23 Games with a sci-fi setting like Elite Dangerous that you should try

If Elite Dangerous worked for you because of open world exploration, melee combat and a space setting, the same is here. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in tone and game mode — its own ground is strong narrative focus.

The genre is the same as Elite Dangerous’s, and with it open world exploration, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and co-op play. They part company on tone and game mode: this one brings strong narrative focus and skill tree progression.

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.

What carries over from Elite Dangerous is deep RPG systems, open world exploration and melee combat. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and game mode: offline play.

With Elite Dangerous it shares deep RPG systems, a sci-fi setting and single-player focus. To that it adds a third-person camera. They part company on visuals: this one brings third-person shooting.

It meets Elite Dangerous on deep RPG systems, melee combat and a space setting. Both also lean on single-player focus and a third-person camera. The distance is in progression and visuals — its own ground is base building and an isometric view.

On paper it is what Elite Dangerous is — open world exploration, a sci-fi setting and multiplayer gameplay — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. Where the two diverge is setting and world: first-person shooting and free-to-play access.

Same family as Elite Dangerous: open world exploration, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in tone and setting — its own ground is strong narrative focus and stealth mechanics.

The genre is the same as Elite Dangerous’s, and with it open world exploration, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in tone and game mode — its own ground is strong narrative focus and stealth mechanics.

Shelved next to Elite Dangerous for good reason: open world exploration, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. Where the two diverge is tone and game mode: strong narrative focus and ranged combat.

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.

Its point of contact with Elite Dangerous is deep RPG systems, open world exploration and melee combat. The common ground extends to a sci-fi setting and multiplayer gameplay. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: fantasy world and offline play.

Held in common with Elite Dangerous: deep RPG systems, punishing difficulty and melee combat. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and multiplayer gameplay. The distance is in visuals and setting — its own ground is strong narrative focus and fantasy world.

On paper it is what Elite Dangerous is — punishing difficulty, melee combat and a sci-fi setting — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. Both also lean on a first-person view and single-player focus. The distance is in progression and game mode — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere and skill tree progression.

It comes from the same genre as Elite Dangerous and shares open world exploration, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is tone and game mode: strong narrative focus and horror setting.