9 Horror games like Pools 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 50 games similar to Pools down to the 9 that fit the “Horror” category. The Exit 8, Thief Gold and Outer Wilds top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Pools.

iRank91/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

The best horror games like Pools

9 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Pools. 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.

#1The Exit 8Closest overall match

iRank93

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeDarkOpen WorldHorrorExplorationFirst Person3D

Steam👍 93%· 11KIGDB93· 2

Year 2023Dev KOTAKE CREATE · PLAYISMOn Xbox · PS4 · Switch

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: adventure storytelling, horror tension and deep simulation

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, linear, story-driven structure and setting modern, while skipping vibe relaxing

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Pools.

Genre100Progression100Visuals100Game mode80Setting77Tone74

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Steam Xbox PS

#2Thief GoldClosest on world

iRank91

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloDarkNarrativeOpen WorldHorrorExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 92%· 4.1KIGDB90· 1

Year 1999Dev Looking Glass Studios · Eidos InteractiveOn PC

✓ Both are open-world adventures — sharing adventure storytelling, deep simulation and horror tension

≠ Where it differs: brings stealth mechanics, melee combat and fantasy world, while skipping vibe relaxing

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Pools.

It predates Pools by 25 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100World100Progression100Game mode80Visuals75Tone72

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldHorrorExplorationFirst Person3D

Steam👍 96%· 102KIGDB85· 7OC85· 61

Year 2019Dev Mobius Digital · Annapurna InteractiveOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Both are open-world adventures — sharing adventure storytelling, deep simulation and horror tension

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, melee combat and setting space, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Where it drifts furthest from Pools: setting and tone.

Genre100World100Progression100Visuals100Game mode80Tone47

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Steam Epic Xbox

#4FirewatchClosest on setting

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeDarkOpen WorldHorrorExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 91%· 97KIGDB79· 18OC80· 134

Year 2016Dev Campo Santo · PanicOn PS4 · Linux · PC

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

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual, while skipping deep simulation

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Pools.

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

Genre100Setting100World100Progression100Game mode80Visuals75

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Steam GOG Xbox

#5The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeDarkOpen WorldHorrorExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 88%· 9.0KIGDB82· 16OC79· 90

Year 2014Dev The AstronautsOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

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

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, combat magic and setting space, while skipping deep simulation

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Pools.

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

Genre100World100Progression100Game mode80Visuals75Tone74

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloDarkNarrativeOpen WorldHorrorExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 96%· 1.1KIGDB80· 1

Year 2020Dev Bryce BucherPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with adventure storytelling, horror tension and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design and vibe casual, 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.

Genre100Setting100World100Progression100Game mode79Visuals68

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Steam Nintendo itch.io

#7Dear Esther: Landmark Edition

iRank70

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeRelaxingOpen WorldHorrorExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 75%· 7.4KIGDB65· 11OC67· 38

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

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

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, vibe casual and linear, story-driven structure, while skipping deep simulation

Where it drifts furthest from Pools: world.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Pools.

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

Genre100Progression100Game mode80Setting78Visuals75Tone69

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Steam GOG Xbox

#8Cosmic Osmo and the Worlds Beyond the Mackerel

iRank79

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldHorrorExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 79%· 115

Dev Cyan WorldsPlaytime ~1hOn PC

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

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, vibe casual and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping deep simulation

You're an Osmo, a strange creature indeed. You explore the galaxy in your spaceship, and the planets you encounter are almost as bizarre as the Osmos themselves. There are seven worlds presented for your consideration, each more goofy and peculiar than the last.

Where it drifts furthest from Pools: tone and visuals.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Pools.

Genre100Progression100Game mode80Setting71World70Visuals43

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Steam

#9Stray

iRank88

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldHorrorExploration

Steam👍 97%· 171KRAWG👍 84%· 1.3KMC82IGDB85· 8OC84· 200

Year 2022Dev BlueTwelve · Annapurna InteractivePlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

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

Lost, alone and separated from family, a stray cat must untangle an ancient mystery to escape a long-forgotten city. Stray is a third-person cat adventure game set amidst the detailed, neon-lit alleys of a decaying cybercity and the murky environments of its seedy underbelly.

Where it drifts furthest from Pools: visuals and tone.

Genre100World100Progression100Game mode80Setting38Tone36

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Steam Xbox PS

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Rankings in the same genre

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