Top Borderlands Alternatives for Sci-Fi Shooter Fans
Borderlands has carved out a unique niche in the gaming world with its distinctive cel-shaded graphics, first-person shooter action, and deep RPG elements. Players love selecting a unique character, diving into missions, and customizing their skill trees to tackle hordes of foes. But even the most beloved games can leave players wanting more, or perhaps a slightly different flavor of mayhem. If you've exhausted Pandora's secrets or are simply looking for a new adventure that scratches a similar itch, you're in the right place. Discover the best Borderlands alternative options available.
Best Borderlands Alternatives
Whether you're after intense FPS action, deep character progression, or cooperative multiplayer, these games offer fantastic experiences that echo the spirit of Borderlands while bringing their own unique twists.
Doom
Doom is a legendary science fiction horror-themed first-person shooter that puts you in the boots of the iconic "Doomguy." While lacking the RPG elements of Borderlands, Doom delivers unparalleled fast-paced, visceral combat and a strong sci-fi atmosphere. It's available on Commercial platforms like Windows, Steam, Nintendo Switch Online, Xbox, and Stadia, offering a pure FPS experience with both single-player and multiplayer modes, making it a compelling Borderlands alternative for pure shooting fans.
Zandronum
Zandronum is a free and open-source multiplayer-oriented port for classic Doom and Doom II. It brings the beloved retro shooter into the modern era, focusing heavily on online gaming and multiplayer action. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, Zandronum is an excellent Borderlands alternative for those who love the core FPS mechanics but are looking for a community-driven, customizable, and free-to-play experience with a strong emphasis on multiplayer shooting.
Dead Space
Dead Space offers a survival horror third-person shooter experience where you control Isaac Clarke, navigating terrifying environments. While it shifts to a third-person perspective and emphasizes horror over RPG elements, its intense combat and sci-fi setting provide a different but equally engaging experience. It's a Commercial title available on Windows, Linux, and via Wine, perfect for players seeking a more atmospheric and suspenseful Borderlands alternative.
Destiny 2
Destiny 2 is a strong contender as a Borderlands alternative, offering a cinematic story campaign, cooperative gameplay, and intense competitive multiplayer within a sci-fi open world. As a freemium title available on Windows, Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Stadia, it shares Borderlands' loot-driven progression, first-person shooter mechanics, and the ability to customize player-made loadouts, making it a natural fit for fans of the genre.
Bulletstorm
Bulletstorm focuses on over-the-top combat, blending firearms and unique melee attacks with a strong emphasis on creative kills. This Commercial title for Windows shares Borderlands' vibrant sci-fi setting and first-person shooter gameplay. While it prioritizes skillshots and environmental kills over RPG elements, its fun, chaotic multiplayer and single-player modes make it a high-octane Borderlands alternative for those who love explosive gunplay.
Crossout
Crossout is a massively-multiplayer game centered around mechanic combat in a post-apocalyptic world. Players craft custom battle machines from interchangeable parts, offering a unique blend of building and first-person shooter combat. As a freemium game on Windows, Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox, Crossout provides a different kind of post-apocalyptic mayhem, appealing to Borderlands fans who enjoy customization and massive multiplayer engagements.
Clive Barker's Undying
Clive Barker's Undying is a Commercial first-person shooter available on Mac and Windows, delving into a horror-infused narrative. While its setting and tone differ significantly from Borderlands' sci-fi antics, it offers a rich single-player experience with a strong story and challenging combat. Fans looking for a more narrative-driven FPS with a dark fantasy twist might find this a compelling Borderlands alternative.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon
The Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon series offers military tactical shooters with a focus on realism and squad-based combat. Available commercially on Mac and Windows, it provides a different flavor of first-person shooter with strong multiplayer and single-player options. While lacking the RPG elements and cel-shaded style of Borderlands, its tactical depth and cooperative focus make it a great Borderlands alternative for those seeking a more grounded, strategic FPS experience.
Clive Barker's Jericho
Clive Barker's Jericho is a Commercial first-person shooter for Windows that puts players in control of a unique seven-man team, allowing you to jump between characters with distinct abilities. This offers a different take on squad-based combat, combining intense shooting with supernatural gore. While distinct from Borderlands' loot-driven mechanics, its focus on diverse character skills and single-player action makes it an interesting Borderlands alternative for those seeking a more horror-infused, narrative-driven FPS.
The Darkness II
The Darkness II is an intense Commercial first-person shooter available on Mac and Windows, putting players in the role of Jackie Estacado, wielding an ancient force of chaos. With its unique dual-wielding and demon arms mechanics, it offers highly satisfying, gore-filled combat. While its setting is urban fantasy rather than sci-fi, its blend of robust single-player and multiplayer FPS action makes it a compelling Borderlands alternative for players who enjoy unique abilities and a strong narrative.
With such a diverse array of first-person shooters, sci-fi adventures, and action-RPGs, you're sure to find a fantastic Borderlands alternative that fits your gaming preferences. Explore these titles and dive into your next great adventure!