r/gamingsuggestions Feb 04 '26

Suggestions Nodal.gg - Game recommender with interactive visual map + personalized recommendations (I'd love your feedback)

206 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I’ve been working on a game discovery site and finally feel like it’s ready to share: https://nodal.gg/

I’ve always been surprised how hard it is to find genuinely good game recommendations on Steam, so I tried building something better using my stats/ML background.

My main takeaway was that “similar games” usually means two different things:

  • Similar in content: mechanics, themes, setting, genre, tags
  • Similar in audience: games played by the same people, even if the genres are different

So if you want recs for Cyberpunk 2077, you might mean “more cyberpunk vibe” (e.g., Cloudpunk) or “same audience overlap” (e.g., The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt / Fallout 4). The site lets you switch between those modes or blend them.

What you can do

  • Search any Steam game and see a ranked list of similar games using:
    • a content model (tag-driven similarity)
    • a community model (player behavior only, no tags)
    • a blended view (mix of both)
  • Re-rank results with sliders for popularity, rating, and release date
  • Plug in a Steam ID (public profiles only) to get personal recommendations and some cool stats about your play history
  • Explore an interactive 2D game map that visually clusters games by tags (uses UMAP dimensionality reduction - inspired by Connected Papers)

Desktop works best right now. Mobile is functional but I’m still refining it.

If you try it, I’d love to hear anything: whether the recommendations felt accurate, if the UI was confusing, any bugs you run into. All feedback helps!

Thanks!


r/gamingsuggestions Dec 06 '24

Suggestions SteamPeek.hu - Indie friendly game discovery tool

138 Upvotes

Post is allowed by the mods.

Hello, this is my website: https://steampeek.hu/ - SteamPeek, the indie friendly game discovery website.

It is now more than 5 years old, and it was created to bring spotlight to indie gems, help all indie teams who doesn't have the budget to make big marketing campaigns, and make it easier to find nice games made by passionate solo developers or small teams.

The main function is searching by similarity: just search for a game you like, and browse the results. You can also filter and sort by special parameters.

You can also search by tags, or mix them with the chosen game.

The main algorithm was updated recently and I'm very curious how well it works. Please let me know.

I'm very thankful if you try it, and share with me what you find. The full site is still on beta, and I'm constantly work on it, so every feedback helps me and my mission. Thank you!


r/gamingsuggestions 11h ago

Looking for a game to play “forever”

238 Upvotes

I’m done with telling myself I’ll get through my backlog someday. I’m tired of not finishing single-player games because their stories don’t interest me.

I need a forever game. Something I can chip away at each evening after work for the foreseeable future.

I love a grind. I love relatively intricate systems. I love difficulty that can be overcome by investment. Unfortunately, a lot of these “forever” games are games such as WoW - which I used to love, by the way - but as adulthood compounds its responsibilities, I simply cannot commit to the social requirements many of these games require.

Hence my conundrum.

I’m seriously considering OSRS because on paper, it’s the perfect game for me. However, I fear the gameplay might be too point and clicky for me.

Anyways, I’d love to hear your suggestions.


r/gamingsuggestions 1h ago

Suggestions for cozy sim games that get weirder the more you poke around.

Upvotes

I mean, Dredge would be the textbook example of what I’m looking for: on the surface it’s just a cozy fishing game, and if you play it safe that’s all it’ll be; but start poking around, doing things you are warned against, like fishing at night, or interacting with the strange alter things, and the game will spiral into a lovecraftian horror game that really does its true genre well.

problem is, I’ve already beaten Dredge and still wanting more of that kind of “oh you thought you were playing a cozy sim game, WELL LETS GET WEIED” game. Just don’t know what else there is that does this kind of genre bait-and-switch

doesn’t even have to be horror specifically, it could fishtail into surrealism, sci-fi, fantasy. Just something where the things start normal get stranger the more you poke around at the edges of the game.


r/gamingsuggestions 4h ago

What's your favorite lesser-known game or game franchise?

24 Upvotes

I'd really appreciate it, if you would also tell me why you like this game.

PS I'm talking about the games that most people haven't heard of. I asked this question last year, most of the answers were mentioning POPULAR franchises that literally everyone knows (e.g. assassin's creed).


r/gamingsuggestions 39m ago

Anyone else freeze up choosing a game and end up playing nothing?

Upvotes

Genuine question — anyone else open their library with an hour free and just freeze? I own a ton of games I want to play but I keep defaulting to the same one because actually choosing feels like effort. Half the time I end up not playing anything. How do you deal with it? And honestly — would a stupidly simple thing that just names ONE game for tonight help, or would you never bother with an app for this?


r/gamingsuggestions 3h ago

Games where you make your own custom weapons

15 Upvotes

I don't mean just forging a regular sword I mean actually making like weird shi like a pistol body with a sniper barrel with an lmg mag and shi :D

Edit: forgot to mention a similar game to reference so the closest I got to what I wanted is mothergunship if that helps 👍


r/gamingsuggestions 29m ago

Suggestions for a chill game where you collect things?

Upvotes

I want a PC game where the main objective doesn‘t revolve around fighting/action and instead you just get to collect things and explore. I like a good atmosphere, and though not necessary, a good storyline. any suggestion? Thanks!


r/gamingsuggestions 5h ago

Request - Educational games for adults?

18 Upvotes

Most evenings I game for a little while before bed, but I would like to convert that time into learning something. I'd really like a game where I can learn useful real life things, science, etc. I'd really prefer something that isn't on mobile - I don't want to stare at my phone so much. I have a PC, Xbox, and Switch.

Most mobile "educational" games for adults are shitty shovelware that "train your brain" on pointless puzzles. I used to do Duolingo, but their AI stance and enshittification made me drop it.

For Steam/PC I've seen Kerbal, and Car Mechanic Simulator. Otherwise not much other there. Recommendation lists I've read have been shitty - like Electrician Simulator sounds like a great idea, but the game teaches nothing. Or like Europa Universalis - yes, I can pick up some geography or history, but it is buried in a complex strategy game. Offhand just one idea was a tree/plant identification game. Everyone knows what a maple leaf looks like, but I'd really like to be able to identify trees like birch, cottonwood, etc.


r/gamingsuggestions 6h ago

Any medieval games like KCD?

18 Upvotes

I've been looking for a while for any medieval game like KCD but I don't find any game as good :( any suggestions?


r/gamingsuggestions 12h ago

Help me find YOUR hidden gems

43 Upvotes

Give me you hidden gems, the games you KNOW dont get enough attention, any genre as a love expanding my horizons


r/gamingsuggestions 8h ago

I want to live on a boat! (In a game)

20 Upvotes

Hey there! I got this oddly specific craving at the moment of playing a survival/exploration/management game or something akin to it where you basically live on a boat/ship. I've played a lot of Raft a few years ago and really enjoyed it.

I do have a preference for modern settings though and for a ship/boat that can be upgraded or even built on, rather than a raft. I play on PC, on Steam mainly.

For some context, I got this craving after having watch a vid of someone exploring the Amazon while living on a big boat...


r/gamingsuggestions 1h ago

What could I enjoy until a great action MMO releases? Seeking community and fun PvE.

Upvotes

Long story, but I do crave many things I think can only be seen in MMOs or MMO-lites, such as an in depth character creator, fashion, community, and virtual world full of adventures. But I REALLY cannot stand tab target rotation based combat, speedrunning through content, and other "optimize the fun out" gameplay mechanics, such as builds becoming OP to melt things.

Unfortunately, nothing really avoids these yet. I'm basically waiting for a great action MMO that insists you get good at the combat gameplay. So until that releases, I need something to enjoy with others that are in a similar boat. I just don't know what that would be.

What do you suggest? What are folks with my tastes playing? Is it possible to find a real sense of community in that game, and how so?


r/gamingsuggestions 6h ago

Looking for a game that let's you take a powerless organization/business/person to the peak of the mountain

11 Upvotes

One of my favorite experiences in gaming is when I did the Gibraltar challenge in Football Manager (before that franchise went to shit). You take over a club in the minuscule nation of Gibraltar and slowly (SLOOOOWLY) have to improve your club enough that your success trickles down to all the other clubs in the league, and eventually to the youth development programs in Gibraltar. Then you start managing the national team as well and try to have this tiny rock win the European Championship. It takes forever, and it would be a stretch to say that it's even an intended way to play the game. But I found it so gratifying to slowly improve all the facilities, coaches, etc. to do something that should be impossible.

I'm looking for another game that lets you scratch this itch of slowly improving something weak and powerless into a god (whether it's the primary aim of the game, or just something you can choose to do, as in FM). Examples that almost get there for me are Morrowind (turn a slave into a god), or Mount and Blade (start as a mercenary, amass a huge army, then enter politics). I'm willing to consider a first person version of this idea like those examples (I think I've heard Kenshi is similar?), but I think I like the idea of doing it with an organization/team/business/etc even more, like I did in FM. Any ideas?


r/gamingsuggestions 4h ago

Best games I already own that I can play with my laptop

5 Upvotes

Here's my specs:

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-N305

RAM: 8.00gb

Graphics: Intel(R) UHD Graphics (128mb)

So i do not have access to my gaming PC for the upcoming future due to personal reasons and I was wondering what is the very best game I could play with my laptop.

Here's my steam profile, hopefuly you'll be able to glance at my games library and come up with a good answer. I do not intend to buy a new game I do not own, so please refer to my library for your suggestions.

https://steamcommunity.com/id/DoubleRadiation/

Edit:

To help you make recommendations here's the games I previously judged to be "playable" on my PC.

https://imgur.com/a/t9BMmrG


r/gamingsuggestions 3h ago

what are some video games that feature christmas/winter themes heavily?

4 Upvotes

hello everyone! I’m looking for some recommendations on video games that either focus on or feature Christmas at some point or another (like how stardew valley or animal crossing have christmas seasons) or else just have a wintertime heavy vibe (like resident evil 8). I love to play christmas/winter video games around the season, so I’m looking to stock up while there is still some time before. I’m open to any and all suggestions, so thank you in advance!


r/gamingsuggestions 22h ago

Single player games that make you feel like a melee god

116 Upvotes

When I say Melee god, I’m meaning one guy who is able to carve through crowds, but not in an overtly over the top way. Games like Ghost of Tsushima, Shadow of Mordor, the new God of Wars, and the story mode of For Honor are what I’m talking about.


r/gamingsuggestions 45m ago

Switch 2 game for local coop

Upvotes

Hello everyone. Me and my wife are looking for more coop games. We really enjoyed Mario party and Catan the most so far. My wife is relative new to gaming, so we need some games which aren't to hard. Extra bonus if it gots town/city creation. We tried stardew valley, but my wife didn't really like it. We looked at go go town but not sure if there are people here with experience ?


r/gamingsuggestions 8h ago

Resource management & conquest game?

6 Upvotes

I like the idea of finding the most efficient way to produce something, it utilizes part of my brain that I probably don't get to use as much as I want to.

I find it boring when it's ONLY resource management like in those city builder games, so I like to have a challenge or a goal on the side, that being a state of war where you might get invaded or you may invade others.

I have heard of the Europa Universalis games but from what I've seen they're basically playable maps (?) which sounds a bit boring if you can't see the troops and such. Something I found very exciting when playing 0 A.D. is when my army faces the enemy's army and seeing which one makes it out on top.

I'm not sure if I want the game to be continuous (like Clash of Clans) or in the form of matches that usually last an hour or two (like 0 A.D.)


r/gamingsuggestions 1h ago

Looking for a game similar to rec Room BYO maps (Build Your Own)

Upvotes

Half of the times i used to play rec Room i always went into BYO rooms, they were the best way i could use my fantasy, if someone know games (even paid ones) similar to recroom BYO maps, please tell me the name


r/gamingsuggestions 8h ago

What free mobile games would you suggest playing

6 Upvotes

r/gamingsuggestions 22h ago

Games that make me feel that creeping sense of unease/foreboding? (Steam/Itch)

79 Upvotes

Not sure how to explain it, really. I've been playing Deltarune and one thing I love about it is, no matter how funny and enjoyable things are, there's this looming sense that things aren't quite right. Something big is coming, and I, the player, am helpless to stop it. All I can do is feel really bad for the characters.

I want something that makes me feel a little bit sick to my stomach. Something that makes me grieve the story & characters before it's even over? Where things slowly get worse and there's nothing I can do to change that (though I'm not opposed to a good resolution at the end, a bad one is just as welcome.) I don't know if that makes sense haha.

Similar games I've played that have this feeling:

  • Outer Wilds
  • Road 96
  • I was A Teenage Exocolonist
  • The Pale Beyond
  • Life is Strange 2
  • Before Your Eyes
  • In Stars and Time
  • Firewatch
  • Clinical Trial
  • Impostor Factory

Thanks!


r/gamingsuggestions 6h ago

Looking for best storyline games for low end pc

4 Upvotes

Can anyone suggest the best pc storyline games released between 2001-2007 which I can easily run on my low end pc (specs:- i3 10th gen , 8gb ddr4 ram)


r/gamingsuggestions 9h ago

Looking for a PVE Multiplayer game

8 Upvotes

I’m looking for a multiplayer PvE game that’s third-person (or at least not first-person). I’d prefer something with matchmaking since I don’t have many friends to play with. I’d love something with good long-term progression that I can sink a lot of hours into.

It doesn’t have to be a shooter either. I’d even be happy to try something like a co-op farming game, as long as it’s fun to play with random people.

Some games that i like:
- Helldivers 2
- Arc Raiders (only peaceful lobbies)

Any recommendations?


r/gamingsuggestions 5h ago

Vehicular combat game vs hordes

3 Upvotes

I know this is like a very weird thing to look for.

I have tried looking and the best thing that I could find was this game which has recently released: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2432860/MENACE/

But it's a turn based strategy game and I'm not sure if that's my cup of tea.

I'm thinking maybe a 1pp, 3pp, or top down where you fight hordes of aliens/zombies/bugs in tanks, IFVs, APCs and the likes. I'm not much into mechs but if that's the only thing out there I'll take it.

I like the idea of helldivers 1, but instead of being on foot I want to be in a metal can.