IMHO.

Single-player games like Nova Swarm

Below are 8 single-player Steam games similar to Nova Swarm, 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 Nova Swarm page.

Ranked picks

  1. 1
    Iron Skies — Steam game cover

    Iron Skies

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

    Retro style, propeller plane centred shoot 'em up inspired by the arcade classics of a fondly remembered bygone era.

    2026ActionIndieSingle-playerSimilar games →
  2. 2
    STARR RINGER — Steam game cover

    STARR RINGER

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

    Grab the fate of all life in your hands. Blast your way through the cosmos, destroying monstrous cosmic beasts and the space cultists summoning them, on your path to stopping your mother from unleashing the chaos realm upon the universe, in this sci-fi cosmic horror bullet-hell, STARR RINGER.

    2022ActionIndieEarly Access9.99 USDSingle-playerSimilar games →
  3. 3
    Royal Odyssey — Steam game cover

    Royal Odyssey

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

    Royal Odyssey is a retro-style arcade space shooter where you pilot Prince Zayven’s ship through a deadly asteroid storm, blasting your way to survival.

    ActionIndieCasualSingle-playerSimilar games →
  4. 4
    Blast'N Bounty — Steam game cover

    Blast'N Bounty

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

    Blast’N Bounty is a vertical scrolling shoot’em up featuring 8 stages players can tackle in the order of their choosing. Cruise through a crazy solar system in a mix of pixel art and low poly 3D with action that’s easy to learn but tough to master!

    2026ActionIndie4.99 USDSingle-playerSimilar games →
  5. 5
    Shmup! — Steam game cover

    Shmup!

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

    Arcade-style bullet hell action! 3 ships, 5 special weapons, and screen-clearing bombs. Conquer 5 intense stages with dynamic difficulty—then compete for high scores on online leaderboards.

    2026ActionIndieSingle-playerSimilar games →
  6. 6
    Crush The Rebellion! — Steam game cover

    Crush The Rebellion!

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

    The galactic empire is under siege from the rebel scum in all directions! Fight through endless waves of rebel ships using all of the weapons and resources at your disposal as you execute your sole orders: to Crush The Rebellion!

    2026ActionIndie4.49 USDSingle-playerSimilar games →
  7. 7
    Shooting Blaster Big Bang Boom — Steam game cover

    Shooting Blaster Big Bang Boom

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

    Are you gonna shoot? YES! Are you gonna blast? YES! Are you gonna make a big bang? YES! Are you gonna make a big boom? YES! So what do you get? Shooting Blaster Big Bang Boom! Come have some fun, it's Good Time time!

    2020ActionIndieCasual4.99 USDSingle-playerSimilar games →
  8. 8
    Storm Mined — Steam game cover

    Storm Mined

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

    Inspired by the cult classic Mine Storm, Storm Mined modernizes arcade space shooting with rogue-lite upgrades and rhythm-based stages.

    ActionIndieSingle-playerSimilar games →