30 Narrative games like House Builder 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 47 games similar to House Builder down to the 30 that fit the “Narrative” category. Abzu, SpaceEngine and Grow Home top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to House Builder.

iRank73/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

The best narrative games like House Builder

30 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to House Builder. Each one has been evaluated across 14 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.

#1AbzuClosest on genre

iRank87

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloRelaxingNarrativeCasualOpen WorldExploration

Steam👍 93%· 27KIGDB81· 27OC80· 122

Year 2016Dev Giant Squid · 505 GamesOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with adventure storytelling, deep simulation and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with fantasy world and visual third person, while skipping sandbox freedom

Where it drifts furthest from House Builder: visuals.

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

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Progression56World52Visuals0

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloCasualRelaxingNarrativeOpen WorldSandbox WorldExploration3D

Steam👍 96%· 16KRAWG👍 89%· 36

Year 2019Dev Vladimir RomanyukPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with deep simulation, sandbox freedom and vibe casual

≠ Stands apart with procedural generation, setting scifi and setting space, while skipping adventure storytelling

SpaceEngine is a 1:1 scale science-based Universe simulator, featuring billions upon billions of galaxies, nebulae, stars, and planets, all shown at their full real-world scale.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100World83Visuals73Progression59

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Steam GOG

#3Grow HomeClosest on world

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloCasualRelaxingNarrativeOpen WorldSandbox WorldExploration

Steam👍 92%· 5.6KIGDB78· 6OC76· 38

Year 2015Dev Ubisoft Reflections · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with adventure storytelling, sandbox freedom and vibe casual

≠ Where it differs: brings precision platforming, cozy, relaxing feel and setting scifi, while skipping deep simulation

Where it drifts furthest from House Builder: visuals.

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

Genre100Game mode100World100Tone85Progression59Visuals0

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Steam PS

#4Refunct

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloRelaxingCasualNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 96%· 17KRAWG👍 66%· 152

Year 2015Dev Dominique GrieshoferPlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are open-world adventures — sharing adventure storytelling, puzzle design and vibe relaxing

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping deep simulation

A short experience about restoring a world featuring: Platforming: Wall-jumps, slides, pipes, lifts, springboards Beautiful: Emotional soundtrack and vibrant visuals Peaceful: Non-violent, open world without death Playful: Learn to play without tutorials Relaxing: Play at your own pace without…

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

Genre100Game mode100Tone95World60Visuals54Progression52

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Steam Xbox PS

#5Dear Esther: Landmark Edition

iRank70

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeCasualRelaxingOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 75%· 7.4KIGDB65· 11OC67· 38

Year 2016Dev Rob Briscoe · Curve DigitalOn PS4 · PC · iOS

✓ Both are open-world adventures — sharing adventure storytelling, puzzle design and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, linear, story-driven structure and horror setting, while skipping deep simulation

Where it drifts furthest from House Builder: world.

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

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Progression59Visuals55World41

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Steam GOG Xbox

#6AER: Memories of Old

iRank77

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloRelaxingNarrativeCasualOpen WorldExploration

Steam👍 86%· 7.7KIGDB68· 4OC67· 44

Year 2017Dev Forgotten Key · Daedalic EntertainmentOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: adventure storytelling, puzzle design and vibe relaxing

≠ Where it differs: brings fantasy world, post-apocalyptic world and visual third person, while skipping deep simulation

Where it drifts furthest from House Builder: visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100World62Progression58Visuals0

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeRelaxingCasualOpen WorldExploration

Steam👍 75%· 5.8KOC80· 14

Year 2017Dev David WehleOn PS4 · Linux · Android

✓ Both are open-world adventures — sharing adventure storytelling, deep simulation and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings precision platforming, fantasy world and visual third person, while skipping sandbox freedom

Where it drifts furthest from House Builder: visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100World59Progression55Visuals0

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloRelaxingCasualNarrativeOpen WorldExploration

Steam👍 96%· 6.1K

Year 2019Dev Amanita DesignOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: adventure storytelling, puzzle design and vibe relaxing

≠ Its own twist: card game strategy, cozy, relaxing feel and setting cartoon, while skipping deep simulation

Where it drifts furthest from House Builder: visuals and progression.

Genre100Game mode100Tone89World62Progression47Visuals0

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Steam GOG Epic

#9Agricultural Simulator: Historical FarmingClosest on progression

iRank25

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloCasualRelaxingNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationManagement

Steam👍 25%· 304

Year 2013Dev Actalogic · United Independent EntertainmentPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: deep simulation, vibe casual and vibe relaxing

≠ Where it differs: brings cozy, relaxing feel, dark, oppressive atmosphere and historical setting, while skipping adventure storytelling

Enjoy being a farmer between 1950 and 1970 in the Agricultural Simulator – Historical Farming. The game takes you to the good old days and you will experience the charming farming of the 60's and 70's.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly negative, against mostly positive for House Builder.

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

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone74World63

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Steam

#10Proteus

iRank66

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloCasualNarrativeRelaxingOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 76%· 2.8KRAWG👍 38%· 183MC80IGDB70· 4

Year 2013Dev Curve Digital · Twisted TreePlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS · Apple Macintosh

✓ Both are open-world adventures — sharing adventure storytelling, vibe casual and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: procedural generation, fantasy world and visual pixel, while skipping deep simulation

Steam Big Picture Mode About the GameProteus is a game about exploration and immersion in a dream-like island world where the soundtrack to your play is created by your surroundings. Played in first-person, the primary means of interaction is simply your presence in the world and how you observe it.

Where it drifts furthest from House Builder: world and visuals.

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

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Progression59World45Visuals45

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloRelaxingCasualNarrativeOpen WorldExploration

Steam👍 99%· 22KRAWG👍 91%· 469MC84IGDB78· 2OC87· 32

Year 2019Dev adamgryuPlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with adventure storytelling, vibe relaxing and vibe casual

≠ Where it differs: brings cozy, relaxing feel, fantasy world and skill tree progression, while skipping deep simulation

Hike, climb, and soar through the peaceful mountainside landscapes of Hawk Peak Provincial Park. Follow the marked trails or explore the backcountry as you make your way to the summit. Along the way, meet other hikers, discover hidden treasures, and take in the world around you.

Where it drifts furthest from House Builder: visuals and progression.

Genre100Game mode100Tone81World61Progression49Visuals0

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Steam GOG Epic

#12The Last ClockwinderClosest overall match

iRank89

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeRelaxingOpen WorldManagementExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 96%· 784IGDB80· 1OC83· 12

Year 2022Dev pontoco · Cyan VenturesPlaytime ~6hOn PC · PS

✓ Both are open-world adventures — sharing adventure storytelling, deep simulation and puzzle design

≠ Its own twist: cozy, relaxing feel, setting scifi and fantasy world, while skipping sandbox freedom

You are on a mission to repair an ancient clocktower built into the trunk of a colossal tree. Inside, you find a pair of gloves that allow you to turn anything you do into a looping clockwork automaton. Use the Clockwinder’s gloves to turn every task into a looping clockwork automaton.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone68World60Visuals53

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Steam

#13Obduction

iRank75

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeCasualOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 80%· 4.0KIGDB67· 9OC72· 37

Year 2016Dev Cyan WorldsOn PC · PS4 · iOS

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with adventure storytelling, puzzle design and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: fantasy world and setting scifi, while skipping deep simulation

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

Genre100Game mode100Tone69Progression55Visuals54World53

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloCasualNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 96%· 1.1KIGDB80· 1

Year 2020Dev Bryce BucherPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with adventure storytelling, puzzle design and vibe casual

≠ Its own twist: horror tension, dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting, while skipping deep simulation

The GameFatum Betula is an atmospheric exploration game with light puzzle elements. A magical birch is the only thing dictating the future, and it is your job to find something appropriate to feed it with. There is a total of 10 unique endings and a plethora of secrets to uncover.

Where it drifts furthest from House Builder: progression and visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Tone63World54Visuals46Progression44

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Steam Nintendo itch.io

#15The Witness

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeRelaxingOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 85%· 21KRAWG👍 77%· 1.3KMC87IGDB88· 12OC86· 98

Year 2016Dev NVIDIA Lightspeed Studios · TheklaPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: adventure storytelling, puzzle design and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings punishing difficulty, procedural generation and setting scifi, while skipping deep simulation

The Witness is a 3D puzzle game where you explore a mysterious island full of natural and artificial structures. The game is focused on non-verbal communication that should make the player more attentive to the environment surrounding him.

Where it drifts furthest from House Builder: world.

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

Genre100Game mode100Tone67Progression54Visuals54World48

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Steam GOG Epic

Complete list of narrative games like House Builder

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with House Builder, 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.