Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Half-Life 2: Deathmatch (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Half-Life 2: Deathmatch 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: Half-Life Deathmatch: Source, which made by the same studio, Valve.
- Half-Life 2: Deathmatch is tagged Action, FPS, Multiplayer, Shooter, First-Person, Sci-fi, Physics, Competitive 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.
- 2 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
- 8 are from the same studio: Half-Life Deathmatch: Source, Deathmatch Classic, Half-Life: Source, Portal, Counter-Strike: Source, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, Portal 2, The Lab.
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
Half-Life Deathmatch: Source
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Valve; both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including FPS, Shooter and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2006).
Half-Life Deathmatch: Source is a recreation of the first multiplayer game set in the Half-Life universe. Features all the classic weapons and most-played maps, now running on the Source engine.
Half-Life Deathmatch: Source at a glance Released 2006 Studio Valve Player sentiment 76% positive of 5,582 Price $9.99 FPSShooterSci-fiFirst-PersonViolentCompetitiveGreat SoundtrackArena Shooter
- 2
Quake III Arena
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including FPS, Arena Shooter and Shooter.
The greatest warriors of all time and space have been summoned to battle for the amusement of an ancient alien race. Wield a variety of guns and power-ups as you fight for glory against ruthless combatants in this fast-paced single-player and multiplayer FPS.
Quake III Arena at a glance Released 1999 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 96% positive of 4,100 Price $14.99 FPSArena ShooterShooterCompetitiveFirst-PersonSci-fiModdableOld School
- 3
Deathmatch Classic
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Valve; both science fiction; shares 8 player tags including FPS, Shooter and First-Person; released around the same time (2001).
Enjoy fast-paced multiplayer gaming with Deathmatch Classic (a.k.a. DMC). Valve's tribute to the work of id software, DMC invites players to grab their rocket launchers and put their reflexes to the test in a collection of futuristic settings.
Deathmatch Classic at a glance Released 2001 Studio Valve Player sentiment 83% positive of 3,320 Price $4.99 FPSShooterFirst-PersonArena ShooterOld SchoolSci-fiCompetitivePvP
- 4
Half-Life: Source
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Valve; both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including FPS, Sci-fi and First-Person; released around the same time (2004).
Winner of over 50 Game of the Year awards, Half-Life set new standards for action games when it was released in 1998. Half-Life: Source is a digitally remastered version of the critically acclaimed and best selling PC game, enhanced via Source technology to include physics simulation, enhanced effects, and more.
Half-Life: Source at a glance Released 2004 Studio Valve Player sentiment 69% positive of 16,699 Price $9.99 FPSSci-fiFirst-PersonShooterGreat SoundtrackModdable
- 5
Quake
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including FPS, Shooter and First-Person.
Developed by the award-winning id Software, Quake® is the ground-breaking, original dark fantasy first-person shooter that inspires today’s retro-style FPS games. With Quake (Enhanced), experience the authentic, updated, and visually enhanced version of the original.
Quake at a glance Released 1996 Studio Nightdive Studios Player sentiment 96% positive of 16,302 Price $9.99 FPSShooterFirst-PersonOld SchoolGreat SoundtrackModdableSci-fiArena Shooter
- 6
Quake II
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including FPS, Shooter and Sci-fi.
You are humanity’s last hope to stop the Strogg, a hostile alien race waging war against Earth. Play this military sci-fi FPS, now upgraded for modern platforms with improved visuals, new campaign content, online multiplayer/co-op, and more.
Quake II at a glance Released 1997 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 95% positive of 10,370 Price $9.99 FPSShooterSci-fiGreat SoundtrackFirst-PersonOld SchoolModdableArena Shooter
- 7
Unreal Tournament 3 Black
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including FPS, Arena Shooter and Shooter.
Now includes the free Titan Pack expansion! The Titan Pack gives players a substantial amount of enhanced features and new content, including many original environments, new gametypes, the namesake Titan mutator, powerful deployables and weapons, new characters, and the Stealthbender.
Unreal Tournament 3 Black at a glance Released 2009 Studio Epic Games, Inc. Player sentiment 88% positive of 4,204 Price Not listed FPSArena ShooterShooterSci-fiFirst-PersonCompetitiveGreat SoundtrackModdable
- 8
Portal
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Valve; both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including First-Person, Sci-fi and Physics; released around the same time (2007).
Portal™ is a new single player game from Valve. Set in the mysterious Aperture Science Laboratories, Portal has been called one of the most innovative new games on the horizon and will offer gamers hours of unique gameplay.
Portal at a glance Released 2007 Studio Valve Player sentiment 99% positive of 198,682 Price $9.99 First-PersonSci-fiPhysicsFunnyFPS
- 9
Half-Life 2
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including FPS, Sci-fi and Shooter; released around the same time (2004).
Reawakened from stasis in the occupied metropolis of City 17, Gordon Freeman is joined by Alyx Vance as he leads a desperate human resistance. Experience the landmark first-person shooter packed with immersive world-building, boundary-pushing physics, and exhilarating combat.
Half-Life 2 at a glance Released 2004 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 98% positive of 278,618 Price $9.99 FPSSci-fiShooterFirst-PersonPhysicsGreat SoundtrackModdable
- 10
Half-Life: Blue Shift
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including FPS, Sci-fi and Shooter; released around the same time (2001).
Made by Gearbox Software and originally released in 2001 as an add-on to Half-Life, Blue Shift is a return to the Black Mesa Research Facility in which you play as Barney Calhoun, the security guard sidekick who helped Gordon out of so many sticky situations.
Half-Life: Blue Shift at a glance Released 2001 Studio Gearbox Software Player sentiment 93% positive of 21,191 Price $4.99 FPSSci-fiShooterFirst-PersonModdableGreat SoundtrackViolent
- 11
Quake 4
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including FPS, Shooter and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2005).
As part of the elite Rhino Squad, you must spearhead Earth’s military invasion of a hostile alien homeworld. But, in this desperate war for humanity’s survival against an unrelenting enemy, you may discover that the only way to defeat them...is to become one of them.
Quake 4 at a glance Released 2005 Studio Raven Software Player sentiment 88% positive of 3,977 Price $14.99 FPSShooterSci-fiFirst-PersonArena ShooterViolentModdable
- 12
Splitgate: Arena Warfare
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 9 player tags including FPS, Arena Shooter and Shooter.
Splitgate is a free-to-play, fast-paced multiplayer shooter that features player-controlled portals. This sci-fi shooter takes the FPS genre to a new dimension with its portal mechanics, delivering high-flying, multi-dimensional combat.
Splitgate: Arena Warfare at a glance Released 2019 Studio 1047 Games Player sentiment 91% positive of 110,493 Price Free FPSArena ShooterShooterFirst-PersonPvPCompetitiveSci-fiPhysics
- 13
DOOM + DOOM II
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 8 player tags including FPS, Great Soundtrack and Old School; released around the same time (2007).
Developed by id Software, and originally released in 1993 and 1994, the definitive, newly enhanced versions of DOOM + DOOM II are available as a combined product.
DOOM + DOOM II at a glance Released 2007 Studio id Software Player sentiment 97% positive of 28,979 Price $9.99 FPSGreat SoundtrackOld SchoolShooterFirst-PersonModdableSci-fiViolent
- 14
Counter-Strike: Source
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Valve; both atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Shooter, FPS and First-Person; released around the same time (2004).
Counter-Strike: Source blends Counter-Strike's award-winning teamplay action with the advanced technology of Source™ technology.
Counter-Strike: Source at a glance Released 2004 Studio Valve Player sentiment 96% positive of 193,040 Price $9.99 ShooterFPSFirst-PersonCompetitivePvPModdable
- 15
DOOM II
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 8 player tags including FPS, Shooter and Old School; released around the same time (2007).
Hell has invaded Earth, and to save it, you must battle mightier demons with even more powerful weapons. This beloved sequel to the groundbreaking DOOM (1993) introduced players to the brutal Super Shotgun, the infamous Icon of Sin boss, and more intense FPS action.
DOOM II at a glance Released 2007 Studio id Software Player sentiment 95% positive of 9,057 Price Not listed FPSShooterOld SchoolModdableViolentFirst-PersonSci-fiGreat Soundtrack
- 16
Counter-Strike: Condition Zero
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Valve; both atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including FPS, Shooter and First-Person; released around the same time (2004).
With its extensive Tour of Duty campaign, a near-limitless number of skirmish modes, updates and new content for Counter-Strike's award-winning multiplayer game play, plus over 12 bonus single player missions, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero is a tremendous offering of single and multiplayer content.
Counter-Strike: Condition Zero at a glance Released 2004 Studio Valve Player sentiment 91% positive of 28,347 Price $9.99 FPSShooterFirst-PersonCompetitiveOld SchoolViolent
- 17
Portal 2
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Valve; both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including First-Person, Funny and FPS.
The "Perpetual Testing Initiative" has been expanded to allow you to design co-op puzzles for you and your friends!
Portal 2 at a glance Released 2011 Studio Valve Player sentiment 99% positive of 466,026 Price $9.99 First-PersonFunnyFPSPhysicsSci-fi
- 18
The Lab
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Valve; both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including First-Person, Funny and Sci-fi.
Welcome to The Lab, a compilation of Valve’s room-scale VR experiments set in a pocket universe within Aperture Science. Fix a robot, defend a castle, adopt a mechanical dog, and more. Still not sold? It’s free!
The Lab at a glance Released 2016 Studio Valve Player sentiment 95% positive of 6,671 Price Free First-PersonFunnySci-fiFPSShooter
- 19
Doom 64
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including FPS, Shooter and Violent.
Play the enhanced version of the original game released on the Nintendo 64 in 1997. Years have passed since you stopped Hell’s invasion of Earth. Quarantined for humanity’s safety, the UAC research facilities on Mars were abandoned and forgotten...until now.
Doom 64 at a glance Released 1997 Studio Midway Games Player sentiment 93% positive of 8,793 Price $4.99 FPSShooterViolentFirst-PersonSci-fiGreat SoundtrackOld School
- 20
Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including FPS, Violent and First-Person.
Step into the boots of Grayson Hunt after a crash landing on an old resort planet forces him to make a hard choice: survival or revenge. Execute masterful kills with Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition’s unique combat system that rewards you for performing the most creative and deadly kills imaginable.
Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition at a glance Released 2017 Studio People Can Fly Player sentiment 89% positive of 9,652 Price $39.99 FPSViolentFirst-PersonShooterSci-fiFunnyGreat Soundtrack
- 21
Deus Ex
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including FPS, Sci-fi and Great Soundtrack; released around the same time (2000).
The year is 2052. The world's economies are close to collapse and the gap between the insanely wealthy and the desperately poor grows ever wider. Worst of all, an ages old conspiracy bent on world domination has decided that the time is right to emerge from the shadows and take control.
Deus Ex at a glance Released 2000 Studio Ion Storm Player sentiment 95% positive of 15,619 Price $6.99 FPSSci-fiGreat SoundtrackFirst-PersonModdableShooter
- 22
Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including FPS, Sci-fi and Great Soundtrack; released around the same time (2007).
The year is 2052. The world's economies are close to collapse and the gap between the insanely wealthy and the desperately poor grows ever wider. Worst of all, an ages old conspiracy bent on world domination has decided that the time is right to emerge from the shadows and take control.
Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition at a glance Released 2007 Studio Ion Storm Player sentiment 95% positive of 15,619 Price $6.99 FPSSci-fiGreat SoundtrackFirst-PersonModdableShooter
- 23
F.E.A.R.
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including FPS, Shooter and First-Person; released around the same time (2005).
Experience the original F.E.A.R. along with F.E.A.R. Extraction Point and F.E.A.R. Perseus Mandate.
F.E.A.R. at a glance Released 2005 Studio Monolith Productions Player sentiment 94% positive of 19,502 Price $9.99 FPSShooterFirst-PersonSci-fiGreat SoundtrackOld School
- 24
Return to Castle Wolfenstein
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including FPS, Shooter and First-Person; released around the same time (2007).
World War II rages and nations fall. The Nazis are twisting science and the occult into an army capable of annihilating the Allies once and for all. As US Army Ranger William “B.J.” Blazkowicz, pierce the black heart of the Third Reich and stop them...or die trying.
Return to Castle Wolfenstein at a glance Released 2007 Studio Gray Matter Studios Player sentiment 93% positive of 9,299 Price $4.99 FPSShooterFirst-PersonSci-fiGreat SoundtrackOld School
Common questions
What game is most like Half-Life 2: Deathmatch?
Half-Life Deathmatch: Source, on the evidence we have. It made by the same studio, Valve. 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 Half-Life 2: Deathmatch" 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 Half-Life 2: Deathmatch. 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 Half-Life 2: Deathmatch do?
Half-Life Deathmatch: Source, Deathmatch Classic, Half-Life: Source, Portal, Counter-Strike: Source, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, Portal 2, The Lab are also from Valve, and appear 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.