8 Puzzle games like Retention that you should try

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We filtered the 29 games similar to Retention down to the 8 that fit the “Puzzle” category. Heileen 3: New Horizons, Always Remember Me and Flower Shop: Winter In Fairbrook top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Retention.

iRank35/ 100

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GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

The best puzzle games like Retention

8 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Retention. Each one has been evaluated across 10 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.

#1Heileen 3: New Horizons

iRank63

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualCozyAnime

Steam👍 63%· 89

Year 2014Dev Winter WolvesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

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

≠ Its own twist: setting anime, while skipping exploration and discovery

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualCozyAnime

Steam👍 61%· 271

Year 2014Dev Winter WolvesPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

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

≠ Its own twist: setting anime, while skipping exploration and discovery

Details →

Steam

#3Flower Shop: Winter In Fairbrook

iRank63

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloCasualNarrativeCozy2D

Steam👍 63%· 109

Year 2014Dev Winter WolvesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

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

≠ Where it differs: brings setting anime and visual first person, while skipping exploration and discovery

Details →

Steam itch.io

#4VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action

iRank89

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

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasual2DSandbox World

Steam👍 88%· 8.7KIGDB82· 4OC70· 33

Year 2023Dev Daniel Benmergui · Annapurna InteractiveOn Android · PC · iOS

✓ Shared with Retention: puzzle design, adventure storytelling and visual novel storytelling

≠ Its own twist: sandbox freedom, sandbox world and open world exploration, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

Details →

Steam Nintendo

#6Venba

iRank88

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

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualExplorationOpen World

Steam👍 89%· 10KIGDB85· 6OC85· 48

Year 2015Dev Sam BarlowOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Shared with Retention: puzzle design, adventure storytelling and visual novel storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, open world exploration and horror setting, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

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Steam GOG

#8Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth

iRank79

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasual2DDark

Steam👍 92%· 7.5KRAWG👍 61%· 138MC79IGDB78· 10

Year 2017Dev Daedalic EntertainmentPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Shared with Retention: adventure storytelling, visual novel storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with dark, oppressive atmosphere, setting medieval and historical setting, while skipping deep simulation

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

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