What Are The Best Games Like Star Citizen?
Star Citizen is shaping into a great first-person sci-fi MMO but there is still no official release date on the horizon. While you could play the alpha and experience some of the game’s features, you won’t get the full experience of a finished game just yet.
So, until it’s completion you can enjoy some of these similar games or look forward to some that do it better in the meantime.
15. Mass Effect Andromeda
Mass Effect Andromeda Walkthrough Part 1 - PATHFINDER
Mass Effect Andromeda is a third-person action RPG somewhere between the events of the second and third games in the series but with a completely unrelated plot. You play as Scott or Sara Ryder, a member of a space vessel on a 600-year journey to colonize the Andromeda Galaxy.
A lot of problems this game had at launch have been fixed. Physics can be a bit wonky at times but it’s usually just the funny kind of glitch and not the “oh god what am I looking at” kind. It doesn’t hurt that you can also find it most places for under $15.
This game is a pretty good substitute for the price until Star Citizen is fully released. The detail of the visuals might even be equal to that of Star Citizen.
Mechanics of a Mass Effect game: Without a pesky plot to get in the way.
Mostly fixed: No more “tired faces” at least.
14. No Man’s Sky
Let's Play No Man's Sky Update 1.3: Atlas Rises - PC Gameplay Part 1 - All Sorts of New Stuff!
No Man’s Sky is a first-person action adventure survival game set in a randomly generated galaxy. As a Traveller you explore an infinite combination of planets and collect resources in order to survive.
There have been a lot of changes since the release of this game. The UI has seen an update as well as the addition of 30 hours of story content. Its price has also been significantly reduced to under $20.
This is another game that is a pretty good substitute for the price. It plays well and doesn’t look half bad either.
Never was a bad game: Just a bit too overhyped.
Improving all the time: Updates are still posted regularly.
13. Empyrion – Galactic Survival
Empyrion: Galactic Survival Gameplay - #1 - A New Beginning- Let's Play
Empyrion is a first-person open world survival game on a galactic scale. Play as your own custom character, stranded on a hostile alien planet where the only way off is your ability to build a ship from the materials around you.
The graphics are a little primitive but still hold up pretty well. As far as gameplay, it’s like a non-blocky sci-fi version of Minecraft with guns. There’s no story to speak of but with all the things to do and build it’s not really necessary.
This game really pays attention to the fine details of planet exploration. You’ll have to figure out the crafting recipes on your own but nothing beats the pride of hand building a spaceship from scratch.
Realistic game world: Not the best-looking graphics but far from the worst.
The only limit is your imagination: And you know… materials you find.
12. Starpoint Gemini 2
Let's Play Starpoint Gemini 2 - Entry 1 - Finding My Way
Starpoint Gemini 2 is a space trading and combat simulator with full 3D spatial movement. Play as Adrian Faulkner in the Campaign or your own custom class in Freemode and captain a mighty starship across the Gemini system.
This game gives you full control of every aspect of running a space fairing vessel. The sheer number of things you have control of may even be a little overwhelming. It’s all really intuitive though.
Choose between 3 different classes that alter gameplay in and out of combat. You can also send a boarding party to minimize damage to your ship.
Intuitive controls: It looks more complicated than it is.
Take up a profession: Got to afford those upgrades somehow.
11.Dreadnought
DGA Plays: Dreadnought (Ep. 1 - Gameplay / Let's Play)
Dreadnought is a free-to-play air combat MOBA. Choose one of the massive flying fortresses called Dreadnoughts and engage in intense multiplayer battles in sky.
If you’ve ever heard of World of Tanks this is basically the same thing except in the air and a couple hundred years in the future. In the same way, this game requires teamwork and strategy in order to be successful. Also, there is no single-player to speak of.
Choose between 5 classes of Dreadnought with different combat and support abilities. Each class comes with a manufacturer tree and a tech tree to become an even more powerful.
Teamwork is required: Lone wolves will find themselves in over their head.
The best can earn the best: Exceptional players get to command hero ships.
10. Everspace
EVERSPACE - DANGER ZONE - Part 1 Let's Play EVERSPACE
Everspace is a 3D space shooter with areas that change every time you play with increasing levels of difficulty. You control a fighter through randomly generated space to complete a story that is never the same twice.
Death is intergraded in to the way the game is played and is the only way to upgrade your ship. Everspace is incredibly easy to pick up but still offers a decent challenge. Not to mention the game looks phenomenal.
Every aspect of this game is designed for replayability. This is the game you keep around for years and never really gets old.
Excellent graphics: Never has a bunch of Rocks looked so majestic.
Use any methods: You literally get to choose between fight or flight.
9. Defiance 2050
Let's Play - Defiance 2050 | The first 20mins of Gameplay (Xbox One)
Defiance 2050 is the remake of a third-person MMO set on a terraformed Earth in the future. Choose your own custom character and do what you can to help fix the damage to Earth caused by decades of war with an alien species.
There doesn’t seem to be much change from the original 2013 game at all. Although who can say for sure until it’s released. Hopefully the MMO element will also be the same as the last game and flow seamlessly with the story.
Expect larger scale action from this remake that couldn’t be supported on previous hardware. There’s no flying vehicles in this game but there is a ton of ground vehicles to play around with.
Band together: Fight alongside other players with similar objectives.
Save the world: Mutants are the main obstruction to progress now-a-days.
8. Anthem
Anthem Gameplay Reveal Trailer - Bioware's Destiny Game Xbox One X Gameplay
Anthem is a new online multiplayer RPG that takes place on a hostile planet of the same name. In this game you pilot superhuman exosuits called Javelins across a shared open environment.
Although it hasn’t released yet, the ground combat of this game may prove to be quite exceptional. It also seems that much more care is being put in to the environmental details. Though it’s far too early to say anything for sure.
Javelins will come in different customizable types including the balanced Ranger and the hulking Colossus. Anthem will most likely have a deeper story but we’ll just have to wait until 2019.
This is not concept art: This is a gameplay still.
Become a Freelancer: Pilot one of these mean beasts.
7. Dual Universe
10 Minutes of Dual Universe Gameplay
Dual Universe is a first-person MMO sandbox set on an alien planet, meant to be your new home. After 10,000 years, you and the other members of the Arkship Novark awake from cryosleep to start rebuilding humanity.
This game is not finished but the gameplay is already promising. The way you build in this game is unique to any other Minecraft like game in that you can use specific shapes, sizes, and even create angles as well.
The final product intends to have all players interacting on a single continuous open world. Nothing is ready to go just yet but this game should allow for more creativity than Star Citizen.
Interchangeable widgets: The HUD can be changed to show whatever the player wants.
Massive builds: Ships like this can be built using only in game elements.
6. EVE Online
Eve Online Free-to-Play Beginner's Guide | Part 1
EVE Online is a free-to-play MMORPG in a single continuous open galaxy. Choose between one of the vying factions of the New Eden galaxy and participate in a massive online space fairing community.
This is the oldest game on this list but is surprisingly still updated regularly. It’s got a bit of a steep learning curve for beginners but plenty of old veterans around to help. There’s no reason not to try it out for free.
With over 7,000 systems to visit you’ll probably never see them all. The community, economy, and longevity found in this game can probably only be matched to that of World of Warcraft.
Be a part of a large community: Join one of the many player run clans.
Take up professions: Sample everything there is to do in this massive galaxy.
5. Elite Dangerous
Smuggling Black Boxes! - Ep. 1 - Elite: Dangerous - Let's Play – Release
Elite Dangerous is an online only first-person space combat and trading simulator. Strap in to the cockpit of your own starship and explore the 400 billion stars of the Milky Way galaxy.
There is no question that this game looks absolutely fantastic. Gameplay can be a little bit difficult and complicated however. That aside this game is really fun and will be pretty stiff competition for Star Citizen later on.
This game has VR support that makes it one of the best sci-fi immersive experiences. There really isn’t anything this game has to offer that Star Citizen won’t when it’s finished but it is currently finished though.
Very realistic: The visuals of this game are hard to beat.
On par at the very least with Star Citizen: You can even explore planets in a rover.
4. Star Wars: The Old Republic
Let's Play Star Wars The Old Republic Ep. 1
Star Wars: The Old Republic is a free-to-play MMORPG based in the distant past of the sci-fi fantasy universe Star Wars. Play as your own custom character and walk the path of the light side or the dark in a huge open world.
Even after the Disney buy-out this game is still alive and kicking, though none of it is official cannon anymore. The environments look good and the combat always gives you those satisfying and classic sound effects. It doesn’t hurt to give it a shot for free especially if you’re a fan of the IP.
Choose between the Galactic Republic or the Sith Empire. The game is still currently being updated and plans for even more in the future.
A different style of Star Wars: Ancient variants of weapons and armor you already know.
Become whatever you want: Align yourself to whatever methods suit you.
3. Warframe
Let's Play – Warframe
Warframe is a free-to-play co-op third-person shooter that gives players the chance to fight like a sci-fi ninja. You play as the Tenno, masters of Warframe armor, fighting against the vile clone army of the Grineer.
The ability to parkour over everything makes the game worth trying at least just once. It’s also really good if you just want to relax and go back to a simpler time when games were just about looking cool. That and you just can’t beat a $0 price tag.
With over 34 different Warframes, each with their own unique abilities, any player can find their own style. Slice your way through enemy hordes or pick them off with a bow or gun from afar.
Lots of abilities to choose from: No two Warframes are a build equal.
Be a Ninja: Combat is brutal and fast paced.
2. Destiny 2
DESTINY 2 Walkthrough Part 1 - FIRST 2 HOURS!!! (PS4 Let's Play Commentary)
Destiny 2 is an online-only first-person shooter set in a sci-fi fantasy universe. Players assume the role of Guardians, wielders of mystic power and protectors of Earth to take part in various PvP and PvE scenarios.
If you liked the first Destiny then there is no doubt you’ll like the improvements in this one. If you’ve never played Destiny but are curious about playing an online-only version of Borderlands, you can start with this one and not miss anything.
Play as the Warlock, Hunter, or Titan in 6 different game modes. It may not have flying but it does a pretty good job at intense ground combat.
Co-op is optional: You could fight this guy by yourself if you want.
Blast your way through challenging enemies: Earn a bunch of loot for the effort.
1. Star Trek Online
Let's Play Star Trek Online (2015) Federation - 1 – Introduction
Star Trek Online is a free-to-play MMORPG that spans many of the movies and series in the Star Trek universe. Become the captain of your own Starship and dauntlessly drive where nay person has trodden previously.
The map is huge and travel speed is determined by what upgrades you buy with real or in game currency. It is a pretty authentic Star Trek experience though and no upfront cost.
Almost a decade old and still receiving consistent updates. Meet with friends or make new ones and take on missions together.
Combat is simple and easy to understand: Stay in your territory until you’re ready though.
Full customization: Be a human or an iconic Star Trek species.
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