IMHO.

Games like Desktop Survivors 98

If Desktop Survivors 98 is your kind of game, the closest matches are Super Station Swarm, Akinofa and Breaking Survivors — picked from the ranked list below. Reviewers single out its creative weapon mechanics, cozy and funny. Each pick is ranked by what players of this game also play, shared genres and tags, and review-mined similarity — not a generic popularity list.

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Desktop Survivors 98 is a Windows 98-themed horde survivor bullet heaven released in 2025 by solo developer Brandon Hesslau, available for $4.99. Players explore dungeon rooms, dodge waves of retro-themed enemies, and experiment with creative weapon mechanics in combo-based combat. Reviewers highlight the creative-weapon-evolutions-and-experimentation-driven-builds as a core hook, with meta-progression unlocking new characters, weapons, and dungeons across medium-length runs designed for short_bursts sessions. The challenging solo experience emphasizes achievement-hunting, bullet-dodging, and build-variety within arcade-style and nostalgic retro aesthetics. Players describe the mood as cozy, funny, intense, and lighthearted. Currently not supported on Steam Deck, the game holds a 95% positive rating from over 1,000 Steam reviews.

About Desktop Survivors 98: Desktop Survivors 98 is a chaotic roguelite dungeon crawler that unfolds right on your Desktop. Your cursor becomes the hero as you explore new rooms, battle relentless waves of enemies, and collect powerful new weapons.

2025ActionIndieCasual4.99 USDWindowsby Brandon Hesslau
Desktop Survivors 98 — Steam game cover
Players highlight
15 minute runs perfect for quick gaming between other activitiesCreative weapon evolutions and experimentation driven buildsCreative weapon mechanicsCozyFunnyIntense

Players who liked Desktop Survivors 98 also play

Steam players who put hours into Desktop Survivors 98 also tend to own these titles — a signal called collaborative filtering. imho.run cross-references millions of library ownership patterns to surface games whose real audiences overlap, regardless of whether their genre tags match.

  1. Super Station Swarm

    WHY THIS

    Top pick for Desktop Survivors 98 fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    A space station, infinite waves, and a screen full of vector geometry trying to kill you. Your turrets auto-fire. Your satellites orbit. This is bullet-hell-yeah. In-game and permanent upgrades. 17 upgrade types across 9 weapon classes. Play, upgrade, repeat.

    2026ActionIndieCasual1.99 USDSteam ↗
  2. Akinofa

    WHY THIS

    Second-strongest match for Desktop Survivors 98 fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Akinofa is an arcade shoot 'em up with Roguelite elements.

    2021ActionIndie4.99 USDSteam ↗
  3. Breaking Survivors

    WHY THIS

    Third-strongest match for Desktop Survivors 98 fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Casual with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Brick-breaking gameplay meets Survivors-like mechanics. Use your balls to destroy bricks, level up and pick upgrades to hold your ground against waves of incoming bricks and try to high score in this roguelite brick breaking game.

    2023ActionCasual3.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  4. Halls of Torment

    WHY THIS

    Shares achievement hunting and a retro mood with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Ranked #4 for Desktop Survivors 98 fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Slay hordes of terrifying monsters in this horde survival roguelite. Descend into the Halls of Torment where the Lords of the underworld await you. Treasures, magical trinkets, and a growing cast of heroes will grant you the power to vanquish these horrors from beyond. How long can you survive?

    2024ActionIndieRPG6.66 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  5. Overture

    WHY THIS

    Shares procedural generation and a stressful mood with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Ranked #5 for Desktop Survivors 98 fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Overture is an action-adventure roguelike which draws heavy inspiration from hits such as Diablo, Realm of The Mad God, Zelda, and The Binding of Isaac. Explore vast randomly generated dungeons and slay hordes of cunning enemies!

    2015ActionStrategyIndie4.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  6. Enter the Gungeon

    WHY THIS

    Shares bullet hell, procedural generation and an intense mood with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Ranked #6 for Desktop Survivors 98 fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Enter the Gungeon is a bullet hell dungeon crawler following a band of misfits seeking to shoot, loot, dodge roll and table-flip their way to personal absolution by reaching the legendary Gungeon’s ultimate treasure: the gun that can kill the past.

    2016ActionIndieAdventure14.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  7. Boneraiser Minions

    WHY THIS

    Shares procedural generation with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Ranked #7 for Desktop Survivors 98 fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Amass an army of undead to fight endless waves of heroes intent to end your boneraising ways! In this gothic auto-battler rogue-lite Survivor-like, use the bones of slain heroes to raise your minions, collect relics and spells, and unlock meta upgrades, all to survive King Gigald's crusade!

    2023ActionIndieRPG4.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  8. Spell Disk

    WHY THIS

    Shares wave based survival, combo based combat, arcade style and an intense mood with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Ranked #8 for Desktop Survivors 98 fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Build unique synergy spell combos to destroy the hordes of monsters and bosses in this rogue-lite action game.

    2024ActionIndie14.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗

Reviewers mention these as similar to Desktop Survivors 98

Surfaced from review text: when other players write 'if you liked X, try Y', we catch the name and resolve it back to a Steam game.

  1. Undertale

    WHY THIS

    Reviewers of Desktop Survivors 98 cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    UNDERTALE! The RPG game where you don't have to destroy anyone.

    2015IndieRPG9.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  2. Vampire Survivors

    WHY THIS

    Shares procedural generation with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Reviewers of Desktop Survivors 98 cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Action and Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Mow down thousands of night creatures and survive until dawn! Vampire Survivors is a gothic horror casual game with rogue-lite elements, where your choices can allow you to quickly snowball against the hundreds of monsters that get thrown at you. Be the bullet hell!

    2022ActionIndieRPG4.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  3. Smash

    WHY THIS

    Reviewers of Desktop Survivors 98 cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Indie and Casual with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Click on the mouse left button to destroy the glass pyramids & push away the obstacles. Stay focused and concentrate on the path destroy every pyramid and push away obstacles coming in the path.

    2022IndieCasual2.99 USDSteam ↗
  4. Megabonk

    WHY THIS

    Shares roguelike progression, weapon customization and an intense mood with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Reviewers of Desktop Survivors 98 cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Action and Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Smash your way through endless waves of enemies and grow absurdly powerful! Grab loot, level up, unlock characters and upgrade to create unique and crazy builds as you fend off hordes of creatures!

    2025ActionIndieCasual9.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗

Cheaper alternatives

Games in the same vein priced at least 40% below Desktop Survivors 98 at current Steam store prices.

  1. POSTAL 2

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~80% under Desktop Survivors 98 on Steam right now. Shares Action and Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Live a week in the life of "The POSTAL Dude"; a hapless everyman just trying to check off some chores. Buying milk, returning an overdue library book, getting Gary Coleman's autograph, what could possibly go wrong?

    2012ActionIndieAdventure0.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  2. The Test

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~60% under Desktop Survivors 98 on Steam right now. Shares Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    You will answer a series of questions that will reveal truths from deep within. These questions may make you uncomfortable, but with great knowledge comes great sacrifice. Can you make it all the way through The Test, and if you do, are you sure you want the answers you seek?

    2020IndieAdventureSimulation1.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  3. Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~70% under Desktop Survivors 98 on Steam right now. Shares Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    A short story about what sort of challenges everyday little things can be. Help the girl buy milk, be the first not to disappoint her.

    2020IndieAdventure1.49 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  4. Blood and Bacon

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~80% under Desktop Survivors 98 on Steam right now. Shares Action and Casual with Desktop Survivors 98.

    This Co-op Shooter , has Day and Night levels, multiple maps, players will take on 25 enemy types and numerous bosses, like Gargantuan Monsters and Minibosses every 10 days as you explore, shoot and run for your life against the onslaught of porcine monstrosities.

    2016ActionAdventureCasual0.99 USDSteam ↗
  5. Placid Plastic Duck Simulator

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~60% under Desktop Survivors 98 on Steam right now. Shares Casual with Desktop Survivors 98.

    The ultimate high-tech rubber duck simulation, Placid Plastic Duck brings you dangerous levels of relaxation. With chill music, dreamy 3D graphics, and many different happy ducks, your only priority is to float around. Zero Ducks given.

    2022SimulationCasual1.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  6. Peggle Deluxe

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~80% under Desktop Survivors 98 on Steam right now. Shares Casual with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Take your best shot with energizing arcade fun! Aim, shoot, clear the orange pegs, then sit back and cheer as 10 whimsical teachers guide you to Peggle greatness.

    2007Casual0.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  7. STAR WARS™ Republic Commando™

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Desktop Survivors 98 on Steam right now. Shares Action with Desktop Survivors 98.

    You are the leader of an elite squad of Republic Commandos, your mission is to infiltrate, dominate, and ultimately, annihilate the enemy. Your squad will follow your orders and your lead, working together as a team - instinctively, intelligently, instantly. You are their leader. They are your weapon.

    2009Action2.49 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  8. shapez

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~80% under Desktop Survivors 98 on Steam right now. Shares Indie and Casual with Desktop Survivors 98.

    shapez is an easy-going, minimalistic factory building game about the automation of shapes through extraction and satisfying production lines. Adapt to increasingly complex shapes and grow your factory across an infinitely expanding map. Your only limitation is your creativity!

    2020StrategyIndieSimulation0.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗

Free alternatives

Free-to-play games that recommended players of this title also tend to enjoy.

  1. Life is Strange - Episode 1

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Action with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Episode 1 now FREE! Life is Strange is an award-winning and critically acclaimed episodic adventure game that allows the player to rewind time and affect the past, present and future.

    2015ActionAdventureFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  2. Bongo Cat

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Bongo cat needs your help. Bongo cat needz more hatz!!! Every time you press a key, Bongo cat will punch your taskbar. Type, click, play, work to collect more points. Which hats will you find?

    2025IndieSimulationMassively MultiplayerFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  3. Indigo Park: Chapter 1

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Action and Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Explore the abandoned childhood wonder of Indigo Park! Guided by Rambley the Raccoon, help restore power to the destroyed amusement park while you run from the reason it shut down.

    2024ActionIndieAdventureFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  4. STRAFTAT

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Action with Desktop Survivors 98.

    STRAFTAT is a 1v1/2v2 ONLINE first person SHOOTER with quick rounds in over 350 MAPS ; Including all WEAPONS, proximity chat and 4 players FFA.

    2024ActionFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  5. Awaria

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Action and Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Awaria is a short game about working in haunted maintenance tunnels.

    2024ActionIndieFree To PlayFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  6. Grimm's Hollow

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    A spooky, freeware RPG where you search the afterlife for your brother. Reap ghosts with your scythe, explore haunted caves, and eat ghostly treats on your journey through death.

    2019IndieAdventureRPGFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  7. The Expendabros

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Action and Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    The Expendabros have assembled and set their sights on the forces of ruthless arms dealer Conrad Stonebanks in the forests of Eastern Europe.

    2014ActionIndieAdventureFreeDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  8. Iron Snout

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Action and Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Iron Snout is a fast, colorful and brutal fighting game in which you will be helping a piglet fight for its life against hordes of wolves.

    2016ActionIndieFree To PlayFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗

Plays great on Steam Deck

Valve-Verified or Playable picks from the similar pool — ready to go on Deck out of the box.

  1. Breaking Survivors

    WHY THIS

    Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Action and Casual with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Brick-breaking gameplay meets Survivors-like mechanics. Use your balls to destroy bricks, level up and pick upgrades to hold your ground against waves of incoming bricks and try to high score in this roguelite brick breaking game.

    2023ActionCasual3.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  2. Halls of Torment

    WHY THIS

    Shares achievement hunting and a retro mood with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Action and Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Slay hordes of terrifying monsters in this horde survival roguelite. Descend into the Halls of Torment where the Lords of the underworld await you. Treasures, magical trinkets, and a growing cast of heroes will grant you the power to vanquish these horrors from beyond. How long can you survive?

    2024ActionIndieRPG6.66 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  3. Enter the Gungeon

    WHY THIS

    Shares bullet hell, procedural generation and an intense mood with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Action and Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Enter the Gungeon is a bullet hell dungeon crawler following a band of misfits seeking to shoot, loot, dodge roll and table-flip their way to personal absolution by reaching the legendary Gungeon’s ultimate treasure: the gun that can kill the past.

    2016ActionIndieAdventure14.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  4. Boneraiser Minions

    WHY THIS

    Shares procedural generation with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Action and Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Amass an army of undead to fight endless waves of heroes intent to end your boneraising ways! In this gothic auto-battler rogue-lite Survivor-like, use the bones of slain heroes to raise your minions, collect relics and spells, and unlock meta upgrades, all to survive King Gigald's crusade!

    2023ActionIndieRPG4.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  5. Spell Disk

    WHY THIS

    Shares wave based survival, combo based combat, arcade style and an intense mood with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Action and Indie with Desktop Survivors 98.

    Build unique synergy spell combos to destroy the hordes of monsters and bosses in this rogue-lite action game.

    2024ActionIndie14.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗

Frequently asked about Desktop Survivors 98

Does Desktop Survivors 98 work on Steam Deck?
Desktop Survivors 98 is currently rated Unsupported on Steam Deck. It may not launch or may have significant issues that block normal play.
How much does Desktop Survivors 98 cost?
Desktop Survivors 98 is listed on Steam at 4.99 USD (current store price; Steam sales may reduce this temporarily).
What games are most similar to Desktop Survivors 98?
Based on Steam play patterns and shared genres/tags, the games most often recommended alongside Desktop Survivors 98 are Super Station Swarm, Akinofa, Breaking Survivors.
Who developed Desktop Survivors 98?
Desktop Survivors 98 was developed by Brandon Hesslau.

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 Desktop Survivors 98.

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33 Games Like Desktop Survivors 98 — Ranked for 2026 · imho.run