What is the best game similar to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter?

The closest game to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is Shadow of the Colossus, scoring 94/100 on our similarity scale. They share 6 gameplay attributes, including adventure storytelling, puzzle design and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like The Vanishing of Ethan Carter?

The three closest games to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter are: 1. Shadow of the Colossus (94/100, 6 shared attributes) 2. Firewatch (95/100, 9 shared attributes) 3. Fatum Betula (93/100, 10 shared attributes). All share The Vanishing of Ethan Carter's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 12 dimensions.

Is Firewatch similar to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter?

Yes, very much so — Firewatch scores 95/100 similarity to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter. They share 9 attributes, including adventure storytelling and horror tension. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What Adventure games are similar to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter?

The best Adventure games similar to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter are Shadow of the Colossus, Firewatch, Fatum Betula and Telling Lies. All share the Adventure genre alongside other key The Vanishing of Ethan Carter attributes like adventure storytelling, puzzle design and single-player focus.

How is similarity to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter calculated?

We compare The Vanishing of Ethan Carter against every game in our catalog using 12 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 The Vanishing of Ethan Carter experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

50 Games like The Vanishing of Ethan Carter that you should try

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The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is hard to replace: few games combine adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and open world exploration in quite the same way. We compared The Vanishing of Ethan Carter against over 6,700 titles across 12 gameplay attributes and found 50 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Shadow of the Colossus, Firewatch and Fatum Betula lead the list, with Shadow of the Colossus reaching a 94/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes The Vanishing of Ethan Carter special.

iRank83/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

Top games similar to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

50 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter. Each one has been evaluated across 12 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.

#1Shadow of the Colossus

iRank92

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationThird Person

OC92· 136

Year 2012Dev Team Ico · Sony Computer EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with adventure storytelling, puzzle design and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings precision platforming and visual third person, while skipping horror tension

Details →

#2Firewatch

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 puzzle design

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, puzzle design and horror tension

≠ Its own twist: vibe casual, while skipping combat magic

Details →

Steam Nintendo itch.io

#4Telling 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, puzzle design and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: deep simulation, while skipping horror tension

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeDarkOpen WorldHorrorExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 93%· 11KIGDB93· 2

Year 2023Dev KOTAKE CREATE · PLAYISMOn Xbox · PS4 · Switch

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: adventure storytelling, horror tension and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with deep simulation, linear, story-driven structure and setting modern, while skipping combat magic

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloOpen WorldExplorationFantasyThird Person

IGDB89· 1

Year 1996Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: adventure storytelling, open world exploration and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming, fantasy world and visual third person, while skipping puzzle design

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 87%· 18KIGDB91· 5OC89· 117

Year 2025Dev Dogubomb · Raw FuryOn Xbox · Switch · PC

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with adventure storytelling, puzzle design and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with roguelike runs, deep simulation and procedural generation, while skipping horror tension

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#8Refunct

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 96%· 17KRAWG👍 66%· 152

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

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

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

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#9Shadow of the Colossus

iRank92

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationFantasy

IGDB93· 13OC92· 136

Year 2018Dev Bluepoint Games · Sony Interactive EntertainmentOn PS4

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with adventure storytelling, puzzle design and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings precision platforming, fantasy world and visual third person, while skipping horror tension

Details →

#10Antichamber

iRank87

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 95%· 18KRAWG👍 83%· 435MC82IGDB83· 6

Year 2013Dev Alexander Bruce · DemruthPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: adventure storytelling, puzzle design and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: precision platforming and setting scifi, while skipping horror tension

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloOpen WorldExplorationThird Person

IGDB59· 7

Year 2007Dev Beenox · ActivisionOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Both are open-world adventures — sharing open world exploration, single-player focus and exploration and discovery

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming and visual third person, while skipping adventure storytelling

Details →

#12The 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 puzzle design

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#13Pilgrims

iRank96

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationRelaxing

Steam👍 96%· 6.1K

Year 2019Dev Amanita DesignOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: adventure storytelling, puzzle design and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: card game strategy, vibe relaxing and vibe casual, while skipping horror tension

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#14The Spirit and the Mouse

iRank90

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationCozy

Steam👍 97%· 1.0KOC75· 8

Year 2022Dev Alblune · Armor Games StudiosPlaytime ~6hOn PC · Nintendo

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: adventure storytelling, puzzle design and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: precision platforming, cozy, relaxing feel and fantasy world, while skipping horror tension

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#15Thank Goodness You're Here!

iRank90

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationCasual

Steam👍 96%· 8.0KRAWG👍 87%· 50IGDB90· 3OC84· 62

Year 2024Dev Coal Supper · PanicPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with adventure storytelling, puzzle design and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings precision platforming, vibe casual and setting cartoon, while skipping horror tension

Details →

Steam

Complete list of The Vanishing of Ethan Carter alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, 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.

The Last Clockwinder

Adventure · Simulation

SpaceEngine

Simulation · Sandbox

Destroy All Humans!

Adventure

Abzu

Adventure · Simulation

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Adventure · Puzzle

Everybody's Gone to the Rapture

Adventure

A Short Hike

Adventure

Thief Gold

Adventure · Simulation

Obduction

Adventure · Puzzle

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Adventure · Simulation

Cosmic Osmo and the Worlds Beyond the Mackerel

Adventure · Puzzle

Outer Wilds

Adventure · Puzzle

The Witness

Adventure · Puzzle

From Dust

Adventure · Simulation

The First Tree

Adventure · Simulation

AER: Memories of Old

Adventure · Puzzle

Kerbal Space Program

Adventure · Simulation

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Adventure

Train Simulator: Union Pacific FEF-3 Loco Add-On

Simulation

Train Simulator Classic

Simulation

Grow Home

Adventure · Platformer

Dear Esther: Landmark Edition

Adventure · Puzzle

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

Adventure · Puzzle

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Adventure · Puzzle

Road 96

Adventure · Puzzle

The Legend of Zelda

Adventure

Scribblenauts Unlimited

Adventure · Puzzle

Animal Crossing: City Folk

Simulation · Sandbox

Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments

Adventure · Puzzle

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Adventure

Proteus

Adventure

X2: The Threat

Simulation · Turn-Based Strat

X: Beyond the Frontier

Simulation · Sandbox

Port Royale 3

Simulation

Roblox

Adventure · Simulation

Explore games similar to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best Open-World Adventure Games Best Adventure Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter?: The closest game to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is Shadow of the Colossus, scoring 94/100 on our similarity scale. They share 6 gameplay attributes, including adventure storytelling, puzzle design and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like The Vanishing of Ethan Carter?: The three closest games to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter are: 1. Shadow of the Colossus (94/100, 6 shared attributes) 2. Firewatch (95/100, 9 shared attributes) 3. Fatum Betula (93/100, 10 shared attributes). All share The Vanishing of Ethan Carter's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 12 dimensions.
Is Firewatch similar to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter?: Yes, very much so — Firewatch scores 95/100 similarity to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter. They share 9 attributes, including adventure storytelling and horror tension. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Adventure games are similar to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter?: The best Adventure games similar to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter are Shadow of the Colossus, Firewatch, Fatum Betula and Telling Lies. All share the Adventure genre alongside other key The Vanishing of Ethan Carter attributes like adventure storytelling, puzzle design and single-player focus.
How is similarity to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter calculated?: We compare The Vanishing of Ethan Carter against every game in our catalog using 12 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 The Vanishing of Ethan Carter experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.