Best Top-Down 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 top-down games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free top-down games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
EMERGENCY
Save lives – be a hero! Join forces against the chaos in the newest title of the award-winning EMERGENCY series. Take up your shift as incident commander and coordinate with other players to fight fires, arrest gangsters and rescue injured civilians. Your city needs you!
Desynced
Desynced is a sci-fi strategy game with fully customizable units and behaviors. Gather, build, research, and explore the unknown. Alone or with friends, unveil the mystery of an AI on the edge of self-awareness and uncover the hidden truth in this blend of strategy, automation, and exploration.
Dungeon 100
The dragon-slayer becomes the dragon. Create unique builds without having to grind for equipment. After defeating a dungeon boss, you will take its place. Then, defeat your past selves to descend further into the dungeon.
Canvas of Kings
Canvas of Kings is a minimalistic mapmaking tool that focuses on randomness and auto-generated elements on user-definable and interactive paths, plots and rooms.
Word Factori
Word Factori is a word-building game where your only resource is the letter "i". Build a chain of factories to bend, rotate, reflect, and merge "i" into more complex letters. Discover secret letter recipes, unlock hidden word art, and optimize your factory chains for high scores.
Paquerette Down the Bunburrows
The buns... you HAVE to capture them!! Think outside the bunburrow or get outsmarted by bunnies in this cute pathfinding-based puzzle game!
ΔV: Rings of Saturn
A physics-based mining sim, set in the thickest debris field in Sol. Every action has a reaction, lasers are invisible without a medium, and your thrust is a potent weapon. Find trade, adapt your equipment to your playstyle, hire a crew to help. Unravel the mysteries of the rings, or just get rich.
Ultimate Epic Battle Simulator 2
Welcome to Ultimate Epic Battle Simulator 2, the most ridiculous and insane battle simulator in existence! Create eye watering battles with hundreds of thousands, even millions of characters on screen! Jump into multiple campaigns in game or player made, or play in sandbox mode and FPS invasion
Eternal Return
Eternal Return is a free-to-play, 2.5D perspective Battle Royale game. Search, Craft, Hunt, and Fight using a variety of characters. Plan your strategy and become the last survivor on this eternal experiment.
Section 13
Unravel a thrilling sci-fi mystery in this action-packed twin-stick roguelite shooter. Select your load-out, stack up temporary and persistent upgrades, and delve into the depths of a subterranean base, either alone or in a group of up to 3 players.
Ember Knights
Ember Knights is an action rogue-lite for 1-4 players where you play as legendary knights, the last spark of hope against the mad sorcerer Praxis and his hordes of unwavering fiends. Wield weapons & skills, build synergies with game-changing relics and free the universe of Praxis’ corruption.
Shadows of Forbidden Gods
Take on the role of a Dark Elder God and lead your agents to bring about an apocalypse in a fantasy world. Work in the shadows, avoiding the heroes who will try to stop you, as you bring about plague and famine, ice age and volcanic destruction, madness and never ending night.
Yet Another Zombie Survivors
The Horde is coming but you're ready to fight it! Assemble your team and decide upon their enhancements to find the most efficient synergies against thousands of the undead. Survive. Then evolve. Then break all the limits in this deceivingly simple but addictive reverse bullet hell.
Vacuum Warrior - Idle Game
Vacuum Warrior is a Free to Play incremental idle game. Listen to the crisp crackle of dust and debris entering your vacuum as you vacuum ridiculous amounts of dust. Upgrade your vacuums, idle gains, and robot vacuums, earn achievements, and explore numerous locations in the Vacuum Warrior universe!
SOVL: Fantasy Warfare
SOVL is a ruleset for playing fantasy wargames. It can be played with miniatures on a table or digitally on Steam.
Choo Choo Survivor
Drive your train to safety while shooting down endless hordes of zombies blocking your way. Upgrade your weapons and abilities and become absurdly powerful!
Aliens: Dark Descent
Drop into the gripping journey of Aliens: Dark Descent, a squad-based, single-player action game in the iconic Alien franchise. Lead your soldiers in real-time to stop a new and terrifying kind of Xenomorph outbreak on Planet Lethe.
Farm Keeper
A tile-based farming game where success means maximizing yields to survive the rent, expanding your farm through random tile choices.
Army of Ruin
Wreak havoc on countless foes with mighty weapons and deadly spells! Enhance your skills and face even greater dangers! Army of Ruin is an auto-shooter where you become the Bullet Hell.
Most played top-down games on Steam
Take a look at the top top-down games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of May 07th 2025.
1. Door Kickers 2: Task Force North
Command military Special Ops Teams in gripping tactical combat against a Middle East-based terrorist network. Sequel to RockPaperShotgun's "Best Tactics Game of 2014". Door Kickers 2: Task Force North is a tactical, top-down and real-time with pause game developed and published by KillHouse Games. Released on February 10th 2025 has received 10,630 reviews of which 10,176 were positive and 454 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played top-down game, thanks to its 597 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.3
10,176
454
597
players
2. Nordhold
Enemies are coming! Every decision matters: build your city, grow the economy, and prepare for enemy waves. Strengthen your defenses, adapt your strategy, and unleash your hero’s full potential. This unique Tower Defense will test your skills – are you worthy to claim a place at Valhalla? Nordhold is a rogue-lite, tower defense and city builder game developed by StunForge and published by StunForge and HypeTrain Digital. Released on March 25th 2025 has received 1,769 reviews of which 1,605 were positive and 164 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. While seeing 548 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among top-down games based on player count.
8.6
1,605
164
548
players
3. ZERO Sievert
ZERO Sievert is a tense top-down extraction shooter that challenges you to scavenge a procedurally-generated wasteland, loot gear, and explore what’s left of a devastated world. When the odds are stacked against you, you’ll need to do more than just survive... ZERO Sievert is a extraction shooter, survival and post-apocalyptic game developed by CABO Studio and published by Modern Wolf. Released on October 23rd 2024 has received 13,093 reviews of which 11,212 were positive and 1,881 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. While seeing 335 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among top-down games based on player count.
8.4
11,212
1,881
335
players
4. Dark Deity 2
Verroa is a peaceful continent on the brink of war as the Asverellian Empire seeks to expand - at your homeland’s expense. Command unlikely heroes, fight challenging turn-based battles, and watch hardship forge iron into steel. Dark Deity is back, bigger and better than before! Dark Deity 2 is a turn-based strategy, strategy rpg and anime game developed by Sword & Axe LLC and published by indie.io and Smilegate. Released on March 24th 2025 has received 942 reviews of which 896 were positive and 46 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 125 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played top-down games.
8.9
896
46
125
players
5. Ostranauts
Ostranauts is a hardcore noir space-sim. Manage life aboard your ship, and beware the cost of every decision you make. Scavenge and explore the boneyard. Create, build, and customise your ship. Hire a crew to help but remember, nothing is more certain than death and taxes. Ostranauts is a early access, top-down and cyberpunk game developed by Blue Bottle Games and published by Kitfox Games. Released on September 10th 2020 has received 1,818 reviews of which 1,440 were positive and 378 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. With 115 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played top-down games.
7.6
1,440
378
115
players
6. Minishoot' Adventures
Fly into a charming handcrafted world and go on an adventure that mixes up open exploration with crispy twin-stick shooter action. Fight your way from the shiny overworld to the deepest caves, improve your ship and overcome the dungeons' bosses to rescue your friends! Minishoot' Adventures is a bullet hell, twin stick shooter and exploration game developed by SoulGame Studio and published by SoulGame Studio and IndieArk. Released on April 02nd 2024 has received 5,766 reviews of which 5,650 were positive and 116 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played top-down games.
9.4
5,650
116
83
players
7. The Last Plague: Blight
The Last Plague: Blight is an authentic survival experience rooted in realism and immersion. Endure the hazards of a brutal open world and uncover the origins of a mysterious disease. You are humanity’s final hope in ending the Blight The Last Plague: Blight is a early access, open world survival craft and top-down game developed and published by Original Studios. Released on October 03rd 2024 has received 873 reviews of which 795 were positive and 78 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played top-down games.
8.6
795
78
79
players
8. Vacuum Warrior - Idle Game
Vacuum Warrior is a Free to Play incremental idle game. Listen to the crisp crackle of dust and debris entering your vacuum as you vacuum ridiculous amounts of dust. Upgrade your vacuums, idle gains, and robot vacuums, earn achievements, and explore numerous locations in the Vacuum Warrior universe! Vacuum Warrior - Idle Game is a casual, idler and clicker game developed by Benjamin Staugaard and published by Benzoft. Released on June 29th 2023 has received 749 reviews of which 611 were positive and 138 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played top-down games.
7.7
611
138
78
players
9. Darkwood
Darkwood - a new perspective on survival horror. Scavenge and explore a rich, ever-changing free-roam world by day, then hunker down in your hideout and pray for the morning light. Darkwood is a horror, survival horror and top-down game developed and published by Acid Wizard Studio. Released on August 17th 2017 has received 21,404 reviews of which 20,318 were positive and 1,086 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played top-down games.
9.3
20,318
1,086
69
players
10. Cartel Tycoon
Cartel Tycoon is a survival business sim inspired by the ‘80s and '90s narco trade. Expand and conquer, fight off rival thugs and evade the authorities. Earn people's loyalty and strive to overcome the doomed fate of a power-hungry drug lord. Cartel Tycoon is a top-down, rts and resource management game developed by Moon Moose and published by tinyBuild. Released on July 26th 2022 has received 3,525 reviews of which 2,689 were positive and 836 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played top-down games.
7.4
2,689
836
66
players
Best deals on top-down games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of top-down games available on Steam right now, updated on May 07th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted top-down games.
1. Dark Deity
Step into the world of Terrazael and lead soon-to-be legendary heroes in a quest to restore a land fractured by broken oaths, reckless wars, and untamed magic. Fight back in turn-based battles, manage character relationships, collect dangerous artifacts, and hopefully restore the world... Dark Deity is a tactical, turn-based strategy and strategy rpg game developed by Sword & Axe LLC and published by indie.io. Released on June 15th 2021 has received 2,711 reviews of which 1,964 were positive and 747 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for top-down category.
7.0
1,964
747
-95%
24.00€
1.20€
2. Cartel Tycoon
Cartel Tycoon is a survival business sim inspired by the ‘80s and '90s narco trade. Expand and conquer, fight off rival thugs and evade the authorities. Earn people's loyalty and strive to overcome the doomed fate of a power-hungry drug lord. Cartel Tycoon is a top-down, rts and resource management game developed by Moon Moose and published by tinyBuild. Released on July 26th 2022 has received 3,525 reviews of which 2,689 were positive and 836 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 92% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in top-down games.
7.4
2,689
836
-92%
30.63€
2.45€
3. Blackout Z: Slaughterhouse Edition
Blackout Z' is a super fast top-down view shooter where you face ZOMBIES, SAWS and the DARK. Do you have what it takes to have what it takes to survive the zombie apocalypse with only your gun and an old flashlight? Blackout Z: Slaughterhouse Edition is a action, indie and top-down game developed and published by NukGames. Released on October 20th 2017 has received 1,822 reviews of which 1,501 were positive and 321 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 90% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in top-down games.
7.9
1,501
321
-90%
4.99€
0.49€
4. Bang Bang Racing
Be one step ahead of your competitors, finding shortcuts, repairing your car in the pit lane, and dominating your opponents from the top-down view. Bang Bang Racing is a racing, arcade and local multiplayer game developed by Digital Reality Software & Playbox and published by HandyGames. Released on June 08th 2012 has received 631 reviews of which 519 were positive and 112 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for top-down games.
7.8
519
112
-90%
10.00€
1.00€
5. APE OUT
APE OUT is a wildly intense and colorfully stylized smash ‘em up about primal escape, rhythmic violence, and frenetic jazz. APE OUT is a violent, indie and top-down game developed by Gabe Cuzzillo, Bennett Foddy and Maxi Boch and published by Devolver Digital. Released on February 28th 2019 has received 3,486 reviews of which 3,305 were positive and 181 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 86% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for top-down games.
9.1
3,305
181
-86%
14.86€
2.08€
6. Mr. Shifty
Teleport, shift through bullets, and master lightning-fast takedowns in an all new kind of action game from tinyBuild and Team Shifty! Mr. Shifty is a action, indie and adventure game developed by Team Shifty and published by tinyBuild. Released on April 13th 2017 has received 1,681 reviews of which 1,481 were positive and 200 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 84% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for top-down games.
8.4
1,481
200
-84%
14.88€
2.38€
7. Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure
Ikonei Island is yours to discover! Explore and gather resources. Farm the land, craft tools and gear, and build your base or a cozy home. Befriend magical creatures and fight monsters with your friends or solo! Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure is a exploration, relaxing and simulation game developed by Snowcastle Games and published by Jetpack Collective and The Iterative Collective. Released on November 09th 2023 has received 420 reviews of which 326 were positive and 94 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 83% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for top-down games.
7.3
326
94
-83%
24.00€
4.08€
8. American Fugitive
FREE UPDATE; STATE OF EMERGENCY, OUT NOW! Framed for your father’s murder, you’ll need to do whatever it takes to unveil the real culprit. Tackle thrilling missions for the criminal underworld - just don’t let the cops track you down! American Fugitive is a action, open world and adventure game developed by Fallen Tree Games Ltd and published by Curve Games. Released on May 21st 2019 has received 3,065 reviews of which 2,294 were positive and 771 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 80% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for top-down games.
7.3
2,294
771
-80%
19.99€
3.99€
9. Alien Breed: Impact
Experience the explosive science fiction arcade-shooter that resurrects a much revered franchise in an epic single player and co-op multiplayer campaign. Alien Breed: Impact is a action, shooter and top-down game developed by Team17 Software Ltd. and published by Team17 Digital Ltd. Released on June 03rd 2010 has received 1,778 reviews of which 1,328 were positive and 450 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 80% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for top-down games.
7.2
1,328
450
-80%
20.99€
4.19€
10. Renegade Ops
Blast your way through enemy lines to defeat Inferno, a madman intent on global domination. Destruction just got awesome. Renegade Ops is a action, twin stick shooter and arcade game developed by Avalanche Studios and published by SEGA. Released on October 26th 2011 has received 2,782 reviews of which 2,371 were positive and 411 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 75% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for top-down games.
8.2
2,371
411
-75%
12.99€
3.24€
Free top-down games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play top-down games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on May 07th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play top-down games.
1. Vacuum Warrior - Idle Game
Vacuum Warrior is a Free to Play incremental idle game. Listen to the crisp crackle of dust and debris entering your vacuum as you vacuum ridiculous amounts of dust. Upgrade your vacuums, idle gains, and robot vacuums, earn achievements, and explore numerous locations in the Vacuum Warrior universe! Vacuum Warrior - Idle Game is a casual, idler and clicker game developed by Benjamin Staugaard and published by Benzoft. Released on June 29th 2023 has received 749 reviews of which 611 were positive and 138 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #1 spot among the most played free top-down games on Steam.
7.7
611
138
78
players
2. Death Rally (Classic)
You start out from the bottom of the ranking list. Your objective: earn money in the fast-paced battle races. Fight hard for each precious championship point. Fellow competitors are showering you in a constant hail of bullets. Each race is deadly contest - a matter of life or death. Death Rally (Classic) is a racing, retro and top-down game developed by Remedy and published by 3D Realms (Apogee Software). Released on May 05th 2014 has received 750 reviews of which 682 were positive and 68 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free top-down games on Steam.
8.5
682
68
7
players
3. I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES 1N IT!!!1
A top down twin stick zombie slaying shooter that you are sure to play again and again! I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES 1N IT!!!1 is a zombies, twin stick shooter and top-down shooter game developed by Ska Studios and OMNIViOLET and published by Ska Studios. Released on November 11th 2021 has received 1,653 reviews of which 1,618 were positive and 35 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free top-down games on Steam.
9.3
1,618
35
2
players
4. TEST TEST TEST
Escape a time loop as an overworked office employee by solving cryptic puzzles with alternate reality game elements. TEST TEST TEST is a puzzle, 2d and cute game developed by Mojiken and published by Toge Productions. Released on January 17th 2024 has received 857 reviews of which 786 were positive and 71 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free top-down games on Steam.
8.6
786
71
1
players
5. THE NORMAL THING
THE NORMAL THING is a story about a dog who lost his memory. Sunless forests, strange gardens, weird inhabitants... Start a little journey to retrieve your memory. THE NORMAL THING is a 2d, adventure and puzzle game developed and published by Orata Studio. Released on December 10th 2020 has received 480 reviews of which 457 were positive and 23 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free top-down games on Steam.
8.8
457
23
6. Prologue: Fish idle 2
Dive into the most fun idle fishing arcade game! Manage your Fish Kingdoms with automated fishing, upgrade your boat and gear, invest in passive income, and outsmart the market. Become the ultimate fish tycoon! Prologue: Fish idle 2 is a casual, adventure and point & click game developed and published by MulticastGames. Released on August 02nd 2024 has received 378 reviews of which 256 were positive and 122 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free top-down games on Steam.
6.5
256
122