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The friends of Ringo Ishikawa similar games & best alternatives

The friends of Ringo Ishikawa

PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Mac • 2018

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Quick resume

A highschool gang leader Ringo Ishikawa trying to live through his last autumn before graduation. With his best friends.

Global score

89/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Indie, Role-playing (RPG), Fighting

Similar games

    Pros

    • Deep, existential story and atmosphere
    • Open world with freedom of choice
    • Well-written characters and dialogue
    • Engaging combat with skill progression
    • Excellent chill lo-fi soundtrack

    Cons

    • Lack of tutorials or guidance
    • Some cryptic or vague mechanics
    • Single ending with abrupt conclusion
    • Minor bugs and control quirks
    • No map or navigation aid

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      5

      "Players have full freedom to explore the open world and perform any actions they desire without constraints or fixed objectives."

      Capsule for Goat Simulator Goat Simulator

      "Players have full freedom to choose daily activities, explore the open world, and decide how to spend time without handholding or forced objectives."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      3

      "Combat requires skillful timing of attacks, counters, and dodges; players improve through practice and equipment upgrades."

      Capsule for Hand of Fate Hand of Fate

      "Combat requires skill and progression through training; players improve stats and learn moves, though some aspects are cryptic and challenging."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -3

      "Focus is on personal experience and story rather than competing against others; no mention of leaderboards or ranked modes."

      Capsule for Fishy Fishy

      "Focus is on personal progression and story rather than competing against others; no ranked modes or leaderboards."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      3

      "Addictive gameplay encourages repeated playthroughs and long sessions despite some repetitiveness."

      Capsule for Kingdom: Classic Kingdom: Classic

      "Players often engage in repeated playthroughs to discover new events and explore the world; some find it addictive and immersive."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      2

      "Some multiplayer features like guilds and friend bonuses exist, but much of the gameplay can be done solo."

      Capsule for IdleOn IdleOn

      "Players can recruit and fight alongside gang members, encouraging some teamwork, but much gameplay is solo."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      1

      "Limited customization or creative building; some player expression through gameplay style but mostly predefined structures."

      Capsule for RUSSIA BATTLEGROUNDS RUSSIA BATTLEGROUNDS

      "Limited customization or creation; players can choose activities and approach but mostly use predefined structures."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -4

      "Interactions emphasize equality and mutual respect; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."

      Capsule for STORY OF SEASONS: Friends of Mineral Town STORY OF SEASONS: Friends of Mineral Town

      "Interactions emphasize equal relationships and mutual respect; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Players use the game as a relaxing, immersive experience to escape real life, with beautiful environments and meditative gameplay."

      Capsule for Project 5: Sightseer Project 5: Sightseer

      "Players use the game as a meditative escape from real life, appreciating its atmosphere and existential themes."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and intrinsic motivation rather than obligation or pressure."

      Capsule for Supreme Commander Supreme Commander

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and intrinsic motivation rather than obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      3

      "Players explore different characters, abilities, and movement techniques, experimenting with strategies and game mechanics."

      Capsule for PWND PWND

      "Players explore mechanics, discover hidden events, and experiment with different playstyles and routines."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      4

      "Open world encourages discovering new areas, secrets, and resources; exploration is a core gameplay element."

      Capsule for Age of Water Age of Water

      "Open world encourages discovering new areas, secrets, and events; exploration is a key part of the experience."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      -2

      "Minimal character customization; expression mainly through voice and gestures rather than visual personalization."

      Capsule for Among Us 3D: VR Among Us 3D: VR

      "Minimal character customization; expression mainly through choices and interactions rather than visual personalization."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      -3

      "Grounded in realistic 1980s Japan and China settings with plausible story and daily life simulation."

      Capsule for Shenmue I & II Shenmue I & II

      "Grounded in realistic, slice-of-life scenarios and Japanese delinquent culture; no fantastical or improbable elements."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      3

      "Strong sense of community and friendship among characters; players experience social bonds and emotional connections."

      Capsule for Flowers -Le volume sur printemps- Flowers -Le volume sur printemps-

      "Strong sense of community and friendship among characters; players experience group dynamics and social bonds."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Strong focus on learning game mechanics, managing stats, and improving character through training and strategy."

      Capsule for Punch Club Punch Club

      "Focus on learning new moves, improving stats, studying, and personal development throughout the game."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -3

      "Sedentary gameplay with alcohol consumption and smoking simulated; no physical activity or health focus."

      Capsule for Finnish Cottage Simulator Finnish Cottage Simulator

      "Sedentary gameplay with smoking and fighting; no physical activity beyond in-game training simulations."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      3

      "Short play sessions and casual reading experience suitable for filling time."

      Capsule for NEKOPARA Extra NEKOPARA Extra

      "Some activities involve waiting or slow progression, such as reading or studying, allowing for relaxed play sessions."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      3

      "Players form friendships and romantic relationships with NPCs and some social interactions with players."

      Capsule for Palia Palia

      "Players form close relationships with friends and NPCs through meaningful dialogue and shared experiences."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      3

      "Players often take on roles and coordinate team actions, implying informal leadership within groups."

      Capsule for PAYDAY™ The Heist PAYDAY™ The Heist

      "Player leads a gang and makes decisions affecting group dynamics, though leadership is informal and collaborative."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Players accumulate skill points, unlock abilities, and improve builds to enhance combat effectiveness."

      Capsule for No Straight Roads: Encore Edition No Straight Roads: Encore Edition

      "Players accumulate stats, learn new combat moves, gain money, and improve academic performance over time."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      4

      "Calm music, slow pace, and atmospheric world promote relaxation and flow."

      Capsule for Atma Atma

      "Calm, lo-fi music and atmospheric environments promote relaxation and contemplative flow states."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Enjoyable pixel art and soundtrack provide sensory pleasure and emotional engagement"

      Capsule for Phoenotopia: Awakening Phoenotopia: Awakening

      "Enjoyable pixel art visuals and chill soundtrack provide sensory pleasure and emotional engagement."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -2

      "Social recognition is limited to in-game reputation; no external social status or popularity mechanics."

      Capsule for XOXO Droplets XOXO Droplets

      "Recognition is limited to in-game social circles; no broader social status or visibility systems."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      5

      "Strong narrative immersion with well-written characters, dialogue, and a unique setting driving player engagement."

      Capsule for Felvidek Felvidek

      "Strong narrative immersion with well-written characters and existential themes driving player engagement."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      2

      "Combat and resource management require some planning and tactical thinking but not highly complex."

      Capsule for Dawn of Defiance Dawn of Defiance

      "Combat and time management require planning and tactical thinking, though not highly complex."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      1

      "Some suspense in story and combat, but overall experience is more contemplative than thrilling."

      Capsule for Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition

      "Some tension in combat and story, but overall experience is more contemplative than suspenseful."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players report high emotional and experiential value for time and money invested."

      Capsule for THE LONGING THE LONGING

      "Players report high emotional and experiential value, with many hours of meaningful engagement."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      2

      "Combat and fighting are central, with strategic use of weapons and attacks, though violence is stylized and narrative-driven."

      Capsule for Felvidek Felvidek

      "Combat and fighting are central mechanics, though violence is stylized and contextualized within story."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      1

      "Some resource management and combat survival elements, but generally low risk and forgiving."

      Capsule for High On Life High On Life

      "Some resource management (hunger, health) and avoiding defeat in fights, but low-risk overall."

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Idle. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy, Expression.

    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