Best Beat 'em up Games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated beat 'em up games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free beat 'em up games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Sacred Citadel
Sharpen your axe, string your bow, brew your potions! Ancaria needs heroes like you. Grab your friends to join the resistance!The once peaceful land of Ancaria is in grave danger. The evil Ashen empire has enslaved its population and is using the orc-like Grimmoc to wipe out the Seraphim, who swore to protect it.
Brutal Legend
Brütal Legend is an action-adventure that marries visceral action combat with open-world freedom. Set in a universe somewhere between Lord of the Rings and Spinal Tap, it’s a fresh take on the action/driving genre, which in this case is full of imitation cover bands, demons intent on enslaving humanity and Heavy metal tunes.
DmC: Devil May Cry
In this retelling of Dante's origin story which is set against a contemporary backdrop, DmC Devil May Cry™ retains the stylish action.
Condemned: Criminal Origins
What twists the mind of an ordinary human into a serial killer?
Fairy Bloom Freesia
Take control of Freesia as she protects Lita Forest by beating the living daylights out of enemies invading the forest!
Castle Crashers®
Hack, slash, and smash your way to victory in this award winning 2D arcade adventure from The Behemoth!
Batman: Arkham City - Game of the Year Edition
Get Batman: Arkham City and all DLC for one low price with the release of the GOTY Edition!
They Bleed Pixels
They Bleed Pixels is a fiendishly difficult action platformer inspired by H.P. Lovecraft and classic horror.
Kung Fu Strike - The Warrior's Rise
Taking its inspiration from ancient Chinese tales of revenge and retribution and then adding a dash of over-the-top martial arts and old school arcade fun, Kung Fu Strike features 28 stages of fast-paced combo-based fighting.
Noitu Love 2: Devolution
A century after the legendary boy Noitu Love saved the world from the evil Darns, they rise again, but in a chaos of time-bending mayhem!
Blades of Time
Ayumi, the gorgeous gun and sword-wielding treasure hunter, sets out on a journey to an ancient island in search of new adventures. While rich in bounty, the island is also filled with the magic of Chaos, being at the same time home to blood thirsty monsters.
Shank 2
The fan-favorite 2D brawler is back as ex-mob hit man Shank returns to action in Shank 2. With those closest to him under attack, Shank is once again forced on the offensive. Now he must put his trusty arsenal of handguns, shotguns, automatic weapons, chainsaws, machetes, grenades, plus all-new weaponry and moves to use in order to...
DC Universe™ Online
DC Universe Online is a Free-to-Play, massive multiplayer online action game set in the popular DC Universe. Become one of a new breed of Heroes or Villains and wield incredible powers as you go to war with legendary characters such as Batman, Superman, Lex Luthor and The Joker.
Lugaru HD
Follow Turner, a rebel bunny rabbit with impressive combat skills in his quest to find those responsible for slaughtering his village. Uncover a far-reaching conspiracy involving the corrupt leaders of the rabbit republic and the wolves of the nearby lands. Streamlined Combat: Gone are the days of combo memorization and button mashing.
Batman: Arkham Asylum Game of the Year Edition
Experience what it’s like to be Batman and face off against Gotham's greatest villians. Explore every inch of Arkham Asylum and roam freely on the infamous island.
STAR WARS™ - The Force Unleashed™ Ultimate Sith Edition
A game that will show gamers the deepest, darkest side of the Force in a story that puts them on a collision course with Luke Skywalker himself.
Watchmen: The End is Nigh Part 2
Watchmen: The End Is Nigh Part 2 delves further into the partnership of Rorschach and Nite Owl before the hero-banning Keene Act. It’s now June 1977, and any day now the passage of the Keene Act will outlaw all masked vigilantes not sanctioned by the government.
Alien Shooter
The endless darkness and the somber, long passages of a military complex have become the abode of evil, thousands of blood-thirsty creatures fill its offices, storehouses and mysterious laboratories. About 1,000 monsters on each map, showing up to 100 monsters simultaneously on one playing screen.
X-Blades
In X-Blades, the player takes on the role of the enchanting heroine Ayumi, who survives a breathtaking dance of blades through the Hordes of Darkness. The long-haired beautiful anime, with her pistol blades and mind-blowing leaps, whirls and swirls from one fantastic level to the next.
Zeno Clash
Zeno Clash is an action/fighting game set in a punk fantasy world. The game is played from a first person perspective and the combat is generally up close and brutal. Experience a deep storyline set in a fantastic world.
Watchmen: The End is Nigh
The lines between good and bad have been blurred and crime and terror run rampant in the streets. The alleys, rooftops and sewers are crawling with criminals and brutal gangs. And now, Underboss — in a daring escape — has broken out of prison and is ruling with vicious darkness.
Most played beat 'em up games on Steam
Take a look at the top beat 'em up games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 15th 2025.
1. Yakuza 0
SEGA’s legendary Japanese series finally comes to PC. Fight like hell through Tokyo and Osaka as junior yakuza Kiryu and Majima. Take a front row seat to 1980s life in Japan in an experience unlike anything else in video gaming, with uncapped framerates and 4K resolutions. A legend is born. Yakuza 0 is a story rich, action and beat 'em up game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by SEGA. Released on August 01st 2018 has received 73,481 reviews of which 70,292 were positive and 3,189 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played beat 'em up game, thanks to its 714 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.4
70,292
3,189
714
players
2. Castle Crashers®
Hack, slash, and smash your way to victory in this award winning 2D arcade adventure from The Behemoth! Castle Crashers® is a 2d, online co-op and co-op game developed and published by The Behemoth. Released on September 26th 2012 has received 125,598 reviews of which 120,733 were positive and 4,865 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. While seeing 652 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among beat 'em up games based on player count.
9.5
120,733
4,865
652
players
3. Sifu
Sifu is a realistic third-person brawler with tight Kung Fu combat mechanics and cinematic martial arts action embarking you on a path for revenge. Sifu is a action, martial arts and beat 'em up game developed by Sloclap and published by Sloclap and Kepler Interactive. Released on March 28th 2023 has received 21,129 reviews of which 19,536 were positive and 1,593 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. While seeing 390 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among beat 'em up games based on player count.
9.0
19,536
1,593
390
players
4. Metal Slug: Awakening
Metal Slug: Awakening continues the classic gameplay loved by fans, with exciting new features like World Adventure, 3-player Team-up, and Roguelike challenges. Join forces with your friends online to take on powerful bosses anytime, anywhere! Metal Slug: Awakening is a shoot 'em up, 2d platformer and arcade game developed by Tencent and published by HaoPlay Limited. Released on July 19th 2024 has received 3,229 reviews of which 2,192 were positive and 1,037 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. With 371 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
6.6
2,192
1,037
371
players
5. Yakuza Kiwami 2
Kazuma Kiryu, the Dragon of Dojima, must face the ambitious Ryuji Goda, the Dragon of Kansai, in an all-out war between two rival yakuza clans. An extreme recreation of one of Yakuza’s most beloved entries, now in stunning 4K and unlocked framerates. There can be only one dragon. Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a action, story rich and rpg game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by SEGA. Released on May 09th 2019 has received 16,661 reviews of which 15,870 were positive and 791 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 229 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
9.3
15,870
791
229
players
6. Yakuza Kiwami
SEGA’s critically-acclaimed entry that started a legend. Become Kazuma Kiryu, an up-and-coming yakuza who takes the fall for the murder of a crime boss, only to emerge from prison ten years later to a changed world. Remastered from the ground up, now in 4K and uncapped framerates on PC. Yakuza Kiwami is a action, story rich and adventure game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by SEGA. Released on February 19th 2019 has received 21,877 reviews of which 20,429 were positive and 1,448 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 227 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
9.1
20,429
1,448
227
players
7. Lost Judgment
When a police officer discloses the murder of the student teacher who bullied his son to suicide, the twisted secrets of a Yokohama, high school bleed out. Nothing, in this case, is black and white. Lost Judgment is a action, adventure and beat 'em up game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by SEGA. Released on September 14th 2022 has received 7,666 reviews of which 7,238 were positive and 428 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 218 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
9.1
7,238
428
218
players
8. Yakuza 5 Remastered
Get ready for a Yakuza experience of unprecedented scale! Follow five characters across five Japanese cities, each trying to achieve their dream. The connections between them bring them together, but the conflict that unfolds is nothing any of them could have predicted. Yakuza 5 Remastered is a action, adventure and beat 'em up game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by SEGA. Released on January 28th 2021 has received 6,331 reviews of which 5,658 were positive and 673 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. With 214 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
8.7
5,658
673
214
players
9. MADNESS: Project Nexus
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 is a gore, beat 'em up and hack and slash game developed and published by GIBBING TREE and LLC. Released on September 29th 2021 has received 15,798 reviews of which 15,360 were positive and 438 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 208 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
9.5
15,360
438
208
players
10. Judgment
Fight for the truth and uncover the twisted crime running deep beneath the surface of Tokyo. In this legal thriller , the balance between justice and mercy teeters on the edge. Judgment is a action, adventure and beat 'em up game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by SEGA. Released on September 14th 2022 has received 9,743 reviews of which 9,190 were positive and 553 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 203 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
9.2
9,190
553
203
players
Best deals on beat 'em up games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of beat 'em up games available on Steam right now, updated on June 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted beat 'em up games.
1. Final Vendetta
Final Vendetta is a hard-hitting action packed beat ‘em up in the vein of classic arcade titles. Featuring stunning pixel art and a thumping soundtrack with exclusive tracks from Utah Saints! Brawl with bad dudes and tough girls as you fight through dangerous environments. Final Vendetta is a beat 'em up, action and arcade game developed by Bitmap Bureau and published by Numskull Games. Released on June 16th 2022 has received 399 reviews of which 318 were positive and 81 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for beat 'em up category.
7.5
318
81
-99%
24.99€
0.48€
2. Battletoads
• Over-the-top combat with combos and hard-hitting morph attacks • Wild, varied gameplay sequences for all types of gamers • Hand-drawn animation feels like playing a cartoon • Drop-in couch co-op for three players Battletoads is a action, adventure and co-op game developed by Dlala Studios and published by Microsoft Studios and Rare Ltd. Released on August 20th 2020 has received 2,125 reviews of which 1,450 were positive and 675 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in beat 'em up games.
6.6
1,450
675
-99%
19.99€
0.32€
3. Going Under
Going Under is a satirical dungeon crawler about exploring the cursed ruins of failed tech startups. As an unpaid intern in the dystopian city of Neo-Cascadia, you’ll wield office junk as weaponry as you make your way through the offbeat procedural dungeons beneath your company campus. Going Under is a action roguelike, dungeon crawler and beat 'em up game developed by Aggro Crab and published by Team17 Digital. Released on September 24th 2020 has received 3,718 reviews of which 3,376 were positive and 342 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 98% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in beat 'em up games.
8.7
3,376
342
-98%
19.99€
0.52€
4. Bravery and Greed
Bravery and Greed is a beat 'em up, roguelite, dungeon brawler for up to four players. Choose from four classic fantasy classes, engage in a deep robust combat system, and play a variety of co-operative and competitive game modes with friends via local, online or both. Get rich, or die trying! Bravery and Greed is a multiplayer, rogue-lite and hack and slash game developed by Rekka Games and published by Team17. Released on November 15th 2022 has received 881 reviews of which 678 were positive and 203 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
7.4
678
203
-98%
19.99€
0.51€
5. Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition
The definitive version of the smash hit Metroidvania-style action-platformer, Guacamelee! STCE adds new levels, powers, challenges and refinements to the sprawling, ridiculous, Mexican-inspired adventure of the original Guacamelee! Gold Edition. Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition is a platformer, 2d and metroidvania game developed and published by DrinkBox Studios. Released on August 21st 2014 has received 6,733 reviews of which 6,234 were positive and 499 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
9.0
6,234
499
-97%
14.79€
0.49€
6. Full Metal Furies
From the creators of Rogue Legacy comes a "true-cooperative" action RPG. FULL METAL FURIES puts an emphasis on team play with a unique combat system where everyone is important. Play on the couch, alone or with friends, or make it an online party for up to four players! Full Metal Furies is a action, co-op and indie game developed and published by Cellar Door Games. Released on January 17th 2018 has received 2,819 reviews of which 2,558 were positive and 261 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
8.7
2,558
261
-97%
19.50€
0.64€
7. Megabyte Punch
Megabyte Punch is a fighting/beat ‘em up game in which you build your own fighter! As you travel through different environments, you battle other creatures to get their parts. Parts have their own powers and bonuses, like gun arms for a shoot ability or powerful hips for a devastating pelvic thrust attack. Megabyte Punch is a adventure, local multiplayer and platformer game developed and published by Team Reptile. Released on October 15th 2013 has received 1,113 reviews of which 999 were positive and 114 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
8.5
999
114
-97%
13.99€
0.50€
8. Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues
Choose a side, master your moves, and embrace your destiny in an epic beat 'em up adventure inspired by the hit show. Take control of 8 playable characters with deep movesets, combos, progression, real-time character swaps, ultimate attacks, and much more! Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues is a beat 'em up, martial arts and 2d fighter game developed by Flux Games and published by GameMill Entertainment. Released on January 05th 2021 has received 569 reviews of which 469 were positive and 100 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
7.8
469
100
-97%
19.99€
0.71€
9. Shing!
Experience the most exciting and immersive beat-em-up combat system ever – become a kickass ninja and slice some demons in style! Shing! is a beat 'em up, side scroller and action roguelike game developed by Mass Creation and published by We Dig Games, NA Publishing Inc. and WhisperGames. Released on August 28th 2020 has received 429 reviews of which 333 were positive and 96 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
7.3
333
96
-97%
19.50€
0.62€
10. Guacamelee! Gold Edition
Guacamelee! Gold Edition is a Metroidvania-style action-platformer set in a magical Mexican-inspired world. The game draws its inspiration from traditional Mexican culture and folklore, and features many interesting and unique characters. Guacamelee! Gold Edition is a metroidvania, platformer and action game developed and published by DrinkBox Studios. Released on August 08th 2013 has received 5,950 reviews of which 5,539 were positive and 411 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 96% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
9.0
5,539
411
-96%
14.79€
0.62€
Free beat 'em up games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play beat 'em up games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 15th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play beat 'em up games.
1. Metal Slug: Awakening
Metal Slug: Awakening continues the classic gameplay loved by fans, with exciting new features like World Adventure, 3-player Team-up, and Roguelike challenges. Join forces with your friends online to take on powerful bosses anytime, anywhere! Metal Slug: Awakening is a shoot 'em up, 2d platformer and arcade game developed by Tencent and published by HaoPlay Limited. Released on July 19th 2024 has received 3,229 reviews of which 2,192 were positive and 1,037 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. With 371 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free beat 'em up games on Steam.
6.6
2,192
1,037
371
players
2. Dungeon Fighter Online
Get ready for the ultimate brawl! Dungeon Fighter Online is a classic beat-em up 2D action game with an epic storyline and RPG elements! Choose from 17 diverse classes, and unravel ancient mysteries as you punch, slash, shoot, or summon your way to victory! Dungeon Fighter Online is a free to play, anime and rpg game developed and published by Neople. Released on August 09th 2016 has received 5,538 reviews of which 3,397 were positive and 2,141 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 161, this beat 'em up game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free beat 'em up games on Steam.
6.1
3,397
2,141
161
players
3. Holo X Break
Fight your way through endless waves of holoX's minions! Gear up with all sorts of equipment and items in this action packed beat-em-up to reach the 5 bosses of hololive's "holoX", and put a stop to their plans! Holo X Break is a action, beat 'em up and pixel graphics game developed by KayAnimate and published by holo Indie. Released on March 29th 2024 has received 2,616 reviews of which 2,266 were positive and 350 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free beat 'em up games on Steam.
8.3
2,266
350
7
players
4. Rumble Club
Punch your friends for free! Battle solo or squad up in clumsy chaos across an ever-changing slate of game modes with up to 20 players. Rumble Club is a co-op, multiplayer and battle royale game developed and published by Lightfox Games and Inc.. Released on April 23rd 2024 has received 679 reviews of which 541 were positive and 138 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free beat 'em up games on Steam.
7.6
541
138
7
players
5. Arisen Force: Life Devotee - Initial Ver.
Enjoy a stylish action combat experience as you explore a chapter storylines from Journey to the West. Arisen Force: Life Devotee - Initial Ver. is a action, action rpg and beat 'em up game developed and published by Lemport. Released on November 24th 2024 has received 1,971 reviews of which 1,912 were positive and 59 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free beat 'em up games on Steam.
9.2
1,912
59
5
players
6. KIBORG: Arena
Fight for cash and glory in a prison planet’s Coliseum in this free prologue to KIBORG, the fast-paced action rogue-lite with brutal, cybernetic-enhanced combat. KIBORG: Arena is a action roguelike, hack and slash and beat 'em up game developed and published by Sobaka Studio. Released on August 13th 2024 has received 404 reviews of which 348 were positive and 56 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free beat 'em up games on Steam.
8.0
348
56
2
players
7. Fights in Tight Spaces (Prologue)
Play the first mission of Fights in Tight Spaces for free! A stylish blend of deck-building, turn-based tactics, and thrilling fight sequences in action-movie settings. Learn to balance your hand, momentum, and positioning to overcome the odds to defeat your adversaries. Full game OUT NOW. Fights in Tight Spaces (Prologue) is a deckbuilding, strategy and turn-based tactics game developed by Ground Shatter and published by Raw Fury. Released on December 14th 2020 has received 811 reviews of which 762 were positive and 49 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free beat 'em up games on Steam.
8.8
762
49
8. Metamorphos
Take on the role of the temple’s guardian, awakened to cleanse the temple from an evil force corrupting it. Fight and dodge your way through a series of corrupted denizens, wildlife, and guardians to confront Nafaset, the Defiler, and restore the blessed oases. Metamorphos is a hack and slash, souls-like and beat 'em up game developed by Spicy Dice Studios and published by DigiPen Institute of Technology. Released on May 08th 2021 has received 455 reviews of which 363 were positive and 92 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free beat 'em up games on Steam.
7.5
363
92