22 Games with a sci-fi setting like Picayune Dreams that you should try

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Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentUpdated May 19, 2026How this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

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We filtered the 42 games similar to Picayune Dreams down to the 22 that fit the “Sci-Fi” category. Returnal, Doom and Helldivers top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Picayune Dreams.

iRank90/ 100

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GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

The best games with a sci-fi setting like Picayune Dreams

22 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Picayune Dreams. Each one has been evaluated across 17 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1ReturnalClosest on genre

iRank84

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMeleeHardcoreDarkProceduralHorrorSci-FiSpaceExploration

Steam👍 81%· 10KIGDB90· 19OC86· 201

Year 2021Dev Housemarque · Sony Interactive EntertainmentOn PC · PS5

✓ Same family of arena shooters: shooter, first-person shooting and roguelike runs

≠ Stands apart with third-person shooting, horror tension and action RPG combat, while skipping survival mechanics

Where it drifts furthest from Picayune Dreams: visuals and game mode.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Picayune Dreams.

Genre100Setting100World100Progression100Tone91Combat51

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Steam Epic PS

#2Doom

iRank93

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMeleeDarkHardcoreHorrorSci-Fi

Steam👍 96%· 218KIGDB87· 28

Year 2016Dev id Software · Bethesda SoftworksOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Fits the arena shooters cluster, with shooter, first-person shooting and roguelike runs

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, strong narrative focus and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping survival mechanics

Where it drifts furthest from Picayune Dreams: visuals and game mode.

Genre100Tone93Setting66Combat49Game mode34Visuals0

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMeleeHardcoreSci-FiSpaceIsometricTop-Down

Steam👍 90%· 33KIGDB84· 6OC83· 45

Year 2015Dev Arrowhead Game Studios · Sony Computer EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · PC

✓ Same family of arena shooters: shooter, first-person shooting and survival mechanics

≠ Where it differs: brings co op, online features and offline, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Picayune Dreams: game mode and combat.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Picayune Dreams.

It predates Picayune Dreams by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Setting84Visuals79Tone75Combat45Game mode14

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Steam PS

#4Defy Gravity ExtendedClosest on game mode

iRank56

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMeleeHardcoreSci-FiSpace

Steam👍 86%· 8.5KRAWG👍 12%· 162

Year 2016Dev Paul Fisch · Fish Factory GamesPlaytime ~2hOn PC

✓ Both are arena shooters — sharing shooter, first-person shooting and punishing difficulty

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, precision platforming and vibe casual, while skipping roguelike runs

Defy Gravity is an action platformer that is a mix between classic platforming and gravity based puzzle solving. Kara, our heroine, has access to a unique gameplay mechanic that she uses to manipulate the world around her.

Where it drifts furthest from Picayune Dreams: visuals and combat.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Picayune Dreams.

Genre100Game mode100Setting85Tone52Combat38Visuals0

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Steam

#5Half-Life 2: Episode OneClosest on combat

iRank91

GenreShooterSubgenreFPS

SoloRangedMeleeDarkSci-FiHorror

Steam👍 96%· 31KRAWG👍 91%· 2.1KMC87IGDB87· 2

Year 2006Dev Valve Software · ValvePlaytime ~4hOn PC · Xbox · Android

✓ Like Picayune Dreams, it's known for shooter, first-person shooting and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, puzzle design and strong narrative focus, while skipping roguelike runs

A short follow-up focused almost entirely on Alyx as a companion — the AI and dialogue work is what it was really testing, and it holds up. Roughly four hours. It is the slightest of the three: much of it is dark corridors and elevator sequences, and it functions more as a bridge than as a game in its own right.

Where it drifts furthest from Picayune Dreams: visuals and tone.

It predates Picayune Dreams by 17 years, with what that implies technically.

Combat100Game mode100Genre75Setting66Tone42Visuals0

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Steam

#6BrotatoClosest overall match

iRank88

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloRangedMeleeHardcoreProceduralSci-FiIsometricTop-Down

Steam👍 96%· 114KRAWG👍 84%· 142OC75· 6

Year 2022Dev BlobfishPlaytime ~5hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Same family of arena shooters: shooter, first-person shooting and roguelike runs

≠ Where it differs: brings deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and fighting mechanics, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

A spaceship from Potato World crashes onto an alien planet. The sole survivor: Brotato, the only potato capable of handling 6 weapons at the same time. Waiting to be rescued by his mates, Brotato must survive in this hostile environment.

Where it drifts furthest from Picayune Dreams: game mode and setting.

Genre100Combat100World100Visuals69Tone62Setting44

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMeleeRangedHardcoreProceduralSci-FiPixel Art

Steam👍 97%· 8.5KRAWG👍 76%· 457MC81IGDB78· 8OC83· 44

Year 2015Dev Devolver DigitalPlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS · iOS

✓ Fits the arena shooters cluster, with shooter, first-person shooting and roguelike runs

≠ Its own twist: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and vibe casual, while skipping survival mechanics

This is a procedurally generated rogue-lite, that lets players to explore the depths of a well. Taking a role of Welltaro, local curious man, players will drop down the well to kill monsters and collect the treasure.

Where it drifts furthest from Picayune Dreams: setting and visuals.

It predates Picayune Dreams by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100World100Tone65Visuals46

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Steam GOG PS

#8Nuclear ThroneClosest on visuals

iRank89

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMeleeRangedHardcoreProceduralSci-FiPixel ArtIsometricTop-Down

Steam👍 96%· 20KRAWG👍 83%· 301IGDB84· 4OC86· 24

Year 2015Dev VlambeerPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the arena shooters cluster, with shooter, first-person shooting and roguelike runs

≠ Its own twist: deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and post-apocalyptic world, while skipping survival mechanics

Nuclear Throne is a top-down roguelike shooter, set in a post-apocalyptic universe. ###Plot and features The game has a sole objective: to reach the famed Nuclear Throne. The player controls one of the many mutated characters.

Where it drifts furthest from Picayune Dreams: game mode and setting.

It predates Picayune Dreams by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100World100Visuals96Tone80Setting33

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Steam GOG Epic

#9Clone Drone in the Danger Zone

iRank94

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMeleeHardcoreProceduralSci-FiPixel Art

Steam👍 96%· 38KRAWG👍 90%· 57

Year 2016Dev Doborog GamesPlaytime ~5hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the arena shooters cluster, with shooter, first-person shooting and roguelike runs

≠ Its own twist: fighting mechanics, deep simulation and deep RPG systems, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

CONGRATULATIONS HUMAN! 🤖 Apologies for the brief agony while we harvested your mind. But now your thought patterns are safely encased in this sleek, shiny robot! With a laser sword. SURVIVE AND PERHAPS YOU WILL EARN UPGRADES. GOOD LUCK IN THE ARENA.

Where it drifts furthest from Picayune Dreams: game mode and setting.

Genre100World100Tone78Combat50Visuals44Setting40

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloRangedMeleeHardcoreSci-FiIsometricPixel Art

Steam👍 99%· 868

Year 2016Dev Stellar CirclePlaytime ~2hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Same family of arena shooters: shooter, first-person shooting and punishing difficulty

≠ Where it differs: brings setting anime and visual 2d, while skipping roguelike runs

Ever feel like the world doesn't understand your talents? Mae is a rabbit-eared genius programmer, able to manipulate reality with a few keystrokes or - the more fun option - blow up large swathes of reality in one of her custom-built Devices.

Where it drifts furthest from Picayune Dreams: setting.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Tone80Visuals71Setting35

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Steam

#11Cave Story+

iRank86

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMeleeRangedHardcoreSci-FiExplorationPixel Art

Steam👍 93%· 8.0KRAWG👍 79%· 316MC83IGDB81· 1OC88· 16

Year 2010Dev NicalisPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Fits the arena shooters cluster, with shooter, first-person shooting and punishing difficulty

≠ Where it differs: brings precision platforming, Metroidvania exploration and adventure storytelling, while skipping roguelike runs

Cave Story is a game in the Metroidvania platform-adventure genre, first released on PC in 2004. The game is set in deep dark caves on a floating island. The island is inhabited by a race of intelligent rabbit-like creatures called Mimigas.

Where it drifts furthest from Picayune Dreams: setting and visuals.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Picayune Dreams.

It predates Picayune Dreams by 13 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Tone68Visuals45

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Steam GOG Epic

#12Roboquest

iRank88

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloRangedMeleeHardcoreProceduralSci-Fi

Steam👍 95%· 24KRAWG👍 84%· 44IGDB83· 3OC85· 12

Year 2020Dev RyseUp StudiosPlaytime ~4hOn PC

✓ Both are arena shooters — sharing shooter, first-person shooting and roguelike runs

≠ Where it differs: brings post-apocalyptic world, multiplayer gameplay and co op, while skipping survival mechanics

Roadmap About the Game Roboquest is a fast-paced FPS Roguelite, playable in solo or 2-player co-op. Jump into the steel shoes of a high-powered, hyper-mobile robot and fight like you’ve never fought before. Run through randomly generated environments on an unrecognizable Earth.

Where it drifts furthest from Picayune Dreams: progression and visuals.

Genre100Combat100World100Tone79Setting30Game mode22

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Steam GOG

#13Ruiner

iRank83

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMeleeDarkHardcoreSci-FiIsometricTop-Down

Steam👍 89%· 12KIGDB76· 12OC77· 88

Year 2017Dev Reikon Games · Devolver DigitalOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Both are arena shooters — sharing shooter, first-person shooting and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, action RPG combat and deep RPG systems, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Picayune Dreams: setting and combat.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Picayune Dreams.

Genre100Game mode100Tone91Visuals75Combat48Setting28

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Steam GOG Epic

#14Hard Reset

iRank78

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMeleeHardcoreProceduralSci-FiExploration

Steam👍 82%· 4.9KIGDB70· 4

Year 2011Dev Flying Wild HogOn PC

✓ Both are arena shooters — sharing shooter, first-person shooting and punishing difficulty

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, setting cyberpunk and loot and gear systems, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Picayune Dreams: visuals and setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Picayune Dreams.

It predates Picayune Dreams by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100World100Tone74Combat48Progression43

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Steam

#15Serious Sam Classic: The First EncounterClosest on tone

iRank89

GenreShooterSubgenreFPSSub-subgenreArena FPS

SoloMeleeRangedDarkHardcoreSci-Fi

Steam👍 96%· 3.4KRAWG👍 85%· 603MC87IGDB83· 3

Year 2001Dev Croteam · Devolver DigitalPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Nintendo

✓ Same family of arena shooters: shooter, first-person shooting and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, multiplayer gameplay and co op, while skipping roguelike runs

Arena combat at absurd scale: dozens of enemies charging in open Egyptian ruins, with backpedalling and crowd control as the entire skill set. The cannon and minigun are gloriously heavy. There is almost no variety beyond that — no puzzles, minimal level design, and the loop of holding a corridor against a horde repeats for the full runtime.

Where it drifts furthest from Picayune Dreams: visuals and game mode.

It predates Picayune Dreams by 22 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Tone100Setting41Game mode27Visuals0

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Steam GOG

Complete list of games with a sci-fi setting like Picayune Dreams

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Picayune Dreams, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.