# Games like CRUEL

> The closest matches to CRUEL: ODDCORE, Bloodshed, MULLET MADJACK, Tower of Guns, and Soulslinger: Envoy of Death. Ranked by imho.run from Steam co-play data, shared tags and reviews.

## Similar games, ranked

The full ranked list, 24 games, best match first (the HTML page shows the top 8 as cards).

1. [ODDCORE](https://imho.run/games/2896260/oddcore) — Shares checkpoint based progression and real time combat with CRUEL. 617 Steam reviews, 97% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2896260/)
2. [Bloodshed](https://imho.run/games/2747550/bloodshed) — Shares weapon upgrades and loadout customization with CRUEL. 985 Steam reviews, 83% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2747550/)
3. [MULLET MADJACK](https://imho.run/games/2111190/mullet-madjack) — Shares weapon upgrades and roguelite progression with CRUEL. 4,565 Steam reviews, 97% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2111190/)
4. [Tower of Guns](https://imho.run/games/266110/tower-of-guns) — Also Boomer Shooter and Perma Death, like CRUEL. 447 Steam reviews, 87% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/266110/)
5. [Soulslinger: Envoy of Death](https://imho.run/games/2429240/soulslinger-envoy-of-death) — A frequent pick in CRUEL players' libraries, and another Action. 257 Steam reviews, 70% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2429240/)
6. [KILL KNIGHT](https://imho.run/games/2694420/kill-knight) — Shares weapon upgrades and wave based survival with CRUEL. 1,166 Steam reviews, 94% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2694420/)
7. [Anger Foot](https://imho.run/games/1978590/anger-foot) — Also Boomer Shooter and Gore, like CRUEL. 2,052 Steam reviews, 93% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1978590/)
8. [Immortal Redneck](https://imho.run/games/595140/immortal-redneck) — Shares procedural generation with CRUEL. 1,177 Steam reviews, 89% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/595140/)
9. [SATAN](https://imho.run/games/2997260/satan) — Also Boomer Shooter and Post-apocalyptic, like CRUEL. 80 Steam reviews, 82% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2997260/)
10. [CULTIC](https://imho.run/games/1684930/cultic) — Shares weapon upgrades with CRUEL. 6,082 Steam reviews, 98% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1684930/)
11. [POSTAL: Brain Damaged](https://imho.run/games/1359980/postal-brain-damaged) — Also Boomer Shooter and Shoot 'Em Up, like CRUEL. 5,027 Steam reviews, 95% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1359980/)
12. [PIGFACE](https://imho.run/games/3341650/pigface) — Shares loadout customization and checkpoint based progression with CRUEL. 1,673 Steam reviews, 97% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3341650/)
13. [STRAFE: Gold Edition](https://imho.run/games/442780/strafe-gold-edition) — Also Boomer Shooter and Rogue-like, like CRUEL. 1,330 Steam reviews, 74% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/442780/)
14. [Trepang2](https://imho.run/games/1164940/trepang2) — Also Boomer Shooter and Gore, like CRUEL. 11,287 Steam reviews, 95% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1164940/)
15. [Dead Estate](https://imho.run/games/1484720/dead-estate) — Also Perma Death and Rogue-like, like CRUEL. 3,942 Steam reviews, 95% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1484720/)
16. [Kill The Crows](https://imho.run/games/2441270/kill-the-crows) — Also Shoot 'Em Up and Post-apocalyptic, like CRUEL. 1,618 Steam reviews, 96% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2441270/)
17. [High Hell](https://imho.run/games/673000/high-hell) — Also Boomer Shooter and Gore, like CRUEL. 807 Steam reviews, 85% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/673000/)
18. [Dread Templar](https://imho.run/games/1334730/dread-templar) — Also Boomer Shooter and Gore, like CRUEL. 707 Steam reviews, 82% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1334730/)
19. [Heavy Bullets](https://imho.run/games/297120/heavy-bullets) — Shares procedural generation and resource management with CRUEL. 1,006 Steam reviews, 82% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/297120/)
20. [Blood: Refreshed Supply™](https://imho.run/games/3884520/blood-refreshed-supply) — Shares real time combat and boss fights with CRUEL. 494 Steam reviews, 66% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3884520/)
21. [Prodeus](https://imho.run/games/964800/prodeus) — Also Boomer Shooter and Gore, like CRUEL. 4,068 Steam reviews, 93% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/964800/)
22. [Deformed](https://imho.run/games/2332250/deformed) — Shares weapon upgrades and checkpoint based progression with CRUEL. 112 Steam reviews, 96% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2332250/)
23. [Ziggurat](https://imho.run/games/308420/ziggurat) — Shares perk selection and procedural generation with CRUEL. 1,992 Steam reviews, 87% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/308420/)
24. [Project Warlock](https://imho.run/games/893680/project-warlock) — Shares weapon upgrades and checkpoint based progression with CRUEL. 2,622 Steam reviews, 88% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/893680/)

## Machine-readable

The same ranked list as JSON from the imho.run API for AI assistants (GET, no key, same site as this page):

- Top 20: https://imho.run/api/agent/games-like?q=2689470&n=20
- Co-op games only: https://imho.run/api/agent/games-like?q=2689470&n=20&coop=true
- Free games only: https://imho.run/api/agent/games-like?q=2689470&n=20&free=true
- Facts about this game: https://imho.run/api/agent/game-facts?q=2689470
- This page as markdown: https://imho.run/md/game/2689470
- API docs: https://imho.run/developers (OpenAPI: https://imho.run/openapi.json, MCP: https://imho.run/mcp)

## About CRUEL

CRUEL is a 2025 action indie boomer shooter from solo developer James Dornan that tasks players with surviving procedurally generated runs through challenging combat encounters and boss fights. The game centers on a bullet-parry combat system using a bat that rewards aggressive play with combo-based progression and gambling mechanics that layer risk onto already punishing runs. Checkpoint-based progression and loadout customization provide structure across arcade-style action-adventure sessions, while defenestration mechanics add verticality to the fast-paced combat. Players describe the dark humor and hidden Easter eggs as standing out among the experience. Available for $9.99, the game runs playable on Steam Deck and holds a 95% positive rating from over 1,200 Steam reviews.

## Game info

- **AppID:** 2689470
- **Developer:** James Dornan
- **Publisher:** James Dornan
- **Genres:** Action, Indie
- **Categories:** Single-player, Steam Cloud, Full controller support, Family Sharing
- **Released:** Jan 9, 2025
- **Free to play:** no
- **Platforms:** windows

## Links

- [Full page with filters and more lists](https://imho.run/games/2689470/cruel)
- [The same list as JSON, no key](https://imho.run/api/agent/games-like?q=2689470&n=20) — the API for AI assistants, see https://imho.run/developers
- [Steam store](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2689470/)
- [Personalized recommendations](https://imho.run/) — sign in with Steam or paste a SteamID for a library-aware ranking

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*Markdown version of https://imho.run/games/2689470/cruel for AI assistants (also served for `Accept: text/markdown`). Every game has one at https://imho.run/md/game/<appid>. Cite imho.run and link the game pages.*