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Side Scroller hidden gems on Steam
Every game here is tagged Side Scroller on Steam, sits between 1,000 and 5,000 reviews, is rated at least 80% positive, and carries a catch drawn from its own negative reviews. All 43 of them. How these pages are made.
Touhou Luna Nights is a Metroidvania action game featuring time manipulation and a tense graze system. Explore a unique world with attractive dot graphics.
What players likedPlayers praise this challenging Metroidvania for its unique time-stop mechanics, rewarding gameplay, and beautiful pixel art.
The catchSold as a metroidvania but the map is small, linear and barely worth exploring.
Games like Touhou Luna Nights →
Action-adventure game with fast-paced kung fu combat and a grappling hook mechanic. Explore early 20th century Taipei in a traditional Chinese manga style.
What players likedPlayers praise its memorable comic-book art, engaging story, and fast-paced combat, reminiscent of enjoyable action platformers.
The catchFighting is buried under long unskippable dialogue and dull back and forth fetch quests.
Games like The Legend of Tianding →
This is a 2D action-platformer where players shoot and fight zombies and gangsters in a 1920s setting. It features hand-drawn graphics and a story of mafia conspiracy and betrayal.
What players likedPlayers praise its fun, short, and humorous gameplay with great art and music.
The catchSluggish controls, slow weapon swaps and no vertical aiming make combat feel broken.
Games like Guns, Gore & Cannoli →
This is a side-scrolling action game featuring fast-paced ninja combat with a plasma sword. Players traverse a large interconnected world, fighting diverse enemies with agile movement.
What players likedThis remake of Strider is a fun game, praised for its faithful recreation of the original.
The catchCapcom patched in Enigma DRM a decade after release, and performance suffered.
Games like STRIDER™ / ストライダー飛竜® →
One Way Heroics94% positive from 4,133 reviews20142% finish itDeck Playable
Roguelike with a forced rightward movement against a creeping shadow. Explore procedurally generated worlds, manage resources, and unlock classes.
What players likedPlayers praise its enjoyable meta-progression and simple mechanics, reminiscent of other roguelikes with satisfying RNG.
The catchThe advancing darkness rushes every run and leaves no time to explore the world.
Games like One Way Heroics →
Shank90% positive from 4,025 reviews201025% finish itDeck Playable
A 2D sidescrolling beat-em-up with a weapon-based combo system and a violent grindhouse feel. It features shooting and slashing through enemies for bloody revenge.
What players likedPlayers praise its fun beat 'em up gameplay and variety of weapons, despite its short length.
The catchCombat is repetitive button mashing against spongy enemies and goes stale fast.
Games like Shank →
A side-scrolling Metroidvania action game with deep combat and gear customization. Explore a dark world, fight monsters, and uncover mysteries.
What players likedPlayers praise its good graphics, music, atmosphere, and varied weapons/skills, making it a unique and mesmerizing experience.
The catchThe map is broken and unreadable, which leaves you lost in a large metroidvania.
Games like Vigil: The Longest Night →
Dex87% positive from 3,508 reviews2015
2D cyberpunk action-RPG with real-time combat and a deep hacking mechanic. Explore a futuristic city, customize your character, and make choices in a mature story.
The catchMelee combat is clunky and unfair, and the toughest fight comes minutes into the game.
Games like Dex →
Turbo Pug90% positive from 3,363 reviews2015Deck Playable
A casual, procedurally generated runner with random weather and unlockable pug costumes. Players collect coins and aim for high scores on leaderboards.
The catchA one button runner with so little variety that it turns repetitive within minutes.
Games like Turbo Pug →
This is a side-scrolling action RPG with a focus on strategic combat, character building, and boss battles. It features a story-driven experience with a talking bird companion.
What players likedPlayers praise ASTLIBRA Revision as a rich, addictive 2D action JRPG with satisfying progression, a deep story, and a fantastic OST, reminiscent of golden-age JRPGs and Metroidvanias.
The catchCombat is mostly mashing attack at damage sponge enemies while grinding for gear.
Games like ASTLIBRA Revision →
Soda Crisis93% positive from 3,211 reviews202236% finish itDeck Verified
This is a fast-paced, side-scrolling shooter with smooth movement mechanics and quick retries. Players fight futuristic enemies with advanced gear in a challenging rescue mission.
The catchAiming is locked to your movement direction, which makes the gunplay feel clumsy.
Games like Soda Crisis →
This is a 2D action-platformer with a focus on melee combat, dodging, and ranged attacks. Players explore a lore-rich world and customize their playstyle through the Sigil system.
What players likedPlayers praise this charming Metroidvania for its great sprite animation, music, and solid exploration, continuing a strong series track record.
The catchCombat is far too easy, with bosses beaten by spamming attack and healing.
Games like Momodora: Moonlit Farewell →
Timespinner86% positive from 3,131 reviews201848% finish itDeck Verified
This is a 2D action-adventure platformer with time manipulation mechanics. It features pixel art, magic orbs, and familiar companions in a story-driven quest.
What players likedPlayers praise Timespinner as a charming, responsive Metroidvania, often compared to Symphony of the Night and DS Castlevanias, with good world-building and a coherent story.
The catchThe story is dialogue heavy and the writing is juvenile enough to skip outright.
Games like Timespinner →
This is a 2D action-adventure game with hand-drawn graphics. Players shoot through enemies, collect weapons, and unleash a "Waaagh!" for a chaotic, gore-filled experience.
What players likedPlayers enjoy this fun, short, side-scrolling Warhammer platformer with guns, despite some feeling the weapons are underpowered.
The catchFrequent crashes and constant co-op disconnects break up sessions and force replays.
Games like Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef →
This is a collection of classic 2D action fighting and shooting games. Players engage in combat, acquire weapons, and utilize movement mechanics.
What players likedPlayers praise this collection as a fun, nostalgic return to classic flash games from their childhood.
The catchThe port stutters badly and locks to a tiny window, so the browser version runs better.
Games like Crazy Flasher Series 2021 →
30XX90% positive from 2,783 reviews20236% finish itDeck Playable
Roguelike action platformer that rebuilds its levels, items and powers every run. Play Ace with combo techniques or Nina with Power Fusion, solo or in local and online co-op.
What players likedPlayers praise this Mega Man X-like roguelite for its balanced gameplay, Hades-style modifiers, and engaging story progression.
The catchIt lands as a messier, less polished step down from the earlier 20XX.
Games like 30XX →
2.5D puzzle platformer where players rearrange signs to navigate 3D environments. It features a unique sign-manipulation mechanic for progression.
What players likedPlayers praise its unique 2D/3D puzzle-platforming mechanics, often comparing it to "Continuity" or "Portal" for its clever design and engaging challenges.
The catchThe visual novelty wears off fast and the puzzles turn repetitive and dull.
Games like The Pedestrian →
A 3D side-scrolling action platformer where players use a wind bullet to grab and throw enemies. It offers a nostalgic journey with upgraded graphics and adjustable difficulty.
What players likedPlayers praise the charming, engaging platforming and level design, reminiscent of classic Zelda or simple, fun PS1/PS2 gems.
The catchMovement is slow and stiff, with a fixed jump height and very short grab range.
Games like Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series →
This is a satirical third-person shooter where players rescue Hitler. The game features absurd combat and dark humor.
What players likedPlayers praise its unique, unconventional design as a "masterpiece" that transcends typical shooters, comparing it to "modern art" and "interactive art."
The catchThe developer keeps releasing paid DLC that locks new achievements behind it.
Games like Hitler is my crush →
A Metroidvania action-adventure game with smooth combat and exploration. Players fight monsters, solve mysteries, and develop their character.
What players likedPlayers praise this fun anime-humor Metroidvania RPG for its engaging character builds, combos, and magic, which can make players fall in love with the genre.
The catchMovement and combos feel janky, with inputs that often fail to register cleanly.
Games like Frontier Hunter: Erza’s Wheel of Fortune →
Knock-knock87% positive from 2,054 reviews20139% finish it
A side-scrolling horror game about surviving until dawn in a cabin in the woods, where the sleepless Lodger repairs missing rooms, hides from nocturnal Guests, and works out the rules of their game.
What players likedPlayers praise its artistic atmosphere and creepy interactive experience, reminiscent of being alone at home with unsettling sounds and sights.
The catchGameplay boils down to walking rooms, flicking lights on, and waiting out timers.
Games like Knock-knock →
This is a fast-paced roguelike action game with deep combat customization and challenging boss fights. Players control a combat bot exploring a dystopian AI world, utilizing advanced movement and a vast arsenal.
What players likedPlayers praise this fast-paced beat-em-up roguelike for its fantastic, reactive gameplay with unique weapon and character choices.
The catchThe English translation is broken enough that skills and menus are hard to understand.
Games like Oblivion Override →
This is a high-intensity arcade sword-fighting game with lethal strikes and a refined combat system. It features visceral dismemberment and customization, offering local multiplayer and various game modes.
What players likedPlayers praise its atmosphere, art, and satisfying combat, comparing it to Bushido Blade, Nidhogg, and Karateka.
The catchThe AI reads your inputs instantly and swings faster, so fights feel unfair.
Games like First Cut: Samurai Duel →
Blazing Chrome87% positive from 1,949 reviews20193% finish itDeck Verified
This is a 16-bit co-op run-and-gun shooter. Players blast through robot enemies in fast-paced, action-packed combat.
The catchOne hit deaths and enemy swarms make the difficulty feel cheap instead of fair.
Games like Blazing Chrome →
Altitude92% positive from 1,936 reviews2009
This is a fast-paced, cartoon-style multiplayer aerial combat game. Players engage in dogfights using various planes and weapons, with a focus on teamwork and strategic loadouts.
The catchThe multiplayer servers are empty, leaving only weak bots to fly against.
Games like Altitude →
This is a side-scrolling action game where players collect and upgrade Mega Man characters to battle fragmented game data in a digital world. It features classic Mega Man combat with modern enhancements like 360-degree aiming.
What players likedIt's a preserved gacha game, praised for allowing players to unlock everything through grinding, offering decent gameplay for casual fans.
The catchIt plays like an unadapted mobile gacha, heavy on menus and grind, light on platforming.
Games like MEGA MAN X DiVE Offline →
Real-time strategy game about trench warfare. Manage troops and defenses to attack or survive enemy waves.
What players likedPlayers praise this stickman wargame for its engaging gameplay, developer interaction, and nostalgic feel reminiscent of childhood games.
The catchEnemy relentlessly overwhelms your offensives, stalling any progress
Games like Stickman Trenches →
UNREAL LIFE95% positive from 1,852 reviews202049% finish itDeck Verified
Atmospheric puzzle adventure game where players explore memories to solve mysteries. The core loop involves touching objects to reveal their past and progress the narrative.
The catchMovement is slow with no run button, turning puzzles and backtracking into a chore.
Games like UNREAL LIFE →
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.
Games like Alex Jones: NWO Wars →
This is a 2.5D action-platformer with Metroidvania elements. Players use a shapeshifting staff with a move-and-reset mechanic in a hand-drawn, folklore-inspired world.
What players likedPlayers praise its gorgeous art, fluid aerial movement, and accessible platforming, often comparing it favorably to Hollow Knight and Ori.
The catchThe controls feel clunky and unresponsive, with the grapple hooking the wrong points.
Games like Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus →
A competitive arcade shooter where players race against recordings of opponents and developers. Its core loop involves navigating bullet-hell levels and achieving high scores.
What players likedPlayers describe it as a challenging bullet-hell obstacle course, similar to a mobile game, praised for its fair price and doable 100% completion.
The catchThe controls are slippery and imprecise, which makes the tight levels frustrating.
Games like Will Glow the Wisp →
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
Games like Super Amazing Wagon Adventure →
This is a roguelite beat 'em up with tag-team combat. Players choose two characters to switch between for strategic combos.
What players likedPlayers praise it as the best Double Dragon since The Revenge, a competent beat 'em up with fun roguelite elements and diverse characters.
The catchCo-op is broken, with online that fails to connect and sessions full of desyncs.
Games like Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise Of The Dragons →
GIBZ88% positive from 1,583 reviews20178% finish it
Co-op zombie shooter with a 1900s London setting. Features gibs, mini-games, and power-up weapons.
What players likedPlayers find Gibz to be a decent zombie shooter, similar to older arcade games, with satisfying headshots and a fun co-op experience.
The catchProgress is a repetitive grind of the same runs for upgrades with little reward.
Games like GIBZ →
Action-platformer with distinct character combat and exploration. Players battle a rising ancient terror across Avalice.
What players likedPlayers praise Freedom Planet 2 as a polished 2D Sonic-style platformer with excellent level design, story, soundtrack, and combat.
The catchStages run long and maze-like, and cluttered visuals make it easy to get lost.
Games like Freedom Planet 2 →
Grim Nights88% positive from 1,540 reviews20181% finish itDeck Playable
Grim Nights is a challenging survival strategy game with RTS, tower defense, and management elements. Players gather resources, build a village, and train units to defend against undead hordes.
What players likedIt's a highly polished, excellent game, incomparable to its sequel, both being excellent.
The catchVillagers need constant micromanagement and cannot even climb ladders on their own.
Games like Grim Nights →
Kero Blaster94% 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.
Games like Kero Blaster →
Jets'n'Guns Gold is a 2D side-scrolling shooter with a core loop of blasting waves of enemies and bosses with a vast arsenal. It offers intense, destructive action with a heavy rock soundtrack and diverse environments.
What players likedPlayers praise its addictive gameplay of blasting enemies and upgrading ships, reminiscent of classic arcade shooters.
The catchScreen clutter buries enemy bullets, so hits land with no warning at all.
Games like Jets'n'Guns Gold →
This is a trading simulation RPG with automatic combat and mercenary management. Players buy and sell goods across a world, completing quests and developing characters.
What players likedNo comparisons are made, but players praise its solid, evolving gameplay and developer support.
The catchCarrying more trade goods spikes enemy difficulty, so actually trading gets you punished.
Games like TRADESMAN: Deal to Dealer →
BLADECHIMERA89% positive from 1,403 reviews202523% finish itDeck Verified
Action metroidvania with a demon companion sword that manipulates time and objects. Explore a dangerous world, fight demons, and unlock skills.
What players likedPlayers praise BLADECHIMERA as a polished, modern Metroidvania with tight controls, engaging combat, and beautiful pixel art, reminiscent of Castlevania.
The catchLevel design leans on long straight hallways lined with the same repeated enemies.
Games like BLADECHIMERA →
Foregone82% positive from 1,399 reviews20213% finish itDeck Verified
This is a 2D action-platformer with loot collection and combat. It features fast-paced shooting and slashing through pixel art environments.
The catchCombat is shallow and repetitive, with little enemy or weapon variety to break it up.
Games like Foregone →
METAL SLUG 289% positive from 1,384 reviews20163% finish itDeck Unsupported
This is a 2D run-and-gun arcade shooter. Players shoot enemies and advance through levels, featuring cooperative play and leaderboards.
The catchConstant frame rate drops, input lag and off-speed music plague this port.
Games like METAL SLUG 2 →
This is a 2D action-adventure game with on-the-fly character swapping. Players defeat bosses to gain new weapons, enabling varied exploration and combat.
What players likedPlayers praise its smooth gameplay and art, comparing it to classic Castlevania and retro games.
The catchFinishing the stages only unlocks a mandatory replay of all of them for the real ending.
Games like Gal Guardians: Demon Purge →
