21 Games Like Borderlands
Our collection of games like Borderlands offers other titles that blend first person shooter gameplay with role playing elements for fans of the hit series.
The Borderlands series is a well-liked and critically acclaimed franchise that started in 2009. Walking a fine line between first person shooter and role playing game this potent mix has proved exceedingly popular. The games also has a distinct focus on the co-operative experience.
While the core mechanics of the game are in line with what you would expect to see in a FPS game it’s the RPG features that have made the series such a success. This includes several playable classes and corresponding skill trees for players to create their own unique character.
The most important feature of the Borderlands games though is the random loot drops which are similar in design to the Diablo series. These drops apply to all character equipment in Borderlands including weapons, grenades and shields which adds an item hunt element to the gameplay. This encourages players to farm content they have already completed to enhance their strength similar to an action RPG.
The games like Borderlands that you’ll find here offer a mixture of games that also blend FPS and RPG mechanics or games that are designed to be played co-operatively as you fight bosses and hunt for loot.
Warframe
Warframe is a free shooter available for PC and the PlayStation 4. It’s co-operatively focused and uses a third person perspective, the game gained lots of traction after a 2013 release. The game has a sci-fi twist with players talking control of a Tenno warrior who has come out of cryosleep after centuries. The world isn’t as they remember leaving it and now they find themselves at war on all sides (against three factions). As masterful warriors though this race has a few tricks up their sleeve...[Read Review]
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat is the third game in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R series of survival horror games. The title has some vast improvements over the previous games making it one of the best instalments yet. As the game links a number of story elements together from the previous games players are recommended to have finished the first two games before adventuring into what Pripyat has to offer. Call of Pripyat is set directly after the events of the Shadow of Chernobyl (as the second game in the...[Read Review]
Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas offers an action role playing game that is packed full of content with a large open world filled with enemies, NPCs and countless side quests. The game was developed by Obsidian Entertainment and released in 2010. Since it’s original release Fallout: New Vegas has since seen many downloadable content releases which have built on the core gameplay with new areas, weapons, quests and enemies. These extra bits of content have been combined into an ‘Ultimate Edition’ which i...[Read Review]
Torchlight 2
Torchlight 2 is a Diablo inspired action role playing game developed by Runic Games. The game was released for digital download in September 2012 with a playable demo also available so you can easily try before you buy. The game is packed full of fun and unique features with plenty of innovation providing a new experience within the action RPG genre. Torchlight 2 offers four different classes, a single player campaign, multiplayer, crafting, gems, fishing, pets and much more. Torchlight 2 has a ...[Read Review]
Fallout 3
Fallout 3 is an action RPG that has players exploring a massive wasteland in a post-apocalyptic game world. The game was developed by Bethesda Game Studios and released in 2008 for multiple platforms. There are a total of 5 pieces of downloadable content available for Fallout 3 that each adds new locations, features, enemies and an increased level cap. All of these additional content packs are available in the Fallout 3 Game of The Year Edition which is available (and recommended) on all platfor...[Read Review]
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl is a FPS survival horror game developed by GSC Game World. The game is available for PC and was released in 2007, it is the first game in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series. The game is set in an alternate reality set around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. This area is referred to as ‘The Zone’ and offers a lengthy storyline with plenty of side missions, player choice, unique anomalies, mutants, several endings and various factions. In the game players take control ...[Read Review]
Far Cry 3
If you like open world games but also like plenty of shooter action you’ll love what Far Cry 3 brings to the table. The game is the third in the series and mixes a number of different genres together which proved a successful formula with gamers and critics. Far Cry 3 uses a first person perspective and takes place on a tropical island. The player is free to explore the island as they please while they attempt to save their friends and get off the island. Players can focus on creating large fire...[Read Review]
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky is the second game in the series of survival horror shooter games under the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. name. The game plays out as a prequel to the first game where you explore the origins and events that led to the first game. In Clear Sky you’ll be assuming the role of Scar who is a veteran stalker. After getting hit by a large emission while guiding a group of scientists you wake up to find yourself in the base of the Clear Sky faction that is focused on researching the Zone. Ac...[Read Review]
Defiance
Defiance is set in the same universe as the science fiction television show with the same name allowing players to explore a large open world in third person. This gun combat focused MMO is available on both Windows and consoles and Defiance started its life as a paid title but as of 2014 entered the free to play realm at varying times depending on the platform. Players need not be familiar with the show for the full experience but of course it does help as you’ll encounter a number of main char...[Read Review]
Dead Island
In Dead Island you’ll have to explore an open world environment and try to prevent being eaten by using whatever weapons you can find around the place. Dead Island is a great role playing experience for fans of survival horror and is available on Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. Dead Island features a fictional island which is home to a luxury tropical resort. After a night of wild partying the player wakes up as one of the four available characters (each with their own stats and skills) an...[Read Review]
Dead Island: Riptide
Dead Island: Riptide is the second game in the Dead Island series and continues on from your previous adventure but takes place on a whole new island. The game launched in 2013 for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360, delivering a very similar experience to the first game. The events in Dead Island: Riptide occur right after those of the first Dead Island game although they are disconnected enough that you don’t have to play the first one if this is your first experience with the franchise. Although, it defini...[Read Review]
Fallout 4
The bombs have dropped and Fallout 4 is climbing out of the rubble allowing you to explore a devastated Boston landscape in the year 2287 over two centuries after the world was taken to the edge by nuclear war. Released on Windows, Xbox One and PS4 as the fifth major game in the Fallout franchise Fallout 4 has everything you’ve come to expect from the post nuclear war series. For the first time though players will be able to experience the day that the bombs were dropped around the world w...[Read Review]
Bulletstorm
Bulletstorm is a unique and fast paced first person shooter released in 2011. The game focuses on rewarding players for crazy and creative kills on enemies. While it doesn’t include a competitive mode the game does have a fairly good co-operative experience. The game is set far into the future during the 26th century where the universe is under the control of a powerful and corrupt government. Players join this world as one of the peacekeepers in charge of silencing anyone that speaks out agains...[Read Review]
Destiny
Destiny might just be the most ambitious game yet combining elements from several genres into one and coating it in an extremely impressive science fiction setting. This setting looks breathtaking on both new generation and old ensuring all gamers can get a taste of the eye candy that Destiny offers. Set hundreds of years into the future Destiny is placed at the end of a Golden Age for the human race that has left them close to extinction with only a single Earth city remaining. Players will jum...[Read Review]
Rage
Rage is a first person shooter that has many similarities to both Fallout and Borderlands. The game also incorporates a number of driving elements into its gameplay and was released in 2011. Rage takes place in a post apocalyptic game world after an asteroid strikes the Earth. Players step into the shoes of one of the few survivors under the name of Nicholas Raine and go about exploring the wasteland to recover their memories while staying out of trouble from mutants and the various game faction...[Read Review]
Lost Planet 2
Take down big enemies as a team in Lost Planet 2, a sequel to the exceedingly popular game about hunting unique monsters in addition to other human enemies. Like the original large scale bosses and varied options to deal with the monster threats is a focus for this addition to the Lost Planet franchise. Set 10 years after the original Lost Planet you’ll explore the story line across 6 game episodes that each put you in control of a different person with their own motives and background alt...[Read Review]
Bounty Hunter: Black Dawn
Bounty Hunter: Black Dawn brings the Borderlands style of gameplay to your Android devices with a simple but effective loot shooter. Making it one of the few such adventures to be available on a mobile device the game packs an enjoyable amount of depth for a smart phone game, ensuring an adventure in the dozens of hours as you scavenge for that perfect item drop. Starting your Bounty Hunter: Black Dawn adventure players will select one of the four game classes which each hold their own skills an...[Read Review]
Far Cry 4
Action and adventure hit new heights in Far Cry 4, a game that sticks to the open world shooter mechanics developed from previous additions in the franchise pretty closely. While new mechanics are few and far between in Far Cry 4 it’s a solid experience set in one of the more unique settings of the series. Set in Kyrat players assume the role of Ajay Ghale who returns home from America to spread his mother’s ashes. Upon returning though you find yourself in the centre of the civil war taking pla...[Read Review]
Tom Clancy’s The Division
Tom Clancy’s The Division takes third person shooting into the online realm, taking place in a near future New York City in the aftermath of a pandemic you’ll play as an agent seeking to rebuild by battling criminal activity. After a smallpox pandemic takes over New York City after being planted on the simple banknote Manhattan is placed under quarantine by the US government while in turn activating sleeper agents to assist in recovery of the city and regain order. This strain of sma...[Read Review]
Mad Max
Mad Max drives the world of the franchise right into the video game arena. Available for console and computer systems alike you’ll explore the deadly post-apocalyptic wasteland on your quest for revenge in this battered environment. Your character is the patrol officer Max Rockatansky who does his best to forage off the wasteland and survive amongst the various warlord led gangs who are constantly fighting for resources, stealing from those unable to defend themselves. During an expedition...[Read Review]
Far Cry 2
Far Cry 2 belongs to the open world genre and released back in 2008. The game has very few ties to the original Far Cry and is an entirely new experience for players to enjoy. In the game players will have the opportunity to explore a number of African inspired landscapes that are locked in a civil war. You’ll assume the role of a mercenary in Far Cry 2 as you travel across desert and jungle to find and assassinate the head of a gun running rink, known only as The Jackal. Far Cry 2 introduces pl...[Read Review]