23 Melee games like Under a Desert Sun 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 32 games similar to Under a Desert Sun down to the 23 that fit the “Melee” category. Worms W.M.D, Shadow Complex and Protonwar top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Under a Desert Sun.

iRank77/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

The best melee games like Under a Desert Sun

23 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Under a Desert Sun. Each one has been evaluated across 10 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.

#1Worms W.M.DClosest overall match

iRank82

GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

SoloMeleeTacticalMultiplayerOffline

Steam👍 85%· 15KIGDB79· 14OC78· 82

Year 2016Dev Team17On PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ If you enjoyed Under a Desert Sun, expect shooter, first-person shooting and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings turn-based strategy, vibe casual and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping adventure storytelling

Where it drifts furthest from Under a Desert Sun: tone and game mode.

It predates Under a Desert Sun by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode30Tone0

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Steam GOG Xbox

#2Shadow ComplexClosest on game mode

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloTacticalMeleeSci-FiExploration

IGDB85· 4

Year 2009Dev ChAIR Entertainment Group · Microsoft Game StudiosOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Like Under a Desert Sun, it's known for adventure storytelling, shooter and combat tactical

≠ Where it differs: brings Metroidvania exploration, puzzle design and precision platforming, while skipping first-person shooting

Where it drifts furthest from Under a Desert Sun: setting.

It predates Under a Desert Sun by 16 years, with what that implies technically.

Combat100Game mode100Genre50Setting0

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Epic Xbox

#3ProtonwarClosest on tone

iRank82

GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

SoloMeleeDarkMultiplayerCo-op

Steam👍 82%· 112

Year 2016Dev Outer Planet StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Like Under a Desert Sun, it's known for adventure storytelling, shooter and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Where it differs: brings battle royale tension, ranged combat and setting scifi, while skipping first-person shooting

Protonwar is a multiplayer focused, Fast paced AFPS with an emphasis on quick and flowing movement. Full Room Scale VR with HTC Vive and Oculus Touch. Also included Non-VR and Seated VR.

Where it drifts furthest from Under a Desert Sun: setting and game mode.

It predates Under a Desert Sun by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Tone100Combat51Game mode24Setting0

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Steam

#4The Deadly Tower of Monsters

iRank81

GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

SoloMeleeMultiplayerCo-opSci-Fi

Steam👍 89%· 1.4KIGDB75· 5OC71· 30

Year 2016Dev ACE Team · AtlusOn PS4 · PC

✓ Like Under a Desert Sun, it's known for adventure storytelling, shooter and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings setting scifi, multiplayer gameplay and co op, while skipping first-person shooting

Where it drifts furthest from Under a Desert Sun: setting and game mode.

It predates Under a Desert Sun by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat84Game mode35Setting0

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Steam GOG PS

#5Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb

iRank81

GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

SoloMeleeThird Person

Steam👍 92%· 1.2KIGDB59· 3

Year 2003Dev TransGaming Inc. · LucasArtsOn PC · Mac

✓ If you enjoyed Under a Desert Sun, expect adventure storytelling, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design and visual third person, while skipping shooter

It predates Under a Desert Sun by 22 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Combat84

GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

SoloMelee

RAWG👍 63%· 26MC77

Year 2010Dev Larian Studios · Focus Home InteractiveOn PC · Xbox

✓ Nearly identical: adventure storytelling, melee combat and single-player focus.

≠ Missing: shooter.

A player described this game as "Dark Souls meets Mario."It's quite an amusing analogy, and surprisingly accurate too.Player WantedFor hazardous journey, bitter condition, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honor and recognition in case of success.

It predates Under a Desert Sun by 15 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Combat82

GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

SoloMeleeHistoricalMagicRanged

Steam👍 51%· 209RAWG👍 37%· 27

Year 1998Dev Branching Narrative · Square EnixPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS

✓ Like Under a Desert Sun, it's known for adventure storytelling, melee combat and historical setting

≠ Stands apart with combat magic, ranged combat and fantasy world, while skipping shooter

Hear ye, hear ye! The Honorable Baron Sukumvit has offered a prize worth 10,000 gold pieces to the first to survive his dungeon. As an added bonus the Baron has agreed to graciously step down from his position of absolute power and leave the town of Fang to rule itself as it sees fit.

Where it drifts furthest from Under a Desert Sun: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against mostly positive for Under a Desert Sun.

It predates Under a Desert Sun by 27 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Combat53Setting42

GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

SoloMeleeHorrorHardcoreNarrative

Steam👍 85%· 13RAWG👍 46%· 26IGDB30· 1

Year 2006Dev SEGAOn PC · Xbox · Nintendo

✓ Shared with Under a Desert Sun: adventure storytelling, melee combat and horror setting

≠ Stands apart with horror tension, punishing difficulty and strong narrative focus, while skipping shooter

Life was an adventure for Ecco, the young dolphin. The ocean seemed endless with rolling breakers to race through! At high speed Ecco could burst through the waves leaping through the air – almost flying! Until one day, all of that changed.

Where it drifts furthest from Under a Desert Sun: tone and setting.

It predates Under a Desert Sun by 19 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Combat84Setting29Tone0

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Steam Xbox Nintendo

#9The Path

GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

SoloMeleeNarrativeProceduralPost-Apocalyptic

Year 2017Dev LosCabezaOn PC

✓ Shared with Under a Desert Sun: adventure storytelling, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with strong narrative focus, procedural generation and post-apocalyptic world, while skipping shooter

Concepto: Eres un rehén obligado a guiar a tu secuestrador que intenta llegar a su refugio. Tendrás que decidir si guiarle hasta su destino, o buscar alguna otra alternativa. Mientras recorréis las enrevesadas calles de la ciudad, le irás conociendo más a fondo.

Where it drifts furthest from Under a Desert Sun: tone and setting.

It predates Under a Desert Sun by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Combat82Tone0Setting0

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itch.io

#10MoonWhite

iRank67

GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

SoloMeleeCo-opMultiplayerOnline

Steam👍 67%· 39

Year 2017Dev A Sweet StudioPlaytime ~4hOn PC

✓ Like Under a Desert Sun, it's known for adventure storytelling, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings ranged combat, co op and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping shooter

Scalpers: Turtle & the Moonshine Gang is a fast paced, action packed and skill-based multiplayer shooter where you enlist with the infamous Scalpers in a frantic hunt for bounty!

Where it drifts furthest from Under a Desert Sun: game mode.

It predates Under a Desert Sun by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat66Game mode27

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Steam

#11One Finger Death Punch 2

iRank88

GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

SoloMeleeDarkCasual2D

Steam👍 96%· 4.5KRAWG👍 83%· 52MC81OC84· 25

Year 2019Dev Silver Dollar GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Shared with Under a Desert Sun: dark, oppressive atmosphere, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: fighting mechanics, vibe casual and visual 2d, while skipping adventure storytelling

DEMO LAUNCHES FEBRUARY 11 Demo link will be activated on February 11th. You're surrounded, outnumbered and have to use any weapon you can get your hands on to dismantle your opponents in a flurry of kung fu. That's the essence of OFDP2, the world's fastest brawler.

Genre100Game mode100Combat84Tone53

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Steam GOG Xbox

#12Shadow Warrior Classic (1997)

iRank79

GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

SoloMeleeDarkRangedHardcore

Steam👍 93%· 1.6KRAWG👍 61%· 378MC73

Year 1997Dev Devolver DigitalPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Shared with Under a Desert Sun: dark, oppressive atmosphere, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: punishing difficulty, ranged combat and visual first person, while skipping adventure storytelling

1997 classic Shadow Warrior is a genuine specimen of a Doom-like first-person shooters craze that took place in the 90s. Coming from the developer of Duke Nukem, the game uses the same slightly modified engine and uses 3D voxels instead 2D pixels.

Where it drifts furthest from Under a Desert Sun: combat.

It predates Under a Desert Sun by 28 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone82Combat46

GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

SoloMeleeDarkRangedHardcore

Steam👍 93%· 1.6KRAWG👍 61%· 378MC73OC76· 25

Year 1997Dev Devolver DigitalPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Shared with Under a Desert Sun: dark, oppressive atmosphere, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings punishing difficulty, ranged combat and visual first person, while skipping adventure storytelling

Where it drifts furthest from Under a Desert Sun: combat.

It predates Under a Desert Sun by 28 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone82Combat46

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Steam GOG

#14Venusian Vengeance

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

SoloMeleeRangedHardcoreIsometric

Steam👍 85%· 102

Year 2015Dev Renegade Sector GamesPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ If you enjoyed Under a Desert Sun, expect melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with punishing difficulty, ranged combat and visual isometric, while skipping adventure storytelling

The year is 196X and the Communists have won the space race. They've set up a research colony on Venus free from the prying eyes of the Americans. However, the Americans were not far behind with their own space program. They send you, Sgt. John Dagger, in a one-man vessel to Venus. Your mission: uncover the Soviet Super-Weapon being created in the Venusian Laboratory.

Where it drifts furthest from Under a Desert Sun: tone.

It predates Under a Desert Sun by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Combat70Tone0

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Steam

#15We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie

iRank92

GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

SoloMeleeOfflineMultiplayerCozy

Steam👍 96%· 2.6KOC83· 39

Year 2023Dev MONKEYCRAFT Co · Bandai Namco EntertainmentPlaytime ~3hOn PC

✓ If you enjoyed Under a Desert Sun, expect melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: cozy, relaxing feel, setting space and offline, while skipping adventure storytelling

Special Edition Includes: • Main Game • Little Prince Costume • Katamari Damacy Series Music Pack • Little King Costume *Contents/specifications are subject to change without notice. *The main game is also sold separately. Be careful of duplicate purchases. About the Game The King of the Cosmos once accidentally destroyed all the stars in the universe.

Where it drifts furthest from Under a Desert Sun: tone and setting.

Genre100Combat84Game mode45Tone0Setting0

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Steam

Complete list of melee games like Under a Desert Sun

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Under a Desert Sun, 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.