Night in the Woods was released back in 2017, with players and critics both falling in love with its comedy, narrative, characters, and art style. It is known to be one of the more unique video games out there in its themes of mystery and growing up. The story also has moments of incredible emotional depth, as well as humorous dialogue. It stands as one of the best indie adventure game titles out there.
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With autumn now falling upon us, many gamers are nostalgic for Night in the Woods, which is a game that has autumn scenes and intrigue around every corner. It can be difficult for a Night in the Woods fan to find a similar game. Luckily, Night in the Woods stands now as an inspiration for other games. Not only that, but there are similar hidden gems that fans should definitely look into.
Updated on March 1, 2021, by Allison Stalberg: Games like Night in the Woods are getting more and more popular. Players are wanting more games that explore the mysteries of daily life through the eyes of characters that reflect the experiences and attitudes of millennials and Generation Z. While it can be fun to save worlds in Final Fantasy or kill gods in God of War, gamers are starting to look for more games with stories and characters that they can relate to. Such games can have magic and mystery, but they are grounded in a modern world through the eyes of characters that are unlikely heroes.
15 Oxenfree
Oxenfree is similar to Night in the Woods for various reasons. It is also a coming-of-age story, but one that also tells a story that is a supernatural adventure mystery. You play as Alex and a group of teenage friends who visit an island for a weekend party. All of them are rich in personality and carry some baggage/drama due to some past events.
The friends discover a dimensional rift, and everything falls apart. There are time loops, possession, and many other supernatural occurrences. Playing as Alex, you get to choose how to handle various situations and her dialogue. The game has multiple endings depending on your choices.
14 Celeste
Considered to be one of the best games to come out in 2018, Celeste is about a young woman climbing a mountain. However, it is much more than that, as the young girl does so while confronting inner demons. Like Night in the Woods, the story and characters are the best part of the game. Players can easily identify with the protagonist and feel a great sense of satisfaction at the end.
Also, in a similar taste to Night in the Woods, the game has LGBTQIA2s+ representation.
13 Kentucky Route Zero
Released in early 2020, this game is a point-and-click adventure. Just like Night in the Woods, it was crowdfunded from the platform, Kickstarter. That is a big deal, as it means a lot of people saw and had faith in the game. The game received critical acclaim for many of the same reasons as Night in the Woods. Players and critics loved its visual art, characters, themes, and atmosphere.
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The narrative follows a truck driver named Conway as he meets people through his journey down the fictional Route Zero of Kentucky. The game has a total of five acts.
12 Mutazione
This creative story takes place 100 years after a meteor dropped on a resort and mutated the local populace. Those that survived made a small town, and that is where the game takes place. The players play the role of a 15-year-old named Kai, who is caring for her ailing grandfather.
The game centers on small town gossip, drama, and mystery. Like Night in the Woods, Mutazione is a quirky point-and-click adventure. Like many of the games of its kind, it is short but lovingly made.
11 Undertale
Even many non-gamers have heard of Undertale by now. Nearly the entire game was made by one man, Toby Fox, and became a sensation for his hilarious as well as heartfelt writing. It has been called a cult video game by many publications due to the fandom that rose from its creation.
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It doesn't share much with Night in the Woods in terms of gameplay and mechanics, but it does share the humor, wit, and deep moments. If you are a completionist, Undertale will also take much longer to beat.
10 If Found
Loved for its abstract art style, emotional story, music, and LGTQIA2S+ representation, If Found is a game that works like an interactive visual novel. The game is about Kasio, and her destroying her diary. Players get to explore her experiences throughout the month of December 1993.
Many reviews have noted that they needed tissues, as the story can bring some tears to the eye. The only criticisms are that the ending feels a bit abrupt, the game is short, and the gameplay is very basic.
9 Unforeseen Incidents
This point-and-click adventure game was released in 2018. Players control a local handyman, Harper, who investigates a mysterious virus that is killing the citizens of Yelltown.
Like Night in the Woods, the game creates a great balance between serious and funny content. In another similarity, the game as a distinct visual style that separates it from many other games. Unlike Night in the Woods, it also has superb voice acting.
8 Knights And Bikes
Unlike other games similar to Night in the Woods, Knights and Bikes has the ability to be a co-op game for two players. Players take the roles of Nessa and Demelza, childhood friends who are exploring and adventuring together with their goofy antics and imagination.
Knights and Bikes has been compared to Night in the Woods for its basic gameplay and incredibly strong narrative. Nessa and Demelza are adorable and chaotic, and the game matches their imagination by mixing their own adventure stories with reality.
7 Timbleweed Park
This is another title that was crowdfunded through a Kickstarter. It was released in 2017 and got high ratings for its humor, setting, and interesting characters. A Kotaku review described the game as combining "the creepiness of Twin Peaks with the humor of Monkey Island in one stylish, successful package."
Players don't play just one, but five characters in this story. It is a neo-noir mystery set in 1987 with a bizarre world to explore and many mysteries to solve.
6 Life Is Strange 1 & 2
Both Life is Strange and its sequel are coming-of-age stories with a supernatural twist. Both games follow teenagers whose lives get turned upside down due to the discovery of superpowers. As to which game is better, that is a debate.
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What majorly sets itself apart from Night in the Woods is the Life is Strange franchise takes itself more seriously in its tragedies and brutal moments. What they have in common is memorable young characters against the world of adults. They also both choice-oriented games.
5 Rainswept
This game takes place in a small town in which a double homicide took place. You play as Detective Stone as you try to solve the murder mystery. Like Night in the Woods, the emphasis is mostly put into the story instead of puzzles—in other words, don't expect some kind of Resident Evil level puzzle—and the topics the story goes into are dark and not suited for young kids. However, the ending is uplifting.
Reviews on Steam have mentioned that the game reminds them of Twin Peaks and Night in the Woods. Its ending message seems to be similar to Night in the Woods, as well, which is that little moments in life are important.
4 Jenny LeClue - Detectivu
While this game is very much like Night in the Woods, a complaint by players is that the ending is not satisfying and feels unfinished. Despite that, though, critics and players have given the game mostly positive reviews.
The story is set in a sleepy town, and you play as Jenny, whose life gets turned around when her mother is accused of murder. Jenny sets out on a quest to clear her mother's name. Like Night in the Woods, it is cute, funny, heartwarming, and sometimes scary. Unlike Night in the Woods, it also has voice acting.
3 The Darkside Detective
Released in 2017, this point-and-click adventure game has the player taking on the role of Detective Francis McQueen. McQueen is the lead investigator of the Darkside Division at Twin Lakes. He investigates the most bizarre and wacky cases with are an amusing mix of horror and comedy.
Like Night in the Woods, the narrative and dialogue are can be cheeky and give you a lot of laughs. Players can easily find themselves clicking on every object just to see what amusing statements will pop-up.
2 Firewatch
At first, Firewatch can seem quite different from Night in the Woods. You play an older man and don't see other characters in person as you work in the middle of nowhere to look out for fires in the Shoshone National Forest.
However, you do have your walkie-talkie and can have very amusing talks/flirtations with your boss. Like Night in the Woods, the narrative slowly turns into a thrilling mystery. It stands as one of the best indie games to come out this past decade.
1 Nuts
Released quite recently, Nuts has players take on the role of the rookie field researcher that is studying squirrels. The game has been compared to Firewatch due to the fact that the player has an isolating job in the woods and a mysterious plot begins to unfold during their work.
The style of the game is pretty unique as well, giving it a surrealist edge. Nuts is a little short, but the content is rich in its art, sound design, story, and puzzles.