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Struggling similar games & best alternatives

Struggling

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 • 2020

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Quick resume

Struggling is a physics-based co-op platformer with a twisted spin on teamwork. Control the arms of a squishy abomination and lead it through a deranged world.

Global score

87/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Casual, Indie, Platform, Strategy, Puzzle

Similar games

    Pros

    • Unique and creative gameplay mechanics
    • Excellent cooperative local play
    • Funny and surreal art style and humor
    • Great soundtrack and sound design
    • Rewarding challenge and progression

    Cons

    • Frustrating and inconsistent controls
    • Physical strain from intense controller use
    • Lack of native online multiplayer
    • Some players find difficulty spikes punishing
    • Short playtime with limited replay value

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players control each leg independently, requiring personal coordination and decision-making."

      Capsule for Biped Biped

      "Players control each arm independently, requiring coordination and personal input to navigate challenges."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      4

      "The game is challenging with difficult controls and physics, requiring skill and persistence to succeed."

      Capsule for Cart Racer Cart Racer

      "The game is challenging with difficult physics-based controls and boss fights, rewarding skill and persistence."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -3

      "Focus is on cooperative play and personal progress rather than competing against others."

      Capsule for Hand Simulator: Horror Hand Simulator: Horror

      "Focus is on cooperative play and personal challenge rather than competing against others."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      3

      "Players report long sessions, high engagement, and desire to replay or continue despite some frustration with difficulty and bugs."

      Capsule for Aliens: Dark Descent Aliens: Dark Descent

      "Players report long sessions and replaying the game multiple times despite difficulty and frustration."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      5

      "Strong emphasis on teamwork and coordination in local co-op gameplay."

      Capsule for Tools Up! Tools Up!

      "Strong emphasis on local co-op with each player controlling one arm; teamwork and communication are essential."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      4

      "Unique boss designs, varied mechanics, and customization options encourage creative approaches."

      Capsule for Perennial Order Perennial Order

      "Unique mechanics, evolving gameplay, and creative level design with new powers and varied boss fights."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -4

      "Interactions are cooperative and balanced; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."

      Capsule for Biped Biped

      "Interactions are cooperative and balanced; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      3

      "Players use the game as a casual, humorous distraction and stress relief."

      Capsule for Save Jesus Save Jesus

      "Players use the game as a humorous distraction and stress relief, escaping real-life frustrations."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for fun and challenge, not out of obligation or pressure."

      Capsule for Armello Armello

      "Players engage voluntarily for fun and challenge, not out of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      4

      "Game constantly introduces new mechanics and obstacles, encouraging players to explore and try new strategies."

      Capsule for Slime-san: Superslime Edition Slime-san: Superslime Edition

      "Game introduces new mechanics and powers progressively, encouraging players to try new strategies."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      3

      "Players explore multiple colorful levels and discover hidden hats and secrets."

      Capsule for Mushroom Cats 2 Mushroom Cats 2

      "Players explore varied and surreal environments with hidden hats and secrets."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      3

      "Hat collecting and character customization allow for player self-expression."

      Capsule for SteamWorld Heist SteamWorld Heist

      "Collectible hats and character customization allow for some player self-expression."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      4

      "Imaginative, surreal world with quirky characters and absurd humor; story includes allegories and playful fiction."

      Capsule for Pikuniku Pikuniku

      "Surreal, grotesque world and story with imaginative fiction and absurd humor."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      4

      "Strong community and social bonding through multiplayer play and shared experiences."

      Capsule for Hand Simulator: Survival Hand Simulator: Survival

      "Strong community and social bonding through cooperative gameplay and shared experiences."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Players develop skills in puzzle solving, navigation, and mastering controls over a long playtime."

      Capsule for Tomb Raider IV: The Last Revelation (1999) Tomb Raider IV: The Last Revelation (1999)

      "Players develop skills to master difficult controls and puzzles, improving over multiple playthroughs."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -4

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with some physical strain reported from controls."

      Capsule for Spirittea Spirittea

      "Reports of physical strain and discomfort from intense controller use and frustrating controls."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention due to challenging gameplay and precise controls."

      Capsule for FlatOut FlatOut

      "Requires constant attention and focus due to challenging controls and gameplay."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      3

      "Co-op play fosters close social interaction and teamwork, enhancing emotional connection."

      Capsule for PixelJunk™ Monsters Ultimate PixelJunk™ Monsters Ultimate

      "Co-op play fosters close social interaction and emotional sharing between players."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -3

      "Gameplay emphasizes equal participation and cooperation rather than leadership or authority roles."

      Capsule for Totally Reliable Delivery Service Totally Reliable Delivery Service

      "Gameplay emphasizes equal participation and cooperation rather than leadership roles."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      3

      "Players collect items, unlock hats, and upgrade health and abilities."

      Capsule for Olija Olija

      "Players progress through levels, unlock new abilities, and collect hats as upgrades."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      -2

      "Game is challenging and can induce frustration, though some players find catharsis in overcoming difficulty."

      Capsule for Angry Video Game Nerd II: ASSimilation Angry Video Game Nerd II: ASSimilation

      "Game is often stressful and frustrating, though some find catharsis in overcoming challenges."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Enjoyable visual and audio design with cute animations and sound effects."

      Capsule for Haunt the House: Terrortown Haunt the House: Terrortown

      "Engaging audio-visual design with memorable soundtrack and humorous sound effects."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -4

      "Focus is on private cooperative experience rather than social recognition or leaderboards."

      Capsule for We Were Here Forever We Were Here Forever

      "Focus is on cooperative experience rather than social recognition or leaderboards."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      2

      "Story is light, humorous, and minimal but present; narrative supports gameplay without heavy immersion."

      Capsule for Nobody Saves the World Nobody Saves the World

      "Narrative is minimal but quirky and humorous, supporting gameplay without heavy immersion."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      3

      "Requires planning and timing to navigate levels and solve puzzles."

      Capsule for qomp qomp

      "Requires problem solving and planning to use abilities and navigate puzzles effectively."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      3

      "Players experience tension and relief from challenging sequences and near misses."

      Capsule for A Dance of Fire and Ice A Dance of Fire and Ice

      "Players experience tension and relief from challenging physics and timed sequences."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      3

      "Players feel the game offers good value for price, especially with co-op replayability."

      Capsule for Clandestine Clandestine

      "Players feel the game offers good entertainment and challenge for its price, especially in co-op."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      -3

      "Gameplay focuses on puzzle solving and cooperative play rather than combat or destruction."

      Capsule for Climb The Backrooms Climb The Backrooms

      "Gameplay focuses on cooperative platforming and puzzle solving rather than combat or destruction."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      3

      "Players must avoid hazards and manage timing to survive and progress through levels."

      Capsule for DeadCore DeadCore

      "Players must avoid hazards and manage risks to progress through difficult levels."

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence, Relaxation, Leadership.

    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.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026