What is the best game similar to Until Then?

The closest game to Until Then is South Scrimshaw, Part One, scoring 78/100 on our similarity scale. They share 7 gameplay attributes, including visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Until Then?

The three closest games to Until Then are: 1. South Scrimshaw, Part One (78/100, 7 shared attributes) 2. Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! (78/100, 7 shared attributes) 3. Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth (79/100, 7 shared attributes). All share Until Then's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 34 candidates across 9 dimensions.

Is Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! similar to Until Then?

Yes, very much so — Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! scores 78/100 similarity to Until Then. They share 7 attributes, including visual novel storytelling and adventure storytelling. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What Visual Novel games are similar to Until Then?

The best Visual Novel games similar to Until Then are South Scrimshaw, Part One, Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!, Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth and The Red Strings Club. All share the Visual Novel genre alongside other key Until Then attributes like visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and single-player focus.

How is similarity to Until Then calculated?

We compare Until Then against every game in our catalog using 9 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 Until Then experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

Are there free games similar to Until Then?

Yes — Doki Doki Literature Club! and Everlasting Summer are free and score well on similarity to Until Then. They're a great way to test whether the play style clicks before investing in other paid titles.

34 Games like Until Then that you should try

Games like Until Then · Find similar →

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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.

Until Then is hard to replace: few games combine visual novel storytelling, strong narrative focus and linear, story-driven structure in quite the same way. We compared Until Then against over 6,700 titles across 9 gameplay attributes and found 34 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. South Scrimshaw, Part One, Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! and Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth lead the list, with South Scrimshaw, Part One reaching a 78/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Until Then special.

iRank91/ 100

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GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

Top games similar to Until Then

34 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Until Then. Each one has been evaluated across 9 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.

#1South Scrimshaw, Part OneClosest on genre

iRank99

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloCasualNarrativeLinear2D

Steam👍 99%· 1.6K

Year 2023Dev Nathan O. MarshOn PC · Linux

✓ Shared with Until Then: visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and vibe casual

≠ Its own twist: setting scifi, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

"The consciousness dawning inside of an aquatic egg is prodded alert. It is a male whale calf, stirring with a newfound awareness of body." South Scrimshaw uses the linear VN format to create a science fiction documentary about fictional science.

Where it drifts furthest from Until Then: visuals.

Genre100Game mode100World100Tone82Visuals47

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Steam GOG

#2Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!

iRank91

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualDark2D

Steam👍 97%· 31KIGDB83· 2OC87· 38

Year 2021Dev Team Salvato · Serenity ForgeOn PS4 · PC · PS5

✓ Like Until Then, it's known for visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: horror tension, deep simulation and deep RPG systems, while skipping linear, story-driven structure

Where it drifts furthest from Until Then: visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Tone85Visuals48

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Steam Epic Xbox

#3Ken Follett's The Pillars of the EarthClosest overall match

iRank79

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualDark2D

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

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

✓ Shared with Until Then: adventure storytelling, visual novel storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, setting medieval and historical setting, while skipping linear, story-driven structure

Based on Ken Follett's world-bestseller, ‘The Pillars of the Earth’ retells the story of the village of Kingsbridge in a whole new interactive way. Play as Jack, Aliena, and Philip and change the events of the book through exploration, decision-making, and dialogues.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Until Then.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Visuals53

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Steam GOG Epic

#4The Red Strings ClubClosest on visuals

iRank87

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkPixel Art2D

Steam👍 94%· 14KIGDB78· 6OC80· 53

Year 2018Dev Deconstructeam · Devolver DigitalOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Like Until Then, it's known for adventure storytelling, visual novel storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, deep simulation and setting cyberpunk, while skipping vibe casual

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Until Then.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Tone86

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualDarkMagic

Steam👍 98%· 39KIGDB80· 11

Year 2013Dev Telltale GamesOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · Android

✓ Shared with Until Then: adventure storytelling, visual novel storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, combat magic and ranged combat, while skipping linear, story-driven structure

Where it drifts furthest from Until Then: visuals.

It predates Until Then by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Visuals0

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Steam GOG Epic

#6Milk Inside a Bag of Milk Inside a Bag of Milk

iRank96

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkPixel ArtHorror

Steam👍 96%· 33K

Year 2020Dev Nikita Kryukov · Nikita Kaf PublishingOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ If you enjoyed Until Then, expect visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: horror tension, horror setting and setting anime, while skipping vibe casual

Genre100Game mode100Tone86Visuals69

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloCasualNarrativeDarkCozy

Steam👍 96%· 983IGDB75· 1

Year 2017Dev Whirlpool · Sekai ProjectPlaytime ~4hOn PC

✓ Like Until Then, it's known for visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and vibe casual

≠ Stands apart with deep simulation, cozy, relaxing feel and setting anime, while skipping linear, story-driven structure

INTERESTING FEATURES LIKE MOVING CAT EARS! Japan. From time immemorial, there are those who possess superhuman abilities. These beings who looked like a cross between man and beast are called Demi-Humans. They acted as Ninja and served those in power.

Genre100Game mode100Tone84

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Steam

#82064: Read Only Memories

iRank80

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDark2DPixel Art

Steam👍 80%· 1.7KIGDB83· 7OC77· 40

Year 2014Dev MidBossOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Shared with Until Then: visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, deep RPG systems and setting cyberpunk, while skipping vibe casual

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Until Then.

It predates Until Then by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Tone87

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Steam GOG Epic

#9Doki Doki Literature Club!

iRank89

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualDarkCozy

Steam👍 96%· 221KRAWG👍 83%· 1.3KMC78IGDB95· 2OC87· 8

Year 2017Dev Team SalvatoPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Shared with Until Then: visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, cozy, relaxing feel and horror setting, while skipping linear, story-driven structure

Doki Doki Literature Club puts you into the role of an anime character, an average Japanese schoolboy. Your protagonist joins a literature club in which he's the only male member. The remaining four girls – Monica, Sayori, Natsuki, and Yuri – compete for the boy’s attention.

Where it drifts furthest from Until Then: visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Tone84Visuals0

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Steam itch.io

#10Mission: It's Complicated

iRank93

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloCasualNarrative2DMelee

Steam👍 93%· 230

Year 2020Dev Schell GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ If you enjoyed Until Then, expect visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and vibe casual

≠ Stands apart with turn-based strategy, melee combat and combat tactical, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Mission: It’s Complicated is a visual novel about getting superheroes to fall in love, and the shenanigans that happen along the way. Send your heroes out on ridiculous missions at night, and try to keep them from getting hurt -- or they won't be able to go on dates during the day!

Where it drifts furthest from Until Then: visuals.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Until Then.

Genre100Game mode100Tone83Visuals46

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualPixel ArtHorror

Steam👍 93%· 6.2KIGDB81· 2

Year 2017Dev Kyle SeeleyOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Shared with Until Then: visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: deep simulation, deep RPG systems and horror tension, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Until Then.

Genre100Game mode100Tone81Visuals74

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Steam itch.io

#12Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.6 Tsumihoroboshi

iRank99

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDarkHorrorAnime

Steam👍 99%· 906

Year 2018Dev 07th Expansion · MangaGamerPlaytime ~7hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ If you enjoyed Until Then, expect visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with horror tension, horror setting and setting anime, while skipping vibe casual

June, 1983. The summer heat has arrived earlier than it does most years. By day there are cicadas, and by night, the higurashi. Hinamizawa, a small village in the Japanese countryside. While there are fewer than two thousand people there, every year, 'something' happens.

Genre100Game mode100Tone86

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Steam GOG

#13Everlasting Summer

iRank88

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeDark2DAnime

Steam👍 95%· 77KRAWG👍 77%· 952

Year 2013Dev Soviet GamesPlaytime ~5hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ If you enjoyed Until Then, expect visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with setting anime, visual first person and free to play, while skipping vibe casual

Everlasting Summer is a visual novel about a man named Semyon who is teleported from modern Russia into summer camp somewhere in Soviet Union.

Where it drifts furthest from Until Then: visuals.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Until Then.

It predates Until Then by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone86Visuals33

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Steam

#14Venba

iRank88

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasual2DCrafting

Steam👍 92%· 3.5KIGDB87· 3OC81· 56

Year 2023Dev Visai GamesOn Xbox · PC · PS5

✓ If you enjoyed Until Then, expect visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, deep simulation and crafting mechanics, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Until Then.

Genre100Game mode100Tone83Visuals53

GenreCasualSubgenreVisual Novel

SoloNarrativeCasualPixel ArtFree to Play

Steam👍 89%· 32K

Year 2015Dev Kyle SeeleyOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Like Until Then, it's known for visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings deep simulation and free to play, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Until Then.

It predates Until Then by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone77Visuals68

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Steam itch.io

Complete list of Until Then alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Until Then, 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.

Chicken Police - Paint it RED!

Visual Novel · Adventure

Highway Blossoms

Visual Novel · Adventure

Slay the Princess

Visual Novel · Adventure

Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

Adventure · Visual Novel

Saya no Uta

Visual Novel · Adventure

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Visual Novel · Adventure

CLANNAD

Visual Novel · Adventure

Virginia

Adventure · Visual Novel

Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors

Puzzle · Visual Novel

Orwell: Keeping an Eye on You

Adventure · Simulation

STEINS;GATE

Visual Novel · Adventure

AI: The Somnium Files

Visual Novel · Adventure

AI: The Somnium Files - Nirvana Initiative

Visual Novel · Adventure

Hatoful Boyfriend

Visual Novel · Simulation

Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward

Puzzle · Visual Novel

Cinders

Visual Novel · Adventure

Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

Visual Novel · Adventure

Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma

Puzzle · Visual Novel

Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator

Simulation · Visual Novel

Explore games similar to Until Then by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best Visual Novel Games Best Casual Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Until Then?: The closest game to Until Then is South Scrimshaw, Part One, scoring 78/100 on our similarity scale. They share 7 gameplay attributes, including visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Until Then?: The three closest games to Until Then are: 1. South Scrimshaw, Part One (78/100, 7 shared attributes) 2. Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! (78/100, 7 shared attributes) 3. Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth (79/100, 7 shared attributes). All share Until Then's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 34 candidates across 9 dimensions.
Is Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! similar to Until Then?: Yes, very much so — Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! scores 78/100 similarity to Until Then. They share 7 attributes, including visual novel storytelling and adventure storytelling. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Visual Novel games are similar to Until Then?: The best Visual Novel games similar to Until Then are South Scrimshaw, Part One, Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!, Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth and The Red Strings Club. All share the Visual Novel genre alongside other key Until Then attributes like visual novel storytelling, adventure storytelling and single-player focus.
How is similarity to Until Then calculated?: We compare Until Then against every game in our catalog using 9 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 Until Then experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.
Are there free games similar to Until Then?: Yes — Doki Doki Literature Club! and Everlasting Summer are free and score well on similarity to Until Then. They're a great way to test whether the play style clicks before investing in other paid titles.