Verne: The Shape of Fantasy similar games & best alternatives

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Verne: The Shape of Fantasy - verne-the-shape-of-fantasy_6.avif

Verne: The Shape of Fantasy

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Nintendo Switch • 2023

Should you play it?

Become Jules Verne and adventure into the dangers that hide in Hemera, a fantastic parallel world built from his own imagination. Explore, solve puzzles and unlock the most coveted secret of the mighty Atlantis.

What works
  • Beautiful pixel art and detailed environments
  • Engaging and original narrative inspired by jules verne
  • Full voice acting enhances immersion
  • Accessible and intuitive gameplay with varied puzzles
  • Rich lore and collectibles deepen story experience
Things to keep in mind
  • Linear gameplay with limited player agency
  • Underutilized unique game mechanics (imag device)
  • Short playtime with limited replayability
  • Some pacing issues and slow character movement
  • Lack of chapter select and save options complicates 100% completion

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Darkestville Castle

  • AER Memories of Old

  • Firmament

  • Lake Ridden

  • Elroy and the Aliens

  • The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

  • The Uncertain: Last Quiet Day

  • Truberbrook / Trüberbrook

  • Mr. Pumpkin Adventure
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Darkestville Castle

  • Lake Ridden

  • Elroy and the Aliens
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Story

    Mothlight
  • Escapism

    ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies
  • Fantasy

    Clockwork Tales: Of Glass and Ink

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).

Verne: The Shape of Fantasy: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Thrill, Competition. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression, Intimacy, Fellowship.

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 control the protagonist's movement and dialogue choices, but the narrative is linear and predetermined."

    Capsule for HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE

    "Players control Jules Verne directly and make some dialogue choices, but the game is largely linear and guided."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

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    "Puzzles are mostly straightforward and easy, with some minor challenge; gameplay is simple and not skill-intensive."

    Capsule for Moons of Madness Moons of Madness

    "Puzzles are generally simple and easy, with some minor challenge near the end; gameplay is straightforward."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

    "No competitive elements; focus is on personal narrative experience without comparison to others."

    Capsule for Gone Home Gone Home

    "No competitive elements; focus is on personal narrative experience without comparison to others."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

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    "Game length about 3-5 hours; some players played in multiple sessions but generally engaged to completion."

    Capsule for Hope Lake Hope Lake

    "Game is relatively short (3-6 hours), with some players wanting more but generally completed in one or two sessions."

  • Cooperation

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    "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

    Capsule for The Vanishing of Ethan Carter The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

    "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

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    "Players can experiment with different game modes and visual filters; some freedom in approach to puzzles."

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    "Players use the IMAG device to alter reality in puzzles, though this mechanic is underutilized."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

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    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are narrative-driven and equal."

    Capsule for Firework Firework

    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are narrative-driven and equal."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Provides an immersive narrative that allows players to escape into a complex fictional world."

    Capsule for ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies

    "Strong narrative and immersive world provide escape into Jules Verne's imaginative universe."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in story and setting, not due to obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for Neo Cab Neo Cab

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in story and setting, not due to obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

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    "Some experimentation with choices and puzzle approaches, but mostly linear and guided gameplay."

    Capsule for 神都不良探 Underdog Detective 神都不良探 Underdog Detective

    "Some experimentation with the IMAG mechanic and puzzle solving, but mostly linear and guided gameplay."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

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    "Some exploration of detailed environments and collectibles is encouraged, though within linear level design."

    Capsule for Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream

    "Exploration of detailed environments and collectibles is encouraged, though within linear paths."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

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    "Limited customization or personalization; character and environment visuals are fixed pixel art."

    Capsule for Ministry of Broadcast Ministry of Broadcast

    "Limited customization or self-expression; character and environment visuals are fixed pixel art."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

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    "Steampunk setting with imaginative fiction elements, mechanical creatures, and a narrative involving evil generals and inventions."

    Capsule for Clockwork Tales: Of Glass and Ink Clockwork Tales: Of Glass and Ink

    "Strongly rooted in imaginative fiction, alternate history, and steampunk fantasy inspired by Jules Verne."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

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    "Primarily a solo narrative experience with minimal social or community interaction."

    Capsule for Amnesia™: Memories Amnesia™: Memories

    "Primarily a solo narrative experience with minimal social or community interaction."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

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    "Players learn story details and puzzle solutions, gaining knowledge and understanding of the world."

    Capsule for Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy (1999) Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy (1999)

    "Players learn about Jules Verne's life and works through collectibles and narrative, gaining knowledge."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

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    "Sedentary gameplay typical of adventure games, no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of adventure games; no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

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    "Requires focused attention during puzzles and story; some slow pacing but not background or idle play."

    Capsule for Bye Sweet Carole Bye Sweet Carole

    "Requires focused attention during puzzles and story; some slow pacing but not idle or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

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    "Limited emotional connection mostly through narrative; no social or close relationship building."

    Capsule for FATAL FRAME / PROJECT ZERO: Maiden of Black Water FATAL FRAME / PROJECT ZERO: Maiden of Black Water

    "Limited emotional connection mostly through narrative; no social or close relationship building."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

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    "No leadership or group management elements; player follows a linear story."

    Capsule for Dominique Pamplemousse Dominique Pamplemousse

    "No leadership or group management elements; player follows a linear story."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    2

    "Progression through story and collection of lore items and achievements; no character upgrades or power accumulation."

    Capsule for Through the Woods Through the Woods

    "Progression through story chapters and collecting lore items; no complex upgrades or power accumulation."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

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    "Calm pacing, soothing music, and immersive narrative provide a relaxing experience."

    Capsule for Ballads at Midnight Ballads at Midnight

    "Generally calm and contemplative pacing with soothing music and immersive storytelling."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

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    "Simple pixel art and music provide sensory enjoyment but not intense stimulation."

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    "Visual and auditory enjoyment from detailed pixel art and soundtrack, but not intense sensory stimulation."

  • Status

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

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

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Strong narrative focus with rich lore, character development, and emotional storytelling."

    Capsule for Mothlight Mothlight

    "Strong narrative focus with rich story, character development, and lore inspired by Jules Verne."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    0

    "Puzzles require some thinking but are mostly straightforward; no deep strategic planning."

    Capsule for Cat Museum Cat Museum

    "Puzzles require some thinking but are mostly straightforward; no deep strategic planning."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    -2

    "Low suspense and risk; gameplay is calm and methodical rather than thrilling or tense."

    Capsule for Palindrome Syndrome: Escape Room Palindrome Syndrome: Escape Room

    "Low suspense and risk; gameplay is calm and story-driven rather than thrilling or tense."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    2

    "Low price and short length provide reasonable value for players interested in the unique narrative."

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    "Good value for players interested in narrative and art, though some feel the short length limits payoff."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

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    "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus on story, exploration, and puzzle solving."

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    "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus on exploration, puzzle-solving, and narrative."

  • Survival

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    "No survival or threat avoidance mechanics; stable and safe gameplay environment."

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Last update: 13/07/2026