Single-player games like Desert Child
Below are 11 single-player Steam games similar to Desert Child, 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 Desert Child page.
Ranked picks
- 1
Retro Endurance 8bit
Single-player alternative to Desert Child — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Action and Indie with Desert Child.
Created by zsKnight of ZSNES is this really neat retro game collection containing a fun shuffler story mode and a challenging arcade mode. Features 52 different 8bit style games which includes local competitive multiplayer and various different game modes to play and enjoy.
- 2
Imminence
Single-player alternative to Desert Child — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Action and Indie with Desert Child.
A brutal 16-bit sci-fi shoot-’em-up inspired by the golden age of the Sega Genesis. Fight across multiple worlds, upgrade your ship, and confront the forces behind the Augmentation Program.
- 3
Roomrush Racer
Single-player alternative to Desert Child — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Racing with Desert Child.
Race through 20 chaotic rooms with 27 characters in a fast-paced arcade racer. Play solo or with up to 4 players in local split-screen, collect items, master speed classes, and win cups together.
- 4
Penetrator
Single-player alternative to Desert Child — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Action with Desert Child.
In this addictive side-scrolling shoot-em-up from 1982, your mission is to penetrate through four defence rings, and blow up an illegal cache of neutron bombs - an almost impossible feat! Enemy missiles and radar bases track your movements, and the landscape is as treacherous as your enemies.
- 5
Airstrife: Assault of the Aviators
Single-player alternative to Desert Child — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Action and Indie with Desert Child.
Use Aileron Rolling or Evading your enemies' attacks while having a realistic damage system. Use different planes with upgradable parts and numerous weapons you can mount to your planes to destroy your enemies. Fly solo or play with your friends and enjoy local coop. A modern re-invented classic.
- 6
Super Grav
Single-player alternative to Desert Child — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Action and Indie with Desert Child.
Super Grav is a retro gravity cave flyer for 1-4 players, featuring single player or co-op multiplayer missions, racing and dogfighting. Back by popular demand, Super Grav is the official sequel to the 1998 Net Yaroze coverdisc hit, Gravitation.
- 7
Blazing Chrome
Single-player alternative to Desert Child — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Action and Indie with Desert Child.
In Blazing Chrome, bring your best pal and kick some metal butts to free the humankind while enjoying a classic run’n’gun, fully loaded with action and exciting fights!
- 8
Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef
Single-player alternative to Desert Child — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Action with Desert Child.
From the developers of the Guns, Gore and Cannoli franchise comes a new 2D run & gun platformer: Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & TEEF! Spearhead an Ork invasion, destroy the hive city and kill your warboss! ‘Ere we go!
- 9
Kardboard Kings: Card Shop Simulator
Single-player alternative to Desert Child — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Indie and Simulation with Desert Child.
Open your own Card shop by the seaside! Buy, trade and sell Cards, OR keep them for your own collection! Earn reputation with customers, beat your shop goals, unlock new decorations, and host exciting events to bring everyone to the best Card shop in town!
- 10
Nanomon Virtual Pet
Single-player alternative to Desert Child — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Action and Indie with Desert Child.
Nanomon are byte-sized virtual pets for the corner of your screen! Raise over 25 unique monsters, and explore their cyber-world! Feed them, train them, or chill with them! By your side, nanomon evolve, learn new abilities, and venture further into the Nanoscape! What kind of monster will you raise?
- 11
World's Fastest Pizza
Single-player alternative to Desert Child — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Action and Indie with Desert Child.
Head to Australia and use all the superpowers you can to deliver fast pizza! Watch out for pizza-haters though! World's Fastest Pizza: It's not easy, when your pizza is so cheesy...