Games Like Borealis

Experience your music collection as never before with this intense music driven arcade shooter. Each of your songs will have its own unique ebb and flow based on the music.

Why similar: Music-Based Procedural Generation 40% ★, Procedural Generation 12.2%, Indie 10.3%, Bullet Hell 10.1%, Action 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: It remains the gold standard for procedural shooters, allowing you to turn any music track into a chaotic and visually stunning bullet-hell level.

"Just Shapes & Beats" is a chaotic co-op musical bullet-hell based on three simple things: avoid Shapes, move to the kick-ass Beats, and die, repeatedly.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 35.9%, Bullet Hell 27.7%, Indie 17.5%, Action 17%, Singleplayer 1.9%

Why You'll Like It: This game perfectly captures the music-synced bullet-hell experience with high-energy tracks and precise rhythmic patterns.

Dodge the music and weave through an endless ballet of bullets in an all-new collection of hand-crafted levels set to the music of an award-winning cast of international musicians. Turn any song into an amazing experience with the robust Level Editor and never run out of things to dodge.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 32%, Action 29.5%, Casual 25.2%, Relaxing 13.3%

Why You'll Like It: This sequel refines the music-bullet-hell genre, offering intense, rhythm-based dodging that feels like dancing through a storm of projectiles.

The legendary action-shooter finally comes to PC, and in style! Blast your way through mind-melting visuals and amazing beats, all in your quest through cyberspace to save a world on the verge of collapse. Playable on your desktop or in fully immersive VR.

Why similar: Action 49.4%, Psychedelic 44.6%, Singleplayer 6%

Why You'll Like It: A masterpiece of synesthesia that turns every shot into a musical note, creating an immersive, flow-state shooter experience.

Experience the music in a new way. Feel it pulse around you. The Polynomial is a 3D space shooter with unique, fractal based scenery that animates to the music.

Why similar: Indie 20.3%, Action 18.8%, Casual 18.1%, Psychedelic 13.7%, Music-Based Procedural Generation 13.5% ★

Why You'll Like It: This title excels at creating a relaxing, procedurally generated visual experience that reacts directly to your own music collection.

Are you ready to explore your music collection mapped as a stunning galaxy of wonders? Experience your music collection as never before with this intense music driven twin stick shooter. Each of your songs will have its own unique ebb and flow based on the music.

Why similar: Music-Based Procedural Generation 50.6% ★, Bullet Hell 14.3%, Action 13.5%, Indie 12.6%, Casual 9%

Why You'll Like It: The latest iteration of the series brings even more procedural depth and visual polish to the music-driven shooter formula.

A mysterious entity is absorbing and corrupting your music before your very eyes. You must battle through your own song collection and fight to reclaim your music!

Why similar: Music-Based Procedural Generation 33.1% ★, Indie 17.8%, Casual 17.4%, Action 16.5%, Bullet Hell 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: A classic music-driven arcade shooter that transforms your favorite songs into challenging, enemy-filled battlefields.

Experience your music collection like never before with this intense music driven arcade shooter. Each of your songs will have its own unique ebb and flow based on the music.

Why similar: Music-Based Procedural Generation 56.4% ★, Bullet Hell 16.8%, Indie 9.7%, Action 8.8%, Casual 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: The original game that defined the genre, offering a pure and accessible way to play through your music library.

Trace ribbons of light to release the energy in the music as you speed through stylised alien worlds. Battle strange enemies and fight epic boss battles all driven by an incredible licensed soundtrack.

Why similar: Action 40.3%, Indie 39%, Great Soundtrack 20.7%

Why You'll Like It: This game combines high-speed flight mechanics with rhythmic precision, making you feel like you are surfing through a musical soundscape.

Dodge the music and dance through a mesmerizing ballet of choreographed bullets, each synced to music from over a dozen international artists. Push your creativity and skills with the fully-featured Level Editor and never run out of things to dodge.

Why similar: Music-Based Procedural Generation 35.2% ★, Casual 16.8%, Indie 13.2%, Bullet Hell 12.6%, Action 11.8%

Why You'll Like It: The original entry provides a minimalist, relaxing approach to bullet-hell gameplay that is entirely dictated by the music's rhythm.

Thumper is rhythm violence: classic rhythm-action, blistering speed, and brutal physicality. You are a space beetle. Brave the hellish void and confront a maniacal giant head from the future.

Why similar: Psychedelic 27.8%, Action 24.1%, Great Soundtrack 23.3%, Indie 22.8%, Singleplayer 2%

Why You'll Like It: Known as rhythm violence, this game offers an intense, high-speed flow state that demands perfect rhythmic timing to survive.

Everyday Shooter is an album of games exploring the expressive power of abstract shooters. Dissolute sounds of destruction are replaced with guitar riffs harmonizing over an all-guitar soundtrack, while modulating shapes celebrate the flowing beauty of geometry.

Why similar: Indie 52.5%, Casual 47.5%

Why You'll Like It: A foundational title in the genre where every enemy interaction contributes to the musical composition of the level.

Rhythm Storm is a roguelike bullet heaven with stunning vector graphics, rhythmic action, and overwhelming swarms of enemies. Your vehicle aims and fires freely while everything else dances and moves to the beat in this spectacular audio-visual experience.

Why similar: Music-Based Procedural Generation 38.6% ★, Bullet Hell 16%, Action 15.8%, Procedural Generation 15.3%, Psychedelic 14.4%

Why You'll Like It: This arena shooter features enemies that move and attack in perfect synchronization with the rhythmic soundtrack.

DubWars is a music game that combines the mechanics of a top-down shooter with the power of Dubstep and Electronic music. Your weapons are synced to the music creating times of intense weapon load outs and calm moments where your survival skills are tested.

Why similar: Casual 34.5%, Indie 29.4%, Action 27.6%, Bullet Hell 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: A unique shooter where your weapons and abilities are directly tied to the drops and beats of electronic music tracks.

Create musical beats that kill. Beat Blast is a music maker, bullet hell, dungeon crawler, roguelite. Battle through dungeons and defeat big bosses. Collect weapons, passives and musical instruments!

Why similar: Bullet Hell 28.4%, Action 24%, Procedural Generation 18.5%, Casual 14.4%, Indie 11.6%

Why You'll Like It: A clever rhythm-based action roguelike where your movement and attacks are dictated by the musical beat you construct.

Nova Drift distills the mechanical depth and strategy of an ARPG into classic arcade space combat. Control an endlessly evolving bio-mechanical ship, face legions of strange and deadly foes, and ride the wake of a dying star across the void.

Why similar: Casual 25%, Bullet Hell 22.7%, Action 22.1%, Indie 17%, Great Soundtrack 10.7%

Why You'll Like It: While more focused on roguelite progression, its fluid movement and bullet-hell combat capture the same satisfying arcade feel.

Waves is an Arcade Twin-Stick Shooter that's all about High Scores. Build your combo and drop bombs in pursuit of Leaderboard dominance over seven game-modes!

Why similar: Bullet Hell 22.9%, Score Attack 21.9%, Psychedelic 20.2%, Action 19.2%, Great Soundtrack 13.8%

Why You'll Like It: A polished arcade shooter that emphasizes flow-state movement and score-attack mechanics similar to Borealis.

Super Hexagon is a minimal action game by Terry Cavanagh, with music by Chipzel.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 35.3%, Indie 28.5%, Score Attack 11.4%, Action 9.6%, Psychedelic 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: While not procedural, its intense focus on rhythmic movement and flow-state gameplay makes it a perfect match for fans of Borealis.

Rhythm Destruction is a rhythm & shoot'em up that aims to combine the best of both genres. Blast and maneuver your way through perilous stages filled with numerous enemies, obstacles and unique boss encounters.

Why similar: Casual 32.1%, Indie 30.9%, Action 26.4%, Bullet Hell 10.7%

Why You'll Like It: This game blends traditional shoot-em-up mechanics with rhythm-based inputs to create a unique challenge.

Ride your music. Audiosurf is a music-adapting puzzle racer where you use your own music to create your own experience. The shape, the speed, and the mood of each ride is determined by the song you choose.

Why similar: Music-Based Procedural Generation 42.5% ★, Indie 19%, Casual 16.9%, Score Attack 8.1%, Procedural Generation 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: A classic music-based game that turns your entire library into a unique, procedurally generated track to navigate.

Moose Life is a trippy, psychedelic trance shooter. Created in the style of a 1980s arcade game, Moose Life offers you an exhilarating ride into the trance zone. Spectacular shooty action and a top techno soundtrack will raise your mood. If you have VR, immerse yourself for greater satisfaction.

Why similar: Psychedelic 31.2%, Action 28.1%, Score Attack 17.7%, Indie 12.4%, Relaxing 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: A psychedelic, music-synced arcade shooter that prioritizes visual flair and rhythmic intensity.

Shoot to the beat in this rhythm bullet hell where every shot creates music. Turn any YouTube song into a bullet hell epic battle.

Why similar: Casual 22.5%, Psychedelic 22.5%, Action 19.6%, Bullet Hell 19.5%, Indie 13.6%

Why You'll Like It: A high-octane bullet-hell that uses psychedelic visuals and music-driven patterns to challenge your reflexes.

Navigate through psychadelic mazes to chill electornic beats. Imagine a mix between Super Meat Boy and Geometry Wars.

Why similar: Casual 19.6%, Score Attack 18.4%, Bullet Hell 17.9%, Psychedelic 17.7%, Action 16.8%

Why You'll Like It: A difficult, music-synced flight game that requires precise movement through complex, rhythmically generated obstacles.

Experience a mind-bending, psychedelic sensory overload in Dyad! Blast through a reactive audio-visual tube creating a harmonious synthesis of color and sound as you Hook, Graze, and Lance enemies to master Dyad's 27 unique levels.

Why similar: Action 34.8%, Indie 34.1%, Psychedelic 31.1%

Why You'll Like It: An abstract, high-speed racing shooter that uses music and color to create a deeply hypnotic and relaxing experience.

Dance to the rhythm with your mouse!

Why similar: Casual 35.2%, Action 27.8%, Indie 20.2%, Great Soundtrack 13.2%, Singleplayer 3.6%

Distance is an atmospheric racing platformer. Fusing futuristic arcade racing with parkour, survive a deadly, mysterious, neon-drenched city by jumping, rotating, and flying.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 44.5%, Action 26.6%, Indie 26.1%, Singleplayer 2.8%

Why You'll Like It: A survival racing game that features a pulsing, music-synced environment and a focus on rhythmic navigation.

Beat Invaders is a Vertical Shoot 'Em Up Roguelite - Fight your way through enemy fleets, unlock skills, items, ships, and upgrade them in the next run. Enjoy the smooth neon visuals matching the pushing EDM soundtrack - The perfect game to unwind.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 29.8%, Action 29%, Casual 21.4%, Score Attack 16.6%, Singleplayer 3.2%

A non-shooting shoot 'em up where you must grow, make friends, and survive together.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 31.5%, Great Soundtrack 29.8%, Action 20%, Indie 18.8%

Why You'll Like It: A chaotic and colorful bullet-hell where the soundtrack drives the intensity of the screen-filling action.

Spaceman Sparkles 2 is a frantic bullet-hell that takes place in a thumpin' disco universe, you'll be begging for mercy while bobbing your head to the beat.

Why similar: Action 73.9%, Bullet Hell 26.1%

Why You'll Like It: A vibrant, music-focused arcade shooter that rewards players for staying in the flow of the beat.

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved is a old school style shooter, but remixed for the 21st century with next generation graphics and deep, modern gameplay. Playing is simple: you are a geometric "ship" trapped in a grid world, facing off against waves of deadly wanderers, snakes, and repulsars.

Why similar: Casual 27.4%, Bullet Hell 20.6%, Indie 12.8%, Psychedelic 10.1%, Action 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: The quintessential arcade shooter that relies on smooth, flow-state movement and high-score chasing.

Melatonin is a rhythm game about dreams and reality merging together. It uses animations and sound cues to keep you on beat without any intimidating overlays or interfaces. Harmonize through a variety of dreamy levels containing surprising challenges, hand-drawn art, and vibrant music.

Why similar: Indie 32%, Music-Based Procedural Generation 19.1% ★, Action 16.1%, Score Attack 10.4%, Great Soundtrack 10.3%

Hyperspace Invaders II: Pixel Edition is a hardcore, uncompromising vertical scrolling bullet hell/invader hell shooter (shmup) that doubles as a techno-based lightsynth, triggering bursts of funky invaders at the pulse of a relentless beat.

Why similar: Music-Based Procedural Generation 25.8% ★, Action 22.3%, Indie 19.3%, Bullet Hell 13.3%, Great Soundtrack 12.3%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced shooter with a great soundtrack that keeps the momentum high and the gameplay focused.

Enjoy the rhythmic music and beat the SCORE!!!

Why similar: Music-Based Procedural Generation 25.8% ★, Casual 24.1%, Indie 19.4%, Action 15.2%, Relaxing 7.6%

Sound Shift is a VJ style music visualiser mixed with a simple arcade shooter.

Why similar: Casual 41.1%, Action 31.2%, Indie 27.7%

Raindrops is a stereo rhythm game, played with your mouse. Notes will be poured from both sides, and the sound will wave towards the direction of succesful hits. Move your mouse, click with both buttons, even scroll to take care of these notes.

Why similar: Casual 38.2%, Action 32.2%, Indie 29%, Singleplayer 0.7%

MusicWave is a challanging Rhythm game for Electronic Dance Music that uses the home row of the keyboard. Players can create, share and download custom tracks through third party tools. With a modern skin and beautiful effects, each song will captivate your senses.

Why similar: Casual 30.5%, Action 25.7%, Indie 23.1%, Music-Based Procedural Generation 15.1% ★, Great Soundtrack 5%

ReMix is a unique musical rhythm action game that combines the elements of Rogue games. In this world, you are able to choose from a variety of heroes with different fighting styles and use the power of music to battle against evil void monsters.

Why similar: Casual 42%, Bullet Hell 25.5%, Action 16.6%, Indie 13.5%, Singleplayer 2.4%

Navigate breathtaking, celestial worlds while mastering the beat of chart-topping hits from today’s most popular artists, such as PinkPantheress, Charlie Puth, and more. Discover fresh new music from tomorrow’s biggest stars on a cosmic trip where every note guides your way.

Why similar: Casual 68.5%, Indie 20.2%, Action 6.7%, Singleplayer 4.7%

Navigate the beauty and hazards of the solar system while riding a wave of light through 100+ levels in this innovative action-puzzle game!

Why similar: Indie 47.8%, Great Soundtrack 19.8%, Casual 19.8%, Action 10.6%, Singleplayer 2.1%

Fly through danger filled procedurally generated tunnels, avoiding thousands of enemies, on this throwback to the golden age of arcade games.

Why similar: Casual 29.3%, Action 24.4%, Score Attack 22.4%, Bullet Hell 21.3%, Singleplayer 2.7%

Experience a different take on the roguelike genre. Explore a world created on the fly by your actions. Wonder about your purpose.

Why similar: Action 38%, Indie 34.7%, Great Soundtrack 15.6%, Procedural Generation 11.7%

Experience a new way to listen to your favourite music. Audio-reactive arcade game where you dodge pulsating shapes. The player spin around the center and dodges the neon shapes that move slower or faster depending on the audio.

Why similar: Casual 43.5%, Action 26.4%, Indie 22.4%, Relaxing 6.1%, Singleplayer 1.6%

Super Space Club is a lo-fi arcade space shooter to chill to. Defend a vibrant galaxy as a club of misfit heroes and battle endless waves of spacecrafts to the tune of atmospheric beats. Outlast your enemies and vibe to the rhythm of the stars.

Why similar: Action 40.9%, Bullet Hell 40.5%, Relaxing 15.3%, Singleplayer 3.3%

Hurrican-like Bullet Hell. Avoid the rain of bullets to the rhythms of "dubstep". Help the hero to defeat the aliens and to take revenge on the interstellar aggressor!

Why similar: Indie 50.9%, Bullet Hell 28.6%, Great Soundtrack 20.5%

BPM is a rhythm-action FPS rogue-like where you must shoot, jump and dodge to the beat of an epic rock soundtrack. Delve into a randomly generated dungeon where one missed note can lead to your death. Gain game-changing abilities and loot powerful weaponry to defeat your ancient enemy: Nidhogg.

Why similar: Action 36.7%, Indie 27%, Great Soundtrack 20.2%, Bullet Hell 7.3%, Procedural Generation 7%

Grav Blazer is an arcade space shooter with a focus on fast paced action. Skill based firing mechanics, rotational controlled power attacks, increasing level difficulty, and endless procedurally generated levels are some of the features players will experience.

Why similar: Casual 23.2%, Action 21.2%, Indie 17%, Bullet Hell 11.7%, Score Attack 10%

Project Rhombus is a rhythm-based casual action game that combines exciting electronic music with stylish flat design. Hold on as long as possible, blocking the oncoming arrows moving to the beat.

Why similar: Casual 33.5%, Action 29%, Indie 19.7%, Great Soundtrack 14.7%, Singleplayer 3.1%

Block the beats! Audioshield puts you at the point of impact for every hit in your songs. Block incoming orbs with your shields and feel the music. Works with any song!

Why similar: Music-Based Procedural Generation 63.7% ★, Indie 36.3%

Break through unlimited waves of enemies and fight unpredictable bosses!

Why similar: Indie 26.7%, Casual 24.7%, Action 21.1%, Great Soundtrack 13.1%, Bullet Hell 12.7%

Run, jump and slide to the rhythm of your own music library! In Melody's Escape, advanced audio detection algorithms transcribe the energy that you feel when listening to music into a synchronized gameplay experience, with a captivating and dynamic obstacle course.

Why similar: Music-Based Procedural Generation 60.7% ★, Action 17.8%, Indie 9.6%, Casual 4.5%, Great Soundtrack 3.6%

GUNFIELD – A game that combines the genres: shoot 'em up, roguelite. Choose the perfect weapon combinations and upgrade your ship to destroy hordes of enemies and giant bosses, using strategy and a powerful arsenal.

Why similar: Action 24.1%, Bullet Hell 24.1%, Great Soundtrack 20.6%, Indie 19%, Relaxing 9.4%

Neon Warp is a simple yet very unique puzzle game.

Why similar: Casual 29.8%, Action 24.8%, Indie 22%, Score Attack 9%, Great Soundtrack 8.9%

Enjoy chill Lo-fi walks and fight bosses to K-POP, EDM and Hip-Hop inspired tracks. Features a quirky story, 30 handcrafted levels and various EX-modes to refresh your gameplay.

Why similar: Casual 47.5%, Action 32.2%, Relaxing 17.8%, Singleplayer 2.5%

Sektori is an intense, fast paced twin-stick shooter infused with hard hitting techno music. A game where the high-adrenaline gameplay, visuals, and music come together to transport you into another state of consciousness.

Why similar: Bullet Hell 33%, Action 25.6%, Score Attack 23.3%, Great Soundtrack 16.4%, Singleplayer 1.8%

A super fast, twin analogue shooter for the modern age!

Why similar: Indie 48.1%, Action 29.6%, Bullet Hell 13.8%, Great Soundtrack 7.6%, Singleplayer 0.9%

Dive into the cyberpop world of Beat Souls! Dodge and dance your way to a high-score in this intense rhythm action game.

Why similar: Casual 25.3%, Action 23.8%, Bullet Hell 18.4%, Score Attack 17.9%, Indie 12.7%

Dodge! Shoot! Go faster! Break the sound barrier in this unbelievably fast game and go straight for the first place in the leaderboard of BARRIER X!

Why similar: Indie 40%, Action 24.8%, Great Soundtrack 19.6%, Casual 14%, Singleplayer 1.7%

Beginner Welcome Bullet Hell Shooter. "Chapter Mode", which is starting from a simple stage and gradually becoming more difficult, is recommended for beginners. Once you get used to bullet hell, let's experience full-scale bullet hell in "Challenge Mode".

Why similar: Bullet Hell 24.9%, Score Attack 18.8%, Psychedelic 18.1%, Action 17.6%, Indie 11.5%

Amaranthine - is a dynamic horizontal scrolling shooter with elements of procedural generation. Travel through warp to the distant frozen planet that sent a distress signal.

Why similar: Action 44.1%, Indie 32.2%, Great Soundtrack 23.7%