- #1 Destropolis
97% matchVery Positive87% of 287 reviews2020
Dev: Igrek GamesPub: Games Incubator
Windows
Median: 36 minMean: 4.8 hrs≥1hr: 45%
Destropolis is a top-down shooter game with a fully destructible environment, hundreds of enemies and nuclear explosions. Fight a countless swarm of enemies. Tear them to pieces with bullets, lasers and explosions. Destroy as many of them as you can before they overwhelm you...
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 42.6%, Top-Down 21.5%, Arcade 15.7%, Indie 10.1%, Action 10%
Why You'll Like It: A top-down shooter that perfectly captures the destruction-focused, wave-based arcade intensity of the seed game.
- #2 Redie
96% matchVery Positive80% of 272 reviews2016
Dev: Rückert Broductions
Windows · Linux
Median: 2.7 hrsMean: 5.3 hrs≥1hr: 83%
Redie is a challenging singleplayer 3D top-down shooter. Fight an army of well-trained terrorists and soldiers in action-packed close quarters combat. Prepare to (re)die.
Why similar: Indie 51.2%, Action 48.8%
Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, top-down shooter where precision and quick reflexes are essential for survival.
- #3 Crimsonland
96% matchVery Positive93% of 3,083 reviews2014
Dev: 10tons Ltd
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 7.3 hrsMean: 11.5 hrs≥1hr: 93%
Thousands of aliens, giant spiders, mutant lizards, and more are on the attack - can you survive the onslaught? Crimsonland is a top-down shooter with a touch of RPG. Unlock over 30 weapons and over 50 perks from quirky to brutal. Complete the quest and show your skills in five survival modes.
Why similar: Top-Down 24.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 19.5%, Shooter 18.5%, Action 17.3%, Indie 13.6%
Why You'll Like It: A classic top-down shooter that emphasizes massive destruction and surviving against overwhelming odds.
- #4 Nex Machina
95% matchVery Positive87% of 2,168 reviews2017
Dev: Housemarque
Windows
Median: 3.2 hrsMean: 4.2 hrs≥1hr: 83%
Nex Machina is an intense arcade style twin-stick shooter from Housemarque. Taking hints from both Robotron and Smash TV, Nex Machina focuses on pure action, voxel destruction and competition in the distant, cablepunk themed future.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 29%, Arcade 17.8%, Action 14.7%, Top-Down 13.8%, Indie 12.6%
Why You'll Like It: The gold standard for modern arcade twin-stick shooters, offering intense, high-speed action and high-difficulty gameplay.
- #5 Nuclear Throne
94% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 19,420 reviews2015
Dev: Vlambeer
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 5.2 hrsMean: 24.1 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Nuclear Throne is a post-apocalyptic roguelike-like top-down shooter. Not 'the final hope of humanity' post-apocalyptic, but 'humanity is extinct and mutants and monsters now roam the world' post-apocalyptic. Can you reach the Nuclear Throne?
Why similar: Indie 33%, Top-Down 22.2%, Action 22.2%, Shooter 18%, Singleplayer 4.6%
Why You'll Like It: A challenging, fast-paced top-down roguelite shooter that rewards aggressive play and quick decision-making.
- #6 Steel Storm: Burning Retribution
94% matchMixed60% of 369 reviews2011
Dev: Kot in Action Creative Artel
Windows · Linux
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 4.2 hrs≥1hr: 81%
Control an advanced hovertank, packed with the most advanced and sophisticated weapons as you fight against extraterrestrial invaders.
Why similar: Indie 32.5%, Shooter 23.9%, Action 23%, Arcade 17.7%, Singleplayer 2.9%
Why You'll Like It: A top-down shooter that delivers classic arcade-style destruction and fast-paced combat.
- #7 Assault Android Cactus+
92% matchVery Positive94% of 2,000 reviews2015
Dev: Witch Beam
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.2 hrsMean: 5.0 hrs≥1hr: 82%
Assault Android Cactus is an intense arcade style twin stick shooter - pick from one of nine unique synthetic heroines and blast your way through overwhelming robots hordes to save the ship from its own workforce. Supports single player and local co-op game modes.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 37.2%, Top-Down 21.8%, Shooter 16.4%, Arcade 14.3%, Action 10.2%
Why You'll Like It: An intense twin-stick arcade shooter that features non-stop action and high replayability.
- #8 Horizon Shift
93% matchMostly Positive77% of 330 reviews2015
Dev: Flump StudiosPub: Funbox Media Ltd
Windows
Median: 3.1 hrsMean: 4.1 hrs≥1hr: 94%
Horizon Shift is an explosive wave based single screen shooter with a ton of new ideas and platformer elements. Do what it takes to protect your horizon from the ever encroaching enemy attack!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 30%, Indie 29.2%, Action 27.6%, Arcade 13.2%
Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced arcade action game that emphasizes difficulty and reflex-based gameplay.
- #9 Super Killer Hornet: Resurrection
91% matchMixed62% of 811 reviews2014
Dev: Flump StudiosPub: Funbox Media Ltd
Windows
Median: 2.6 hrsMean: 3.7 hrs≥1hr: 95%
'Things will explode, things will die, you will dodge, you will do maths...Yes maths!' Super Killer Hornet Resurrection is an intense vertical shooter with a brain train twist. Through the chaos and explosion try to answer the falling math problems to increase your multiplier and power up your ship.
Why similar: Indie 45.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 45.8%, Arcade 6.5%, Singleplayer 1.8%
Why You'll Like It: A classic arcade shoot-em-up that offers bullet-hell intensity and a retro feel.
- #10 Critical Annihilation
91% matchVery Positive88% of 235 reviews2016
Dev: Devoga
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.7 hrsMean: 8.3 hrs≥1hr: 69%
Critical Annihilation is a Twin-Stick SHMUP (Shoot-em Up) made entirely out of tiny voxels. We take advantage of voxel technology to hype up the explosive gameplay. Everything is destructible to its core.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 35.8%, Indie 26.6%, Action 22.6%, Destruction 15.1%
Why You'll Like It: A voxel-based top-down shooter that highlights destruction mechanics and arcade-style progression.
- #11 Neon Chrome
90% matchVery Positive91% of 1,170 reviews2016
Dev: 10tons Ltd
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.1 hrsMean: 4.9 hrs≥1hr: 88%
A masterful combination of top-down shooter and endless replayability with procedural levels. Blast your way through walls & enemies with guns and cybernetic abilities. Install perks from cyber chambers and upgrade your character stats after each death. Can you stop the Overseer?
Why similar: Top-Down 33.2%, Shooter 23.5%, Indie 23%, Action 20.3%
Why You'll Like It: A top-down shooter featuring highly destructible environments and a satisfying progression system.
- #12 Waves
89% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 1,549 reviews2011
Dev: Squid In A Box Ltd
Windows
Median: 1.9 hrsMean: 6.0 hrs≥1hr: 71%
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: Shoot 'Em Up 35.5%, Top-Down 21.4%, Shooter 16.1%, Arcade 14.1%, Action 9.7%
Why You'll Like It: A pure arcade twin-stick shooter focused on high scores, survival, and rhythmic combat.
- #13 Sine Mora
88% matchVery Positive82% of 940 reviews2012
Dev: Digital RealityPub: HandyGames
Windows
Median: 48 minMean: 2.9 hrs≥1hr: 42%
Sine Mora is a horizontal shoot'em up that provides a unique take on challenge, where time is the ultimate factor.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 56.9%, Indie 14%, Action 10.6%, Arcade 10.2%, Shooter 7.4%
Why You'll Like It: A visually striking shoot-em-up that provides a deep, time-based challenge for fans of the genre.
- #14 Tesla vs Lovecraft
86% matchVery Positive90% of 1,231 reviews2018
Dev: 10tons Ltd
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.2 hrsMean: 5.6 hrs≥1hr: 80%
Tesla vs Lovecraft is an intense top-down twin stick arena shooter from the creators of Crimsonland and Neon Chrome. Play as the enigmatic inventor Nikola Tesla harnessing the static energy to power up Tesla-Mech and give the lovecraftian nightmares a lesson in horror!
Why similar: Destruction 23.5%, Top-Down 17.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 17.5%, Indie 13.7%, Shooter 12.4%
Why You'll Like It: A top-down shooter with satisfying destruction mechanics and fast-paced arcade pacing.
- #15 C-RUSH
89% matchMostly Negative23% of 105 reviews2014
Dev: Artnumeris
Windows
Median: 12 minMean: 6.6 hrs≥1hr: 17%
C-RUSH is an old school Shooter, with HD graphics.A new threat is coming from the space; the plasma insects. Exterminate the vermin!!Beat your own score and compare it with the other players !Key Features:- One ship with different positions to use- Different Gameplay according to the positions and shoots- A Schmup where you need...
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 47.7%, Indie 19.8%, Action 14.4%, Shooter 10.2%, Arcade 7.8%
Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced arcade shooter that prioritizes reflex-based gameplay and constant action.
- #16 Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved
87% matchVery Positive91% of 1,088 reviews2007
Dev: Bizarre CreationsPub: Activision
Windows
Median: 18 minMean: 15.3 hrs≥1hr: 25%
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: Shoot 'Em Up 31.8%, Arcade 29.8%, Shooter 14%, Indie 12%, Action 6.5%
Why You'll Like It: A minimalist, high-difficulty arcade shooter that shares the geometric aesthetic and intensity of the seed game.
- #17 Monolith
84% matchMostly Positive77% of 335 reviews2023
Dev: Animation Arts
Windows · Linux
A classical science fiction point and click adventure which takes you into a deep story and murky atmosphere, while solving logical puzzles. Accompany Tessa Carter and her talking robot as she finds out about herself and searches for a way to survive.
Why similar: Indie 66.2%, Singleplayer 33.8%
Why You'll Like It: A challenging top-down shooter that incorporates bullet-hell elements and tight, responsive controls.
- #18 Bit Blaster XL
85% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 6,141 reviews2016
Dev: Adamvision Studios
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.0 hrsMean: 6.6 hrs≥1hr: 78%
Bit Blaster XL is a fast-paced, retro arcade shoot 'em up (shmup) inspired by the classic quarter-munchers of the ‘80s. Easy to pick up, hard to put down, boost, dodge, shoot, and chase high scores in this addictive, old-school action game!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 46.5%, Shooter 21.2%, Arcade 18.4%, Action 13.9%
Why You'll Like It: A minimalist, fast-paced arcade shooter that focuses on simple mechanics and high-score chasing.
- #19 Project Root
86% matchMixed50% of 115 reviews2014
Dev: OPQAMPub: Reverb Triple XP
Windows
Median: 18 minMean: 2.7 hrs≥1hr: 23%
Project Root the Shoot’em up Evolution.Project Root is a classic shoot’em up with open scenarioswhere the player's skill will be the key to survive.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 39.2%, Indie 19.2%, Action 18.1%, Shooter 13.6%, Arcade 9.9%
Why You'll Like It: A classic top-down arcade shooter that features intense combat and challenging boss encounters.
- #20 Hyper Bounce Blast
84% matchVery Positive93% of 89 reviews2016
Dev: Flump StudiosPub: Funbox Media Ltd
Windows
Median: 3.1 hrsMean: 3.4 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Hyper Bounce Blast is a stomach-churning retro shooter blended with classic platforming action. Bounce, shoot and dodge to survive the ever-increasing enemy attack. Bring it on!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 33.9%, Indie 28.2%, Action 24.7%, Arcade 13.2%
Why You'll Like It: An arcade-style shooter that incorporates platforming elements for a unique twist on the genre.
- #21 Cosmonator
82% matchVery Positive87% of 101 reviews2019
Dev: Bourbontank
Windows
Cosmonator is an 'RPG-em-up': a hybrid of classic fast-paced top-down shoot-em-up action infused with deep character building elements. Build up your own unique alien-killing machine to avenge the destruction of planet Earth!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 38.8%, Indie 20.4%, Action 18.4%, Top-Down 10.9%, Arcade 5.9%
Why You'll Like It: A top-down shooter that provides arcade-style progression and straightforward, action-oriented gameplay.
- #22 Chaos Town
83% matchMostly Positive73% of 83 reviews2017
Dev: QuickSavePub: SA Industry
Windows
Median: 3.3 hrsMean: 4.4 hrs≥1hr: 98%
Chaos Town is a top-down chaotic shooter game where everything is destructible!
Why similar: Action 24.9%, Indie 23.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 18.2%, Top-Down 12.1%, Shooter 11.1%
Why You'll Like It: A top-down shooter that captures the arcade sensibilities and chaotic combat of the seed game.
- #23 Zombie Cubes
82% matchVery Positive93% of 80 reviews2018
Dev: MayoNinja Games
Windows
A twinstick shooter game where you fight against waves after waves of Zombie Cubes!
Why similar: Indie 56.8%, Action 43.2%
Why You'll Like It: A top-down shooter that shares a similar minimalist aesthetic and wave-based survival structure.
- #24 Enter the Gungeon
79% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 88,241 reviews2016
Dev: Dodge RollPub: Devolver Digital
Windows · Linux
Median: 6.1 hrsMean: 31.2 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Enter the Gungeon is a bullet hell dungeon crawler following a band of misfits seeking to shoot, loot, dodge roll and table-flip their way to personal absolution by reaching the legendary Gungeon’s ultimate treasure: the gun that can kill the past.
Why similar: Top-Down 30.6%, Indie 25.6%, Shooter 20.8%, Action 16.9%, Singleplayer 6.1%
Why You'll Like It: A challenging top-down shooter with deep mechanics and high replay value for those who enjoy difficult combat.
- #25 Nation Red
81% matchVery Positive88% of 2,776 reviews2009
Dev: DiezelPower
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 8.7 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Nation Red is an ultra fast infinite play arena-based shooter providing an exceptional close-quarter battlefield experience. Fight thousands of zombie mutants and their bosses in frantic bloody gameplay while earning close to 100 perks. Fight in Barricade, Survival or Free Play mode.
Why similar: Action 30.7%, Indie 27.2%, Top-Down 17.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.5%, Arcade 8.2%
Why You'll Like It: A top-down shooter focused on surviving waves of enemies with a heavy emphasis on destruction.
- #26 Bleed 2
79% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 895 reviews2017
Dev: Ian Campbell
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.8 hrsMean: 4.7 hrs≥1hr: 90%
Bleed 2 is a relentless arcade action game featuring air-dodging, bullet-reflecting, and tons of bosses. Now with randomly-generated levels and daily challenges, too!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 39.9%, Indie 24.4%, Action 22.4%, Arcade 13.3%
Why You'll Like It: A high-octane action game that features arcade-style boss fights and fast-paced movement.
- #27 Steredenn: Binary Stars
80% matchVery Positive88% of 958 reviews2015
Dev: Pixelnest StudioPub: TyGAMES
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.0 hrsMean: 67.1 hrs≥1hr: 84%
Steredenn is a frenetic and chaotic space shooter, carved in big beautiful pixels, with insane boss battles. Embark in your ship and engage the fight against dreadful space pirates in a never-ending combat for your survival.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 49.6%, Shooter 19.1%, Arcade 18.9%, Action 12.4%
Why You'll Like It: A chaotic arcade shoot-em-up that offers high difficulty and significant replayability through randomized elements.
- #28 Alien Breed: Impact
81% matchMostly Positive75% of 1,869 reviews2010
Dev: Team17 Software Ltd.Pub: Team17 Digital Ltd
Windows
Median: 54 minMean: 4.1 hrs≥1hr: 48%
Experience the explosive science fiction arcade-shooter that resurrects a much revered franchise in an epic single player and co-op multiplayer campaign.
Why similar: Top-Down 34.2%, Action 28.6%, Shooter 26.6%, Arcade 7.3%, Singleplayer 3.3%
Why You'll Like It: A top-down shooter that combines intense combat with a focus on atmosphere and survival.
- #29 Ikaruga
78% matchVery Positive95% of 2,307 reviews2014
Dev: TREASURE
Windows
Median: 2.0 hrsMean: 4.6 hrs≥1hr: 65%
Shoot! Dodge! and... Get Hit!? "Ikaruga" is a vertical shoot 'em up that features an unique polarity-switching gameplay. Switch the ship's polarity and "get hit and absorb" enemy bullets! Achieve High Score with the chain bonus!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 66.1%, Arcade 16.8%, Shooter 6.8%, Action 6.7%, Indie 3%
Why You'll Like It: A classic arcade shoot-em-up that demands high precision and mastery of its unique polarity mechanic.
- #30 Space Moth DX
78% matchVery Positive81% of 133 reviews2016
Dev: 1CC GamesPub: Chorus Worldwide Games
Windows
Median: 3.0 hrsMean: 3.6 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Fact: everything is better with lasers. So we put lasers on over 30 angry giant insects who want to stop you, Space Moth, from escaping Earth and going to the Moon. Show them who's boss and blast your way into space! (Check out the all new SPACE MOTH: LUNAR EDITION, linked below!)
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 41.1%, Indie 24.5%, Action 20.2%, Arcade 14.1%
Why You'll Like It: An arcade-style shoot-em-up with a distinct visual style and challenging gameplay loops.
- #31 Tank Destroyer
77% matchMostly Positive76% of 333 reviews2017
Dev: Freedomize Studio
Windows
Median: 2.8 hrsMean: 3.5 hrs≥1hr: 79%
Tank Destroyer is a top-down shooter with a dynamic gameplay and stealth elements.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 23.2%, Action 17.2%, Indie 15.1%, Top-Down 12.8%, Destruction 12.4%
- #32 Polygon Attack
77% matchVery Positive88% of 268 reviews2016
Dev: Magnolia Art
Windows · Linux
Median: 3.3 hrsMean: 3.7 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Break through unlimited waves of enemies and fight unpredictable bosses!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 24.2%, Indie 21.2%, Top-Down 15.1%, Action 12.3%, Shooter 12%
- #33 Nebulock
71% matchVery Positive87% of 542 reviews2025
Dev: LostVolBytes
Windows
Median: 2.9 hrsMean: 3.3 hrs≥1hr: 92%
Nebulock is a short bullet-hell game with intense gameplay, where the player must destroy bosses made of blocks, collect resources and upgrade his spaceship.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 26.1%, Destruction 20.7%, Arcade 16.5%, Top-Down 15.4%, Action 8%
- #34 Revolution Ace
76% matchMostly Positive72% of 1,880 reviews2014
Dev: Laser Guided Games, LLC
Windows
Median: 2.6 hrsMean: 3.7 hrs≥1hr: 74%
A deep, tactical shoot'em up. With every takedown, you’ll earn cash and xp to upgrade your ship and unlock new abilities. Online and local co-op. Unique versus mode. Realistic physics and water simulation.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 46.9%, Indie 13.3%, Action 11%, Top-Down 9.7%, Shooter 9.5%
- #35 Starship Annihilator
76% matchMixed64% of 354 reviews2016
Dev: IR Studio
Windows
Median: 3.4 hrsMean: 28.4 hrs≥1hr: 97%
A classic style vertical scrolling-shooter. Includes 10 levels and 10 boss enemies. You will have several power-ups for weapon modification. Within each level, you will face different enemies, among which will vary from low to extreme levels of threat!
Why similar: Indie 46.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 36.2%, Action 17.3%
- #36 State of Anarchy
73% matchVery Positive85% of 1,088 reviews2016
Dev: LapovichPub: New Reality Games
Windows · Mac
Median: 3.2 hrsMean: 4.8 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Simplistic top-down shooter that will put a smile on your face. Fulfill your inner sociopath as you mow down enemies with guns and cars alike, in a bid to pull off the world's largest heist!
Why similar: Indie 79.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 11.3%, Action 5.1%, Shooter 3.9%, Singleplayer 0.5%
- #37 Trash Squad
74% matchVery Positive83% of 148 reviews2018
Dev: Enitvare
Windows · Linux
Median: 36 minMean: 3.9 hrs≥1hr: 39%
Trash Squad is a dynamic shooter with RPG elements. Stand up for the fight against hordes of monsters in over a dozen randomly generated levels.
Why similar: Indie 36.9%, Action 33.1%, Shooter 29.9%
- #38 Incandescent
75% matchMixed68% of 172 reviews2015
Dev: Stephen Crabb
Windows
Median: 3.0 hrsMean: 3.5 hrs≥1hr: 82%
Incandescent is a fast paced action arcade game that scales the difficulty to your skill level. The goal is simple, pilot your ship and defend yourself against waves of unique enemies and bosses. Different powerups will drop to help you with upgrades to your weapons and health.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 38.2%, Indie 27.6%, Action 23.4%, Arcade 10.8%
- #39 Q-YO Blaster
73% matchVery Positive91% of 195 reviews2018
Dev: TEAM Black Hat Robot
Windows
Median: 30 minMean: 2.4 hrs≥1hr: 28%
Q-YO Blaster is a shooting game, with peculiar characters, strange enemies, weapons and many explosions. Enter the miniature world and stop the threat
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 49.6%, Indie 27.1%, Action 23.3%
- #40 DESTRUCTURE: Among Debris
69% matchVery Positive91% of 176 reviews2023
Dev: Team Instant DefeatPub: RockGame S.A.
Windows
DESTRUCTURE: Among Debris is an intense mix of brick breaker, air hockey and bullet hell set in a post apocalyptic world. Destroy structures, dodge bullets, fire guns and buy perks to lay even more waste!
Why similar: Shooter 24.5%, Destruction 22.9%, Arcade 20.8%, Top-Down 19.1%, Action 8.8%
- #41 Undercroft Warriors
68% matchMostly Positive79% of 459 reviews2024
Dev: Fuzzy
Windows
Crush the forces of hell and get a high score in this addictive, action-packed, arcade-inspired twin-stick shooter!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 36.9%, Top-Down 19.2%, Shooter 15%, Arcade 13%, Action 9%
- #42 Biodrone Battle
75% matchMixed52% of 282 reviews2015
Dev: Bit Juggler
Windows
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 4.9 hrs≥1hr: 95%
Fight hostile drones that try to keep their recently gained autonomy by either shooting or morphing into them.Biodrone Battle brings classic top-down action rooted in the pioneer gaming era of the 1980s into your living room.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 35.6%, Action 25.2%, Indie 21.5%, Top-Down 17.7%
- #43 Outnumbered
70% matchMostly Positive79% of 241 reviews2022
Dev: Amped Horizon
Windows
Outnumbered is a mass-enemy top-down shooter with rogue-lite elements. You may be greatly outnumbered, but not outpowered. Evolve into the ultimate weapon of destruction!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 30.7%, Top-Down 14.9%, Indie 14.6%, Shooter 12.8%, Action 12.2%
- #44 Crimzon Clover World EXplosion
69% matchVery Positive97% of 357 reviews2021
Dev: YOTSUBANEPub: KOMODO
Windows
Median: 1.3 hrsMean: 8.0 hrs≥1hr: 52%
Prepare yourself for an insatiable rain of bullets, bombs, and beams in Crimzon Clover. Earn all the power-ups for an overpowered experience in the all new ARRANGE version.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 37.7%, Action 15.2%, Arcade 15.1%, Shooter 13.1%, Top-Down 11.9%
- #45 Stellar 2D
74% matchMixed41% of 975 reviews2015
Dev: quad gamesPub: Back To Basics Gaming
Windows
Median: 3.0 hrsMean: 4.6 hrs≥1hr: 92%
Stellar 2D is a retro style space arcade game, it's a 2D game in a 3D world. With an addictive, fast paced, casual game-play style.
Why similar: Indie 61.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 21.2%, Action 17.3%
- #46 KAIKAN
67% matchVery Positive97% of 65 reviews2023
Dev: zakichi
Windows
KAIKAN is a vertical scrolling shooter that focuses on destroying enemies. Destroy enemies with 6 types of aircraft with different performance, clear 5 stages, and aim for a higher score.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 31.3%, Destruction 20.8%, Shooter 13.4%, Top-Down 9.8%, Arcade 8%
- #47 Cannons-Defenders: Steam Edition
72% matchMixed67% of 206 reviews2017
Dev: REX PEX GAMES
Windows
Median: 3.4 hrsMean: 5.9 hrs≥1hr: 97%
Hardcore 2D game with a fascinating and unusual mechanics, where you have to defend the base from annoying saboteurs.
Why similar: Indie 48.6%, Action 44.7%, Singleplayer 6.6%
- #48 Hyper Simon X
72% matchMostly Positive70% of 64 reviews2018
Dev: NukGames
Windows
Hyper Simon X is an Arcade Shoot 'Em Up Puzzle game that ingeniously blends SHMUP mechanics with the classic nostalgia of 'Simon Says' memory games. Prepare for a challenge like no other as you destroy the enemies in the exact order displayed!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 25.9%, Indie 20.9%, Action 17.8%, Destruction 12.9%, Top-Down 10.7%
- #49 Flight of the Paladin
73% matchMixed52% of 401 reviews2015
Dev: Grizzly Wolf Games LLC
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.4 hrsMean: 4.3 hrs≥1hr: 92%
Flight of the Paladin is a fast-paced top-down shooter where you play as a knight of valor and light vanquishing the nightmarish creatures of darkness. Featuring multiple game modes, Steam Achievements and Leaderboards!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 48.5%, Indie 26.1%, Action 25.4%
- #50 Story of a Cube
71% matchMixed77% of 70 reviews2016
Dev: TinyAtomGames
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.4 hrsMean: 3.7 hrs≥1hr: 95%
Story of a Cube is an action packed shooter about a lone cube and his quest for revenge. Mixing elements of twin-stick shooters and bullet hell games, this is a hardcode arcade game with a crazy amount of explosions.
Why similar: Indie 41.5%, Action 32.9%, Arcade 25.6%
- #51 Clean'Em Up
70% matchVery Positive90% of 72 reviews2016
Dev: Cheesy Holes
Windows
Clean’Em Up is a fast paced, arcade-style Top Down Shooter with neon graphics. You play as an Upgradable Antivirus. You seek and destroy tremendous viruses and threats, collect and protect files and survive huge Bosses. The story is simple: Your Computer has been hacked... Dozens of viruses and other threats have penetrated your System...
Why similar: Indie 55.5%, Action 44.5%
- #52 Splatter - Zombiecalypse Now
68% matchVery Positive90% of 2,415 reviews2014
Dev: DreamworldsPub: Untold Tales
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.2 hrsMean: 7.7 hrs≥1hr: 90%
You like top-down-shooter with a film-noir singleplayer campaign, challenging fights against zombies and monsters, gory splatter effects and destructible level environments? Fight your way through an apocalyptic city in the single player story mode, and test your skills in the survival mode.
Why similar: Destruction 26.6%, Top-Down 24%, Indie 15.1%, Action 13.5%, Arcade 10.4%
- #53 Holy Shot
62% matchVery Positive88% of 67 reviews2025
Dev: LoneWolf Digital Arts
Windows · Mac · Linux
Holy Shot is a fast-paced, physics-based top-down shooter. Face nasty hordes of monsters in a chaotic environmental destruction, combining powerful weapons and strategic abilities to survive intense battles against challenging bosses.
Why similar: Shooter 38.5%, Action 31.9%, Indie 25.7%, Singleplayer 3.9%
- #54 Sky of Destruction
64% matchMostly Positive70% of 57 reviews2024
Dev: Satur Entertainment
Windows
Sky of Destruction is a top-down shooter created by a team of two people. Combine aircrafts in your combat fleet, which will help you during the mission. Your goal is to destroy the enemy aircraft carrier or buildings, breaking through the enemy air armada. Explosions and total destruction!
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 50.6%, Shooter 20.6%, Arcade 17.7%, Action 11.2%
- #55 Disastr_Blastr
69% matchVery Positive83% of 52 reviews2016
Dev: Dog Theory
Windows
Median: 5.6 hrsMean: 6.0 hrs≥1hr: 99%
Descend into a radical new dimension of abstract minimalist arcade fury in Disastr_Blastr! Blaze your merciless path of devastation through an expansive non-linear game world with 100+ stages of cortex-shattering cubic mayhem!
Why similar: Indie 42.1%, Action 33.3%, Shooter 24.5%
- #56 BULLETHELL
63% matchVery Positive89% of 88 reviews2024
Dev: Walter Machado
Windows
BULLETHELL is an experimental, retro-hardcore, barely playable, ultra-fast-paced arena top-down shooter.
Why similar: Action 38.7%, Indie 32.4%, Singleplayer 21.4%, Arcade 7.5%
- #57 Cloud Cutter
66% matchVery Positive87% of 127 reviews2021
Dev: Just Two ltd.
Windows
Cloud Cutter brings you classic arcade shoot ‘em up gameplay in top notch graphics. Enjoy intense fast-paced explosive action full of epic destruction, arcade style power-ups, lasers and of course huge multi-stage boss fights.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 33.2%, Top-Down 18.3%, Shooter 16.7%, Arcade 15.2%, Action 13.8%
- #58 Space Battlecruiser
68% matchVery Positive82% of 72 reviews2018
Dev: Less Describable Games
Windows
Space Battlecruiser is an arcade style, top down space shooter where you control a heavily armed capital ship. Battle against squadrons of fighters, fleets of warships, heavily defended space stations, and powerful command ships. Learn to master weaponry and special abilities like the Energy Shield.
Why similar: Indie 55.9%, Action 44.1%
- #59 Gigantes Ex Machina
61% matchVery Positive85% of 248 reviews2025
Dev: AcrylByte
Windows
Fast paced Top-down shooter! Smartly use IRCM to evade the constant barrage of bullets and missiles and destroy everything that stands in your way.
Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 43.3%, Indie 21.5%, Action 19.4%, Arcade 13.4%, Top-Down 1.1%
- #60 Rhythm Destruction
71% matchMixed45% of 135 reviews2014
Dev: Curious Panda Games
Windows
Median: 2.2 hrsMean: 3.2 hrs≥1hr: 96%
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: Indie 38.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 37.5%, Action 24%