The Mass Effect trilogy isn’t just a game—it’s an experience. For many of us, saying goodbye to Commander Shepard and the Normandy crew felt like parting ways with old friends. The series redefined sci-fi RPGs with its gripping storytelling, galaxy-shaping choices, and unforgettable companions. But once those credits roll, the question hits: What now? If you’re craving more adventures where your decisions matter, relationships feel real, and the universe feels alive, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our curated list of games like Mass Effect that deliver epic sci-fi journeys, moral complexity, and worlds worth getting lost in.
What Makes a Game like Mass Effect?
Before diving into our picks, let’s break down the magic formula. The best games like Mass Effect often include:
- Branching narratives: Your choices actually change the story.
- Squad chemistry: Characters with depth, banter, and personal stakes.
- Rich world-building: Planets, politics, and lore that pull you in.
- Tactical combat: Mixing action with strategy, whether you’re blasting foes or pausing to plan.
- Moral gray areas: No easy “good vs. evil”—just tough calls with lasting consequences.
If that sounds like your jam, these games like Mass Effect will surely captivate you.
8 Games like Mass Effect for Epic Sci-Fi journeys
1. The Outer Worlds- A Quirky, Corporate Space Wild Ride
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Release Date: October 2019
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
If Mass Effect and Firefly had a baby, it’d be The Outer Worlds. This satirical RPG throws you into a corporate-dominated galaxy where every choice—from dialogue to faction alliances—shapes the story. Recruit a ragtag crew (including a nihilistic vicar and a scientist obsessed with explosives), explore vibrant planets, and decide whether to save the colony or exploit it. The humor is razor-sharp, but don’t let that fool you: the stakes are high, and your squadmates’ personal quests hit hard.
Why Mass Effect fans will love it: The squad banter, morally ambiguous choices, and a universe that rewards curiosity.
2. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) – BioWare’s OG Masterpiece
Platforms: PC, Mobile, Nintendo Switch, Xbox
Release Date: 2003 (KOTOR I), 2004 (KOTOR II)
Developer: Bioware
Before Mass Effect, there was KOTOR—BioWare’s love letter to Star Wars fans. Set 4,000 years before the films, you’ll build a crew of Jedi, smugglers, and droids while walking the line between the Light and Dark Side. The story’s twists (especially that reveal) still hold up, and your choices ripple across the galaxy. The sequel, KOTOR II (developed by Obsidian), dives even deeper into philosophy and trauma.
Why Mass Effect fans will love it: Classic BioWare storytelling, companion loyalty missions, and dialogue wheels that started it all.
3. Deus Ex- Cyberpunk Espionage with a Conscience
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Notable Titles: Human Revolution (2011), Mankind Divided (2016)
Developer: Eidos/Square Enix
Deus Ex isn’t set in space, but its cyberpunk dystopia nails the Mass Effect vibe of “choices matter.” Play as Adam Jensen, a augmented sleuth navigating corporate conspiracies and human vs. machine tensions. Hack, stealth, or shoot your way through missions, and watch how your actions reshape cities. The sequels Human Revolution and Mankind Divided modernize the formula with jaw-dropping art design and layered characters.
Why Mass Effect fans will love it: Morally gray decisions, deep RPG customization, and stories about humanity’s future.
4. Cyberpunk 2077- Neon Noir & Personal Redemption
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release Date: December 2020 (post-updates, it’s fantastic now)
Developer: CD Projekt Red
Yes, Cyberpunk 2077 had a rocky launch, but today it’s a must-play for fans of narrative-driven RPGs. You’re V, a mercenary in Night City racing against time to survive a rogue AI in your head. Build relationships with flawed, fascinating characters (Judy, Panam, and Keanu Reeves’ Johnny Silverhand steal the show), and tackle missions that blur right and wrong. The Phantom Liberty DLC adds spy-thriller stakes and one of gaming’s best endings.
Why Mass Effect fans will love it: Romance options, lifepath choices, and a world that reacts to your reputation.
5. Dragon Age- BioWare’s Fantasy Counterpart to Mass Effect
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Start With: Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014)
Developer: Bioware
No list of games like Mass Effect is complete without Dragon Age. Swap spaceships for dragons and biotic powers for magic, but keep BioWare’s signature focus on story and companions. Inquisition lets you lead a faction of heroes, forge alliances, and even romance your party members (hello, Solas fans). The lore is dense, the combat tactical, and the stakes world-ending.
Why Mass Effect fans will love it: Same studio, same heart. The dialogue wheel and approval system are practically cousins.
6. Horizon Zero Dawn- Robo-Dinosaurs & Hidden Truths
Platforms: PS4/5, PC
Release Date: 2017
Developer: Guerilla Games
Aloy’s journey to uncover her past in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by machines is a masterclass in sci-fi storytelling. While it’s more action-focused than Mass Effect, the lore—think ancient AI and tribal politics—is just as gripping. The sequel, Forbidden West, doubles down on character development and jaw-dropping set pieces.
Why Mass Effect fans will love it: Unraveling galactic mysteries and a protagonist who’s as driven as Shepard.
7. Warframe- Free-to-Play Space Ninja Chaos
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
Release Date: 2013 (and still growing!)
Developer: Digital Extremes
If you’re craving Mass Effect’s universe-spanning scope without the price tag, Warframe delivers. This co-op looter-shooter lets you customize space ninjas (Warframes), battle across planets, and dive into a surprisingly deep story via expansions like The New War. While it’s lighter on dialogue choices, the sheer scale and fast-paced combat make it addictive.
Why Mass Effect fans will love it: Space opera vibes, alien races, and a community that’s as passionate as the Normandy’s crew.
8. Avowed- Obsidian’s Next Big Fantasy-Sci-Fi Mashup
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release date: February 18, 2025
From the studio behind The Outer Worlds, Avowed is set in the Pillars of Eternity universe—think magic meets Lovecraftian horror. The game promises first-person combat, spell-slinging, and Obsidian’s trademark branching narratives. If it’s half as ambitious as Mass Effect, this could be 2025’s must-play RPG.
Why Mass Effect fans should watch: Obsidian + player choice + a fresh fantasy-sci-fi hybrid? Sign us up.
Honorable Mentions
- Jade Empire: BioWare’s martial arts RPG (needs a remake, honestly).
- GreedFall: Colonial fantasy with diplomacy and creature combat.
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Surprisingly great story and team dynamics.
The Final Mission
Whether you’re chasing the high of Mass Effect’s crew camaraderie, tough choices, or galactic exploration, these alternatives to Mass Effect prove the genre is alive and thriving. Still on the fence? Ask yourself: Do you want to save the galaxy, rule it, or watch it burn? The choice is yours—and isn’t that why we love games like Mass Effect?
