IMHO.

Single-player games like Cataclysmic

Below are 8 single-player Steam games similar to Cataclysmic, ranked by player overlap. Every pick carries Steam's Single-player category, so multiplayer-only titles or always-online games don't sneak in. imho.run pulls the category data from Steam directly — Single-player here matches what the store labels.

Want the full alternatives list (paid + free + Steam Deck + cheaper picks)? See the parent games like Cataclysmic page.

Ranked picks

  1. 1
    Deep Deep Deep Nightmare — Steam game cover

    Deep Deep Deep Nightmare

    Single-player alternative to Cataclysmic — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Action and Indie with Cataclysmic.

    Deep Deep Deep Nightmare is a 2D Top Down Shooter. Survive by facing monsters in the nightmare of a little boy who didn’t heed his mother’s warnings that eating too much before bed can cause nightmares.

    2025ActionIndieAdventure9.99 USDSingle-playerSimilar games →
  2. 2
    Warp Commander — Steam game cover

    Warp Commander

    Single-player alternative to Cataclysmic — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Action with Cataclysmic.

    A top-down 2D arena shooter in the style of a retro arcade game. The player fights against waves of enemy spaceships to defend space as we know it.

    2025Action1.99 USDSingle-playerSimilar games →
  3. 3
    Always Surrender — Steam game cover

    Always Surrender

    Single-player alternative to Cataclysmic — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Action with Cataclysmic.

    Battle a never ending swarm of enemies, but be sure to surrender before you die...

    2024Action3.99 USDSingle-playerSimilar games →
  4. 4
    Shmup Arena — Steam game cover

    Shmup Arena

    Single-player alternative to Cataclysmic — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Action and Indie with Cataclysmic.

    Take on intense challenges and waves of enemies in this frenetic arena shooter that demands quick reflexes and nonstop action. Survive the onslaught and defeat powerful bosses while staying in motion, mastering arenas designed for those who crave adrenaline and intense combat.

    2020ActionIndie1.99 USDSingle-playerSimilar games →
  5. 5
    Cardiac Powder — Steam game cover

    Cardiac Powder

    Single-player alternative to Cataclysmic — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Action and Indie with Cataclysmic.

    Cardiac Powder is a nervous twin stick shooter where you have a bomb in you, if you can’t maintain a certain heart rate, it will explode… So one thing to do is keep you in action by fighting your opponents!

    2023ActionIndie2.99 USDSingle-playerSimilar games →
  6. 6
    Void Prison — Steam game cover

    Void Prison

    Single-player alternative to Cataclysmic — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Action and Indie with Cataclysmic.

    Void Prison is a fast paced, endless arcade twin stick shooter that puts you inside of an ever shrinking ring. Survive by fighting emerging enemies around you and don't get consumed by the void. Complete achievements to unlock new skins and powerups and get on top of the leaderboards!

    2022ActionIndieCasual2.99 USDSingle-playerSimilar games →
  7. 7
    Hyper Echelon — Steam game cover

    Hyper Echelon

    Single-player alternative to Cataclysmic — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Action and Indie with Cataclysmic.

    The Cyan Galaxy is in peril! Your trusty little star fighter and rag tag squad of wingmen are the only hope against the evil EXODON! Level up from a pea shooter to an offensive powerhouse as you engage in frantic combat across many wondrous locales.

    2021ActionIndie12.99 USDDeck VerifiedSingle-playerSimilar games →
  8. 8
    Waves 2: Notorious — Steam game cover

    Waves 2: Notorious

    Single-player alternative to Cataclysmic — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Action with Cataclysmic.

    Waves 2: Notorious is an arcade twin-stick shooter set in Cyberspace. Build Combos, earn Adrenaline and unleash powerful Burst attacks as you Dive into the Net and do battle against an AI that adapts to your weaknesses!

    2015ActionEarly AccessFreeSingle-playerSimilar games →