Mechs were such a cool element of anime and games when I was a kid. I remember playing Shogo: Mobile Armor Division and watching Martian Successor Nadesico specifically because I wanted to see some giant robots in action.
Fortunately, technology evolved so much that we got to see a Dynasty Warrior game with Gundam Mobile Suits destroying hundreds of enemies. Such a game is something that would be completely impossible twenty years ago.
Mech games have become a dream come true for those who have always loved giant robots. Developers have gifted us with retro-looking games and some of the best-looking giant robots ever made to fulfill our fantasy of piloting a mech or commanding an army of mobile, gargantuan weapons.
Better yet, those games come in a significant variety of genres. As someone who likes many different kinds of video games, I love that I get to play strategy games, action games, and shooters that have the same theme and play nothing like one another.
So, if you are a fan of mechs like I am, stick around to check this list of the 23 best mech games on Steam.
The Rift Breaker
Genre | Base-Building, Strategy, Tower-Defense |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | EXOR Studios |
Length | 24 hours for the main story |
Release Date | October 14, 2021 |
Multiplayer? | No |
This is a very well-received game that has elements of several different genres. In this game, you will construct a fortress, defend it in a Tower Defense style, and pilot your mech suit to fight, just like a top-down action game.
The way that the developers managed to combine elements of Real-Time Strategy Games with action and tower defense gameplay is what makes The Rift Breaker such a unique game.
If the fact that this game is a tower defense makes you not want to try it out, please note that you might not even notice this detail if you don’t think about it.
Remember, you still pilot your mech suit and have to use it to fight off the invaders. The towers and other protection systems are in the game as a strategy element, but this is an action game too. You do have to pilot your suit and fight off the enemies yourself to achieve success.
Titanfall 2
Genre | FPS, Mechs, Shooter, Action |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | Respawn Entertainment |
Length | 6 hours for the main story; 12 hours for completionists |
Release Date | October 28, 2016 |
Multiplayer? | Yes |
Titanfall is such an incredible game, and it feels like a western version of the giant robot story that you see in Japanese animations. However, this is a game, not a show, so you actually get to pilot massive metal titans and feel awesome while doing so.
The Titans, giant robots you get to pilot, are badass and do feel super powerful when you’re inside one, but being out of a metal giant does not feel that bad. Titanfall 2 has a grappling hook mechanic that allows you to traverse the terrain in an entertaining way, so the gameplay is never dull, no matter if you’re piloting a titan or not.
This game is a few years old, but it holds up pretty well and is super fun. You should definitely give Titanfall 2 a shot if you have never played it and like mechs and First Person Shooters.
Mecha Knights: Nightmare
Genre | Mechs, Robots, Action, Military |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | Damian Kubiak |
Length | 8 hours to beat the main story |
Release Date | August 31, 2021 |
Multiplayer? | No |
This game has a straightforward concept. This is a post-apocalyptic setting where monsters constantly attack humanity, and you have to stop them by gunning them down.
The game was clearly inspired by games like Armored Warriors and Front Mission. Players fight in gigantic customized mechs where they fight hordes with hundreds of enemies.
The most remarkable thing about this game is the fact you can build your own mech by selecting and combining pieces. You have over 100 different options to make your mech function perfectly for your own playstyle.
Generally speaking, this is a third-person shooter game, but the many different ways to play with your mech, the unique mechanics, and the sensation of piloting a giant robot are a few of the things that make this game super fun.
Mechs V Kaijus – Tower Defense
Genre | Tower-Defense, Indie, Strategy, Action, Mechs |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | Doble Punch Games |
Release Date | May 4, 2018 |
Multiplayer? | No |
Honestly, I’m not into tower defense games. Still, I had a lot of fun when I tried out Mechs V Kaijus.
Commanding a squad of mechs and strategically placing towers is incredibly satisfying when the target of your shots are giant monsters for some reason.
If you decide to give it a shot, there is an entertaining game with a fantastic and classic theme: giant robots vs. monsters.
On top of that, this is a game that is still being supported and updated, so if you ever thought about trying a more traditional TD mech game, this might be the one.
Steel Salvo
Genre | Action, Mechs, First-Person |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | Steel Salvo |
Release Date | April 8, 2021 |
Multiplayer? | No |
This is a short and fun 1st person mech game. It’s free to play on Steam, so being short shouldn’t be seen as a negative aspect.
In Steel Salvo, you must fight hordes of enemy robots while dealing with the terrain and falling asteroids.
Your mech has two massive guns and an energy sword. It can also hover and dash, making you feel very mobile when fighting the enemies.
The story is nothing complex, you are the last hope of Neptune, and you must fight to save everybody. NPCs are fully voiced, so even though the story is not the most exciting thing, it’s kinda nice to have other characters communicating with you while you’re in the cockpit.
The game is not super complex, and it is indeed not very long, but it is a lot of fun as long as it lasts. There is a decent variety of enemies, and the steam reviews indicate that this game is worth your time.
Strike Suit Zero: Director’s Cut
Genre | Action, Space, Mechs, Sci-fi |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | Born Ready Games |
Release Date | April 9, 2014 |
Multiplayer? | No |
Strike Suit Zero was always a good game. It’s frenetic, it makes you feel powerful, and it certainly sells both a power fantasy and the feeling of earning the power since it’s not that simple to master the strike suit in either form.
When the Director’s Cut was released, I wasn’t sure if it was worth it, but it turns out that it is. If you like mech games and space battles, there are not many games out there that will provide what you are looking for. In fact, few games can deliver an experience as fun as Strike Suit Zero: Director’s Cut.
You get to pilot a disproportionately mighty ship that can turn into a space-traveling giant mecha, which is what the game calls a strike suit. The Strike Suit is so powerful you can obliterate hundreds of enemy ships with it, as long as you know what you’re doing.
On top of the excellent Strike Suit Zero game, the Director’s Cut is different from the original release. The developers made some changes to the story and the graphics. This version also counts with all DLCs the game had. It’s just a better product overall and definitely worth the purchase.
Strike Suit Infinity
Genre | Action, Indie, Mechs, Space |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | Born Ready Games Ltd. |
Release Date | May 1, 2013 |
Multiplayer? | No |
Strike Suit Zero is a great game, but it’s not known for its storytelling. The developers knew that already and came up with this version of their Strike Suit franchise and made an endless shooter with the same mechanics.
You can choose between three different strike suits and start firing at enemy ships until you are destroyed. It’s an arcade-like experience where you get to feel powerful until the enemy gets too overwhelming for you to handle.
However, if you are like me, you will be playing this game over and over again because you will feel like you can get a bit further next time. Besides, if you just like mechs, space battles, and exploding things, this game will most likely be fun to you anyway.
Brigador: Up-Armored Edition
Genre | Cyberpunk, Mechs, Action, Retro |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | Stellar Jockeys, Gausswerks |
Length | 10 hours for the main story |
Release Date | June 2, 2016 |
Multiplayer? | No |
Brigador is an isometric roguelike shoot’em up game with stages that can be completely destroyed.
In Brigador, you play as a mercenary pilot who is betraying his land in exchange for a way out of the planet.
There are 56 different vehicles for you to pilot while shooting down your enemies, lots of unlockables, 37 missions, and more.
On top of all that, there is a custom mode that allows you to create your own maps and challenges, which can be a lot of fun once you have beaten the primary game mode.
Supercharged Robot Vulkaiser
Genre | Indie, Action, Anime, Mechs |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | ASTRO PORT |
Release Date | June 4, 2015 |
Multiplayer? | No |
This game is clearly inspired by Japanese television. More specifically, 70s giant robot shows. In this game, you pilot the Supercharged Robot called Vulkaiser to defend the earth against the invading Gogoh army.
Honestly, most people won’t pay attention to the story anyway, but the mechanics are interesting, the game is polished, and it does look like an old arcade game.
Supercharged Robot Vulkaiser features 6 stages inspired by classic giant robot shows, and you get to combine Vulkaiser with the VulFighter for more powers and new weapons.
Besides that, the gameplay is what you’d expect from a game of the genre. Dodge the bullets and shoot the enemies. It’s quite fun, though. Especially if you used to play similar games on the arcades.
Stardust Galaxy Warriors: Stellar Climax
Genre | Shooter, Shoot ‘Em Up, Mechs, Side Scroller |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | Dreamloop Games |
Release Date | November 11, 2015 |
Multiplayer? | Yes, split screen |
Stardust Galaxy Warriors: Stellar Climax is another side-scrolling shoot’em up. Unfortunately, this is not a very well-known game, but it is one of the most fun, and best-looking shoot’em ups I’ve seen so far.
You get to choose between 5 different characters — each with unique abilities and weapons — and 49 different load-outs, making your experience entirely customizable, which leads to a lot of replayability.
This is a beautiful game, with many colors, lots of bullets, and very satisfying sound effects. I do like the design of the mechs and enemies too. They give me 90s edgy anime vibes, and I do like that.
The developers added a light touch of RPG mechanics to make the game feel fresh as you play through Stardust Galaxy Warriors: Stellar Climax’s 10 levels. Add that to its fantastic soundtrack, different characters, and a vast arsenal, and you have what I consider to be one of the best mech games on Steam.
Starward Rogue
Genre | Action, Indie, Action Roguelike, Bullet Hell |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | Arcen Games, LLC |
Release Date | January 22, 2016 |
Multiplayer? | No |
Starward Rogue is a top-down, roguelike bullet hell game that has you fighting through countless enemies to find your way out of the Megalith, a labyrinth that changes every time you fail.
You have 9 mechs to choose from, each with its own skills. There are over 350 items, 150 different enemies, 10 minibosses, 20 epic bosses, and 500 rooms to explore.
This is an extensive game with a lot of content. On top of all that, the gameplay is fun and polished, so if you like this kind of shooter and mechs, you can’t go wrong with Starward Rogue.
Super Robot Wars 30
Genre | Strategy, JRPG, Mechs |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | B.B.STUDIO CO., LTD. |
Length | 38 hours for the main story; 180+ hours for completionists |
Release Date | October 28, 2021 |
Multiplayer? | No |
Super Robot Wars is more than just a game franchise. It is pretty much a love lever to all mecha anime ever made.
You can feel all the appreciation for the old shows in every aspect of Super Robot Wars games. From the unexpected participation of characters that would never meet to the extra work put in making each and every single one of the mechs look super cool.
Super Robot Wars 30 is a tactical JRPG with characters from more than 20 anime series fighting together against a common enemy.
If you like tactical RPGs or giant robots, I’m sure you will like this game already. If you want both, playing Super Robot Wars 30 becomes an obligation.
SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays
Genre | Mechs, Tactical RPG, Turn-Based |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | TOM CREATE, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment |
Length | 90 hours for the main story; 140+ hours for completionists |
Release Date | November 28, 2019 |
Multiplayer? | No |
Much like Super Robot Wars, this game is a love letter. As the lengthy name suggests, this tactical RPG focuses on the Gundam series.
SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays counts with content that comes from nearly all existing Gundam titles ever made. The story defies space-time and lets you use over 30 different Mobile Suit Gundam units.
In the main story, you get to see four different generations of Gundam Mobiles Suits and Pilots united against a common enemy. The mechas are beautifully modeled in 3D, and they look great when you see them in action.
Much like Super Robot Wars 30, if you are a fan of mechas and tactics games, SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays is a must-buy.
M.A.S.S. Builder
Genre | Action RPG, Mechs, Indie |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | Vermillion Digital |
Release Date | September 14, 2019 |
Multiplayer? | Yes, online co-op |
Moving away from shoot’em ups a little, we have M.A.S.S. Builder.
The name of the game comes from how the mechas are classified in this game, Mechanical Assault Skeleton Suit. If you like customization, then this game is undoubtedly for you.
There are way too many parts for you to assemble in any way you want. Do you want to make a Gundam? You can do that. Do you want your own Evangelion? You can do that too. Do you want a hybrid Gundam Eva with a personal touch? Do it!
Sometimes I forget you have aliens to fight because I get lost in the builder part of M.A.S.S. Builder, but in a good way. I have spent more time making different M.A.S.S. builds than actually fighting aliens.
Yet, building your own Mechanical Assault Skeleton Suit is only fun when you get to use it, and you do have several aliens to take down, so this is an easy recommendation for mech fans.
Daemon X Machina
Genre | Mechs, Action |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | Marvelous Inc. |
Length | 35 hours for the main story; 55+ hours for completionists |
Release Date | February 14, 2020 |
Multiplayer? | Yes |
The first time I played a game with a powerful mecha in 3D, I was hooked. That game was the classic FromSoftware’s Armored Core, a game franchise that should be obligatory to mech fans out there.
Although there are many mecha games that make you feel powerful and let you obliterate enemies while making it rain bullets, there was something special about Armored Core.
This is something I didn’t know how much I missed until I put my hands on this title. Daemon X Machina was the closest thing to FromSoftware’s mech games that I got to experience on PC so far.
In this game, you pilot a fully customized mech, and you get to even fly around giant enemies while unleashing hell upon them.
The love for the genre and the genuine effort to make you feel immersed in this mech power fantasy is palpable in Daemon X Machina, and although it might not be as good as Armored Core, it does feel a lot like it sometimes.
Don’t dive in expecting this game to be better than what it is based on, and you will have a blast.
Mech Armada
Genre | Mechs, Roguelite, Turn-Based |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | Lioncode Games |
Release Date | June 17, 2022 |
Multiplayer? | No |
Mech Armada is a post-apocalyptic turn-based tactical RPG. This game reminds me of old-school Front Mission games, and if the developers can continue to do it well, it might become one of the best mech games on Steam.
The title counts with Roguelike elements, like many other games launched in the past few years, about 70 components for mech customization and a fully flashed campaign mode.
Mech Armada also counts with 5 different biomes and 30 different monster types to fight, including 5 bosses.
I feel like the impact of the attacks does not feel as powerful as the ones you’d see in Front Mission, but it is a fun game for fans of mechs or tactics. If you like both, chances are you will love taking down giant monsters with the help of your custom mechs.
Hardcore Mecha
Genre | Action, Indie, Mechs, Anime, Sci-fi |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | RocketPunch Games |
Release Date | June 26, 2019 |
Multiplayer? | Yes |
Do you remember Metal Warrior? Every SNES owner who was a mech fan had a copy of that game. I know I did. Hardcore Mecha is the closest you’ll get to a game like that old title.
Hardcore Mecha is a fast-paced 2D action platformer that puts you in the role of a mecha pilot mercenary. The developers put a lot of effort into making the gameplay smooth and the power fantasy immersive and fun.
The campaign has 8 chapters that have 18 levels in total with really well-made cutscenes that tell you what is going on. You get to choose your mecha and fight against a significant variety of enemy machines.
The game also counts with a competitive multiplayer mode if you want to choose your favorite mecha to tear down your enemies.
Garrison: Archangel
Genre | Action, Mechs, Indie |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | Indigo Entertainment |
Release Date | May 15, 2020 |
Multiplayer? | Yes, split screen |
This game with customizable mechs is all about building your own giant robot and taking them to a combat arena.
The mechs look really good, and you get to do pretty much whatever you want with the cosmetic parts. You get to shape things that look like famous mechas from different franchises or something completely original.
Some parts have different stats, meaning that they will change how your mecha handles damage or behaves in combat.
Speaking of combat, Garrison: Archangel was designed as an Arena Fighter, so don’t expect it to be one of the best fighting games overall. That said, this game was never meant to be a traditional fighter in the first place.
Garrison: Archangel is meant to be an easy to learn mecha game with anime-like fights. If you like 1v1 combat, mechs, and customization, this might be the game for you.
Chaos Galaxy
Genre | Mechs, Strategy, Pixel, Indie |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | Han Zhiyu |
Release Date | June 16, 2020 |
Multiplayer? | No |
In case you don’t know, I love pixel art games. I also like tactics games and Mechs, so when you put those three things together, you have SNES’s Front Mission, but you also have Chaos Galaxy.
This is a charming game with tactical battles that happen in space. Chaos Galaxy calls itself a turn-based total war game. It counts with 61 heroes, 14 factions, and hundreds of mechanized units, from warships to mechs, for you to use in the war.
You can tell that the developers grow up playing old tactics and mech games. They are clearly paying homage to old titles while doing something nostalgic but also unique.
Besides all the references and influences, Chaos Galaxy stands on its own as a fun, well-designed tactical game that has mecha battling giant ships in space.
MechWarriors 5: Mercenaries
Genre | Mechs, Simulation, FPS, Action |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | Piranha Games Inc. |
Length | 38 hours for the main story; 78 hours for completionists |
Release Date | May 27, 2021 |
Multiplayer? | Yes |
MechWarrior is an old-school franchise that has always had ideas ahead of its time. Few games make you feel like the giant metal machine you are piloting is real.
The immersion in something else. You even get to turn your mech around without changing the direction you’re walking to, something that is only possible because the game puts extra effort into making the mechs feel like mechs.
The devs made sure to allow the giant robots to do something that would be impossible to a human but makes sense for a machine to be able to do, but they did a lot more than just working on the feel of piloting one of these machines.
MechWarrior 5 has over 50 different mechs, each with its unique qualities and weapons. On top of that, they also have a few different load-outs and many customizable aspects, making it nearly impossible for you not to find a mech that fits your playstyle.
There’s a learning curve to it. MechWarrior can be a bit difficult to master, but once you do, bullets will start flying while you dodge tank cannons while firing at enemy mechs. Mastering your mech is something that makes you genuinely feel like a competent pilot in an iron giant.
MechWarrior Online Solaris 7
Genre | Free-to-play, Mechs, Action, MMORPG |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | Piranha Games Inc. |
Release Date | December 10, 2015 |
Multiplayer? | Yes |
Not all mech fans are into single-player games. Therefore I do have to recommend MechWarrior Online too. This game has all that is good about the MechWarrior franchise — such as weighty mechs and customization — but focuses on a 12 vs. 12 model.
MechWarrior Online has a lot of sectional destruction that makes the mechs feel more like machines instead of hitboxes, and it also makes you feel like you’re piloting something when you use its first-person view from inside the cockpit.
The really interesting thing about MechWarrior Online is that you get to trade bullets — and laser shots — with real people with their own customized mechs.
Another great thing about MechWarrior is the fact it is free to play. So you get to actually experience the game enough to decide if you want to put money to unlock the coolest looking mechs.
Although you need money to have specific components and hero mechs, you get to build a competitive machine with your in-game currency, so you don’t need to worry about p2w here.
Astebreed: Definitive Edition
Genre | Mech, Bullet Hell, Shoot ‘Em Up |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | Edelweiss |
Release Date | May 31, 2014 |
Multiplayer? | No |
This is the closest thing that a shoot’em up game can do to grant you a Gundam experience in the genre.
Astebreed is a good-looking game with many great ideas. I’d recommend it even to people who are not into bullet hell games.
You fly an otherworldly machine shaped somewhat like a man that can blast hundreds of ships on its own and counts with an enormous sword that has an immense destructive power.
One of the most remarkable features of this game is how the camera changes. Astebreed seamlessly transitions between Side Scroller, Vertical Scroller, and From Behind shoot’em gameplay.
The definitive edition also counts with better graphics, an optimized controller system, adjusted enemy placement and behavior, and many other improvements.
Into the Breach
Genre | Strategy, Turn-Based, Mechs, Indie |
Where to Buy? | Steam |
Developer | Subset Games |
Length | 5 hours for the main story; 44+ hours for completionists |
Release Date | February 27, 2018 |
Multiplayer? | No |
Into the Breach is an excellent pixel-art tactics mecha game, and since it has a Steam version, it deserves to be on this list.
In this game, humanity is being threatened by giant creatures. Humanity’s only hope is the mechas that came from the future and now fight to prevent the monsters from taking over the planet.
This is a rogue-lite game, which means that each attempt to save humanity is different. You need to learn your enemies’ attack patterns and master the strength of your units so you can adequately adapt to each different situation.
If you are into tactics games and pixel art, give Into the Breach a shot. You’re probably going to love it.