15 Best Games Like Mass Effect: Your Next Epic Quest in 2025
If you have ever played through this legendary franchise, I bet you have googled for games like Mass Effect at least once. I know I have, multiple times. And every single time I’d end up finding yet another journey to lose myself in. There’s a good reason why many people feel this way.
These games are simply incredible. But while I did love the improved combat and exploration of Andromeda, nothing made me want to get on the next spaceship and head into the stars as the original trilogy did when I first played it. So, for the sake of this article, know that when I say Mass Effect or ME, I mean those games.
I never really managed to come across something that could scratch that itch exactly the same way. However, there are plenty of amazing titles that can give you a very similar feeling while also being their own thing. When you think about it, this might be even better.
So, if, once again, you came looking for games similar to Mass Effect, I believe I have a list ready that will be of great interest to you. What do you say? Shall we get to it?
Our Top Picks for Games Like Mass Effect
Coming at least close to the legendary ME games is no easy task. After all, these games set a very high standard to match. But no matter how high expectations are, nothing is ever impossible. Here’s the short list of those that come the closest:
- Cyberpunk 2077 (2020) – a race against time and insane odds in an open-world, story-driven action RPG set in the chaotic, neon-drenched dystopian future.
- The Outer Worlds (2019) – shape the story of a corporate-controlled galaxy in this choice-driven RPG that feels like a cross between ME and Fallout: New Vegas.
- Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014) – ME of the fantasy games. Become the key to saving the world from a looming supernatural threat in this massive RPG story.
- Star Wars: Knight of the Old Republic (2003) – A legendary RPG and the predecessor of the ME series. Shape your own Jedi or Sith destiny in a galaxy torn by war.
- Metro Exodus (2019) – a gripping, story-driven shooter that takes you and your tight-knit crew on an epic journey across post-apocalyptic Russia.
I know that some of these may seem out of place, but I believe they have a stronger case than it may appear at first glance. I’ve got 15 titles in total waiting for you on the full list, so bear with me because chances are, your next ME-like journey is just a few scrolls away.
15 Best Games Like Mass Effect in 2025
Many things come into question when considering what games to include in such a list. Personally, I think that what makes ME titles stand out the most are the setting, the atmosphere, the writing, the action RPG mechanics, branching storylines and dialogues, moral dilemmas and alignments, difficult choices, and most importantly, the overall feeling.
We could go on and on, naming every single detail that makes this franchise great. But that’s not why we’re here, so let’s dive in and find out what your next epic adventure will look like.
1. Cyberpunk 2077
| Steam Score: | Platforms: | Year of release: | Developer: |
| 83% | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | 2020 | CD Projekt RED |
I know that games like Cyberpunk 2077 are probably not what you’d expected at the top of the list, but this placement is very much deserved. It’s not the same kind of game, but it hits a lot of the same highs – deep world-building, great characters, and choices that actually matter.
Night City feels alive, just like the Citadel did back in the day. Walking its streets, hearing random NPCs talk, seeing how the world reacts to your choices – it’s immersive in a way few games pull off.
The story, while not quite ME 2 level, is still really great. V’s journey reminded me of Shepard in a way – fighting against time, trying to beat insane odds. And Johnny Silverhand? A renegade spirit that feels like a mix of Garrus and Jack.
I finished my first playthrough in about 40 hours and spent another 20 hours on the Phantom Liberty DLC, but you can potentially go way longer. It had a rough launch, no doubt, but now it feels like the game it was always meant to be, which makes now the perfect time to try it.
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2. The Outer Worlds
| Steam Score: | Platforms: | Year of release: | Developer: |
| 82% | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch | 2019 | Obsidian Entertainment |
The Outer Worlds feels like a great cross between the Mass Effect trilogy and Fallout: New Vegas. It has a unique and interesting retro-futuristic feel that mixes very well with the sarcastic narrative full of twists that happen in this corporate-controlled colony that you play in.
The ship you control may not be Normandy, but it’s still awesome, and the crew has that same kind of charm. I think the strongest part of this game was the writing, and especially the dialogue. There are just so many choices you can make that give you tons of ways to roleplay and shape the narrative.
The combat is a lot closer to Fallout than anything from the ME series, but it’s fun nonetheless. You’ve got slow-motion aiming (kind of like V.A.T.S.), different playstyles, and some cool sci-fi weapons.
At 25-30 hours with DLCs, the game is a bit short for an action RPG, but it’s packed with great moments that make it definitely worth it. It’s like Mass Effect’s scrappy, rebellious cousin, and it’s not something you want to miss out on.
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3. Dragon Age: Inquisition
| Steam Score: | Platforms: | Year of release: | Developer: |
| 74% | PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One | 2014 | BioWare |
Dragon Age: Inquisition is basically a fantasy ME, and that’s exactly why it’s so awesome. Huge world, with deep lore, and a squad of companions that are there for you in every step of this epic journey.
In the classic RPG fashion, your choices shape the story in a major way. Just like in ME games, your decisions come back to haunt you, alliances shift, and you feel like you’re actually leading something important.
Combat’s different, obviously – third-person action borrowing some elements, like tactical pausing, from some of the most clever strategy games, just like other titles in the Dragon Age series. But while this might make it a little slower, it’s still an action RPG. Once you get into the flow, mixing abilities and commanding your party becomes a whole lot of fun.
The world is massive, and you can easily go for 80+ hours. While some areas (cough, Hinterlands cough) drag, the main story is wonderful and really keeps you going.
If you love ME but want something more fantasy-medieval type, this is a must-play. It’s BioWare doing what they do best – giving you a world, a team, and letting you shape the journey.
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4. Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
| Steam Score: | Platforms: | Year of release: | Developer: |
| 89% | PC, Xbox, Switch, Mobile | 2003 | BioWare |
If you’re a Mass Effect fan, chances are you already know of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR). After all, it’s pretty much the blueprint for this legendary game series. And what is a better place to find something similar than going back to the roots?
Aside from being a little dated in some places, this game has it all: the same deep storytelling, the same tough choices, and the same kind of squad banter that makes you care about every character. There’s even the Light Side vs. Dark Side morality system, akin to Paragon vs. Renegade.
KOTOR is not only one of the coolest Star Wars games – it’s the grandfather of all that is held dear in the ME franchise and many other RPGs. While the old-school turn-based combat might take me a second to adjust to, it’s incredibly fun once you do. And when it comes to the narrative, I’d say that it’s easily one of the greatest in Star Wars, movies and shows included.
In short, if you ever wanted to spend around 30-40 hours telling your own story in the galaxy far far away, there’s not a second to waste. And the best part is that since it’s one of the older games, it pretty much costs pennies.
Get your copy of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic >
5. Metro Exodus
| Steam Score: | Platforms: | Year of release: | Developer: |
| 88% | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | 2019 | 4A Games |
Continuing the topic of the games you probably didn’t expect on this list, here’s Metro: Exodus – a journey I totally didn’t think would remind me of ME, but here we are.
With one being a post-apocalyptic shooter and the other a space opera RPG, at first glance, these games couldn’t appear more different. Yet, at their core, both are about a journey with your crew in an immersive, narrative-rich world full of moral dilemmas and consequences for your actions.
Instead of the Normandy, you’ve got the Aurora, a train carrying you across a ruined Russia. Instead of aliens, you’ve got mutants and desperate survivors. The shooting is weighty, the survival mechanics add tension, and the atmosphere is incredible.
While the story is more personal and not galaxy-spanning, the character interactions hit just as hard. You bond with your crew, and their fates depend on your choices. The world feels huge, with open areas that let you explore at your own pace, and the whole game takes around 20-30 hours to beat.
Metro: Exodus is easily one of the most exciting FPS games out there, so if you’re looking for a game with such a twist that would make you feel similarly to how ME does, there’s hardly a better recommendation.
6. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
| Steam Score: | Platforms: | Year of release: | Developer: |
| 95% | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch | 2015 | CD Projekt RED |
The Witcher 3 and Mass Effect are different beasts, but they both scratch that same itch probably all RPG lovers have. Deep stories, strong characters, and choices that actually matter.
Where ME gives you the stars, The Witcher 3 throws you into a dark, messy fantasy world. However, in the end, both heroes end up playing a key role in a fight that might just determine the fate of not only them but also all known life in the respective game’s universe.
Geralt isn’t a commander like Shepard. He’s a monster hunter, a legend, but also just a guy trying to get by in a world that changes with them. You don’t just pick a dialogue option and move on; your choices shape the world in ways you don’t always see coming.
It’s also huge. 50+ hours for the main story, over 150 if you add the exemplary DLCs and the side quests (and trust me, you will). If getting lost in a world full of consequences, unforgettable characters, and jaw-dropping moments is what you remember from ME the best, The Witcher 3 is a must-play.
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7. Halo: The Master Chief Collection
| Steam Score: | Platforms: | Year of release: | Developer: |
| 91% | PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | 2014 | Bungie |
Halo: The Master Chief Collection (MMC) and the Mass Effect games are very similar and very different at the same time. ME is all about choices, relationships, and shaping the galaxy. Halo? It’s pure, unfiltered sci-fi action, but with a deep universe that pulls you in. However, both are some of the most epic games I’ve ever played.
The Master Chief and Commander Shepard are very different leaders and characters overall. Yet they’re both at the very front of the galactic war with impossible odds, a larger-than-life scale, and unimaginable stakes.
Gameplay-wise, Halo is faster and more combat-focused. After all, it’s an FPS, not an RPG. However, the storytelling is still incredible, and with six full games in one collection, there are easily 40+ hours of campaign content alone.
If you love ME’s sci-fi world but want something with more action and less talking, Halo MCC is a must. It’s a different kind of space opera, but one that’s just as legendary.
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8. Fallout: New Vegas
| Our Score: | Platforms: | Year of release: | Developer: |
| 95% | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | 2010 | Obsidian Entertainment |
It might not seem that way at first, but if you love Mass Effect, then the Fallout series, especially New Vegas, may be what you’ll want to check out next. Let me explain why.
Both are RPGs with impeccable writing that puts a heavy focus on choices and the consequences that come with them. In New Vegas, your decisions can make or break entire factions.
The depth of the narrative is also incredible. You might not be saving the galaxy from an ancient race of machines, but navigating a post-apocalyptic wasteland filled with political intrigue, dangerous factions, and a ton of morally gray choices really does bring a similarly magnificent feeling.
New Vegas might be set on a single planet instead of the whole galaxy, but it’s much more open-ended than ME and just as alive. I spent 80+ hours exploring these wastelands, and I loved every moment of it. Whether you’re looking for something to capture your attention the way ME did or just want to try a piece of gaming history, you gotta pick this up.
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9. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
| Our Score: | Platforms: | Year of release: | Developer: |
| 92% | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch | 2021 | Eidos-Montréal |
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy has some obvious similarities to ME games, but it’s really a lot more than you’d expect. Both games have great storylines that focus on a ragtag crew with tons of personality.
You play as Star-Lord instead of Commander Shepard, but you still find yourself bonding with a diverse group of misfits. The writing is absolutely top-notch – hilarious, emotional, and, at times, surprisingly deep.
It’s one of those third-person shooters, so the combat is more action-focused compared to Mass Effect’s tactical shooter gameplay, but it’s still fun nonetheless. There are also some dialogue choices and branching paths that shape the story, though not to the same extent.
At around 15-20 hours long, it’s a quicker and more linear experience than ME, but it packs a punch like no one expected it to. Oh, and the soundtrack is absolutely unrivaled. Definitely worth playing if you want a good mix of humor and heart.
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10. Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director’s Cut
| Our Score: | Platforms: | Year of release: | Developer: |
| 90% | PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U | 2011 | Eidos-Montréal |
Deus Ex: Human Revolution is another cyberpunk-themed game to turn your attention to if you love ME games. Both revolve around making tough, impactful choices and diving deep into morally murky waters, which really gets you invested.
In Deus Ex, you play Adam Jensen, a cybernetically enhanced ex-cop in a world on the brink of chaos. It’s all about navigating a web of power struggles, corruption, and conspiracies.
What stands out is the freedom you get. Whether you sneak around, hack into systems, or go full-on combat mode – the playground’s all yours.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution, the first game in the soft reboot of the series, took me about 20-25 hours to beat, and by that time I was already diving head-straight into its sequel, Mankind Divided. Both of the two games were incredible, but the first one is definitely a must-play.
Get your copy of Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director’s Cut >
11. Control – Ultimate Edition
| Our Score: | Platforms: | Year of release: | Developer: |
| 86% | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch | 2019 | Remedy Entertainment |
Control is a wild ride. It may not seem all that similar to ME at first, but as you unravel its ominous nature, you notice just how many elements align.
If you love Mass Effect’s world-building and mystery, this one will hook you fast. You’re thrown into the eerie, ever-shifting Federal Bureau of Control, a place that feels alive in the weirdest way. You play as Jesse Faden, searching for her missing brother while unraveling a deep, supernatural conspiracy.
The combat is absolutely insane. Think biotic powers from ME but cranked up. It’s also more fast-paced, leaning heavily into movement and physics-based chaos.
The story is cryptic, almost dreamlike, but incredibly engaging. The entire game with both DLCs took me way over 20 hours to complete, and boy was it worth it. I honestly can’t wait for the second game, because there is still so much left untold.
I’ll say this: Do yourself a favor and go find out for yourself. It’s one of those games that’s best experienced going in as blind as you can.
Grab a copy of Control – Ultimate Edition >
12. Dead Space
| Our Score: | Platforms: | Year of release: | Developer: |
| 89% | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | 2023 | Motive Studio |
The Dead Space remake is exactly what you should go for if you thought your Mass Effect experience was a little short on horror elements. It’s got that same deep sci-fi atmosphere but cranks up the tension to absolute terror.
The game is about 12-15 hours long, with insane visuals, brutal combat, and absolutely masterful horror-survival gameplay. It’s got that same polished cinematic feel as ME, but where Shepard inspires hope, Isaac just barely clings to life. No choices, no dialogue wheels, just raw, immersive storytelling as you try to survive in a spaceship overrun with horrific Necromorphs.
It’s not exactly ME, sure, but what is? If you love deep sci-fi worlds and engaging gameplay, with a little spice of adrenaline, Dead Space is an absolute must-play.
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13. Starfield
| Our Score: | Platforms: | Year of release: | Developer: |
| 57% | PC, Xbox Series X/S | 2023 | Bethesda Game Studios |
Starfield is a title that gives you the ability to explore the universe in the way Mass Effect did not. While both are space games, they’re definitely not the same, but there’s still a ton to love. Instead of a tightly woven, cinematic RPG, you get full-blown space exploration. Over 1,000 planets, dozens of factions, and enough side quests to lose yourself in for 100+ hours.
Where ME thrives on its handcrafted worlds and deep squad interactions, Starfield is more about your individual freedom. You create your own story – build ships, join factions, smuggle contraband. The main storyline, while captivating, isn’t as big of a focus. Instead, it’s the side content where the game shines.
Starfield is a game for those who love the feeling of the Mass Effect but now want a bit of a different, more personal space journey to lose themselves in. If a vast sci-fi sandbox sounds appealing, look no further.
14. Jade Empire: Special Edition
| Our Score: | Platforms: | Year of release: | Developer: |
| 72% | PC, Xbox, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Mobile | 2005 | BioWare |
With its setting, Jade Empire is probably a game that might seem the furthest from Mass Effect on this list at first glance. Yet, it’s an absolute hidden gem that came before BioWare’s success with ME, and there are a lot of elements that overlap between these games.
In this rich world inspired by Chinese mythology, you’re a martial arts student and get caught in a battle between destiny and corruption. The combat is real-time martial arts, which is fast, fluid, and surprisingly deep, and is something no other RPG has ever done so well.
It took me maybe 15-20 hours, and it felt just right. The world isn’t as massive, and there’s no galaxy-spanning epicness, but the storytelling and characters are top-notch. If you love Mass Effect for its writing and choices, this game is 100% worth playing.
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15. Alpha Protocol
| Our Score: | Platforms: | Year of release: | Developer: |
| 78% | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | 2010 | Obsidian Entertainment |
Have you ever wondered what Mass Effect would be like if instead of taking you on a grand mission to save the galaxy it was a spy thriller? Well, that’s pretty much what Alpha Protocol is.
It’s a well-known fact that it’s rough around the edges, but man, the RPG mechanics are incredible. Instead of playing a space hero, you’re a secret agent, Michael Thorton, making high-stakes decisions in a modern espionage world.
The dialogue system is pure gold. Timed responses force you to think fast, and your choices can easily change everything. It’s like Mass Effect’s Paragon/Renegade, but way more unpredictable.
The game is about 15-20 hours long, and the replay value is insane. Different choices unlock entirely new mission paths. If you don’t mind its flaws, Alpha Protocol is a no-brainer here.
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How To Pick Your Next Epic RPG Adventure?
RPG is one of those genres that can pretty much absorb your attention for hundreds of hours and still leave you wanting for more when you’re through. Personally, though, I feel that to really appreciate these journeys, you have to mix them up a little.
By this, I don’t mean that your next game shouldn’t be an RPG if you just played one. However, to keep things interesting, I’d suggest picking a little different experience, just so you can appreciate different things and even the same elements from different perspectives.
For example, say someone just played Mass Effect and came looking for something that would feel the same. Now, the most obvious choice would be something like The Outer Worlds or KOTOR, and those would be really great picks. Yet I say – go with Cyberpunk. It still has a lot of similar elements but instead gives you a very different world, through very different eyes.
In other words, my little advice to you would be to keep it fresh. The Outer Worlds will probably hit a whole lot better after Cyberpunk. And the same can be applied to probably all iconic RPG games out there.
FAQs
Are Halo and Mass Effect similar?
Yes, Halo and Mass Effect are both epic sci-fi stories of heroic soldiers and their grand battles, but while Mass Effect is an RPG, Halo is an FPS.
Is Starfield a copy of Mass Effect?
No. While both are space RPGs, Starfield is more about exploration and Sandbox freedom, and Mass Effect is more story-driven.
Are Dragon Age games connected like Mass Effect?
No, not exactly. While Dragon Age games take place in the same universe, they’re not directly connected to each other like the Mass Effect trilogy.
Is Mass Effect more like Star Trek or Star Wars?
Mass Effect is more like Star Trek as it focuses on exploration, complex relationships, and grand threats, but there are many Star Wars elements, too.
