Games like 20something

"Actual Sunlight" is a critically acclaimed visual novel that explores depression, hopelessness, and social anxieties in a raw and unfiltered way. The game follows the life of Evan Winter, a 30-something office worker, as he navigates through his mundane existence and grapples with his inner demons. Its deep and thought-provoking narrative challenges players to confront the harsh realities of mental health issues.

"Depression Quest" is a text-based game that simulates living with depression, presenting players with everyday challenges to manage while dealing with the illness. The game offers multiple endings and features over 150 unique encounters, with available choices and generated content based on the player's depression levels. The audio and visuals also adjust to reflect the player's emotional state, enhancing the immersive experience.

"LoveChoice" is a single-player Romance Role Playing game with an interesting plot, stunning mechanics, and beautiful visuals accompanied by phenomenal music. The game features 3 stories with multiple endings, lovely art, and 17 original BGMs. Despite being on the shorter side, with a playtime of 1.5-2 hours, the game offers a meaningful experience with its focus on thoughtful ideas about love and partnership, and allows for refunds if not satisfied.

"Missed Messages" is a narrative-driven horror game with romance elements, lasting 15-30 minutes per playthrough. The game features original art and story, with themes surrounding life, death, and memes. It contains mature content warnings and offers 4 different endings. Available for Mac, Windows, and Linux systems.

"Always Sometimes Monsters" is a narrative-driven RPG where your choices significantly impact the story. As a down-and-out writer, you must make difficult decisions to reconcile with a former love, all while dealing with life's harsh realities. The game features a unique perspective system, where your character's gender and race are determined by the player you choose at the start.

"Forgotten, Not Lost" is a visual novel that tells a thought-provoking story, putting players in the shoes of the main character as they navigate through emotions and self-discovery. The simple but mood-setting art complements the narrative well, making it a great recommendation for visual novel fans who appreciate emotional stories and beautiful art. The game successfully conveys varying emotions through its writing, making for a compelling and immersive experience.

"Gone In November" is a single-player adventure game that explores the theme of depression. As a patient with a terminal illness, you'll experience the character's emotional journey, filled with texting inactive social media accounts, watering cacti, and isolating yourself. The game challenges the player to confront feelings of loneliness and the impact of modern society, where closeness can still feel isolating.

Minute of Islands follows the journey of Mo, a clever engineer tasked with saving her island home from a looming, ancient disaster. Players explore, solve puzzles, and interact with Mo's world, meeting fascinating characters and gaining powerful sea-song abilities. The game delves into themes of hope, isolation, and the human spirit's capacity for resilience, creating a memorable, atmospheric adventure.

"The Letter" is a horror/drama visual novel inspired by Asian horror films like "The Grudge" and "The Ring." Players encounter mature and disturbing themes, offensive language, and violence through the perspective of seven characters, with branching narratives and multiple endings. The game contains strong trigger warnings, advising players to exercise discretion.

In "The Executioner," players assume the role of a morally ambiguous protagonist in a dystopian city, deciding the fates of criminals and negotiating with clients in a tense atmosphere. With a choice-driven narrative and multiple endings, players must balance their morality and make tough decisions that affect the game's outcome. Through various scenarios and character interactions, the game explores themes of justice, power, and consequence in a thought-provoking and immersive experience.