Games like Defense Grid: The Awakening

This is a tower defense game where players strategically build towers to stop enemy waves. It features varied enemies, upgradeable towers, and replayable levels.

96% positive from 3,425 · 2008 · 8% finish it · Steam Deck Playable · $9.99 $3.99 -60% · Lowest ever $1.49 (2014-12-19)

Tower DefenseStrategySci-fiSingleplayerIndieAliens

Six games like Defense Grid: The Awakening

Halo: Spartan Strike

80% positive from 1,679 reviews2015Deck Verified

Top-down shooter with a focus on fast-paced combat and vehicle use. Players fight Covenant and Promethean enemies across diverse environments.

What players likedPlayers describe it as a fun, gorgeous top-down twin-stick shooter soaking in Halo-vibes, offering a new experience despite some repetitiveness.

The catchThe final missions stay locked until you earn gold on every earlier mission.

Both are tagged Aliens, Sci-fi and Singleplayer.

Games like Halo: Spartan Strike →

Shadowgrounds

81% positive from 1,617 reviews2006Deck Unsupported

Top-down shooter with weapon upgrades and a destructible environment. Intense alien combat with realistic lighting and boss battles.

The catchLater enemies overwhelm you as weapon balance falls apart

Both are tagged Aliens, Sci-fi and Singleplayer.

Games like Shadowgrounds →

X-COM: UFO Defense

97% positive from 2,486 reviews1994Deck Unsupported

Turn-based tactical combat and global strategy game. Research alien tech, manage resources, and fight invaders to save Earth.

What players likedPlayers praise its engaging tactical combat and strategic depth, finding it a classic that still holds up well.

The catchThere is no tutorial and the interface explains nothing, so expect to read a manual.

Both are tagged Aliens, Sci-fi and Strategy.

Games like X-COM: UFO Defense →

Aliens versus Predator Classic 2000

87% positive from 2,790 reviews2010Deck Playable

This is a classic first-person shooter with three distinct campaigns. Players experience intense survival horror and action as a Marine, Alien, or Predator.

What players likedPlayers praise its creepy horror aesthetics, comparing it to a timeless classic that captures the feel of being hunted.

The catchThe Steam re-release is riddled with bugs and crashes that were never patched.

Both are tagged Aliens and Sci-fi.

Games like Aliens versus Predator Classic 2000 →

Alien Shooter

95% positive from 4,744 reviews2009Deck Unsupported

This is a top-down shooter where you fight hordes of aliens with powerful weapons and upgrades. The core loop involves surviving waves of enemies and clearing missions.

What players likedPlayers praise its diverse guns and aliens, with challenging, ammo-constrained DLC episodes.

The catchIt is a simple, repetitive blaster that gets boring well before the campaign ends.

Both are tagged Aliens and Indie.

Games like Alien Shooter →

Alien Shooter 2: Reloaded

92% positive from 3,554 reviews2009Deck Playable

This is an arcade action RPG with a core loop of shooting hordes of aliens and upgrading weapons. It offers intense, fast-paced combat with a sci-fi horror feel.

The catchIt is capped at a low resolution and oversized UI text blocks the screen.

Both are tagged Aliens and Indie.

Games like Alien Shooter 2: Reloaded →

More about Defense Grid: The Awakening

What players liked

Players praise this "Good Old Game" as one of the best tower defense games, offering insane amounts of challenging content.

The catch

The difficulty spikes immediately and several missions feel impossible on normal.

Reviews: 96% positive from 3,425
Released: 2008
Finish it: 8% of players
Steam Deck: Steam Deck Playable
Price: $9.99 $3.99 -60% · Lowest ever $1.49 (2014-12-19)
Play: Single-playerFull controller support

It is here because it sits in the band this site looks at: well reviewed at 96% positive, but with 3,425 reviews, far fewer than the household names carry.

View Defense Grid: The Awakening on Steam

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