Cruelty Squad burst onto the indie scene in 2020, offering a uniquely grotesque and deeply unsettling gaming experience. Its blend of immersive sim mechanics, nihilistic corporate satire, and disturbingly surreal visuals carved out a dedicated niche. If you've been craving more of that chaotic energy and off-kilter design, you're in luck. In 2025, the gaming landscape offers several titles that echo Cruelty Squad's signature brand of madness. Here are the top 5 best games that capture its spirit.
1. Ape Out
While stylistically very different, Ape Out shares Cruelty Squad's core of emergent, chaotic gameplay with a dark, satirical edge. This top-down action game casts you as an ape escaping a circus, brutally dismantling anyone in your path. Its procedurally generated levels and focus on improvisation make each playthrough a fresh, violent ballet. The jazz-infused soundtrack perfectly complements the on-screen mayhem, creating a sensory overload that fans of Cruelty Squad's unsettling atmosphere will appreciate. The sheer freedom in how you can approach combat – grabbing enemies, using them as shields, or simply smashing through obstacles – mirrors the emergent possibilities found in Cruelty Squad.
2. Gloomwood
For those who loved the stealth, resource management, and oppressive atmosphere of Cruelty Squad, Gloomwood is a must-play. This early access title is a love letter to classic immersive sims like Thief, set in a grim, Victorian-era city plagued by a supernatural malaise. Its intricate level design rewards careful exploration and creative problem-solving. You'll be managing scarce resources, utilizing a variety of tools and weapons, and carefully navigating environments patrolled by unsettling enemies. The dark, gritty aesthetic and the feeling of vulnerability evoke a similar sense of dread and tension that Cruelty Squad masterfully wields.
3. ULTRAKILL
If it's the frenetic, over-the-top combat and unique weapon mechanics of Cruelty Squad that you crave, look no further than ULTRAKILL. This ultraviolent, retro-inspired first-person shooter is pure, unadulterated adrenaline. You play as a cybernetic being in a hellish future, seeking to eliminate all organic life. The game's emphasis on fast-paced movement, parrying, and scoring system encourages a high-octane, risk-reward playstyle. While less satirical than Cruelty Squad, ULTRAKILL delivers a similar sense of unbridled power and a constant need to adapt and overcome increasingly difficult challenges with a creative arsenal.
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4. Pathologic 2
Pathologic 2 stands out for its oppressive atmosphere, complex narrative, and demanding survival mechanics, all delivered with a stark, surreal presentation. You play as a doctor in a plague-ridden town, facing impossible choices and a ticking clock. The game is less about direct combat and more about managing dwindling resources, navigating a hostile social environment, and trying to survive against overwhelming odds. The sheer bleakness, the moral ambiguity, and the feeling of being constantly on the brink of collapse will resonate deeply with players who appreciated Cruelty Squad's grim outlook and challenging gameplay loops.
5. Disco Elysium - The Final Cut
While tonally distinct in its focus on narrative and dialogue, Disco Elysium shares Cruelty Squad's penchant for existential dread and its biting social commentary, albeit through a different lens. You play as an amnesiac detective tasked with solving a murder in a surreal, politically charged city. The game's deep skill system, internal monologue, and the way your character's psyche unravels offer a unique, psychological experience. If you appreciated Cruelty Squad's exploration of societal decay and the absurdity of existence, Disco Elysium offers a more cerebral, yet equally compelling, journey into the darkest corners of the human condition and societal structures.
Conclusion
Cruelty Squad is a singular experience, but these five games offer compelling avenues for players seeking similar thrills. Whether you're drawn to emergent gameplay, oppressive atmospheres, frenetic combat, or dark satire, there's a title here that can scratch that peculiar itch. Dive into these worlds and prepare for experiences that are as challenging as they are unforgettable.
