37 Puzzle games like Ethel that you should try

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Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentUpdated May 19, 2026How this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

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We filtered the 46 games similar to Ethel down to the 37 that fit the “Puzzle” category. Iron Lung, MiSide and Five Nights at Freddy's 3 top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Ethel.

iRank93/ 100

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GenreHorrorSubgenrePsychological Horror

The best puzzle games like Ethel

37 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Ethel. Each one has been evaluated across 13 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.

#1Iron LungClosest overall match

iRank92

GenreHorrorSubgenrePsychological Horror

SoloNarrativeDarkHorrorExplorationFirst Person3D

Steam👍 92%· 11K

Year 2022Dev David SzymanskiOn PC · PS5 · Switch

✓ Both are psychological horror — sharing horror tension, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with setting scifi and visual pixel, while skipping linear, story-driven structure

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Progression100Visuals77Setting61

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Steam GOG PS

#2MiSide

iRank92

GenreHorrorSubgenrePsychological Horror

SoloNarrativeDarkHorrorFirst Person3D

Steam👍 98%· 138KRAWG👍 84%· 137

Year 2024Dev AIHASTO · IndieArkPlaytime ~5hOn PC

✓ Fits the psychological horror cluster, with horror tension, adventure storytelling and deep simulation

≠ Where it differs: brings deep RPG systems, cozy, relaxing feel and setting anime, while skipping linear, story-driven structure

Tips※This game contains intense scenes. It is not recommended for those with weak hearts. About the Game Every day, you will come to see me, help me with chores, cook for me, and buy me gifts.You are so nice! I love you!

Genre100Game mode100Visuals76Tone69Setting62

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Steam itch.io

#3Five Nights at Freddy's 3

iRank85

GenreHorrorSubgenrePsychological Horror

SoloDarkNarrativeHorrorFirst Person

Steam👍 90%· 11KIGDB75· 1

Year 2015Dev ScottgamesOn PC

✓ Fits the psychological horror cluster, with horror tension, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings survival mechanics, punishing difficulty and melee combat, while skipping linear, story-driven structure

It predates Ethel by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone77Setting74Visuals63

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Steam

#4Five Nights at Freddy's 2

iRank86

GenreHorrorSubgenrePsychological Horror

SoloDarkNarrativeHorrorFirst Person

Steam👍 94%· 26KIGDB70· 1

Year 2014Dev ScottgamesOn PC

✓ Both are psychological horror — sharing horror tension, puzzle design and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with survival mechanics and punishing difficulty, while skipping linear, story-driven structure

It predates Ethel by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone76Setting74Visuals63

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Steam

#5Five Nights at Freddy's

iRank87

GenreHorrorSubgenrePsychological Horror

SoloDarkNarrativeHorrorFirst Person

Steam👍 94%· 58KIGDB72· 3

Year 2014Dev ScottgamesOn PC

✓ Same family of psychological horror: horror tension, deep simulation and puzzle design

≠ Its own twist: survival mechanics, punishing difficulty and resource management, while skipping linear, story-driven structure

Where it drifts furthest from Ethel: progression.

It predates Ethel by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone80Setting74Visuals63Progression0

GenreHorrorSubgenrePsychological Horror

SoloNarrativeDarkHorrorCozy

Steam👍 95%· 18KIGDB92· 3OC85· 17

Year 2016Dev Daniel Mullins GamesOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Same family of psychological horror: horror tension, puzzle design and deep simulation

≠ Its own twist: cozy, relaxing feel, visual 2d and visual pixel, while skipping linear, story-driven structure

Where it drifts furthest from Ethel: visuals.

It predates Ethel by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone90Setting74Visuals0

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Steam

#7Pat & MatClosest on setting

iRank84

GenreHorrorSubgenrePsychological Horror

SoloDarkNarrativeLinearHorrorHistoricalExploration3D

Steam👍 84%· 462

Year 2010Dev Centauri Production · Bohemia InteractivePlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Same family of psychological horror: horror tension, puzzle design and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with survival mechanics, visual novel storytelling and vibe casual, while skipping deep simulation

New adventure game with gawky handymen from the legendary series. "Pat & Mat" is puzzle adventure game for everyone. All settings are based on the popular TV stop-motion series about "Pat & Mat", two handymen.

It predates Ethel by 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Setting100World100Progression100Visuals73

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Steam

#8Indika

iRank86

GenreHorrorSubgenrePsychological Horror

SoloNarrativeDarkLinearHorrorExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 90%· 8.0KIGDB85· 4OC79· 90

Year 2024Dev Odd Meter · 11 bit studiosOn Xbox · PC · PS5

✓ Same family of psychological horror: horror tension, puzzle design and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with visual third person, while skipping deep simulation

Where it drifts furthest from Ethel: visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100World100Progression100Setting73

GenreHorrorSubgenrePsychological Horror

SoloNarrativeDarkLinearHorrorHistoricalExploration

Steam👍 93%· 7.2KIGDB70· 1

Year 2013Dev House on FireOn Android · PC · iOS

✓ Fits the psychological horror cluster, with horror tension, puzzle design and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings deep RPG systems, vibe casual and setting scifi, while skipping deep simulation

Where it drifts furthest from Ethel: visuals.

It predates Ethel by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Tone74Setting57

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Steam GOG Epic

#10Smile For MeClosest on visuals

iRank85

GenreHorrorSubgenrePsychological Horror

SoloNarrativeDarkLinearHorrorFirst Person3D

Steam👍 96%· 3.0KRAWG👍 80%· 25IGDB80· 1OC73· 8

Year 2019Dev Gabe Lane · LimboLanePlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Both are psychological horror — sharing horror tension, puzzle design and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: deep RPG systems, cozy, relaxing feel and vibe casual, while skipping deep simulation

Smile For Me is an unconventional Point-and-Click Adventure Game that puts you at the center of an abstract world! Nod and shake your head to chat with new friends, and solve their mysteries to cheer them up. The People are bizarre, the Puzzles are Wack, and the World hides a sinister secret...

Genre100Game mode100World100Visuals83Setting74Tone55

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Steam

#11Amnesia: The Dark Descent

iRank86

GenreHorrorSubgenrePsychological Horror

SoloDarkNarrativeHorrorExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 95%· 35KRAWG👍 70%· 1.2KMC85IGDB89· 2

Year 2010Dev Frictional GamesPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Same family of psychological horror: horror tension, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with survival mechanics, melee combat and stealth mechanics, while skipping deep simulation

Carefully constructed horror game relies on positioning, camera work, and shocking content. But Amnesia: The Dark Descent adds psychological elements to it. Players control the young man named Daniel, who wakes up in a seemingly empty castle, alone and with a massive memory loss.

It predates Ethel by 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Progression100Setting74Visuals63

GenreHorrorSubgenrePsychological Horror

SoloNarrativeDarkHorrorExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 88%· 27KIGDB76· 17OC75· 80

Year 2016Dev Bloober TeamOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Nearly identical: horror tension, adventure storytelling and puzzle design.

≠ Missing: deep simulation.

It predates Ethel by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Progression100Setting74Visuals61

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Steam GOG Xbox

#13Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs

iRank71

GenreHorrorSubgenrePsychological Horror

SoloNarrativeDarkHorrorExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 70%· 12KIGDB73· 8

Year 2013Dev The Chinese Room · Frictional GamesOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Both are psychological horror — sharing horror tension, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Where it differs: brings survival mechanics, stealth mechanics and melee combat, while skipping deep simulation

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for Ethel.

It predates Ethel by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Progression100Setting74Visuals63

GenreHorrorSubgenrePsychological Horror

SoloNarrativeDarkHorrorExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 72%· 2.4KIGDB64· 11OC70· 101

Year 2019Dev Bloober Team · Gun InteractiveOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Same family of psychological horror: horror tension, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Its own twist: vibe casual, while skipping deep simulation

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for Ethel.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone76Setting74Visuals63

GenreHorrorSubgenrePsychological Horror

SoloNarrativeDarkHorrorFirst Person

Steam👍 88%· 138K

Year 2021Dev Mob EntertainmentOn Xbox · PS4 · Android

✓ Same family of psychological horror: horror tension, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Its own twist: survival mechanics, melee combat and free to play, while skipping deep simulation

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Setting74Visuals63

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Steam Epic Xbox

Complete list of puzzle games like Ethel

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Ethel, 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.