Mass Effect made quite the impression when it came out in 2007, and a few can match up to the action in the series. However, in my top 15 list, we’re looking at a few games in the same genre that are just as good or better in their own way.
Check out my TOP 15 list of games possibly better than Mass Effect
15. Warframe (PC / PS4 / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch / PS5 / Xbox Series X/S)
Warframe is set in the future, where players can control a race of ancient warriors called Tenno. These warriors have awakened from a deep sleep that lasted for centuries, and the only memory is from the old past war that they lost at the moment.
The gameplay is amazing as you fight a war in the solar system against multiple out-of-this-world enemies. Warframe has RPG, stealth, and shooting elements, making it a super addictive online game!
It was developed and published by Digital Extremes for the first time in 2013.
Warframe Trailer:
14. Deus Ex: Human Revolution (PC / PS3 / Xbox 360 / Mac OS X / Wii U)
In this action-role-playing game, players take the part of Adam Jensen, who has mechanical cybernetic implants referred to as augmentations. Deus Ex: Human Revolution is set 25 years before the original Dues Ex game, which shows players what the past looks like.
The in-game situations have multiple approaches the player can use, and the environment changes from an open world to a more enclosed and city-like environment. However, the game is from the first-person perspective; some scenarios occasionally change to the third-person.
Eidos-Montreal developed the game, and Square Enix Europe published it in 2011. I love this game and its graphics.
Deus Ex Trailer:
13. Fallout 4 (PC/ PS4 / Xbox)
Fallout is a well-known series of action-role-playing games, and this one is set ten years after the happenings of Fallout 3 and years after the great war destroyed almost the whole US by causing nuclear devastation.
The game follows the sole survivor controlled by the player as he emerges from an underground nuclear shelter. He ventures off after witnessing the murder of his wife and his son being kidnapped, as he sets off to find him. Fallout has massive action, shooting, and great graphics.
Bethesda Game Studios developed it, and Bethesda Softworks published it in 2015.
Fallout 4 Trailer:
12. Star Wars: The Old Republic (PC)
Players join the Star Wars team's main factors with dialog and interactions similar to Mass Effect. You can join the Galactic Republic or the Sith Empire; both emphasize that any individual player can have morality regarding the light/dark spectrum.
The focus here is to know the difference between the faction and morality of the player. When you’re a member of the Sith but follow a light spectrum and try to achieve their goals, your vision may differ from theirs and vice versa.
A great story to follow! Star Wars Old Republic was developed by Bioware Austin and published by Electronic Arts in 2011.
Star Wars: The Old Republic Trailer:
11. Final Fantasy VII Remake (PC / PS4 / PS5)
Even though this is a remake of the original, Final Fantasy VII still has the important elements of the original 1997 action-role-playing game. Players take the role of turned mercenary former Shinra soldier Cloud Strife as he joins an eco-terrorist group and fights against the Shinra corporation (his former team).
The in-game battles occur in real-time, and an altered time battle is featured, just as in the original game. The player can use special abilities such as magic to help him during battles/combat. Final Fantasy VII also uses fast-paced real-time combat, slightly different from the original; however, it doesn’t interfere with the plot or gameplay.
This remake was developed by Square Enix Business Division 1 and published by Square Enix in 2020.
Final Fantasy Trailer:
10. Star Trek Online (PC / PS4 / Xbox One)
Star Trek Online takes place thirty years after the events of Nemesis; the alliance that was previously made has now collapsed, and the United Federation of Planets is yet again at war with the Klingon Empire.
Each player captains their ship, playing starship, tactical, and controlling the engineering and science systems onboard using the mouse/keyboard. You can access multiple weapons as you move around in various game settings.
Star Trek Online was developed by Cryptic Studios and published by Atari, Inc, Perfect Word Entertainment, and Gearbox Publishing XF from 2011-2022.
Star Trek Online Trailer:
9. Borderlands 2 (PC / PS3)
Borderlands 2 is similar to its predecessor in the action and role-playing elements. It has four character classes that are playable during the game's base, all of which have unique action skills. These action skills, however, have a cooldown period during play.
When the player completes the story campaign, which is the main campaign, the game unlocks True vault hunter mode, a new game with increased difficulty levels.
Borderlands 2 was developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K Games in 2012.
Borderlands 2 Trailer:
8. Prey (PC / PS4 / Xbox One)
Prey is another of Bethesda Softworks’s masterpieces, set in an open-world environment with elements of stealth, shooting, and role-playing. Players assume the role of a human onboard a spaceship and multiple hostile alien species.
The player uses various resources on the ship to fend off these monsters, while every choice you make affects the game's progress and turnout. Prey is a first-person shooter game developed by Arkane Austen and published in 2017 by Bethesda Softworks.
Prey Trailer:
7. Destiny 2 (PC / PS4 / Xbox One / Stadia / PS5 / Xbox series X/S)
Destiny 2 is an online-only multiplayer game with amazing first-person shooter elements. The game is in a mythic environment and features a shared world for players. It has the perfect sci-fi theme and allows playable characters to progress in battle according to their EXP.
Players are called Guardians in the game and defend against enemies, cast shields, and shoot. It was developed by Bungie and published in 2018 by Activision.
Destiny 2 Trailer:
6. The Outer Worlds (PC)
The Outer Worlds is a first-person shooter game, and right at the beginning of the game, players can customize their character. Players also unlock a ship that counts as the hub during gameplay.
With its sci-fi elements, the player can use fast travel to take their ship to different areas in the game. You can have two companions while exploring this game's worlds, making playing less lonely if you’re a team player.
It was developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Private division for the first time in 2019.
The Outer Worlds Trailer:
5. Horizon-Zero Dawn (PC / PS4)
This is an action-role-playing game from the third person point of view, and the player assumes the role of a hunter named Aloy as she ventures through a land ruled by robots after an apocalyptic occurrence.
As Aloy, you can kill your enemies in multiple ways such as shooting, setting a trap, or, my personal favorite, explosives! Many of the explosives and things the enemies drop are resourceful to Aloy’s survival and can help her craft.
Horizon- Zero Dawn was developed by Guerilla Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2017.
Horizon Zero Dawn Trailer:
4. BioShock Infinite (PC / PS3 / Xbox 360 / OS X / Linux)
BioShock Infinite has all the elements needed to make a great game. It has action, shooting, and out-of-this-world sci-fi. For me, it has a cowboy theme along with the game setting. Fighting your way through Columbia, you take the role of Booker.
He faces many enemies during his ventures and some security scattered around the city. The player must make their way through completing multiple objectives; you are allowed to pick up weapons from fallen enemies or the environment around you—a great game to play with good graphics and role-playing.
Bioshock Infinite was developed by Irrational Games and published in 2013 by 2K Games.
Bioshock Trailer:
3. Gears Of War (PC / PS4 / Xbox One)
Featuring new and improved graphics, gameplay, and sound, Gears Of War ultimate edition is a complete and improved version of the original game. It follows the same plot as the original game; the effects are just better!
Though its description in this article is short, it highlights the important parts so players know what’s good. Gears of War was developed by The Coalition and published in 2015 by Microsoft Game Studios.
Gears Of War Trailer:
2. War Hammer: Space Marine (PC / PS3 / Xbox 360)
The game’s setting takes place on a planet that produces military weapons. As you start the game, your starting weapons are a pistol and knife. From here, you can level your weapons up as you progress.
Space Marine focuses on melee combat, and the character can regenerate, and some actions give him a slight health boost, allowing him to regain a healthy portion. Its setting, sound, and graphics are good, and there are additional “skins” for game chapters that are downloadable.
War Hammer: Space Marine was developed by Relic Entertainment, published in 2011 by THQ, and currently by Sega.
War Hammer: Space Marine Trailer:
1. Cyberpunk 2077 (PC / Stadia / PS4 / Xbox One / PS5 / Xbox Series X/S)
This action-role-playing game takes place in an open world in a city called Night City, and the player gets to choose one of three paths to follow as they take on the role of V, a mercenary. They are customizable according to player specifications and own a garage and apartment.
Players can upgrade their character with military software to increase their abilities. Depending on which role you choose for your character controls the outcome of their appearance and which abilities they have to increase.
Fascinating game with an excellent plot! Though it has less percentage of likes than the others I’ve mentioned, it still is a favorite. Cyberpunk 2077 was developed by CD Projekt Red and published in 2020 by CD Projekt.
Cyber Punk Trailer:
