Games like ZPF
Below are 12 hand-picked alternatives to ZPF for fans of action, indie, adventure, ranked by imho.run's hybrid recommender. Each pick is scored on three signals: collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries (which players who logged hours in ZPF also play), content overlap on genres, categories, and storefront tags, and review-mined "vibe" embeddings that catch tonal similarity even when the genre label differs. Sections below cover closest matches, reviewer cross-mentions, cheaper alternatives. No login required — these picks work anchor-only.
About ZPF: ZPF is a retro-inspired horizontal shooter originally designed for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. Blast your way through a cosmic gauntlet of epic boss battles, addictive scoring, and hidden secrets in a thrilling arcade-style adventure through fantasy, sci-fi, and alien-themed worlds.
Players who liked ZPF also play
Ranked by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries plus content overlap on genres, tags, and developers.
- 1
NOMAD Revisited
Top pick for ZPF fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action with ZPF.
In 1985 N.O.M.A.D. pushed the boundaries of what the 8-bit computers of the day could achieve with both their graphics and their gameplay. A fast-paced, all-out action shoot ’em up, this retro classic still retains a fan base to this day.
- 2
Bad Chicken
Second-strongest match for ZPF fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with ZPF.
Bad Chicken is a retro styled sideway scrolling shoot-em-up inspired by the retro classics. It takes place in 8 locations in the Ferus system, each one with different challenges, and dangers.
- 3
SATAZIUS
Third-strongest match for ZPF fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with ZPF.
The year is 2051. Location: SATAZIUS, a long-abandoned planet. The cruiser Agano was on patrol when it was attacked and stricken by a confederacy of space pirates that had established a base on SATAZIUS. The pirates attacked the Agano intending to steal the assault ship ‘Trafalgar’ that was stowed aboard the Agano, but the Trafalgar made...
- 4
Cyberpunk 3776
Ranked #4 for ZPF fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with ZPF.
Cyberpunk 3776 harkens back to the glory days of arcade shoot-em-ups. It all begins on a postapocalyptic earth and proceeds into space. Your journey will be a metaphor about life and death, a road that every person has to walk down alone. The only choices you get while on your path to the inevitable end: keep your head up high or forfeit.
- 5
Astebreed: Definitive Edition
Ranked #5 for ZPF fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with ZPF.
Climb into the cockpit of an otherworldly war machine and fly into battle against a horrifying alien race bent on eradicating humanity to preserve their own civilization.
- 6
Cyberwar: Neon City
Ranked #6 for ZPF fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with ZPF.
Explore a cyberpunk universe where monkeys rule. Challenge the fearsome Cyber Monkeys as you take on the role of a hero armed with a living shark weapon.
- 7
Starr Mazer: DSP
Ranked #7 for ZPF fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with ZPF.
The UNFP's been kicked in the teeth by a G'ell invasion force and their last and only hope is a planetary outpost and its fleet of experimental DSP MkI Forward Assault Fighters and anyone marshal enough to strap into one and forcefully accept some apologies.
- 8
Asteroid Bounty Hunter
Ranked #8 for ZPF fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with ZPF.
Asteroid Bounty Hunter is a space shooter mixed with interesting boss fights and breathtaking visuals, with a reward system to take your skill to another level.
Cheaper alternatives
Games in the same vein priced at least 40% below ZPF at current Steam store prices.
- 1
NOMAD Revisited
Priced ~80% under ZPF on Steam right now. Shares Action with ZPF.
In 1985 N.O.M.A.D. pushed the boundaries of what the 8-bit computers of the day could achieve with both their graphics and their gameplay. A fast-paced, all-out action shoot ’em up, this retro classic still retains a fan base to this day.
- 2
SATAZIUS
Priced ~70% under ZPF on Steam right now. Shares Action and Indie with ZPF.
The year is 2051. Location: SATAZIUS, a long-abandoned planet. The cruiser Agano was on patrol when it was attacked and stricken by a confederacy of space pirates that had established a base on SATAZIUS. The pirates attacked the Agano intending to steal the assault ship ‘Trafalgar’ that was stowed aboard the Agano, but the Trafalgar made...
- 3
Cyberpunk 3776
Priced ~50% under ZPF on Steam right now. Shares Action and Indie with ZPF.
Cyberpunk 3776 harkens back to the glory days of arcade shoot-em-ups. It all begins on a postapocalyptic earth and proceeds into space. Your journey will be a metaphor about life and death, a road that every person has to walk down alone. The only choices you get while on your path to the inevitable end: keep your head up high or forfeit.
- 4
Asteroid Bounty Hunter
Priced ~50% under ZPF on Steam right now. Shares Action and Indie with ZPF.
Asteroid Bounty Hunter is a space shooter mixed with interesting boss fights and breathtaking visuals, with a reward system to take your skill to another level.
Narrow it down
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked about ZPF
- Is ZPF verified for Steam Deck?
- Yes — ZPF is Steam Deck Verified, meaning Valve has confirmed it runs well on the Deck with full controller, text legibility, and default configuration support.
- How much does ZPF cost?
- ZPF is listed on Steam at 9.99 USD (current store price; Steam sales may reduce this temporarily).
- What games are most similar to ZPF?
- Based on Steam play patterns and shared genres/tags, the games most often recommended alongside ZPF are NOMAD Revisited, Bad Chicken, SATAZIUS.
- Who developed ZPF?
- ZPF was developed by ZPF Team and published by Mega Cat Studios.
imho.run ranks Steam game alternatives using a mix of collaborative filtering (ALS / iALS / EASE / LightGCN), content scoring over genres, categories, Steam tags, developers, and publishers, plus AI-extracted vibes mined from review text. The page above is generated in seed mode anchored on ZPF.
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