The Cub

18 Narrative games like The Cub 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 41 games similar to The Cub down to the 18 that fit the “Narrative” category. Thomas Was Alone, Snake Pass and The Bridge top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to The Cub.

iRank79/ 100

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GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

Tags

NarrativeHardcoreSolo

Year 2024Dev Demagog Studios

Stores

Steam ↗GOG ↗Epic ↗PS ↗Nintendo ↗

Quick answer

Within the “Narrative” category, the closest game to The Cub is Thomas Was Alone — scoring 84/100 on our similarity scale. Snake Pass and The Bridge follow close behind.

#1Thomas Was Alone84 #2Snake Pass80 #3The Bridge77 #4Freedom Planet79 #5Will You Snail?79

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The best narrative games like The Cub

18 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to The Cub. Each one has been evaluated across 11 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.

#1Thomas Was AloneClosest overall match

84

Thomas Was Alone

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloNarrativeHardcoreCasualSci-Fi2D

Steam👍 94%· 9.4KIGDB76· 8

Year 2012Dev Bithell GamesOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · Linux

✓ Fits the puzzle-platformers cluster, with precision platforming, puzzle design and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with linear, story-driven structure, while skipping post-apocalyptic world

Where it drifts furthest from The Cub: setting.

It predates The Cub by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Visuals100Setting48

#2Snake PassClosest on progression

80

Snake Pass

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloCasualHardcoreNarrativeExploration

Steam👍 80%· 3.3KIGDB72· 12OC74· 90

Year 2017Dev Sumo DigitalOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Same family of puzzle-platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Its own twist: deep simulation, cozy, relaxing feel and melee combat, while skipping post-apocalyptic world

Where it drifts furthest from The Cub: visuals.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for The Cub.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone83Visuals0

Steam Epic Xbox

77

The Bridge

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloCasualNarrativeHardcore2D

Steam👍 87%· 4.3KIGDB69· 5OC73· 17

Year 2013Dev Ty Taylor & Mario Castañeda · The Quantum Astrophysicists GuildOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · Linux

✓ Same family of puzzle-platformers: precision platforming, puzzle design and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings dark, oppressive atmosphere and fantasy world, while skipping post-apocalyptic world

Where it drifts furthest from The Cub: setting.

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

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Tone97Setting0

#4Freedom Planet

79

Freedom Planet

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloHardcoreNarrativeSci-FiExploration2D

Steam👍 95%· 4.9KRAWG👍 77%· 77MC81IGDB82· 7OC81· 45

Year 2014Dev GalaxyTrail · MarvelousPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the puzzle-platformers cluster, with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel, melee combat and fantasy world, while skipping vibe casual

Freedom Planet is a combat-based platform adventure that pits a spunky dragon girl and her friends against an alien attack force.

Where it drifts furthest from The Cub: setting.

It predates The Cub by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone68Visuals65Setting28

#5Will You Snail?

79

Will You Snail?

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloHardcoreNarrativeExploration2D

Steam👍 97%· 2.8KMC82

Year 2022Dev Jonas TyrollerPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the puzzle-platformers cluster, with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Where it differs: brings deep simulation, cozy, relaxing feel and melee combat, while skipping vibe casual

Dear humans, I wanted to let you know that I am better than you. You are all doomed and this game is a celebration of my superiority.Why should you play this? To entertain me. I made this game for for MY personal entertainment... Oh come on, don't worry... I'll totally make you feel like you stand a chance. Humans get frustrated so easily... pathetic.What is this game?

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Tone69

Steam PS Nintendo

#6Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus®

77

Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus®

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloNarrativeHardcoreSci-Fi2D

Steam👍 95%· 1.7KRAWG👍 86%· 147IGDB80· 1

Year 1998Dev Sony Interactive Entertainment · GT Interactive SoftwarePlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS

✓ Same family of puzzle-platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Its own twist: dark, oppressive atmosphere, melee combat and stealth mechanics, while skipping vibe casual

Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus is a spin-off installment of the Oddworld game series. It is a direct sequel to the Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee. ###Setting The game is set in the Oddworld, a planet in another dimension, ten times larger than our Earth.

Where it drifts furthest from The Cub: setting.

It predates The Cub by 26 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Tone67Setting44

77

Sunblaze

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloHardcoreNarrativeSci-Fi2D

Steam👍 91%· 466OC75· 12

Year 2021Dev Games From Earth · Bonus Stage PublishingPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Fits the puzzle-platformers cluster, with precision platforming, puzzle design and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel, melee combat and visual pixel, while skipping vibe casual

”Whose blood is that on the walls?” -Josie Do you think you’ve got what it takes to be an actual superhero? Well, then you need to help Josie to beat the superhero training simulator, and to become the hero our world needs!

Where it drifts furthest from The Cub: setting.

Genre100Game mode100Tone68Visuals63Setting42

Steam GOG Nintendo

#8Freedom Planet 2

76

Freedom Planet 2

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloHardcoreNarrativeSci-Fi2D

Steam👍 96%· 1.7KIGDB88· 1OC83· 26

Dev GalaxyTrailPlaytime ~2hOn PC

✓ Same family of puzzle-platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel, melee combat and setting anime, while skipping vibe casual

Join the heroes of Avalice as they face their greatest challenge yet! An ancient terror has emerged from the depths of the ocean. Merga, a water dragon from Avalice's oldest and deadliest war, has been freed from her crystal prison as a consequence of the Kingdom Stone's destruction.

Where it drifts furthest from The Cub: setting.

Genre100Game mode100Tone67Visuals55Setting35

76

Submerged

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloNarrativeCasualPost-ApocalypticExploration

Steam👍 76%· 4.8KIGDB57· 9OC54· 52

Year 2015Dev Uppercut GamesOn PS4 · PC · iOS

✓ Same family of puzzle-platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with survival mechanics, vibe relaxing and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping punishing difficulty

Where it drifts furthest from The Cub: visuals and tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for The Cub.

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

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Setting61Tone49Visuals0

75

GRIS

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloNarrativeCasual2DRelaxing

Steam👍 96%· 94KRAWG👍 84%· 1.1KMC83OC86· 125

Year 2018Dev Nomada Studio · Devolver DigitalPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the puzzle-platformers cluster, with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with vibe relaxing, while skipping punishing difficulty

Gris is a hopeful young girl lost in her own world, dealing with a painful experience in her life. Her journey through sorrow is manifested in her dress, which grants new abilities to better navigate her faded reality.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Tone57

#11Smushi Come Home

74

Smushi Come Home

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloCasualNarrativeExplorationCozy

Steam👍 99%· 2.7KOC83· 11

Year 2023Dev SomeHumbleOnion · Mooneye StudiosPlaytime ~5hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the puzzle-platformers cluster, with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with deep RPG systems, cozy, relaxing feel and vibe relaxing, while skipping punishing difficulty

Smushi Come Home is a cozy exploration adventure game where you play as a tiny mushroom who's trying to get back home! Play as Smushi, who was taken from its home unexpectedly and dropped into the middle of the forest.

Where it drifts furthest from The Cub: visuals and tone.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone44Visuals0

#12A Story About My Uncle

73

A Story About My Uncle

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloCasualNarrativeSci-FiRanged

Steam👍 92%· 29KIGDB69· 2OC79· 17

Year 2014Dev Gone North Games · Coffee Stain StudiosOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Both are puzzle-platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Its own twist: ranged combat, fantasy world and visual first person, while skipping punishing difficulty

Where it drifts furthest from The Cub: visuals and setting.

It predates The Cub by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone69Setting36Visuals0

#13Far: Lone Sails

80

Far: Lone Sails

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloNarrativePost-ApocalypticSci-FiExploration2D

Steam👍 95%· 26KIGDB78· 2OC80· 40

Year 2018Dev Okomotive · Assemble EntertainmentOn PS4 · Android · PC

✓ Fits the puzzle-platformers cluster, with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Its own twist: deep simulation, survival mechanics and melee combat, while skipping punishing difficulty

Where it drifts furthest from The Cub: tone.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Setting89Tone42

#14The Talos Principle IIClosest on setting

77

The Talos Principle II

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloNarrativeSci-FiPost-ApocalypticExploration

Steam👍 95%· 13KIGDB90· 6

Year 2023Dev Croteam · Devolver DigitalOn Xbox · PC · PS5

✓ Same family of puzzle-platformers: precision platforming, puzzle design and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings linear, story-driven structure, melee combat and visual first person, while skipping punishing difficulty

Where it drifts furthest from The Cub: visuals and tone.

Genre100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Tone42Visuals0

69

Shadow Bug

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloNarrative2DMelee

Steam👍 95%· 111IGDB60· 1OC78· 15

Year 2016Dev Muro Studios · Muro Studios OyPlaytime ~1hOn PC · iOS · Apple Macintosh

✓ Same family of puzzle-platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Where it differs: brings melee combat, while skipping punishing difficulty

Read our open letter to find out how Shadow Bug came to be: http://steamcommunity.com/games/shadowbug/announcements/detail/1420174864656857505 You are the overpowered ninja hero Shadow Bug! Save your home forest from the evil factory by slicing monsters to pieces.

Where it drifts furthest from The Cub: tone.

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

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Tone29

Complete list of narrative games like The Cub

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

Psychonauts

Psychonauts

Platformer · Adventure

The Pedestrian

The Pedestrian

Platformer · Puzzle

Jet Set Radio

Jet Set Radio

Platformer · Sports

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