Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like World of Goo (2026)
Every game below overlaps with World of Goo 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: Braid, which both story-rich, atmospheric, strategy, puzzle, relaxing and difficult.
- World of Goo is tagged Puzzle, Indie, Physics, Singleplayer, Great Soundtrack, Casual, 2D, Cute 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.
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
Braid
Why it matched: both story-rich, atmospheric, strategy, puzzle, relaxing and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Puzzle, Indie and 2D; released around the same time (2008).
This is the original version of Braid from 2009, which may not work well on newer systems. For an updated version of the game with nicer graphics, more levels and a large amount of developer commentary, see Braid, Anniversary Edition.
Braid at a glance Released 2008 Studio Jonathan Blow Player sentiment 93% positive of 9,957 Price $14.99 PuzzleIndie2DGreat SoundtrackDifficultCasualClassicStory Rich
- 2
Baba Is You
Why it matched: both atmospheric, strategy, puzzle, relaxing and difficult; shares 10 player tags including Puzzle, Indie and Difficult.
Baba Is You is a puzzle game where the rules you have to follow are present as blocks you can interact with. By manipulating them, you can change how the game works, repurpose things you find in the levels and cause surprising interactions!
Baba Is You at a glance Released 2019 Studio Hempuli Oy Player sentiment 98% positive of 24,536 Price $14.99 PuzzleIndieDifficultCute2DGreat SoundtrackCasualStrategy
- 3
Zuma
Why it matched: both strategy, puzzle, relaxing and difficult; shares 11 player tags including Puzzle, 2D and Strategy.
Deep in the jungle lie hidden temples bursting with traps and trickery, and it's up to you to uncover their treasures. Fire magical balls from your stone frog idol to make matches of three or more and clear the deadly chain before it reaches the golden skull.
Zuma at a glance Released 2003 Studio Oberon Media Player sentiment 96% positive of 6,806 Price $4.99 Puzzle2DStrategyFunnyCasualCuteFamily FriendlyClassic
- 4
Peggle
Why it matched: both strategy, puzzle, relaxing and difficult; shares 10 player tags including Casual, Puzzle and 2D; released around the same time (2007).
Take your best shot with energizing arcade fun! Aim, shoot, clear the orange pegs, then sit back and cheer as 10 whimsical teachers guide you to Peggle greatness.
Peggle at a glance Released 2007 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 98% positive of 14,434 Price $4.99 CasualPuzzle2DPhysicsFamily FriendlyClassicFunnyStrategy
- 5
Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition
Why it matched: both strategy, puzzle and relaxing; shares 12 player tags including Strategy, Casual and Classic; released around the same time (2009).
Zombies are invading your home, and the only defense is your arsenal of plants! Armed with an alien nursery-worth of zombie-zapping plants like peashooters and cherry bombs, you'll need to think fast and plant faster to stop dozens of types of zombies dead in their tracks.
Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition at a glance Released 2009 Studio PopCap Games, Inc. Player sentiment 98% positive of 155,468 Price $4.99 StrategyCasualClassicGreat Soundtrack2DComedyFamily FriendlyFunny
- 6
Machinarium
Why it matched: both story-rich, atmospheric, puzzle and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Puzzle, 2D and Story Rich; released around the same time (2009).
Machinarium is the award-winning independent adventure game developed by the makers of Samorost series, Botanicula and CHUCHEL. Help Josef the robot save his girlfriend Berta kidnapped by the Black Cap Brotherhood gang!
Machinarium at a glance Released 2009 Studio Amanita Design Player sentiment 95% positive of 20,634 Price $3.99 Puzzle2DStory RichCasualCuteFamily FriendlySurrealIndie
- 7
Papers, Please
Why it matched: both story-rich, atmospheric, strategy, puzzle, relaxing and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Indie, Puzzle and Story Rich.
Congratulations. The October labor lottery is complete. Your name was pulled. For immediate placement, report to the Ministry of Admission at Grestin Border Checkpoint. An apartment will be provided for you and your family in East Grestin. Expect a Class-8 dwelling.
Papers, Please at a glance Released 2013 Studio Lucas Pope Player sentiment 97% positive of 80,337 Price $9.99 IndiePuzzleStory Rich2DGreat SoundtrackStrategyCasualDifficult
- 8
FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S: HELP WANTED
Why it matched: both story-rich, atmospheric, strategy, puzzle, relaxing and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Casual, Difficult and Puzzle.
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 CasualDifficultPuzzleStory RichIndieStrategyFunny
- 9
Poly Bridge
Why it matched: both story-rich, strategy, puzzle and difficult; shares 10 player tags including Building, Physics and Puzzle.
Unleash your engineering creativity with an engaging and fresh bridge-building simulator with all the bells and whistles. Enjoy hours of physics-based puzzle solving in the Campaign and then jump in the Sandbox to create your own bridge designs and puzzles!
Poly Bridge at a glance Released 2016 Studio Dry Cactus Player sentiment 91% positive of 18,905 Price $9.99 BuildingPhysicsPuzzleDifficultIndieFunnyFamily FriendlyGreat Soundtrack
- 10
SpaceChem
Why it matched: both strategy, puzzle, relaxing and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Puzzle, Difficult and Indie; released around the same time (2011).
Zachtronics is back with an ambitious new design-based puzzle game. Take on the role of a Reactor Engineer working for SpaceChem, the leading chemical synthesizer for frontier colonies. Construct elaborate factories to transform raw materials into valuable chemical products!
SpaceChem at a glance Released 2011 Studio Zachtronics Player sentiment 92% positive of 5,085 Price $9.99 PuzzleDifficultIndieGreat Soundtrack2DCasualStrategyTouch-Friendly
- 11
Neighbours from Hell
Why it matched: both atmospheric, strategy, puzzle and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Comedy, Casual and Classic.
INTRODUCING THE GAME OF NEIGHBOURHOOD NASTINESS AND COMMUNITY COMMOTION! Living next door to you is a real Neighbour From Hell and it's now time to have your revenge! This compilation includes the original Neighbours From Hell and it's sequel Neighbours from Hell 2: On Vacation.
Neighbours from Hell at a glance Released 2003 Studio JoWooD Entertainment Player sentiment 98% positive of 3,150 Price Not listed ComedyCasualClassicFunnyPuzzleStrategyGreat Soundtrack2D
- 12
Mini Metro
Why it matched: both strategy, puzzle, relaxing and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Strategy, Puzzle and Indie.
Mini Metro is a strategy simulation game about designing a subway map for a growing city. Draw lines between stations and start your trains running. As new stations open, redraw your lines to keep them efficient. Decide where to use your limited resources. How long can you keep the city moving?
Mini Metro at a glance Released 2015 Studio Dinosaur Polo Club Player sentiment 96% positive of 16,729 Price $9.99 StrategyPuzzleIndieCasual2DBuildingTouch-FriendlyDifficult
- 13
HuniePop
Why it matched: both story-rich, strategy, puzzle and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Puzzle, Cute and Comedy.
HuniePop is a unique sim experience for PC, Mac and Linux. It's a gameplay first approach that's part dating sim, part puzzle game, with light RPG elements, a visual novel style of presentation, an abrasive western writing style and plenty of "plot".
HuniePop at a glance Released 2015 Studio HuniePot Player sentiment 96% positive of 31,679 Price $9.99 PuzzleCuteComedyIndieCasualStory RichStrategyGreat Soundtrack
- 14
Puzzle Agent
Why it matched: both story-rich, atmospheric, puzzle and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Puzzle, Casual and Comedy; released around the same time (2010).
Created with indie comic artist Graham Annable's unique narrative and visual sensibilities, delivered with the distinctive Telltale storytelling style, Puzzle Agent is sure to challenge, thrill and engage in more ways than you can shake a cryptogram at!
Puzzle Agent at a glance Released 2010 Studio Telltale Player sentiment 89% positive of 2,838 Price $4.99 PuzzleCasualComedySurrealFunnyTouch-Friendly2DStory Rich
- 15
The Tiny Bang Story
Why it matched: both story-rich, atmospheric, puzzle and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Puzzle, 2D and Story Rich; released around the same time (2011).
Life on Tiny Planet was calm and carefree until a great disaster occurred - Tiny Planet was hit by a meteor! The world fell apart and now its future depends only on you! Use your imagination and creativity: in order to restore Tiny Planet and help its inhabitants you will have to fix a variety of machines and mechanisms as well as solve...
The Tiny Bang Story at a glance Released 2011 Studio Colibri Games Player sentiment 87% positive of 6,649 Price $0.99 Puzzle2DStory RichCasualFamily FriendlyCuteSurrealIndie
- 16
Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle
Why it matched: both atmospheric, strategy, puzzle, relaxing and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Puzzle, Casual and Strategy.
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 PuzzleCasualStrategyIndieFunnyDifficultCute
- 17
100% Orange Juice
Why it matched: both strategy, relaxing and difficult; shares 10 player tags including Cute, Strategy and Indie.
100% Orange Juice is a digital multiplayer board game populated by developer Orange Juice's all-star cast. Characters from Flying Red Barrel, QP Shooting, Suguri and Sora come together with all-new characters to duke it out... with dice.
100% Orange Juice at a glance Released 2014 Studio Orange_Juice Player sentiment 91% positive of 30,159 Price $6.99 CuteStrategyIndieCasualFunnyGreat Soundtrack2DDifficult
- 18
The Witness
Why it matched: both story-rich, atmospheric, puzzle, relaxing and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Puzzle, Indie and Difficult.
You wake up, alone, on a strange island full of puzzles that will challenge and surprise you.
The Witness at a glance Released 2016 Studio Thekla, Inc. Player sentiment 84% positive of 21,324 Price $39.99 PuzzleIndieDifficultSurrealCasualGreat SoundtrackStory Rich
- 19
Bejeweled 3
Why it matched: both strategy, puzzle and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Puzzle, Casual and Strategy; released around the same time (2010).
The biggest, brightest Bejeweled ever! Discover all-new ways to play the world’s #1 puzzle game. Find your perfect match with 8 breathtaking game modes that meet all your moods.
Bejeweled 3 at a glance Released 2010 Studio PopCap Games, Inc. Player sentiment 96% positive of 8,122 Price $4.99 PuzzleCasualStrategyClassicGreat SoundtrackTouch-FriendlyFamily FriendlyIndie
- 20
Scribblenauts Unlimited
Why it matched: both strategy, puzzle and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Puzzle, Casual and Family Friendly; 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 PuzzleCasualFamily Friendly2DFunnyComedyCuteStrategy
- 21
Limbo
Why it matched: both atmospheric, puzzle, relaxing and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Indie, Puzzle and 2D; released around the same time (2010).
Uncertain of his sister's fate, a boy enters LIMBO
Limbo at a glance Released 2010 Studio Playdead Player sentiment 92% positive of 62,016 Price $12.49 IndiePuzzle2DSurrealDifficultPhysicsCasual
- 22
OneShot
Why it matched: both story-rich, atmospheric, puzzle and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Story Rich, Indie and Great Soundtrack.
OneShot is a surreal top down Puzzle/Adventure game with unique gameplay capabilities. You are to guide a child through a mysterious world on a mission to restore its long-dead sun. The world knows you exist.
OneShot at a glance Released 2016 Studio Future Cat LLC Player sentiment 98% positive of 64,849 Price $9.99 Story RichIndieGreat SoundtrackCutePuzzle2DSurrealCasual
- 23
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both story-rich, atmospheric, puzzle and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Great Soundtrack, Story Rich and Cute.
“Ori and the Blind Forest” tells the tale of a young orphan destined for heroics, through a visually stunning Action-Platformer crafted by Moon Studios.
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2016 Studio Moon Studios GmbH Player sentiment 95% positive of 71,430 Price $19.99 Great SoundtrackStory RichCuteDifficult2DIndiePuzzleFamily Friendly
- 24
The Stanley Parable
Why it matched: both story-rich, atmospheric, puzzle and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Comedy, Indie and Funny.
The Stanley Parable is a first person exploration game. You will play as Stanley, and you will not play as Stanley. You will follow a story, you will not follow a story. You will have a choice, you will have no choice. The game will end, the game will never end.
The Stanley Parable at a glance Released 2013 Studio Galactic Cafe Player sentiment 92% positive of 45,775 Price $14.99 ComedyIndieFunnySatireStory RichSurrealPuzzleCasual
Common questions
What game is most like World of Goo?
Braid, on the evidence we have. It both story-rich, atmospheric, strategy, puzzle, relaxing and difficult. 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 World of Goo" 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 World of Goo. 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.
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.