18 Dark games like Borderlands that you should try

The resemblance to Borderlands is about as close as this list gets: they line up on genre, combat and tone. The common ground extends to loot and gear systems, and a sci-fi setting. Where the two diverge is visuals: a third-person camera.

Same family as Borderlands: dark, oppressive atmosphere, open world exploration and melee combat. The common ground extends to loot and gear systems, and multiplayer gameplay. Where the two diverge is combat and setting: procedural generation and ranged combat.

It comes from the same genre as Borderlands and shares dark, oppressive atmosphere, open world exploration and melee combat. The common ground extends to loot and gear systems, and co-op play. Where the two diverge is combat and tone: strong narrative focus and ranged combat.

It shares the essentials of what Borderlands does: deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and open world exploration. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and co-op play. The distance is in visuals and setting — its own ground is a cyberpunk setting and a top-down view.

It shares the essentials of what Borderlands does: deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and open world exploration. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. Where the two diverge is progression and genre: horror tension and crafting mechanics.

Its point of contact with Borderlands is deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and melee combat. To that it adds post-apocalyptic world and co-op play. They part company on setting and genre: this one brings survival mechanics and fantasy world.

The thread back to Borderlands runs through deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and melee combat. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: fantasy world and an isometric view.

With Borderlands it shares deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and melee combat. Both also lean on online features and skill tree progression. The distance is in progression and genre — its own ground is survival mechanics and strong narrative focus.

It meets Borderlands on deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and open world exploration. To that it adds melee combat and single-player focus. They part company on setting and visuals: this one brings third-person shooting and a sandbox world.

It resembles Borderlands most in how it is built: deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and open world exploration. To that it adds loot and gear systems, and melee combat. They part company on visuals and setting: this one brings survival mechanics and tactical combat.

With Borderlands it shares deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and open world exploration. The common ground extends to melee combat and post-apocalyptic world. Where the two diverge is visuals and setting: fantasy world and an isometric view.

Its point of contact with Borderlands is deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and open world exploration. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and co-op play. Where the two diverge is progression and genre: survival mechanics and horror setting.

Held in common with Borderlands: deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and open world exploration. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and multiplayer gameplay. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: survival mechanics and a sandbox world.

The thread back to Borderlands runs through deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and melee combat. Both also lean on loot and gear systems, and single-player focus. The distance is in setting and visuals — its own ground is MMO world and community, and fantasy world.

Held in common with Borderlands: deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and melee combat. The common ground extends to a sci-fi setting and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and setting: horror setting and a third-person camera.