14 Games like Pools on Nintendo Switch 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 14 that fit the “Nintendo Switch” category. The Exit 8, Outer Wilds and Firewatch top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Pools.

iRank91/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

The best games like Pools on Nintendo Switch

14 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

#2Outer WildsClosest on world

iRank90

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

#3FirewatchClosest 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

#4The 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

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

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

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

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Steam GOG Epic

#8Abzu

iRank87

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

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Steam GOG Epic

#9The Suicide of Rachel Foster

iRank67

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeDarkOpen WorldHorrorExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 68%· 6.8KIGDB65· 4OC68· 61

Year 2020Dev ONE-O-ONE GAMES · Daedalic EntertainmentOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Both are open-world adventures — sharing adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Where it differs: brings vibe casual, while skipping horror tension

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

Genre100Setting100World100Progression100Game mode80Visuals75

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Steam GOG Epic

#10RiMEClosest on tone

iRank83

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeRelaxingOpen WorldExploration

Steam👍 90%· 5.2KIGDB73· 15OC79· 120

Year 2017Dev Tequila Works · Six FootOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

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

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, precision platforming and melee combat, 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.

Genre100World100Progression100Tone82Game mode80Setting0

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Steam GOG Epic

#11AER: Memories of Old

iRank77

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloRelaxingNarrativeOpen WorldExploration

Steam👍 86%· 7.7KIGDB68· 4OC67· 44

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

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

≠ Where it differs: brings 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.

Genre100World100Progression100Game mode80Tone80Setting0

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Steam GOG Epic

#12Pilgrims

iRank96

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloRelaxingNarrativeOpen WorldExploration

Steam👍 96%· 6.1K

Year 2019Dev Amanita DesignOn Linux · Android · PC

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

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, card game strategy and vibe casual, while skipping horror tension

Where it drifts furthest from Pools: setting and visuals.

Genre100World100Progression100Game mode80Tone62Setting0

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Steam GOG Epic

#13Road 96

iRank86

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 92%· 25KIGDB83· 8OC78· 93

Year 2021Dev DigixArt · RavenscourtOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

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

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, procedural generation and melee combat, while skipping horror tension

Where it drifts furthest from Pools: tone.

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

Genre100Progression100Game mode80Visuals77World55Tone49

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Steam GOG Epic

#14Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments

iRank82

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 89%· 7.8KIGDB75· 14OC76· 65

Year 2014Dev Frogwares · Focus EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · PC

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

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, ranged combat and historical setting, while skipping horror tension

Where it drifts furthest from Pools: setting and tone.

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 mode80Visuals56Tone49

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Steam GOG Epic

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