30 Games like The Vanishing of Ethan Carter on PlayStation 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 50 games similar to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter down to the 30 that fit the “PlayStation” category. The Exit 8, Outer Wilds and Dear Esther: Landmark Edition top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.

iRank83/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

The best games like The Vanishing of Ethan Carter on PlayStation

30 similar games foundUpdated May 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.

#1The Exit 8Closest overall match

iRank93

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

Released 9 years after The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Progression100Visuals66Setting59

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Steam Xbox PS

#2Outer WildsClosest on world

iRank90

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldSpaceHorrorExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 96%· 102KIGDB85· 7OC85· 61

Year 2019Dev Mobius Digital · Annapurna InteractiveOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Both are open-world adventures — sharing adventure storytelling, puzzle design and horror tension

≠ Stands apart with deep simulation, melee combat and setting scifi, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Where it drifts furthest from The Vanishing of Ethan Carter: combat.

Released 5 years after The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Setting84Visuals84

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Steam Epic Xbox

#3Dear Esther: Landmark EditionClosest on visuals

iRank70

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldHorrorExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 75%· 7.4KIGDB65· 11OC67· 38

Year 2016Dev Rob Briscoe · Curve DigitalOn PS4 · PC · iOS

✓ Both are open-world adventures — sharing adventure storytelling, puzzle design and horror tension

≠ Where it differs: brings vibe casual, vibe relaxing and linear, story-driven structure, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Where it drifts furthest from The Vanishing of Ethan Carter: tone and world.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Setting57World43

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

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Visuals100Tone92

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

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.

Released 5 years after The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100World100Progression100Visuals100

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Steam GOG PS

#6Refunct

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

A short experience about restoring a world featuring: Platforming: Wall-jumps, slides, pipes, lifts, springboards Beautiful: Emotional soundtrack and vibrant visuals Peaceful: Non-violent, open world without death Playful: Learn to play without tutorials Relaxing: Play at your own pace without…

Where it drifts furthest from The Vanishing of Ethan Carter: tone.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Visuals100Tone28

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

Where it drifts furthest from The Vanishing of Ethan Carter: world.

Released 11 years after The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.

Genre100Game mode100Tone73Progression73Visuals69World42

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Steam Xbox PS

#8Shadow 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

Where it drifts furthest from The Vanishing of Ethan Carter: visuals.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Tone69Visuals0

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#9Obduction

iRank75

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 80%· 4.0KIGDB67· 9OC72· 37

Year 2016Dev Cyan WorldsOn PC · PS4 · iOS

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

≠ Its own twist: vibe casual, fantasy world and setting scifi, while skipping horror tension

Where it drifts furthest from The Vanishing of Ethan Carter: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Visuals100Tone55

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Steam GOG Epic

#10The Last Clockwinder

iRank89

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 96%· 784IGDB80· 1OC83· 12

Year 2022Dev pontoco · Cyan VenturesPlaytime ~6hOn PC · PS

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

≠ Its own twist: deep simulation, vibe relaxing and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping horror tension

You are on a mission to repair an ancient clocktower built into the trunk of a colossal tree. Inside, you find a pair of gloves that allow you to turn anything you do into a looping clockwork automaton. Use the Clockwinder’s gloves to turn every task into a looping clockwork automaton.

Where it drifts furthest from The Vanishing of Ethan Carter: setting and tone.

Released 8 years after The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.

Genre100Game mode100World100Visuals100Progression52Tone38

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Steam

#11The Witness

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 85%· 21KRAWG👍 77%· 1.3KMC87IGDB88· 12OC86· 98

Year 2016Dev NVIDIA Lightspeed Studios · TheklaPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Where it differs: brings punishing difficulty, vibe relaxing and procedural generation, while skipping horror tension

The Witness is a 3D puzzle game where you explore a mysterious island full of natural and artificial structures. The game is focused on non-verbal communication that should make the player more attentive to the environment surrounding him.

Where it drifts furthest from The Vanishing of Ethan Carter: setting.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100World58Tone51

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Steam GOG Epic

#12From DustClosest on combat

iRank71

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloMagicOpen WorldExplorationSandbox World

Steam👍 67%· 2.9KIGDB80· 5

Year 2011Dev Ubisoft Montpellier · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with adventure storytelling, puzzle design and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world, while skipping horror tension

Where it drifts furthest from The Vanishing of Ethan Carter: setting and visuals.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100World53Setting0

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Steam Epic

#13Thank 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

Thank Goodness You're Here! is an absurd comedy slapformer set in the bizarre Northern English town of Barnsworth.

Where it drifts furthest from The Vanishing of Ethan Carter: setting and visuals.

Released 10 years after The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Tone43Setting0

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Steam

#14AER: Memories of Old

iRank77

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationRelaxing

Steam👍 86%· 7.7KIGDB68· 4OC67· 44

Year 2017Dev Forgotten Key · Daedalic EntertainmentOn PS4 · Linux · PC

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

≠ Where it differs: brings vibe relaxing, vibe casual and fantasy world, while skipping horror tension

Where it drifts furthest from The Vanishing of Ethan Carter: setting and visuals.

Released 3 years after The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Tone41Setting0

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Steam GOG Epic

#15Abzu

iRank87

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationRelaxing

Steam👍 93%· 27KIGDB81· 27OC80· 122

Year 2016Dev Giant Squid · 505 GamesOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

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

≠ Stands apart with deep simulation, vibe relaxing and vibe casual, while skipping horror tension

Where it drifts furthest from The Vanishing of Ethan Carter: setting and visuals.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Tone33Setting0

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Steam GOG Epic

Complete list of games like The Vanishing of Ethan Carter on PlayStation

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.