SYNTHETIK: Legion Rising similar games & best alternatives

SYNTHETIK: Legion Rising

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2018

Should you play it?

SYNTHETIK is an unforgiving tactical shooter rogue-lite where freedom and experimentation is key. Fight in a world overrun by the Machine Legion and their Gods. Experience the next level in gun-play and dive into unparalleled build options and Android upgrades. Can you defeat the Heart of Armageddon?

What works
  • Addictive and satisfying gunplay
  • Deep weapon and item customization
  • High replayability with procedural generation
  • Strong cooperative multiplayer
  • Excellent sound design and visuals
Things to keep in mind
  • Technical issues and bugs reported
  • Steep learning curve for new players
  • Inconsistent boss and level design
  • Lack of save system and progression between runs
  • Some ui and information clarity problems

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Bullet Heaven 2

  • MOTHERGUNSHIP

  • Gatekeeper

  • Roboquest

  • PERISH

  • Risk of Rain 2

  • SYNTHETIK 2

  • The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile

  • Depth
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • PERISH

  • Samurai GUNN 2

  • Spirits Abyss
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Competence

    SYNTHETIK: Arena
  • Experimenting

    Voidigo
  • Sensation

    Kill The Crows

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).

SYNTHETIK: Legion Rising: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Violence, Status. 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

    4

    "Players have freedom to choose classes, weapons, and build their own playstyle with many options and modding support."

    Capsule for SYNTHETIK 2 SYNTHETIK 2

    "Players have freedom to choose from 8 classes, customize weapons and items, and adopt various playstyles including stealth, sniping, or heavy gunner roles."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    5

    "High skill ceiling with challenging mechanics like manual reload, weapon jamming, and tactical combat requiring precision and timing."

    Capsule for SYNTHETIK: Arena SYNTHETIK: Arena

    "High skill ceiling with challenging gunplay, active reload mechanics, and tactical combat requiring mastery and precision."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    1

    "Some leaderboard and challenge elements exist, but mostly focused on personal skill improvement rather than direct competition."

    Capsule for Ultimate Custom Night Ultimate Custom Night

    "Some competitive elements via leaderboards and daily runs, but mostly focused on personal skill improvement and self-set challenges."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Players report long playtimes, habitual return to the game, and strong attachment fueled by nostalgia and engaging gameplay."

    Capsule for Battlezone 98 Redux Battlezone 98 Redux

    "Players report long playtimes, habitual play, and strong attachment due to addictive gameplay and replayability."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    3

    "Supports 2-player co-op with shared experience and streamlined gameplay, enhancing teamwork without being mandatory."

    Capsule for Roboquest Roboquest

    "Supports 2-player co-op with shared items and friendly fire, enhancing teamwork though primarily playable solo."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Wide variety of weapons, builds, and playstyles encourage creative experimentation and customization."

    Capsule for Dead Cells Dead Cells

    "Extensive weapon and item customization, varied classes, and build experimentation encourage creative playstyles."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -3

    "Multiplayer emphasizes cooperative and balanced play rather than domination; community described as friendly."

    Capsule for UnEpic UnEpic

    "Community described as friendly and wholesome; cooperative play emphasizes mutual respect over dominance."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as a challenging distraction and stress relief through intense combat."

    Capsule for Frenzy Retribution Frenzy Retribution

    "Players use the game as a stress reliever and immersive distraction with intense, satisfying combat."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Engagement is driven by intrinsic interest and personal desire to master the game rather than obligation."

    Capsule for Pizza Tower Pizza Tower

    "Engagement driven by intrinsic interest and personal desire to master the game rather than obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on trying new weapons, builds, and strategies each run; encourages exploration of mechanics."

    Capsule for Voidigo Voidigo

    "Encourages trying new weapons, builds, classes, and strategies each run due to procedural generation and item variety."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Procedurally generated dungeons and item unlocks encourage discovery and curiosity."

    Capsule for Ring of Pain Ring of Pain

    "Procedurally generated levels and randomized weapon/item drops promote discovery and novelty."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Customization of characters and weapons allows personal expression within gameplay."

    Capsule for Steven Universe: Save the Light Steven Universe: Save the Light

    "Customization of characters via classes, weapons, and items allows for personal expression in gameplay."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    2

    "Set in a sci-fi world with androids and robots; players experience imaginative fiction and combat."

    Capsule for SYNTHETIK 2 SYNTHETIK 2

    "Set in a sci-fi dystopian future with androids and advanced weaponry, providing an imaginative fictional setting."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    3

    "Active community on Discord and multiplayer fosters a sense of belonging and shared interest."

    Capsule for Indie Pogo Indie Pogo

    "Active global chat and cooperative multiplayer foster a sense of community and shared interest."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills, knowledge of mechanics, and mastery over time."

    Capsule for Risk of Rain 2 Risk of Rain 2

    "Players develop skills, learn mechanics, and progress through class leveling and mastery."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    Capsule for War Thunder War Thunder

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires constant attention and focus due to fast-paced, lethal combat and tactical demands."

    Capsule for Verdun Verdun

    "Requires continuous attention and focus due to fast-paced, intense combat and tactical decisions."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    1

    "Some social interaction through co-op and community messages, but limited evidence of close relationships."

    Capsule for Hellpoint Hellpoint

    "Social interactions mostly surface-level through chat and co-op; limited evidence of close relationships."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -2

    "No explicit leadership roles; cooperative play involves shared decision-making without dominant authority."

    Capsule for How to Survive How to Survive

    "No strong leadership roles; cooperative play involves shared participation without authoritative control."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Strong progression through collecting items, upgrading weapons, and unlocking new abilities."

    Capsule for Arken Age Arken Age

    "Strong progression through item collection, weapon upgrades, class leveling, and unlocking new abilities."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -3

    "Fast-paced and challenging gameplay creates tension rather than relaxation or flow."

    Capsule for Bleed Bleed

    "Fast-paced and challenging gameplay creates tension rather than relaxation or flow."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    5

    "Highly praised sound design, visual effects, and satisfying gunplay provide strong sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for Kill The Crows Kill The Crows

    "Highly praised sound design, visual effects, and satisfying gunplay provide strong sensory stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    1

    "Some social recognition through leaderboards and community, but not a dominant motivation."

    Capsule for Snowbreak: Containment Zone Snowbreak: Containment Zone

    "Some social recognition through leaderboards and community but not a dominant motivation."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    1

    "Minimal narrative focus; gameplay centers on mechanics and runs rather than immersive story or lore."

    Capsule for Poker Quest: Swords and Spades Poker Quest: Swords and Spades

    "Minimal narrative focus; story elements exist but gameplay centers on action and mechanics."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Requires tactical combat, resource management, and planning."

    Capsule for Approaching Infinity Approaching Infinity

    "Requires tactical planning, resource management, and strategic use of weapons and abilities."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    5

    "High suspense and excitement from fast-paced combat and risk-reward mechanics."

    Capsule for OTXO OTXO

    "High adrenaline, suspenseful combat and risk-reward mechanics provide strong thrill and excitement."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players perceive strong value for time and money due to deep gameplay and replayability."

    Capsule for Nova Drift Nova Drift

    "Players perceive excellent value for time and money due to deep gameplay and replayability."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around combat, destruction, explosions, and shooting enemies."

    Capsule for Thunder Wolves Thunder Wolves

    "Core gameplay revolves around intense combat, shooting, explosions, and destruction."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    4

    "Focus on avoiding death, managing resources, and overcoming threats in a hostile environment."

    Capsule for Dead Space™ 2 Dead Space™ 2

    "Focus on avoiding death, managing resources, and overcoming threats in challenging environments."

Come talk about it on Discord!

Last update: 01/06/2026