Pools

20 Simulation games like Pools that you should try

Games like Pools · Find similar →

More about this game →

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:Simulation×← Back to home

We filtered the 50 games similar to Pools down to the 20 that fit the “Simulation” category. The Exit 8, Thief Gold and Outer Wilds top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Pools.

iRank91/ 100

Did you find what you were looking for?

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

Tags

NarrativeDarkSoloMultiplayer

Year 2024Dev Tensori

Stores

Steam ↗GOG ↗Epic ↗PS ↗Nintendo ↗itch.io ↗

Quick answer

Within the “Simulation” category, the closest game to Pools is The Exit 8 — scoring 82/100 on our similarity scale. Thief Gold and Outer Wilds follow close behind.

#1The Exit 882 #2Thief Gold80 #3Outer Wilds77 #4Microsoft Flight Simulator68 #5Telling Lies67

🗳️

Help us build the best rankings

Community powered

Vote on each result below — good match or not. Every vote directly shapes how we rank similar games for everyone.

The best simulation games like Pools

20 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

82

The Exit 8

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

#2Thief GoldClosest on world

80

Thief Gold

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

77

Outer Wilds

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

Steam Epic Xbox

#4Microsoft Flight SimulatorClosest on game mode

68

Microsoft Flight Simulator

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloMultiplayerNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 79%· 72KIGDB85· 9OC92· 138

Year 2020Dev Asobo Studio · Xbox Game StudiosOn Xbox · PC

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

≠ Its own twist: visual third person, while skipping horror tension

Where it drifts furthest from Pools: tone.

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

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Visuals57Tone41

67

Telling Lies

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeDarkOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 63%· 1.3KIGDB85· 7OC79· 50

Year 2019Dev Furious Bee Limited · Annapurna InteractiveOn PS4 · PC · iOS

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

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, while skipping horror tension

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

Genre100World100Progression100Game mode80Tone76Visuals74

#6The Last Clockwinder

62

The Last Clockwinder

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeRelaxingOpen WorldExplorationFirst 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 strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, cozy, relaxing feel and setting scifi, while skipping horror tension

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.

Where it drifts furthest from Pools: setting.

Genre100World100Game mode80Visuals74Tone70Progression53

61

Blue Prince

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person3D

Steam👍 87%· 18KIGDB91· 5OC89· 117

Year 2025Dev Dogubomb · Raw FuryOn Xbox · Switch · PC

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

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, roguelike runs and procedural generation, while skipping horror tension

Where it drifts furthest from Pools: world and tone.

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

Genre100Visuals100Game mode80Progression74Tone49World46

61

Roblox

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloMultiplayerOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Year 2006Dev Roblox CorporationOn PS4 · Android · PC

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

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming, sandbox freedom and sandbox world, while skipping horror tension

It predates Pools by 18 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Progression100Game mode66World60Visuals57

#9The First TreeClosest on tone

60

The First Tree

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeRelaxingOpen 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, vibe casual and fantasy world, while skipping horror tension

Where it drifts furthest from Pools: setting and visuals.

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

Genre100World100Progression100Game mode80Tone77Setting0

60

Abzu

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloRelaxingNarrativeOpen 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 vibe relaxing

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, vibe casual and fantasy world, while skipping horror tension

Where it drifts furthest from Pools: setting and visuals.

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

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

Genre100World100Progression100Game mode80Tone72Setting0

52

From Dust

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloOpen WorldExplorationMagicSandbox World

Steam👍 67%· 2.9KIGDB80· 5

Year 2011Dev Ubisoft Montpellier · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · PC

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

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, puzzle design and sandbox world, while skipping horror tension

Where it drifts furthest from Pools: setting and visuals.

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

It predates Pools by 13 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Progression100Game mode80World56Setting0Visuals0

#12Farming Simulator 19

57

Farming Simulator 19

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

MultiplayerSoloRelaxingNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 94%· 76KRAWG👍 46%· 200OC70· 40

Year 2018Dev Focus Home InteractivePlaytime ~11hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with deep simulation, vibe relaxing and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel, co op and online features, while skipping adventure storytelling

The best-selling franchise returns this year with a complete overhaul of the graphics engine, offering the most striking and immersive visuals and effects, along with the deepest and most complete farming experience ever.

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

Genre100World100Game mode66Progression66Visuals66Tone57

Steam Epic Xbox

#13Animal Crossing: Wild World

53

Animal Crossing: Wild World

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloMultiplayerRelaxingOpen WorldExploration

IGDB75· 2

Year 2005Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with deep simulation, vibe relaxing and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: sandbox freedom, sandbox world and ranged combat, while skipping adventure storytelling

Where it drifts furthest from Pools: visuals.

It predates Pools by 19 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression73World60Tone53Visuals0

#14Agricultural Simulator: Historical Farming

53

Agricultural Simulator: Historical Farming

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloRelaxingDarkNarrativeOpen WorldExploration

Steam👍 25%· 304

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

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: deep simulation, vibe relaxing and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Where it differs: brings vibe casual, cozy, relaxing feel 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.

Where it drifts furthest from Pools: setting.

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

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

Genre100World100Game mode81Tone67Progression67Setting0

#15Animal Crossing: City Folk

52

Animal Crossing: City Folk

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloMultiplayerOpen WorldExplorationSandbox World

IGDB70· 5

Year 2008Dev Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.2 · Nintendo

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: deep simulation, open world exploration and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: sandbox freedom, sandbox world and visual isometric, while skipping adventure storytelling

Where it drifts furthest from Pools: visuals.

It predates Pools by 16 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100World60Visuals0

Complete list of simulation games like Pools

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

Farming Simulator 2013 Titanium Edition

Farming Simulator 2013 Titanium Edition

Simulation

Train Simulator Classic

Train Simulator Classic

Simulation

X2: The Threat

X2: The Threat

Simulation · Turn-Based Strat

X: Beyond the Frontier

X: Beyond the Frontier

Simulation · Sandbox

Port Royale 3

Port Royale 3

Simulation

Explore games similar to Pools by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best Open-World Adventure Games Best Adventure Games