Journal similar games & best alternatives
Should you play it?
Enter the pages of the hand painted world of Journal. A journey through the life of a young and troubled girl as she tries to face up to the choices and responsibilities that come with childhood. An experience that questions the reliability of how we choose to remember events and explores the truths hidden within our dreams.
What works
- Emotional and personal narrative
- Unique hand-drawn art style
- Soothing music and atmosphere
- Thought-provoking themes
- Simple, accessible gameplay
Things to keep in mind
- Short playtime (~2 hours)
- Limited gameplay depth
- Fixed story outcome despite choices
- Some control and interface clunkiness
- Price considered high for content
What to play next
Top picks
Games that feels the closest overall
More fantastical
Games that feels like Journal but with more imaginative fiction · 20 games
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Threefold Recital
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LiEat
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Mondealy: Day One
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Little Misfortune
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The Little UNI
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Nocturnals
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Burden Street Station
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Sentience: The Android's Tale
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Bear With Me - Episode One
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Mondealy
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7 Years From Now
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Some Distant Memory
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Wish Upon a Cat
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Once Again
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Newfound Courage
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To the Moon
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Anxiety Puppy
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Finding Paradise
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A Space for the Unbound
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Playing Kafka
More expressive
Games that feels like Journal but with more self-expression and customization · 4 games
More fellowship-oriented
Games that feels like Journal but with a stronger sense of community · 3 games
Less intimate
Games that feels like Journal but with less focus on close relationships · 2 games
Others
Other games that might remind you of Journal · 12 games
Last update: 18/09/2026