Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like The Lab (2026)
Every game below overlaps with The Lab on things players said about it rather than on our opinion of what feels alike. Each entry shows what it matched on, so you can throw out the ones matching on the part you did not care about.
The short version
- Closest match: Polarity, which both science fiction, atmospheric, strategy and puzzle.
- The Lab is tagged Free to Play, VR, Singleplayer, Action, First-Person, Adventure, Funny, Sandbox by Steam players. Those tags are what the matching runs on.
- 24 games qualify, each with at least fifty player reviews behind its sentiment figure.
- 9 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
- 2 are from the same studio: Portal, Portal 2.
How these were matched
Steam tags carry the most weight, because players apply them and they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Souls-like, Atmospheric and Cozy exist as tags and as nothing else, which is exactly the vocabulary this question needs. Formal genres count for less, themes and a shared studio for more.
Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are thrown out before matching. Nearly everything is tagged Singleplayer, so matching on it is matching on nothing. That cutoff is computed from the catalogue rather than fixed, so it moves as the catalogue grows.
All 24, closest first
- 1
Polarity
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric, strategy and puzzle; shares 7 player tags including Puzzle, First-Person and Strategy; released around the same time (2016).
Polarity takes it to the next level, demanding all of your wits and reflexes. Full-featured local co-op campaign.
Polarity at a glance Released 2016 Studio Bluebutton Games Player sentiment 79% positive of 4,668 Price $12.99 PuzzleFirst-PersonStrategySci-fiFPSSandboxShooter
- 2
Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric, strategy and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Free to Play, Simulation and Casual.
The epic story of evolution, technology, humanity, and dinosaurs is yours to tap.
Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends at a glance Released 2021 Studio Computer Lunch Player sentiment 89% positive of 27,958 Price Free Free to PlaySimulationCasualSci-fiSandboxFamily FriendlyStrategy
- 3
FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S: HELP WANTED
Why it matched: both atmospheric, strategy, puzzle and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including VR, First-Person and Casual; released around the same time (2019).
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted is a collection of classic and original mini-games set in the Five Nights universe. Experience the horror in flat (non-VR) mode or VR. Oculus Rift and HTC Vive are supported. A VR Headset is NOT required to play.
FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S: HELP WANTED at a glance Released 2019 Studio Steel Wool Studios Player sentiment 96% positive of 13,118 Price $29.99 VRFirst-PersonCasualPuzzleStrategyFunny
- 4
Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle
Why it matched: both atmospheric, strategy, puzzle and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Free to Play, Puzzle and Casual; released around the same time (2018).
Help legendary horror icon Jason Voorhees stalk and slay campers across 100+ puzzle levels in a hilariously off kilter puzzle game. Jason will terrorize victims from the campgrounds of Crystal Lake to the highrises of Manhattan, from supermax prisons to space stations... and beyond!
Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle at a glance Released 2018 Studio Blue Wizard Digital Player sentiment 94% positive of 6,080 Price Not listed Free to PlayPuzzleCasualStrategyFunnySimulation
- 5
BONEWORKS
Why it matched: both science fiction and puzzle; shares 9 player tags including VR, Sandbox and Shooter; released around the same time (2019).
BONEWORKS is an Experimental Physics VR Adventure. Use found physics weapons, tools, and objects to fight across dangerous playscapes and mysterious architecture.
BONEWORKS at a glance Released 2019 Studio Stress Level Zero Player sentiment 92% positive of 36,454 Price $29.99 VRSandboxShooterPuzzleFirst-PersonSimulationFPSSci-fi
- 6
Moonbase Alpha
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy and puzzle; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Free to Play and Funny.
NASA has once again landed on the lunar surface with the goal of colonization, research, and further exploration. Shortly after the return to the Moon, NASA has established a small outpost on the south pole of the moon called Moonbase Alpha.
Moonbase Alpha at a glance Released 2010 Studio Virtual Heroes Player sentiment 91% positive of 12,875 Price Free SimulationFree to PlayFunnyMemesStrategySandboxFirst-PersonPuzzle
- 7
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
Why it matched: both strategy, puzzle and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Puzzle, VR and Casual; released around the same time (2015).
Find yourself trapped alone in a room with a ticking time bomb. Your friends have the manual to defuse it, but they can't see the bomb, so you're going to have to talk it out – fast!
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes at a glance Released 2015 Studio Steel Crate Games Player sentiment 97% positive of 17,112 Price $14.99 PuzzleVRCasualFamily FriendlyFunnySimulationStrategy
- 8
SCP: Secret Laboratory
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Free to Play, First-Person and Shooter; released around the same time (2017).
Deep within a secure underground facility, a sudden containment breach allows many of the secured anomalies to escape from their chambers. Assist the Foundation in re-securing the facility, help the Insurgency in their goal to capture it, or wreak havoc as an SCP in a frantic bid to escape.
SCP: Secret Laboratory at a glance Released 2017 Studio Northwood Studios Player sentiment 91% positive of 234,020 Price Free Free to PlayFirst-PersonShooterFPSMemesSci-fiStrategy
- 9
SPORE Galactic Adventures
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric, strategy and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Simulation, Sandbox and Strategy.
Take Your Creature From Zero To Galactic HeroGet out of your starship and turn your Spore creatures into legendary Space Captains. For the first time, beam down with your allies to take on action-packed, planetside adventures. Complete quests, collect rewards, and even create your own missions.
SPORE Galactic Adventures at a glance Released 2009 Studio EA - Maxis Player sentiment 89% positive of 7,761 Price $19.99 SimulationSandboxStrategySci-fiFunnyCasual
- 10
Hardspace: Shipbreaker
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy, puzzle and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Sci-fi, Simulation and Sandbox.
Equipped with cutting-edge salvaging tech, carve & slice spaceships to recover valuable materials. Upgrade your gear to take on more lucrative contracts and pay your billion credits debt to LYNX Corp!
Hardspace: Shipbreaker at a glance Released 2022 Studio Blackbird Interactive Player sentiment 89% positive of 22,334 Price $34.99 Sci-fiSimulationSandboxPuzzleFirst-PersonStrategy
- 11
Reus
Why it matched: both strategy, puzzle and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and Sandbox; released around the same time (2013).
In Reus, you control powerful giants to shape the planet to your will. You can create mountains, oceans, forests and more. Enrich your planet with plants, minerals and animal life. There is only one thing on the planet that you do not control: mankind, with all their virtues and and all their vices.
Reus at a glance Released 2013 Studio Abbey Games Player sentiment 78% positive of 5,991 Price $9.99 StrategySimulationSandboxCasualPuzzleFamily FriendlyFunny
- 12
LOCKDOWN Protocol
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy, puzzle and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Casual, First-Person and Sci-fi.
A first person social deduction game, combining real time action and communication, playable up to 16 players. While most players will cooperate to complete objectives to ensure victory, a small portion of dissidents will try their best to stop them at all cost, without being caught.
LOCKDOWN Protocol at a glance Released 2025 Studio Mirage Creative Lab Player sentiment 86% positive of 19,873 Price $9.99 CasualFirst-PersonSci-fiPuzzleFPSStrategy
- 13
Only If
Why it matched: both atmospheric, puzzle and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Free to Play, First-Person and Puzzle; released around the same time (2014).
Only If is a surreal first person adventure-puzzle game. It takes idiom into reality.
Only If at a glance Released 2014 Studio Creability Player sentiment 62% positive of 5,953 Price Free Free to PlayFirst-PersonPuzzleSimulationFPSCasualFunny
- 14
BRINK
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric, strategy and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including FPS, Shooter and Free to Play.
You decide the combat role you want to assume in the world of Brink as you fight to save yourself and mankind’s last refuge!
BRINK at a glance Released 2011 Studio Splash Damage Player sentiment 63% positive of 8,159 Price Free FPSShooterFree to PlayFirst-PersonSci-fiCasual
- 15
Portal
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Valve; both science fiction, atmospheric and puzzle; shares 5 player tags including Puzzle, First-Person and Sci-fi.
Portal™ is a new single player game from Valve. Set in the mysterious Aperture Science Laboratories, Portal has been called one of the most innovative new games on the horizon and will offer gamers hours of unique gameplay.
Portal at a glance Released 2007 Studio Valve Player sentiment 99% positive of 198,682 Price $9.99 PuzzleFirst-PersonSci-fiFunnyFPS
- 16
Portal 2
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Valve; both science fiction, atmospheric and puzzle; shares 5 player tags including Puzzle, First-Person and Funny.
The "Perpetual Testing Initiative" has been expanded to allow you to design co-op puzzles for you and your friends!
Portal 2 at a glance Released 2011 Studio Valve Player sentiment 99% positive of 466,026 Price $9.99 PuzzleFirst-PersonFunnyFPSSci-fi
- 17
Jurassic World Evolution
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric, strategy and relaxing; shares 5 player tags including Simulation, Strategy and Sandbox; released around the same time (2018).
Place yourself at the heart of the Jurassic franchise and build your own Jurassic World. Bioengineer dinosaurs that think, feel and react intelligently to the world around them and face threats posed by espionage, breakouts and devastating tropical storms in an uncertain world where life always finds a way.
Jurassic World Evolution at a glance Released 2018 Studio Frontier Developments Player sentiment 87% positive of 55,272 Price $44.99 SimulationStrategySandboxSci-fiCasual
- 18
Worm.is: The Game
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Free to Play, Casual and Funny; released around the same time (2016).
Unleash the apex worm in you! Join a world where you eat to grow and aim to become the largest worm around. Dodge viruses, cut off enemy paths, and indulge in addictive multiplayer action. Custom skins, game modes, and more await!
Worm.is: The Game at a glance Released 2016 Studio Freakinware Studios Player sentiment 81% positive of 4,723 Price Free Free to PlayCasualFunnyStrategyFamily FriendlySimulationFPSFirst-Person
- 19
Liar's Bar
Why it matched: both strategy, puzzle and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Casual, FPS and Funny.
Dive into this multiplayer online experience set in a sketchy bar where the games are as dangerous as the patrons. Join a table of 4 and test your skills in Liar's Dice and Liar's Deck, where lying and bluffing are key to victory. Ready for a night at Liar's Bar?
Liar's Bar at a glance Released 2024 Studio Curve Animation Player sentiment 90% positive of 56,220 Price $6.99 CasualFPSFunnyFirst-PersonPuzzleStrategyVR
- 20
Real Pool 3D - Poolians
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Free to Play, Simulation and Casual; released around the same time (2018).
Real Pool 3D (Poolians) is one of the best online pool games. Play against the computer or real players all over the world! It supports 8 different types of pool games and team play mode.
Real Pool 3D - Poolians at a glance Released 2018 Studio Poolians.com Player sentiment 76% positive of 19,904 Price Free Free to PlaySimulationCasualStrategyVRShooterFPSFunny
- 21
VRChat
Why it matched: both atmospheric and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including VR, Free to Play and Memes; released around the same time (2017).
Join our growing community as you explore, play, and help craft the future of social VR. Create worlds and custom avatars. Welcome to VRChat.
VRChat at a glance Released 2017 Studio VRChat Inc. Player sentiment 75% positive of 268,090 Price Free VRFree to PlayMemesFunnyFirst-PersonSimulationCasualSandbox
- 22
Universe Sandbox Legacy
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Simulation, Sandbox and Casual.
Create and destroy on a scale you’ve never imagined!
Universe Sandbox Legacy at a glance Released 2011 Studio Giant Army Player sentiment 80% positive of 2,977 Price Not listed SimulationSandboxCasualSci-fiFree to PlayFunnyVR
- 23
Transmissions: Element 120
Why it matched: both science fiction, atmospheric and puzzle; shares 6 player tags including Free to Play, Shooter and First-Person; released around the same time (2016).
TE120 is a short single player experience set in the Half-Life Universe featuring a gravity defying weapon that allows you to jump buildings and sustain large falls. The story takes place at a mysterious date & location. Where are you? Why have you been sent?
Transmissions: Element 120 at a glance Released 2016 Studio Shokunin Player sentiment 95% positive of 9,952 Price Free Free to PlayShooterFirst-PersonFPSSci-fiPuzzle
- 24
Scribblenauts Unlimited
Why it matched: both strategy, puzzle and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Puzzle, Casual and Sandbox; released around the same time (2012).
The best-selling, award-winning franchise is back – on your home PC in gorgeous HD for the first time.
Scribblenauts Unlimited at a glance Released 2012 Studio 5th Cell Media Player sentiment 94% positive of 12,381 Price $19.99 PuzzleCasualSandboxFamily FriendlyFunnyStrategy
Common questions
What game is most like The Lab?
Polarity, on the evidence we have. It both science fiction, atmospheric, strategy and puzzle. That is a statement about overlap, not a promise you will like it as much: two games can share every tag and still feel different to play.
How is "similar to The Lab" decided?
By overlap on the tags Steam players applied to each game, the formal genres, the themes both sit in, and whether the same studio made them. Tags carry the most weight because players write them, so they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are ignored: matching on "Singleplayer" is matching on nothing. Every entry below shows exactly what it matched on.
Are these ranked by quality?
No. They are ordered by how much they overlap with The Lab. Where two games overlap equally, the better received one goes first, but that only moves a game a place or two. Each entry shows its own player sentiment so you can weigh that separately.
What else did the makers of The Lab do?
Portal, Portal 2 are also from Valve, and appear in the list below for that reason as well as on tag overlap.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
No. The order is computed from tag and genre overlap and nothing else. No placement here can be bought, and a game appearing high on this page is a statement about resemblance rather than an endorsement.