Games Like Zolg

Fly into a charming handcrafted world and go on an adventure that mixes up open exploration with crispy twin-stick shooter action. Fight your way from the shiny overworld to the deepest caves, improve your ship and overcome the dungeons' bosses to rescue your friends!

Why similar: Metroidvania 23.5%, Twin Stick Shooter 20.6%, Top-Down Shooter 12.3%, Nonlinear 7.2%, Minimalist 7%

Why You'll Like It: This game perfectly captures the blend of twin-stick shooting and metroidvania-style exploration found in Zolg.

Dungeon of Zolthan is a casual, arcade-style metroidvania platformer where your goal is to defeat Zolthan; a powerful mage that lives inside the dungeon. Using an array of powerups and your own wit and guile, guide your character through Zolthan's Dungeon!

Why similar: Metroidvania 41.1%, Minimalist 16.3%, Indie 7.7%, Action 7.5%, Retro 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: A direct match for the minimalist metroidvania and action-adventure tags found in the seed game.

Explore a beautiful, vast and ruined world riddled with dangers and lost technologies.

Why similar: Metroidvania 35.1%, Top-Down 13.8%, Exploration 11.7%, Adventure 10.5%, Action 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: It features a similar top-down perspective with a heavy focus on exploration, minimalist storytelling, and challenging combat.

Vzerthos is a 2D isometric old-school techno-fantasy styled Top-Down Shooter. Player's arsenal includes skills of the Thunder God's heir and three types of guns - use them to slice and dice, burn and blow up your enemies!

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 33.6%, Top-Down 14%, Action-Adventure 11.6%, Retro 11.1%, Exploration 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: A retro-styled top-down shooter that mirrors the action-heavy, exploration-focused gameplay of the seed game.

Master Key is a top-down adventure game with a strong focus on item-based exploration and secrets. Embark on a journey to discover what that key could be used for and meet colorful characters!

Why similar: Metroidvania 29.3%, Minimalist 15.8%, Nonlinear 9.2%, Top-Down 8.2%, Action-Adventure 8%

Why You'll Like It: This game focuses on minimalist, retro-inspired exploration and adventure in a 2D world.

A short 2D pixel-style metroidvania where you explore, fight bosses, aquire items and abilities and find secrets. Inspired by games such as You Have to Win the Game and VVVVVV.

Why similar: Metroidvania 43.5%, Nonlinear 17.6%, Exploration 8.9%, Retro 8.2%, Arcade 7.1%

Why You'll Like It: A nonlinear metroidvania that emphasizes exploration and adventure in a similar 2D format.

Paradox Soul is a chilling fight for exploration and survival; a Metroidvania pixel action-shooter hybrid!

Why similar: Metroidvania 52.1%, Shooter 9.7%, Exploration 7.8%, Adventure 7.6%, Action 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: This title offers a similar pixel-art aesthetic combined with metroidvania exploration and action-adventure elements.

Between our world and the world beyond lie the Titan Souls, the spiritual source of all living things. Scattered amongst the ruins and guarded by the idle titans charged with their care, a solitary hero armed with a single arrow is assembling shards of the Titan Soul in a quest for truth and power.

Why similar: Top-Down 22.3%, Adventure 12.8%, Action 12.3%, 2D 11.8%, Action-Adventure 11.8%

Why You'll Like It: Like Zolg, this game focuses heavily on boss encounters and minimalist design within a top-down perspective.

An indie story-driven space shooter with intense battles, escalating enemy waves, and massive boss fights. Choose and upgrade ships, unlock powerful weapons, and protect your allies. Upgrade your base and construct a battleship to take on even stronger enemies. All set to a rock & synth soundtrack.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 25.6%, Top-Down Shooter 21.8%, Action-Adventure 9.1%, Minimalist 8.5%, Top-Down 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: This title focuses on difficult top-down shooting and action-adventure elements in a similar style.

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: Twin Stick Shooter 39.7%, Top-Down Shooter 39.2%, Shooter 12.3%, Action 5.9%, Pixel Graphics 1.8%

Why You'll Like It: It shares the top-down twin-stick shooter mechanics and action-oriented gameplay of Zolg.

Reaping souls of the dead and punching a clock might get monotonous but it's honest work for a Crow. The job gets lively when your assigned soul is stolen and you must track down a desperate thief to a realm untouched by death - where creatures grow far past their expiry.

Why similar: Metroidvania 44%, Action-Adventure 22.8%, Exploration 13.6%, Action 9.1%, Adventure 9%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a polished top-down action-adventure experience with interconnected world design and satisfying combat.

Explore a land filled with lost legends, ancient powers, and ferocious monsters in TUNIC, an isometric action game about a small fox on a big adventure.

Why similar: Metroidvania 45.1%, Exploration 14.1%, Action-Adventure 14.1%, Nonlinear 12.5%, Top-Down 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: This game excels at the exploration and discovery aspects of the metroidvania genre from a top-down perspective.

Guns of Fury is a retro-inspired action platformer that combines the run & gun and Metroidvania genres. Explore a vast interconnected world, gain new abilities and weapons, battle epic bosses and stop the plans of an evil corporation before it’s too late!

Why similar: Metroidvania 44.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 13%, Shooter 12.4%, Retro 10.2%, Arcade 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: This game blends metroidvania exploration with shooter mechanics in a 2D environment.

In this twin stick roguelite shooter, you play as one of the galactic mercenaries, explore a mysterious scientific complex and uncover the secret of the REPLIKATOR project.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 31.2%, Top-Down Shooter 27%, Shoot 'Em Up 11.7%, Top-Down 9.2%, Shooter 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: A top-down shooter that emphasizes action and pixel-art visuals similar to Zolg.

A vividly animated action roguelite focused on boss hunting. Unleash an array of diverse weapons and powerups to combat the corruption of the Void.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 34.4%, Top-Down Shooter 26.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 12.4%, Action-Adventure 8%, Shooter 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: A twin-stick shooter that features chaotic top-down combat and exploration-based progression.

Trash Quest is a compact metroidvania with a single spawn point, run and gun action and tight platforming. Navigate an interwoven maze of rooms through this space station, destroying robots, collecting power ups and unlocking shortcuts.

Why similar: Metroidvania 50.7%, Minimalist 15.9%, Exploration 10.8%, Retro 9.7%, Action 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: It combines metroidvania exploration with precision platforming and bullet-hell shooting elements.

A retro-inspired 2D Action RPG set in the distant future. CrossCode combines 16-bit SNES-style graphics with butter-smooth physics, a fast-paced combat system, and engaging puzzle mechanics, served with a gripping sci-fi story.

Why similar: Action-Adventure 22.3%, 2D 17.7%, Retro 17.3%, Pixel Graphics 12.3%, Adventure 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: It features complex top-down exploration and metroidvania-style progression within a vibrant 2D world.

Toroom is a dungeon crawler roguelike-like top-down shooter, where the protagonist just wants to come back to his bedroom after waking up in a world of fantasy. Fight your way through multiple biomes, clear rooms full of enemies, get as much loot as possible and defeat the bosses in your way.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 30.6%, Twin Stick Shooter 22.4%, Shooter 13.8%, Top-Down 10.2%, 2D 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: This game offers challenging top-down action and roguelite elements that complement the seed game's feel.

Minit is a peculiar little adventure played sixty seconds at a time.

Why similar: Minimalist 55.2%, Adventure 10.3%, Retro 9%, 2D 6.7%, Pixel Graphics 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: A minimalist top-down adventure that prioritizes exploration and clever level design over complex mechanics.

Jett Rider is an arcade shooter packed with action, exploration, RPG elements, tons of humor and awesome bosses. Explore, fight, gain experience, purchase weapons in this exciting adventure.

Why similar: Action-Adventure 23.9%, Shooter 16.6%, Exploration 13.7%, Retro 10.2%, Arcade 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a mix of action-adventure and exploration that aligns well with the metroidvania tag.

Rush Rover is a 2D top-down shooter game. Compared to other similar games of the genre, the shooting experience is closer to traditional shoot'em up games. It includes random map generation, unique weapons, lots of different enemies, exciting boss battles and a dynamic chiptune soundtrack.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 30.4%, Top-Down Shooter 29.1%, Shooter 10.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 10.2%, 2D 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: A twin-stick shooter that focuses on fast-paced action and minimalist pixel-art visuals.

A physics-powered action roguelike. Grab asteroids, catch missiles, and hurl them back at swarming enemies. Build wild loadouts, defeat colossal bosses, and push deeper into a collapsing galaxy.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 34.8%, Top-Down Shooter 29.5%, Top-Down 11.9%, Shooter 10.7%, Exploration 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: A twin-stick shooter that incorporates physics-based combat and exploration in a top-down view.

Hotline Miami is a high-octane action game overflowing with raw brutality, hard-boiled gunplay and skull crushing close combat.

Why similar: Top-Down 26.2%, Top-Down Shooter 24.6%, Retro 13.7%, Action 11.1%, Shooter 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a fast-paced, top-down action experience that emphasizes precision and minimalist design.

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: Top-Down 39.5%, Shoot 'Em Up 37.9%, Action 12.9%, Singleplayer 6%, Indie 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: While more boss-focused, it captures the intense, high-stakes top-down combat found in Zolg's boss encounters.

Imagine if the original Zelda game was set in a science-fiction galaxy. Explore this open-world, action RPG with roguelike and metroidvania elements. Mighty bosses lurk deep within procedurally-generated dungeons. Wield, vanquish, unearth, collect, craft, progress, trip, adventure.

Why similar: Metroidvania 56.4%, Nonlinear 21.6%, Retro 11%, Action 4.9%, Pixel Graphics 3.4%

Why You'll Like It: This game offers top-down exploration and action-adventure gameplay with a focus on discovery.

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: Twin Stick Shooter 46.1%, Top-Down 15.9%, Shooter 13.1%, 2D 7.7%, Pixel Graphics 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A premier twin-stick shooter that shares the top-down perspective and combat-heavy focus of the seed game.

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: Top-Down Shooter 37.7%, Twin Stick Shooter 22.6%, Top-Down 10.1%, Shooter 9.9%, Action 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: This twin-stick shooter offers the same fast-paced, top-down action and minimalist aesthetic.

1-Bit Roguelite Action Shooter.

Why similar: Minimalist 28.5%, Shooter 24.6%, Retro 14.2%, Arcade 12.7%, Action 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: This shooter emphasizes action and exploration in a sci-fi setting similar to Zolg's genre profile.

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 36.7%, Action 21.8%, Arcade 20.2%, 2D 11.4%, Indie 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: A high-energy action game that focuses on boss fights and movement, mirroring the intensity of Zolg.

A twin stick shooter without the twin stick, Gunlocked is a sci-fi action roguelike about careful positioning and upgrade selection. Manage unique targeting systems across multiple weapons and upgrades, as you battle legions of alien ships, and then do it all over again!

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 22.4%, Top-Down 16.1%, Shooter 15.8%, Arcade 13.9%, Retro 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: This title focuses on shoot-em-up mechanics and action-oriented gameplay within a pixelated world.

Cube Destroyer is a top-down shooter with a dynamic gameplay.

Why similar: Top-Down 25.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 21.1%, Shooter 16.3%, Action 13.4%, Arcade 12.3%

BroodStar is a classic arcade shmup with roguelike elements. Acquire crazy item combos, encounter strange events and fight challenging bosses on a quest to destroy the living planet, the BroodStar.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 33.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 14.6%, Top-Down 10%, Shooter 9.6%, Arcade 8.2%

Break through unlimited waves of enemies and fight unpredictable bosses!

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 28.7%, Shoot 'Em Up 13.8%, Top-Down 13.8%, Shooter 13.4%, Arcade 11.2%

Obliterate a never-ending horde of enemies while you attempt to reach the 30 minute mark. Race to earn XP and level up to gain new items and opportunities for each run to become stronger than the last.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 26.7%, Top-Down Shooter 25.3%, Minimalist 13.7%, Shooter 11.3%, Arcade 8.8%

It's a 2D action shooting adventure game where you switch between multiple guns and use interchangeable gimmicks to try to break through the stages! What awaits you in a mysterious facility in a corner of the universe?

Why similar: Metroidvania 52.1%, Action-Adventure 17.4%, Action 10.6%, Retro 7.6%, 2D 7.3%

Find yourself on a mission exploring the depth of an ominous forgotten mine. You arrive barehanded but quickly find the tools needed to go deeper. Destroy the infected living parts of the mine and face the final threat and complete your mission.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 28.6%, Action-Adventure 14.3%, Shoot 'Em Up 13.1%, Shooter 12.7%, Top-Down 10.9%

Distant Space are present the arcade game of cosmic fights in arcade style of the 80's, this is a game where you can control the spaceship and forced to destroy extraterrestrials, which are moving in the certain order.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 25.7%, Arcade 15.2%, Minimalist 14.4%, Shooter 10.8%, Retro 9%

Planetary Dustoff is a space-themed roguelite shooter. Go on a death riddled journey to sprawling alien environments and fight your way through hordes of enemies and epic boss battles. Take part in the revived Planetary Survey Program and help the Space Faction find a new home for humanity.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 31.8%, Top-Down Shooter 31.2%, Shooter 8.8%, Action-Adventure 7.9%, Shoot 'Em Up 7.9%

ASTROLANCER combines top-down shooter and shoot 'em up gameplay into one action-packed experience! Devise your own playstyle with a huge variety of weapons. Hardcore and casual players alike are welcome!

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 39.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 18%, Retro 11.4%, Shooter 6.6%, Top-Down 6.5%

Explore and uncover the mystery of a surreal alien world by blasting aliens and glitching your environment in this intense retro side-scrolling action/adventure.

Why similar: Metroidvania 71.8%, Retro 5.8%, 2D 4.9%, Exploration 4.1%, Action 3.8%

Ether Loop is a hardcore fast-paced bullet hell with roguelike elements. Descend the unforgiving depths of a mysterious world, encounter challenges, discover dynamic environments and fight ruthless creatures while unveiling the secrets of Ether Loop.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 26%, Top-Down Shooter 25.3%, Action 13.3%, Adventure 13.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 9%

A vertical arcade shoot'em up with an inventive teleport system, lots of fast-blazing action and explosions, tons of boss fights, a risk/reward based score system and a proper challenge for both veteran and new players of the genre.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 32.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 14.5%, Top-Down 11.5%, Shooter 10.1%, Retro 8.4%

Explore branching levels, fight quirky bosses, and save the day in this retro platformer inspired by the classics!

Why similar: Nonlinear 31.2%, Retro 16.7%, Exploration 16.5%, 2D 10.1%, Adventure 9.3%

In a world becoming corrupted by the evil Slime King, KILL or CAPTURE various slimes to grow stronger and save Slimetopia! Venture through procedurally generated levels in this fast-paced roguelike, if you're tough enough to not get slimed...

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 40.3%, Nonlinear 20.8%, Top-Down 14.7%, 2D 6.9%, Retro 6.3%

Cube Gothic is a Story-driven Shoot 'em up Adventure. Shooting enemies and dodging projectiles while solving simple puzzles and trying to comprehend the surreal plot - these are the challenges you'll be facing in Cube Gothic.

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 26.8%, Action-Adventure 25.8%, Arcade 17.4%, Action 10.6%, 2D 9.9%

Doomed to Hell is a roguelike-like top-down shooter where you play as Rose, a human in hell who will need to fight all of its monsters in waves of enemies, defeat bosses, and get new weapons to earn back his life on earth.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 30.5%, Top-Down Shooter 22.2%, Shooter 12.7%, Action-Adventure 11.1%, Top-Down 7.1%

Cyberhunt is a retro procedurally generated twin stick shooter, that takes you back to the sweet to the sweet arcade machines era!

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 27%, Top-Down Shooter 21.8%, Shoot 'Em Up 10.4%, Top-Down 9.5%, Retro 7%

In this Insanely Twisted, 2-D action-adventure game, explore unique environments and battle bizarre creatures.

Why similar: Metroidvania 68.5%, Exploration 8.5%, Adventure 7.1%, 2D 6.3%, Action 6.2%

Star of Providence is a top down action shooter with procedurally generated elements. Explore a large, abandoned facility in search of incredible power, fighting dangerous foes and gaining new weapons and upgrades as you progress.

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 31.6%, Shoot 'Em Up 17.9%, Top-Down 13%, Shooter 11.2%, Retro 7.9%

Are you ready for the first Yoyovania?! In this 2D top-down adventure you'll explore a sprawling urban landscape, reinterpreting your surroundings through your mastery of yoyo tricks. Navigate the city's many districts, fight rival crime bosses, and regain the influence of the Pipistrello family!

Why similar: Metroidvania 32.8%, Top-Down 16.2%, Action-Adventure 15.5%, Exploration 9.2%, Retro 9.2%

One Gun Guy is a straight forward no nonsense action platformer, one giant level littered with player upgrades, hazards to tackle, enemies to destroy, a boss to kill, and multiple difficulty settings.

Why similar: Retro 26.5%, Exploration 22.3%, Action 14.3%, 2D 10.8%, Adventure 9.4%

Repetendium is a top-down roguelike-lite shooter. Select from a rowdy group of characters to play as and wield an ever expanding variety of gear and items to conquer the underworld. Death awaits...

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 34.8%, Top-Down Shooter 34.7%, Top-Down 14.5%, 2D 6.1%, Adventure 4.3%

Satellite Rush is a sci-fi top-down shooter with pixel art graphics and Roguelike elements. Take control of an abducted office worker and blast through Satellite Moebius, a space gladitorial arena where you'll have to please the audience to get new itens and survive!

Why similar: Action 78.1%, Indie 21.9%

Witchinour is a roguelite twin stick shooter focused on fast, 60fps action and constantly increasing difficulty. You play as an explorer who comes across a dungeon that an apprentice witch named Nour found herself lost in years ago on a full moon...

Why similar: Twin Stick Shooter 35.5%, Top-Down Shooter 31.2%, Top-Down 9.7%, Retro 6.2%, Shooter 6.1%

Beholgar is a classically styled metroidvania action adventure. Explore caverns, ancient woods, and deadly castles; battle creatures and solve ancient mysteries at the kingdom.

Why similar: Metroidvania 48.4%, Action-Adventure 16.9%, Arcade 11.3%, Action 7%, Adventure 6.9%

Z-Exemplar is a side-scrolling shooter in the tradition of R-Type, Gradius, Nemesis and other classic arcade games from the past. Borrowing its aesthetic from the computers of yesteryear (specifically the Sinclair ZX Spectrum) Z-Exemplar combines bright, bold, 8-bit pixel art with frantic action and an epic mission to conquer a galaxy of...

Why similar: Shoot 'Em Up 31.9%, Action 23.3%, Retro 21.2%, 2D 11.5%, Indie 7.1%

Explore and fight your way through a crashed human spaceship infested with relentless hordes of aliens as you become more powerful with exciting weapon upgrades and powerups in this retro inspired first-person shooter.

Why similar: Metroidvania 43.6%, Action-Adventure 12.5%, Shooter 11.8%, Exploration 9.3%, Arcade 9.1%

Lost Potato is a minimalistic top-down roguelite where you can't damage enemies directly. Push them into spikes, reflect bullets and help a young potato find its way out of a jungle filled with man-eating tribes!

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 36.1%, Twin Stick Shooter 34.2%, Action 14.6%, 2D 7.8%, Indie 4.5%

Vital Shell is a single player top-down arena shooter that puts you in control of mechs inspired by classic fantasy archetypes. Unlock powerful synergies with unique weapons, traits, and abilities as you take on increasingly challenging waves of enemies in a shattered realm.

Why similar: Top-Down Shooter 54.3%, Top-Down 23%, Arcade 13.2%, Action 7.7%, Singleplayer 1.9%

Downwell is a curious game about a young person venturing down a well in search of untold treasures with only his Gunboots to protect him.

Why similar: Arcade 25.2%, Shoot 'Em Up 14.8%, Retro 14.3%, 2D 12.5%, Action 11.7%