Games like That Dragon, Cancer

90% positive from 1,545 reviewsReleased 2016Steam Deck Verified

What it is

A two-hour interactive memoir of Joel Green's four-year fight with cancer, moving through first and third-person scenes built from family home video audio and spoken word poetry.

What players liked

Players praise its unique, emotionally powerful narrative about grief and hope, unlike any other game they've experienced.

The catch

The second half turns heavily to Christian faith, alienating players who do not share it.

Why it is here

It is here because it sits in the band this site looks at: well reviewed at 90% positive, but with 1,545 reviews, far fewer than the household names carry.

View That Dragon, Cancer on Steam

More like this: Story Rich Walking Simulator Emotional

Six games like That Dragon, Cancer

OPUS: Rocket of Whispers

92% positive from 1,683 reviews201841% finish itDeck Playable

This is a narrative-driven adventure game where players explore a post-apocalyptic world to gather resources and build a rocket. Its core loop involves exploration, item collection, and crafting to fulfill a space burial tradition.

What players likedPlayers praise its slow-burn story, lovable characters, and awesome soundtrack, reminiscent of a captivating, emotional journey.

The catchSlow gathering gameplay where time limits make exploration tedious

Both are tagged Narration, Emotional and Story Rich.

Games like OPUS: Rocket of Whispers →

THE CORRIDOR

94% positive from 3,586 reviews202022% finish itDeck Playable

This is a short, first-person walking simulator focused on player-game interaction within a single corridor. Its core loop involves simply walking and observing the environment.

What players likedPlayers praise this short, meta-narrative game for its humor and creative take on a simple concept, reminiscent of Stanley Parable.

The catchThe core gag closes the game to desktop constantly and relaunching gets tedious fast.

Both are tagged Narration, Walking Simulator and Adventure.

Games like THE CORRIDOR →

Bright Lights of Svetlov

93% positive from 1,367 reviews202163% finish it

A linear, story-focused life simulator with a 1.5-hour playtime, focusing on daily routines and family life in the Soviet Union. It offers a carefully depicted atmosphere of 1980s Russia.

What players likedPlayers praise its immersive '80s Soviet atmosphere and emotionally impactful story, despite its short length.

The catchMost of the playtime is mundane chores done at a slow-motion walking speed.

Both are tagged Narration, Walking Simulator and Adventure.

Games like Bright Lights of Svetlov →

The Gardens Between

94% positive from 2,748 reviews201836% finish itDeck Verified

Single-player adventure-puzzle game. Manipulate time to solve puzzles in dreamlike gardens, exploring friendship.

What players likedPlayers praise its unique time-manipulation puzzles and relaxing, combat-free atmosphere, reminiscent of other "walking simulator" puzzle games.

The catchPuzzles are so simple they nearly solve themselves, leaving the pace slow and boring.

Both are tagged Emotional, Walking Simulator and Story Rich.

Games like The Gardens Between →

A Juggler's Tale

92% positive from 2,213 reviews202151% finish itDeck Verified

A 2D puzzle-platformer where players use puppet strings to navigate obstacles in a grim fairytale world. It features a story of escape and empowerment with lyrical narration.

What players likedPlayers praise this beautiful, simple, and lovely narrated platformer about a puppet's freedom.

The catchInteractable objects blend into the scenery, so puzzles turn into trial and error.

Both are tagged Narration, Story Rich and Adventure.

Games like A Juggler's Tale →

Curious Expedition 2

89% positive from 4,114 reviews202110% finish itDeck Verified

Turn-based narrative roguelike about managing resources and party sanity on procedurally generated islands. Explore, survive, and compete for glory in a dice-based adventure.

What players likedThis procedurally generated tropical island exploration game with enjoyable dice-based combat is great on Steam Deck.

The catchA slower, more bloated sequel that strips out much of what made the first work.

Both are tagged Adventure and Indie.

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