Games Like Galactic Refugees

Are you ready to aid Era-bus in its relentless quest for vengeance and consume everything in your path? Defeat the Hu-bon empire in this unique SHMUP/STG experience!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 46.4%, Female Protagonist 20.1%, Arcade 18.5%, 2D 7%, Action 6.9%

Nevultra is an exciting shoot'em up that will take you back to the 8bit/16bit era. The protagonist, Nina, needs your help to reach her destination in deep space.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 37.3%, Arcade 15.5%, Female Protagonist 9%, Dystopian 7.9%, Score Attack 6.9%

It's Christmas! Pelt the humans with gifts! Quickly!!!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 33.1%, Arcade 16.6%, Top-Down 9.8%, Cute 8.4%, Action 7.3%

Super Forklift 3000 is an arcade space shooter with a twist: you drive a forklift that carries and shoots up to three boxes. Defeat enemies and bosses while managing your different box types. Be careful not to run out of ammo!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 28.3%, Arcade 11.9%, Top-Down 11.2%, Female Protagonist 9.7%, Space 9.5%

Zone of Lacryma is a story driven vertical shmup with 11 levels, highscores, speedrunning, upgrades and more.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 30.1%, Dystopian 17.3%, Female Protagonist 15.3%, Arcade 10%, Space 6.9%

Space & Pixels is a top-down space shooter with classic gameplay. Battle through each level, blast lots of enemies, upgrade your ship's firepower, and uncover the truth behind your dangerous mission.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 36.6%, Arcade 20.2%, Top-Down 12.4%, Action 9.5%, Space 8.3%

Engage in an action packed shoot em' up adventure! Choose from 4 powerful fighters and fight through 5 intense stages! Multiple tough and challenging bosses stand in your way, so use the insanity system BLANK STAND to erase them all!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 35.3%, Arcade 14.2%, Top-Down 10.6%, Dystopian 10.5%, Multiple Endings 9.3%

Simple remake of Space Invaders adding destructions and physics

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 37.3%, Arcade 18.7%, Cute 10.2%, Action 8.2%, 2D 7%

A space arcade shooter with light rogue-like elements.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 44.3%, Arcade 16.5%, Top-Down 10.4%, Procedural Generation 8.8%, Space 7.6%

Enter an ever changing, randomly generated galaxy and battle the Metal Swarm menace in this arcade style shoot 'em up. Blast through hordes of bugs, collect powerups and battle giant bosses as you harvest their power cores to upgrade your ship.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 40.8%, Arcade 21.3%, Procedural Generation 9.1%, Top-Down 8.5%, 2D 7.5%

『StanÇact』is a cute and sexy girl-on-girl SHOOT'EM UP. Mai, a military officer, is on her way to quell a riot, but the rioters and the military have teamed up and are on the rampage and the head of the military was the ringleader.Witness one woman's struggle to complete her mission amidst the chaos!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 31.2%, Female Protagonist 16.1%, Multiple Endings 14%, Arcade 10.6%, Cute 9%

“TWINKLE STAR SPRITES ”, a competitive 2D top-down view scrolling shooter released on NEOGEO MVS in 1996, departs for new adventures on the Steam gaming platform!Master your shots, and aim for the magical Twinkle Star”!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 51.2%, Female Protagonist 17.3%, Arcade 16.7%, Cute 8.4%, Action 6.5%

Dodge enemy beams with your space fighter, kill huge bosses, and sing along to seven distinct songs in this unique rock opera videogame.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 44.3%, Arcade 16.1%, Top-Down 9.6%, Action 7.4%, Space 6.5%

Take control and annihilate every invading enemy and stronghold! is a score-attack vertical shmup supporting 1-2 players. Featuring pure mechanics that emphasize destruction and dodging, satisfying explosion effects, and deep hidden secrets, the fight awaits you.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 36.9%, Arcade 13.8%, Score Attack 11.6%, Multiple Endings 9.1%, Top-Down 8.2%

Defender's Squad is a sci-fi vertical scrolling shooter 2D that combines 7 different levels. Play Solo and pick one of the 3 ships to kill enemies and save the earth from aliens.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 33.9%, Top-Down 14.3%, Arcade 13.3%, Space 10.1%, Score Attack 9.2%

Super Chain Crusher Horizon is the largest, longest, most incredible PC shooting game in history with a two-player mode that is revolutionary. And, it’s loaded with game modes that solve the problems had by most shoot ‘em ups.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 57.6%, Arcade 25.3%, 2D 10.2%, Action 6%, Indie 0.8%

Shoot the enemy at close range! Crystal Breaker is a vertically scrolling shmup that focuses on close range attack.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 37.4%, Arcade 18.4%, Female Protagonist 13.1%, Score Attack 9.8%, Pixel Graphics 7.8%

Pirate's Peril is an arcade shooter themed in the world of pirates on the open sea!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 39.2%, Arcade 21.8%, Top-Down 10.7%, Action 10.5%, Pixel Graphics 10.2%

Take off on a classic arcade journey with Tiger-Heli, Toaplan's pioneering vertical shooter that set the stage for an entire genre. Now available on PC with a host of modern upgrades!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 47.3%, Arcade 21.1%, 2D 8.7%, Score Attack 8.1%, Pixel Graphics 6%

MeteoStorm is an action packed retro shoot-em-up. MeteoStorm offers up to 25 challenging waves of exciting shoot-em-up action with 3 different difficulty levels!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 37.8%, Arcade 19.1%, Procedural Generation 10.6%, Action 8.8%, Space 8.2%

The original beautiful girl side-scrolling shooter is back! This work commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Cotton series.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 45.4%, Arcade 22.8%, Female Protagonist 21.6%, Action 9.6%, Singleplayer 0.5%

Make up your squads out of 9 unique spaceships and go clear 3 planets from hordes of robots in not-so-classic horizontal shoot-em-up style!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 33.3%, LGBTQ+ 20%, Cute 10.1%, Pixel Graphics 6.6%, 2D 6.6%

Lead your starfighter as a bounty hunter, complete contracts and fight your way to free your home system from a criminal empire full of conspiracies and underworld secrets, in this hard boiled action old school arcade shooter.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 28%, Female Protagonist 14.3%, Dystopian 14.1%, Arcade 11.6%, Space 7%

Betrayed by her cut-throat crew, Luna Starr - former Space Pirate Captain turned bounty hunter - has a score to settle. As Luna, travel to 5 exotic planets to track down your mutinous mates, and face them in Bullet Hell dogfights to the death!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 41%, Female Protagonist 13.2%, Arcade 11.5%, Score Attack 7.8%, Action 6.5%

Weave and cleave your way through walls of bullet and push your score to unknown limits in this aggressive Shoot'em'up to save humanity from its own hubris

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 42.1%, Arcade 16.2%, Score Attack 11.2%, Top-Down 8.1%, Pixel Graphics 7%

Epic Pandemonium is a classic run-and-gun action game with a strong focus on boss battles. Inspired by the 16-bit Contra saga.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 39%, Female Protagonist 20.1%, Arcade 17.4%, 2D 7%, Pixel Graphics 6.8%

Verisim Skies is a Vertical Shoot 'Em Up with an emphasis on story and cinematic action. Go forth, Champion. Find your purpose. Fulfill your destiny. Accept your fate.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 61.6%, Arcade 15.1%, Top-Down 11%, Action 7.4%, Pixel Graphics 4.6%

Rogue asteroids have been detected heading toward earth. You are the pilot of experimental spacecrafts to destroy the impending danger. Fight solo or up to 4 players. Outerspace is full of lethal rocks and strange creatures out to stop you. Don't let your planet down!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 42.2%, Arcade 16.4%, Top-Down 13.8%, Space 7.4%, 2D 6.6%

Experience Toaplan's arcade shooter Flying Shark (AKA Sky Shark) on PC with the latest quality-of-life features. Ride through the skies as they burn in a rain of armor-piercing bullets! You have been chosen for the mission. Because you are the best pilot there is!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 47.2%, Arcade 24.3%, Action 10.6%, Score Attack 9.1%, 2D 8.4%

Artificial intelligence threatens the galaxy. Buckle up and fight computing power with the only power that counts: FIREPOWER! Experience Toaplan's brain-melting Slap Fight (AKA Alcon) with its gauge-based power-ups and strategic gameplay. Now on PC with the latest features!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 46.6%, Arcade 24.1%, Action 10.7%, Score Attack 9.6%, 2D 8.5%

The sequel to the speed-and-destruction shmup "Raging Blasters" is here! It's called "Raging Blasters 2." This is an arcade-style vertical scrolling shmup in which players control a fighter jet and battle various enemies in outer space.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 49.2%, Arcade 19.7%, 2D 8.1%, Score Attack 7.9%, Action 7.7%

Brought to you by the makers of GIGANTIC ARMY, Supercharged Robot VULKAISER, and SATAZIUS, WOLFLAME is a return to the form of glorious 2D vertical vertical shooters like Raiden, Raptor, and Twin Cobra.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 46.4%, Arcade 17.8%, Top-Down 10.8%, Pixel Graphics 6.5%, 2D 6%

PRISMIDIA: Spirit of the Rift is a sci-fi shoot 'em up game in the style of arcade classics. Dodge barrages of attacks, survive bullet hell bosses, and save Prismidia!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 36.1%, Arcade 14.3%, Female Protagonist 14.1%, Pixel Graphics 8.1%, Space 6.7%

You are valiant space hero who is not as fortunate as those in the golden age of scrolling shooters who had infinite ammo. Instead you must absorb your enemies' weapons and retaliate!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 42%, Arcade 16.1%, Space 12%, Top-Down 10.7%, 2D 6.2%

The first of its kind on Steam. A retro-style Touhou Project fangame with a modern feeling. Beat some sense into the great library in love!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 29.3%, LGBTQ+ 23.6%, Female Protagonist 17.2%, Arcade 9.2%, Top-Down 5.6%

The year is 2248. You play as Anthea, a pilot for the Spacing Guild. She's battling a pirate fleet. During the game, you'll need to destroy four leader ships.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 52.6%, Female Protagonist 15.2%, Arcade 13.9%, Space 6.9%, Action 5.7%

The feeling of 90's arcade shooter will come again !! Arcade-like side scroll shooter of 7 stages in all!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 60.9%, Action 10.6%, Pixel Graphics 10.2%, Arcade 9.5%, 2D 7.4%

BrAInstorm is a heavily stylised shoot-em-up/bullethell. dodge bullets and defeat waves of enemies while you travel through the mind to uncover the truth.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 41%, Arcade 20.8%, Top-Down 11.9%, Action 9.7%, Pixel Graphics 8.2%

Create your own bosses to battle in this arcade action and adventure. Yep, there is a story as well as pure action modes for those who want to blast things. Explore worlds while you upgrade your tech and improve your base. Make new friends, adopt pets and even fly a kite.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 48%, Arcade 16.7%, Cute 10.2%, Action 9.5%, 2D 7.5%

Orchid Glitter is late 2000s style 2d shmups. This isn't just a bullet-hell shooter where you dodge bullets. The game design also includes features like eliminating bullets with charge attacks, and earning points and resources by taking dangerous actions.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 42.1%, Arcade 10.7%, Score Attack 8.6%, Top-Down 8.1%, Female Protagonist 7.9%

First instalment in the series of 2D action side-scrollers, taking place in very distant galaxy and not so distant future. Gameplay main hallmarks are fast-paced laser guns shootouts, punch 'n' kick combats, managing obby-like obstacles, using wits in overcoming deadly traps and witty dialogues.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 36.8%, Arcade 19.5%, Female Protagonist 16.1%, Action 9.3%, 2D 7.3%

Introducing FixEight, Toaplan's thrilling vertical run-and-gun game featuring eight peerless warriors with cutting-edge weapons. Embark on an exhilarating cosmic escapade with up to three players at once. Now on PC with modern extras!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 46.4%, Arcade 21.1%, 2D 8.6%, Score Attack 8.4%, Pixel Graphics 6.2%

Barback is a 1980s arcade action run and gun game.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 48%, Arcade 24.5%, Action 11.9%, 2D 8.9%, Old School 5.7%

I just think that top down shooters are neat. It's a pretty zen time. A podcast game.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 34.6%, LGBTQ+ 22%, Top-Down 11.7%, Female Protagonist 10.6%, Cute 9.1%

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 38.7%, Female Protagonist 16.5%, Arcade 14.5%, Procedural Generation 10.2%, Action 8.7%

Devour the swarm. In this vivid arcade torch 'em up, you play as a dragon growing its tail to expand its firepower. Dodge bullet-hell patterns, wield elemental magic, and slay massive mythic bosses!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 40%, Arcade 15.5%, Top-Down 14.2%, Score Attack 8.4%, Space 7.1%

Step into the shoes of Corelatine Rangers Ralph and Brad, as they steer their way through Asteroid Fields and Monsters a-plenty, to arrest Dr. Jillkoy - A menace known for his deadly atrocities towards intergalactic citizens. Do you have what it takes to see him behind bars?

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 39.1%, Arcade 19.6%, Top-Down 15.5%, Space 9%, Action 8.8%

Shoot for the stars and help Latte train in her quest to become the top cheerleader in the universe! Use your Pom-Pom Blasts to pummel the competition while dancing through a downpour of endlessly raining enemy bullets! Ready? Aim. Fire!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 31%, Female Protagonist 14.6%, Arcade 13.7%, Top-Down 9.3%, Score Attack 7.6%

A fast paced shoot-em-up featuring modern military aircraft. Choose one of the eight fighter aircraft and take the battle to the skies throughout nine action-packed stages each with their own end-level special boss.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 74.6%, Arcade 17.5%, Action 6.9%, Indie 1%

The Touhou fangame where you return balance to the world by breaking the scale. Dodge storms of bullets as you work to discover the source of the abnormality. Tired of playing by the rules? Then change the game - up the risk and reward. Break the balance and embrace Discord.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 38.8%, Arcade 15.8%, Female Protagonist 13.3%, Multiple Endings 9.6%, Score Attack 7.9%

You are Vakimoh. They are the Venkazoids. Fight for your life in this quick and brutal arcade-style shooter. Can you escape your cage?

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 47.9%, Arcade 20%, Score Attack 11.3%, Pixel Graphics 8.7%, Action 7.9%

High Tension Fever Shooting Game!!!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 50.7%, Female Protagonist 14.7%, Cute 14.4%, Action 10.8%, 2D 9.1%

A retro-arcade-inspired space shooter with tongue-in-cheek humor, a focus on exhilarating powerups, and score attack.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 32.1%, Arcade 15.6%, Top-Down 12.5%, Score Attack 11.1%, Cute 10.3%

Raging Blasters is a vertical scroll shmup featuring high speed scrolling and the exhilaration of destruction.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 39.8%, Female Protagonist 18.8%, Score Attack 10.2%, Arcade 8.7%, Pixel Graphics 7.6%

Invaders from the Lost Sectors is classic arcade action. Aliens descend with increasing speed towards your base. Shoot them all before they land. Player controlled settings like guided missiles, rate of fire, enemy speed and more help you customize exactly the game experience that you want.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 42.3%, Arcade 18.6%, Space 9.2%, 2D 7.8%, Score Attack 7.7%

A synthetic race has come to your planet to steal your technology, And you have to fight them off. Fight off the Tecroroid invasion as they sent wave after wave of enemies to the planet.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 52.9%, Arcade 23.8%, 2D 9.6%, Action 7.6%, Pixel Graphics 4.6%

Carve the path to victory with kamikaze attacks! Blow away enemies with outlandish weapons, then become your own projectile and take the rest out in a blaze of explosive glory! A self destructive shmup where you devastate everything in your wake. "Squadron, charge~!"

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 38.5%, Female Protagonist 15%, Arcade 13.5%, Cute 10.7%, Multiple Endings 6.4%

You play as a young boy who dreams of being a famous astronaut who discovers alien worlds and life. One hot summer day, you fall asleep and into a terrifying dream made up of your worst childhood fears. Can you survive this nightmare of asteroids, space spiders, deadly skulls & more?

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 41%, Arcade 20.1%, Space 10.2%, Pixel Graphics 8.8%, 2D 8%

Catch hearts, Crush bunnies, Shoot the bad guys

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 43.7%, Arcade 20.5%, Cute 13%, Pixel Graphics 11.9%, Action 9.6%

In this arcade style shoot em up that lets you earn more punishing difficulties, you are Sylvester, a hero pilot in his glory days turned space janitor on a space station. After an attack on said post, it is up to him to retrieve the fabled Fang Shards. Turn your Beast Mode on, you're going to need it.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 53.1%, Arcade 22.8%, Action 12.4%, 2D 9.9%, Indie 1.7%