13 Dark games like Minds Beneath Us that you should try

Games like Minds Beneath Us · Find similar →

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

Filter by:Dark×← Back to home

We filtered the 32 games similar to Minds Beneath Us down to the 13 that fit the “Dark” category. 2064: Read Only Memories, Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma and The Red Strings Club top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Minds Beneath Us.

iRank88/ 100

Did you find what you were looking for?

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

The best dark games like Minds Beneath Us

13 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Minds Beneath Us. Each one has been evaluated across 10 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.

#12064: Read Only MemoriesClosest overall match

iRank80

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkCyberpunkSci-Fi2D

Steam👍 80%· 1.7KIGDB83· 7OC77· 40

Year 2014Dev MidBossOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Shared with Minds Beneath Us: visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Its own twist: visual pixel

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Minds Beneath Us.

It predates Minds Beneath Us by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Setting100Visuals63

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#2Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma

iRank81

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkSci-FiHorror

Steam👍 82%· 4.8KIGDB80· 22

Year 2016Dev Spike Chunsoft · Aksys GamesOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ If you enjoyed Minds Beneath Us, expect puzzle design, visual novel storytelling and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: horror tension, horror setting and setting anime, while skipping setting cyberpunk

Where it drifts furthest from Minds Beneath Us: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Minds Beneath Us.

It predates Minds Beneath Us by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Setting29

Details →

Steam PS Nintendo

#3The Red Strings Club

iRank87

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkCyberpunkSci-Fi2D

Steam👍 94%· 14KIGDB78· 6OC80· 53

Year 2018Dev Deconstructeam · Devolver DigitalOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Like Minds Beneath Us, it's known for adventure storytelling, puzzle design and visual novel storytelling

≠ Its own twist: deep simulation and visual pixel, while skipping deep RPG systems

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Minds Beneath Us.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Setting100Visuals56

Details →

Steam GOG Nintendo

#4Chicken Police - Paint it RED!

iRank86

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDark2DFirst Person

Steam👍 94%· 2.5KRAWG👍 78%· 34MC83IGDB81· 4

Year 2020Dev Handy Games · www.handy-games.comPlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Like Minds Beneath Us, it's known for visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Where it differs: brings visual first person, while skipping deep RPG systems

MEET THE CHICKEN POLICE Sonny Featherland and Marty MacChicken were once a legendary detective-duo, called the Chicken Police. But that was almost a decade ago, and time had ruthlessly passed them by.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Minds Beneath Us.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Visuals64

Details →

Steam GOG Xbox

#5Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward

iRank86

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkSci-FiHorror

IGDB86· 6

Year 2012Dev Chunsoft · Rising Star GamesOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Like Minds Beneath Us, it's known for puzzle design, visual novel storytelling and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings survival mechanics, horror setting and visual first person, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Minds Beneath Us: visuals and setting.

It predates Minds Beneath Us by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Setting36Visuals0

Details →

Nintendo

#6AI: The Somnium Files - Nirvana Initiative

iRank86

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkSci-FiAnime

Steam👍 86%· 3.7KIGDB87· 4OC86· 67

Year 2022Dev Spike ChunsoftOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Like Minds Beneath Us, it's known for visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Where it differs: brings setting anime, visual first person and visual third person, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Minds Beneath Us: visuals and setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Minds Beneath Us.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Setting36Visuals0

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#7AI: The Somnium Files

iRank88

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkSci-FiAnime

Steam👍 92%· 9.2KIGDB86· 2OC82· 47

Year 2019Dev Spike ChunsoftOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Like Minds Beneath Us, it's known for visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Its own twist: horror tension, setting anime and horror setting, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Minds Beneath Us: visuals and setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Minds Beneath Us.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Setting30Visuals0

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#8Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

iRank84

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkSci-FiAnime

Steam👍 83%· 22KIGDB88· 13OC83· 75

Year 2017Dev Spike ChunsoftOn PS4 · Android · PC

✓ Shared with Minds Beneath Us: visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Where it differs: brings survival mechanics, horror tension and setting anime, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Minds Beneath Us: visuals and setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Minds Beneath Us.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Setting27Visuals0

Details →

Steam PS

#9CindersClosest on visuals

iRank72

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDark2DFantasy

Steam👍 87%· 792RAWG👍 57%· 28IGDB60· 1OC71· 15

Year 2012Dev Crunching KoalasPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Shared with Minds Beneath Us: visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and deep RPG systems

≠ Where it differs: brings fantasy world and historical setting, while skipping puzzle design

Cinders is a mature take on a classic fairytale with a heavy emphasis on player choices and role playing. Cinders is a witty young woman living with an overbearing stepmother and her two daughters, as if she was reenacting a certain well-known fairytale.

Where it drifts furthest from Minds Beneath Us: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Minds Beneath Us.

It predates Minds Beneath Us by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Visuals100Setting0

Details →

Steam GOG Xbox

#10STEINS;GATE

iRank89

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkSci-FiCyberpunk

Steam👍 97%· 26KRAWG👍 84%· 274MC87IGDB80· 4OC87· 12

Year 2009Dev MAGES · Spike Chunsoft CoPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Like Minds Beneath Us, it's known for visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with survival mechanics, horror tension and setting anime, while skipping deep RPG systems

A new story in the critically-acclaimed STEINS;GATE series. From the depths of despair--explore a whole new world line. Your favorite characters return alongside a brand new cast!

Where it drifts furthest from Minds Beneath Us: visuals.

It predates Minds Beneath Us by 15 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Setting64Visuals0

Details →

Steam PS

#11Orwell: Keeping an Eye on You

iRank87

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkSci-Fi

Steam👍 90%· 15KIGDB86· 6OC82· 17

Year 2016Dev Osmotic Studios · Surprise Attack GamesOn Linux · Switch · Android

✓ Shared with Minds Beneath Us: adventure storytelling, visual novel storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with deep simulation, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Minds Beneath Us: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Minds Beneath Us.

It predates Minds Beneath Us by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Setting44

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#12Everlasting Summer

iRank88

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDark2DAnime

Steam👍 95%· 77KRAWG👍 77%· 952

Year 2013Dev Soviet GamesPlaytime ~5hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ If you enjoyed Minds Beneath Us, expect visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with setting anime, visual first person and free to play, while skipping deep RPG systems

Everlasting Summer is a visual novel about a man named Semyon who is teleported from modern Russia into summer camp somewhere in Soviet Union.

Where it drifts furthest from Minds Beneath Us: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Minds Beneath Us.

It predates Minds Beneath Us by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Visuals59Setting0

Details →

Steam

#13Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.6 Tsumihoroboshi

iRank99

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkHorrorAnime

Steam👍 99%· 906

Year 2018Dev 07th Expansion · MangaGamerPlaytime ~7hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ If you enjoyed Minds Beneath Us, expect visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with horror tension, horror setting and setting anime, while skipping deep RPG systems

June, 1983. The summer heat has arrived earlier than it does most years. By day there are cicadas, and by night, the higurashi. Hinamizawa, a small village in the Japanese countryside. While there are fewer than two thousand people there, every year, 'something' happens.

Where it drifts furthest from Minds Beneath Us: setting.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Setting0

Details →

Steam GOG

Explore games similar to Minds Beneath Us by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best Visual Novel Games Best Casual Games