Anodyne 2: Return to Dust

Xbox One, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Mac • 2019

2019

Quick resume

A 2D-3D Action-Adventure game! Run, jump, and drive across vast, dreamy 3D landscapes. Shrink into surreal, 2D dungeons inside of characters' bodies. Travel the world, meet strange people, and save the world from the dangerous Nano Dust. Don't miss the follow-up to the classic game 'Anodyne'!

Global score

94/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Platform, Role-playing (RPG)

buy on steam

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Pros

Unique and creative gameplay blending 3d and 2d
Deep, emotional, and philosophical narrative
Beautiful retro-inspired art and music
Encourages exploration and experimentation
Strong personal and emotional player connection

Cons

Some players find pacing slow or obtuse
Controls can feel clunky or floaty at times
Story and dialogue-heavy sections may not appeal to all
Limited replayability beyond story completion
Lack of challenging combat or progression depth

Analysis

A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Intimacy, Survival, Violence, Competition. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Exploration. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fellowship, Thrill.

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

4

"Players have freedom to choose from many classes, races, and playstyles, and can explore dungeons in multiple ways."

Barony
"Players have freedom to explore a large 3D world and choose which 2D dungeons to enter; the game encourages experimentation and out-of-bounds exploration."
Competence

Game with the same Competence vibe

2

"Gameplay involves light puzzle solving and platforming with some skill elements, but overall accessible and not highly challenging."

Journey
"Gameplay involves puzzle solving and platforming with some skill challenge, but overall is described as accessible and not punishing."
Competition

Game with the same Competition vibe

-4

"Focus is on personal experience and narrative exploration without competitive elements or leaderboards."

Dialtown: Phone Dating Sim
"Focus is on personal exploration and narrative experience without competitive elements or leaderboards."
Continuation

Game with the same Continuation vibe

4

"Many players report being hooked for long sessions and wanting to complete 100%, indicating strong desire to continue playing."

The Last Case of Benedict Fox Definitive Edition
"Many players report being hooked and playing through to 100%, with long play sessions and desire to revisit the game."
Cooperation

Game with the same Cooperation vibe

-5

"Single-player experience focused on individual exploration and story; no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley
"Single-player experience focused on individual exploration and story; no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay mentioned."
Creativity

Game with the same Creativity vibe

5

"Highly creative with hand-drawn art, symbolic level design, and a unique narrative approach blending gameplay with personal storytelling."

Something for Someone Else
"Highly creative game design blending 3D and 2D styles, surreal narrative, and meta elements encouraging exploration and breaking boundaries."
Domination

Game with the same Domination vibe

-5

"No evidence of exerting control over others; interactions are individual and respectful."

A Dance of Fire and Ice
"No evidence of exerting control over others; interactions are individual and respectful."
Escapism

Game with the same Escapism vibe

5

"Players use the game to immerse in a dark, surreal world to escape real-life issues and experience emotional storytelling."

Burnhouse Lane
"Players use the game to escape, experience surreal worlds, and explore emotional and philosophical themes."
Expectation

Game with the same Expectation vibe

-4

"Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and appreciation for the story and gameplay."

METAL GEAR SOLID 2: Sons of Liberty - Master Collection Version
"Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and appreciation for the unique narrative and gameplay."
Experimenting

Game with the same Experimenting vibe

4

"Game encourages trying new things, exploring mechanics, and discovering secrets."

Goat Simulator 3
"Game encourages trying new things, exploring secrets, and experimenting with mechanics and out-of-bounds areas."
Exploration

Game with the same Exploration vibe

5

"Core gameplay loop revolves around discovering new floating islands, biomes, dungeons, and secrets."

Everwind
"Core gameplay loop centers on exploring a large 3D world and entering varied 2D dungeons to discover secrets and story."
Expression

Game with the same Expression vibe

3

"Players customize experience through dialogue choices and exploration paths, though no direct avatar customization noted."

Hypnagogia 無限の夢 Boundless Dreams
"Players can customize their experience through exploration choices and optional content, though no character customization noted."
Fantasy

Game with the same Fantasy vibe

5

"Strong fantasy and imaginative fiction themes with surreal, dreamlike visuals and story."

Senza Peso
"Strongly surreal and imaginative fiction with dreamlike worlds, metaphysical themes, and fantastical characters."
Fellowship

Game with the same Fellowship vibe

-4

"Primarily a solo experience with limited social interaction or community engagement."

Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition
"Primarily a solo experience with limited social interaction; community engagement mostly external."
Growth

Game with the same Growth vibe

3

"Players develop understanding of story and mechanics, and improve puzzle-solving skills during play."

GRIS
"Players learn new mechanics and deepen understanding of story and characters; some skill development in puzzles."
Health

Game with the same Health vibe

-5

"No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements; typical sedentary gaming experience."

Wintermoor Tactics Club
"No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements; typical sedentary gaming experience."
Idle

Game with the same Idle vibe

-3

"Requires focused attention for puzzles and exploration; not a background or idle game."

Spirit of the North 2
"Requires focused attention on exploration, puzzles, and narrative; not a background or idle game."
Intimacy

Game with the same Intimacy vibe

2

"Emotional connection to characters and narrative is present, but social interactions are limited to NPCs."

moon: Remix RPG Adventure
"Emotional connection to characters and story is strong, though social interaction is limited to NPCs."
Leadership

Game with the same Leadership vibe

-5

"No leadership or group management roles; single-player narrative experience."

Sally Face - Episode One
"No leadership or group management roles; single-player narrative experience."
Progression

Game with the same Progression vibe

3

"Players collect items like keycards and weapons, and unlock new areas, showing clear progression through the game."

Budget Cuts
"Players collect items like cards and metacoins to unlock new areas and content, showing clear progression."
Relaxation

Game with the same Relaxation vibe

4

"Many players describe the game as relaxing, calming, and therapeutic with a soothing soundtrack."

The Unfinished Swan
"Many players describe the game as calming, atmospheric, and emotionally cathartic with a soothing soundtrack."
Sensation

Game with the same Sensation vibe

3

"Enjoyable retro visuals, sound effects, and music provide sensory stimulation and fun."

Kung Fury: Street Rage - Ultimate Edition
"Enjoyable retro visuals and music provide sensory pleasure, though not intense or high-adrenaline stimulation."
Status

Game with the same Status vibe

-4

"Focus is on personal experience rather than social recognition or popularity."

Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition
"Focus is on personal experience rather than social recognition or popularity."
Story

Game with the same Story vibe

5

"Narrative immersion is a core strength, with rich storytelling, character development, and emotional depth."

Knights And Bikes
"Narrative immersion is a major strength with rich characters, philosophical themes, and emotional storytelling."
Strategy

Game with the same Strategy vibe

2

"Puzzles require logical thinking and problem solving, though overall gameplay is straightforward."

Detective Di: The Silk Rose Murders
"Puzzles require problem solving and logical thinking, though gameplay is generally accessible and not highly complex."
Thrill

Game with the same Thrill vibe

-3

"Game is more contemplative and atmospheric than suspenseful or thrilling."

Syberia
"Game is more contemplative and atmospheric than suspenseful or thrilling; some moments of tension but overall calm."
Value

Game with the same Value vibe

4

"Players feel the game offers strong return on investment through content, depth, and replayability."

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
"Players feel the game offers strong return on investment with unique experience, emotional impact, and replay value."
Violence

Game with the same Violence vibe

-3

"Combat is minimal and non-violent; focus is on cleaning and movement rather than destruction."

Dustforce DX
"Combat is light and puzzle-oriented with a vacuum mechanic; emphasis on cleansing rather than destruction."
Survival

Game with the same Survival vibe

-4

"Game operates in stable, low-risk conditions without survival threats."

KuloNiku: Bowl Up!
"Game operates in stable conditions with low risk; no survival mechanics or threat management."