Games Like Just Shapes & Beats

A musical bullet-hell where all things beautiful are deadly. Dodge well little nanobot, you don't have much time.

Why similar: Rhythm 23.9%, Music 22.9%, Bullet Hell 12.1%, Difficult 10.2%, 4 Player Local 6%

Why You'll Like It: It’s the closest match on Steam: a music-synced pattern-dodging game built around surviving songs as bullet-hell obstacle courses.

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: Rhythm 30.3%, Music 29.9%, Bullet Hell 16.1%, Difficult 11.3%, Fast-Paced 5%

Why You'll Like It: Like Just Shapes & Beats at its purest, it turns tracks into dense dodge patterns where movement and music are inseparable.

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: Rhythm 38.1%, Bullet Hell 29.9%, Great Soundtrack 26.3%, Indie 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: This is another neon-heavy rhythm bullet-hell that captures the same soundtrack-driven chaos and reflex focus.

Jump and fly your way through danger in this rhythm-based action platformer!

Why similar: Rhythm 28.1%, Music 27.9%, Great Soundtrack 20.8%, Difficult 16.9%, 2D 2.6%

Why You'll Like It: It delivers the same neon minimalism, soundtrack-led challenge, and die-retry mastery loop, just through platforming instead of free movement.

An UNCONVENTIONAL ADVENTURE RPG that takes place in an inexpressible world filled with amusing musical battles and strange delightful encounters. To put it simply: You are in for a ride.🍄

Why similar: Music 30.2%, Great Soundtrack 26%, Rhythm 22.2%, Bullet Hell 13.1%, 2D 2.3%

Why You'll Like It: Its combat is essentially musical bullet-dodging, making it one of the best alternatives if your favorite part was weaving through attacks to the beat.

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

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 29.1%, Difficult 24.4%, Rhythm 23.3%, Music 10.1%, Fast-Paced 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: A brutally hard abstract dodger with a pounding soundtrack and hypnotic flow that feels very close to Just Shapes & Beats’ intensity.

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: Rhythm 34.3%, Music 22.7%, Difficult 14.6%, Great Soundtrack 10.1%, Multiplayer 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its circular playfield and music-tied evasive gameplay make it feel like a stripped-down cousin to Just Shapes & Beats.

64.0 is a minimal fast-paced arcade game, where you shoot the squares that have the same color as the background.

Why similar: Rhythm 34.4%, Great Soundtrack 22.3%, Difficult 20.8%, Fast-Paced 7.7%, Music 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: This is a compact, rhythm-infused geometric survival game that nails the same fast, trance-like dodge-until-you-break rhythm.

The NecroDancer's back in an all-new rhythm game! Dragged into a strange new world, Cadence must engage in musical combat with monsters surging through the Rift! Face pulse-pounding Rhythm Rifts where every beat is a battle, all set to an original soundtrack by Danny Baranowsky & friends.

Why similar: Rhythm 59.2%, Music 19.5%, Great Soundtrack 9.7%, Difficult 7.6%, 2D 1%

Why You'll Like It: Though more lane-based, it shares the same hard, music-first reflex challenge and polished rhythm-action feel.

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: Music 33%, Rhythm 26.6%, Bullet Hell 18.9%, Difficult 15.6%, 2D 2.5%

Why You'll Like It: It mixes music-forward pacing with dense bullet-hell pressure, creating a very similar arcade rush.

A Dance of Fire and Ice is a strict rhythm game. Keep your focus as you guide two orbiting planets along a winding path without breaking their perfect equilibrium.

Why similar: Rhythm 37%, Music 27.6%, Great Soundtrack 11.8%, Difficult 11%, Co-op 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: Another unforgiving rhythm game where learning the structure of a song is the key to survival.

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: Rhythm 38.8%, Music 37.1%, Great Soundtrack 18.1%, Action 3%, Indie 3%

Why You'll Like It: Built around flying, dodging, and locking into the soundtrack, it captures a similar audiovisual momentum even from a different perspective.

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: Rhythm 40.6%, Music 21.6%, Great Soundtrack 18.1%, Difficult 10.6%, Fast-Paced 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: It’s less bullet-hell, but the oppressive rhythm-action, audiovisual punch, and relentless precision make it a natural fit.

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: Rhythm 39.8%, Music 33.1%, Bullet Hell 16.6%, Co-op 3.7%, 2D 2.2%

Why You'll Like It: If you want more music-powered arcade chaos, this turns every song into a neon projectile storm you have to read and survive.

Enter the Rhythm Dimension. A homage to classic arcade rhythm games (Guitar Hero, DDR), with a modern aesthetic and soundtrack. Match colours and beats, spin, tap, flick and flow through the juiciest beats in the universe. Supports multiple control styles including MIDI DJ gear on Steam!

Why similar: Rhythm 37%, Music 31.3%, Difficult 12.1%, Fast-Paced 7.7%, Multiplayer 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: It leans more toward pure rhythm play, but its speed, polish, and soundtrack focus make it a strong adjacent pick.

Save patients with your rhythm mastery! Rhythm Doctor is a rhythm game where you heal patients by defibrillating in time to their heartbeats. Learn each patient's unique heartbeat and defeat boss viruses trying to sabotage your rhythm, all set to heart-pumping, soul-soothing music.

Why similar: Rhythm 35.2%, Music 31.4%, Local Co-Op 7.7%, Local Multiplayer 7.2%, Co-op 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: Mechanically different, but it offers the same feeling of hard-earned musical precision and memorable soundtrack-driven challenge.

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: Rhythm 37%, Music 32.8%, Bullet Hell 18.5%, Co-op 2.3%, 2D 2.3%

Why You'll Like It: The original still delivers strong soundtrack-to-battlefield translation and a similar sensory overload of music and danger.

Crypt of the NecroDancer is an award winning hardcore roguelike rhythm game. Move to the music and deliver beatdowns to the beat! Groove to the epic Danny Baranowsky soundtrack, or select songs from your own MP3 collection!

Why similar: Rhythm 43.3%, Great Soundtrack 23.6%, Music 15.7%, Difficult 9.3%, Local Co-Op 3.4%

Why You'll Like It: It swaps free dodging for grid movement, but the tension of executing under strict musical timing is very similar.

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: Rhythm 47.2%, Music 18.7%, Great Soundtrack 15%, Difficult 7.6%, Bullet Hell 4.4%

Why You'll Like It: This takes the rhythm-combat fusion into FPS form, preserving the same demand for musical timing under pressure.

Beat your best scores in Neon Beats, a 2D platformer game with rhythm based levels!

Why similar: Rhythm 38.5%, Music 31.1%, Great Soundtrack 20.2%, Difficult 5.8%, 2D 2.4%

Why You'll Like It: A short but stylish music-led challenge with clean visuals and flow that feels spiritually close to the seed game.

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 55.3%, Rhythm 29.9%, Bullet Hell 10.6%, Indie 2%, Action 1.8%

Why You'll Like It: This music-driven shooter transforms songs into enemy patterns and projectile chaos, emphasizing the same survive-the-track appeal.

Paradise of parkour & rhythm game ★★★ — Muse Dash!!

Why similar: Rhythm 39.8%, Music 39.6%, Great Soundtrack 12.2%, Difficult 4.3%, 2D 1.3%

Why You'll Like It: Fast, colorful, and soundtrack-heavy, it scratches a similar rhythm-action itch even with a more traditional lane format.

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: Bullet Hell 48%, Great Soundtrack 27.8%, 2D 7.8%, Colorful 5.2%, Action 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: Its abstract neon visuals and constant-movement arcade survival feel like a non-rhythm sibling to Just Shapes & Beats.

Start a rock band & end the EDM empire in NO STRAIGHT ROADS, a rockin' action-adventure that mashes together rhythm-infused third-person combat with a kick-ass soundtrack!

Why similar: Rhythm 46%, Music 37.7%, Local Co-Op 8.6%, Action 3.2%, Colorful 2.7%

Why You'll Like It: Its music-themed boss fights and action spectacle can hit a similar ‘battle the song’ vibe.

Intralism - fast and hard rhythm game. Listen to music and match arcs to the beat. Master all beatmaps or create your own and challenge friends in the online multiplayer. But remember: wrong button - failed try.

Why similar: Music 48.8%, Rhythm 34.1%, Difficult 7.4%, Fast-Paced 4.6%, Multiplayer 3.3%

Why You'll Like It: Its minimalist style, hard custom-level focus, and pattern-reading challenge line up well with Just Shapes & Beats’ appeal.

Explore a neon galaxy in your very own battleship in this 1- to 4-player couch co-op adventure.

Why similar: Local Co-Op 23.6%, 4 Player Local 19.5%, Local Multiplayer 16.7%, Co-op 14.8%, Multiplayer 13.5%

Why You'll Like It: It’s the best match for Just Shapes & Beats’ co-op neon-chaos side, emphasizing teamwork amid overwhelming hazards.

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: Rhythm 55.8%, Music 23.8%, Great Soundtrack 8.8%, Difficult 3%, Indie 2.4%

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: Bullet Hell 26.8%, Difficult 21%, 4 Player Local 11.2%, Fast-Paced 8.6%, Local Co-Op 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: If the co-op chaos matters most, this delivers bright arcade action and constant projectile dodging with great local multiplayer energy.

Ratatan is a rhythm roguelike action game that combines rhythm games and side-scrolling action, with online co-op gameplay supporting up to 4 players. An intense battle unfolds with over 100 characters fighting in a massive melee. Let's defeat the enemies together!

Why similar: Music 38.2%, Rhythm 34.8%, Co-op 6.9%, Multiplayer 6.4%, Online Co-Op 6%

The jailer is the key, kill him and you’ll be free. Fight your way free in this ultra-responsive, fast-paced sword-fighting and dual-stick shooting game.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 30.8%, Bullet Hell 25.3%, Difficult 21.3%, Fast-Paced 13.3%, Story Rich 3.1%

Why You'll Like It: A stylish boss-rush game with heavy bullet-hell dodging and a killer electronic soundtrack that matches the same high-pressure mood.

Build a powerful deck, cast spells on the fly, battle evolving enemies, find game-changing artifacts, make friends or make enemies, just make it to Eden.

Why similar: Difficult 39.3%, Bullet Hell 35.3%, Local Co-Op 11.5%, Action 4.7%, 2D 4%

Why You'll Like It: The frantic screen-reading, split-second movement, and overwhelming attack patterns create a similarly intense skill ceiling.

Help her heart battle tough bosses in this Boss Rush, Bullet-hell with rogue-like elements. Fight through several randomly chosen boss battles leading up to a final battle. Each defeated monster will give her random gifts that power up her heart. Don't let her heart break!

Why similar: Bullet Hell 43%, Great Soundtrack 30.7%, Difficult 14.2%, Indie 4.1%, Action 3.2%

Why You'll Like It: A superb dodge-focused boss bullet-hell that echoes Just Shapes & Beats’ pattern-reading challenge even without the rhythm layer.

THE BEAT REVOLVES AROUND YOU in Beatblock, the headspinning rhythm-action game! Move your paddle and block to the beat in simple yet deviously bombastic levels, each complete with their own unique theming and visuals.

Why similar: Rhythm 40.9%, Music 36%, Difficult 15.5%, 2D 3.1%, Action 1.9%

Cuphead is a classic run and gun action game heavily focused on boss battles. Inspired by cartoons of the 1930s, the visuals and audio are painstakingly created with the same techniques of the era, i.e. traditional hand drawn cel animation, watercolor backgrounds, and original jazz recordings.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 26.2%, Difficult 25.9%, Bullet Hell 13.1%, Co-op 9.4%, Local Co-Op 9.1%

It’s Super Crazy Rhythm Castle, the chaotic rhythm adventure! A puzzling co-op mashup unlike anything you've ever heard. Solo, or with a band of up to three friends … … Can you conquer the castle?

Why similar: Rhythm 34.5%, Music 31.5%, Local Co-Op 7.8%, Co-op 7.3%, Multiplayer 6.6%

Move or Die is an absurdly fast-paced 4-player local and online party game where the mechanics change every 20 seconds! It's THE friendship-ruining game.

Why similar: Multiplayer 21.1%, Local Multiplayer 14.4%, Fast-Paced 12.7%, 4 Player Local 11.9%, Great Soundtrack 10.2%

Beat Saber is a VR rhythm game where you slash the beats of adrenaline-pumping music as they fly towards you, surrounded by a futuristic world.

Why similar: Rhythm 34.9%, Music 29.9%, Great Soundtrack 13.4%, Difficult 8.8%, Fast-Paced 5.9%

Ride your music in more ways than ever before. Audiosurf 2 is the music game for your entire music collection. Hundreds of mods/skins on Workshop. Free demo available.

Why similar: Music 51.3%, Rhythm 34.6%, Great Soundtrack 5.2%, Local Multiplayer 2.4%, Local Co-Op 1.5%

Soar through vocal melodies, sweep each fade and attack every beat in 25 of AVICII’s biggest hits, in this enthralling futuristic rhythm-action experience – AVICII Invector.

Why similar: Rhythm 42.9%, Music 42.4%, Indie 7%, Multiplayer 4.2%, Local Multiplayer 3.5%

Pizza Tower is a fast paced 2D platformer, with an emphasis on movement, exploration and score attack. Featuring highly stylized pixel art inspired by the cartoons from the '90s, and a highly energetic soundtrack.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 52.9%, Fast-Paced 18.5%, Difficult 13.1%, 2D 3.6%, Indie 3.3%

DJMAX RESPECT V is the latest installment from the creators of the critically acclaimed rhythm game franchise ‘DJMAX.’ Experience tracks from popular artists such as Marshmello, Porter Robinson, and Yukika, exclusive Full HD Music Videos, online multiplayer, new game modes, and more!

Why similar: Rhythm 48%, Music 32.2%, Difficult 9.9%, Multiplayer 5.5%, 2D 2.1%

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: Rhythm 33.3%, Music 31%, Multiplayer 6.9%, Local Multiplayer 6.8%, Local Co-Op 6.6%

Bits & Bops is a collection of original rhythm mini-games! Filled with catchy music, snappy gameplay and gorgeous, hand-drawn animation, Bits & Bops is sure to brighten your day.

Why similar: Rhythm 49.2%, Music 41.7%, 2D 2.8%, Action 2.4%, Colorful 1.9%

Banging beats and mad style, Lethal League Blaze is the most intense ball game you can play online with up to 4 players.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 45.9%, Fast-Paced 15.1%, Local Multiplayer 11.7%, Multiplayer 7.6%, 4 Player Local 6.1%

Riding the rhythmic rails of success from smart phone, into the arcades, now GROOVE COASTER arrives on Steam! Are you ready to ride a roller coaster of sound and light through a universe of music?

Why similar: Rhythm 44.3%, Music 35.7%, Great Soundtrack 13%, Difficult 3.6%, Action 3%

Soundfall is a dungeon crawler that combines looter-shooter action with rhythm-based gameplay. Venture out solo or with up to 4 friends locally or online. Collect loot and time your actions to the beat to become all powerful. Play the Campaign Mode, Free Play 100's of songs or import your own music!

Why similar: Rhythm 45.1%, Music 35%, Multiplayer 9.5%, Online Co-Op 8.5%, Action 1.9%

Let the music move you in Synth Riders, a dance-action VR rhythm game with custom song support and a thriving multiplayer community!

Why similar: Rhythm 38.1%, Music 33.8%, Fast-Paced 7.7%, Multiplayer 7.3%, Great Soundtrack 5.5%

A Rhythm Role-Playing Game! Fight party crashing monsters with the power of music! Level your party and upgrade your gear while dancing to the beat of some groovin' tunes. Grab a friend and combine forces in all game modes in The Metronomicon: Slay the Dance Floor!

Why similar: Rhythm 35.5%, Music 31.4%, Fast-Paced 7.9%, Local Multiplayer 5.8%, Co-op 5.3%

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: Rhythm 39.7%, Music 34.7%, 4 Player Local 7.2%, Local Multiplayer 5.5%, Multiplayer 5%

Bullet Heaven 2 is a bullet-hell shoot-em-up inspired by games like Touhou and Jamestown. It's all about shooting every cute thing that moves, while dodging hundreds of shiny bullets per second!

Why similar: Bullet Hell 41.7%, Great Soundtrack 29.8%, Difficult 13.6%, Local Co-Op 5.7%, Action 3.7%

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: Rhythm 42%, Music 35.3%, Difficult 17.1%, Colorful 2.3%, Action 1.7%

Embark as a knight alone or with friends in an order chasing their potential. Experience a rhythm game with an original soundtrack, in-depth character customization, and a story following an ensemble cast in a tranquil hub world. What will you find at the peak of what you're chasing?

Why similar: Rhythm 42.3%, Music 35.4%, Multiplayer 8.2%, Co-op 3.9%, Online Co-Op 3.6%

What has 50 amazing chiptune tracks, a loony story mode, 32 different chicken types to fight, and takes you on a tour of all your favorite retro games? It's Old School Musical! Tib and Rob are the heroes of a wacky adventure that will teach them where all of the bugs in our favorite games come from.

Why similar: Rhythm 45.8%, Music 21.8%, Great Soundtrack 12.5%, Difficult 8%, Local Multiplayer 3.6%

From gameplay to visuals to music and imagination, BIT.TRIP BEAT is inspired by classic games in every way. Get sucked into a whole new world of sight and sound as you juggle beats and ride the vibe in this modern look at the beginning of it all. BIT.

Why similar: Rhythm 41.8%, Music 32%, Great Soundtrack 13%, Difficult 7.6%, Indie 2.3%

Dive into the parallel story to UNDERTALE! Fight or spare your way through action-packed battles as you explore a mysterious world alongside an endearing cast of new and familiar characters. Chapters 1-4 will be available on launch, with more planned as free updates!

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 42%, Music 24.8%, Bullet Hell 21.6%, Story Rich 4%, 2D 3.4%

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: Rhythm 40.1%, Music 30.6%, Bullet Hell 20.9%, 2D 3.5%, Action 2.2%

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: Music 28.1%, Rhythm 24.1%, Great Soundtrack 19.6%, Difficult 15.4%, Indie 3.5%

It's One Button Bosses, it's all in the name. You have one button. There are big bosses to beat. Push, tap, and bash in the handcrafted campaign or in the roguelike rifts.

Why similar: Rhythm 30.1%, Music 27.8%, Difficult 14.6%, Bullet Hell 13.7%, Fast-Paced 6.7%

Inspired by “shmups” and shadows, Shmadow is a modern twin-stick side-scroller that nods to retro arcade gameplay. Use your light to blast through your enemies, unlock new powers, and defeat bosses before the darkness extinguishes you.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 27.9%, Bullet Hell 26.6%, Difficult 16.8%, Co-op 8.7%, 4 Player Local 7.8%

Can you beat the beat? Journey as a green LED mysteriously trapped inside a dying boombox and play the ultimate musical experience. In this rhythmic platform adventure where your every action needs to be right on the beat, bring electro, dub and disco music back to life!

Why similar: Music 35%, Rhythm 33.9%, Great Soundtrack 23.9%, Action 2.9%, Indie 2.7%