36 Melee games like Half-Life 2: Deathmatch that you should try

What brings it close to Half-Life 2: Deathmatch is melee combat, multiplayer gameplay and a first-person view, and the two track each other on genre, combat and game mode. The common ground extends to free-to-play access. Where the two diverge is setting: historical setting.

The thread back to Half-Life 2: Deathmatch runs through competitive edge, melee combat and multiplayer gameplay. To that it adds a first-person view. They part company on tone: this one brings a casual, approachable feel.

It meets Half-Life 2: Deathmatch on melee combat, multiplayer gameplay and a first-person view. To that it adds free-to-play access. They part company on game mode: this one brings co-op play.

The genre is the same as Half-Life 2: Deathmatch’s, and with it competitive edge, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. The common ground extends to multiplayer gameplay and a first-person view. Where the two diverge is tone and game mode: dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting.

If Half-Life 2: Deathmatch worked for you because of melee combat, a sci-fi setting and multiplayer gameplay, the same is here. The common ground extends to a first-person view.

If Half-Life 2: Deathmatch worked for you because of melee combat, a sci-fi setting and multiplayer gameplay, the same is here. To that it adds a first-person view. Its own ground is puzzle design.

The genre is the same as Half-Life 2: Deathmatch’s, and with it competitive edge, melee combat and multiplayer gameplay. The distance is in visuals and game mode — its own ground is single-player focus and 2D presentation.

It shares the essentials of what Half-Life 2: Deathmatch does: melee combat, a sci-fi setting and multiplayer gameplay. The common ground extends to a first-person view. Where the two diverge is game mode: single-player focus.

Held in common with Half-Life 2: Deathmatch: ranged combat, multiplayer gameplay and a first-person view. The common ground extends to free-to-play access. Where the two diverge is game mode: co-op play.

Same family as Half-Life 2: Deathmatch: ranged combat, a sci-fi setting and multiplayer gameplay. The distance is in visuals and setting — its own ground is a cyberpunk setting and offline play.

Same family as Half-Life 2: Deathmatch: melee combat, multiplayer gameplay and a first-person view. They part company on setting and game mode: this one brings a cartoon aesthetic and single-player focus.

It comes from the same genre as Half-Life 2: Deathmatch and shares ranged combat, a sci-fi setting and multiplayer gameplay. Both also lean on a first-person view and free-to-play access. The distance is in tone and setting — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting.

Same family as Half-Life 2: Deathmatch: melee combat, a sci-fi setting and multiplayer gameplay. To that it adds a first-person view. They part company on game mode and setting: this one brings fantasy world and co-op play.

On paper it is what Half-Life 2: Deathmatch is — melee combat, multiplayer gameplay and a first-person view — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. They part company on setting and game mode: this one brings post-apocalyptic world and co-op play.

It comes from the same genre as Half-Life 2: Deathmatch and shares ranged combat, multiplayer gameplay and a first-person view. Where the two diverge is tone and setting: dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting.