Metal Thunder

Metal Thunder is developed and published by Dumbbell Games. It launched into Steam Early Access on November 1, 2024, for Windows and macOS. The game puts you behind the cameras and weapons of an AC-130 gunship, tasking you with defending shifting objectives against relentless waves of ground forces from high above the battlefield.

About the Game

Metal Thunder strips away cockpit realism and focuses entirely on the gunner’s view thermal cameras, a rotating set of aircraft-mounted weapons, and wave after wave of enemies converging on a ground objective. As you clear threats, you level up and choose from randomized reward options, opening access to heavier weapons like howitzers and white phosphorus, along with the ability to call in allied infantry, tanks, and APCs to support the fight below.

The roguelite structure means no two runs play out the same way. Missions escalate through a Survival mode where the objective changes, a base one round, a radar dish the next, forcing constant adaptation to new enemy tactics and environmental conditions. Upgrading the gunship’s arsenal, armor, and support systems between runs is central to surviving later waves.

Key Features

AC-130 Gunship Combat Command a gunship’s full weapon loadout, from cannons to howitzers to white phosphorus, viewed entirely through thermal camera feeds rather than a cockpit.
Roguelite Progression Leveling up during a run grants a choice of three randomized rewards, unlocking new weapons, allies, and upgrades that reshape each playthrough.
Callable Ground Allies Spend earned resources to spawn infantry, tanks, and APCs that fight alongside you on the ground, adding a layer of squad support to the aerial gameplay.
Escalating Survival Missions Each mission shifts the objective, a base, then a radar dish, then further targets, and enemy tactics adapt as the waves intensify.

Games Like This

Similar Game	Key Difference	Best For
Vampire Survivors	Vampire Survivors uses a top-down survivor formula with hordes closing in from every direction. Metal Thunder instead keeps the player at a fixed aerial vantage point, trading movement for precision targeting.	Fans of wave-survival roguelites who want a different camera perspective.
Helldivers 2	Helldivers 2 puts players on the ground amid the chaos with squad-based third-person combat. Metal Thunder keeps you above the fight entirely, directing firepower rather than dodging it.	Players who prefer commanding from a distance over direct ground combat.
Project Gunship	Project Gunship offers a similarly styled AC-130 experience but leans toward a more grounded military simulation. Metal Thunder trades realism for faster, more arcade-like roguelite pacing.	Players who want gunship action without heavy simulation elements.

Game Details

Developer Dumbbell Games
Publisher Dumbbell Games
Platforms Windows, macOS Steam
Release Date Early Access, November 1, 2024
Genre Action, Simulation, Strategy, Roguelite Early Access
Price $10.99
Supported Languages English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil and Portugal), Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Spanish Latin America, Turkish, Italian, and 18 more (30 total)