Games like Storm in the Vortex

Pixel Game Maker Series THUNDER STRIKER is a vertical scrolling shooter with a retro flavor. You can choose between a laser and a wide range of trajectories for your primary weapon, and three different power-ups for your subweapons! Each weapon can be powered up to five levels. so find the most advantageous combination for each stage and boss! The enemies that stand in your way will attack you wit… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Thunder Striker.

84%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, replayability

84% User Score Based on 195 reviews

SATAZIUS is an awesome old school side-scrolling arcade shooter by accomplished indie developer ASTRO PORT (Gigantic Army, Armed Seven, Supercharged Robot Vulkaiser), featuring an arsenal of 13 types of upgradeable weapons, power-ups, obstacles and boss encounters that arcade veterans will enjoying getting to grips with. Customize your ship by selecting two side weapons which can be selected at an… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to SATAZIUS.

87%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, replayability

92% User Score Based on 763 reviews

Critic Score 72%Based on 2 reviews

As the last surviving tank commander on Earth, single-handedly turn back the evil invading alien army, drive back the Titans across the Solar System, and defeat them on their homeworld... Titan Attacks has the same easy-to-learn and addictive gameplay of the classic arcade shoot 'em up If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Titan Attacks!.

PURGATION SWORDSTORM is a single-stage bullet hell game about playing dangerously. You are BONE ACE, pilot of the B1000 BONE, an experimental fighter that SHOOTS SWORDS. Your mission is to ERADICATE GHOULS and RESCUE LOST SOULS. This project was developed in 6 days for the TWG Discord's 3rd game jam. The prompt was “hold your ghouls close”, which inspired a slightly spooky shmup with an emphasis … If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Purgation Swordstorm.

79%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

86% User Score Based on 748 reviews

Critic Score 55%Based on 15 reviews

Sublevel Zero - Redux is a first-person roguelike six-degree-of-freedom shooter set in a universe where reality is falling apart. Take control of a lone gunship pilot whose mission is to loot and craft ancient technology. Descend into a vast underground facility, fighting through procedurally generated zero gravity environments to recover the technology you and your clan need to survive. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Sublevel Zero Redux.

73%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, replayability

67% User Score Based on 184 reviews

Critic Score 81%Based on 6 reviews

Set in a futuristic Odyssey, The Next Penelope is a fast paced action racing game with loud colors, an original story and a challenging risk-reward system. 
Weapons can be mixed and used at any time, but all these abilities cost vital energy, so the player is very powerful and close to death at the same time! As Penelope is looking for Ulysses through the galaxy, the player is free to explore the … If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to The Next Penelope.

68%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, story

68% User Score Based on 368 reviews

Sun Blast is the best 3d space shooter on Steam. Earn upgrades as you fight your way through a huge seleciton of levels. Full gamepad support! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Sun Blast.

77%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

77% User Score Based on 526 reviews

Critic Score 64%Based on 2 reviews

R-Type has returned! The legendary side-scroller is back and better than ever with beautifully rendered 3D graphics, exhilarating shoot-'em-up gameplay, and a multitude of stages, ships, and weapons that will allow you to conduct a symphony of destruction upon your foes. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to R-Type Final 2.

71%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

86% User Score Based on 630 reviews

Critic Score 71%Based on 8 reviews

Enter the world of Ultratron and experience the addictive gameplay of old-school arcade favourites such as Robotron: 2084, 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. The last human has been slain by evil killer rob… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Ultratron.

77%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:music, story

75% User Score Based on 72 reviews

Critic Score 85%Based on 1 reviews

Vortex Attack is a frenetic arcade space shooter featuring worldwide tournaments and an intense local multiplayer mode. A worthy successor to Galaga for the XXI century. WARNING: Highly addictive. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Vortex Attack.

93%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, monetization

93% User Score Based on 342 reviews

Danmaku Unlimited 2 is an indie labor of love to bring classic Japanese vertical shooting action to modern HD systems. Inspired by Japanese doujin shooters and being authentic to a fault, the game features epic stages filled with beautiful but deadly bullet patterns, nail-bitingly difficult boss fights and seriously rocking soundtracks! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Danmaku Unlimited 2.

TRUE GALACTIC MISSION: There are 5 pilots in training, each with peculiar characteristics. It's the day of the final test and everyone will face a obstacle to see who will be able to accept the next challenge, a true galactic mission. Be one of the pilots chosen for this mission and embark on infinite space in search of the unknown, in order to discover what is altering the flow of the univers… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to True Galactic Mission.

38%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, music

64% User Score Based on 11 reviews

Lasers, blasters, black holes and a lot of enemies... All this is in the endless space, the expanses of which you have to clean up from enemies! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Cosmic collapse.

Destroy the waves of aliens before they descend to the surface and wipe out your ship. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Space Invasion.

99%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability

99% User Score Based on 144 reviews

After many long years, Scott Host, the creator of Galactix and Raptor Call of the Shadows, has remastered his shareware legend DemonStar - and now it comes soaring back with new game modes and revised gameplay. Originally published in 1997 and later earning the COMPUTER GAMING WORLD's "Shareware Game of the Year 1999" award, DemonStar was and still is considered by fans as one of the bes… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to DemonStar.

84%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:optimization, stability

84% User Score Based on 558 reviews

Critic Score 86%Based on 4 reviews

Sine Mora is a horizontal shoot'em up that provides a unique take on challenge, where time is the ultimate factor. Mixing classic shooter sensibilities with contemporary presentation, Sine Mora is a gorgeous shmup that offers a Story Mode that weaves an over-the-top tale and an Arcade Mode that provides deep, satisfying gameplay to challenge fans of the genre. With many ways to manipulate time, Si… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Sine Mora.

76%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, optimization

77% User Score Based on 86 reviews

Critic Score 75%Based on 7 reviews

For the very first time, highly acclaimed Japanese Arcade Shoot’em Ups: Vasara and Vasara 2 are made available to the whole world via this package: Vasara Collection! Science Fiction meets History in these arcade classics which take place in an alternate timeline Feudal Japan where technologically advanced weaponry and equipment are a reality, and heroes use flying motorcycles with amazing firepo… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to VASARA Collection.

A cross-platform twin-stick shooter and bullet hellish game. It's designed as a pickup game you can play in 3-5 minutes when you just wanna shoot a lot of bullets and dodge just as many. Survive as many waves as possible and pickup a few power-ups along the way (.. ahem... you'll need them). Enemies increase in number and difficulty as waves progress. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Final Storm.

73%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:graphics, story

73% User Score Based on 165 reviews

NEXT JUMP is a turn-based, tactics Shoot 'em up for people who are bad at SHMUPs, but love them. Do space-jumps and chase the vicious Dragons who stole all the stock of Beverage from the Galaxy and now are running away! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to NEXT JUMP: Shmup Tactics.

86%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

86% User Score Based on 908 reviews

Critic Score 85%Based on 1 reviews

Ring Runner combines the fast-paced action of space combat with the rich story and skill variety of an RPG. Trek across the universe in a 30 hour long story-driven campaign based on a companion Sci Fi novel, or challenge 6 scenarios alone, cooperatively, or competitively through local or online multiplayer. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Ring Runner: Flight of the Sages.

85%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:replayability, grinding

85% User Score Based on 468 reviews

Built for PC, Enemy Mind lets you battle your way through 70+ waves of challenging enemies. Deftly maneuver over twenty unique ships, each with different abilities for you to harness. Backed by an all-new chip-emulated soundtrack by the psychoacoustic artist Rainbow Kitten, Enemy Mind features an adaptive story system as innovative as its gameplay. Are you ready to unlock the secrets of Enemy Mind… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Enemy Mind.

62%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, grinding

81% User Score Based on 26 reviews

Critic Score 68%Based on 1 reviews

Binarystar Infinity is a 1-Bit Shoot ‘Em Up with a challenging experience reminding of the traditional Arcade Shmup classics, that can be experienced alone or with a friend, and with the particularity of being playable in vertical or horizontal scrolling mode. Offering handcrafted levels and bosses with modern fast action gameplay and smooth feedback controls, packaged in a stylized nostalgic 1-Bi… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Binarystar Infinity.

84%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, replayability

93% User Score Based on 42 reviews

An inferno roars over a destroyed secret military base. Then, from the flaming rubble...an invincible super robot is reborn! Mechs born of advanced science and modern weaponry battle in heavy weight Run 'n Gun mech shooter!! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to MECHBLAZE.

88%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, monetization

90% User Score Based on 707 reviews

Critic Score 74%Based on 1 reviews

The legend is back! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Sky Force Anniversary.

78%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:atmosphere, monetization

82% User Score Based on 115 reviews

Critic Score 70%Based on 5 reviews

The original space shooter warps to the modern era! Asteroids: Recharged has been reimagined for modern gameplay, with vibrant visuals, powerful new abilities, and another original soundtrack from award-winning video game composer Megan McDuffee. Asteroids: Recharged creates a familiar, but revitalized and modern challenge to both old school and new high score chasers. And 30 unique and creative … If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Asteroids: Recharged.

60%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, replayability

60% User Score Based on 115 reviews

With a monster soundtrack, challenging gameplay and an impressive arsenal of weapons - Power-Up is the modern-retro styled Shoot-Em-Up from one-man game studio, Psychotic Psoftware. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Power-Up.

78%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, story

92% User Score Based on 36 reviews

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 almost 1000 planets. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Z-Exemplar.

89%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

91% User Score Based on 482 reviews

Critic Score 80%Based on 1 reviews

A roguelite labyrinth lodged in the side of a star. Dodge gorgeous waves of bullets, claim weapons and upgrades, defeat The Warden, and rescue... Rodney? If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Starward Rogue.

95%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:monetization, grinding

95% User Score Based on 417 reviews

Bullet hell for everyone If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Bullet Hell Monday Finale.

54%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

54% User Score Based on 130 reviews

Setup your battle ship with guns, install faster engine, reactor that is more powerful and throw a barrage of rockets on hordes of enemy ships, burning everything in your path. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to STELLATUM.

86%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

89% User Score Based on 304 reviews

Critic Score 80%Based on 2 reviews

Sora tells the story of its namesake: the lone enhanced human, Sora, and her struggle to protect a fading world. Enjoy breathtakingly fast-paced combat in the Suguri universe, with improved game system and graphics along with original trance music by DEKU. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Sora.

87%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

88% User Score Based on 609 reviews

Critic Score 82%Based on 1 reviews

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. Steredenn is at the crossroads between a shmup and a rogue-like. Enjoy the infinite replayability of the game with its unforgiving gameplay, intense boss fights, (almost) ran… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Steredenn.

66%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

66% User Score Based on 248 reviews

Gear up and get ready for war! Take on hectic 2D action shooting stages with your deadly Gunhound mech. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Gunhound EX.

78%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, optimization

78% User Score Based on 90 reviews

The frantic old-school action of classic coin-op shoot-‘em-ups comes crashing headlong into the 21st century. Explosive high-octane blasting combines with hordes of enemies in a 360˚ environment – fly, spin and shoot anywhere and everywhere! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Kromaia.

89%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

89% User Score Based on 727 reviews

STEREDENN: BINARY STARS is an award-winning mashup of a classic shmup and a rogue-like, carved in big beautiful pixels, with insane boss battles.  Fly solo or co-op with a friend, fighting off the worst scourges of space in a never-ending struggle for survival. STEREDENN: BINARY STARS is the hugely expanded version of the acclaimed Steredenn.   Enjoy infinite replayability and unforgiving gamep… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Steredenn: Binary Stars.

86%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, grinding

86% User Score Based on 132 reviews

Why play shoot 'em ups one ship at a time? Launch them all at once! Unleash an entire armada of ships in Shoot 1UP! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Shoot 1UP.

76%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

76% User Score Based on 127 reviews

Critic Score 75%Based on 2 reviews

FIGHT IN EVER CHANGING SPACE BATTLES! Run through the universe, discover the numerous perks/consumables and their synergistic effects. Explore the randomly-generated galaxy to find merchants,... If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Stellar Interface.

55%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, replayability

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, grinding

87% User Score Based on 15 reviews

Arcade co-op pixel perfect retro shmup If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Galactic Wars EX.

98%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:graphics, replayability

98% User Score Based on 102 reviews

Pewt 'em Up! is a retro inspired arcade space shoot 'em up with lots of upgrades, achievements, extras and more. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Pewt 'em Up!.

90%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, gameplay

95% User Score Based on 95 reviews

Critic Score 75%Based on 2 reviews

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. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Trash Quest.

91%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:replayability

91% User Score Based on 88 reviews

Space War: Infinity is a semi-procedural shoot-'em-up with a System of upgrades of the ship and unlocking of items. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Space War: Infinity.

67%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

75% User Score Based on 262 reviews

Critic Score 54%Based on 5 reviews

Gigantic Army is a heartfelt tribute to 16-bit era mech shooters, finally available for the Nintendo Switch. It’s the 21st Century, planet Earth is at war with the Ramulons - an Alien race determined to stop humanity’s advance into space. War has now reached planet Ramulon, and it’s up to you to pilot the ‘GMR-34 SALADIN’ - a Manned Combat Robot - a mech amor that make effective stormtroopers and … If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to GIGANTIC ARMY.

19%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:emotional

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, music

19% User Score Based on 139 reviews

Razor2: Hidden Skies Razor2: Hidden Skies is a top view shooter. The game has the style of successful classic arcade games, while using the latest technology to create great visuals and effects. An old-school game with all new technology. Razor2 has easy gameplay, while challenging your skills with hundreds of enemies and bullets threatening you all the time. The soundtrack is another great featur… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Razor2: Hidden Skies.

83%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, humor

83% User Score Based on 684 reviews

Cyberhunt is a infinite Twin-Stick Shooter game set on a cyberpunk world. Destroy the asteroids, avoid cops and more on this new take on a classic genre. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Cyberhunt.

90%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, story

91% User Score Based on 454 reviews

Critic Score 85%Based on 1 reviews

Blast hordes of alien ships into junk. Collect the scrap to upgrade your ship into an unstoppable force of destruction. Unlock new characters and weapons and upgrade your stats between runs. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Void Scrappers.

87%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, optimization

87% User Score Based on 1,206 reviews

Your music is under attack… You must liberate it! In Symphony, you fight through levels uniquely generated by your own song collection, discover items and vanquish bosses to defeat the evil within! With Symphony, we wanted to push the limits of user-music-based gameplay and focused on two concepts: Your music creates the game Every song has a unique emotion, sound and rhythm, and we wa… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Symphony.

87%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability

87% User Score Based on 87 reviews

Super XYX is a new vertical shoot-em-up in the vein of 80's and 90's arcade classics.6 Stages of action + bonus modes and unlockables, including Boss Rush and optional checkpoint play.6 playable ships each with their own unique destructive firepower.Includes fully rebindable keys, controller support and screen rotation (TATE) If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Super XYX.

83%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story

83% User Score Based on 258 reviews

Play Droid Assault and experience running blaster battles with hordes of rampaging killer robots! Discover a unique tactical arcade shooter, with the fun addictive gameplay of 8-bit classics. You'll need your wits and the help of your acquired droid squad to stay alive in this fast-paced retro actionfest. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Droid Assault.

75%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, optimization

75% User Score Based on 166 reviews

Raiden III Digital Edition is a revival of the classic Raiden series of scrolling shooter games. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Raiden III Digital Edition.

69%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:optimization, stability

69% User Score Based on 110 reviews

Atomine is a twin stick procedural shooter rogue-lite set in a virtual world with minimalist design, where the player recounts on the screen the real events of Stuxnet, the first weapon ever created in the form of computer virus. In every run the player has to clear the level area from all the enemies in order to unlock the portal to the next level. During the run every killed enemy will leave on … If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to ATOMINE.