19 Narrative games like Mass Effect 2 that you should try

Matches like this one are rare: it meets Mass Effect 2 on genre, combat and game mode. Both also lean on single-player focus and skill tree progression. What it adds of its own: open world exploration.

Its point of contact with Mass Effect 2 is strong narrative focus, melee combat and single-player focus. The common ground extends to a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is tone: dark, oppressive atmosphere.

What brings it close to Mass Effect 2 is strong narrative focus, melee combat and a sci-fi setting, and the two track each other on genre, combat and game mode. Both also lean on single-player focus and a third-person camera. The distance is in setting and tone — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere and an anime aesthetic.

It shares the essentials of what Mass Effect 2 does: strong narrative focus, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is setting and progression: post-apocalyptic world and 2D presentation.

If Mass Effect 2 worked for you because of strong narrative focus, melee combat and single-player focus, the same is here. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and a third-person camera. The distance is in setting — its own ground is fantasy world.

What brings it close to Mass Effect 2 is strong narrative focus, melee combat and a sci-fi setting, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and tone. To that it adds a third-person camera and single-player focus. They part company on visuals: this one brings a first-person view.

It shares the essentials of what Mass Effect 2 does: strong narrative focus, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. To that it adds single-player focus and a third-person camera. They part company on setting: this one brings post-apocalyptic world.

It shares the essentials of what Mass Effect 2 does: strong narrative focus, melee combat and single-player focus. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and a third-person camera. They part company on tone and progression: this one brings dark, oppressive atmosphere.

Of everything here, this is the nearest thing to Mass Effect 2 — the two agree on genre, game mode and tone. The common ground extends to skill tree progression and a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is combat: stealth mechanics.

It shares the essentials of what Mass Effect 2 does: strong narrative focus, melee combat and single-player focus. Both also lean on a third-person camera. What it adds of its own: dark, oppressive atmosphere.

Of everything here, this is the nearest thing to Mass Effect 2 — the two agree on genre, combat and game mode. To that it adds single-player focus and a third-person camera. Its own ground is puzzle design.

What brings it close to Mass Effect 2 is exploration and discovery, strong narrative focus, and single-player focus, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and tone. The common ground extends to a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is setting: fantasy world.

It comes from the same genre as Mass Effect 2 and shares strong narrative focus, melee combat and single-player focus. The common ground extends to a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is tone and visuals: a casual, approachable feel and 3D presentation.

What brings it close to Mass Effect 2 is strong narrative focus, melee combat and a sci-fi setting, and the two track each other on genre, combat and game mode. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is setting and progression: 2D presentation.

Same family as Mass Effect 2: strong narrative focus, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. The common ground extends to a third-person camera and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is setting and progression: a cyberpunk setting.