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
Dungeons 2
The Dungeon Lord is back – and this time he’s serious! In Dungeons 2, fulfil the Dungeon Lord’s insatiable quest for vengeance by recruiting fearsome new monsters from all corners of the underworld in order to undertake his evil bidding.
Convoy
Convoy is a tactical roguelike-like inspired by Mad Max and FTL in which you cross a wasteland in search of parts for your broken ship. Presented in pixel art and set in a future post-apocalyptic setting, Convoy is a squad based tactical combat roguelike-like in its core.
Halo: Spartan Strike
Halo: Spartan Strike makes you a Spartan supersoldier battling evil forces. Delve into 30 challenging missions through cities and jungles using a devastating arsenal of weapons, abilities and vehicles including the iconic Warthog against the Covenant and Promethean enemies. *DirectX feature level 10 required*
Titan Souls
Between our world and the world beyond lie the Titan Souls, the spiritual source of all living things. Scattered amongst the ruins and guarded by the idle titans charged with their care, a solitary hero armed with a single arrow is assembling shards of the Titan Soul in a quest for truth and power.
Defend Your Life: TD
Defend Your Life! Is tower defense set in human body where players are fighting against villain hordes of viruses and bacteria. Levels and units correspond to reality of human anatomy.
RUNNING WITH RIFLES
RUNNING WITH RIFLES is a top-down tactical shooter with open world RPG elements. In RWR, you join the ranks of an army as a common soldier, just like the thousands around you.
VoidExpanse
Explore the vast reaches of VoidExpanse -- mine asteroids, upgrade your ship, trade, complete missions, advance your character and survive fast-paced combat with hostile aliens and mercenaries in the rich and exciting Sci-Fi universe of VoidExpanse!
Age of Fear 2: The Chaos Lord GOLD
Play as either Bel'Kara, a seductive Succubus at odds with the Underworld, or Katzok, a brutal Orc Chieftan fighting for his clan's dominance. The Age of Fear series is a deep and complex turn-based strategy (full of humour!) that fuses a tabletop wargame with RPG elements.
It came from space and ate our brains
It came from space and ate our brains is a unique Arcade top-down shooter. Looking for addicting gameplay, four-player co-op mode, and tons of aliens to send into oblivion? You’ve come to the right place!
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number is the brutal conclusion to the Hotline Miami saga, set against a backdrop of escalating violence and retribution over spilled blood in the original game.
Over 9000 Zombies!
Over 9000 Zombies! is top-down arcade action blown out of all reasonable proportions. An endless horde of zombies is coming your way, how long can you survive?
Greyfox RPG
You play as a new arrival to a foggy and mysterious town. You find yourself waking up in the bodies of the town's inhabitants at pivotal moments of their lives. Make tough choices as you discover the truth about this town called Greyfox.
Reassembly
A spaceship building and universe-exploration game. Collect resources, expand and grow your fleet, and conquer your personal galaxy. Stellar ambience by Peaks.
Raptor: Call of The Shadows - 2015 Edition
The great action-crazed, guns blazing, shoot ‘em up game comes back straight out of the ‘90s. Raptor: Call of the Shadows and its futuristic world are ready to challenge your flying skills.
The Escapists
The Escapists provides players the opportunity of experiencing a light-hearted insight into everyday prison life with the main objective being that of escaping!
SUNLESS SEA
LOSE YOUR MIND. EAT YOUR CREW. DIE. Take the helm of your steamship and set sail for the unknown! Sunless Sea is a game of discovery, loneliness and frequent death, set in the award-winning Victorian Gothic universe of Fallen London.
Survivalist
It's one year after the collapse of civilization and self-centered hedge fund manager Joe Wheeler emerges from his specially constructed bunker in search of food. This is a huge open-world RPG where you have the freedom to play how you want - but your choices have consequences.
Survivor Squad
Survivor Squad is a Strategy Action game where you control a Squad of up to four survivors and guide them through a highly randomized world looking for supplies to aid you on your journey.
LARA CROFT AND THE TEMPLE OF OSIRIS™
Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris is the sequel to the critically-acclaimed Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, and the first-ever four-player co-op experience with Lara Croft.
Rollers of the Realm
Bounce, spin, and battle through scenes of an epic storyline with a band of medieval misfits tasked with reclaiming the world from dark and ancient magic. Your characters are the balls—meeting new characters unlocks new sets of equipment and abilities!
QP Shooting - Dangerous!!
QP Shooting - Dangerous!! is a bullet hell type shoot’em’up starring the pudding-loving dog girl QP seen in 100% Orange Juice. Nothing can stand between QP and her pudding - not even difficulty options to reduce the experienced gamer to tears!
Phoenix Force
Phoenix Force is a shoot 'em up about a group of phoenixes that fight big and strong mythological creatures in over 100 levels. It takes the boss battle as the foundation for every level, creating engaging and challenging fast battles that will require your best strategies and reflexes.
Retro City Rampage™ DX
OPEN-WORLD carjacking goes back to the '80s in this 8-BIT nostalgic throwback. Run missions! Outrun the law! Rampage the city with weapons, power-ups and vehicles!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 April 30th 2025.
1. 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 1,670 reviews of which 1,515 were positive and 155 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played top-down game, thanks to its 709 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.6
1,515
155
709
players
2. 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. While seeing 622 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among top-down games based on player count.
9.3
10,176
454
622
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 13,025 reviews of which 11,159 were positive and 1,866 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. While seeing 343 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
11,159
1,866
343
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 875 reviews of which 835 were positive and 40 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 176 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played top-down games.
9.0
835
40
176
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 125 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
125
players
6. 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 845 reviews of which 766 were positive and 79 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played top-down games.
8.5
766
79
97
players
7. 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 #7 spot among the most played top-down games.
7.7
611
138
88
players
8. 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 21,348 reviews of which 20,265 were positive and 1,083 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played top-down games.
9.3
20,265
1,083
72
players
9. 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 3,518 reviews of which 2,687 were positive and 831 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played top-down games.
7.4
2,687
831
60
players
10. Unrailed 2: Back on Track
The chaotic co-op railroad construction game is back! Team up with your friends to build a railroad through procedurally generated worlds with new biomes and bosses. Permanently upgrade your character and engine, even create your own levels - just don‘t let your train derail! Unrailed 2: Back on Track is a early access, trains and online co-op game developed by Indoor Astronaut and published by Indoor Astronaut and Kepler Ghost. Released on November 07th 2024 has received 1,232 reviews of which 1,118 were positive and 114 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played top-down games.
8.6
1,118
114
37
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 April 30th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted top-down games.
1. 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 3,518 reviews of which 2,687 were positive and 831 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Featuring a massive 92% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for top-down category.
7.4
2,687
831
-92%
28.25€
2.26€
2. 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 630 reviews of which 518 were positive and 112 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 90% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in top-down games.
7.8
518
112
-90%
10.00€
1.00€
3. 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. Thanks to its incredible 86% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in top-down games.
9.1
3,305
181
-86%
14.86€
2.08€
4. 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 1,680 reviews of which 1,480 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 #4 position in the best deals for top-down games.
8.4
1,480
200
-84%
14.88€
2.38€
5. 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 419 reviews of which 325 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 #5 position in the best deals for top-down games.
7.3
325
94
-83%
24.00€
4.08€
6. 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 3,060 reviews of which 2,289 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 #6 position in the best deals for top-down games.
7.3
2,289
771
-80%
19.99€
3.99€
7. Danger Scavenger
Danger Scavenger is fast-paced action, cyberpunk-themed, roguelite skyline crawler. Blow up, cut, shoot enemy robots on the roofs of skyscrapers. Choose your way to higher levels, loot, buy stuff, upgrade yourself, fight against greedy corporations, be a rebel! Danger Scavenger is a shoot 'em up, controller and action roguelike game developed by Piotr Wolk and Star Drifters and published by Star Drifters and Doyoyo Games. Released on March 25th 2021 has received 488 reviews of which 356 were positive and 132 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 80% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for top-down games.
6.9
356
132
-80%
4.99€
0.99€
8. 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 2,777 reviews of which 2,368 were positive and 409 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 75% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for top-down games.
8.2
2,368
409
-75%
12.99€
3.24€
9. FixFox
Arriving on a curious planet, Vix and her toolbox Tin explore space, fixing machines with unconventional tools and eating cozy meals with kind robot locals. On an epic adventure, the duo repairs an interstellar beacon, constructs giant mechs, and unravels a cosmic mystery that transcends existence. FixFox is a top-down, exploration and puzzle game developed by Rendlike and published by Joystick Ventures. Released on March 31st 2022 has received 388 reviews of which 342 were positive and 46 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 70% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for top-down games.
8.2
342
46
-70%
12.49€
3.74€
10. 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 875 reviews of which 835 were positive and 40 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a 46% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for top-down games.
9.0
835
40
-46%
23.13€
12.49€
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 April 30th 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
88
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
5
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 1,651 reviews of which 1,616 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
1,616
35
1
players
4. 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 #4 spot among the most played free top-down games on Steam.
8.8
457
23
1
players
5. 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 #5 spot among the most played free top-down games on Steam.
8.6
786
71
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 379 reviews of which 256 were positive and 123 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
123