Retention

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Retention is hard to replace: few games combine adventure storytelling, vibe casual and single-player focus in quite the same way. We analyzed over 2,000 titles across 10 gameplay attributes and found 29 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. planetarian HD, NEKO-NIN exHeart +PLUS Nachi and NEKO-NIN exHeart +PLUS Saiha lead the list, with planetarian HD reaching a 96/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Retention special.

iRank35/ 100

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GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

Tags

CasualNarrativeSolo

Year 2015Dev Sometimes You

Stores

Quick answer

The closest game to Retention is planetarian HD — scoring 96/100 on our similarity scale. NEKO-NIN exHeart +PLUS Nachi and NEKO-NIN exHeart +PLUS Saiha follow close behind.

#1planetarian HD96 #2NEKO-NIN exHeart +PLUS Nachi97 #3NEKO-NIN exHeart +PLUS Saiha97 #4South Scrimshaw, Part One95 #5CLANNAD97

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Games like Retention

29 similar games found

#1planetarian HD

96

iRank99

planetarian HD

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualCozyAnime

Steam👍 99%· 3.3K

Year 2017Dev VisualArts/Key · VisualArtsPlaytime ~3hOn PC

✓ If you enjoyed Retention, expect visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and deep simulation

≠ Where it differs: brings setting anime, setting scifi and post-apocalyptic world, while skipping puzzle design

#2NEKO-NIN exHeart +PLUS Nachi

97

iRank94

NEKO-NIN exHeart +PLUS Nachi

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloCasualNarrativeCozyMelee

Steam👍 94%· 271

Year 2017Dev Whirlpool · Sekai ProjectPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Like Retention, it's known for visual novel storytelling, deep simulation and vibe casual

≠ Stands apart with melee combat and setting anime, while skipping adventure storytelling

#3NEKO-NIN exHeart +PLUS Saiha

97

iRank92

NEKO-NIN exHeart +PLUS Saiha

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloCasualNarrativeCozyMelee

Steam👍 92%· 213

Year 2017Dev Whirlpool · Sekai ProjectPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Like Retention, it's known for deep simulation, visual novel storytelling and vibe casual

≠ Stands apart with melee combat and setting anime, while skipping adventure storytelling

#4South Scrimshaw, Part One

95

iRank99

South Scrimshaw, Part One

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloCasualNarrative2DLinear

Steam👍 99%· 1.6K

Year 2023Dev Nathan O. MarshOn PC · Linux

✓ Shared with Retention: visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and vibe casual

≠ Its own twist: linear, story-driven structure and setting scifi, while skipping puzzle design

97

iRank91

CLANNAD

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualCozyAnime

Steam👍 98%· 11KRAWG👍 85%· 53MC83

Year 2015Dev VisualArts/Key · Sekai ProjectPlaytime ~6hOn PC · PS · Nintendo

✓ Like Retention, it's known for visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: setting anime, while skipping puzzle design

Steam PS Nintendo

95

iRank97

eden*

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCozyAnimeSci-Fi

Steam👍 97%· 5.1K

Year 2015Dev Key · MangaGamerPlaytime ~4hOn PC

✓ Like Retention, it's known for visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: setting anime and setting scifi, while skipping puzzle design

#7Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!

96

iRank91

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualCozy2D

Steam👍 97%· 31KIGDB83· 2OC87· 38

Year 2021Dev Team Salvato · Serenity ForgeOn PS4 · PC · PS5

✓ Like Retention, it's known for visual novel storytelling, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: horror tension, deep RPG systems and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping puzzle design

Steam Epic Xbox

#8VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action

97

iRank89

VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualCozy2D

Steam👍 97%· 38KRAWG👍 89%· 441MC81IGDB84· 9OC84· 66

Year 2016Dev Wolfgame · Ysbryd GamesPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Apple Macintosh

✓ If you enjoyed Retention, expect visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and deep simulation

≠ Stands apart with setting cyberpunk, setting scifi and setting anime, while skipping exploration and discovery

#9NEKO-NIN exHeart

97

iRank89

NEKO-NIN exHeart

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloCasualNarrativeCozyDark

Steam👍 96%· 983IGDB75· 1

Year 2017Dev Whirlpool · Sekai ProjectPlaytime ~4hOn PC

✓ Like Retention, it's known for deep simulation, visual novel storytelling and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with dark, oppressive atmosphere and setting anime, while skipping puzzle design

#10Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.3 Tatarigoroshi

94

iRank99

Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.3 Tatarigoroshi

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCozy2DDark

Steam👍 98%· 1.3KRAWG👍 100%· 28

Year 2016Dev 07th Expansion · MangaGamerPlaytime ~5hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ If you enjoyed Retention, expect visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with horror tension, dark, oppressive atmosphere and linear, story-driven structure, while skipping puzzle design

#11Lucy -The Eternity She Wished For- Ending Theme OST

97

iRank86

Lucy -The Eternity She Wished For- Ending Theme OST

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualCozy2D

Steam👍 95%· 8.2KRAWG👍 82%· 34IGDB72· 2

Year 2016Dev Modern Visual Arts LaboratoryPlaytime ~4hOn PC

✓ Shared with Retention: visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and deep simulation

≠ Its own twist: setting anime and setting scifi, while skipping puzzle design

#12Mission: It's Complicated

95

iRank93

Mission: It's Complicated

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloCasualNarrativeExploration2D

Steam👍 93%· 230

Year 2020Dev Schell GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ If you enjoyed Retention, expect visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and vibe casual

≠ Stands apart with turn-based strategy, melee combat and combat tactical, while skipping puzzle design

#13Doki Doki Literature Club!

95

iRank89

Doki Doki Literature Club!

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualCozyDark

Steam👍 96%· 221KRAWG👍 83%· 1.3KMC78IGDB95· 2OC87· 8

Year 2017Dev Team SalvatoPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Shared with Retention: visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting, while skipping puzzle design

#14Highway Blossoms

97

iRank79

Highway Blossoms

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualCozyDark

Steam👍 94%· 2.7KRAWG👍 56%· 34IGDB80· 1

Year 2016Dev AlienWorks · Sekai ProjectPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ If you enjoyed Retention, expect visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings dark, oppressive atmosphere and setting anime, while skipping puzzle design

94

iRank88

Venba

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualExploration2D

Steam👍 92%· 3.5KIGDB87· 3OC81· 56

Year 2023Dev Visai GamesOn Xbox · PC · PS5

✓ If you enjoyed Retention, expect puzzle design, visual novel storytelling and deep simulation

≠ Stands apart with crafting mechanics, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

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Rankings in the same genre

Best Visual Novel Games Best Casual Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Retention?: The closest game to Retention is planetarian HD, scoring 96/100 on our similarity scale. They share 7 gameplay attributes, including visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and deep simulation. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Retention?: The three closest games to Retention are: 1. planetarian HD (96/100, 7 shared attributes) 2. NEKO-NIN exHeart +PLUS Nachi (97/100, 6 shared attributes) 3. NEKO-NIN exHeart +PLUS Saiha (97/100, 6 shared attributes). All share Retention's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 29 candidates across 10 dimensions.
Is NEKO-NIN exHeart +PLUS Nachi similar to Retention?: Yes, very much so — NEKO-NIN exHeart +PLUS Nachi scores 97/100 similarity to Retention. They share 6 attributes, including visual novel storytelling and deep simulation. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Adventure games are similar to Retention?: The best Adventure games similar to Retention are planetarian HD, South Scrimshaw, Part One, CLANNAD and eden*. All share the Adventure genre alongside other key Retention attributes like visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and deep simulation.
How is similarity to Retention calculated?: We compare Retention against every game in our catalog using 10 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Retention experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.
Are there free games similar to Retention?: Yes — Doki Doki Literature Club! and The Sims™ 4 are free and score well on similarity to Retention. They're a great way to test whether the play style clicks before investing in other paid titles.