8 Puzzle games like The Darkest Files that you should try

Games like The Darkest Files · Find similar →

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 28 games similar to The Darkest Files down to the 8 that fit the “Puzzle” category. Beholder, Do Not Feed the Monkeys and Papers, Please top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to The Darkest Files.

iRank89/ 100

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The best puzzle games like The Darkest Files

8 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to The Darkest Files. 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.

#1BeholderClosest overall match

iRank85

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloNarrativeDark3DStealth

Steam👍 92%· 30KIGDB80· 3OC76· 27

Year 2016Dev Warm Lamp Games · Alawar EntertainmentOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ If you enjoyed The Darkest Files, expect deep simulation, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Where it differs: brings deep RPG systems, stealth mechanics and visual 2d, while skipping open world exploration

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for The Darkest Files.

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

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Visuals54

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Steam GOG Epic

#2Do Not Feed the Monkeys

iRank84

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloNarrativeDarkFirst PersonManagement

Steam👍 93%· 12KIGDB75· 1OC77· 21

Year 2018Dev Fictiorama Studios · BadLand PublishingOn PS4 · Linux · Android

✓ Like The Darkest Files, it's known for deep simulation, puzzle design and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with resource management, visual 2d and visual pixel, while skipping open world exploration

Where it drifts furthest from The Darkest Files: visuals.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for The Darkest Files.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Visuals36

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloNarrativeDarkFirst PersonCasual

Steam👍 97%· 79KRAWG👍 91%· 1.8KMC85IGDB82· 5

Year 2013Dev Lucas Pope · 3909Playtime ~4hOn PC · PS · iOS

✓ If you enjoyed The Darkest Files, expect deep simulation, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Where it differs: brings vibe casual, punishing difficulty and visual pixel, while skipping open world exploration

The creator of the game often travelled through Asia and made the observation that the work of an immigration officer checking documents for entry is simultaneously very monotonous and very responsible.

Where it drifts furthest from The Darkest Files: visuals.

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

Genre100Game mode100Tone84Visuals45

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Steam GOG PS

#4Papers, Please - The Short Film

iRank91

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloNarrativeDarkFirst PersonCasual

Steam👍 97%· 79KRAWG👍 91%· 1.8KMC85IGDB82· 5

Year 2013Dev Lucas Pope · 3909Playtime ~4hOn PC · PS · iOS

✓ Like The Darkest Files, it's known for deep simulation, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual, punishing difficulty and visual pixel, while skipping open world exploration

Where it drifts furthest from The Darkest Files: visuals.

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

Genre100Game mode100Tone84Visuals45

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Steam GOG PS

#5ObservationClosest on visuals

iRank79

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SoloNarrativeDarkFirst PersonHorror

Steam👍 78%· 5.1KIGDB82· 11OC76· 81

Year 2019Dev No Code · Devolver DigitalOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ If you enjoyed The Darkest Files, expect deep simulation, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with horror tension, horror setting and setting scifi, while skipping open world exploration

Where it drifts furthest from The Darkest Files: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against overwhelmingly positive for The Darkest Files.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Visuals67Setting0

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Steam GOG Epic

#6LoomClosest on setting

iRank89

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloNarrativeHistoricalMagicFantasy

Steam👍 89%· 699

Year 1990Dev Lucasfilm GamesOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Like The Darkest Files, it's known for deep simulation, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Its own twist: combat magic, fantasy world and visual third person, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Where it drifts furthest from The Darkest Files: visuals.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for The Darkest Files.

It predates The Darkest Files by 35 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Setting77Tone75Visuals0

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Steam GOG

#7There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension

iRank92

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloNarrativeMeleeCasualPixel Art

Steam👍 98%· 25KRAWG👍 90%· 143MC88OC88· 18

Year 2020Dev Draw Me A PixelPlaytime ~5hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ If you enjoyed The Darkest Files, expect deep simulation, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Its own twist: deep RPG systems, vibe casual and melee combat, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

"There is no game: Wrong dimension" is a Point&Click comedy adventure (and Point&Click only!) that will take you on a journey you never asked to go on, through silly and unexpected video game universes. Will you be able to play along with the "Game" to find your way home? We sincerely think NOT.

Where it drifts furthest from The Darkest Files: visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Tone50Visuals0

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Steam GOG Nintendo

#8Mario Paint