Starfield - 20 Games You Need To Play

Games to play similar to starfield

Games to play similar to starfield

Starfield is with us, and while it promised to revolutionize the space exploration genre of games, has it really achieved this? If you’re wondering how Starfield measures up to existing titles in the genre, we suggest playing some games like Starfield.

Remember that your game taste may vary, so go through the entire list and pick what suits you the best. Let’s look at some games similar to Starfield to tide you over.

Here are our picks for 20 games like Starfield.

Elite Dangerous (2014)

games like starfield elite dangerous
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  • Release Year: December 16, 2014
  • Developer: Frontier Developments
  • Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

Players can freely explore a massive galaxy in the space commerce and military simulation game Elite Dangerous. There are nearly 400 billion star systems for players to visit in this game, which takes place in the Milky Way galaxy. Becoming a merchant, smuggler, pirate, adventurer, or bounty hunter is up to the player. There are many different things to do in the game, such as mining, trading, fighting, and exploring.

You can explore a 1:1 recreation of the Milky Way galaxy and go wherever you want. This should fix your need for space exploration for an extended period.

It also has a multiplayer function where the players' actions impact the whole game world.

Subnautica (2018)

games like starfield subnautica
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  • Release Year: January 23, 2018
  • Developer: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
  • Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

Subnautica's protagonist is an astronaut who crashes into an extraterrestrial underwater world. The player must forage for materials, construct tools and shelters, and explore the underwater environment. The game has many different species, both friendly and aggressive, and several different aquatic biomes to discover.

The game has been praised for its atmosphere, open world, and engaging gameplay elements. It also has procedural generation, which makes each playthrough unique.

The setting of Subnautica is unique, and there are abundant mysteries for you to discover.

Oxygen Not Included (2018)

games like starfield oxygen not included
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  • Release Year: May 28, 2019
  • Developer: Klei Entertainment
  • Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

In Oxygen Not Included, the player assumes control of an asteroid colony of Duplicants that have made a crash landing. To survive, the player must construct infrastructure, manage the colony's resources, and maintain the Duplicants. Keeping the atmosphere livable, supplying food and water, and navigating the perils of the asteroid environment are just a few of the obstacles players must overcome in this game.

The game has a lighthearted take on the situation it puts the player in. Despite this, the gameplay can be intense and take time to understand fully.

FTL: Faster Than Light (2012)

games like starfield faster than light
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  • Release Year: September 14, 2012
  • Developer: Subset Games
  • Platforms: PC, macOS, Linux, iOS

In Faster Than Light, a sizable rebel fleet is pursuing the crew of a single spaceship that contains vital information that needs to be transferred to an allied fleet. The player controls this crew. In eight sectors, each with its own planetary systems and roguelike randomly generated events, the player must steer the spacecraft to avoid rebel and other hostile forces, recruit new crew members, outfit and upgrade the ship, and battle other opposing forces.

FTL being a roguelike means that each playthrough is going to be unique. The Crew Management mechanic of the game is similar to Starfield’s companions. It also has a system to upgrade your ship and resource management.

Rebel Galaxy Outlaw (2014)

games like starfield rebel galaxy outlaw
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  • Release Year: September 14, 2012
  • Developer: Subset Games
  • Platforms: PC, macOS, Linux, iOS

The game's plot revolves around Juno, a lone outlaw who accepts a task for a criminal lord only to be betrayed and left for dead. After that, Juno has to start again and get right with the people who harmed her. Because Rebel Galaxy Outlaw is a roguelike game, every playthrough is unique. The player's choices directly influence the game's plot in the randomly generated game environment. Players can engage in various activities in the game, including exploration, mining, commerce, and fighting.

It has one of the most engaging stories to tell. Players can also customize their ships, weapons, and crew to match their unique playstyle - another game praised for its replayability.

Everspace

Two spaceships engage in battle
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Credit: ROCKFISH Games
  • Release Year: 2017
  • Developer: ROCKFISH Games
  • Platforms: macOS, Windows, Xbox One, Linux, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia, Amazon Luna

A 3D space shooter with roguelike elements, Everspace pits you against starships in procedurally generated environments. You engage in battle using your customizable spacecraft as you take on increasingly difficult waves of enemies.

Aside from shooting, the game has plenty of resource management and customization, as you need to spend perk points to strengthen yourself. If you’re looking for a fun roguelike shooter to quench your thirst for a space adventure like Starfield, Everspace is the perfect choice.

Endless Space 2

spaceships gather near two suns
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Credit: Amplitude Studios
  • Release Year: 2017
  • Developer: Amplitude Studios
  • Platforms: macOS, Windows

Endless Space 2 is a turn-based strategy game that lets players engage in intricate empire management by creating and expanding their civilization across the galaxy. Like Starfield's backgrounds system, you can create a custom character, which significantly affects your gameplay, making each playthrough unique.

For players seeking a profoundly intricate and fleshed-out adventure in a cosmic playground, Endless Space 2 is a perfect choice. It’s like DnD but in space.

Citizen Sleeper

a gameplay screen from citizen sleeper showing the character Aki
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Credit: Jump Over The Age
  • Release Year: 2022
  • Developer: Jump Over The Age
  • Platforms: macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

A heartfelt, narrative-driven RPG, Citizen Sleeper puts you into the shoes of a Sleeper with a digitized mind artificially placed in a robot. The gameplay progresses via dice roll each day, with the number on the dice shaping your game.

The concept of Citizen Sleeper sounds simplistic, but it features an intricate plot that involves several character interactions and multiple endings. Moreover, it has enough replayability to keep you engaged.

Kerbal Space Program

Two kerbal astronauts steering a spaceship
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Credit: Squad
  • Release Year: 2015
  • Developer: Squad
  • Platforms: Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

A fun and engaging space simulation game, Kerbal Space Program lets you build your own space program, which includes building rockets and exploring the cosmos with quirky little green creatures called Kerbals.

Whether you’re planning to play Starfield or not, this game is a joyful experience regardless due to its realistic physics and room for experimentation.

Stellaris

character creation screen displaying various choices
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Credit: Paradox Development Studio
  • Release Year: 2016
  • Developer: Paradox Development Studio
  • Platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Stellaris is a real-time strategy game that allows you to create and manage entire civilizations. You’ll be engaged in diplomacy and warfare against other species while exploring a universe brimming with procedurally generated galaxies.

With the deep-rooted customization, you can either go on a grand conquest of the galaxies or strive for peaceful co-existence with your alien neighbors, making this game a delight for both RPG and strategy lovers.

Dead Space

issac draws his gun on a monster
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Credit: EA Redwood Shores
  • Release Year: 2008
  • Developer: EA Redwood Shores
  • Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Dead Space is a sci-fi horror game that puts you into the shoes of a control engineer, Isaac Clark. Battle Necomorphs aboard a stranded spaceship while trying to keep Issac's growing psychosis in check.

This game is phenomenal when creating tense encounters with the Necromorphs as you navigate the ship. So, if you’re looking for survival horror while waiting for Starfield, Dead Space is the way to go.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

two humans and a robot stand with weapons ready
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Credit: BioWare
  • Release Year: 2003
  • Developer: BioWare
  • Platforms: Xbox, Windows, Mac OS X, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch

Knights of the Old Republic is an exceptional RPG set thousands of years before the Star Wars films. You can spend countless hours in this game, developing your character as you make decisions that affect your choice of the light or dark side of the Force.

KOTOR is a perfect choice for a deep, expansive RPG experience that takes you across massive galaxies and puts you in morally questionable scenarios.

Prey

the player gets ready for battle with the creatures ahead
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Credit: Arkane Austin
  • Release Year: 2017
  • Developer: Arkane Austin
  • Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Prey is an excellent pick for psychological horror fans, as this game truly tests your limits with harsh and intense environments. You play as Morgan Yu, stuck on a strange space station, fighting a hostile alien species called Typhon. Throughout the game, you’ll be battling for resources and making decisions that affect your story. A truly underrated game that we think is a must-play

It has elements of various game genres, including horror, shooter, stealth, and RPG, each of which you will also experience in Starfield.

Fallout 4

a vault dweller and their dog head to the wasteland
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Credit: Bethesda Game Studio
  • Release Year: 2015
  • Developer: Bethesda Game Studio
  • Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Developed by the same studio, Fallout 4 is a post-apocalyptic action RPG that closely resembles Starfield in terms of gameplay aspects. In Fallout 4, you create your character and navigate a barren wasteland after nuclear devastation, scavenging for resources while steering the plot of all the characters you meet throughout the game.

The story choices, freedom of the open world, and resource management in Starfield will be much more approachable to you after a fresh run of Fallout 4.

Plus, you'll get familiar with crafting mechanics in Bethesda titles.

RELATED - Starfield vs Fallout 4

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Cyberpunk 2077

Games like Starfield Cyberpunk 2077
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Credit: CD Projekt Red
  • Release Year: 2020
  • Developer: CD Projekt Red
  • Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, Stadia, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Cyberpunk 2077 is a first-person action RPG that puts you into the shoes of V, a mercenary looking for their place in the world. You explore the futuristic metropolitan town of Night City and work various gigs with the goal of putting your name out there, all while inadvertently becoming a part of something bigger than yourself.

Although Night City seems like a place of opportunities for ambitious people, the criminal underbelly of this place can be ruthless. This game presents the same level of narrative depth you can expect from Starfield.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Cal kestis engages in a lightsaber battle
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Credit: Respawn Entertainment
  • Release Year: 2023
  • Developer: Respawn Entertainment
  • Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

The Star Wars Jedi franchise follows the story of a young Jedi named Cal Kestis, working tirelessly to restore the Jedi Order while fighting the invasions of the Empire. Survivor and its prequel, Fallen Order, are action-adventure RPGs that encapsulate the feeling of being a Jedi in true spirit.

If you’re looking for a solid series with engaging combat, fun gameplay, and a solid story with themes of heroism, you can’t go wrong with the Star Wars Jedi series.

Outer Wilds

a small planet with trees and a campfire
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Credit: Mobius Digital
  • Release Year: 2019
  • Developer: Mobius Digital
  • Platforms: Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Outer Wilds is a unique action-adventure experience in which you’re tasked to explore a solar system stuck in a time loop, causing the star to go supernova every 22 minutes. Your mission is to uncover the mystery and escape the time loop by connecting to the ancient civilization of Nomai that inhabited the solar system.

The exploration-driven gameplay paired with puzzle-solving makes up for a great adventure to keep you occupied and immersed in a space adventure similar to Starfield.

No Man’s Sky

starships race across a green mountainous planet
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Credit: Hello Games
  • Release Year: 2016
  • Developer: Hello Games
  • Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, macO, iOS

Hello Games’ flagship title, No Man’s Sky, comes pretty close to matching Starfield in genre and gameplay. In No Man’s Sky, you play as humanoid planetary explorers who can travel across countless procedurally generated galaxies. You'll also engage in exploration, survival, combat, and trading activities.

The sheer scope and size of the universe in No Man’s Sky truly allure players with a knack for exploration, always providing you with something to discover as you venture into the Great Unknown.

The Outer Worlds

the boxart for the outer worlds player looks out on a busy world
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Credit: Obsidian Entertainment
  • Release Year: 2019
  • Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
  • Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

A distinctive satirical action RPG, The Outer Wilds, takes you to Halcyon, a solar system colonized and dominated by megacorps. You play as the Stranger, awakened from Cryosleep by a mad scientist, Phineas Welles, to help steer the future of Halcyon in the right direction.

From engaging combat to narrative choices, a vast open world with hostile aliens, and character customization, The Outer Worlds has a solid recipe for what makes a galactic RPG extraordinary. It’s a game you should check out to fill the hole inside after beating Starfield.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition

commander shepard is shown
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Credit: BioWare
  • Release Year: 2021
  • Developer: BioWare
  • Platforms: Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

Bioware’s military sci-fi action RPG - Mass Effect Legendary Edition, is the best game to quench your Starfield thirst. This edition contains all the single-player content of the original Mass Effect trilogy, which has become a cult classic.

You play as Commander Shepherd, navigating a galaxy on the brink of conflict with a sentient machine race. The emphasis on narrative choices that impact your gameplay is handled exceptionally in this game, which is what fans highly anticipate from Starfield as well.

That concludes our list of 20 games like Starfield you can immerse yourself in. There's a bit of something for everyone on this list, and we hope you found a game you'll enjoy.

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