Ghostrunner similar games & best alternatives

Ghostrunner

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S • 2020

Should you play it?

Ghostrunner offers a unique single-player experience: fast-paced, violent combat, and an original setting that blends science fiction with post-apocalyptic themes. It tells the story of a world that has already ended and its inhabitants who fight to survive.

What works
  • Fast-paced, skill-based gameplay
  • Fluid parkour and combat mechanics
  • Stunning cyberpunk visuals and soundtrack
  • Rewarding challenge and progression
  • Good replayability with modes and leaderboards
Things to keep in mind
  • Short main campaign
  • Some frustrating difficulty spikes
  • Limited story depth
  • Lack of multiplayer or social features
  • Minor bugs and occasional technical issues

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Mega Man 11

  • Resident Evil 4 (2005)

  • RUINER

  • RIVE

  • Katana ZERO

  • MULLET MADJACK

  • Mega Man Legacy Collection

  • Severed Steel

  • STRIDER™ / ストライダー飛竜®

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • RIVE

  • Steel Assault

  • Advent NEON®

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Competence

    COMPOUND

  • Escapism

    SPRAWL

  • Fantasy

    Ghostrunner 2

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).

Ghostrunner: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Status, Story, Intimacy. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Violence, Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation.

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

    3

    "Players have freedom to choose abilities, gadgets, and approach to combat and platforming, with adjustable difficulty and some exploration."

    Capsule for CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story™ CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story™

    "Players can choose multiple ways to approach combat and platforming challenges, with some freedom to build strategies and use abilities."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    5

    "High skill ceiling with challenging combat, unique weapon reload mechanics, and rewarding mastery of aiming and dodging."

    Capsule for COMPOUND COMPOUND

    "High skill requirement with challenging one-hit-kill combat and precise parkour, rewarding mastery and improvement."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    2

    "Includes leaderboards and speedrunning elements, encouraging comparison with others, though primarily a single-player experience."

    Capsule for MULLET MADJACK MULLET MADJACK

    "Includes leaderboards and speedrunning modes encouraging comparison, but primarily a single-player experience."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Players report addictive gameplay with long sessions, repeated retries, and desire to improve times."

    Capsule for Slackers - Carts of Glory Slackers - Carts of Glory

    "Players report long sessions and repeated retries, with addictive gameplay encouraging habitual play."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Single-player only with no multiplayer or cooperative modes."

    Capsule for COMPOUND COMPOUND

    "Single-player only with no multiplayer or cooperative modes."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players can customize combat style through skill trees and weapon choices, though within predefined systems."

    Capsule for Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time

    "Players can customize abilities and choose different combat approaches, but limited environmental or character customization."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Focus on personal skill and challenge rather than exerting control over others"

    Capsule for Touhou Fantasia / 东方梦想曲 Touhou Fantasia / 东方梦想曲

    "Focus on personal skill and challenge rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Immersive cyberpunk world and intense gameplay provide strong real-life escape"

    Capsule for SPRAWL SPRAWL

    "Immersive cyberpunk world and intense gameplay provide strong escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and challenge, with no indication of obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for DEVOUR DEVOUR

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and challenge, with no indication of obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Encourages trying different movement techniques, speedrunning strategies, and combat approaches"

    Capsule for Alien Removal Division Alien Removal Division

    "Encourages trying new movement techniques and combat strategies to overcome challenges."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    1

    "Some light exploration with collectibles and side quests, but mostly linear levels with limited discovery."

    Capsule for The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story™ The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story™

    "Linear levels with some collectibles and lore to discover, but limited open exploration."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    1

    "Some cosmetic skins and weapon customization available, but limited personalization."

    Capsule for Rebel Forces Rebel Forces

    "Some cosmetic skins for weapons and gloves available, but limited character customization."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "The game features a cyberpunk futuristic setting with cyborg ninjas, supernatural abilities, and imaginative combat scenarios."

    Capsule for Ghostrunner 2 Ghostrunner 2

    "Strong cyberpunk sci-fi setting with cyborg ninja fantasy and stylized combat."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community features; purely single-player experience."

    Capsule for DOOM: The Dark Ages DOOM: The Dark Ages

    "No social or community features; purely single-player experience."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills and improve mastery over challenging mechanics."

    Capsule for Bean Bean

    "Players develop skills and mastery over challenging mechanics and levels."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -3

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity focus."

    Capsule for On-Together: Virtual Co-Working On-Together: Virtual Co-Working

    "Fast-paced, intense gameplay encourages sedentary play with high focus but no physical activity."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires constant attention and precise inputs; not suited for casual or background play."

    Capsule for Slave Zero X Slave Zero X

    "Requires constant attention and precise inputs; not suited for casual or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No close social interactions or relationship building."

    Capsule for Crime Scene Cleaner Crime Scene Cleaner

    "No close social interactions or relationship building."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements; single-player focused."

    Capsule for The Way The Way

    "No leadership or group management elements; single-player focused."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players accumulate items, upgrades, and unlock new abilities and endings through gameplay."

    Capsule for Lakeview Valley Lakeview Valley

    "Players unlock abilities and upgrades that affect gameplay, with some collectible items."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -3

    "High tension and challenge with frequent deaths; not primarily a relaxation experience."

    Capsule for Spelunky Spelunky

    "High tension and challenge with frequent deaths; not designed for relaxation."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    4

    "Strong sensory stimulation through dynamic soundtrack, visual effects, and fast-paced action."

    Capsule for QUICKERFLAK QUICKERFLAK

    "Strong sensory stimulation from fast-paced action, visuals, and soundtrack."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    1

    "Some recognition via leaderboards and achievements, but mostly individual focus."

    Capsule for RUINER RUINER

    "Some recognition via leaderboards and achievements, but mostly individual focus."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Contains some lore and narrative elements, but story is not the main focus."

    Capsule for Dave's Fun Algebra Class: Remastered Dave's Fun Algebra Class: Remastered

    "Story is present and provides lore and context but is not the main focus."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Combat requires timing and some planning; puzzles require problem solving."

    Capsule for DashBored DashBored

    "Combat encounters require planning and timing, with puzzle-like enemy patterns."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    4

    "High suspense and adrenaline from fast-paced, high-risk gameplay and instant failure."

    Capsule for Trip to Vinelands Trip to Vinelands

    "High suspense and adrenaline from one-hit-kill mechanics and fast-paced gameplay."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Generally considered worth the price for the gameplay and replayability, despite some bugs and lack of updates."

    Capsule for Feed and Grow: Fish Feed and Grow: Fish

    "Generally considered worth the price for gameplay and replayability, especially on sale."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Combat involves brutal melee attacks, finishing moves, and destruction of enemies; violence is a core gameplay element."

    Capsule for Ascend: Reborn Ascend: Reborn

    "Combat is violent and fast-paced, with emphasis on slashing enemies and destruction."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    4

    "Players must avoid instant death traps and lethal enemies, managing resources carefully to survive."

    Capsule for DESYNC DESYNC

    "Players must avoid instant death and manage resources like abilities to survive."

Last update: 01/06/2026