Best Modern 2D Run And Gun Games

In the 80s and 90s, action-packed shooting games were extremely popular. It’s likely that many gamers have dabbled in a title or two from this style of game, including the renowned Contra and Metal Slug series. These games serve as benchmarks for classic run and gun games and provide excellent insights into the genre for those looking to learn more about it.

Essentially, it involves a gameplay style that’s structured by levels, where characters equipped with heavy weapons engage enemies, jump between platforms, and move from left to right on a 2D screen. Isn’t that straightforward? Although major companies like Konami and SNK seem to have moved away from this genre, smaller developers are still actively keeping it alive.

Alien Hominid Invasion

A Roguelike Update To A Classic

Developer: The Behemoth
Publisher: The Behemoth
Released: November 1, 2023
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

2023 marked a significant milestone for the series, as Alien Hominid received an updated high-definition version following its initial release as a browser game in 2002. The real excitement came with Alien Hominid Invasion, a fresh installment that continued the run-and-gun theme and transformed it into a roguelike format. The action remained as frenetic as ever, with enemies and other elements constantly appearing, but roguelike events offered opportunities for players to gain advantages between playthroughs. It also supported four-player cooperative gameplay, making it one of the select few roguelikes to incorporate multiplayer.

Broforce

Legally Distinct Movie Parodies

The game Broforce, with its entertaining concept, celebrates iconic action heroes of the ’80s and ’90s, featuring a humorous twist against enemies such as terrorists, aliens, and even the Devil. Players take on various characters like Mr. Anderbro, a comical version of Neo from The Matrix, Brommando, a spoof of John Matrix from Commando, and many more. Each character possesses unique abilities, ranging from wielding guns to swords to dynamite, and levels are designed for endless destruction. Discovering the next humorous hero is part of the excitement, whether you play alone or team up with three other friends in cooperative mode.

Iron Meat

To The Slaughter

Iron Meat” can be described as a game that combines elements of the classic “Contra” with the intense action of “Doom”. This blend results in a gory, high-octane experience where characters can be killed with just a single hit. However, to balance out the difficulty, there’s an adjustable level of challenge and the option for cooperative play. Weapon pickups are similar to power-ups found in standard games, ranging from spread shots to laser cannons.

It’s the music in the game that, along with its distinctive gory art style, really stands out. This music seems to draw inspiration from Doom and its heavy metal soundtrack, which serves to pump up players and encourage them to eliminate all fearsome opponents they encounter in the levels.

Kero Blaster

Get Froggy

Kero Blaster was developed by the same creator as Cave Story, an early pioneer in the Metroidvania genre of indie games. Like its predecessor, Kero Blaster features a minimalistic pixel art style. However, unlike Cave Story, this game focuses more on action-packed gameplay, where you control a frog armed with a big gun. Players can gather coins within levels to enhance abilities like firepower and health, making stages less challenging. Despite its difficulty level, it’s worth the effort to encounter all the humorous side characters and bosses in this hardcore action platformer.

Mercenary Kings

Monster Hunter Influences

The game titled Mercenary Kings has remained current since its debut in 2014, receiving updated versions on platforms such as Switch, PS Vita, and Xbox One in 2018. In this game, players build a base on a remote island to embark on bite-sized missions with their selected character. These missions may involve finding specific items or locating a hidden boss within a level. Players gather materials to craft an array of unique weapons with various effects, such as an explosive trombone. Although the game can become repetitive due to reusing the same maps, it satisfies the need for fast-paced action like Monster Hunter, and the repetition is less noticeable when playing with up to three cooperative teammates.

Mighty Goose

Honk Honk!

One of the most chaotic run-and-gun games in modern times, Mighty Goose, mirrors the zany spirit of Metal Slug. As a goose donning an exoskeleton and wielding a staggering arsenal of firearms, players face off against an unending horde of robots in this high-octane adventure.

As a gamer, I gather power-ups from crates or allies who tag along, apply boosts during breaks between missions, and sometimes hop behind the wheel of a tank to smash through waves of enemies. It’s a fun, well-designed action platformer that feels fantastic to play and looks stunning.

Super Time Force

Puzzle And Gun

Super Time Force is a game that follows in the footsteps of its genre with an unusual twist, and it’s been revised multiple times. In this game, characters perish with just one hit, as customary, but players can manipulate time to prevent these fatalities by introducing a new character into the timeline. For instance, Jean Rambois serves as the initial strongest hero. If he meets his demise from a robot blast, players can reverse time and bring in Shieldy Blockerson, who carries a shield, to block the attack for Jean. In essence, it’s like playing a puzzle game, and more eccentric characters will be included in the lineup as progress is made, including Shuhei Yoshida – the former head of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios.

Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef

Space Marines!

In various gaming genres, you’ll find a Warhammer game suited to each, such as the fast-paced run and gun genre, exemplified by Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef. This eccentrically titled game places players in command of an Ork, armed with an array of weaponry from massive machine guns to pistols. Players can opt for a solo rampage or join forces with up to three other players for chaotic cooperation. This straightforward and brief game doesn’t require deep strategic thinking, but for this action-packed genre, that’s perfectly fine as long as the Orks are enjoying themselves!

2025-09-03 09:35