21 Online games like Elite Dangerous that you should try

What brings it close to Elite Dangerous is open world exploration, melee combat and multiplayer gameplay, and the two track each other on genre, combat and game mode. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. Where the two diverge is setting and progression: horror setting and base building.

What it holds in common with Elite Dangerous is shape: deep RPG systems, a sandbox world and single-player focus. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and a third-person camera. They part company on visuals: this one brings third-person shooting and PvP competition.

Its point of contact with Elite Dangerous is deep RPG systems, a sandbox world and melee combat. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and co-op play. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: a mythological setting and crafting mechanics.

On paper it is what Elite Dangerous is — melee combat, co-op play and a first-person view — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. The distance is in tone and setting — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere and fantasy world.

The common ground with Elite Dangerous is structural: deep RPG systems, open world exploration and melee combat. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and co-op play. The distance is in setting and progression — its own ground is fantasy world and base building.

Same family as Elite Dangerous: open world exploration, melee combat and co-op play. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. They part company on tone and setting: this one brings dark, oppressive atmosphere and stealth mechanics.

Same family as Elite Dangerous: melee combat, a sci-fi setting and multiplayer gameplay. The common ground extends to a first-person view. Where the two diverge is tone and progression: dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting.

It meets Elite Dangerous on deep RPG systems, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. The common ground extends to multiplayer gameplay and a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is tone and progression: strong narrative focus and skill tree progression.

With Elite Dangerous it shares deep RPG systems, punishing difficulty and melee combat. The common ground extends to a third-person camera and co-op play. Where the two diverge is setting and progression: dark, oppressive atmosphere and post-apocalyptic world.

What carries over from Elite Dangerous is deep RPG systems, punishing difficulty and open world exploration. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and online features. They part company on setting and visuals: this one brings dark, oppressive atmosphere and fantasy world.

It meets Elite Dangerous on deep RPG systems, punishing difficulty and melee combat. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and multiplayer gameplay. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: dark, oppressive atmosphere and fantasy world.

Its point of contact with Elite Dangerous is deep RPG systems, melee combat and single-player focus. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: loot and gear systems, and fantasy world.

Its point of contact with Elite Dangerous is deep RPG systems, melee combat and single-player focus. Both also lean on exploration and discovery. The distance is in setting and visuals — its own ground is loot and gear systems, and fantasy world.

What carries over from Elite Dangerous is deep RPG systems, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. The common ground extends to co-op play. Where the two diverge is visuals and setting: an isometric view.

Its point of contact with Elite Dangerous is deep RPG systems, melee combat and multiplayer gameplay. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: fantasy world and an isometric view.