With rumors of a remaster being so prevalent now, it’s definitely the best time to finally get back to the glory days and relive the masterful journey of Commander Shepard all over again. However, the wait can prove to be quite excruciating, so here are games similar to Mass Effect that gamers can choose to play instead before this sci-fi epic finally makes its much-awaited return to the modern gaming market.
21 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 option 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.
20 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.
19 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.
18 Days Gone
Days Gone was severely hampered by underwhelming reviews and poor technical performance upon release. However, the game got its act together over time and amassed a rather sizeable fanbase.
Players who are seeking out games similar to Mass Effectshould enjoy the refined shooting mechanics of Days Gone. It might not be the most innovative title around, but the unique characters, engrossing plot, and an interesting open-world make up for most of its flaws.
17 Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Assassin’s Creed is one of the most recognizable franchises around. In recent times, the series has gone through a bit of a resurgence. The effects of this can be seen in the last three games that Ubisoft has released in the series.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is the Viking-themed Assassin’s Creed that fans had been asking for since the series gained steam. It’s a great game that anyone who wants more games like Mass Effectshould check out.
16 System Shock 2
System Shock 2 is one of the most legendary action RPGs of all time. The 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.
15 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.
14 Final Fantasy 7 Remake
Although the choices that players make in Final Fantasy 7 Remake are a lot less meaningful than those found in Mass Effect, the action RPG elements are every bit as strong. The game offers an interesting reimagining of a classic story and has a great cast of characters that are every bit as likable as Shepard and his many comrades.
For all the tweaks and changes made by the team behind the remake, it’s the extra work that was put into fleshing out the characters that shines brightest. It may have been out of necessity, but Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge, in particular, are infinitely more interesting than they were in the original game. When combined with the refined combat mechanics, it makes for a fantastic game.
13 Anachronox
Admittedly, the combat mechanics found in Anachronox are a lot closer to JRPG than action RPG, but it definitely 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.
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.
12 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.
11 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.
10 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.
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.
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.
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 The Surge 2
While The Surge 2 might feature none of the dialogue choices or story events that have become a defining aspect of the Mass Effect series, one thing that it definitely excels in is nailing a bleak, sci-fi setting. The player truly feels like they’ve been dealt the worst hand possible.
Great combat and some memorable boss fights make The Surge 2 a must-buy for anyone who’s massively invested in the sci-fi genre. While this is closer to Dark Souls than Mass Effect, fans of the latter should give it a try, especially if they have Xbox Game Pass.
5 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.
4 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…
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.
