21 Puzzle games like Waking Mars that you should try

What brings it close to Waking Mars is strong narrative focus, melee combat and a sci-fi setting, and the two track each other on genre, combat and game mode. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and 2D presentation. They part company on visuals: this one brings pixel art.

It shares the essentials of what Waking Mars does: strong narrative focus, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. What it adds of its own: shooting mechanics and dark, oppressive atmosphere.

The resemblance to Waking Mars is about as close as this list gets: they line up on genre, combat and game mode. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is tone: punishing difficulty.

If Waking Mars worked for you because of strong narrative focus, melee combat and a sci-fi setting, the same is here. To that it adds 2D presentation and single-player focus. They part company on tone and visuals: this one brings cozy, relaxing feel and pixel art.

It shares the essentials of what Waking Mars does: strong narrative focus, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in tone and visuals — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting.

What brings it close to Waking Mars is strong narrative focus, a sci-fi setting and single-player focus, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and tone. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and 2D presentation. Where the two diverge is setting: a space setting.

What brings it close to Waking Mars is strong narrative focus, melee combat and single-player focus, and the two track each other on genre, combat and game mode. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and 2D presentation. Where the two diverge is tone and visuals: punishing difficulty and pixel art.

If Waking Mars worked for you because of exploration and discovery, a sci-fi setting, and single-player focus, the same is here. To that it adds 2D presentation.

If Waking Mars worked for you because of strong narrative focus, melee combat and a sci-fi setting, the same is here. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and tone: punishing difficulty and a space setting.

If Waking Mars worked for you because of melee combat, a sci-fi setting and single-player focus, the same is here. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and 2D presentation. They part company on combat and progression: this one brings loot and gear systems, and tactical combat.

Its point of contact with Waking Mars is exploration and discovery, strong narrative focus, and single-player focus. Both also lean on 2D presentation. The distance is in visuals — its own ground is pixel art.

What brings it close to Waking Mars is strong narrative focus, melee combat and single-player focus, and the two track each other on genre, combat and game mode. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and 2D presentation. The distance is in setting and tone — its own ground is punishing difficulty and fantasy world.

What brings it close to Waking Mars is melee combat, a sci-fi setting and single-player focus, and the two track each other on genre, combat and game mode. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and 2D presentation. Where the two diverge is tone: a casual, approachable feel.

It shares the essentials of what Waking Mars does: strong narrative focus, melee combat and single-player focus. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and 2D presentation. They part company on setting and tone: this one brings a relaxing pace and horror setting.

What brings it close to Waking Mars is melee combat, a sci-fi setting and single-player focus, and the two track each other on genre, combat and game mode. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and 2D presentation. The distance is in tone and setting — its own ground is a casual, approachable feel and historical setting.