Most Played Shoot 'Em Up Games on Steam
Take a look at the top shoot 'em up games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of September 14th 2025. Want to explore even more shoot 'em up titles available on Steam? Explore the complete list of the best shoot 'em up games.
Lists & Categories
1. Sven Co-op
Sven Co-op is a co-operative game originally based around Valve Software's Half-Life. In this game players must work together against computer controlled enemies and solve puzzles as a team. Sven Co-op is a game developed and published by . Released on January 22nd 2016 has received 31,316 reviews of which 29,316 were positive and 2,000 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played shoot 'em up game, thanks to its 292 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.2
29,316
2,000
292
players
2. 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 game developed and published by . Released on July 19th 2024 has received 3,330 reviews of which 2,256 were positive and 1,074 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. While seeing 253 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among shoot 'em up games based on player count.
6.6
2,256
1,074
253
players
3. Starship Annihilator
A classic style vertical scrolling-shooter. Includes 10 levels and 10 boss enemies. You will have several power-ups for weapon modification. Within each level, you will face different enemies, among which will vary from low to extreme levels of threat! Starship Annihilator is a game developed and published by . Released on September 02nd 2016 has received 317 reviews of which 205 were positive and 112 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played shoot 'em up games.
6.2
205
112
100
players
4. Nova Drift
Nova Drift distills the mechanical depth and strategy of an ARPG into classic arcade space combat. Control an endlessly evolving bio-mechanical ship, face legions of strange and deadly foes, and ride the wake of a dying star across the void. Nova Drift is a game developed and published by . Released on August 12th 2024 has received 13,985 reviews of which 13,393 were positive and 592 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played shoot 'em up games.
9.3
13,393
592
97
players
5. 20 Minutes Till Dawn
20 Minutes Till Dawn is a survival roguelite where endless hordes of creatures lurk from the dark. Craft an array of overpowering builds and eradicate waves of Lovecraftian nightmares. Will you be able to survive the night? 20 Minutes Till Dawn is a game developed and published by . Released on June 08th 2023 has received 27,719 reviews of which 25,358 were positive and 2,361 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played shoot 'em up games.
9.0
25,358
2,361
92
players
6. Touhou Kinjoukyou ～ Fossilized Wonders.
Team Shanghai Alice presents a bullet hell shooter! The 20th installment of the Touhou Project. Utilize the powers you've acquired to overcome new challenges! Touhou Kinjoukyou ～ Fossilized Wonders. is a game developed and published by . Released on August 16th 2025 has received 571 reviews of which 517 were positive and 54 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played shoot 'em up games.
8.5
517
54
82
players
7. Sker Ritual
An intense round-based zombie survival FPS, play solo or co-op. Shoot your way through relentless waves of vicious horrors with high-octane objectives, upgrading steampunk weapons, collecting Celtic God powers, and surviving the onslaught of the Quiet Ones. Sker Ritual is a game developed and published by . Released on April 18th 2024 has received 5,232 reviews of which 4,404 were positive and 828 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played shoot 'em up games.
8.2
4,404
828
75
players
8. The Braves
Demolish hordes of enemies and survive against all odds! Unlock different characters, find powerful skill combinations and embark on an exciting journey through the variety of very different worlds in this cute but unforgiving roguelike game! The Braves is a game developed and published by . Released on May 03rd 2024 has received 1,643 reviews of which 1,170 were positive and 473 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played shoot 'em up games.
6.9
1,170
473
73
players
9. Dead Estate
Cornered with nowhere else to turn, can you escape the monster-filled mansion? Dead Estate is a gory, fast-paced, challenging roguelike shooter with a heavy emphasis on horror. Dead Estate is a game developed and published by . Released on October 19th 2021 has received 5,803 reviews of which 5,503 were positive and 300 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played shoot 'em up games.
9.2
5,503
300
51
players
10. Chicken Invaders Universe
A deliciously addictive core of finger-blistering shooting action, surrounded by delectable morsels of galactic exploration, spacecraft customization, and community competitions. Chicken Invaders Universe is a game developed and published by . Released on December 15th 2022 has received 3,490 reviews of which 3,181 were positive and 309 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played shoot 'em up games.
8.8
3,181
309
46
players
More Shoot 'Em Up & Related Games
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