11 Narrative games like Pool 2D - Poolians 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 49 games similar to Pool 2D - Poolians down to the 11 that fit the “Narrative” category. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, Telltale Texas Hold ‘Em and Ascension: Deckbuilding Game top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Pool 2D - Poolians.

iRank86/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

The best narrative games like Pool 2D - Poolians

11 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Pool 2D - Poolians. Each one has been evaluated across 17 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.

#1Keep Talking and Nobody ExplodesClosest overall match

iRank88

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

Co-opMultiplayerOfflineNarrativeCasual

Steam👍 97%· 17KRAWG👍 93%· 419MC67IGDB84· 5OC86· 23

Year 2015Dev Steel Crate GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are turn-based strategy games — sharing deep simulation, turn-based strategy and card game strategy

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, dark, oppressive atmosphere and punishing difficulty, while skipping sports simulation

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is a game about defusing a bomb. It was initially made for virtual reality headsets but also supports traditional screens and controls. ###Player cooperation The game is meant to be played by at least two people in cooperation.

Where it drifts furthest from Pool 2D - Poolians: visuals.

Genre100Tone68Game mode67Visuals0

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Steam Xbox PS

#2Telltale Texas Hold ‘Em

iRank50

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloCasualNarrativeHorror2D

Steam👍 68%· 370RAWG👍 24%· 21

Year 2008Dev Telltale GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Both are turn-based strategy games — sharing card game strategy, turn-based strategy and deep simulation

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, adventure storytelling and survival mechanics, while skipping sports simulation

Join poker's most outspoken players for a hand of Telltale Texas Hold'em, the card game stacked high with personality. Quips will fly, chips will fall, and you may just end up rolling in the aisles.

Where it drifts furthest from Pool 2D - Poolians: game mode.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for Pool 2D - Poolians.

It predates Pool 2D - Poolians by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Tone77Setting58Visuals57Game mode19

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Steam

#3Ascension: Deckbuilding GameClosest on tone

iRank87

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloMultiplayerOfflinePvPCasualNarrative2D

Steam👍 89%· 1.7KMC84

Year 2011Dev Playdek · Asmodee DigitalPlaytime ~2hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Both are turn-based strategy games — sharing card game strategy, turn-based strategy and vibe casual

≠ Where it differs: brings combat tactical, fantasy world and setting scifi, while skipping sports simulation

Ascension: Chronicle of the Godslayer, was the first officially licensed deck building card game for iOS, and is now available for your PC as Ascension: Deckbuilding Game, complete with 5 full expansion decks! Play alone or with friends to battle against the Fallen One for honor and victory.

Where it drifts furthest from Pool 2D - Poolians: setting.

Genre100Tone100Game mode71Visuals54Setting0

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloMultiplayerCasualNarrativeRelaxing

Steam👍 78%· 365

Year 2015Dev Ezzat StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Both are turn-based strategy games — sharing turn-based strategy, card game strategy and deep simulation

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, vibe relaxing and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping horror tension

New Important Note: To make the gameplay easier and more fun, you can press spacebar to throw the casting sticks instead of mouse click.

Where it drifts furthest from Pool 2D - Poolians: setting and game mode.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for Pool 2D - Poolians.

Genre100Tone55Game mode42Setting0

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Steam

#5Lara Croft GoClosest on setting

iRank89

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloCasualNarrativeHorrorAnime

Steam👍 93%· 4.0KIGDB86· 5OC83· 19

Year 2015Dev Square Enix Montréal · Square EnixOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Both are turn-based strategy games — sharing turn-based strategy, card game strategy and horror tension

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, adventure storytelling and precision platforming, while skipping sports simulation

Where it drifts furthest from Pool 2D - Poolians: visuals and game mode.

Genre100Tone100Setting65Game mode18Visuals0

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Steam PS

#6G.I.R.L.S. will be Girls

iRank63

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloCasualNarrativeHorror2D

Steam👍 63%· 263

Year 2015Dev ZooPlaytime ~5hOn PC

✓ Fits the turn-based strategy games cluster, with card game strategy, turn-based strategy and horror tension

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, cozy, relaxing feel and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping sports simulation

"Are You Ready?" "School Girls Edition" for "Mahjong Pretty Girls Battle" has now appeared! An extraordinary collection of Pretty School Girls is waiting for you! The heated struggle to determine the world's top School Mahjong girl is about to begin!

Where it drifts furthest from Pool 2D - Poolians: game mode and setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for Pool 2D - Poolians.

Genre100Tone64Visuals47Setting34Game mode18

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloCasualNarrativeFirst Person

Steam👍 88%· 7.4KRAWG👍 68%· 220MC75IGDB65· 3

Year 2013Dev Telltale GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the turn-based strategy games cluster, with card game strategy, sports simulation and turn-based strategy

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, adventure storytelling and visual first person, while skipping deep simulation

Playing poker is good in itself and as an occasion for live communication, a disclosure of communicative talents, a great way to spend time with friends. Especially if these friends know how to play and have fun playing. This poker simulator allows you to spend time in a beautiful company.

Where it drifts furthest from Pool 2D - Poolians: visuals and game mode.

Genre100Tone100Game mode18Visuals0

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Steam Xbox

#87 Grand Steps: What Ancients Begat

iRank36

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloCasualNarrative2DCozy

Steam👍 54%· 768RAWG👍 5%· 20IGDB40· 1

Year 2013Dev MousechiefPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Same family of turn-based strategy games: turn-based strategy, card game strategy and deep simulation

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, puzzle design and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping sports simulation

What Ancients Begat is a complete (~15 hour) game of family generations surviving the rise of western civilization. Survival is the ultimate goal. The sub-goals, you choose, build their story. Experience an abstract telling of the lives of our earliest recorded ancestors.

Where it drifts furthest from Pool 2D - Poolians: setting and game mode.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for Pool 2D - Poolians.

Genre100Tone73Visuals58Game mode19Setting0

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Steam

#9Balatro

iRank93

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloCasualNarrative2DHardcore

Steam👍 98%· 191KRAWG👍 86%· 263IGDB91· 5OC92· 64

Year 2024Dev LocalThunk · PlayStackPlaytime ~14hOn PC · PS · iOS

✓ Both are turn-based strategy games — sharing card game strategy, turn-based strategy and vibe casual

≠ Its own twist: roguelike runs, punishing difficulty and vibe relaxing, while skipping sports simulation

Balatro is a poker-inspired roguelike deck builder all about creating powerful synergies and winning big. Combine valid poker hands with unique Joker cards in order to create varied synergies and builds.

Where it drifts furthest from Pool 2D - Poolians: game mode and visuals.

Released 6 years after Pool 2D - Poolians.

Genre100Tone66Visuals26Game mode18

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Steam

#1060 Seconds!Closest on visuals

iRank77

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloNarrativeCasual2D3D

Steam👍 85%· 12KIGDB80· 1OC58· 10

Year 2015Dev Robot Gentleman StudiosOn PS4 · Android · PC

✓ Fits the turn-based strategy games cluster, with deep simulation, turn-based strategy and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: survival mechanics, adventure storytelling and puzzle design, while skipping sports simulation

Where it drifts furthest from Pool 2D - Poolians: setting and game mode.

Genre100Visuals85Tone69Game mode17Setting0

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Steam GOG Nintendo

#11Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy

iRank85

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

PvPSoloNarrative2DCompetitive

Steam👍 90%· 338RAWG👍 85%· 20MC76

Year 2009Dev HeR InteractivePlaytime ~6hOn PC

✓ Fits the turn-based strategy games cluster, with turn-based strategy, card game strategy and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, adventure storytelling and precision platforming, while skipping sports simulation

Nancy Drew®: Warnings at Waverly Academy is a first-person perspective, point-and-click adventure game. The player is Nancy Drew and has to solve a mystery. Explore rich environments for clues, interrogate suspects, and solve puzzles and mini-games.

Where it drifts furthest from Pool 2D - Poolians: setting and tone.

It predates Pool 2D - Poolians by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode48Visuals43Tone27Setting0

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Steam

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