Summary
When one talks about some of the greatest gaming franchises ever made, then it goes without saying thatBioShockwould be an inevitable part of the conversation. The firstBioShockwas an insanely entertaining romp through one of the most interesting video game cities in the form of Rapture, andBioShock 2was pretty much more of the same with a fresh coat of paint — which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. The release ofBioShock: Infinitecemented the series as an all-time great gaming trilogy.
Watching the story ofBioShockevolve over the course of these three games is a brilliant journey that any gamer should undertake… although it might be understandable if said gamers are confused about what game they could try out which would feel as brilliant as this amazing trilogy. To answer this question, here are thebest games likeBioShock.
Updated June 29, 2025 by Mark Sammut:Nogames similar to BioShockdropped in recent months. Consequently, each section has been updated to include pros and cons for each title.
Atomic Heartinstantly garnered comparisons toBioShock, and there is no doubt that Mundfish’s title takes inspiration from Irrational Games' classic. Considering this is the developer’s debut project, it is unreasonable to expect them to craft something on the same level as one of the all-time greatest sci-fi games; unsurprisingly,Atomic Heartis notBioShock, but it is still a solid release in its own right. Set in 1955 in an alternate version of the Soviet Union, the game follows P-3, an agent sent to a facility that happens to be overrun with robots. Before long,the protagonist acquires a special glove that grants him access to a slew of abilitiesthat can be upgraded.
Atomic Hearthas its share of issues: the English voice acting and dialogue are not great, the gunplay can be sluggish, and the campaign overstays its welcome. That said, the game also has plenty of positives. Mundfish knocked the visuals out of the park, producing one of the better-looking games on the market. Although the story takes a while to get going, the world itself is interesting from the start. Evil robots are hardly a new concept, butAtomic Heartfills its roster with genuinely creepy enemies that stick in the mind long after they are encountered.
Going by reports,Immortals of Aveumstruggled somewhat to find an audience at launch, and the IP appears destined to be a one-and-done affair. While far from perfect, Ascendant’s game has plenty of positives and is certainly worth a playthrough if someone is craving a first-person shooter with a focus on magic. Even though it is nothing likeBioShock’s environments,Immortals of Aveum’s fantasy setting is gorgeous, detailed, and rich. The visuals make good use of Unreal Engine 5, serving as one of its earliest proper showcases.
Still, the main reasonBioShockfans should check outImmortals of Aveumis its combat, which combines gunplay with magic. Initially quite basic due to the first spells being a bit too similar to standard guns, the gameplay expands beautifully as players unlock new talents (skills), allowing for a wide assortment of options. In some ways, the combat is like a mix ofBioShock’s plasmids and weapons.
Originally released a year afterBioShock,Dead Spacegarnered just as much adulation as 2K’s project. In 2023, EA and Motive Studio remade the game, granting it a fresh coat of paint while also tweaking a few things to incentivize veterans to revisit this survival horror masterpiece. WhileBioShocktakes place deep in the ocean,Dead Spaceis set in the far reaches of space, and both settings are equally as unnerving and lonely as each other.
Dead Spaceis a third-person shooter with weighty combat, horrifying enemies, stunning visuals, and great environmental storytelling. While lackingBioShock’s philosophical musings, this title is a must-play for any horror fans.
If comparing solely gameplay,Spec Ops: The LineandBioShockbarely overlap. The former is a military third-person shooter that does not take all that many risks with its combat, to the point that gunfights can be uninspired and boring. WhileBioShockis not a sandbox,Spec Opsis considerably more linear, granting players almost no room to move away from the beaten path. Basically, if someone is specifically searching for a game that plays like theBioShocktrilogy, they will not find it here.
Narratively, the games are more in line with each other, even if they are still quite different. Both stories are, essentially, psychological thrillers that touch upon the frailty of the human mind.Spec Ops: The Linespecifically focuses on the mental ramifications of war, and the game challenges players to look beyond their role as an outside force and to think about their character’s in-universe actions. Although not as replayable asBioShock, Yager’s title deserves one playthrough.
At a glance, it’s easy to see why most people compared the visuals and atmosphere ofWe Happy FewtoBioShock. The game has come a long way since its buggy launch and is definitely worth a buy with its lower price tag. It’s a shame that the narrative of this title doesn’t get enough recognition, since it’s easily the best part of the overall experience by a country mile.
We Happy Fewtakes place in a utopia that is still seemingly thriving, although the citizens' smiles are fueled by less-than-wholesome means. Focusing on stealth rather than action, this project was perhaps slightly too ambitious for its own good, but its story and world are both memorable.
WhileMass Effectmight not be as atmospheric asBioShock, there’s still a case that can be made for this sci-fi RPG series. With the release of theLegendary Edition, more and more people can now get into this amazing trilogy. The epic story and memorable cast of characters are what made theMass Effecttrilogysuch a beloved piece of gaming history. Commander Shepard is an iconic protagonist and watching him save the universe time and time again never gets old.
Due to being a space opera and a third-person shooter,Mass Effectis very much its own beast compared toBioShock; that said, they both highlight gaming’s singular ability to craft engaging and immersive narratives, even if they focus on different ingredients.
Gameplay-wise,Somadoes not share all that much in common withBioShock, as it is a survival horror game rather than a first-person shooter with some horror elements. However, in terms of settings, they are cut from the same cloth.
Somatakes place in a horrifying underwater research facility that is run by a crew who happen to be the last humans left on Earth. Raising fascinating questions through its strong writing and unsettling atmosphere, this horror title is a must-play for anyone searching forgames similar toBioShock.
A discussion of underappreciated and underrated FPS titles would be incomplete without the mention ofSingularity. This game was positively dripping with a creepy atmosphere and full of amazing time-bending powers but ultimately failed to establish itself in the gaming mainstream.
The game might have its issues, butSingularityis still an easy recommendation for any fan of excellent first-person shooters. Using the Time Manipulation Device to destroy any enemy in Renko’s path never gets old.
The scenery inDOOM Eternalmay be more gruesome than gorgeous, a contrast fromBioShock’s imagery, but the gameplay is equally exhilarating. Using various power-ups and awesome weapons, players can go on a demon-slaying rampage full of satisfying executions.
Like inBioShock, gamers take control of a mighty fighter from a first-person perspective which makes them feel like they are part of the vivid, engaging world. There are nooks and crannies to explore for cool surprises and hot loot, making every second of wandering each level well spent.
IfClose to the Sun’s setting is anything to go by, Storm in a Teacup’s developers probably enjoyed Rapture. Set in the late 19th century, the game is predominantly set in a ship called the Helios, which happens to belong to Nikola Tesla. After receiving a peculiar message from her sister, Rose heads to this massive barge, only to find herself stuck in a bizarre and haunting technological hellscape. Directed by her sibling’s voice, Rose slowly explores the impressive but desolate Helios as she tries to decipher what exactly is going on.
UnlikeBioShock,Close to the Sundoes not have any combat, opting instead to focus on puzzles and information gathering. The latter is handled much in the same vein as Irrational Games' 2007 masterpiece, andClose to the Sun’s lore and story are by far its strongest features.
