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
Alien Swarm
Co-operative multiplayer game and complete code base available for free.
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.
Avencast: Rise of the Mage
Play Avencast, the epic roguelike action-RPG with tons of combat moves, spells, and equipment. Fight against evil forces to save your academy and vanquish the darkness. As you progress, learn powerful spells and combos to increase your chances of victory.
Zombie Shooter 2
Just choose a character to the liking, get experience to develop skills, earn money and spend it at weapons, medications and useful devices. All of this will be used against thousands of enemies. The zombies fill the game screen, never letting you rest, even for a minute.
Gratuitous Space Battles
Who needs backstory? Who needs resource-gathering? Diplomacy is so last year. Gratuitous Space Battles cuts right to the chase of sci-fi strategy games, and deals with large, completely unjustified space battles between huge opposing space fleets.
Torchlight
Adventure awaits in the award-winning Action RPG debut from Runic Games! Explore the randomized depths of this boom town, collect loot, and level up to save Torchlight - and possibly the world.
Nation Red
Nation Red is an ultra fast infinite play arena-based shooter providing an exceptional close-quarter battlefield experience. Fight thousands of zombie mutants and their bosses in frantic bloody gameplay while earning close to 100 perks. Fight in Barricade, Survival or Free Play mode.
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.
Larva Mortus
Larva Mortus is a fast-paced hack and slash top-down shooter. As an agent specializing in exorcism, you are tasked to hunt monsters of the supernatural in a dark, ominous, and randomly generated atmosphere full of undead, terrifying and demonic nightmares.
Multiwinia
Multiwinia is a fast-paced, retro-inspired RTS that blends arcade action with strategic depth. Command armies of Multiwinians in multiplayer battles across vibrant, nostalgic environments. With simple controls and dynamic gameplay, it offers endless fun and challenge for players of all skill levels.
Empires Mod
Unique strategy/first person shooter mix: One commander on each team plays from above, choosing research, placing buildings and giving orders. The rest fill the role of soldiers on the ground, with four distinct classes to choose from and customizable vehicles to drive.
Act of War: Direct Action
Tomorrow's War Is NOW Ripped from today's headlines, Act of War: Direct Action™ is a frightening tale of suspense, international intrigue and geopolitical military conflict. This real-time strategy experience puts you squarely in control of counterterrorist forces and delivers a first look at tomorrow's war.
Shadowgrounds
Shadowgrounds breathes fresh air into the action genre with explosive combat sequences, an innovative weapon upgrade system, and an intriguing storyline. The adrenaline-pumping, top-down gameplay and audiovisual fireworks set the scene for this new action experience which also includes single computer (split keyboard or joystick) co-op...
Dangerous Waters
S.C.S. - Dangerous Waters allows you total control over multiple air, surface, and submarine platforms in a modern-day naval environment. Take direct control of individual crew stations and also plan and execute combined arms naval strategies from a top-down 'Commanders Eye' perspective.
Stronghold 2: Steam Edition
Tax, torture or treat your peasants! Rehabilitate criminals or sentence them to death? Decide as you enjoy jousting over a lavish banquet, all while under siege from the warmongering Lord Barclay.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 16th 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 1,515 reviews of which 1,376 were positive and 139 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 1,557 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.6
1,376
139
1,557
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 10,488 reviews of which 10,037 were positive and 451 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. While seeing 780 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
10,037
451
780
players
3. 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 790 reviews of which 755 were positive and 35 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. While seeing 429 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among top-down games based on player count.
9.0
755
35
429
players
4. 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 12,968 reviews of which 11,117 were positive and 1,851 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. With 209 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played top-down games.
8.4
11,117
1,851
209
players
5. 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 820 reviews of which 744 were positive and 76 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 177 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played top-down games.
8.5
744
76
177
players
6. 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 1,792 reviews of which 1,418 were positive and 374 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played top-down games.
7.6
1,418
374
100
players
7. 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 21,238 reviews of which 20,160 were positive and 1,078 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played top-down games.
9.3
20,160
1,078
98
players
8. 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 1,214 reviews of which 1,100 were positive and 114 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played top-down games.
8.6
1,100
114
78
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 3,507 reviews of which 2,680 were positive and 827 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
2,680
827
76
players
10. 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 745 reviews of which 609 were positive and 136 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played top-down games.
7.7
609
136
71
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 16th 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 3,507 reviews of which 2,680 were positive and 827 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Featuring a massive 91% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for top-down category.
7.4
2,680
827
-91%
27.78€
2.50€
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 629 reviews of which 517 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
517
112
-90%
10.00€
1.00€
3. 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 1,678 reviews of which 1,479 were positive and 199 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 84% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in top-down games.
8.4
1,479
199
-84%
14.88€
2.38€
4. 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 418 reviews of which 324 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 #4 position in the best deals for top-down games.
7.3
324
94
-83%
24.00€
4.08€
5. Redeemer: Enhanced Edition
REDEEMER is a intense Brawler where you will punch, hack and blast your way through enemies using fists, hammers, fire arms and even the environment. Redeemer: Enhanced Edition is a action, top-down and beat 'em up game developed by Sobaka Studio and published by ESDigital Games. Released on August 01st 2017 has received 2,996 reviews of which 2,619 were positive and 377 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 80% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for top-down games.
8.4
2,619
377
-80%
9.99€
1.99€
6. I, Zombie
Quite a different zombie game - this time YOU are the zombie! Command your infested comrades, fight your way to freedom and let the zombie kind dominate the world! Oh, and you're able to create your own scenarios! I, Zombie is a stealth, top-down and puzzle game developed and published by Awesome Games Studio. Released on December 08th 2014 has received 2,536 reviews of which 2,129 were positive and 407 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 71% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for top-down games.
8.1
2,129
407
-71%
1.99€
0.57€
7. Anodyne
In this unique Zelda-lite game, explore and fight your way through surreal and creepy, nature, urban and abstract themed areas in the human Young's subconscious, evoked by a 16-bit-era visual style and a moody, dream-like soundtrack. Anodyne is a atmospheric, surreal and action-adventure game developed by Melos Han-Tani and Marina Kittaka and published by Analgesic Productions. Released on March 22nd 2013 has received 1,524 reviews of which 1,287 were positive and 237 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 60% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for top-down games.
8.1
1,287
237
-60%
9.75€
3.90€
8. Weable
Weable is a neon world where you have to undergo complex and dynamic levels.Weable - in the game you have to reach the goal - the end of the level.Passing the levels, the difficulty will increase, creating a variety of interesting challenges Weable is a action, indie and casual game developed by SPECTRUM GAMES and published by Valkyrie Initiative. Released on August 22nd 2017 has received 421 reviews of which 320 were positive and 101 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 51% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for top-down games.
7.2
320
101
-51%
0.99€
0.49€
9. Space Pirates and Zombies
Explore a randomly generated Galaxy populated with factions, enemies, missions, and items providing you with a unique experience each time you play. Space Pirates and Zombies is a space, action and indie game developed and published by MinMax Games Ltd.. Released on August 15th 2011 has received 3,097 reviews of which 2,815 were positive and 282 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a 50% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for top-down games.
8.7
2,815
282
-50%
9.99€
4.99€
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 790 reviews of which 755 were positive and 35 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
755
35
-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 16th 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 745 reviews of which 609 were positive and 136 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
609
136
71
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 746 reviews of which 679 were positive and 67 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
679
67
6
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 1,645 reviews of which 1,610 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
1,610
35
3
players
4. 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 377 reviews of which 255 were positive and 122 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free top-down games on Steam.
6.5
255
122
3
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 854 reviews of which 785 were positive and 69 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
785
69
1
players
6. 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 #6 spot among the most played free top-down games on Steam.
8.8
457
23