They Are Coming similar games & best alternatives

They Are Coming - they-are-coming_1.avif
They Are Coming - they-are-coming_2.avif
They Are Coming - they-are-coming_3.avif
They Are Coming - they-are-coming_4.avif
They Are Coming - they-are-coming_5.avif
They Are Coming - they-are-coming_6.avif

They Are Coming

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2023

Should you play it?

They Are Coming is a hybrid game that combines roguelike, tower defense, and base building in a side-scrolling shooter format. It offers a straightforward gaming experience for pure enjoyment.

What works
  • Engaging and satisfying combat mechanics
  • Variety of weapons and defensive options
  • Low system requirements and accessible
  • Good value for price
  • Active developer community and updates
Things to keep in mind
  • Repetitive gameplay leading to boredom
  • Limited content and modes
  • No multiplayer or cooperative play
  • Ui and quality-of-life features need improvement
  • Progression and economy balance issues

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Bit Blaster XL

  • Grind Survivors

  • Run Build Pew!

  • Danmaku Unlimited 2

  • Void Invaders

  • Shooting Stars!

  • Deadly Days: Roadtrip

  • Nimble Quest

  • UBERMOSH:WRAITH
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • AFTERBURN

  • DEVIL BLADE REBOOT

  • Blast-off
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Autonomy

    GRIME
  • Escapism

    Dead Rising 3 Apocalypse Edition
  • Progression

    Yet Another Zombie Defense

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).

They Are Coming: A very typical example of its motivational profile. 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. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Story, Exploration.

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 weapons, builds, and playstyles; exploration and combat require player decision and skill."

    Capsule for GRIME GRIME

    "Players have freedom to choose weapons, defenses, and strategies; placement of traps and upgrades requires player decision-making."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Game offers skill-based combat with a learning curve and strategic choices, though some exploits and unbalanced weapons reduce challenge."

    Capsule for Assault Bots Assault Bots

    "Game involves skillful defense building, weapon choice, and combat tactics; some reviews mention challenge and learning curve."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    2

    "Leaderboards and rankings encourage comparing performance, but gameplay is mostly single-player and self-paced."

    Capsule for Death Coming/死神来了 Death Coming/死神来了

    "Presence of leaderboards and ranking encourages comparison, but gameplay is primarily single-player focused."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    1

    "Some players report playing in short bursts or habitual sessions, but others find it repetitive and disengage after some time."

    Capsule for Two Digits Two Digits

    "Some players report long survival runs and habitual play, but others find it repetitive and disengage after a few hours."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Game is single-player only with no multiplayer or cooperative modes."

    Capsule for VOID/BREAKER VOID/BREAKER

    "Game is single-player only with no multiplayer or cooperative modes."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players customize base defenses and upgrade weapons, but within predefined structures and limited map areas."

    Capsule for Deadly 30 Deadly 30

    "Players customize defense layouts and weapon loadouts, but within predefined structures and limited building options."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control over other players; interactions are individual and balanced."

    Capsule for Never Mourn Never Mourn

    "No evidence of exerting control over other players; interactions are individual and balanced."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as a fun, mindless zombie-killing experience to relieve stress and escape reality."

    Capsule for Dead Rising 3 Apocalypse Edition Dead Rising 3 Apocalypse Edition

    "Many reviews describe it as a relaxing, mindless zombie shooter to kill time and relieve stress."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and relaxation rather than obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Pile Up! Pile Up!

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and relaxation rather than obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players try different weapons, combos, and tactics; some experimentation encouraged within combat mechanics."

    Capsule for Evil West Evil West

    "Players try different weapons, defenses, and strategies to survive; some experimentation encouraged."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    -3

    "Game mostly takes place on a single map with repeated waves; limited new area discovery or environmental exploration."

    Capsule for Bardbarian Bardbarian

    "Game features a single map with wave-based gameplay; limited discovery or new areas."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    1

    "Some cosmetic skins and character choices exist, but customization is limited."

    Capsule for Rubber Bandits Rubber Bandits

    "Some cosmetic options and character skins exist, but customization is limited."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    2

    "Post-apocalyptic zombie survival with some imaginative elements, but grounded in plausible scenarios."

    Capsule for Unturned Unturned

    "Zombie survival with some exaggerated elements and weaponry; not strictly realistic but grounded."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "No social or community features; players mainly play solo with minimal social interaction."

    Capsule for 变量 Variables 变量 Variables

    "Mostly solo play with minimal social interaction; community exists but no in-game social features."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players learn and improve movement and combat skills; unlock weapons and upgrades over time."

    Capsule for Impaler Gold Impaler Gold

    "Progression through unlocking weapons and upgrades; players learn and improve strategies over time."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for Car Manufacture Car Manufacture

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires active attention and focus during waves; not designed for passive or background play."

    Capsule for Zombie Estate 2 Zombie Estate 2

    "Requires active focus and attention during waves; not suitable for passive or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No close relationships or emotional social interactions; gameplay is individual and impersonal."

    Capsule for Caveman World: Mountains of Unga Boonga Caveman World: Mountains of Unga Boonga

    "No close social or emotional interactions; gameplay is individual and impersonal."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles; single-player experience."

    Capsule for Inscryption Inscryption

    "No leadership or group management roles; single-player experience."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Players accumulate weapons, upgrades, and defenses to survive increasing waves."

    Capsule for Yet Another Zombie Defense Yet Another Zombie Defense

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating weapons, upgrades, and defenses to survive longer waves."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Many players find the game relaxing and enjoyable despite some tension from increasing difficulty."

    Capsule for YORG.io YORG.io

    "Many players find the game relaxing and satisfying despite some tension from increasing difficulty."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Enjoyable visual and auditory effects; satisfying gunplay and gore provide sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for Bloodshed Bloodshed

    "Enjoyable weapon sounds, visual effects, and gore provide sensory stimulation and fun."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    1

    "Leaderboards provide some recognition, but social status is limited due to single-player focus."

    Capsule for Orcs Must Die! Orcs Must Die!

    "Leaderboards provide some recognition but social status is limited due to single-player focus."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    -5

    "No narrative or story elements; gameplay is context-free wave survival."

    Capsule for Sword Rogue Sword Rogue

    "No narrative or plot; gameplay is context-free wave defense."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Requires planning defense layouts, resource management, and tactical weapon use."

    Capsule for Yet Another Zombie Defense Yet Another Zombie Defense

    "Requires planning defense layouts, resource management, and tactical combat decisions."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Some tension from survival mode and escalating waves, but overall controlled and steady gameplay."

    Capsule for Sol Survivor Sol Survivor

    "Some tension from increasing zombie waves and survival challenge, but overall controlled gameplay."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players perceive strong value for money with many hours of gameplay and quality content for a low price."

    Capsule for Jump Space Jump Space

    "Players perceive good value for money given gameplay hours and content at low price."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Core gameplay involves combat and destruction of zombies with various weapons and explosives."

    Capsule for Deadly Days Deadly Days

    "Core gameplay involves combat and destruction of zombies with various weapons."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    4

    "Central motivation is to survive increasingly difficult waves by managing resources and defenses."

    Capsule for VERSUS SQUAD VERSUS SQUAD

    "Central theme is surviving increasingly difficult waves by managing resources and defenses."

Last update: 10/07/2026