IS Defense similar games & best alternatives

IS Defense

Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2016

Should you play it?

„IS Defense” is a game set in politically-fictional 2020 – where the expansion of ISIS went out of hand. The player takes the role of NATO’s stationary machine-gun operator, deployed to defend the shores of Europe.

What works

  • Fun and addictive arcade-style gameplay
  • Good graphics and sound effects
  • Skill tree progression adds depth
  • Stress relief and cathartic experience
  • Leaderboards for competition

Things to keep in mind

  • Limited content with only four maps
  • No multiplayer or cooperative modes
  • Some ai and gameplay quirks
  • Repetitive gameplay over time
  • Lack of customization and narrative depth

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feels the closest overall

  • Furious Angels

  • Hellbound: Survival Mode

  • CROSSBOW: Bloodnight

  • HELLBREAK

  • Kill The Crows

  • Vampire Hunters

Less status-driven

Games that feels like IS Defense but with less focus on status and recognition

  • Bloodshed

  • Akimbot

  • SHOWTIME 2073

  • Black Gunner Wukong

  • Bright Memory

  • ETHER VAPOR Remaster

Less dominating

Games that feels like IS Defense but with less domination over others

  • RIVE

  • Syder Arcade

  • Sine Mora

  • KILL KNIGHT

  • I Am Your Beast

  • My Friend Pedro

More social

Games that feels like IS Defense but with more teamwork and cooperation

  • Beach Invasion 1945 - Pacific

  • Thunder Wolves

  • Sky Force Anniversary

  • #KILLALLZOMBIES

  • Red Faction Guerrilla Steam Edition

  • Yet Another Zombie Survivors

More expressive

Games that feels like IS Defense but with more self-expression and customization

  • Jets'n'Guns Gold

  • Mecha Knights: Nightmare

  • Mechabellum

  • Ziggurat 2

  • Morbid Metal

  • RUINER

Choose your own criteria ->

Similarity map

How to use the graph

Similarity map

Each dot is a game placed from its motivation profile relative to this page’s game. Direction shows which motivation differs most; distance along that axis shows how large the gap is.

  • Purple star: this page’s game at the centre — everything is relative to it.
  • Direction: each axis is a main motivational difference vs this game (e.g. more / less competitive).
  • Distance on an axis: how large that difference is (ring scales show +/− points).
  • 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 to preview that game in the panel on the right; click to keep that comparison.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom.

How to read the map This is a polar difference map: direction = which motivation differs, and distance = how much (same units as the sidebar deltas).

IS Defense: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Status, Fellowship, Domination. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fellowship, Expression, Cooperation.

Last update: 04/08/2026