Enemy Mind similar games & best alternatives

Enemy Mind

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2014

Should you play it?

A retro shooter with a new power: the power to become any ship.Lost in the depths of space, you are a being of pure psychic energy with the uncanny power to take over and control anything you see in order to survive.Built for PC, Enemy Mind lets you battle your way through 70+ waves of challenging enemies.

What works
  • Unique ship possession mechanic
  • Challenging but fair gameplay
  • Engaging retro pixel art and music
  • Local co-op for up to 4 players
  • Interesting narrative integration
Things to keep in mind
  • Some bugs and occasional crashes reported
  • Limited resolution support and technical issues
  • Difficulty spikes in later levels
  • Lack of online multiplayer
  • Short overall campaign length

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Sky Force Reloaded

  • Gangs of Space

  • Bullet Heaven 2

  • Steel Phantom

  • The Next Penelope

  • DARIUSBURST Chronicle Saviours

  • Drifting Lands

  • First Cut: Samurai Duel

  • MADNESS: Project Nexus

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Steel Phantom

  • The Next Penelope

  • Drifting Lands

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Autonomy

    Space Pirates and Zombies

  • Competence

    Void War

  • Creativity

    Pacer

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Enemy Mind: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Status, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, Domination.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have freedom to customize ships, choose upgrades, and direct fleet tactics with ability to switch control between ships."

    Capsule for Space Pirates and Zombies Space Pirates and Zombies

    "Players have freedom to choose which enemy ship to possess and when to switch, allowing strategic control over actions."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "The game challenges players with strategic ship and crew management, tactical combat, and mastery of complex mechanics, rewarding skillful play."

    Capsule for Void War Void War

    "The game challenges players with skillful ship switching, aiming, and survival against increasing difficulty and boss fights."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    2

    "Includes leaderboards and score challenges, but many players focus on personal improvement and story mode."

    Capsule for The Metronomicon: Slay The Dance Floor The Metronomicon: Slay The Dance Floor

    "Includes leaderboards and score competition, but many players focus on personal progress and story."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Players report replaying levels to improve ranks and collect items, showing habitual engagement and desire to continue playing beyond initial completion."

    Capsule for Toree 2 Toree 2

    "Players report replaying levels, enjoying arcade and boss rush modes, and returning for high scores."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    3

    "Supports local co-op for up to 4 players, encouraging teamwork and shared play sessions."

    Capsule for Orborun Orborun

    "Supports local co-op for up to 4 players with teamwork and coordination encouraged."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Strong customization of ships, loadouts, and weapons allows creative player expression and experimentation."

    Capsule for Pacer Pacer

    "Unique mechanic of possessing enemy ships with different weapons and playstyles encourages creative strategies."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -2

    "Multiplayer is cooperative or balanced; no strong evidence of dominating or toxic behavior."

    Capsule for Serious Sam's Bogus Detour Serious Sam's Bogus Detour

    "Multiplayer is cooperative and friendly; no reports of dominance or toxic behavior."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    3

    "Players use the game as a relaxing and engaging distraction with retro style and strategic gameplay."

    Capsule for Super Sanctum TD Super Sanctum TD

    "Players use the game as a fun distraction with engaging story and retro atmosphere."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and curiosity, not out of obligation."

    Capsule for FRAMED Collection FRAMED Collection

    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and curiosity, not out of obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Players experiment with ship designs, crew skills, exploration strategies, and puzzle solving throughout gameplay."

    Capsule for Starcom: Unknown Space Starcom: Unknown Space

    "Players experiment with different ships and strategies to master the mechanic and scoring."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    2

    "Exploration is limited to progressing through chapters and discovering new card layouts and story scenes."

    Capsule for Regency Solitaire Regency Solitaire

    "Exploration is limited to discovering new ships and story fragments through different playthroughs."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    1

    "Some cosmetic elements like ship customization exist, but minimal player-driven expression or avatar personalization."

    Capsule for We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip

    "Limited customization; players express through choice of ships but no avatar or environment personalization."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Set in a sci-fi universe with space combat and alien factions, offering imaginative fictional experiences."

    Capsule for Star Valor Star Valor

    "Set in a sci-fi space war with psychic possession and alien factions, offering imaginative fiction."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    3

    "Community features like leaderboards and local co-op foster social connection and shared experiences."

    Capsule for The Metronomicon: Slay The Dance Floor The Metronomicon: Slay The Dance Floor

    "Local co-op and community leaderboards foster social connection and shared experiences."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop skills in flying, combat, and ship customization; story progression adds learning."

    Capsule for Rodina Rodina

    "Players develop skills in ship switching, aiming, and strategic play; story progression adds knowledge."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for Paladins® Paladins®

    "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires active attention and continuous engagement during levels; not suited for background or idle play."

    Capsule for Fist Puncher Fist Puncher

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement during levels; no idle or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -3

    "Social interactions limited to local co-op and leaderboards; no deep emotional connections."

    Capsule for Iron Fisticle Iron Fisticle

    "Social interaction is limited to local co-op and leaderboards; no deep emotional connections reported."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    2

    "Players coordinate roles and strategies in co-op, though no explicit leadership mechanics noted."

    Capsule for Karnage Chronicles Karnage Chronicles

    "Co-op play involves some coordination and role division but no formal leadership roles."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players progress through levels, unlock hard mode, and improve skills; limited item upgrades or collection."

    Capsule for No Sun To Worship No Sun To Worship

    "Players progress through levels, unlock extras, and improve scores; no item collection or upgrades."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    1

    "Game can be tense and suspenseful but also enjoyable and rewarding, balancing challenge and flow."

    Capsule for Project Winter Project Winter

    "Gameplay can be tense and challenging but also rewarding and engaging, balancing flow and difficulty."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Retro pixel art and chiptune music provide moderate sensory stimulation and nostalgic emotional fun."

    Capsule for Arcade Tycoon ™ : Simulation Game Arcade Tycoon ™ : Simulation Game

    "Retro pixel art and chiptune music provide sensory enjoyment and nostalgic emotional fun."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    2

    "Leaderboards and achievements provide social recognition and status among players."

    Capsule for Canabalt Canabalt

    "Leaderboards and achievements provide some social recognition and status among players."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "The narrative and lore add to player immersion."

    Capsule for 9 Days 9 Days

    "Narrative is integrated and revealed through gameplay and ship possession, adding immersion."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Players must plan routes, manage cover and ammo, and optimize tactics to complete objectives."

    Capsule for NOT A HERO NOT A HERO

    "Players must plan ship switching, ammo management, and positioning to succeed."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Challenging gameplay and boss fights create suspense and excitement."

    Capsule for Wee Tanks! Wee Tanks!

    "Challenging gameplay with tense moments and boss fights creates excitement and suspense."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Players find good value especially on sale, with engaging gameplay and replayability."

    Capsule for Broken Lines Broken Lines

    "Players find good value especially on sale, appreciating unique mechanics and replayability."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Core gameplay involves combat, destruction of enemy ships, and competitive shooting."

    Capsule for Subspace Continuum Subspace Continuum

    "Core gameplay involves combat, shooting, and destruction of enemy ships."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    4

    "Players must manage ship health, avoid damage, and survive waves of enemies and bosses."

    Capsule for Ship of Fools Ship of Fools

    "Players must avoid death by managing health and ammo, switching ships to survive waves."

Last update: 01/06/2026