Life & fun · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Dear Esther

A deserted island, a lost man, memories of a fatal crash...

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Dear Esther launched in 2015; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   The Witness on Mac▲123

   Explore an abandoned island full of surprises

   2017 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

2. 2
   Amnesia: The Dark Descent▲65

   An experience that will chill you to the core.

   2015 · store.steampowered.com · its alternatives →

3. 3
   Dear Esther: Landmark Edition▲72

   Immerse yourself in a stunningly realised world

   2017 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Reap▲69

   A survival game on a mysterious archipelago

   2015 · managore.itch.io · its alternatives →

5. 5
   That Dragon, Cancer▲122

   A videogame developer's love letter to his son

   2016 · store.steampowered.com · its alternatives →

6. 6
   To the Moon▲68

   Travel through dying man's memories to fulfill his wish.

   2015 · gog.com · its alternatives →

7. 7
   Overland (First Access)▲89

   Make the most of a terrible situation

   2016 · finji.itch.io · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Shipwreck▲56

   Explore the island and try to survive

   2016 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Elegy for a Dead World▲60

   A game about writing fiction

   2015 · dejobaan.com · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Overland▲108

    Post-apocalyptic survival game

    2016 · overland-game.com · its alternatives →

11. 11
    Between Me and the Night ▲74

    Relive you your childhood nightmare

    2016 · betweenmeandthenight.com · its alternatives →

12. 12
    Dead Venture▲65

    The world is infected, the human race almost wiped out.

    2016 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

13. 13
    Don't Starve: Shipwrecked▲85

    Sail to adventure through the treacherous seas

    2015 · store.steampowered.com · its alternatives →

14. 14
    Necropolis▲66

    Find the exit, or die trying

    2016 · store.steampowered.com · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Seashine▲103

    A Poetic Journey Into The Abyss

    2015 · seashinegame.com · its alternatives →

16. 16
    Soul Searching▲6

    A survival game about sailing away from your homeland.

    2017 · store.steampowered.com · its alternatives →

17. 17
    Lost Tracks▲68

    A journey through your subconscious world

    2016 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

18. 18
    Sheltered▲63

    Build a premo fallout shelter...or else.

    2015 · store.steampowered.com · its alternatives →

19. 19
    Gone Home▲83

    A first-person interactive story adventure game

    2015 · fullbright.company · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Forest Home▲56

    All the animals are lost, and only you can guide them home.

    2015 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

21. 21
    Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor▲75

    An anti-adventure game about picking up trash

    2016 · store.steampowered.com · its alternatives →

22. 22
    Memoire En Code▲82

    An autobiography told through a series of interactive games

    2015 · alexkalopsia.itch.io · its alternatives →

23. 23
    The Witness▲155

    Explore a mysterious island and solve its puzzles

    2016 · store.steampowered.com · its alternatives →

24. 24
    Until Dawn▲54

    Adventure survival horror video game

    2015 · playstation.com · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →