Games like Storm in the Vortex

A universe is dying. You are its last spark. The constellations have gone dark, devoured by entropy. Dive into each dead world, collect the star fragments that still glow, and relight the sky — before your own light fades. Every run is a new sky Fast, readable top-down action — dash through swarms, dodge projectile storms, strike back. Pure arcade feel, no filler. Procedurally gener… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to NOVAE: Last Light.

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.

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.

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!.

81%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

81% User Score Based on 456 reviews

Super Galaxy Squadron is a fast-paced vertical shooter designed for human beings as well as shmup veterans. Featuring multiple game modes, a challenging but merciful difficulty curve, forgiving health system, and seventeen playable ships. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Super Galaxy Squadron EX Turbo.

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 71%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.

85%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

89% User Score Based on 727 reviews

Critic Score 78%Based on 4 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.

71%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, replayability

67% User Score Based on 184 reviews

Critic Score 82%Based on 3 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Game OverviewUse your highly mod-able ship to progress through classic shmup inspired horizontal stages collecting power-ups and obliterating enemies. Battle through the normal mode, or ramp up the difficulty and challenge yourself with boss battles in this retro shooter where customization is king! The fourth game of the Game Buddy series, this game faithfully recreates the look, sounds, and fee… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to VERZEUS.

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.

70%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

100% User Score Based on 21 reviews

In Atomanta, you step into the role of Taria Takara, a space pirate on a mission to recover a highly valuable artifact hidden on the planet Azavuraz. Armed with the powerful Atomic Manta warship, Taria finally has a chance to claim the bounty and pay off the debts from her previous handlers. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Atomanta.

85%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:replayability, monetization

85% User Score Based on 105 reviews

Critic Score 85%Based on 1 reviews

Space Elite Force II is a classic side scrolling gaming experience with many enemies, explosions and upgrades for your ship. Have fun defeating bosses, upgrading your ship and blowing up enemies, alone or with a friend in local co-op mode. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Space Elite Force 2.

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:story, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:optimization, stability

84% User Score Based on 558 reviews

Critic Score 85%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.

77%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:replayability, story

85% User Score Based on 142 reviews

Critic Score 35%Based on 1 reviews

What does a Shoot’Em Up look like if you remove the shooting? It looks like Swordship: an intense dodging game where placement is everything. Sharpen your skills because this is the Dodge'em Up you are looking for! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Swordship.

Control a war tank in an isometric shooter with some random elements that change your conditions on each move. The aim is always to be able to improve your own rank and the global player. Game Modes: Random Arena Mode - With each battle an arena full of enemies will be created. How many arenas will you survive? Surrounded Mode - Classic mode with waves of enemies. Each level, more enemies. T… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Random War.

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.

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.

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.

86%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:character development, optimization

94% User Score Based on 207 reviews

Critic Score 50%Based on 1 reviews

70s giant robot anime-inspired side-scrolling shooter. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Supercharged Robot VULKAISER.

60%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, replayability

60% User Score Based on 115 reviews

A fast-paced retro shoot-'em-up featuring evolving weapons, intense arcade combat and massive bosses — from one-man studio Psychotic Psoftware. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Power-Up.

81%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding

79% User Score Based on 370 reviews

Critic Score 90%Based on 1 reviews

Classic color match puzzle meets space shoot'em up action! Hop into your spaceship, open a path through huge waves of aliens and other hazards, and face intense boss battles! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Super Star Path.

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

Get the base game of Starward Rogue, plus the AuGMENTED expansion in one package If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Starward Rogue.

Skyfighter ArcadeShoot. Dodge. Upgrade. Repeat - classic skyfighter shoot-em-up with a twist! Skyfighter Arcade is the classic top-down shoot-em-up vertical scroller, with a twist. Outmaneuver increasingly difficult enemies and obstacles. Blast your enemies out of the sky with powerful and unique weapons. Upgrade your weapons and ship to make yourself more powerful. Execute stunning combo attacks… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Skyfighter Arcade.

The Enemy Is Evolving. So Must You. Invaders Evolutions transforms the classic fixed-screen alien shooter into a run-based, 100-level arcade survival war with no permanent power creep. You are humanity's last defensive line, fighting through a dark retro-industrial invasion toward the final Mothership encounter. Moment to moment, it is fast, readable arcade action: slide the turret through incom… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Invaders Evolutions.

Battle AirForce is a vertical scrolling bullet hell STG. StoryThree years after Battle Marine you have been rescued by an enemy soldier and decided to defect to the opposing nation. In your homeland, the commander who lured you into a trap has become emperor in a military coup. The emperor is now expanding his territory by invading formerly neutral countries while converting them into colonies. … If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Battle AirForce.

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.

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 75%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.

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.

88%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, optimization

88% User Score Based on 148 reviews

Are you ready to travel back in time to 1943 and relive the excitement of classic arcade dogfights? Now, thanks to Virtual Reality, you’re about to discover a new level of immersion and spectacularity, while retaining the original essence and fun. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to 1976: Back to Midway.

91%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, music

91% User Score Based on 66 reviews

Shoot enemies while typing pop culture phrases to destroy enemies with your special laser attack! This is a classic Shoot'em up game with a typing twist! We challenge you to dodge all the shots and destroy all the enemies! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Neon Ships: The Type'em Up Shooter.

58%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:graphics, grinding

88% User Score Based on 17 reviews

Jump down the esophagus of a body plagued by viruses and big bad bosses in this reverse vertical scrolling shoot'em up! Collect eye crusties, upgrade your pupils, and clear the screen of bullets with your cornea crushing eye blasts! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Rheum.

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.

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 77%Based on 2 reviews

Include Base Game R-Type Final 2 - Complete Soundtrack The Artwork of R-Type Final 2 - Art Book R-Type Final 2 - DLC Set 1 R-Type Final 2 - DLC Set 2 R-Type Final 2 - DLC Set 3 The Digital Deluxe Edition contains the full game, soundtrack, art book, and the R-Type Final 2 Stage Pass, which includes DLC Set 1, 2, and 3. Altogether they consist of a variety of new stages. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to R-Type Final 2.

94%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, story

94% User Score Based on 134 reviews

BroodStar is a classic arcade shmup with roguelike elements. Battle your way through hordes of enemy creatures, collecting upgrades and fighting terrifying bosses on a quest to destroy the living planet, the BroodStar. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to BroodStar.

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.

65%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music

Most mentioned negative aspects:graphics, gameplay

65% User Score Based on 66 reviews

Run, gun, and survive! In this twin stick arcade shooter, you'll be fighting your way through countless waves of enemies to restore maximum peace to the galaxy! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Mobile Astro.

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 84%Based on 2 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.

93%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, graphics

93% User Score Based on 73 reviews

Bad Caterpillars and their swarms of insect hordes are invading. Get to your ship, man the lasers, and save the galaxy from caterpillars, scorpions, spiders, and a slew of other ill-tempered giant killer insects. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Bad Caterpillar.

88%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, replayability

88% User Score Based on 51 reviews

The year is 1989. 12 years have passed since the Gogoh Army’s invasion of Earth. Exposure to alien technology during the war enabled Earth’s own technologies to take massive leaps forward. International conflict that was previously rife in the history of mankind fell to an all-time low, and the Earth Federation was established as a unified Earth government. The stage was set for an era of unpreced… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to ARMED SEVEN.