Best Games Like Mass Effect

When one talks about some of the greatest western role-playing games ever made, it goes without saying that the Mass Effect series would definitely be a major part of this conversation. While the series might’ve ended on a frustratingly low note, there’s no denying the fact that BioWare had created a rich, deep, and intricate sci-fi world that had enraptured fans from all over the globe.

Be it through the original versions or the Legendary Edition remasters, Commander Shepard’s story is always worth revisiting. Even Andromeda has plenty of positives. However, the wait for the franchise to produce something new could be very long, so here are games similar to Mass Effect that fans can choose to play instead before this sci-fi epic finally makes its much-awaited return to the modern gaming market.

Updated February, 26 2023 by Mark Sammut:Games like Mass Effect do not come around often, and that will not change anytime soon. That said, projects like Atomic Heart might be able to scratch someone’s need for sci-fi shooters, even if the 2023 release shares little in common with BioWare’s masterpiece. Rare as they might be, certain games should be able to fill that Mass Effect-shaped hole in a fan’s heart.

20 Warframe

Warframe has managed to remain relevant for nearly a decade, an impressive feat considering the game had a relatively rough launch. Digital Extremes’ sci-fi action RPG started life as a fun but repetitive shooter consisting of linear missions. Over the years, the free-to-play title has greatly expanded its scope, even introducing open areas that emphasize exploration. Nowadays, the game also offers far more options when it comes to builds.

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Naturally, this sort of project tends to be a grind, and Warframe is no exception. While money can be spent to speed up progression, players who stick to the free version will not feel too restricted by their decision.

19 Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077‘s launch was a bit of a disaster, hurting the game’s reputation. CD Projekt Red’s title has plenty of problems on the PS4 and Xbox One, but it fares better when played on PC or on current-gen hardware. A first-person shooter set in the detailed Night City, a futuristic urban hub dominated by corporations and overrun with violence, this RPG has a lot of positives, despite its technical issues.

Like Mass Efffect, Cyberpunk 2077‘s story and world-building are its crowning achievements. Night City is packed with fascinating and well-written characters, memorable side content, and environmental storytelling. This is a universe that people can get lost in, immersed in the world’s vibrancy, sociopolitical undertones, and strangeness.

18 Outriders

People Can Fly’s Outriders is a live-service game and a good mid-tier option. The third-person shooter launched in a somewhat rough state, but Outriders‘ gameplay was generally well-received, and it has only improved since the title’s launch. The shooter allows players to create a custom character in one of four classes: Devastator, Pyromancer, Technomancer, and Trickster. Along with skills to unlock, each of these classes has three sub-classes, freeing players to explore a wide range of builds.

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Outriders‘ narrative doesn’t come close to replicating Mass Effect‘s magic, as it struggles to maintain momentum for extensive periods. However, the games’ customization and combat should feel right at home for fans of BioWare’s RPG classic.

17 System Shock 2

System Shock 2 is one of the most legendary sci-fi games of all time. Its emphasis on horror and excellent gameplay are easily the game’s biggest draws.

Mass Effect might have a ton of atmosphere, but it can’t hold a candle to System Shock 2‘s foreboding atmosphere. It might require a ton of mods, but a modernized System Shock 2 is definitely a great title for anyone who wants more games like Mass Effect and its sci-fi setting.

16 Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines

It might be starting to show its age a little now, but Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines still has more than enough about it to keep players engaged and entertained. It’s an exceedingly well-scripted game with an interesting cast who each have their own distinct personalities and motivations. Like the game’s visuals, the combat leaves a little to be desired when compared to modern titles, but those who can look past these minor blemishes will find a lot to love here.

When it comes to games with meaningful choices, few projects offer as many as this one. Most of these choices fall squarely into that morally gray wasteland that lies between good and evil and so, as a result, the game lacks a traditional morality system. That doesn’t make decisions any less important though and there’s nothing stopping players from making up their own minds about whether their choices are right or wrong.

15 Binary Domain

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio might be primarily known for the Like a Dragon franchise, but the developer has quite a few other projects to its name. Binary Domain is a third-person shooter set in a world ravished by global warming that relies heavily on advanced robotics. The campaign follows a special task force created to support a law designed to keep humans and robots separate.

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Binary Domain emphasizes teamwork as players will need to give orders to their AI partners. The player’s actions and performance determine the rest of the squad’s behavior toward them, which creates an interesting dynamic that influences the gameplay.

14 Anachronox

Admittedly, the combat mechanics found in Anachronox are a lot closer to a JRPG than an action RPG like Mass Effect, but the game still deserves a mention on account of its brilliant storytelling and fascinating characters. It’s smart, it’s funny, and – best of all – it’s wonderfully unique. It’s certainly not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, but what it does, it tends to do exceedingly well.

Related: Story-Heavy Games To Play If You Love The Mass Effect Trilogy

The game does have its shortcomings, however, particularly when it comes to settings and general exploration. Much of the story unfolds in dull and desolate environments which can at times distract from the amazing writing, although this is but a minor annoyance in the grand scheme of things. It’s hard not to like what Anachronox has to offer even despite its flaws and now-dated visuals.

13 Jade Empire

Much of the systems and mechanics found in the Mass Effect games can actually be traced back to one of BioWare’s earlier titles. Jade Empire was the studio’s first original role-playing IP and built upon much of the excellent work done developing the Knights of the Old Republic games.

The game features a fully fleshed-out morality system based on the one used in KotOR and dialogue choices that are tied to the character’s moral alignment. It still looks okay, has a fantastic combat system, and features one of the best RPG storylines of its era. It perhaps falls a little short of those Mass Effect levels of excellence that the studio would later go on to achieve, but it really isn’t too far behind.

12 Alpha Protocol

Although BioWare did a fantastic job of making it feel as though every choice mattered throughout the Mass Effect trilogy, the team could definitely learn a thing or two from the studio behind Alpha Protocol. Pretty much everything that the player does prompts some kind of reaction and although they might not all be life and death, they’re noticeable enough to make players think twice about every choice that they make.

The game certainly had its fair share of flaws at the time of its release and time really hasn’t done it any favors in this respect. The graphics are still below par, many of the characters are still weak and the story remains nothing to write home about. Nonetheless, the nearly endless amount of minor choices that the player can make throughout the game quickly add up to make a major difference when it comes to both their sense of agency and their enjoyment. Those who like Mass Effect should love what Alpha Protocol has to offer.

11 The Outer Worlds

Obsidian’s 2019 sci-fi shooter is traditionally compared to Fallout, but The Outer Worlds is also an easy recommendation for Mass Effect fans. Smartly written and witty, this RPG grants players a fair few creation choices that influence the protagonist’s personality and, consequently, how NPCs react to them. Combat-wise, The Outer Worlds is a relatively by-the-numbers first-person shooter, albeit one that emphasizes teamwork through its companions.

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The Outer World‘s story is not quite as epic as Mass Effect, but it is nevertheless a fantastic first effort. In fact, the 2019 game is not all that dissimilar from 2007’s Mass Effect, and Obsidian has a rock-solid foundation to use for the sequel.

10 Vanquish

While its gunplay is fine, Mass Effect‘s brilliance lies in its characters, world-building, relationships, and story; Conversely, Vanquish is all about gameplay. PlatinumGames took a break from hack and slash to craft a frantically-paced third-person shooter that demands players are always moving. The sci-fi game has a much steeper difficulty curve than BioWare’s franchise, and it is more than fantastic enough to justify the effort.

Rather than a game like Mass Effect, Vanquish should be treated as a companion piece that highlights a completely different side of the shooter genre. It is also relatively short, so players can blast through the campaign in between longer RPGs. Just be prepared for a punishingly difficult final boss.

9 Dragon Age: Origins

It would be impossible to talk about games similar to Mass Effect without mentioning another series that blossomed along with BioWare’s sci-fi epic. Out of all the Dragon Age games, one can argue that Origins stays true to the core of the Mass Effect franchise… before BioWare lost its edge as a reputed gaming studio.

While the combat might be a bit too tactical for some, there’s no denying that Dragon Age: Origins has everything required to satisfy the most hardcore role-playing fanatics around.

8 Prey

Arkane Studios is one of the few modern developers that is pushing forth the idea of immersive sims to this very day — a subgenre of gaming that most people thought was dying,

For people who wish to play a sci-fi immersive sim, they can’t really go wrong with Prey. Arkane Studios’ level design and gameplay are at their very best in this amazing title, which weaves a surprisingly engrossing tale for those who are interested.

7 Fallout: New Vegas

Out of all the games in the Fallout series, it seems that New Vegas strikes the perfect balance between old-school decision-making and new-age gameplay practices. Although to be fair, players really need to mod this game to make the most of this experience.

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People who are willing to go the extra mile for this title will be able to enjoy one of the greatest role-playing experiences around, where it genuinely feels like everything that the player does — whether it be a major story decision or something as simple as a minor stat boost — matters in the grand scheme of things.

6 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic

Another BioWare game makes this list, this time in the form of another proper sci-fi game that allows players to roam around different planets as well. One simply can’t talk enough about how revolutionary Knights of the Old Republic was upon its release, adding an excellently crafted chapter to the Star Wars canon that most people still look back fondly at to this day.

There are several aspects of this title that can be praised extensively, but the story is the reason most people should play Knights of the Old Republic. Some delectable twists and turns, coupled with one of the most shocking plot twists in video gaming history, have led to this game becoming a role-playing classic.

Star Wars: KOTOR 2 and The Old Republic are also must-plays for Mass Effect fans.

5 The Technomancer

For the most part, Spiders was nothing more than your run-of-the-mill AA video game developer that focused on western role-playing experiences that were too janky to be properly enjoyed.

However, given all that, one can’t help but praise The Technomancer for having some truly ingenious open-world design. Each one of its locales feels as unique and mysterious as things can get in a sci-fi game. This title also paved the way for a Spiders game that would finally help the studio fulfill its potential…

4 Gears Of War

Gears of War basically reshaped third-person shooters upon its release, cementing cover-based gameplay as a prominent sub-genre. While there have been many attempts to claim the throne, the Xbox franchise is arguably still the standard, and the games hold up incredibly well.

Narratively, Gears of War does not offer Mass Effect‘s choices, complexity, or freedom; however, the linear series is nevertheless capable of telling a gripping and emotional story. Gameplay-wise, Gears of War knocks it out of the park in nearly every area, and all the main games are, at least, good.

3 Greedfall

Greedfall‘s release was quite well-timed, coming out the same year as the disastrous launch of BioWare’s Anthem. Fans who were lamenting the loss of one of the greatest western role-playing game developers would finally have their sorrows quelled somewhat by Spiders, who were trying their level best to bring back the glory days of western RPGs.

Greedfall was a significantly better title than anything that Spiders had released up to that point. This is the perfect game for anyone who loves the deep intricacies and the consequence-heavy nature of Mass Effect‘s plot.

2 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

It would be impossible to talk about great action role-playing experiences without mentioning the masterpiece that is The Witcher 3. CD Projekt Red’s 2015 RPG garnered near-universal praise upon its release, and its expansions only enhanced the game’s stellar reputation.

While the high fantasy genre might be as distanced from sci-fi as one can get, the sheer fidelity and excellence of the narrative in The Witcher 3 qualify the game as a good recommendation for anyone who loves the Mass Effect series. Along with a solid main questline, The Witcher 3‘s side content is rich, diverse, and unbeatable in the action RPG genre.

1 Deus Ex

It would be impossible to talk about story-driven role-playing experiences without mentioning the masterpiece that is Deus Ex. While the game might definitely look dated by today’s standards, there’s no denying that the gameplay and story of this title still hold up as some of the fresher experiences that the video game industry has to offer.

From the incredible level design to a mind-boggling tale of conspiracy theories and corporate espionage — Deus Ex still holds up as one of the greatest video games ever made.

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