Surviving High School is a popular interactive visual novel game that allows players to navigate the challenges and experiences of high school life. It was developed by Electronic Arts and released for mobile devices in 2005. The game revolves around a storyline where players make choices that affect the outcome of the narrative.
1. Interactive Visual Novel Games
One genre that shares similarities with “Surviving High School” is interactive visual novel games. These games focus on storytelling and player choices, allowing users to shape the narrative based on their decisions. Some popular titles in this genre include:
- Life is Strange: This episodic adventure game follows the story of Max Caulfield, a high school student who discovers she has the ability to rewind time. Players make decisions that affect the storyline and its multiple endings.
- Doki Doki Literature Club!: Initially appearing as a cute dating simulator, this game takes a dark turn as the story progresses. Players interact with characters and make choices that lead to different outcomes.
- Until Dawn: This horror-themed interactive drama game puts players in control of eight characters trapped at a remote mountain lodge. Choices made throughout the game determine who survives until dawn.
2. High School Simulation Games
Another category of games similar to “Surviving High School” are high school simulation games. These games aim to recreate the experience of attending high school, allowing players to manage various aspects of student life. Some notable examples include:
- The Sims series: Although not exclusively focused on high school, The Sims games offer a simulation of life, including attending school, making friends, and pursuing academic or extracurricular activities.
- Bully: In this action-adventure game, players assume the role of a troubled teenager navigating the social hierarchy of a fictional boarding school. The game features missions, classes, and various interactions with other students.
3. Dating Sim Games
“Surviving High School” also shares similarities with dating sim games, where players engage in virtual relationships and make choices that influence the outcome. Some dating sim games that align with this genre include:
- Hatoful Boyfriend: In this unusual dating sim, players pursue romantic relationships with birds as human characters in a post-apocalyptic world.
- Persona series: These role-playing games blend high school life with supernatural elements. Players develop relationships with classmates while battling demons and exploring dungeons.
4. Decision-Based Narrative Games
Decision-based narrative games, similar to “Surviving High School,” focus on player choices that shape the outcome of the story. These games often have branching paths and multiple endings. Some examples in this category include:
- Telltale Games: Known for their episodic adventure games, such as “The Walking Dead” and “Game of Thrones,” Telltale Games offers immersive story-driven experiences where player choices impact the narrative.
- Heavy Rain: This interactive drama and action-adventure game revolves around the quest to catch a serial killer. Players make choices that affect the storyline and determine the fate of the characters.
5. Role-Playing Games (RPG)
RPGs, although different in gameplay mechanics, often share similarities with “Surviving High School” in terms of character development and decision-making. Some RPGs that align with this genre include:
- Persona series: As mentioned earlier, these games combine high school life with supernatural elements and offer players choices that affect both personal relationships and the overall storyline.
- Dragon Age series: These fantasy RPGs allow players to create and customize their characters, make choices that impact the world and relationships, and experience the consequences of their decisions.
6. Interactive Storytelling Apps
Interactive storytelling apps provide similar experiences to “Surviving High School” by allowing users to participate in engaging narratives and make choices that shape the outcome. Some popular apps in this category include:
- Episode: This app features a wide range of interactive stories in various genres, from romance to mystery. Players make choices that determine the direction of the story.
- Choices: Stories You Play: Similar to Episode, Choices offers a collection of stories where players can make decisions that influence the plot, romance options, and character relationships.
7. Visual Novel Games
Visual novel games, like “Surviving High School,” focus on storytelling and player choices. These games often present narratives through static backgrounds, character sprites, and text-based dialogue. Some visual novels that share similarities with “Surviving High School” include:
- Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: In this legal drama visual novel, players assume the role of a defense attorney and navigate various cases by investigating crime scenes, presenting evidence, and cross-examining witnesses.
- Steins;Gate: This sci-fi visual novel follows a group of friends who accidentally discover time travel. Players make choices that lead to different branching paths and multiple endings.
8. Mystery and Detective Games
“Surviving High School” often incorporates mystery elements into its storylines. Similarly, there are games in the mystery and detective genre that provide immersive storytelling experiences. Some notable examples include:
- Her Story: Players must investigate a series of police interview videos to unravel the mystery behind a crime. The game relies on player observation and deduction skills.
- L.A. Noire: Set in 1940s Los Angeles, this detective game puts players in the shoes of a detective solving a series of crimes. Players must gather evidence, interrogate suspects, and make choices that affect the outcome of the cases.
9. Conversation-Based Games
Conversation-based games emphasize dialogue and player choices during conversations, similar to “Surviving High School.” These games often focus on character interactions and storytelling. Some examples in this category include:
- Oxenfree: This supernatural thriller game follows a group of friends who unintentionally open a ghostly rift. Players make choices during conversations, which affect relationships and the progression of the story.
- Firewatch: Set in the Wyoming wilderness, this first-person adventure game centers around a fire lookout named Henry. Players engage in conversations through a walkie-talkie with another lookout, Delilah, shaping their relationship and uncovering a mystery.
10. Time Management Games
Although different in gameplay mechanics, time management games share similarities with “Surviving High School” by simulating the juggling of various tasks and responsibilities. Some time management games that align with this genre include:
- Diner Dash: In this fast-paced game, players take on the role of a restaurant owner and must manage tasks such as taking orders, serving customers, and handling upgrades, all within a limited time frame.
- Stardew Valley: This farming simulation game requires players to manage their time efficiently by planting crops, tending to livestock, and building relationships with other characters in a virtual town.