combat and puzzle solving require planning, resource management, and tactical decision-making."

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    "Combat and puzzle solving require planning, resource management, and tactical thinking."

  • Thrill

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    "Some suspense and challenge in boss fights and puzzles, but mostly controlled and predictable gameplay."

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    "Some suspense in boss fights and puzzles, but overall controlled and predictable gameplay."

  • Value

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    "Long gameplay, included DLC, and replayability provide good value for money and time invested."

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  • Violence

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    "Combat involves attacking enemies with weapons and magic; typical JRPG battle violence."

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    "Combat involves defeating enemies with attacks and magic, consistent with classic JRPG violence."

  • Survival

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    "Players must manage health, resources, and avoid defeat in challenging battles."

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    "Players must manage resources and health to avoid defeat, with some challenging encounters."

Last update: 12/07/2026