Watching the story of BioShock evolve over the course of these three games is a brilliant journey that any gamer should undertake… although it might be understandable if said gamers are confused about what game they could try out which would feel as brilliant as this amazing trilogy. To answer this question, here are the best action RPGs that have similarly spectacular aspects to those found in Bioshock.
Updated May 27, 2022 by Mark Sammut:BioShock left an undeniable mark on not just the gaming industry but the perception of it. Irrational Games crafted a first-person shooter dripping in narrative complexity, with the first game exploring concepts like objectivism. Although an argument can be made that they didn’t quite reach the same heights as the first game, both BioShock sequels are great in their own right, albeit for somewhat different reasons. For people searching for other games like BioShock to play, this article has been expanded to include more information regarding the mentioned titles.
21 We Happy Few
At a glance, it’s easy to see why most people compared the visuals and atmosphere of We Happy Few to BioShock. In fact, these comparisons stretch even further when players try out the game for themselves.
The game has come a long way since its buggy launch and is definitely worth a buy with its lower price tag. It’s a shame that the narrative of this title doesn’t get enough recognition, since it’s easily the best part of the overall experience by a country mile.
20 Mass Effect Legendary Edition
While Mass Effect might not be as atmospheric as BioShock, there’s still a case that can be made for this sci-fi RPG series. With the release of the Legendary Edition, more and more people can now get into this amazing trilogy.
The epic story and memorable cast of characters are what made the Mass Effect trilogy such a beloved piece of gaming history. Commander Shepard is an iconic protagonist and watching him save the universe time and time again never gets old.
19 Metro Exodus
The Metro series wasn’t really that popular for the longest time, which was a huge disservice to the immense quality of this title. However, with the release of Metro Exodus, people could finally see why so many people had fallen head over heels for this franchise.
The atmosphere and gameplay of Metro Exodus complement each other beautifully, filling players with a sense of dread that BioShock fans would be quite familiar with. It’s an easy recommendation for anyone who wasn’t satisfied with beating down the likes of Frank Fontaine and Andrew Ryan time and time again.
18 Soma
Gameplay-wise, Soma does not share all that much in common with BioShock, as it is a survival horror game rather than a first-person shooter with some horror elements. However, in terms of settings, they are cut from the same cloth.
Soma takes place in a horrifying underwater research facility that is run by a crew who happen to be the last humans left on Earth. Raising fascinating questions through its strong writing and unsettling atmosphere, this horror title is a must-play for anyone searching for games similar to BioShock.
17 Singularity
A list of underappreciated and underrated FPS titles would be incomplete without the mention of Singularity. This game was positively dripping with a creepy atmosphere and full of amazing time-bending powers but ultimately failed to establish itself in the gaming mainstream.
The game might have its issues, but Singularity is still an easy recommendation for any fan of excellent first-person shooters. Using the Time Manipulation Device to destroy any enemy in Renko’s path never gets old.
16 DOOM Eternal
The scenery in DOOM Eternal may be more gruesome than gorgeous, a contrast from Bioshock’s imagery, but the gameplay is equally exhilarating. Using various power-ups and awesome weapons, players can go on a demon-slaying rampage full of satisfying executions.
Like in BioShock, gamers take control of a mighty fighter from a first-person perspective that makes them feel like they are part of the vivid, engaging world. There are nooks and crannies to explore for cool surprises and hot loot, making every second of wandering each level well spent.
15 Horizon Zero Dawn
A beautiful landscape with a variety of terrain, fascinating foes in the form of giant, animalistic robots, and a unique twist on open-world combat mechanics are the most noticeable things players enjoy about Horizon Zero Dawn on the surface, however, there is even more to this game that BioShock fans will enjoy.
The story tells of the decline of humanity during an age when technology should have made things better, although it instead pushed civilization backward. Similar parallels can be seen with Rapture in the first BioShock, in that people suffer from their advancements instead of prospering. In Horizon, players can find many bits of lore scattered throughout the world that are genuinely interesting and fill in a picture of the events that lead to the world’s current state.
2022’s Horizon Forbidden Westcontinues and expands on Horizon Zero Dawn’s lore and gameplay well.
14 Mad Max
Post-apocalyptic settings need to have traits that make them stand out in a genre filled with generic wastelands and zombies. Mad Max is one franchise that puts the pedal to the metal when it comes to innovation in a progressively stale area of gaming. In this world, vehicles are gods and drivers are the prophets heralding their own brands of domination or freedom; choices not unlike those the player would need to make in some parts of the BioShock series with regard to morality.
In a desert full of deranged threats, the player must fight gunfire with gunfire, oftentimes blasting enemies away with their own weapons. In an immersive manner, players are equipped with similar vehicles and skills of adversaries, making the gameplay and setting feel cohesive and unified. After a short time destroying enemies and driving across the cracked pavement, players will feel like a true road warrior just like how using plasmids make them feel like an undersea powerhouse in Bioshock and BioShock 2.
13 Batman: Arkham City
If one enjoys the dynamic and alluring urban settings of Rapture and Columbia, they will greatly appreciate exploring the intricate layout in Batman: Arkham City. There is a lot to see and do among the grimy streets, for there are bad guys everywhere. There are also boons to exploring in the form of secrets and riddles that further pull the player into an immersive and well-written world.
Being able to knock criminals and hideous mutants around as the world’s best detective is also incredibly satisfying and makes one truly feel like a hero cleaning the roads of filth. There are a ton of cool gadgets and powers that gamers can utilize in their fight against crime and chaos.
12 Divinity: Original Sin 2
The synergy of powers is something not seen too often in action RPGs, despite it being a great feature that adds intricacy to any combat system. In BioShock, players can mix and match various plasmids, tonics, and weapons to form insanely powerful offensive strategies.
Those looking for such deep and flexible strategy-crafting capabilities should look into Divinity: Original Sin 2 as it very much encourages such gameplay. Combining the abilities of certain characters for huge buffs or following up elemental spells with others to compound terrain effects are but some of what one can do in battle. Outside of combat, there are lots of places to explore and secrets to uncover in a vivid world.
11 Deus Ex
Deus Ex is considered by many to be a revolutionary game as it was among the first projects to build an interactable world with genuine consequences for a player’s actions.
Any person who loves the atmospheric storytelling of BioShock will definitely find a ton of things to like about Deus Ex. While the game might not have aged all that well, the timeless gameplay and some mods will definitely make things easier for a newcomer.
10 System Shock 2
Speaking of revolutionary immersive sims, it would be impossible to not talk about the renowned title that is System Shock 2 when discussing BioShock. While it might mostly be known for its infamous AI antagonist, this influential sci-fi game has way more to offer than just SHODAN.
System Shock 2’s tight gameplay, brilliant level design, and oppressive atmosphere should make BioShock players feel right at home. Do not be put off by its age as this classic has aged pretty well all things considered.
9 Thief 2: The Metal Age
The Thief series is considered a must-play by pretty much anyone who’s into the immersive sim genre. Throwing you in the middle of a mysterious world in Garrett’s shoes, players are tasked with weaving around houses anonymously in order to steal as much treasure as possible.
The first game is a pretty decent title in its own right, but it’s Thief 2: The Metal Age where the series truly comes into its own. While the last game in the series might’ve bombed quite badly, there’s no reason to think that the franchise is completely obsolete — Garrett can always make a comeback.
8 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series is an underexposed gem within the mainstream gaming community, with the small-yet-vocal fanbase spewing endless rhetoric about the genius of this franchise.
Shadow Of Chernobyl is the best starting point in the series, allowing players to witness the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. franchise excel at its creative peak before becoming more technically excellent at the cost of some charm. As a survival open-world game, Shadow of Chernobyl is cutthroat, particularly during the early hours until newcomers adapt to its harsh climate.
7 Wolfenstein: The New Order
The Wolfenstein series was going through a bit of a slump after its heyday, with new and modern titles in the series enjoying muted fanfare at best. However, all of this changed with the advent of Wolfenstein: The New Order.
The return of B.J. Blazkowicz was widely celebrated as a return to form by many fans, with the story being a surprising yet welcome highlight of this title. Of course, the combat had to be good for this title to be classified as a true Wolfenstein… and, thankfully, its excellent gunplay and high-octane firefights made for an incredible experience that set the stage for the new era of Wolfenstein.
6 Vampire: the Masquerade — Bloodlines
Speaking of underrated gems, Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines is an obvious mention when talking about action RPGs similar to BioShock. The game is truly one-of-a-kind and even some gameplay jank won’t be enough to harm what is objectively a great title… up until the very end when the studio ran out of time and money.
However, Bloodlines is still fantastic regardless, and there’s a reason why fans are so hyped for the upcoming sequel.
5 Far Cry 3
If nothing else, Ubisoft’s Far Cry franchise is reliable. For better or worse, fans can rest assured in knowing exactly what type of experience they will be receiving, and this predictability can be largely credited to the brilliance of Far Cry 3. Even though its predecessor are both solid open-world shooters, the third entry elevated the license to superstardom.
Now, Far Cry 3 is quite a different beast from BioShock, but they both feature charismatic antagonists that touch upon philosophical or social ideas. Ubisoft’s game also has superior gunplay to Irrational Games’ masterpiece.
4 Dead Space
Dead Space is one of the scarier games on this list, putting it right up BioShock’s alley. As Isaac Clarke in the first game, players are led through a horrifying adventure that is punishing, claustrophobic, and consistently intense. Later games sacrifice the oppressive atmosphere of the first entry for better action, making the original Dead Space truer to the ethos of the BioShock series.
Thematically, Dead Space is not quite as dense or ambitious as 2K’s franchise; however, the horror game still has decent characters and expansive lore, the latter of which is fleshed out further in the sequels.
3 Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas is among the best role-playing experiences of the last two decades. Even after all the development problems over at Obsidian Entertainment, they still managed to release one of the most solid and complete role-playing experiences anyone could play… albeit one that was riddled with bugs upon launch.
However, with a few patches and mods, not only does New Vegas become much more playable, but it also turns into a thrill ride that showcases what the role-playing genre is capable of.
2 Dishonored 2
It was only a given that Arkane Studios would be making their appearance in a list about action RPGs similar to BioShock, and it’s perhaps not even surprising that this is not the first time they’ll appear on this list.
The first Dishonored game was pretty great in its own right and Dishonored 2 decided to make everything bigger, better, and more entertaining. The tight gameplay and amazing level design would be enough to qualify this game as a great immersive sims.
