After getting to relive the Mass Effect trilogy, you might have caught the sci-fi bug. Fortunately, there are plenty of games in the genre to satisfy. They can't all be as epic as BioWare's famous space opera, but they each have their own stories to tell with twists, turns and their own unique gameplay styles to keep things interesting. So, like Shepard, why not branch out to other parts of the universe and explore what's out there?
While not all of these games have RPG elements as in-depth as Mass Effect, they each bring something fun to your game library. They each have their own take on different parts of space and sci-fi, like exploration, technology and, of course, aliens. You might find something you enjoy, so give these five games a chance and see if they meet your expectations.
While more on the horror side, Dead Space is a trilogy set in space with tons of frantic, action-packed gameplay. You play as Isaac Clarke, an engineer sent to repair a planet-cracking mining ship. However, things go south quickly as there are hostile alien life forms aboard. He ultimately discovers the truth of what happened, leading into the next two games as Earth's government does typical shady government things and unleashes the same hell elsewhere. It's a great horror series with action shooting, puzzles and a great story with plenty of lore to dig into. The third game leaves a lot to be desired compared to the first two, but it improves when playing co-op with a friend.
This one is a great indie game with two parts to it. After crashing on an unknown planet, an AI named A.R.I.D takes control of the exoskeleton suit of its pilot after receiving no response from the individual within. A.R.I.D's job is to seek medical attention for its pilot and ensure his safety but instead, it encounters a strange facility controlled by other AI and must find its way through, eventually becoming unbound. The Fall's story is an interesting one that will have you asking questions, and you'll fall into its eerie atmosphere. While the game is 2D, it is an action shooter complete with puzzles and choices that question the character and lead to different understandings. It's definitely a unique title you'll want more of.
Rebel Galaxy is all about the ships in this western-style space RPG. In it, you take on quests involving trading, bounties, scavenging and more while exploring the frontier, making friends with alien races and getting into some firefights with other ships and outlaws. Hell, you can be the outlaw yourself if you choose to be. Whether you're good, bad or in-between, humble trader or privateer, the universe is yours to own. There's plenty of freedom, and you'll also get to buy, upgrade and man your own ship. While there are these RPG elements, the main focus is piloting your own ship in space. There is a lot to collect and unlock, so if you already like space-faring adventures or games like EVE Online, then this may be what you're looking for.
Think of Stellaris as an early Mass Effect timeline where species are just beginning to explore the vastness of space. You don't even have to play as a human! Choose or customize your species, government and culture and decide on the kind of leader and role you want your race to take in the greater universe while expanding to new worlds and going to war with or making peace with other species encountered along the way. It's a strategy game that involves exploration and has RPG elements to it for you to decide the future of your empire. You control your fleet and make decisions that affect your species and others.
This game is still in Early Access on Steam but shows a lot of promise as a sci-fi RPG in the same vein as games like Shadowrun. Colony Ship's story takes place on a generational ship, basically a massive ship that acts as a city traveling through space on its way to a specific destination. Like many isometric RPGs, there are many ways to do things depending on your skills, class and whatever else you may have at your disposal. There is a good host of party members to choose from and plenty of firepower. Even though it takes place on one ship, has tons of areas to explore. The story isn't complete yet, but the game is showing a lot of promise and is definitely worth the try
These are, obviously, just a taste of the plentiful RPGs available to fans of Mass Effect once they've completed Shepard's journey. Fortunately, even if these don't hold you over, you won't' be out of luck long now that Mass Effect 4 is on the horizon.
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