Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5 (2026)
Every game below overlaps with EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5 on things players said about it rather than on our opinion of what feels alike. Each entry shows what it matched on, so you can throw out the ones matching on the part you did not care about.
The short version
- Closest match: EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 4.1 The Shadow of New Despair, which made by the same studio, SANDLOT.
- EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5 is tagged Action, Online Co-Op, Third-Person Shooter, Co-op, Mechs, Aliens, Shooter, Local Co-Op by Steam players. Those tags are what the matching runs on.
- 24 games qualify, each with at least fifty player reviews behind its sentiment figure.
- 1 are from the same studio: EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 4.1 The Shadow of New Despair.
How these were matched
Steam tags carry the most weight, because players apply them and they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Souls-like, Atmospheric and Cozy exist as tags and as nothing else, which is exactly the vocabulary this question needs. Formal genres count for less, themes and a shared studio for more.
Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are thrown out before matching. Nearly everything is tagged Singleplayer, so matching on it is matching on nothing. That cutoff is computed from the catalogue rather than fixed, so it moves as the catalogue grows.
All 24, closest first
- 1
EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 4.1 The Shadow of New Despair
Why it matched: made by the same studio, SANDLOT; both science fiction and difficult; shares 12 player tags including Third-Person Shooter, Online Co-Op and Aliens; released around the same time (2016).
It's a fight for the future of the planet between the Ravagers, a merciless swarm of alien invaders, and the Earth Defense Force (EDF) in this third-person shooter.Play as four different classes in over 80 missions with a range of 800 weapons at your disposal.Co-op play supported.
EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 4.1 The Shadow of New Despair at a glance Released 2016 Studio SANDLOT Player sentiment 95% positive of 10,527 Price $19.99 Third-Person ShooterOnline Co-OpAliensMechsSci-fiLocal Co-OpAnimeSplit Screen
- 2
Serious Sam 3: BFE
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Gore, Online Co-Op and Aliens.
Serious Sam 3: BFE is a prequel to the original indie fast action FPS and Game of the Year sensation - Serious Sam: The First Encounter!
Serious Sam 3: BFE at a glance Released 2011 Studio Croteam Player sentiment 88% positive of 28,656 Price $29.99 GoreOnline Co-OpAliensShooterLocal Co-OpSplit ScreenDifficultFunny
- 3
HELLDIVERS Dive Harder Edition
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2015).
HELLDIVERS™ is a hardcore, cooperative, twin stick shooter. As part of the elite unit called the HELLDIVERS, players must work together to protect SUPER EARTH and defeat the enemies of mankind in an intense intergalactic war.
HELLDIVERS Dive Harder Edition at a glance Released 2015 Studio Arrowhead Game Studios Player sentiment 90% positive of 33,376 Price $19.99 Online Co-OpLocal Co-OpSci-fiShooterFunnyDifficultMechsHack and Slash
- 4
HELLDIVERS 2
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Online Co-Op, Third-Person Shooter and Shooter.
The Galaxy’s Last Line of Offence. Enlist in the Helldivers and join the fight for freedom across a hostile galaxy in a fast, frantic, and ferocious third-person shooter.
HELLDIVERS 2 at a glance Released 2024 Studio Arrowhead Game Studios Player sentiment 75% positive of 1,159,493 Price $39.99 Online Co-OpThird-Person ShooterShooterSci-fiThird PersonGoreViolentDifficult
- 5
Dark Sector
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Third-Person Shooter, Gore and Shooter.
A third-person Action/Shooter that thrusts players into a sci-fi flavored nightmare scenario set in the post Cold War era.
Dark Sector at a glance Released 2009 Studio Digital Extremes Player sentiment 75% positive of 3,553 Price $9.99 Third-Person ShooterGoreShooterThird PersonViolentSci-fiDifficultHack and Slash
- 6
RUINER
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Violent, Gore and Difficult; released around the same time (2017).
RUINER is a brutal action shooter set in the year 2091 in the cyber metropolis Rengkok. A wired psychopath lashes out against a corrupt system to uncover the truth and retrieve his kidnapped brother under the guidance of a secretive hacker friend.
RUINER at a glance Released 2017 Studio Reikon Games Player sentiment 89% positive of 12,481 Price $19.99 ViolentGoreDifficultSci-fiShooterHack and SlashThird Person
- 7
The Surge
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Sci-fi, Third Person and Difficult; released around the same time (2017).
Welcome to CREO, the megacorporation saving the world! A catastrophic event has knocked you out during the first day on the job… you wake up equipped with a heavy-grade exoskeleton, in a destroyed section of the complex.
The Surge at a glance Released 2017 Studio Deck13 Player sentiment 75% positive of 12,215 Price $14.99 Sci-fiThird PersonDifficultMechsHack and SlashViolentGore
- 8
The Surge 2
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Violent, Sci-fi and Difficult; released around the same time (2019).
In a bid to survive, explore the sprawling, devastated Jericho City. Fight ferocious threats in brutal, unforgiving combat, slashing and tearing the limbs off your opponents to steal their equipment.
The Surge 2 at a glance Released 2019 Studio Deck13 Player sentiment 75% positive of 9,558 Price $29.99 ViolentSci-fiDifficultThird PersonGoreMechsHack and Slash
- 9
Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Shooter, Gore and Online Co-Op.
Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter is a visually upgraded and fully Steam supported remake version of the original high-adrenaline single-play and 16-player co-operative arcade-action FPS which was Gamespot's Game of the Year 2001 and which scored overall of 87% on Metacritic!
Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter at a glance Released 2009 Studio Croteam Player sentiment 93% positive of 8,940 Price $14.99 ShooterGoreOnline Co-OpAliensDifficultFunnySci-fi
- 10
Gears 5
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 8 player tags including Third-Person Shooter, Shooter and Gore; released around the same time (2019).
From one of gaming’s most acclaimed sagas, Gears is bigger than ever. With all-out war descending, Kait Diaz breaks away to uncover her connection to the enemy and discovers the true danger to Sera – herself.
Gears 5 at a glance Released 2019 Studio The Coalition Player sentiment 71% positive of 25,144 Price $29.99 Third-Person ShooterShooterGoreViolentSplit ScreenLocal Co-OpThird PersonSci-fi
- 11
Bright Memory
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Hack and Slash, Shooter and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2020).
Bright Memory is a lightning-fast fusion of the FPS and action genres, created by one-man development studio FYQD using Unreal Engine. Combine a wide variety of skills and abilities to unleash dazzling combo attacks.
Bright Memory at a glance Released 2020 Studio FYQD-Studio Player sentiment 90% positive of 33,096 Price $7.99 Hack and SlashShooterSci-fiAnimeGoreViolent
- 12
CONTROL Ultimate Edition
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Third Person, Sci-fi and Third-Person Shooter; released around the same time (2020).
Winner of over 80 awards, CONTROL is a visually stunning third-person action-adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
CONTROL Ultimate Edition at a glance Released 2020 Studio Remedy Entertainment Player sentiment 86% positive of 63,191 Price $3.99 Third PersonSci-fiThird-Person ShooterShooterViolentDifficult
- 13
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Anniversary Edition
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 8 player tags including Third-Person Shooter, Sci-fi and Third Person.
In Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine you are Captain Titus, a Space Marine of the Ultramarines chapter and a seasoned veteran of countless battles.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Anniversary Edition at a glance Released 2011 Studio Relic Entertainment Player sentiment 92% positive of 33,438 Price $39.99 Third-Person ShooterSci-fiThird PersonGoreShooterHack and SlashOnline Co-OpViolent
- 14
Destroy All Humans!
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 7 player tags including Aliens, Funny and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2020).
The cult-classic returns! Terrorize the people of 1950's Earth in the role of the evil alien Crypto-137. Harvest their DNA and bring down the US government in the faithful remake of the legendary alien invasion action adventure. Annihilate puny humans using an assortment of alien weaponry and psychic abilities.
Destroy All Humans! at a glance Released 2020 Studio Black Forest Games Player sentiment 92% positive of 11,497 Price $29.99 AliensFunnySci-fiThird PersonThird-Person ShooterGoreViolent
- 15
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Hack and Slash, Third Person and Gore.
Developed by Kojima Productions and PlatinumGames, METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE takes the renowned METAL GEAR franchise into exciting new territory with an all-new action experience. The game seamlessly melds pure action and epic story-telling that surrounds Raiden – a child soldier transformed into a half-human, half-cyborg ninja who...
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance at a glance Released 2013 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 96% positive of 88,848 Price $29.99 Hack and SlashThird PersonGoreDifficultSci-fiMechs
- 16
CODE VEIN
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 7 player tags including Anime, Third Person and Difficult; released around the same time (2019).
In the face of certain death, we rise. Team up and embark on a journey to the ends of hell to unlock your past and escape your living nightmare in CODE VEIN.
CODE VEIN at a glance Released 2019 Studio Bandai Namco Studios Player sentiment 83% positive of 62,452 Price $59.99 AnimeThird PersonDifficultOnline Co-OpHack and SlashViolentGore
- 17
Serious Sam II
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Shooter, Gore and Funny.
Serious Sam II is a shot of adrenaline to the hearts of first-person shooter fans across the world. This is serious!
Serious Sam II at a glance Released 2012 Studio Croteam Player sentiment 90% positive of 14,188 Price $9.99 ShooterGoreFunnySci-fiOnline Co-OpDifficult
- 18
STAR WARS Battlefront
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 7 player tags including Shooter, Sci-fi and Third-Person Shooter; released around the same time (2020).
The STAR WARS™ Battlefront™ Ultimate Edition includes the STAR WARS™ Battlefront™ Deluxe Edition as well as the STAR WARS™ Battlefront™ Season Pass.
STAR WARS Battlefront at a glance Released 2020 Studio DICE Player sentiment 79% positive of 5,869 Price $19.99 ShooterSci-fiThird-Person ShooterOnline Co-OpSplit ScreenThird PersonAliens
- 19
Dead Space 3
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 7 player tags including Online Co-Op, Sci-fi and Shooter; released around the same time (2020).
Journey across space to the icy planet of Tau Volantis with Isaac Clarke and Sgt. John Carver to discover and destroy the source of the Necromorph outbreak.
Dead Space 3 at a glance Released 2020 Studio Visceral Games Player sentiment 72% positive of 14,960 Price $19.99 Online Co-OpSci-fiShooterThird-Person ShooterThird PersonGoreViolent
- 20
OUTRIDERS
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 7 player tags including Third-Person Shooter, Shooter and Online Co-Op; released around the same time (2021).
Outriders’ brutal and bloody combat combines frenetic gunplay, violent powers and deep RPG systems to create a true genre hybrid.
OUTRIDERS at a glance Released 2021 Studio People Can Fly Player sentiment 67% positive of 61,283 Price $19.99 Third-Person ShooterShooterOnline Co-OpGoreSci-fiViolentThird Person
- 21
Cortex Command
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Local Co-Op, Sci-fi and Difficult.
Choose between different factions, with their own set of expendable soldiers, mechas, and weapons. Protect your brain, mine gold, and destroy the enemy cortex in his bunker complex!
Cortex Command at a glance Released 2012 Studio Data Realms Player sentiment 72% positive of 6,034 Price $19.99 Local Co-OpSci-fiDifficultGoreSplit ScreenViolent
- 22
Katana ZERO
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Hack and Slash, Violent and Difficult; released around the same time (2019).
Katana ZERO is a stylish neo-noir, action-platformer featuring breakneck action and instant-death combat. Slash, dash, and manipulate time to unravel your past in a beautifully brutal acrobatic display.
Katana ZERO at a glance Released 2019 Studio Askiisoft Player sentiment 98% positive of 76,036 Price $14.99 Hack and SlashViolentDifficultGoreSci-fi
- 23
MADNESS: Project Nexus
Why it matched: shares 8 player tags including Gore, Hack and Slash and Shooter; released around the same time (2021).
MADNESS: Project Nexus is a third-person Run n' Gun / Beat'Em Up filled with arcade-style action and button-mashing brutality. Gun your way through droves of bad guys in the Story Campaign, or build your perfect killing machine in the neverending onslaught of Arena Mode.
MADNESS: Project Nexus at a glance Released 2021 Studio GIBBING TREE, LLC Player sentiment 97% positive of 17,530 Price $24.99 GoreHack and SlashShooterFunnyThird PersonViolentThird-Person ShooterLocal Co-Op
- 24
DOOM
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Gore, Shooter and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2016).
Now includes all three premium DLC packs (Unto the Evil, Hell Followed, and Bloodfall), maps, modes, and weapons, as well as all feature updates including Arcade Mode, Photo Mode, and the latest Update 6.66, which brings further multiplayer improvements as well as revamps multiplayer progression.
DOOM at a glance Released 2016 Studio id Software Player sentiment 96% positive of 221,344 Price $19.99 GoreShooterSci-fiDifficultViolent
Common questions
What game is most like EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5?
EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 4.1 The Shadow of New Despair, on the evidence we have. It made by the same studio, SANDLOT. That is a statement about overlap, not a promise you will like it as much: two games can share every tag and still feel different to play.
How is "similar to EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5" decided?
By overlap on the tags Steam players applied to each game, the formal genres, the themes both sit in, and whether the same studio made them. Tags carry the most weight because players write them, so they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are ignored: matching on "Singleplayer" is matching on nothing. Every entry below shows exactly what it matched on.
Are these ranked by quality?
No. They are ordered by how much they overlap with EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5. Where two games overlap equally, the better received one goes first, but that only moves a game a place or two. Each entry shows its own player sentiment so you can weigh that separately.
What else did the makers of EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5 do?
EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 4.1 The Shadow of New Despair is also from SANDLOT, and appears in the list below for that reason as well as on tag overlap.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
No. The order is computed from tag and genre overlap and nothing else. No placement here can be bought, and a game appearing high on this page is a statement about resemblance rather than an endorsement.