Well, hello, looter shooter fans! Have you been itching to play other similar games like Destiny? We’re in the same boat. Luckily, we’ve scoured the interweb to find suitable alternatives to give us a Destiny-like experience but with originality that it stands on its own.
The way we see it, Destiny is a relatively new game and there are plenty of other ones that have a similar vibe. We’ve narrowed down our choices to four games that best mirror the Destiny experience.
But before we dive into the list, we’ll break down exactly what people like about Destiny.
What Is Destiny All About?
Destiny is the undisputed champion of the GaaS (Games as a Service) model. While other developers hesitated to launch with the GassS approach and were questioning its merits, Bungie (of Halo fame) went all in. The result was successful, and Destiny took over the gaming landscape.
Destiny has fast-paced shooting with tactical positioning, creating a fun and dynamic way to play. Enemies come in vast numbers to overwhelm players, and they must keep moving while killing as many as possible. The game’s graphics comprise a brilliantly colorful aesthetic with dark shades that reflect the sombreness of the story. The gorgeous visuals create a mystical vibe mixed with science fiction.
The character classes in Destiny have great variety and enough uniqueness that they feel distinct from each other. The skill trees allow further upgrades, giving the attacks that extra oomph~ which is always satisfying. The sub-classes offer additional customization options for players to tweak their play style.
Destiny’s story is massive; the plot moves forward with players completing missions to repel the invasions of hostile races over the earth. The complicated nature of the narrative, plus the post-launch story content, makes for a gripping cinematic experience.
Destiny is best when played with friends, as enemies and raids can feel overwhelming. There are shops and vending machines for different types of firearms that can also have upgrades.
Other Games Like Destiny?
So now that we know what kind of a game Destiny is let’s look at other similar titles. The criteria we’re using are that the games must have an excellent level of design, fantastic stories, and fun gameplay. The games must connect with the audiences and generate discussions on forums about lore and game mechanics like Destiny.
Let’s begin!
4. Sea Of Thieves
Kicking things off on a bundle of positivity, we have Sea of Thieves, the game made for jolly cooperation. The game is played from a first-person perspective and features many customization options. Players can fully explore the large open-world map at their own pace, whether on land or the sea, through a ship or boat.
Sea Of Thieves allows players to take on various missions, including fetch quests, treasure raids, or bounty hunting a creature. Completing the quests rewards players with in-game currency and experience points for leveling up. There are many unpredictable and surprising things to discover that also tie into story-related missions.
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The combat in Sea Of Thieves is gratifying, with plenty of options. The curved swords, gun-powder pistols, powerful shotguns, and sniper rifles make up the weapons. The players go on missions as a party and can attack other parties, which is especially effective in fetch quests. The players carrying the treasure cannot defend themselves and must rely on their teammates for help.
If players die, they respawn after a certain amount of time is spent on an incredible ghost ship called Ferry of the damned.
How Is Sea Of Thieves Similar To Games Like Destiny?
Destiny is much grander in scope than Sea Of Thieves, but the two titles have many similarities, for discovering them, you have to look at things objectively.
Destiny has numerous creatures that are physically stronger and gigantic. Players must work together to slay them in story-related missions. In Sea Of Thieves, there are random chances of your ship getting attacked by giant sharks or the Kraken, a visually impressive. Players must cooperate to prevent their ship from sinking by plugging leaks and attacking the creature enough times that it retreats.
Another common element in both titles is that they do not restrict players from going off independently. Players can freely explore every nook and cranny of the world map without any invisible walls stopping them. The two titles also have lots of exotic scenery, which is eye-catching and a visual treat. The first-person view in both games helps take in the beauty of the environment.
With such common points between the two games, it’s unsurprising that Sea Of Thieves is similar to Destiny.
3. Monster Hunter: Rise
Capcom’s recent track record in making Monster Hunter games is stellar. However, with Monster Hunter: Rise, Capcom has outdone itself by eclipsing all previous mainline entries. The game captivates players with its fascinating premise and highly addictive and innovative gameplay. The main new component of Monster Hunter: Rise is the vertical traversal that’s heavily emphasized.
Players receive a wirebug, a magical grappling hook-type tool used to scale enemies, swing across from point to point, and reach high locations. Also, there are battle mounts that players can ride on and have them fight alongside when hunting gargantuan monsters. The weapon attacks are diverse; the powerful ones usually take longer to swing and connect, while the faster ones are good for peppering the beast and then retreating to safety.
The plot’s mystery about the Rampage event is initially under wraps which happens every 50 years and is imminent. Our character joins other NPC hunters in honing our hunting skills while uncovering the origins of the rage that fills up the creatures. The reveals are incredibly mind-blowing and give the story depth and emotional impact.
The game’s map is seamless, and players don’t have to wait for loading screens; they can enter any region anytime. The gameplay involves damaging the towering creatures by repeatedly hitting their weak spots until they are caught or subdued. Players receive loot from monsters, including rare materials for forging armor and weapons.
How Is Monster Hunter: Rise Similar To Games Like Destiny?
Comparing Monster Hunter: Rise to Destiny is a no-brainer because there are a ton of ways that they’re similar to each other. Right off the bat, the two games, while having the option of playing solo, are multiplayer-focused. The two games are way more fun when playing with friends, and the burden of slaying powerful bosses is made more manageable.
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Another way that the two titles are comparable is that they offer plenty of end-game content and loot that fans will enjoy. The armors and weapons received from slain monsters’ hide and other rare materials add wild attack patterns and additional skills in Monster Hunter. Whereas in Destiny, players have a plethora of rewards that are used for upgrading weapons and equipment. There are rare and unique items, including legendary sets for completing daily tasks or participating in events.
The stories in both games have high stakes, where the fate of humanity hangs in the balance. Surprising twists are awaiting players in the narratives of both titles that complicate things and deliver a satisfying conclusion.
With so many similarities that we’ve pointed out, it’s easy to see why Monster hunter Rise is similar to games like Destiny.
2. Halo 5: Guardians
Halo 5: Guardians needs no introduction, just like Halo as a series doesn’t require us to tell you about it. Still, if someone’s unfamiliar with Halo, all you need to know is that Halo is the blueprint for Destiny.
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As for Halo 5: Guardians, the franchise’s fifth entry, it is a well-regarded and excellent game. Players experience things from a different perspective; the new protagonist goes after the fan-favorite Master Chief for betraying orders and (seemingly) going rogue. The co-op and shooting are at their finest, and the graphics are breathtaking.
The interplanetary travel, political conflicts of the various factions, and the central plot in the midst of it all make for a compelling narrative. The animations are smooth, and the framerate remains at 60 fps which is an astounding feat, considering many games still struggle despite the advancement in modern consoles.
Halo 5: Guardians has tons of weapons for players, and the competitive aspect has excellent polish. The squad-based games are Microsoft’s forte, and Halo 5: Guardians proves it, bringing intense shooting action and traversal. New players might feel lost, but the story still makes sense without previous knowledge of Halo.
How Is Halo 5: Guardians Similar To Games Like Destiny?
In terms of comparisons between Halo 5: Guardians and Destiny, you can’t ignore the obvious one. The gameplay style and fast-paced shooting with skills and upgrades are ideas that are heavily influencing Destiny. The creators of Halo are the same ones that have worked on Destiny, so everything makes sense. The games share an incredible open world for players to get lost in; the exploration aspect is worth your time to fully appreciate the game developer’s effort.
Another cool thing about both titles is that they feature sci-fi settings where humanity, though advanced, isn’t exactly thriving. The alien races and many hostile rebel groups are working against the galactic order, and humanity requires a champion to fight on their behalf. The political intrigue in the stories of both games also has a heavy presence, and it stirs the players along in a universe-spanning adventure.
Both titles feature NPCs that provide context and essential information while playing a central role in the narrative. The games have excellent multiplayer components that allow players to engage in some of the most thrilling competitive sessions ever. Both series’ level and sound designs are top-tier and will have you humming their themes as you play the games.
One more commonality between the two series is that they use different classifications of gear and loot systems. The end-game items are exceptionally fantastic and worth investing time in to attain, plus the armor sets look really cool. The two series share many other common elements, proving that Halo 5: Guardians is similar to games like Destiny.
1. Borderlands 2 (Handsome Jack Collection)
Okay! Finally, we’re at the top spot on our list of games like Destiny, and the honor belongs to Borderlands 2. The Handsome Jack collection contains the best version of the game with significantly enhancement of the visuals. Given the comic-book art style and aesthetic, the graphics might not be for everyone, but we love it a lot.
The gameplay of Borderlands 2 is where the appeal of the series is, and you’ll quickly find yourself unable to stop playing. The powers of each character, especially when you consider the DLC characters Krieg and Gage, are such a blast to use in combat. The enemies are much more relentless than in the first Borderlands game, and players must constanly move to survive. The guns also are much more diverse, giving players more choice.
The loot in Borderlands 2 is randomized, at least in the initial playthrough, which is fine because the real fun starts the second time. More powerful versions of the weapons and shields become available to players and enemies become more tougher to balance things. The over-the-top zany and quirky names, puns, and humor is in each boss-fight.
Players learn the plot through dialogue and additional notes that are obtainable in side-quests. Each character plays out differently, the main cast is a charming bunch that gets players invested in playing as them.
How Is Borderlands 2 (Handsome Jack Collection) Similar To Games Like Destiny?
If you’re a fan of first-person shooter games, chances are you’ve played Destiny and you’ve also played Borderlands. If you haven’t, then you should correct that grave error immediately. Anyway, the two games are highly identical, and the gaming forums chatter often calls Destiny as Borderlands in space. While we don’t agree with the sentiment, but we can also see why people say that.
The two games feature enough gun variety to keep players experimenting with different weapons to find the best one for thier playstyle. The elemental weapons in both games are our favorites because let’s face it, shooting isn’t enough. Setting enemies abalaze, or watching them melt with acidic rounds while filling them with lead is a wholly satisfying feeling. Explosion ammo pack an extra punch with each shot and is great for clearing the field when enemies surround the players.
Both titles have skills and upgrade paths with leveling systems and encourage grinding. Grinding doesn’t mean it’s tedious; on the contrary, playing the games feels fun and refreshing. The co-op in both titles is enjoyable, where players can engage in one-on-one duels or fight side by side. Also, both games have very likable side characters who have unique personalities, plus the antagonists are very intriguing, whose motivations are morally grey.
Both games have awesome themes, especially Borderlands with its use of iconic songs in the intros of all its entries. Destiny is more of a mature game, while Borderlands uses humor and absurdness, but both are equally compelling. The comparisons are numerous, and therefore it’s a certainty that Borderlands 2 is similar to games like Destiny. If you like one you’ll love the other.
Final Thoughts
Wow, that took much longer than we thought, but we’re finally finished! The 4 of the greatest games, like Destiny, are now officially listed for you to check out. Do you agree with our choices? Or do you feel like we’ve left out your favorites? Let us know in the comments below, and share your picks about similar games.
If you want to see another similar list of games, check out 5 Best Sci-fi /Space RPG Alternatives If You Like Mass Effect.
