31 Narrative 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 31 that fit the “Narrative” category. Agricultural Simulator: Historical Farming, The Exit 8 and Thief Gold top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Pools.

iRank91/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

The best narrative games like Pools

31 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.

#1Agricultural Simulator: Historical FarmingClosest on genre

iRank25

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

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Steam

#2The 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

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.

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Steam GOG

#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

#7Telling Lies

iRank73

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

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Steam GOG PS

#8Dear 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

#9The Last Clockwinder

iRank89

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

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.

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Steam GOG Epic

#11Abzu

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

#12Mirror's Edge CatalystClosest on game mode

iRank75

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloMultiplayerNarrativeDarkOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 80%· 16KIGDB69· 27OC70· 103

Year 2016Dev EA Digital Illusions CE · Electronic ArtsOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

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

≠ Where it differs: brings precision platforming, puzzle design and fighting mechanics, while skipping horror tension

Where it drifts furthest from Pools: setting.

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

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

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Visuals75Tone72

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Steam Epic Xbox

#13The 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

#14Farming Simulator 19

iRank74

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

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Steam Epic Xbox

#15Refunct

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloRelaxingNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 96%· 17KRAWG👍 66%· 152

Year 2015Dev Dominique GrieshoferPlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, precision platforming and vibe casual, while skipping horror tension

A short experience about restoring a world featuring: Platforming: Wall-jumps, slides, pipes, lifts, springboards Beautiful: Emotional soundtrack and vibrant visuals Peaceful: Non-violent, open world without death Playful: Learn to play without tutorials Relaxing: Play at your own pace without…

It predates Pools by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100World100Progression100Game mode80Visuals75Tone70

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Steam Xbox PS

Complete list of narrative 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.