63
iRank88
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloThird PersonNarrativeSci-FiIsometric
Steam👍 90%· 17KIGDB87· 5OC86· 115
Year 2025Dev 11 bit studiosOn Xbox · PC · PS5
41 Games like Cairn that you should try
Games like Cairn · Find similar →
More about this game →Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentHow this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.
If Cairn left you wanting more, this list of 41 similar games is for you. Each one shares part of its essence — survival mechanics and single-player focus — and is ranked by a similarity score computed across 6 attributes. The Alters comes closest (63/100).
iRank90/ 100
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Quick answer
The closest game to Cairn is The Alters — scoring 63/100 on our similarity scale. Deliver Us the Moon and FTL: Faster Than Light follow close behind.
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Top games similar to Cairn
41 similar games foundUpdated May 2026
Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Cairn. Each one has been evaluated across 6 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloThird PersonMeleeNarrativeSci-Fi
Steam👍 88%· 9.2KIGDB78· 5OC74· 67
Year 2019Dev KeokeN Interactive · Wired ProductionsOn Xbox · PS4 · PC
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloTacticalHardcoreProceduralSpace
Steam👍 95%· 78KRAWG👍 88%· 964MC84IGDB91· 2
Year 2012Dev Subset GamesPlaytime ~6hOn PC · iOS · Apple Macintosh
✓ Fits the PvE survival games cluster, with survival mechanics, deep simulation and adventure storytelling
≠ Where it differs: brings roguelike runs, punishing difficulty and procedural generation, while skipping sports simulation
FTL: Faster Than Light is a roguelike strategy game set in space civil war in the Galactic Federation. You control a spaceship that has to deliver an essential package of data to the Federation headquarters. This data can help defeat the rebel’s army and finish the war.
Where it drifts furthest from Cairn: visuals.
It predates Cairn by 14 years, with what that implies technically.
Genre100Game mode100Visuals0
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloNarrativeOpen WorldSandbox WorldPost-Apocalyptic
Steam👍 89%· 122KRAWG👍 78%· 881MC76IGDB82· 5OC77· 53
Year 2014Dev Hinterland StudioPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox
✓ Same family of PvE survival games: survival mechanics, adventure storytelling and deep simulation
≠ Stands apart with shooter, first-person shooting and sandbox freedom, while skipping sports simulation
The Long Dark is a game about surviving in the unforgiving conditions of frozen North Canadian taiga. The Arctic wilderness may be breathtakingly beautiful, thanks to the game’s artful visual style, but it is also deadly.
Where it drifts furthest from Cairn: visuals.
It predates Cairn by 12 years, with what that implies technically.
Genre100Game mode100Visuals0
53
iRank90
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloThird PersonDarkHorror
IGDB90· 1
Year 2002Dev Silicon Knights · Nintendo
✓ Fits the PvE survival games cluster, with survival mechanics, adventure storytelling and single-player focus
≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting, while skipping sports simulation
It predates Cairn by 24 years, with what that implies technically.
Genre100Game mode100Visuals100
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloThird PersonMeleeNarrativeDark
IGDB90· 1OC87· 160
Year 2001Dev Team Silent · Konami
✓ Both are PvE survival games — sharing survival mechanics, adventure storytelling and single-player focus
≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, strong narrative focus and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping sports simulation
It predates Cairn by 25 years, with what that implies technically.
Genre100Game mode100Visuals100
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloThird PersonStealthMeleeNarrative
IGDB88· 3
Year 2003Dev Team Silent · KonamiOn PC
✓ Same family of PvE survival games: survival mechanics, adventure storytelling and single-player focus
≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, strong narrative focus and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping sports simulation
It predates Cairn by 23 years, with what that implies technically.
Genre100Game mode100Visuals100
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloThird PersonMultiplayerCo-opNarrative
Steam👍 92%· 138KIGDB81· 4OC75· 26
Year 2019Dev System Era SoftworksOn PS4 · PC · PS5
✓ Same family of PvE survival games: survival mechanics, adventure storytelling and deep simulation
≠ Its own twist: sandbox freedom, strong narrative focus and open world exploration, while skipping sports simulation
Where it drifts furthest from Cairn: game mode.
Genre100Visuals100Game mode31
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloRangedMeleeHardcoreNarrative
Steam👍 98%· 1.3K
Year 2020Dev Egor RezenovPlaytime ~2hOn PC
✓ Both are PvE survival games — sharing survival mechanics, adventure storytelling and single-player focus
≠ Stands apart with punishing difficulty, strong narrative focus and ranged combat, while skipping sports simulation
ARMORED HEAD is a miniature shooter, where all the action takes place in one arena. The main character is a gladiator who fights against his opponents in pursuit of the grand prize. His task is to defeat 30 waves of opponents, unravel all the secrets of the arena, and win the gold cup.
Where it drifts furthest from Cairn: visuals.
Genre100Game mode100Visuals0
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloThird PersonDarkHorrorFirst Person
IGDB87· 2
Year 2003Dev TecmoOn PlayStation 3
✓ Fits the PvE survival games cluster, with survival mechanics, adventure storytelling and single-player focus
≠ Its own twist: dark, oppressive atmosphere, horror setting and visual first person, while skipping sports simulation
It predates Cairn by 23 years, with what that implies technically.
Genre100Game mode100Visuals62
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloThird PersonTacticalStealthNarrative
IGDB86· 3
Year 2004Dev Konami Computer Entertainment Japan · Konami
✓ Both are PvE survival games — sharing survival mechanics, adventure storytelling and single-player focus
≠ Its own twist: shooter, strong narrative focus and combat tactical, while skipping sports simulation
Where it drifts furthest from Cairn: visuals.
It predates Cairn by 22 years, with what that implies technically.
Genre100Game mode100Visuals45
#12Silent Hill
53
iRank82
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloThird PersonRangedDarkNarrative
IGDB82· 1
Year 1999Dev Team Silent · KonamiOn PlayStation 3
✓ Fits the PvE survival games cluster, with survival mechanics, adventure storytelling and single-player focus
≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, dark, oppressive atmosphere and strong narrative focus, while skipping sports simulation
It predates Cairn by 27 years, with what that implies technically.
Genre100Game mode100Visuals100
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloThird PersonDarkHorror
IGDB80· 4
Year 2007Dev Climax LA · Konami Digital Entertainment
✓ Both are PvE survival games — sharing survival mechanics, adventure storytelling and single-player focus
≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting, while skipping sports simulation
It predates Cairn by 19 years, with what that implies technically.
Genre100Game mode100Visuals100
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloThird PersonNarrativeDarkHorror
IGDB80· 1
Year 2001Dev Darkworks · InfogramesOn PlayStation 3
✓ Fits the PvE survival games cluster, with survival mechanics, adventure storytelling and single-player focus
≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, strong narrative focus and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping sports simulation
It predates Cairn by 25 years, with what that implies technically.
Genre100Game mode100Visuals100
#15Fatal Frame
53
iRank81
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloThird PersonDarkHorrorFirst Person
IGDB81· 1
Year 2001Dev Tecmo · Wanadoo EditionOn PlayStation 3
✓ Same family of PvE survival games: survival mechanics, adventure storytelling and single-player focus
≠ Stands apart with dark, oppressive atmosphere, horror setting and visual first person, while skipping sports simulation
It predates Cairn by 25 years, with what that implies technically.
Genre100Game mode100Visuals62
Complete list of Cairn alternatives
The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Cairn, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.
53
The Flame in the Flood
Survival · Adventure
53
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
Survival · Adventure
53
Minecraft: Story Mode
Survival · Adventure
53
Silent Hill 4: The Room
Survival · Adventure
50
The Invincible
Survival · Adventure
53
Haunting Ground
Survival · Adventure
53
Silent Hill: Downpour
Survival · Adventure
50
Domestic Dog
Survival · Simulation
53
Rule of Rose
Survival · Puzzle
53
Parasite Eve
Survival · RPG
50
FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S: HELP WANTED
Survival · Puzzle
53
Jurassic Park: The Game
Survival · Adventure
53
Influent Language Learning Game
Survival · Adventure
50
Dino Crisis
Survival · Puzzle
42
Diamo XL
Survival · Puzzle
43
Dying Light: The Beast
Survival · RPG
50
Unclaimed World
Survival · Simulation
50
P.T.
Survival · Puzzle
50
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
Survival · Shooter
50
Metal Gear
Survival · Shooter
50
Slender: The Eight Pages
Survival · Adventure
42
Pac-Man
Survival
42
Bit Blaster XL
Survival
38
Race The Sun
Survival · Racing
43
The Guild 3
Survival · Simulation
44
Parasite Eve II
Survival · RPG
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the best game similar to Cairn?
- The closest game to Cairn is The Alters, scoring 63/100 on our similarity scale. They share 5 gameplay attributes, including survival mechanics, adventure storytelling and deep simulation. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
- What are the top games like Cairn?
- The three closest games to Cairn are: 1. The Alters (63/100, 5 shared attributes) 2. Deliver Us the Moon (63/100, 5 shared attributes) 3. FTL: Faster Than Light (60/100, 4 shared attributes). All share Cairn's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 41 candidates across 6 dimensions.
- Is Deliver Us the Moon similar to Cairn?
- Yes — Deliver Us the Moon scores 63/100 similarity to Cairn. They share 5 attributes, including survival mechanics and adventure storytelling. There are some notable differences in pacing or mechanics.
- What Survival games are similar to Cairn?
- The best Survival games similar to Cairn are The Alters, Deliver Us the Moon, FTL: Faster Than Light and The Long Dark. All share the Survival genre alongside other key Cairn attributes like survival mechanics, adventure storytelling and deep simulation.
- How is similarity to Cairn calculated?
- We compare Cairn against every game in our catalog using 6 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Cairn experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.