Pulling No Punches similar games & best alternatives

Pulling No Punches - pulling-no-punches_1.avif
Pulling No Punches - pulling-no-punches_2.avif
Pulling No Punches - pulling-no-punches_3.avif
Pulling No Punches - pulling-no-punches_4.avif
Pulling No Punches - pulling-no-punches_5.avif
Pulling No Punches - pulling-no-punches_6.avif

Pulling No Punches

Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch • 2022

Should you play it?

A classic 2D arcade action game animated frame by frame. Survive a fictional pandemic in a city filled with madness and denial.

What works
  • Unique hand-drawn art style and animations
  • Engaging and skill-based beat 'em up gameplay
  • Strong satirical narrative with cultural references
  • Local and remote cooperative multiplayer
  • Affordable price with replayability
Things to keep in mind
  • Short campaign length
  • Some control and hitbox frustrations
  • Occasional bugs and technical issues
  • Limited character customization
  • Political themes may be divisive

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Megabyte Punch

  • Jitsu Squad

  • Zombie Vikings

  • Skeletal Avenger

  • Double Dragon: Neon

  • I Am The Hero

  • Unruly Heroes

  • LIZARDS MUST DIE 2

  • Streets of Rage 4
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Jitsu Squad

  • Zombie Vikings

  • Skeletal Avenger
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Competence

    Fate/EXTELLA LINK
  • Cooperation

    Contra: Operation Galuga
  • Creativity

    Neofeud

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).

Pulling No Punches: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Competition, Violence. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Continuation.

Why this game works

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

  • Autonomy

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  • Competence

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  • Competition

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    "Includes multiplayer co-op and leaderboards, but emphasis is more on cooperation and personal mastery than direct competition."

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  • Continuation

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    "Short game encourages replay for story details, but limited length may reduce habitual play."

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  • Cooperation

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    "Supports local and remote play co-op for up to 4 players, emphasizing teamwork and shared gameplay experiences."

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    "Supports up to four-player local and remote co-op, emphasizing teamwork and coordinated attacks."

  • Creativity

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    "Unique hand-drawn art style, original world-building, and creative narrative themes."

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    "Highly creative with unique hand-drawn art style, satirical narrative, and culturally rich Brazilian references."

  • Domination

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    "Gameplay encourages cooperative and equal participation rather than dominance or superiority over others."

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    "Cooperative multiplayer and shared gameplay experience promote equal participation rather than dominance."

  • Escapism

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    "Players use the game as a cathartic escape and distraction from real-world pandemic stress."

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    "Provides cathartic outlet for real-world frustrations related to the pandemic and political issues, offering stress relief through gameplay."

  • Expectation

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    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and intrinsic motivation, enjoying the humor and RPG mechanics."

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  • Experimenting

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    "Players explore new movement and combat mechanics and experiment with abilities to progress."

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  • Exploration

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    "Maps contain hidden areas and collectibles, encouraging some exploration within mostly linear levels."

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  • Expression

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    "Character selection and unlockables allow some degree of personal expression, though limited cosmetic customization."

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  • Fantasy

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  • Fellowship

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    "Community and cooperative play foster social connection and shared experiences."

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  • Growth

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    "Players develop skills, learn combos, and improve gameplay; achievements and progression encourage personal development."

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    "Players develop skills, learn enemy patterns, and unlock new moves, supporting personal development."

  • Health

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    "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

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  • Idle

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

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  • Intimacy

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    "Social interactions occur mainly through cooperative gameplay, but emotional closeness is limited."

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  • Leadership

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    "Cooperative play emphasizes shared effort rather than explicit leadership roles."

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    "Cooperative play emphasizes shared participation rather than explicit leadership roles."

  • Progression

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    "Players collect coins to unlock new levels and achievements, showing incremental progression."

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  • Relaxation

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    "Gameplay is fast-paced and challenging, with some moments of flow but overall tension."

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  • Sensation

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    "Visually appealing effects, exciting combat animations, and a strong soundtrack provide sensory stimulation."

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  • Status

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    "No visible social status or ranking systems; focus on individual or group experience."

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  • Story

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    "Narrative and social commentary are central, with immersive storytelling and character depth."

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  • Strategy

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    "Requires timing, pattern recognition, and tactical use of skills and equipment."

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  • Thrill

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  • Value

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  • Violence

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    "Enjoyment derived from combat, punching, and knocking down enemies."

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Last update: 13/07/2026