Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Returnal (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Returnal 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: CONTROL Ultimate Edition, which both horror, psychological, science fiction, atmospheric and difficult.
- Returnal is tagged Action, Bullet Hell, Rogue-like, Singleplayer, Co-op, Female Protagonist, Online Co-Op, Action Roguelike 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 free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
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
CONTROL Ultimate Edition
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, science fiction, atmospheric and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Female Protagonist, Sci-fi and Horror; 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 Female ProtagonistSci-fiHorrorThird-Person ShooterPsychological HorrorShooterMetroidvaniaDifficult
- 2
Alien: Isolation
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, science fiction, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Horror, Sci-fi and Space.
Discover the true meaning of fear in Alien: Isolation, a survival horror set in an atmosphere of constant dread and mortal danger.
Alien: Isolation at a glance Released 2014 Studio Creative Assembly Player sentiment 93% positive of 66,658 Price $11.99 HorrorSci-fiSpaceFemale ProtagonistDifficultPsychological HorrorShooter
- 3
HELLDIVERS 2
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, science fiction and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Online Co-Op, Third-Person Shooter and Shooter; published by the same company; released around the same time (2024).
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-fiSpaceDifficultPsychological Horror
- 4
SCP: Secret Laboratory
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, science fiction, atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Horror, Shooter and Online Co-Op.
Deep within a secure underground facility, a sudden containment breach allows many of the secured anomalies to escape from their chambers. Assist the Foundation in re-securing the facility, help the Insurgency in their goal to capture it, or wreak havoc as an SCP in a frantic bid to escape.
SCP: Secret Laboratory at a glance Released 2017 Studio Northwood Studios Player sentiment 91% positive of 234,020 Price Free HorrorShooterOnline Co-OpSci-fiPsychological HorrorDifficult
- 5
Dead Space
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, science fiction and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Horror, Third-Person Shooter and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2023).
The sci-fi survival-horror classic returns, completely rebuilt to offer an even more immersive experience — including visual, audio, and gameplay improvements — while staying faithful to the original game’s thrilling vision.
Dead Space at a glance Released 2023 Studio Motive Studio Player sentiment 91% positive of 70,458 Price $59.99 HorrorThird-Person ShooterSci-fiSpacePsychological HorrorShooter
- 6
Half-Life: Alyx
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, science fiction and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including Horror, Female Protagonist and Shooter; released around the same time (2020).
Half-Life: Alyx is Valve’s VR return to the Half-Life series. It’s the story of an impossible fight against a vicious alien race known as the Combine, set between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2. Playing as Alyx Vance, you are humanity’s only chance for survival.
Half-Life: Alyx at a glance Released 2020 Studio Campo Santo Player sentiment 98% positive of 105,097 Price $59.99 HorrorFemale ProtagonistShooterSci-fiPsychological Horror
- 7
SIGNALIS
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, science fiction and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including Psychological Horror, Female Protagonist and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2022).
A classic survival horror experience set in a dystopian future where humanity has uncovered a dark secret. Unravel a cosmic mystery, escape terrifying creatures, and scavenge an off-world government facility as Elster, a technician Replika searching for her lost dreams.
SIGNALIS at a glance Released 2022 Studio rose-engine Player sentiment 97% positive of 34,220 Price $19.99 Psychological HorrorFemale ProtagonistSci-fiShooterThird-Person Shooter
- 8
Outlast
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, science fiction, atmospheric and difficult; shares 4 player tags including Horror, Psychological Horror and Difficult.
Hell is an experiment you can't survive in Outlast, a first-person survival horror game developed by veterans of some of the biggest game franchises in history. As investigative journalist Miles Upshur, explore Mount Massive Asylum and try to survive long enough to discover its terrible secret... if you dare.
Outlast at a glance Released 2013 Studio Red Barrels Player sentiment 96% positive of 138,407 Price $14.99 HorrorPsychological HorrorDifficultSci-fi
- 9
Lobotomy Corporation | Monster Management Simulation
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Difficult, Psychological Horror and Horror.
A roguelite monster-management simulation inspired by the likes of the SCP Foundation, Cabin in the Woods, and Warehouse 13. Order your employees to perform work with the creatures and watch as it unfolds; harness greater energy, and expand the facility
Lobotomy Corporation | Monster Management Simulation at a glance Released 2018 Studio ProjectMoon Player sentiment 94% positive of 56,811 Price $24.99 DifficultPsychological HorrorHorrorRogue-likeRogue-lite
- 10
Remnant: From the Ashes
Why it matched: both horror, atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Souls-like, Third-Person Shooter and Online Co-Op; released around the same time (2019).
The world has been thrown into chaos by an ancient evil from another dimension. As one of the last remnants of humanity, you must set out alone or alongside up to two other survivors to face down hordes of deadly enemies to try to carve a foothold, rebuild, and retake what was lost.
Remnant: From the Ashes at a glance Released 2019 Studio Gunfire Games Player sentiment 84% positive of 57,316 Price $39.99 Souls-likeThird-Person ShooterOnline Co-OpShooterDifficultHorror
- 11
Aliens: Fireteam Elite
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Shooter, Horror and Third-Person Shooter; released around the same time (2021).
Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a cooperative third-person survival game set in the iconic Alien Universe. Battle through hordes of different types of Xenomorph, customize your character and gear, and level-up as you try to contain this ever-growing threat.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite at a glance Released 2021 Studio Cold Iron Studios Player sentiment 80% positive of 27,048 Price $29.99 ShooterHorrorThird-Person ShooterOnline Co-OpSci-fiSpace
- 12
The Evil Within
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Horror, Psychological Horror and Third-Person Shooter.
Developed by Shinji Mikami -- creator of the seminal Resident Evil series -- and the talented team at Tango Gameworks, The Evil Within embodies the meaning of pure survival horror. Highly-crafted environments, horrifying anxiety, and an intricate story are combined to create an immersive world that will bring you to the height of tension.
The Evil Within at a glance Released 2014 Studio Tango Gameworks Player sentiment 85% positive of 33,579 Price $19.99 HorrorPsychological HorrorThird-Person ShooterDifficultShooter
- 13
Dark Sector
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction, atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Third-Person Shooter, Shooter and Horror.
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 ShooterShooterHorrorSci-fiDifficult
- 14
Lethal Company
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, science fiction and atmospheric; shares 4 player tags including Online Co-Op, Horror and Psychological Horror; released around the same time (2023).
A co-op horror about scavenging at abandoned moons to sell scrap to the Company.
Lethal Company at a glance Released 2023 Studio Zeekerss Player sentiment 97% positive of 510,597 Price $9.99 Online Co-OpHorrorPsychological HorrorSci-fi
- 15
Content Warning
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, science fiction and atmospheric; shares 4 player tags including Online Co-Op, Horror and Psychological Horror; released around the same time (2024).
Film your friends doing scary things to become SpöökTube famous! (strongly advised to not go alone)
Content Warning at a glance Released 2024 Studio Zorro Player sentiment 94% positive of 162,949 Price $4.95 Online Co-OpHorrorPsychological HorrorSci-fi
- 16
DEVOUR
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, atmospheric and difficult; shares 4 player tags including Horror, Online Co-Op and Psychological Horror; released around the same time (2021).
DEVOUR is a co-op horror survival game for 1-4 players. Stop possessed cultists before they drag you to hell. Run. Scream. Hide. Just don't get caught.
DEVOUR at a glance Released 2021 Studio Straight Back Games Player sentiment 90% positive of 88,093 Price $9.99 HorrorOnline Co-OpPsychological HorrorDifficult
- 17
Jump King
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, atmospheric and difficult; shares 4 player tags including Psychological Horror, Difficult and Souls-like; released around the same time (2019).
Take up the challenge and face true high-stakes platforming in Jump King! Struggle upwards in search of the Smoking Hot Babe of legend, but explore with care; a single missed jump could lead to a long fall back down...
Jump King at a glance Released 2019 Studio Nexile Player sentiment 90% positive of 13,391 Price $12.99 Psychological HorrorDifficultSouls-likeHorror
- 18
Backrooms: Escape Together
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, science fiction and atmospheric; shares 4 player tags including Horror, Psychological Horror and Online Co-Op; released around the same time (2022).
A visually lifelike co-op horror game for 1-6 people. Journey through 11 procedurally generated levels, using what's available to survive and progress deeper into the Backrooms.
Backrooms: Escape Together at a glance Released 2022 Studio Triiodide Studios Player sentiment 89% positive of 48,808 Price $9.99 HorrorPsychological HorrorOnline Co-OpSci-fi
- 19
Pacify
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, science fiction and atmospheric; shares 4 player tags including Horror, Online Co-Op and Psychological Horror; released around the same time (2019).
An online co-op horror game where you pacify, weaken and capture supernatural creatures for PAH Inc. Each level has a different story, unique monsters, and multiple endings. Play single player or together with up to 6 friends. Includes proximity voice chat with fun effects.
Pacify at a glance Released 2019 Studio Shawn Hitchcock Player sentiment 86% positive of 42,748 Price $2.19 HorrorOnline Co-OpPsychological HorrorSci-fi
- 20
Inside the Backrooms
Why it matched: both horror, psychological, science fiction and atmospheric; shares 4 player tags including Horror, Psychological Horror and Online Co-Op; released around the same time (2022).
Inside the Backrooms is a horror multiplayer game mixed with different mechanics that will make you spend an intense night with friends. Explore, think, interact, but be careful, it is rumored that there are several entities wishing to find you...
Inside the Backrooms at a glance Released 2022 Studio MrFatcat Player sentiment 80% positive of 46,767 Price $6.99 HorrorPsychological HorrorOnline Co-OpSci-fi
- 21
Resident Evil: Revelations
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Horror, Third-Person Shooter and Female Protagonist.
Resident Evil® Revelations returns redefined for PC complete with high quality HD visuals, enhanced lighting effects and an immersive sound experience.
Resident Evil: Revelations at a glance Released 2012 Studio Capcom Player sentiment 81% positive of 18,426 Price $19.99 HorrorThird-Person ShooterFemale ProtagonistOnline Co-OpShooterSci-fi
- 22
Resident Evil Revelations
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Horror, Third-Person Shooter and Female Protagonist.
Resident Evil® Revelations returns redefined for PC complete with high quality HD visuals, enhanced lighting effects and an immersive sound experience.
Resident Evil Revelations at a glance Released 2013 Studio Capcom Player sentiment 81% positive of 18,430 Price $19.99 HorrorThird-Person ShooterFemale ProtagonistOnline Co-OpShooterSci-fi
- 23
Deep Rock Galactic
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including Shooter, Sci-fi and Space; released around the same time (2020).
Deep Rock Galactic is a 1-4 player co-op FPS featuring dwarven space miners, procedurally-generated destructible environments, and endless hordes of alien monsters. Explore cave systems, mine for minerals, and work together to survive!
Deep Rock Galactic at a glance Released 2020 Studio Ghost Ship Games Player sentiment 97% positive of 379,460 Price $29.99 ShooterSci-fiSpaceHorrorAction Roguelike
- 24
Risk of Rain 2
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 8 player tags including Third-Person Shooter, Action Roguelike and Rogue-lite; released around the same time (2020).
Escape a chaotic alien planet by fighting through hordes of frenzied monsters – with your friends, or on your own. Combine loot in surprising ways and master each character until you become the havoc you feared upon your first crash landing.
Risk of Rain 2 at a glance Released 2020 Studio Hopoo Games Player sentiment 94% positive of 352,120 Price $8.24 Third-Person ShooterAction RoguelikeRogue-liteRogue-likeOnline Co-OpShooterDifficultBullet Hell
Common questions
What game is most like Returnal?
CONTROL Ultimate Edition, on the evidence we have. It both horror, psychological, science fiction, atmospheric and difficult. 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 Returnal" 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 Returnal. 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.
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.