What makes The Quarry special
Before diving into alternatives, let’s talk about why The Quarry hits so hard. It’s not just the horror. It’s that mix of movie-level visuals, real actors, and “your choice actually matters” storytelling. You’re in control but also totally not – and that tension keeps people replaying it again and again.
So when looking for similar games, we want three main things:
| Core Element | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Branching storylines | So your decisions feel like they shape everything – even small ones. |
| Cinematic style | It needs to look and feel like a movie you can control. |
| Emotional weight | Choices only hit hard when you actually care about the characters. |
Top games like The Quarry you should try
These are the games that capture that same energy – some from the same studio, others from different corners of the genre. They all deliver drama, fear, and the kind of “what if I picked the other option?” feeling you can’t shake off.
| Game | Studio | Why It’s Similar | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Until Dawn | Supermassive Games | The original “teen horror choice game” from the same creators as The Quarry. Camp vibes, jump scares, and multiple endings. | PS4, PS5 |
| The Dark Pictures Anthology | Supermassive Games | Shorter horror stories with different settings – ghosts, cults, ships, you name it. Choices still kill people fast. | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
| Life Is Strange | Dontnod Entertainment | Less horror, more emotion. You still make tough choices that twist the story in huge ways. | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| Detroit: Become Human | Quantic Dream | Think of it as sci-fi Quarry. Every decision changes the outcome, with dozens of story branches. | PC, PlayStation |
| The Walking Dead (Telltale) | Telltale Games | Emotional storytelling at its peak. The original “choice matters” classic that inspired games like The Quarry. | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| Oxenfree | Night School Studio | Teen supernatural thriller with dialogue choices that subtly shift everything. Haunting atmosphere. | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Mobile |
If you want specific vibes
Not every game hits the same mood. Here’s a quick breakdown depending on what you liked most about The Quarry:
- More horror, less talking: Try Until Dawn or The Dark Pictures: House of Ashes.
- More emotions and human stories: Go for Life Is Strange or The Walking Dead.
- More sci-fi and mystery: Detroit: Become Human or Oxenfree will do the trick.
Each one nails a different side of The Quarry’s formula – moral choices, eerie tension, or cinematic storytelling. The trick is figuring out which piece hooked you most.
What makes these games stand out
What’s cool is how far choice-based storytelling has come. You can play the same game twice and see completely different scenes, hear new dialogue, even lose characters you didn’t know could die. That unpredictability is what keeps players coming back for more.
And if you think these are just “watching a movie,” you’re missing the point. Games like The Quarry make you responsible for what happens. It’s not about perfect endings – it’s about seeing the chaos your decisions create.
Tips if you’re new to this type of game
- Play blind first: Don’t look up guides. The shock is half the fun.
- Accept your mistakes: The bad endings are often the most interesting ones.
- Replay smart: On your second run, try opposite choices. You’ll be surprised how different things get.
- Use headphones: The sound design in these games makes the scares way better.
Final thoughts
There’s something addictive about interactive horror. You watch, you decide, you regret – and somehow, you still want more. Games like The Quarry aren’t just about jump scares; they’re about storytelling that reacts to you. Every bad choice, every scream, every “I shouldn’t have done that” moment – that’s the fun.
So grab a controller, turn off the lights, and see what happens when you’re the one deciding who lives and who doesn’t.
