Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Risk of Rain Returns (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Risk of Rain Returns 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: Deep Rock Galactic, which both science fiction and atmospheric.
- Risk of Rain Returns is tagged Action Roguelike, Online Co-Op, Multiplayer, 2D, PvE, Local Co-Op, Looter Shooter, Sci-fi 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.
- 2 are from the same studio: Risk of Rain (2013), Risk of Rain 2.
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
Deep Rock Galactic
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including PvE, Class-Based and Loot; 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 PvEClass-BasedLootSci-fiSpaceLooter ShooterCombatAction Roguelike
- 2
Dome Keeper
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Rogue-like, Sci-fi and Combat; released around the same time (2022).
Defend against waves of alien monsters in this unique roguelike action miner. Dig for resources, collect useful gadgets, and upgrade equipment to increase odds of survival – just hurry back before your dome is destroyed!
Dome Keeper at a glance Released 2022 Studio Bippinbits Player sentiment 92% positive of 22,239 Price $5.39 Rogue-likeSci-fiCombatPixel GraphicsSpace2DController
- 3
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Action Roguelike, PvE and Arcade; released around the same time (2025).
DEEP ROCK GALACTIC: SURVIVOR is a single player survivor-like auto-shooter. Take on hordes of lethal aliens, mine riches, and unlock powerful upgrades to survive, as you wield the full arsenal of Deep Rock Galactic. It's one dwarf against all of Planet Hoxxes!
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor at a glance Released 2025 Studio Funday Games Player sentiment 86% positive of 48,165 Price $7.79 Action RoguelikePvEArcadeSci-fiSpaceCombat
- 4
Zero Wing
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 8 player tags including Arcade, 2D and Controller.
Defend the galaxy from vicious space pirates! Seize your foes and fire them back at their allies for devastating destruction in Toaplan's legendary horizontal arcade shooter, now on PC with all-new features and quality-of-life bonuses!
Zero Wing at a glance Released 1989 Studio Toaplan Player sentiment 88% positive of 85 Price $7.99 Arcade2DControllerPixel GraphicsSci-fiSpaceCombatLocal Co-Op
- 5
Brotato
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 7 player tags including Rogue-like, Action Roguelike and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2023).
Brotato is a top-down arena shooter roguelite where you play a potato wielding up to 6 weapons at a time to fight off hordes of aliens. Choose from a variety of traits and items to create unique builds and survive until help arrives.
Brotato at a glance Released 2023 Studio Blobfish Player sentiment 96% positive of 118,244 Price $4.99 Rogue-likeAction RoguelikeSci-fiLocal Co-OpArcadeController2D
- 6
Starship Troopers: Extermination
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 7 player tags including Online Co-Op, Sci-fi and Combat; released around the same time (2024).
Starship Troopers: Extermination is a 16-player co-op FPS that puts you on the far-off frontlines of an all-out battle against the Bugs! Squad up, grab your rifle, and do your part as an elite Deep Space Vanguard Trooper to take back planets from the Arachnid threat!
Starship Troopers: Extermination at a glance Released 2024 Studio Offworld Player sentiment 79% positive of 33,360 Price $29.99 Online Co-OpSci-fiCombatArcadePvESpaceClass-Based
- 7
Relic Hunters Zero: Remix
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 7 player tags including Looter Shooter, Action Roguelike and Pixel Graphics.
Relic Hunters Zero: Remix is a remaster of the FREE 1 million player hit game about blasting evil space ducks and turtles with tiny cute guns. It’s fast, it’s tactical, and feels deliciously smooth to play. Unlock new weapons, characters and relics to defeat the Ducan Commander!
Relic Hunters Zero: Remix at a glance Released 2015 Studio Rogue Snail Player sentiment 93% positive of 6,756 Price Free Looter ShooterAction RoguelikePixel GraphicsLocal Co-OpRogue-like2DSpace
- 8
Borderlands Game of the Year Enhanced
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 4 player tags including Loot, Online Co-Op and Looter Shooter; published by the same company; released around the same time (2023).
Discover the original co-op shooter-looter, crammed with new enhancements! As one of 4 trigger-happy mercenaries with RPG progression, equip bazillions of guns to take on the desert planet Pandora.
Borderlands Game of the Year Enhanced at a glance Released 2023 Studio Gearbox Software Player sentiment 81% positive of 27,784 Price $29.99 LootOnline Co-OpLooter ShooterSci-fi
- 9
Returnal
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including Rogue-like, Online Co-Op and Action Roguelike; released around the same time (2023).
BREAK THE CYCLE Fight to survive as this award-winning third-person shooter brings Selene’s story to PC. Take on roguelike challenges. Engage enemies in bullet hell-fuelled clashes. Share your journey through Returnal™ with another player.
Returnal at a glance Released 2023 Studio Housemarque Player sentiment 81% positive of 11,035 Price $59.99 Rogue-likeOnline Co-OpAction RoguelikeSpaceSci-fi
- 10
Aliens: Fireteam Elite
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including Online Co-Op, Sci-fi and Space; 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 Online Co-OpSci-fiSpacePvEController
- 11
Distant Space
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 7 player tags including Arcade, Space and Pixel Graphics.
Distant Space are present the arcade game of cosmic fights in arcade style of the 80's, this is a game where you can control the spaceship and forced to destroy extraterrestrials, which are moving in the certain order.
Distant Space at a glance Released 2016 Studio PixelMouse Player sentiment 82% positive of 3,458 Price $0.99 ArcadeSpacePixel Graphics2DSci-fiPvEController
- 12
EVERSPACE 2
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 6 player tags including Space, Loot and Looter Shooter; released around the same time (2023).
EVERSPACE 2 is a fast-paced single-player spaceship shooter with exploration in space and on planets, tons of loot, RPG elements, mining, and crafting. Experience an exciting sci-fi story set in a vivid, handcrafted open world full of secrets, puzzles, and perils.
EVERSPACE 2 at a glance Released 2023 Studio ROCKFISH Games Player sentiment 86% positive of 13,004 Price $49.99 SpaceLootLooter ShooterPvECombatSci-fi
- 13
Risk of Rain (2013)
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Hopoo Games; shares 6 player tags including Action Roguelike, Rogue-like and Pixel Graphics.
Risk of Rain is an action platformer with roguelike elements. With permanent death as a primary feature, players will have to play their best to get as far as possible. Fight on a mysterious planet with randomly spawning enemies and bosses, either alone or with 3 friends in online co-op.
Risk of Rain (2013) at a glance Released 2013 Studio Hopoo Games Player sentiment 93% positive of 29,833 Price $1.99 Action RoguelikeRogue-likePixel GraphicsOnline Co-Op2DLocal Co-Op
- 14
Starbound
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including Space, Pixel Graphics and Online Co-Op.
You’ve fled your home, only to find yourself lost in space with a damaged ship. Your only option is to beam down to the planet below, repair your ship and set off to explore the universe...
Starbound at a glance Released 2016 Studio Chucklefish Player sentiment 90% positive of 123,280 Price $14.99 SpacePixel GraphicsOnline Co-Op2DSci-fi
- 15
Borderlands
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 4 player tags including Loot, Online Co-Op and Looter Shooter; published by the same company.
Discover the original co-op shooter-looter, crammed with new enhancements! As one of 4 trigger-happy mercenaries with RPG progression, equip bazillions of guns to take on the desert planet Pandora.
Borderlands at a glance Released 2009 Studio Gearbox Software Player sentiment 81% positive of 27,781 Price $29.99 LootOnline Co-OpLooter ShooterSci-fi
- 16
Destiny 2
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including Looter Shooter, PvE and Loot.
Explore the mysteries of Sol and experience exhilirating first-person shooter combat in Destiny 2. Unlock powerful abilities and collect unique gear across story missions, co-op, and PvP modes.
Destiny 2 at a glance Released 2017 Studio Bungie Player sentiment 79% positive of 661,549 Price Free Looter ShooterPvELootSci-fiSpace
- 17
Vampire Survivors
Why it matched: shares 7 player tags including Action Roguelike, Pixel Graphics and 2D; released around the same time (2022).
Mow down thousands of night creatures and survive until dawn! Vampire Survivors is a gothic horror casual game with rogue-lite elements, where your choices can allow you to quickly snowball against the hundreds of monsters that get thrown at you. Be the bullet hell!
Vampire Survivors at a glance Released 2022 Studio poncle Player sentiment 98% positive of 265,103 Price $3.74 Action RoguelikePixel Graphics2DArcadeRogue-likeControllerLocal Co-Op
- 18
Risk of Rain 2
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Hopoo Games; shares 5 player tags including Action Roguelike, Rogue-like and Looter Shooter; 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 Action RoguelikeRogue-likeLooter ShooterLootOnline Co-Op
- 19
Ikaruga
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 6 player tags including Arcade, Sci-fi and Local Co-Op.
Shoot! Dodge! and... Get Hit!? "Ikaruga" is a vertical shoot 'em up that features an unique polarity-switching gameplay. Switch the ship's polarity and "get hit and absorb" enemy bullets! Achieve High Score with the chain bonus!
Ikaruga at a glance Released 2001 Studio Treasure Player sentiment 95% positive of 2,364 Price $9.99 ArcadeSci-fiLocal Co-Op2DSpaceController
- 20
Borderlands 2
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 5 player tags including Loot, Looter Shooter and Combat; published by the same company.
The Ultimate Vault Hunter’s Upgrade lets you get the most out of the Borderlands 2 experience.
Borderlands 2 at a glance Released 2012 Studio Gearbox Software Player sentiment 90% positive of 312,170 Price $19.99 LootLooter ShooterCombatOnline Co-OpSci-fi
- 21
STAR WARS Battlefront
Why it matched: both science fiction and atmospheric; shares 4 player tags including Sci-fi, Space and Online Co-Op; 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 Sci-fiSpaceOnline Co-OpCombat
- 22
Awesomenauts
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 6 player tags including 2D, Local Co-Op and Controller.
Use your power, show your might! Play this Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game! AWESOMENAUTS combines 2D platforming with team-based strategy and hero based action. Whether you are a new recruit or an intergalactic legend, play AWESOMENAUTS!
Awesomenauts at a glance Released 2012 Studio Ronimo Games Player sentiment 85% positive of 26,853 Price $8.99 2DLocal Co-OpControllerSci-fiOnline Co-OpSpace
- 23
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands
Why it matched: shares 6 player tags including Loot, Looter Shooter and Online Co-Op; published by the same company; released around the same time (2022).
Embark on an epic adventure full of whimsy, wonder, and high-powered weaponry! Roll your own multiclass hero then shoot, loot, slash, and cast on a quest to stop the Dragon Lord.
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands at a glance Released 2022 Studio Gearbox Software Player sentiment 71% positive of 24,680 Price $11.99 LootLooter ShooterOnline Co-OpPvEClass-BasedLocal Co-Op
- 24
Halls of Torment
Why it matched: both atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including Action Roguelike, Pixel Graphics and Rogue-like; released around the same time (2024).
Slay hordes of terrifying monsters in this horde survival roguelite. Descend into the Halls of Torment where the Lords of the underworld await you. Treasures, magical trinkets, and a growing cast of heroes will grant you the power to vanquish these horrors from beyond. How long can you survive?
Halls of Torment at a glance Released 2024 Studio Chasing Carrots Player sentiment 95% positive of 31,787 Price $6.66 Action RoguelikePixel GraphicsRogue-likeArcade2D
Common questions
What game is most like Risk of Rain Returns?
Deep Rock Galactic, on the evidence we have. It both science fiction and atmospheric. 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 Risk of Rain Returns" 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 Risk of Rain Returns. 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 Risk of Rain Returns do?
Risk of Rain (2013), Risk of Rain 2 are also from Hopoo Games, 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.