10 Best Sci-Fi RPGs To Play If You Were Disappointed In Starfield: Shattered Space

Starfield‘s Shattered Space expansion was one of the most anticipated releases for this year, but it did not seem to live up to the hype for what players wanted. From Starfield‘s often unimaginative setting to its flat story, there was hope that Shattered Space would be another one of the quality DLC expansions Bethesda is known for. Shattered Space turned out to be a slog, however, and Starfield‘s woes of tepidity continue.

Shattered Space didn’t help Starfield reach its potential, even with an emphasis on hand-crafted locations and a new storyline centered on the mysterious House Va’ruun. Bethesda doesn’t seem keen on abandoning Starfield just yet, and hopefully, future patches and potential expansions can truly satisfy players, but in the meantime, there are plenty of other sci-fi RPGs to fill the void. Below are 10 sci-fi RPGs that deserve the attention and time, ranked by how fun they are, immersing players truly in space.

10 Destiny 2 Is Filled With Thrilling Combat

This Space RPG Leads As A Classic Shooter But With More

Perfectly paced while driven by its overarching narrative, players work through enemies in the first-person shooter MMO, aimed at weaving through a variety of quests that piece together a story while also forming a character that resembles the players’ goals. Customization also leans on the armor and items collected, growing with strength but also providing options to cater to the player’s play style, and starts as early as selecting their class.

In addition to the game’s range of customization, it is also extremely accessible. Destiny 2 is free-to-play on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Those interested in RPGs specifically featuring spaceflight should be aware, however, that Destiny 2 offers no spacecraft gameplay. The game is entirely an FPS with a wide variety of content, including the aforementioned quests, raids, PvP matches, and more. Following its grand finale in The Final Shape expansion, Destiny 2 has moved into more minor ongoing support as a seven-year-old game.

9 Warframe For The Fast-Paced Player

Explore A Unique Science Fiction Universe

Driven by action mainly, Warframe introduces players to an experience that takes what is loved from sci-fi RPGs and introduces it to a range of lore and combat that has players on the edge of their seats. As they are tasked to face this expansive universe as a Tenno, players are introduced to Warframe‘s world, the variety of unique planets, as well as their roots in the game’s ancient warrior civilization. In addition, the game has a good mix of parkour movement, melee and shooting combat, as well as customization.

It makes the game fun for anyone to play, which is buoyed by the game adopting an accessible free-to-play model, similar to Destiny 2. That being said, there are additional in-game purchases, but they are not necessary in order to have the game at its fullest. Its third-person shooter gameplay features both PvE and PvP, and it’s a truly massive experience, having been supported by developer Digital Extremes for more than a decade.

8 Everspace 2 Takes Everything In The Sci-Fi Category

Discover A Sense Of Self And The Universe

Set in a universe where players are introduced to Adam, players travel through space where he meets different kinds of alien species while also trying to find where he belongs. In this adventure, Adam fights back against colonial powers, fighting with those who try and break peace, protecting the cosmos. Not to mention, when traveling, it is filled with beautiful graphics, shining galaxies, and planets.

In the third-person, search for loot and different planets to complete various missions while discovering who Adam is. The combat is centered on the spacecraft, as shooting action, balanced with puzzles scattered in between. Everspace 2 is a fresh entry into the space exploration category, with a little bit of everything for every player, but is only available on current-gen hardware, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

7 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic Is An Oldie But A Goodie

Classics Are Classic For A Reason

This game is a classic for Star Wars and RPG fans alike, and is still regarded as a must-play RPG, with a hooking story that truly features player choices with impact. Set roughly 4,000 years before the films, it brings a fresh take on what is known about the universe but uses it to continue world-building with one of the franchise’s most moving plots.

The RPG system within
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
is based on
Dungeons & Dragons
‘ rules.

Caught in between the Sith and Jedi, the galaxy is in the player’s hands as they go from a Republic foot soldier to a powerful Force user. It is truly up to the player to choose whether they join the dark side or remain faithful to the Jedi Order. With each decision made, it also affects the character development, and alongside the character, class, and skill customization, it morphs each journey across the galaxy to be unique.

6 Go On Quests In A Mystical Land Within ELEX 2

For A Sci-Fi RPG Without Space Exploration

For more of a challenge when it comes to sci-fi RPGs, ELEX 2 has an incredibly vast open world to explore. As a sequel to the original ELEX, Jax discovers Magalan and protects it from the Skylands while also searching for his son, Dex. Rather than sticking to a spacecraft, Jax uses a jetpack to explore all of Magalan, flying everywhere and anywhere in this beautiful universe.

ELEX 2 unites sci-fi and fantasy; on land it resembles a medieval dystopian world, bringing together the past and the future. A wealth of side quests keep the experience varied, and provide players with plenty of content to work through. Decisions made in-game have consequences, but they’re not necessarily as impactful as in some other games. ELEX 2 is a compelling experience, however, even if its action gameplay can be a little rough around the edges.

5 Mass Effect Legendary Edition Is A Must-Play

Enjoy One Of The Most Celebrated Space Opera Trilogies

Mass Effect Legendary Edition includes all three games in the series’ original trilogy, with higher resolution and frame rates, and includes significant overhauls to the first game, which was generally considered to be the trilogy’s roughest and most dated experience. Players take on the role of fully customizable Commander Shepard, where each of their decisions shapes not only the Normandy and its crew, but the future of the Milky Way galaxy.

As single-player RPGs, the Mass Effect games are heavily plot-driven, with a captivating and deep universe depicting a multi-species, galaxy-spanning civilization in the late 22nd century. The Legendary Edition is arguably the best way to experience BioWare’s classic third-person sci-fi RPGs, as it enables seamless save data transfer between games, allowing players to experience Shepard’s full journey in one convenient package.

4 Elite Dangerous Provides Players With A First Person Experience

For All Hardcore Space Fans

Loaded with realism, Elite Dangerous takes anyone’s breath away, with its game world being modeled after the Milky Way, rather than a fantasy galaxy. It allows for its gameplay to deeply reach its audience, while also showing the beauty and wonders of an existing world. Not to mention, the game gives players full creative freedom, and an incredible range of customization.

Elite Dangerous
‘ map features 400 million star systems embroiled in an intergalactic war.

Elite Dangerous is also multiplayer, making it more accessible for people to play together. Even though many can play at once, everyone has a different experience, leaning heavily into simulation game elements to allow emergent gameplay based on its ever-evolving ecosystem.

3 The Outer Worlds Is Full Of Color And Adventure

The Halcyon System Is In The Player’s Hands

The Outer Worlds introduce this whimsical, almost retro-futurist universe in first person to either strip down the colonial and capitalistic systems or feed into them while corrupting the Halcyon System to its evilness through its settlements. Character building through a variety of skills and perks helps find the way through, and the game has even been updated for current-gen in the Spacer’s Choice Edition.

The storyline is quite short compared to other sci-fi RPGs, but it is extremely satisfying and worth playing. It’s limited scope does hamper it for some, but it also results in its environments being tightly designed and quite fleshed out. A sequel is on the way, which will likely remedy any shortcomings, but The Outer Worlds boasts what’s to be expected from developer Obsidian Entertainment – a fascinating setting and an extremely colorful cast of characters.

2 EVE Online Creates A Galaxy Of Its Own

A Sandbox Sci-Fi RPG

EVE Online encapsulates the sci-fi experience while making space for sandbox lovers with a twist. Players can create their own fleets and space stations, choosing what to engage and influence. The game is entirely multiplier, resulting in an emergent universe entirely dicated by player actions.

It also combines flight simulation and general exploration, rather than focusing on one or the other. From all the space simulation experiences, it is extremely unique, catered to each player, and truly immersive. Every aspect is really up to the player, for instance, whether to join one of the game’s dominant empires or make a virtual living as a humble space pirate.

1 No Man’s Sky Will Always Be The Best Sci-Fi RPG

Play A Game Where Its Developers Truly Care

Even though No Man’s Sky may have had a rough launch, it has morphed itself in a premier offering for those hoping to play a deep and passionately made sci-fi RPG. This indie game is fully driven by player feedback, and since being released, the developers, Hello Games, have constantly updated the game to make everyone’s wildest space dreams come to life, like giant bug enemies, robot companions, and much more.

The marquee feature of No Man’s Sky is its procedurally generated galaxy containing 18 quintillion planets, each with its own ecosystems and biomes. Survival elements and a sandbox nature help players chart their own course on a meandering journey to the center of the galaxy. It is also possible to play in VR, and features robust multiplayer co-op features. No Man’s Sky has a lot in common with Starfield, but it’s certainly more imaginative and continues to regularly receive impressive updates.

Sources: Destiny 2/YouTube, THQ Nordic/YouTube, EVE Online/YouTube, Xbox/YouTube