Mass Effect is one of the biggest series in the games industry. Across the series' multiple titles fans have fallen in love with its universe, deep characters, intense action, and a space opera story of epic proportions. Recently, fans were able to revisit Mass Effect with the remastered trilogy in Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, which reignited the appreciation for the series and excitement for the newest entry currently in development at BioWare.
However, Mass Effect 4 is likely still far away and it does not look as though fans will get any news on it soon as it has been confirmed that Mass Effect 4 is skipping this year's EA Play. Fortunately, Mass Effect is not the only game series in the industry, and there are plenty of options for players who are looking to get a similar experience as the classic trilogy while they wait for news on Mass Effect 4.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords is up there with Mass Effect for one of the most popular RPGs in the games industry. Whether players like Star Wars or not, there is a lot for the game to offer them, and it doesn't require very much Star Wars knowledge to get into it at all. Of course, for the diehard Star Wars fans or just RPG fans that want to delve into deep and expansive world lore, there is plenty for players to learn about the universe through Knights of the Old Republic 2 as well. The game still has a devoted fan base and with rumors circulating that a Knights of the Old Republic 2 remake could be in the works, now would be a great time for new and returning players to jump into the game.
Knights of the Old Republic 2 also has a lot in common with the Mass Effect trilogy. The first game in the series was developed by BioWare, and a lot of that same DNA carried over into the sequel. Not only does Knights of the Old Republic 2 boast a companion list filled with great characters, but it also features a complicated story with a lot of nuances and player choice that has a real impact on the experience. There is so much between the two games that any Mass Effect fan will surely find something to love about Knights of the Old Republic 2, and it is a great option to help them wait for more news on Mass Effect 4.
Dragon Age: Origins
BioWare's other premiere RPG series Dragon Age is also a perfect candidate for Mass Effect fans. While it may not feature a sci-fi setting, many of the game's mechanics are very similar to those found in Mass Effect. Not only does Dragon Age: Origins feature companions, but it features some of the best companions in all of Dragon Age. As players progress through the game they are able to talk to their companions and learn more about them, while eventually being able to have romances with them as well, just like in Mass Effect.
Dragon Age: Origins also features even more options for roleplaying than Mass Effect. It does not feature as many classes as its sci-fi counterpart, but it does allow players to play different races, and features different introductions to the game depending on how the player makes their character. Unfortunately, the Dragon Age games have not received the remaster treatment that Mass Effect has yet, but there are plenty of mods for Dragon Age: Origins that help it feel more modern for any players who want to use them.
The Technomancer
Developer Spiders has often been compared to BioWare before, especially with its upcoming title Steelrising. However, before it released the Dragon Age-like Greedfall, the team at Spiders released Technomancer. Technomancer is a sci-fi action RPG set on a futuristic Mars. The game does not feature nearly as many planets or aliens as Mass Effect does, but it does hold many other similarities. Not only does Technomancer feature a deep story that can be impacted by a player's choices, but it also allows players to customize their builds to include a lot of abilities with guns, melee weapons, and magic-like abilities that are similar to Mass Effect's biotics.
No Man's Sky
No Man's Sky is a great substitute for any Mass Effect fans who love exploring the games' universe and discovering all of its locales and secrets. No Man's Sky does not feature the deep story or combat RPG mechanics that Mass Effect is well known for, but it does make up for it in sheer variety. Not only will players be able to find an absurd number of planets in No Man's Sky, but they also can build bases, upgrade their ships, and visit a variety of space stations alone or with some friends.
Prey (2017)
Prey is a perfect game for Mass Effect fans who couldn't get enough of exploring the Citadel and seeing small slices of what life in the Mass Effect universe is like. Prey is a horror game, but it features players exploring a space station and becoming intimately familiar with all of its details. Along the way, players learn a lot about the people that were once there, as well as filling in the holes of the game's setting through clues that are picked up along the way. There are loads of hidden details in Prey, so any player can expect to spend plenty of hours exploring the game's world if they want to find everything the game has to offer.
Players who are looking for combat will also be satisfied with Prey. The game's alien enemies offer a lot of variety to fight, while Prey's diverse stable of weapons also helps add variety to the game's encounters. The game is first-person unlike Mass Effect, but the game's aesthetic and frantic combat filled with abilities and weaponry should still help Mass Effect fans feels at home.