12 Narrative games like Borderlands 3 that you should try

With Borderlands 3 it shares deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and open world exploration. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and online features. They part company on setting and progression: this one brings action RPG combat and horror setting.

What carries over from Borderlands 3 is deep RPG systems, strong narrative focus and open world exploration. Both also lean on a first-person view and melee combat. The distance is in setting and genre — its own ground is third-person shooting and historical setting.

Held in common with Borderlands 3: deep RPG systems, strong narrative focus and melee combat. The common ground extends to a sci-fi setting and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is progression and visuals: action RPG combat and a space setting.

The common ground with Borderlands 3 is structural: deep RPG systems, strong narrative focus and open world exploration. To that it adds a first-person view and melee combat. They part company on setting and progression: this one brings MMO world and community, and fantasy world.

What it holds in common with Borderlands 3 is shape: deep RPG systems, strong narrative focus and open world exploration. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and co-op play. The distance is in visuals and combat — its own ground is action RPG combat and stealth mechanics.

It resembles Borderlands 3 most in how it is built: deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and open world exploration. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and melee combat. The distance is in setting and visuals — its own ground is action RPG combat and an anime aesthetic.

It shares the essentials of what Borderlands 3 does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. Both also lean on loot and gear systems, and single-player focus. The distance is in combat and setting — its own ground is a space setting.

Genre puts it alongside Borderlands 3, and so does strong narrative focus, open world exploration and ranged combat. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. Where the two diverge is tone and setting: competitive edge and a space setting.

It shares the essentials of what Borderlands 3 does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and multiplayer gameplay. They part company on visuals and combat: this one brings tactical combat and post-apocalyptic world.

On paper it is what Borderlands 3 is — strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and combat: tactical combat and post-apocalyptic world.

If Borderlands 3 worked for you because of strong narrative focus, melee combat and a sci-fi setting, the same is here. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in world and visuals — its own ground is punishing difficulty and procedural generation.

What it holds in common with Borderlands 3 is shape: deep RPG systems, strong narrative focus and open world exploration. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and melee combat. The distance is in visuals and genre — its own ground is action RPG combat and a third-person camera.