Games Like Shadowgrounds

Surviving is only half the game. The award-winning atmosphere and gameplay mechanics of the original Shadowgrounds make a triumphant return in this spin off/sequel armed with a slick new feature set! Shadowgrounds Survivor tells the story of the last remaining humans on Jupiter's moon Ganymede, where the alien onslaught is in full force.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 17.7%, Aliens 16.8%, Twin Stick Shooter 13.1%, Isometric 11.4%, Sci-fi 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: This direct sequel expands on the original's mechanics with new playable characters and deeper weapon customization.

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: Aliens 24.4%, Isometric 12.1%, Sci-fi 12%, Shooter 10.5%, Top-Down 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a very similar atmospheric, sci-fi horror experience with a heavy focus on claustrophobic top-down combat against alien swarms.

Can you survive the alien onslaught? Gamers across the world will now have a chance to play the next chapter in this high-budget, high-quality series.

Why similar: Aliens 22.2%, Isometric 13.3%, Top-Down Shooter 12%, Shooter 11.5%, Action 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: This sequel continues the intense, tactical top-down shooter gameplay of the first game with improved environments and enemy variety.

In this 2-player twin-stick shooter, use a friendly drone for a game-changing abilities. Survive waves, upgrade, and uncover the mystery in this cooperative, action-packed experience.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 20.5%, Twin Stick Shooter 17%, Aliens 16.7%, Isometric 10.4%, Local Co-Op 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: This game perfectly captures the sci-fi horror aesthetic of Shadowgrounds while adding tactical drone mechanics to the top-down combat.

This is the unique alloy of arcade action and RPG elements which combines well-established world of classical games and unmatched dynamics of the first part.

Why similar: Aliens 29.9%, Isometric 13.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 10.7%, Gore 10%, Sci-fi 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: A classic top-down shooter that shares the same 'horde-clearing' DNA and gore-filled action as Shadowgrounds.

Experience the final explosive chapter in the Alien Breed series and uncover the horrifying truth surrounding the existence of the Breed. Launch discount good thru Nov. 24 10am PST.

Why similar: Aliens 20%, Top-Down Shooter 16.1%, Isometric 13.3%, Twin Stick Shooter 13.3%, Sci-fi 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: The final chapter of the trilogy provides the same high-stakes, sci-fi action and corridor-clearing gameplay found in the original Shadowgrounds.

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 Shooter 21.2%, Twin Stick Shooter 16.2%, Gore 12.7%, Shooter 9.9%, Local Co-Op 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: A pure, arcade-style top-down shooter that focuses on surviving massive waves of enemies with an extensive perk and weapon system.

Co-operative top-down shooter game available for free. An epic bug hunt featuring a unique blend of co-op play and squad-level tactics.

Why similar: Aliens 21.1%, Top-Down Shooter 20.6%, Twin Stick Shooter 18.1%, Sci-fi 9.6%, Shooter 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: This tactical, class-based top-down shooter is a masterclass in cooperative alien-slaying and atmospheric tension.

The Ascent is a solo and co-op Action-shooter RPG set in a cyberpunk world. The mega corporation that owns you and everyone, The Ascent Group, has just collapsed. Can you survive without it?

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 32%, Twin Stick Shooter 15.2%, Isometric 12.6%, Shooter 9.8%, Gore 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: While more RPG-focused, it delivers a high-fidelity, top-down sci-fi experience with incredibly satisfying weapon feedback and environmental destruction.

HELLDIVERS™ is a hardcore, cooperative, twin stick shooter. As part of the elite unit called the HELLDIVERS, players must work together to protect SUPER EARTH and defeat the enemies of mankind in an intense intergalactic war.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 27.1%, Twin Stick Shooter 21.8%, Local Co-Op 11.9%, Co-op 9.3%, Sci-fi 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: A quintessential top-down sci-fi shooter that emphasizes squad-based tactics and intense combat against waves of alien enemies.

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 Shooter 25%, Twin Stick Shooter 23.7%, Local Co-Op 10.7%, Sci-fi 10%, Gore 9%

Why You'll Like It: This cyberpunk-themed shooter offers destructible environments and a satisfying progression system that feels right at home for fans of top-down action.

Xeno Crisis is an arena shooter in which up to two players take control of battle-hardened marines embarking on a deadly mission to confront an alien menace! Run and gun your way through thousands of adversaries, searching for survivors, and ultimately facing the origin of the outpost's demise.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 21.7%, Aliens 20.2%, Twin Stick Shooter 18.1%, Sci-fi 6.8%, Shooter 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: A challenging, retro-inspired top-down shooter that focuses on tight movement and intense combat against alien threats.

From Space is a solo and co-op action-shooter for squads up to four players. Take on the challenge of liberating the earth from an alien infestation with your friends, using over-the-top weaponry in a post-apocalyptic world with awesomely stylized graphics. The apocalypse has never been so much fun!

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 27%, Twin Stick Shooter 22.5%, Sci-fi 10.7%, Top-Down 9.8%, Shooter 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: A vibrant, co-op-focused top-down shooter that tasks players with defending humanity against an alien invasion.

SYNTHETIK is an unforgiving tactical shooter rogue-lite where freedom and experimentation is key. Fight in a world overrun by the Machine Legion and their Gods. Experience the next level in gun-play and dive into unparalleled build options and Android upgrades. Can you defeat the Heart of Armageddon?

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 46.3%, Twin Stick Shooter 15.6%, Isometric 9.9%, Shooter 7.1%, Action 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: This game features deep weapon mechanics and a challenging, tactical approach to top-down shooting that rewards precision and planning.

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: Top-Down Shooter 29.5%, Twin Stick Shooter 15%, Local Co-Op 10.6%, Sci-fi 9.5%, Shooter 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: It offers frantic, high-intensity top-down shooting with a unique weapon upgrade system and massive enemy counts.

It came from space and ate our brains is a unique Arcade top-down shooter. Looking for addicting gameplay, four-player co-op mode, and tons of aliens to send into oblivion? You’ve come to the right place!

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 21.6%, Aliens 20.4%, Twin Stick Shooter 18.3%, Isometric 11.6%, Local Co-Op 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: It utilizes light and shadow mechanics in a top-down perspective, mirroring the atmospheric tension found in Shadowgrounds.

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: Top-Down Shooter 33.5%, Twin Stick Shooter 16.9%, Gore 12.1%, Local Co-Op 8.8%, Action 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: This game provides a relentless, fast-paced shooting experience with a heavy emphasis on gore and survival against overwhelming odds.

Sequel to the best-seller ​The Red Solstice​. Plan your strategy and infiltrate a real-time tactical battlefield - alone or with up to 7 squad members. Can you demonstrate the combat prowess to survive and secure a future for humanity?

Why similar: Aliens 40.3%, Top-Down Shooter 23.9%, Sci-fi 19.9%, Co-op 9.1%, Multiplayer 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: It blends tactical squad management with intense, real-time top-down combat in a gritty sci-fi setting.

Serious Sam’s Bogus Detour is an all-new action-adventure in the legendary Serious Sam saga from Hammerwatch developer Crackshell.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 35%, Gore 19.2%, Twin Stick Shooter 18.1%, Action 11.6%, Co-op 9%

Why You'll Like It: This title brings the chaotic, high-energy arcade shooting of the Serious Sam series into a top-down isometric format.

RUINER is a brutal action shooter set in the year 2091 in the cyber metropolis Rengkok. A wired psychopath lashes out against a corrupt system to uncover the truth and retrieve his kidnapped brother under the guidance of a secretive hacker friend.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 28.4%, Twin Stick Shooter 19.5%, Gore 12.6%, Isometric 12.3%, Sci-fi 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: An intense, fast-paced top-down shooter set in a dark, cyberpunk world that matches the visceral combat feel of Shadowgrounds.

Crowds of blood-thirsty monsters, crawling from every corner of the secret research base. Gloomy basements and modern labs, darkness changing into blazing bulbs. The only usual thing is: you're in a bad place alone, and there's no one to help you!

Why similar: Gore 22.5%, Aliens 17.9%, Top-Down Shooter 17%, Isometric 14.9%, Shooter 13.9%

Why You'll Like It: A modernized take on the classic top-down alien shooter that prioritizes raw action and weapon variety.

Brutal fast-paced isometric Co-op Loot Shooter in Cyberpunk world. Equipment-based combos. Exotic Weapons and Armor. Easy to start, hard to master. Play solo or with friends.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 25.7%, Twin Stick Shooter 22.1%, Isometric 16.9%, Top-Down 9.8%, PvE 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: A top-down shooter that emphasizes character progression and tactical combat in a futuristic, sci-fi setting.

A modern take on the classic arcade arena shooter. Taking inspiration from an entire generation of action games, Iron Fisticle builds on classic titles like Gauntlet and Robotron while adding over 100 collectible items, an RPG style upgrade system and local multiplayer.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 26.5%, Twin Stick Shooter 25.2%, Local Co-Op 15.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 12.8%, Top-Down 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: It combines retro-style top-down shooting with modern weapon upgrades and a focus on replayability.

#KILLALLZOMBIES is an insane twin-stick zombie shooter with Twitch streaming interactions, where you survive hordes of zombies on a dynamically changing arena and spectators may affect gameplay via special Twitch chat commands.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 23.3%, Top-Down Shooter 23%, Shoot 'Em Up 11.3%, Local Co-Op 9.5%, Shooter 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: An arena-based top-down shooter that focuses on crowd control and strategic movement to survive endless waves.

Dish out carnage of hellish proportions in Gunnheim, a top-down co-op shooter where the equation is simple: Vikings + Guns = Mayhem!

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 20.1%, Top-Down Shooter 15.4%, Gore 15.1%, Isometric 9.2%, Local Co-Op 7.1%

Why You'll Like It: A violent, co-op-focused top-down shooter that emphasizes fast movement and heavy weaponry.

Enter the AI universe and fight evil AIs with a variety of weapons and modifications. AIPD is a top-down coop twin-stick shooter where you can enjoy thousands of possible combinations of enemy and arena permutations that give you an unprecedented and nearly unlimited arcade experience.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 33.8%, Twin Stick Shooter 32%, Local Co-Op 17.9%, Action 11.2%, Indie 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: This neon-drenched top-down shooter offers arcade-style action with a focus on high-speed combat and enemy variety.

Unravel a thrilling sci-fi mystery in this action-packed twin-stick roguelite shooter. Select your load-out, stack up temporary and persistent upgrades, and delve into the depths of a subterranean base, either alone or in a group of up to 3 players.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 22.2%, Twin Stick Shooter 18.9%, Isometric 12.5%, Shooter 8.3%, Dark 8%

Isometric action shooter with light RPG elements. Brutally kill tons of alien monsters, find over a dozen powerful weapons, skill up your hero & stop the blood thirsty invaders in a classic handcrafted campaign. Never ending waves await you in horde-mode!

Why similar: Aliens 21.4%, Isometric 14.3%, Top-Down Shooter 13.8%, Gore 10.4%, Sci-fi 9.3%

Loplight is a twin-stick shooter taking inspirations from Hermetic lore and old alchemical concepts. Explore the ruins of this world, find out who's responsible, and defeat the monstrous creatures blocking your path.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 38.3%, Twin Stick Shooter 29.9%, Shooter 12.1%, Gore 9.4%, Action 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: A story-driven top-down shooter that focuses on atmosphere and tactical positioning during intense combat encounters.

Blast your way through waves of alien invaders in this retro style shooter with modern visuals. Collect power ups, destroy the enemy ships and defeat the mega bosses in 12 action packed levels. On your own or with a friend in local co-op mode.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 21.8%, Aliens 17.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 12.3%, Local Co-Op 10.8%, Shooter 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, arcade-style shooter that provides quick, explosive combat sequences similar to the pacing of Shadowgrounds.

Classic Asteroids® updated with modern gameplay and perfected controls. Explore hazardous environments and sneak around asteroids to surprise attack giant bosses. Upgrade your ship to use additional power-ups. Single player or fight with up to 3 friends with intense local coop.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 25%, Twin Stick Shooter 21.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 12.3%, Sci-fi 10.5%, Shooter 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: This game features physics-based movement and intense top-down shooting, offering a unique challenge for fans of the genre.

"Greedland” is a roguelike game mixed with survivor-like elements. It's reminiscent of Crimsonland and Vampire Survivors, and as the battle progresses your character will become a mobile arsenal of destruction!

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 19.6%, Top-Down Shooter 15.8%, Aliens 15%, Shoot 'Em Up 12%, Sci-fi 10%

Crush the forces of hell and get a high score in this addictive, action-packed, arcade-inspired twin-stick shooter!

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 30.8%, Twin Stick Shooter 26.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 15.1%, Shooter 10.6%, Top-Down 9.3%

Isometric. Massively Multiplayer. Capture The Flag. Skirmish. Bug Hunt. And more. Welcome to FreeInfantry - the world's first massive multiplayer online isometric shooter.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 20.9%, Aliens 19.3%, Twin Stick Shooter 17.3%, Isometric 13.2%, Shooter 8.3%

HELLFRONT is an intense top-down shooter. Conquer ground, build a base, and command your troops in battle! Play PvP or beat the campaign co-op or solo.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 23.4%, Aliens 19.1%, Twin Stick Shooter 14.7%, Sci-fi 11.1%, Local Co-Op 8%

The critically-acclaimed and award-winning FPS franchise is back! Packed with tons of fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled single player and multiplayer action, Painkiller Overdose brings with it 6 innovative new demonic weapons, mind-bending physics, lightning-player maps, over 40 demented and sickly-twisted monsters from Hell and gigantic end...

Why similar: Gore 44.8%, Action 19.6%, Shooter 17.2%, Horror 13%, Multiplayer 3.1%

Why You'll Like It: While a first-person shooter, it shares the same gritty, gore-filled, and fast-paced combat philosophy found in Shadowgrounds.

The endless darkness and the somber, long passages of a military complex have become the abode of evil, thousands of blood-thirsty creatures fill its offices, storehouses and mysterious laboratories. About 1,000 monsters on each map, showing up to 100 monsters simultaneously on one playing screen.

Why similar: Aliens 21.5%, Top-Down Shooter 16.2%, Gore 12.5%, Isometric 11.9%, Shooter 9.4%

Polygunners is a cross between a twin-stick shooter and an RPG. Upgrade abilities, explore dungeons and towns, and fight bosses to progress through the world. Playing with your friends with local co-op cranks the experience up to 11 for satisfying dynamic gameplay.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 42.2%, Local Co-Op 26.8%, Action 10.4%, Combat 8.5%, Top-Down 7.6%

Hack and slash? Check. Twin-stick-shooter? Check. 4 player coop to slay hordes of aliens & bosses with your friends? Check. Skills, upgrades, weapons, gears, talismans and more to make you stronger? Check. Wake up, bounty hunter. We have a mission for you. Time to clean up the scum of the galaxy.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 30.9%, Twin Stick Shooter 20%, Action 13.7%, Isometric 8.7%, Co-op 7.9%

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: Twin Stick Shooter 36%, Shoot 'Em Up 17.9%, Shooter 13.8%, Local Co-Op 10.1%, Co-op 9.6%

Blast through alien hordes as the finest cyborg mercenary in existence! To emerge victorious, you'll need to manage time and resources skillfully. Toaplan's run-and-gun smash-hit finally arrives on PC, reloaded with new features and quality-of-life extras!

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 27%, Aliens 21.4%, Shoot 'Em Up 12.9%, Local Co-Op 11.3%, Top-Down 8.8%

Tower 57 is a fast-paced neo-retro shooter where cooperation is as important as your ammo capacity. As a member of an extraordinary task force fight your way through a dieselpunk megatower and uncover its hidden secrets.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 34.5%, Action 22.5%, Twin Stick Shooter 21%, Local Co-Op 12.7%, Indie 9.3%

Unique fusion of a top-down shooter and tower defense strategy. You are the invader! Use destructive weapons or lead your enemies into a maze of towers. Strategize in the build mode by carefully selecting various types of alien towers or throw yourself right into the heat of the battle.

Why similar: Aliens 17.9%, Top-Down Shooter 16.8%, Twin Stick Shooter 14.8%, Isometric 10.3%, Sci-fi 8.8%

Halo: Spartan Assault brings the excitement of Halo combat to Steam for the very first time. Battle your way through 30 action-packed missions against the Covenant as you explore the origin of the Spartan Ops program featured in Halo 4. *DirectX feature level 10 required. *

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 34.5%, Twin Stick Shooter 16%, Sci-fi 14.2%, Top-Down 8.9%, Action 8.2%

A chaotic Roguelite Twin-Stick Shooter with a Base Defense Twist. With up to 4 players, explore, become stronger to defend your spaceship and leave this Frk*n planet!

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 25%, Twin Stick Shooter 20.3%, Isometric 15%, Local Co-Op 11%, Top-Down 7.9%

A twist at every turn! Explore a colorful shoot 'em up with varied and diverse gameplay beyond the familiar shooting and dodging. Every situation, every enemy, and every boss offers a different handcrafted experience.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 18.1%, Shoot 'Em Up 18%, Twin Stick Shooter 14.4%, Sci-fi 13.3%, Shooter 12.1%

Superfighters Deluxe is a unique action game that combines brawling, shooting and platforming in dynamic sandboxy 2D levels. Lots of weapons and fun gameplay systems interlock to create absurd action-movie chaos.

Why similar: Gore 36%, Local Co-Op 17.9%, Action 13.2%, Shooter 12.3%, Co-op 7.9%

Meltdown is a tactical arcade shooter featuring both singleplayer and intense online multiplayer. Become the most skilled soldier, choose your weapons, get the best upgrades, buckle up and start your mission. Be careful, each enemy has it’s own combat style, special AI and gear. Adapt to them to survive!

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 27.3%, Action 24.2%, Shooter 17.9%, Local Co-Op 16.6%, Indie 9.2%

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 40%, Local Co-Op 16.1%, Shooter 13.9%, Top-Down 9.8%, Action 9.2%

Woodpunk is an exhilarating roguelike bullet hell retro pixel art shooter in a medieval Woodpunk universe, where the primary energy resource is WOOD.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 24.9%, Twin Stick Shooter 23.2%, Local Co-Op 12%, Shoot 'Em Up 10.6%, Action 9%

BlastZone 2 is a fast paced side scrolling shooter that combines 2D and 3D gameplay elements with a shifting camera. Play solo or join up with a friend locally or online to battle the alien forces! There are many game modes, ship types, and difficulty levels, find your favorite combination!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 22.5%, Local Co-Op 20.5%, Shooter 14.1%, Sci-fi 12.5%, Top-Down 12%

Slay enemies with speed and precision in an over-the-top show of blood and explosions. Play solo or with others, make split-second decisions, dodge bullets, and use weapons and abilities to inflict violence in the most graphic way possible.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 31.2%, Twin Stick Shooter 25.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 14.3%, Shooter 10.9%, Top-Down 9.1%

Shoot, destroy, collect, craft and destroy even more! "Dark Gravity" is a fast-paced, low poly vertical shoot'em up game that features non-linear campaign mode with lots of enemies and bosses. Craft new weapons, upgrade your fighter and build an ultimate aerial war machine!

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 35.8%, Shooter 14.8%, Sci-fi 12.5%, Top-Down 12.3%, Local Co-Op 8.6%

Putrefaction is a First Person Shooter with horror elements, lots of enemies and weapons, heavily inspired by old-school shooter classics.

Why similar: Gore 27.8%, Horror 18.9%, Shooter 13.7%, Sci-fi 13.2%, Action 12.9%

Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter is a visually upgraded and fully Steam supported remake version of the original high-adrenaline single-play and 16-player co-operative arcade-action FPS which was Gamespot's Game of the Year 2001 and which scored overall of 87% on Metacritic!

Why similar: Gore 22.4%, Aliens 22.1%, Shooter 16.4%, Co-op 11.4%, Action 11.1%

Experience the addictive gameplay of old-school arcade favourites, updated and improved for the 21st century! Unique retro-futuristic sound and graphics, player responsive difficulty, and a subtle system of tactics combined with classic gameplay make Ultratron a fun and hypnotic arcade blast.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 35.5%, Local Co-Op 15%, Shoot 'Em Up 13.2%, Sci-fi 12.9%, Action 9.6%

The Great War has begun! The world population capable of functioning is mobilized to serve in the army and the outcome depends on you!

Why similar: Gore 26%, Top-Down Shooter 25.6%, Aliens 19.1%, Shooter 12.3%, Action 10.5%

Xenoraid is a vertically scrolling shoot'em up with procedurally driven missions and detailed shooting mechanics. Modern features such as real time fighter switching and squadron management make Xenoraid a fresh and thrilling shooter!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 18.4%, Sci-fi 17.5%, Top-Down Shooter 14.8%, Shooter 14.1%, Local Co-Op 13.9%

"Massive" is a stylized feast of frantic and action shooter for 1-4 players.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 22.8%, Top-Down Shooter 21.1%, Shooter 9.6%, Action 9.5%, Top-Down 8.1%