5 Games to Play If You Loved Mass Effect but Don’t Want to Commit to a Trilogy

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BioWare’s Mass Effect trilogy is a remarkable accomplishment. Each game is excellent on its own (let’s not mention Andromeda!), but together they represent the gold standard for series where your decisions genuinely shape the story. It’s more than just cosmetic changes; choices you make in the first game directly affect who joins you in the final showdown. While recreating that level of impact requires a large-scale trilogy, a few other games successfully capture the spirit of Mass Effect’s team-focused, space-faring adventure.

Here are five games that feel like Mass Effect, but don’t ask you to play an entire trilogy.

5) Cyberpunk 2077

While Cyberpunk 2077 isn’t a space game, it still offers a fantastic experience. The game truly responds to your decisions, and the characters feel realistically developed – they’re not just generic figures. Plus, the world itself is incredibly detailed and immersive.

Cyberpunk 2077 feels like a modern take on the classic BioWare RPGs, with a touch of Grand Theft Auto thrown in. While it doesn’t quite match Mass Effect, it’s a truly excellent RPG with a lot of replay value.

4) Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

Let’s head to space! While Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy doesn’t offer the same huge, impactful decisions as games like Mass Effect or Cyberpunk 2077, it does create a similar feeling to Mass Effect 2 – that sense of facing overwhelming odds alongside a strong team.

What truly makes Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy stand out is how well it develops the relationships between characters through its story and gameplay. While it might not be the very best Marvel game ever made, it’s definitely among the top ones, largely because it perfectly captures the Guardians’ funny banter and lighthearted nature. And at around 20 hours long, it’s a game you can easily finish over a long weekend.

3) Starfield

While many hoped Starfield would be a top-tier game, it unfortunately falls short. Many of the planets feel repetitive and lack unique character, making the game world feel a bit dull. Technical issues also pop up occasionally, hindering the overall experience.

Once you overcome the initial challenges, you’ll discover a game with incredibly engaging faction storylines. Bethesda excels at keeping you hooked with satisfying ship and outpost construction, alongside well-designed side quests. Plus, the New Game Plus feature gives you a great reason to replay Starfield and continue your adventure.

2) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

This is the only game from BioWare featured here, and it shares similarities with the later game, Mass Effect. While the action is noticeably different and more advanced in Mass Effect, the core gameplay loop is the same: you’ll travel across the galaxy, gather a team of companions, and make decisions that shape the story.

Don’t expect the fast-paced shooting of later Mass Effect games. KOTOR plays more like a strategy game where you carefully plan your moves. However, it’s still a worthwhile experience to see what early BioWare was creating. And even if nothing else, the game features a huge plot twist that’s considered one of the best in gaming – so try to go in knowing as little as possible!

1) The Outer Worlds 2

If you’re looking for a game like Mass Effect, this is the one to play. While many games on this list capture some of what made Mass Effect great, The Outer Worlds 2 (and the first game) feel the most like a direct successor.

Combat in the game feels a lot like Fallout, but it’s familiar enough that you’ll quickly pick it up. You’ll also love the unique abilities and futuristic weapons you discover. Obsidian, the game developer, prioritized fun over realism in combat, and that’s something many players will appreciate.

Beyond that, The Outer Worlds 2 stands out as one of the best role-playing games with meaningful choices available recently. It’s full of hilarious moments, and your decisions genuinely impact the story. With so many different ways to tackle each situation, you’ll likely want to play it again. You don’t need to worry about playing the first game, either – The Outer Worlds 2 takes place in a completely new star system, so there’s no connection between the stories. Just jump in and get ready for a fantastic experience.

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2025-11-23 02:45