It's such an overcrowded genre isn't it? I mean it's ridiculous how many top down games there are out there... I've played so many now, they just blend into each other.

Are there any top down games that do something different (or the same but really really well). For example, my last really positive experiences with this format were Desperados 3 and Shadow Gambit The Cursed Crew.

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[–] Acidbath@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

I apologize if my recommendations are not what you are looking for but have you tried:

Disco Elysium? Cuz that game blew my fucking mind. I voice acting and characters are superb.

Signalis. Its such a lovely artsy game thats like resident evil but more story driven imo (less survival).

I love poe2 with wasd movement. I beg you to try it out. It was something i was hesitant at first but now I wish all arpg's had this feature.

Kenshi is also a great option but I don't think its for everyone. Still recommend it though cuz the world is very mysterious in first playthrough.

[–] Visstix@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Xenonauts, part 2 is in early access

Warhammer 40k: chaos gate

Project zomboid

But yeah top down is not a genre, that's like saying third person or first person is overcrowded.

[–] REDACTED@infosec.pub 6 points 5 days ago

Kenshi. There is really not a single game out there that I can really compare it to and they have a very strong community, showing the game has a high replayability value

[–] MECHAGODZILLA2@midwest.social 4 points 5 days ago

Rimworld?

[–] PapstJL4U@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

RTS like AoE or Warcraft

Bullet Hells like Assault Android Cactus

Hotline Miami

every 4X game

V Rising, Diablo or Baldurs Gate

[–] rikudou@lemmings.world 2 points 5 days ago

Does Dungeons 3 or 4 count? If so, these games are great.

[–] 60d@lemmy.ca 4 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Factorio 🏭

Factorio is a game in which you build and maintain factories. You will be mining resources, researching technologies, building infrastructure, automating production and fighting enemies.

[–] FlembleFabber@sh.itjust.works 2 points 6 days ago (2 children)

How is this genuinely different?

[–] pishadoot@sh.itjust.works 5 points 6 days ago

The game defined the factory builder genre. Everything that followed (Dyson sphere project, satisfactory, shapez, etc etc etc) came after factorio (nicknamed cracktorio because of its addictive qualities) was released.

Gameplay wise it's a top down with some vehicles and weapons, which is not unique at all, but the core of the gameplay loop was unique and spawned an entire sub genre of build games.

For the akshuallys in the room, it is possible that there were factory line builders before factorio that I'm not aware of, but none had the depth and breadth and definitely none were as popular/iconic.

[–] 60d@lemmy.ca 2 points 6 days ago

That's a really great question. I will leave it to other people in the comments to answer.

I took OP's question to mean, "Give me some top-down game suggestions".

Now that I read it again, I see your point. But also, I can't think of any of the suggestions in this thread as being unique.

[–] Novamdomum@fedia.io 1 points 5 days ago

Thank you so much to everyone who commented with suggestions! Some really surprising ones in there too that I'm very much looking forwards to playing soon. So far thanks to this post I've grabbed Heat Signature as well as Shady Part of Me and I'm replaying Dysmantle. I've also wishlisted Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal and will nab that the minute it goes on sale.

Edit: Ooh and I'm also looking forward to the release of Outworld Station on Tuesday. That looks like a really interesting top down, space station factory automation game :)

[–] M137@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago

Cocoon is very different, the worlds inside worlds puzzles are mind-breaking but really fun. Highly recommended!

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 3 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

I forgot the name of it (Ex Machina? 🤔), but there is a top down diablo-like game with somewhat QWOPish controls and physics based combat. You control movement normally (assuming you're standing), but you have to actually swing your sword around with the mouse and because it's a top down view, this becomes a real challenge. It's also presented as a soul like, so the AI is generally actually good at combat, and it's also slow, and heavy feeling.

I don't think it ever got finished, though. It was semi-popular for about a week before I never really saw it anymore.

[–] bluegreenwookie@bookwormstory.social 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Idk if it counts but "shady part of me" was an excellent game.

It's more up and to the side then top down it is a really fun platformer with interesting light mechanics and worth checking out.

[–] Novamdomum@fedia.io 2 points 5 days ago

Wow, that looks amazing! and 85% off on Steam... Think I'll grab that right now :)

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 2 points 6 days ago

Dreamweb.

90's cyberpunk point'n'click with a dark mature story and a rocking soundtrack.

[–] duchess@feddit.org 50 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It’s such an overcrowded genre isn’t it?

Well it's not really a genre, just a mode of perspective.

Disco Elysium ditched combat for an everything-is-dialogue-approach and it is really really good.

[–] Novamdomum@fedia.io 6 points 1 week ago

Played the hell out of DE and I agree! :D

[–] madame_gaymes@programming.dev 16 points 1 week ago

What actual genre do you like to play? Might get some more relevant recommendations. Otherwise, top-down is just a POV and there are a ton of genres that have been made this way.

Factorio - Factory Building
Door Kickers - Tactical CQB
Dwarf Fortress - Roguelite Town Management
The Battle for Wesnoth - Turn-based RPG
GTA1/2/London 1969 - The best GTAs
FTL - Roguelite space adventure. Real-time with pause.

[–] iii@mander.xyz 13 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Minesweeper

[–] badcommandorfilename@lemmy.world 11 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Solitaire - classic top down perspective.

Come to think of it, so was that Space Pinball game too.

[–] Novamdomum@fedia.io 4 points 1 week ago

played hundreds of hours of both lol

[–] Novamdomum@fedia.io 3 points 1 week ago

I could never get on with Minesweeper. I bet it's something to do with my ADHD and Discalculia.

[–] TheBat@lemmy.world 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Heat Signature - https://store.steampowered.com/app/268130/Heat_Signature/

[–] Novamdomum@fedia.io 3 points 1 week ago

That looks amazing! Wishlisted :) I love the mechanic of intentionally blowing yourself out into space to escape an imminently exploding ship and then remote controlling your own ship to then rescue you lol

[–] blimthepixie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Not sure how old you are, have you played the first and second GTA?

[–] Novamdomum@fedia.io 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Very old and yes I have (when they came out in fact 🤣)

[–] blimthepixie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 week ago

Snap

[–] atotayo@lemmy.zip 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

"Can't live without electricity"

Basically routing a pcb with extra dopamine

[–] Novamdomum@fedia.io 2 points 1 week ago

Oh I like that one, it's like a really colourful version of Power to the People.

[–] Lembot_0001@lemm.ee 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Try Dismantle. You can dismantle buildings there(it isn't the goal, just a rather unique part of gameplay). It even has some plot. And looks nice.

[–] Novamdomum@fedia.io 1 points 1 week ago

I'd forgotten I already have that one from ages ago. I'll have another look at it thanks :)

[–] linkinkampf19@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

Voidigo is pretty unique I think. Chaotic roguelite with unique and sometimes asinine weaponry. Sure, it can sometimes feel a bit like Enter the Gungeon, but I feel the art style separates it a good bit from that and other top down shooters. Plus the guns and melee can be a bit crazy in their own right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXkoiGRuiaw

[–] JustAnotherKay@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

20 minutes till dawn and disfigure are my go-to topdowns

[–] Novamdomum@fedia.io 1 points 1 week ago

I'm not really into manic shooters but I do enjoy watching other people play them.

[–] AstralPath@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 week ago

Try Cogmind, Caves of Qud or Dwarf Fortress maybe?

[–] middlemanSI@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Maybe this is not what you are looking for but I like Creeper World 3!

[–] Novamdomum@fedia.io 2 points 1 week ago

Ooh it wasn't but I like the look of that one! the 2D representing a 3D world thing is really interesting.

[–] fossilesque@mander.xyz 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Sorry for the source, but this list is gold: https://www.reddit.com/r/CRPG/wiki/recommendations/

[–] Novamdomum@fedia.io 2 points 1 week ago

Ooh thanks :)

[–] donuts@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Tormentor X Punisher is quite unique :)

[–] Novamdomum@fedia.io 2 points 1 week ago

I enjoy watching people play manic shooters more than playing them myself. I just get overwhelmed really quickly by them.

[–] Varyk@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 week ago

Sunless Sea

[–] Boxscape@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Would Terra Invicta count for you? Or do you mean top down in a 2d sense?

[–] Novamdomum@fedia.io 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

This one feels a bit more like Risk in space and I never got on with Risk, or in fact any of the Civ series of games, which this also reminds me of a bit. I sort of meant top down in the Desperadoes 3 style but I'm totally open to other ideas :)

[–] Boxscape@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Desperadoes 3 style

Ah, I gitchu bru!

I really liked Commandos 2 and 3, which look similar. Did you ever play them? There were modernized remasters recently too.

Also, Shadow Tactics maybe?