Games like Manipulative Game Design

It's Not an Accident. It's an Architecture. Ever felt a beloved hobby slowly transform into a system of obligation and financial pressure? You're not alone. The frustration you feel in a game isn't a flaw; it's often a meticulously engineered feature. This book is a codex of forbidden knowledge, a guide to the hidden architecture of digital manipulation designed not as an attack on games, but as … If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Dark Patterns in Game Design.

Unlock the Secrets of Player Behavior: A Guide to Process Mining for Game Development Have you ever wondered... Why do most players gather all the components for a powerful item, but only a fraction ever craft it? What are the hidden paths that lead players to success in a complex puzzle, and which ones lead to failure? Players report a feature feels "slow,"… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Games User Research: Process Mining.

Stop Guessing What Your Players Want. Start Knowing. In the competitive world of game development, understanding your players is the key to creating successful, engaging, and beloved games. But how do you move beyond assumptions and gather actionable insights into the player experience? Games User Research Methods is your comprehensive and practical guide to the world of games user research. Thi… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Games User Research Methods.

Turn Player Feedback Into Your Most Powerful Design Tool Your players are talking. In forum posts, in survey comments, in playtest sessions. They're leaving a trail of data that holds the secret to making your game more intuitive, engaging, and successful. But how do you make sense of it all without a dedicated data science team or expensive software? Games User Research: Data Anal… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Games User Research: Data Analysis and Visualization.

Games Are for Players, not Stock Holders The Urgent Case for Co-operative, Player-Governed Live Service Games "The system is working exactly as intended and must be dismantled." Live service games promise us ever-evolving worlds and vibrant communities. Yet, too often, this potential is tarnished by player frustration, developer burnout, and the creeping sens… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Games Are for Players, not Stock Holders.

95%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

95% User Score Based on 2,910 reviews

In this challenging puzzle game, you build a computer from scratch and program it. It is a journey through the layers of abstractions of the computer. The game begins when you are abducted by aliens who are testing your intelligence, and from here a lighthearted sci-fi plot evolves. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Turing Complete.

Definitive Guide to Video Game Reward Design Building Player-Centered Systems that Drive Engagement, Retention, and Monetization Stop guessing what players want. Start designing rewards they'll genuinely love. Have you ever designed a reward system that, despite looking great on your spreadsheet, ended up feeling like a chore for your players? Have you worried that your game is becoming a "gold… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Definitive Guide to Video Game Reward Design.

Are you tired of being a tenant in a hobby you helped build? Have you felt the sting of seeing your favorite army invalidated by a new product release schedule? This book is a blueprint for a revolution. It is a practical and philosophical guide that will transform you from a passive consumer into an active creator, owner, and governor of your tabletop world. We believe a hobby's true value lie… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Reclaim the Tabletop.

70%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, stability

70% User Score Based on 264 reviews

Dungeon of Dragon Knight is a dungeon crawler role play game, based on grid system. You will lead your team to continually discover clues, solve the puzzles that surround you, and survive in dangerous dungeon. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Dungeon Of Dragon Knight.

72%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, replayability

68% User Score Based on 483 reviews

Critic Score 77%Based on 12 reviews

Superheroes clash in this turn based strategy game. Recruit, train, and deploy your team in order to take back the city from the villains that hold it hostage. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Capes.

79%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:humor, replayability

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, gameplay

79% User Score Based on 215 reviews

Use real Python code to automate machines, robots, drones and more: Program self-driving vehicles; crack passwords; apply machine learning; automate logistics; use image processing to guide missiles. Gain real coding skills and solve exciting bite-sized programming challenges. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to JOY OF PROGRAMMING - Software Engineering Simulator.

93%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, stability

93% User Score Based on 380 reviews

Learn and play Go, the classic board game that has been played for thousands of years, and compete in the race to conquer the most land in the in-game world, or compete online against opponents around the real world. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to The Conquest of Go.

81%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, monetization

85% User Score Based on 414 reviews

Critic Score 65%Based on 1 reviews

Welcome to your own Game Dev Studio! How will you run your own offices and ascend to greatness in the gaming industry? If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Game Dev Studio.

79%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, optimization

79% User Score Based on 536 reviews

Powerful Realtime 3D Electronic Circuit Simulator If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to CRUMB Circuit Simulator.

56%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:graphics, story

62% User Score Based on 40 reviews

Build a prosperous port in Uwe Rosenberg’s award winning two-player board game! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Le Havre: The Inland Port.

68%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, optimization

68% User Score Based on 124 reviews

Alan's Automaton Workshop is an open-ended programming puzzle game. Start a new business with Alan Turing and his groundbreaking innovation: the Turing Machine. Build unique automatons, and solve all kinds of problems from clients. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Alan's Automaton Workshop.

87%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

88% User Score Based on 3,602 reviews

Critic Score 80%Based on 2 reviews

Base Game + Soundtrack + Art Pack If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to while True: learn().

94%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

94% User Score Based on 2,724 reviews

SHENZHEN I/O: BUILD CIRCUITS. WRITE CODE. RTFM. Build circuits using a variety of components from different manufacturers, like microcontrollers, memory, and logic gates.Write code in a compact and powerful assembly language where every instruction can be conditionally executed.Read the included manual, which includes over 30 pages of original datasheets, reference guides, and technical diagrams.G… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Shenzhen I/O.

96%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, monetization

95% User Score Based on 1,565 reviews

Critic Score 100%Based on 1 reviews

The year is 1997. You used to be a hacker, but now you have the phage. You made a deal: one hack, one dose. There’s nothing left to lose… except your life. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to EXAPUNKS.

Question Mark uses the walking simulator style, the character is you, you can walk, run, jump, go up and down stairs, pick up objects and interact in different ways with these objects, you will also have several interactions with mechanisms present in the levels to solve the puzzles. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Question Mark.

SysOps Saga is a thrilling simulation game that puts you in the shoes of a Site Reliability Engineer (SRE), managing the intricate web of software, security, and hardware to keep digital systems running smoothly. Developed by a seasoned FAANG veteran, this game offers an immersive and educational experience for IT enthusiasts.Key Features Master the Art of Debugging: Dive into lines of logs, anal… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to SysOps Simulator.

54%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:emotional

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, graphics

82% User Score Based on 17 reviews

An indie card game designed for pro play. Enjoy ALL CARDS UNLOCKED and tournaments with great prizes for EVERYONE. Embrace 100% skill-based competition with perfect information. Collect, trade & sell Alt Arts + Premium Bosses. Let's build the card game dream! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Coryphaeus Championships.

82%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, music

82% User Score Based on 252 reviews

Learning Factory is a factory automation game where you are playing as a humble genius engineer obsessed with the ultimate task: to understand cats.It's easy, really: all you gotta do is create a perfect simulation model of a cat. First, you would just need to collect huge amounts of data about millions of cats and learn how to apply real Machine Learning to it. Simply follow these steps on your w… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Learning Factory.

69%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, atmosphere

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, optimization

69% User Score Based on 410 reviews

Leadwerks Game Engine: Professional Edition gives you full access to our C++ API for ultimate performance, and compatibility with third-party libraries. Use Visual Studio Express and Code::Blocks to write games with Leadwerks in pure C++. Learn to Make Your Own Royalty-Free Games We provide tons of documentation and video tutorials walking you through the steps to build your own 3D games. Leadwerk… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Leadwerks Game Engine:.

73%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, monetization

73% User Score Based on 71 reviews

Kanji Training Game is a game that helps you learn the Japanese writing system in the form of a game. Memorize 1006 symbols of Kanji, Katakana and Hiragana, and level up as you advance through the increasingly complex alphabet and words of the Japanese language. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Kanji Training Game.

58%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, music

58% User Score Based on 316 reviews

Critic Score 56%Based on 1 reviews

Horizon is a turn-based space strategy game of galactic exploration and conquest in which you are in control of humanity’s destiny. You will explore deep space, find new frontiers and discover alien artifacts hidden on long-abandoned planets. You will also learn more about the galaxy as you come into contact with ten other species, each with their own unique culture, history and schemes. A full… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Horizon.

79%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

79% User Score Based on 102 reviews

A post-apocalyptic adventure game set in a world where the player must search for food, water and essential supplies to survive. Discover a world filled with colourful NPCs, quests and secrets. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Dustbowl.

76%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:graphics, replayability

80% User Score Based on 578 reviews

Critic Score 72%Based on 9 reviews

Experience the obsessive life of a mid-level stockbroker, pursuing wealth and success at the cost of everything else… possibly even your freedom. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to The Invisible Hand.

79%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, graphics

79% User Score Based on 132 reviews

Math Fun is amazing fun loving app for everyone. This app will let you learn math in an fun and easy manner while playing. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Math Fun.

97%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

97% User Score Based on 4,686 reviews

TIS-100 is an open-ended programming game in which you rewrite corrupted code segments to repair the TIS-100 and unlock its secrets. It's the assembly language programming game you never asked for! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to TIS-100.

82%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:replayability, stability

82% User Score Based on 750 reviews

Try your hand as a global planner of a future society. Play with a wide range of technologies and policies spanning different fields and ideologies. Will you lead the world to ecological utopia or planetary ruin? If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Half-Earth Socialism.

88%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, stability

88% User Score Based on 712 reviews

The Lock ’n Load Tactical series is a dynamic squad-level tactical combat computer game based on the award-winning board games of the same name. LnLT series centered on infantry combat from the 1930s to the present. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Lock 'n Load Tactical Digital.

78%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:replayability, graphics

78% User Score Based on 390 reviews

Revised, rebalanced and expanded, Tipping Point is Fate of the World as it's meant to be played. Take control of the GEO through the five original missions, plus the “Cornucopia” and “Earth Day” update missions, and the “Denial”, “Migration” and “Extras Pack” DLCs. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Fate of the World: Tipping Point.

93%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, optimization

93% User Score Based on 301 reviews

Join us on DISCORD About the Game Recover damaged images: Fix corrupted files: Design the logic: Simulate the program: ABI-DOS: The Ultimate Automation Puzzle Challenge. In ABI-DOS, you build circuits to manipulate and guide UBITS (colored digital blocks) toward specific goals based on the given documentation. By strategically placing wires and instruction blocks on a microc… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to ABI-DOS.

94%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, optimization

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, story

94% User Score Based on 376 reviews

Virtual Circuit Board is the minimalist drawing-based logic simulator where you will design, program, decorate, and simulate anything from simple monochrome circuits to complex and colorful computers. Explore your creativity in this sandbox experience. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Virtual Circuit Board.

84%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, optimization

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, replayability

92% User Score Based on 2,366 reviews

Critic Score 74%Based on 7 reviews

Program little workers to solve puzzles. The machines are coming...for your job. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Human Resource Machine.

57%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, emotional

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, story

84% User Score Based on 19 reviews

Fight against brain-rot in this story-driven educational physics puzzle game. You will need to learn and apply high school physics concepts to solve increasingly challenging problems and uncover a galaxy spanning plot. When you have finished, you will be able to take a college level physics course. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Newton's Fourth Law.

88%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:monetization, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, grinding

88% User Score Based on 2,908 reviews

Build your business empire in this multiplayer economy simulation game If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Sim Companies.

57%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, grinding

51% User Score Based on 760 reviews

Critic Score 70%Based on 4 reviews

Hack ‘n’ Slash is a puzzle action game about hacking — reprogram object properties, hijack global variables, hack creature behavior, and even rewrite the game’s code. The only way to win is not to play... by the rules! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Hack n Slash.

82%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, story

82% User Score Based on 1,092 reviews

Massive scale 4X-RTS set in space. Control hundreds of planets, manipulate galactic politics, research numerous advanced technologies, and command thousands of units and hundreds of planets in your quest for galactic dominance. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Star Ruler 2.

66%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, grinding

66% User Score Based on 239 reviews

Action-oriented combat with a deep and involving tale of betrayal, torture, madness, and infernal damnation. If a gritty old-school open-ended isometric RPG is what you looking for, look no further. Inquisitor will provide you with hours of gameplay and a dark, involving story. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Inquisitor.

70%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, monetization

70% User Score Based on 829 reviews

Mist Legacy is a MMORPG created by Virtys. The game offer an intricate gameplay system presented in a simple top-view cartographic environment. Mist Legacy use turn-based combat, skill-based progression and material distribution scheme for crafting. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Mist Legacy.

90%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, optimization

90% User Score Based on 3,738 reviews

Legend of Grimrock 2 is a dungeon crawling role playing game with a modern execution but an oldschool heart. A group of four prisoners have shipwrecked on the secluded Isle of Nex. The island is filled with ancient crumbled ruins, mysterious shrines and a vast underground network of dungeons. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Legend of Grimrock 2.

86%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, story

90% User Score Based on 2,640 reviews

Critic Score 70%Based on 1 reviews

Scythe transports you to an alternate reality in 1920s Europa, one ravaged by the First World War. Take up the role of leader by assuming command of one of 5 factions, and set out to conquer the coveted "Factory". Lead your mechs to war and your people to victory! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Scythe.

56%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:humor, optimization

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, gameplay

56% User Score Based on 80 reviews

'Pay2Win: The Tricks Exposed' is a Pay2Win business model simulator(adventure) that exposes the tricks online game businessmen use to maximize monetization. You become a warrior in a fantasy world and uncover the hidden secrets behind the systems. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Pay2Win: The Tricks Exposed.

70%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, replayability

70% User Score Based on 100 reviews

Explore the subterranean depths in this first-person dungeon crawler with real-time combat, a unique rune magic system, exploration, and puzzle solving. This game will awaken memories of what made old-school dungeons so much fun to play while you fight, hunt for hidden treasures, and avoid deadly traps. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to The Keep.

58%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story

Most mentioned negative aspects:music, stability

58% User Score Based on 370 reviews

Your opinion matters !Please let us know what you thought of Visual Novel Maker. Survey here : About the SoftwareVisualize, Create, Share. Degica is pleased to announce their latest installment to the 'Maker' series of game development tools, Visual Novel Maker. A revolutionary new tool for Visual Novel Creation aimed towards aspiring artists and writers to bring their stories to life. Visual… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Visual Novel Maker.

96%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, optimization

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, story

96% User Score Based on 4,362 reviews

Program and optimize a drone to automate a farm and watch it do the work for you. Collect resources to unlock better technology and become the most efficient farmer in the world. Improve your problem solving and coding skills. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to The Farmer Was Replaced.

38%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:humor

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, story

46% User Score Based on 35 reviews

Dehumanize kids and make money. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to No Pineapple Left Behind.

84%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, grinding

87% User Score Based on 5,068 reviews

Critic Score 70%Based on 1 reviews

Xenonauts is a strategy game in which you control a multi-national military organisation defending a Cold War-era Earth from alien invasion, using small squads of persistent soldiers to eliminate the extraterrestrials and recover their technology in turn-based ground combat. A detailed strategic layer allows you to co-ordinate the defence of the planet, using your interceptors to shoot down UFOs a… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Xenonauts.