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A Case of Distrust similar games & best alternatives

A Case of Distrust

iOS, Nintendo Switch, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2018

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Quick resume

A Case of Distrust is a narrative mystery from 1924 San Francisco. Play as private investigator Phyllis Cadence Malone in this historical 2D adventure game.

Global score

82/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Point-and-click, Puzzle

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Outsiders

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Pros

  • Engaging noir detective story
  • Stylish minimalist art and jazz soundtrack
  • Logical deduction and clue gathering gameplay
  • Immersive 1920s setting with historical flavor
  • Well-written characters and dialogue

Cons

  • Short game length with limited replay value
  • Some tedious backtracking and menu navigation
  • Lack of voice acting
  • Price considered high for content length
  • Final plot twist and ending received mixed reactions

Analysis

Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Fellowship, Expression. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy, Value, Continuation.

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.

  • Purple star: the game you are viewing on this page.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
  • Hover a dot for a quick preview; click to compare it 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.

Motivations

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    3

    "Players direct investigations, choose how to question suspects and piece together evidence, showing moderate control over actions."

    Capsule for Lucifer Within Us Lucifer Within Us

    "Players direct their own investigation by choosing which clues to pursue and how to interrogate suspects, with some freedom in dialogue choices."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Players engage in puzzle-solving and deduction, feeling effective when connecting clues and filling reports."

    Capsule for Lost Wiki: Kozlovka Lost Wiki: Kozlovka

    "Players engage in logical deduction and puzzle-solving by collecting clues and contradicting statements, requiring attention and reasoning."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

    "Single-player narrative experience with no competitive elements or comparison to others."

    Capsule for Stray Cat Crossing Stray Cat Crossing

    "Single-player narrative experience with no competitive elements or comparison to others."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    -3

    "Short game length (~2-4 hours) and limited replay value reduce habitual or long session play."

    Capsule for Toby: The Secret Mine Toby: The Secret Mine

    "Short game length (~2-4 hours) and limited replay value reduce habitual or long session play."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Entirely single-player with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

    Capsule for Call of Cthulhu® Call of Cthulhu®

    "Entirely single-player with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players create their own investigative path and hypotheses, but within a structured narrative and predefined puzzles."

    Capsule for The Séance of Blake Manor The Séance of Blake Manor

    "Players creatively piece together clues and decide interrogation strategies, though within a structured narrative."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No social or multiplayer interactions involving control or superiority over others."

    Capsule for Sound of Drop - fall into poison - Sound of Drop - fall into poison -

    "No social or multiplayer interaction involving control or superiority over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Strong immersion in 1930s noir atmosphere and story provides escape from real life."

    Capsule for Jack Orlando: Director's Cut Jack Orlando: Director's Cut

    "Immersive 1920s noir setting and story provide a strong escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest in story-driven detective gameplay and narrative."

    Capsule for Lacuna – A Sci-Fi Noir Adventure Lacuna – A Sci-Fi Noir Adventure

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in detective stories and narrative puzzles."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    2

    "Players explore dialogue options and some new mechanics, though largely within established narrative routines."

    Capsule for OXENFREE II: Lost Signals OXENFREE II: Lost Signals

    "Players try different dialogue options and interrogation approaches to uncover new information."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    1

    "Players explore environments and uncover story elements, but locations are limited and familiar within the game context."

    Capsule for Morphine Morphine

    "Players explore several locations and revisit them to gather clues, but environments are limited and familiar."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -4

    "Minimal character or environment customization; focus is on narrative and routine rather than self-expression."

    Capsule for The Stillness of the Wind The Stillness of the Wind

    "Minimal character customization or self-expression; focus is on narrative and investigation."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    -3

    "Grounded in realistic 1930s crime setting with plausible scenarios and historical detail."

    Capsule for Mafia Mafia

    "Realistic 1920s setting and grounded detective story with historical references."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community features; purely solo experience."

    Capsule for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2

    "No social or community features; purely solo experience."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop deductive reasoning and investigative skills through gameplay and case solving."

    Capsule for Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments

    "Players develop deductive reasoning and investigative skills through gameplay."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity."

    Capsule for Thank Goodness You're Here! Thank Goodness You're Here!

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention on dialogue and choices; not suited for passive or background play."

    Capsule for Quarantine Circular Quarantine Circular

    "Requires focused attention to dialogue and clue gathering; not suitable for passive or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Limited emotional connection through narrative, but no social or interpersonal relationship building."

    Capsule for My Friend is a Raven My Friend is a Raven

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

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements."

    Capsule for High On Life High On Life

    "No leadership or group management elements."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Progression through solving cases and unlocking story branches; accumulation of clues and evidence."

    Capsule for Lamplight City Lamplight City

    "Progression through accumulating clues and evidence to solve the case."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Calm, atmospheric gameplay with jazz soundtrack and narrative focus provides a relaxing experience."

    Capsule for Blackwell Unbound Blackwell Unbound

    "Calm pacing with jazz soundtrack and reading-based gameplay offers a relaxed experience."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    1

    "Simple visuals and music provide moderate sensory stimulation without intense excitement."

    Capsule for Dictators:No Peace Countryballs Dictators:No Peace Countryballs

    "Stylized visuals and music provide moderate sensory stimulation without intense excitement."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems."

    Capsule for Alan Wake Alan Wake

    "No social recognition or status systems."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Strong narrative focus with engaging characters and plot."

    Capsule for Bloomtown: A Different Story Bloomtown: A Different Story

    "Strong narrative focus with engaging plot, characters, and dialogue."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Requires logical thinking, puzzle solving, and planning to gather clues and solve the case."

    Capsule for Nancy Drew®: Secrets Can Kill REMASTERED Nancy Drew®: Secrets Can Kill REMASTERED

    "Requires logical thinking and planning to gather evidence and interrogate suspects effectively."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    1

    "Some suspense in mystery and final choice, but overall controlled and calm experience."

    Capsule for Subsurface Circular Subsurface Circular

    "Some suspense from mystery and plot twists but overall controlled and calm experience."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    -2

    "Short length and limited replay value make full price seem high; better value on sale."

    Capsule for The Station The Station

    "Short length and limited replay value reduce perceived value at full price; better on sale."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -3

    "Minimal violence depicted; focus on investigation and story rather than combat or destruction."

    Capsule for Urban Myth Dissolution Center Urban Myth Dissolution Center

    "Minimal depiction of violence; focus is on investigation rather than combat or destruction."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -5

    "No survival or threat avoidance mechanics; stable narrative environment."

    Capsule for Love Is All Around Love Is All Around

    "No survival or threat avoidance mechanics; stable narrative environment."

Last update: 15/05/2026