Summary
Fans ofThis War Of Mineenjoy it for a variety of reasons. Some like the survival and resource gathering, others like the dreary tone, and some like that their actions have more weight and impact on the in-game characters that seem incredibly real.
Findinga game exactly likeThis War Of Mineis impossible as there are so many moving parts that make this dark and disturbing game a masterpiece. If players are looking to fill the void through game mechanics, art style, or tone then the following titles could fit the bill.
Updated June 22, 2025 by Ritwik Mitra:The harrowing gameplay of This War of Mine makes for an experience that is both uncomfortable and riveting at the same time. Players must make it a point to try and help their group of survivors live at all costs in the middle of a tumultuous war.
Losing a survivor feels like a slap in the face, and players must make some really tough decisions to ensure that they survive, even if it comes at the cost of others. Players who want to play other tense games with tough decisions and unforgiving gameplay loops will love the sheer wealth of games that scratch this itch.
1Sunless Skies
Exploration, Combat, And Storytelling Go Hand-In-Hand In A Wonderful Title Where Players Make Many Tough Decisions
The sequel toSunless Seaexpands on everything from the first game to make things better, bolder, and more engaging than ever before. The game starts on a rather restrained note before showing its true hand after players spend a few hours in this magical experience.
Exploring colonies, making tough decisions, and forming bonds are a huge part of what makesSunless Skiestick. It’s a step in the right direction for Failbetter Games, who have made a truly riveting title that fans can’t get enough of.
The desperation of most people to survive at all costs can be seen in Telltale’s breakout game that focuses onThe Walking DeadIP. The journey of Lee and Clementine makes for a great time and gets players invested in this bond, which is what makes the conclusion to this title so heartwrenching.
Most people would argue that Telltale hasn’t reached the heights set by this game since, which is understandable. The emotions and raw character moments inTelltale’s The Walking Deadmake it clear that people will do everything possible to survive, no matter how unethical it may be.
The Vaults intheFalloutgamesall had unique stories of their own, some of which seemed like success stories while others featured nightmarish experiments as dwellers were treated like live test subjects in the worst way imaginable. So, the very idea of controlling one’s very own vault and simulating the lives of residents in such an environment made for a tantalizing prospect that many players would easily gobble up from the get-go.
The free-to-play nature of this game means that players have to bear some intrusive microtransactions, but that’s a minor complaint in an otherwise fun experience. The depth of the gameplay mechanics may be another cause for complaint, but, for what it’s worth, it’s par on the course with most Bethesda games and can be overlooked as well.
One of the early indie survival games that wowed players with its unique art style and gritty gameplay,the atmosphere ofDon’t Starveis easily its biggest selling point. The gothic undertones and the sinister vibe of this game become quite apparent at night, with players needing the cover of light and shelter to try and weather the assault of the horrors that plague them when the sun goes down.
Don’t Starvecan be pretty challenging at times, but players who learn how the game works will be acing the experience after a point. Surviving night after night is a grueling but welcoming affair as players slowly grasp and master the mechanics of this legendary indie game.
Players who are looking for a more “choice-driven narrative” should check outDisco Elysium. This Indie darling from developer ZA/UM gives players a crime-ridden playground filled to the brim with difficult choices and burning questions. Although the gameplay loop is entertaining on its own, the real beauty ofDisco Elysiumlies in its overarching story. There is a lot to see and do, with many storylines and plots to uncover.
Thanks to the unique skill system present inDisco Elysium, players are free to see and experience things in a multitude of ways, making it feel like a truly rewarding role-playing experience.
One of the things that makesThis War of Mineso enthralling is its dark, foreboding, and isolating tone. Players craving more “alone against the world” style games can turn toSunless Sea, which does a fantastic job of making the player feel as if they are completely on their own in a hopeless situation. Brave gamers will need to explore the terrifying water-logged surroundings and attempt to find resources to survive.
With roguelike elements and a creepy, miserable landscape,Sunless Seais very entertaining and unnerving to play through.
Survival is the name of the game inThis War of Mine. Players will need to do anything and everything they can to keep themselves safe amidst their ravaged surroundings. The idea of surviving all odds can be pretty enthralling and there are a variety of games in the same genre that do a fantastic job of making the player feel as if they’re barely clinging to life as they attempt to survive monsters, the elements, and other dangers.
The Long Darkis a great narrative that follows a plane crash survivor as they attempt to navigate a frozen Canadian wilderness. It’s isolating, nerve-wracking, and sometimes even frightening.
8Displaced
A Premise And Gameplay Loop Quite Similar To This War Of Mine, With Many Tough Decisions To Be Made
Displaced’s premise has a lot in common withThis War Of Mine. The player is tasked with keeping a group of survivors alive as they escape a country that’s been suffering through war. From the very beginning, players are saddled with tough choices as they can only choose five people to help escape the chaos.
From there on out, players must decide where to go, what to hunt, and whether to engage or ignore various scenarios that play out. Will they choose to rescue an unconscious person in a house fire or loot the building and let it burn? There are many hard decisions to make to ensure the team’s survival.
State Of Decay 2sees a bunch of peoplestruggling to survivethe zombie apocalypse. Building a base, gathering supplies, and taking out hordes of zombies is just the beginning. Other survivor groups can help or hinder a player’s efforts to keep the colony alive.
While theState of Decaygames aren’t as narratively rich asThis War Of Mine, the open sandbox can be a welcome change of pace. The player can also incorporate new survivors into their group and slowly work towards taming the hostile undead world.
10Fear Equation
Help Passengers On A Train Survive Their Nightmares
Fear Equationis about an engineer trying to keep passengers on a special train alive while their nightmares literally try to kill everyone aboard. The player must understand the passenger’s deepest fears, prepare defenses, and try to fight the darkness.
To make things more complicated, the passengers will form factions and find their own ways to stay alive. Some are helpful, others are not. The result is a tricky strategy game as players fight nightmares, political power grabs, and dangerous beliefs.
