Top Alien Swarm Alternatives for Sci-Fi Shooter Fans
Alien Swarm, a free top-down shoot-em-up from Valve Corporation, offered a unique cooperative experience with its intense insectoid alien combat. While it remains a cult classic, many gamers are looking for fresh experiences that capture its essence or offer new twists on the genre. If you're a fan of Alien Swarm and seeking similar thrills, you're in the right place. We've compiled a list of the best Alien Swarm alternatives to keep the action going.
Best Alien Swarm Alternatives
Whether you're after more intense co-op, a deep single-player narrative, or a different spin on the shooter formula, these alternatives offer something for every Alien Swarm enthusiast.
Doom
Doom is a legendary science fiction horror-themed first-person shooter that puts you in the boots of the iconic "Doomguy." While Alien Swarm is a top-down shooter, Doom offers a similar intense, monster-slaying experience from a first-person perspective. It's available on Commercial platforms like Windows, Steam, Nintendo Switch Online, Xbox, and Stadia, featuring robust single-player and multiplayer FPS action in a sci-fi setting, making it a compelling Alien Swarm alternative for those who love relentless combat.
Zandronum
Zandronum is an open-source, multiplayer-focused port based on Skulltag for Doom and Doom II. It expertly brings classic Doom into the 21st century while maintaining its original charm. As a free, open-source alternative available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, Zandronum excels in its multiplayer and online gaming features, offering thrilling FPS shooting and single-player modes, making it a fantastic choice for those who enjoyed Alien Swarm's cooperative and action-packed gameplay.
Dead Space
Dead Space is a survival horror third-person shooter that immerses players in a terrifying sci-fi universe. While a third-person experience, its focus on intense combat against alien creatures and a strong atmosphere makes it a compelling Alien Swarm alternative. Available commercially on Windows, Linux, and via Wine, Dead Space delivers a gripping single-player narrative filled with action and horror.
Digital Paint: Paintball 2
Digital Paint: Paintball 2 began as a Quake 2 mod and evolved into its own open-source FPS game. While its theme is paintball, not alien combat, its free and open-source nature on Windows and Linux, combined with its global player base, offers a competitive and engaging FPS experience for those who enjoyed the multiplayer aspect of Alien Swarm and are looking for a different kind of shooting game.
Killing Floor
Killing Floor started as a "Total Conversion" mod for UT2004, much like Alien Swarm originated from a mod. This commercial game available on Mac, Windows, and Linux delivers intense first-person shooter action against hordes of zombies. Its focus on cooperative survival against overwhelming odds makes it a spiritual successor to Alien Swarm's cooperative alien-slaying gameplay, offering a similar adrenaline rush.
Nightmare Creatures
Nightmare Creatures is a survival horror video game with a strong single-player focus. While not a top-down shooter, its emphasis on combat against monstrous creatures in a horror setting might appeal to Alien Swarm fans who enjoy the darker, more intense aspects of the game. Available as Free Personal software on Windows, it offers a challenging single-player experience.
Jake2
Jake2 is an open-source Java 3D game engine, a port of the GPL'd Quake2 engine. While not a game itself, it represents the foundation for creating games similar to Alien Swarm in terms of engine capabilities. Being free and open-source, and available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Web, Jake2 offers a look into the technology behind many shooters, and for developers, it's a valuable tool to potentially build an Alien Swarm alternative.
Dead Meets Lead
Dead Meets Lead is a challenging zombie-slaying action game set in the 18th century. While historically themed, its core gameplay of battling hordes of undead as a commander on a mission echoes the intense enemy encounters in Alien Swarm. This free Windows game focuses on single-player action and offers a unique spin on the top-down shooter feel, making it an engaging Alien Swarm alternative for fans of zombie combat.
Killing Floor
Killing Floor, the co-op survival horror FPS game, is a direct remake of the original UT2004 modification, just like Alien Swarm has its mod origins. Available commercially on Mac, Windows, and Linux via Steam, its focus on cooperative survival against waves of ZOMBIES directly mirrors the frantic cooperative alien-slaying action found in Alien Swarm, making it one of the most direct and exciting Alien Swarm alternatives for fans of teamwork and gore.
Monday Night Combat
Monday Night Combat is a class-based third-person shooter with a unique combat setting. While it's a third-person game, its emphasis on team-based multiplayer combat and distinct classes provides a strategic element that Alien Swarm players might appreciate. This commercial Windows game offers competitive multiplayer gaming, presenting a fresh take on the shooter genre if you're looking for an Alien Swarm alternative with a different feel.
With a variety of platforms, perspectives, and themes, these Alien Swarm alternatives offer something for every shooter enthusiast. Whether you crave more alien action, intense co-op, or a fresh single-player experience, explore these options to find your next favorite game.