Games like RIVE

84% positive from 1,040 reviewsReleased 20168% finish itSteam Deck Playable$14.99

What it is

RIVE is a 360-degree shooter/platformer hybrid with a robot hacking mechanic. It offers spectacular, fast-paced combat and exploration with a retro feel.

What players liked

RIVE is a challenging, action-packed game with smooth controls, cool weapons, and an engaging story, reminiscent of classic Sega titles.

The catch

Deaths come from unavoidable hazards that must be memorised, not reacted to.

Why it is here

It is here because it sits in the band this site looks at: well reviewed at 84% positive, but with 1,040 reviews, far fewer than the household names carry.

View RIVE on Steam

More like this: Arcade Side Scroller Shoot 'Em Up Twin Stick Shooter

Six games like RIVE

Super Amazing Wagon Adventure

95% positive from 1,639 reviews2012Deck Playable

This is a fast-paced 2D shooter with a randomized story and permadeath. Players manage a wagon party facing quick, varied challenges with a brutal, unpredictable feel.

What players likedPlayers praise its challenging resource management and difficult choices, reminiscent of classic Oregon Trail-style adventures.

The catchSame short sequence of events repeats too often

Both are tagged Twin Stick Shooter, Side Scroller and Shoot 'Em Up.

Games like Super Amazing Wagon Adventure →

Waves

95% positive from 1,561 reviews20113% finish itDeck Verified

Twin-stick shooter with combo-based combat and time-slowing mechanics. Fast-paced arena survival against digital threats.

What players likedPlayers praise Waves as an addictive, simple, and fun twin-stick shooter, often comparing it favorably to Crimsonland.

The catchEnemies spawn on top of you, causing unavoidable deaths

Both are tagged Twin Stick Shooter, Shoot 'Em Up and Arcade.

Games like Waves →

Geometry Wars™ 3: Dimensions Evolved

90% positive from 1,590 reviews20146% finish itDeck Playable

This is a frenetic arcade shooter with wave-based combat on 3D grids. Players control a ship, shooting enemies and navigating challenging levels.

What players likedPlayers praise it as one of the best twin-stick arcade shooters, offering an awesome space shooting time with incredible audiovisual design and satisfying gameplay.

The catchEnemies spawn right on top of you, causing cheap deaths you cannot avoid.

Both are tagged Twin Stick Shooter, Shoot 'Em Up and Arcade.

Games like Geometry Wars™ 3: Dimensions Evolved →

Alex Jones: NWO Wars

92% positive from 1,825 reviews2024Deck Verified

This is a run-and-gun action game with a conspiracy-themed narrative. Players blast enemies and face bosses in varied environments, featuring Alex Jones's voice lines.

What players likedPlayers say it's a "Metal Slug clone" with "tight and responsive controls" and "amazing" visual effects.

The catchIt is beaten in under an hour and far too easy to offer any real challenge.

Both are tagged Side Scroller, Shoot 'Em Up and Arcade.

Games like Alex Jones: NWO Wars →

Kero Blaster

94% positive from 1,535 reviews201530% finish itDeck Playable

A 2D side-scrolling action game where you shoot black creatures from teleporters. It features a frog protagonist and a classic adventure feel.

What players likedPlayers praise Kero Blaster as a fun and replayable run-and-gun game, reminiscent of Cave Story's creator's style.

The catchStiff, floaty movement and a lives system that restarts the whole level on death.

Both are tagged Side Scroller, Shoot 'Em Up and Arcade.

Games like Kero Blaster →

Beat Hazard

95% positive from 3,489 reviews2010

Beat Hazard is an arcade shooter where your music collection powers gameplay. Destroy enemies with weapon upgrades that intensify with the music's rhythm.

What players likedPlayers praise it as an inventive arcade shooter that uses your music to create unique, dynamic battlefields with handcrafted bosses.

The catchFlashing visual effects bury the action and can only be toned down to 50 percent.

Both are tagged Twin Stick Shooter, Shoot 'Em Up and Action.

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