The Best Games To Play If You Like BioShock

Key Takeaways

• Atomic Heart takes inspiration from BioShock, offering a solid gaming experience with unique abilities & eerie enemies.
• Dead Space Remake provides tense combat in a space setting, offering a different yet equally unnerving atmosphere as BioShock.
• Spec Ops: The Line offers a psychological thriller story focusing on the mental ramifications of war, similar to BioShock’s narrative.

When one talks about some of the greatest gaming franchises ever made, then it goes without saying that BioShock would be an inevitable part of the conversation. The first BioShock was an insanely entertaining romp through one of the most interesting video game cities in the form of Rapture, and BioShock 2 was pretty much more of the same with a fresh coat of paint — which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. The release of BioShock: Infinite cemented the series as an all-time great gaming trilogy.

Watching the story of BioShock evolve 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 the best games like BioShock.

Updated October 19, 2024 by Mark Sammut: No g ames similar to BioShock dropped in recent months. Consequently, each section has been updated to include pros and cons for each title.

Atomic Heart

Directly Inspired By BioShock

Atomic Heart instantly garnered comparisons to BioShock, 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 Heart is not BioShock, 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 abilities that can be upgraded.

Atomic Heart has 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, but Atomic Heart fills its roster with genuinely creepy enemies that stick in the mind long after they are encountered.

Immortals Of Aveum

Magical Gunfire

Going by reports, Immortals of Aveum struggled 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 like BioShock‘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 reason BioShock fans should check out Immortals of Aveum is 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 of BioShock‘s plasmids and weapons.

Dead Space Remake

Tense Atmosphere & Combat

Originally released a year after BioShock, Dead Space garnered 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. While BioShock takes place deep in the ocean, Dead Space is set in the far reaches of space, and both settings are equally as unnerving and lonely as each other.

Dead Space is a third-person shooter with weighty combat, horrifying enemies, stunning visuals, and great environmental storytelling. While lacking BioShock‘s philosophical musings, this title is a must-play for any horror fans.

Spec Ops: The Line

Into The Heart Of Darkness

If comparing solely gameplay, Spec Ops: The Line and BioShock barely 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. While BioShock is not a sandbox, Spec Ops is 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 the BioShock trilogy, 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 Line specifically 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 as BioShock, Yager’s title deserves one playthrough.

We Happy Few

A Utopia On The Brink Of Turning Rotten

At a glance, it’s easy to see why most people compared the visuals and atmosphere of We Happy Few to BioShock. 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 Few takes 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.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition

A Sci-Fi Epic

While Mass Effect might not be as atmospheric as BioShock, there’s still a case that can be made for this sci-fi RPG series. With the release of the Legendary Edition, more and more people can now get into this amazing trilogy. The epic story and memorable cast of characters are what made the Mass Effect trilogy such 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 Effect is very much its own beast compared to BioShock; that said, they both highlight gaming’s singular ability to craft engaging and immersive narratives, even if they focus on different ingredients.

Soma

An Underwater Nightmare

Gameplay-wise, Soma does not share all that much in common with BioShock, 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.

Soma takes 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 for games similar to BioShock.

Singularity

Time-Manipulation Fun

A discussion of underappreciated and underrated FPS titles would be incomplete without the mention of Singularity. 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, but Singularity is 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.

DOOM Eternal

Relentless First-Person Action

The scenery in DOOM Eternal may be more gruesome than gorgeous, a contrast from BioShock‘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 in BioShock, 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.

Close To The Sun

Helios, The New Rapture

If Close 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.

Unlike BioShock, Close to the Sun does 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, and Close to the Sun‘s lore and story are by far its strongest features.

Lies Of P

A Soulslike Journey Through A Decrepit Paradise

Soulslikes play nothing like BioShock, and Lies of P is no exception. However, the genre loves to use settings that are not far removed from Rapture. FromSoftware’s masterpieces are often set in once-prosperous kingdoms that have fallen into ruin, leaving nothing more than horrifying shells that used to represent beauty and strength. While lore-rich, Dark Souls and its kin tend not to promote their backstories all that heavily, leaving it up to the player to decipher what transpired if they wish.

While taking plenty of inspiration from FromSoftware’s games, particularly Bloodborne, Lies of P pushes its story more to the forefront, all the while still not bogging itself down in unnecessary cutscenes. More importantly, the main setting, Krat, is a Gothic work of horrifying art. The city used to represent the pinnacle of humanity’s technological advancement, but that hubris eventually birthed a hellscape.

Deus Ex

The Definitive Immersive Sim

Deus Ex is considered by many to be a revolutionary game and patient zero for immersive sims. That’s not to say it was the first to explore the genre’s potential, but rather that the cyberpunk game actualized them in a way that could serve as a blueprint for future releases. An argument could also be made that, even after all these years, Deux Ex is still the best immersive sim of all time.

Any person who loves the atmospheric storytelling of BioShock will definitely find a ton of things to like about Deus Ex. The latter also emphasizes player freedom, consequences, customization, and exploration.

System Shock 2

Before BioShock, There Was System Shock

Speaking of revolutionary immersive sims, it would be impossible to not talk about System Shock 2 when discussing BioShock. While it might mostly be known for its infamous AI antagonist, this influential sci-fi game has way more to offer than just SHODAN.

System Shock 2‘s influential gameplay, brilliant level design, and oppressive atmosphere should make BioShock players feel right at home. Do not be put off by its age as, all things considered, this classic has aged pretty well, provided someone does not go in expecting a modern FPS experience.

System Shock (2023)

Modernized For A New Era

1994’s System Shock is undoubtedly one of the most important games of the ’90s, and it set the stage for not only its superior sequel but also Deux Ex and, yes, BioShock. Although still playable to an extent, the original game struggles to hide its age, making it difficult to recommend to new players beyond its historical value. Thankfully, in 2023, Nightdive Studios released a remake that brought this masterpiece into the modern era, all the while retaining its timeless charm and depth.

Visually, System Shock combines the old with the new to create something that works as both rather than neither. The gameplay has received a significant overhaul as well, something that needed to happen as the series never had particularly great gunplay.

A Stealth Masterpiece

The Thief series is considered a must-play by pretty much anyone who’s into the immersive sim genre. Throwing players in the middle of a mysterious world in Garrett’s shoes, players are tasked with weaving around houses anonymously in order to steal as much treasure as possible.

The first game is a pretty decent title in its own right, but it’s Thief 2: The Metal Age where the series truly comes into its own. While the last game in the series might’ve bombed quite badly, there’s no reason to think that the franchise is completely obsolete — Garrett can always make a comeback.

Wolfenstein: The New Order

Another Alternate Reality

The Wolfenstein series was going through a bit of a slump after its heyday, with new and modern titles in the series enjoying muted fanfare at best. However, all of this changed with the advent of Wolfenstein: The New Order.

The return of B.J. Blazkowicz was widely celebrated as a return to form by many fans, with the story being a surprising yet welcome highlight of this title. Of course, the combat had to be good for this title to be classified as a true Wolfenstein… and, thankfully, its excellent gunplay and high-octane firefights made for an incredible experience that set the stage for the new era of Wolfenstein.

Narratively, Wolfenstein is more pulp fiction than philosophical deep dives, and the games do not take themselves too seriously. However, the actual writing is pretty good in both The New Order and its sequel, The New Colossus​​​​​​.

Vampire: the Masquerade — Bloodlines

Impeccable Storytelling

Speaking of underrated gems, Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines is an obvious mention when talking about action RPGs similar to BioShock. The game is truly one-of-a-kind and even some gameplay jank won’t be enough to harm what is objectively a great title… up until the very end when the studio ran out of time and money.

Regardless, Bloodlines is still fantastic, and there’s a reason why fans are so hyped for the upcoming sequel. Featuring some of the most immersive world-building in the RPG genre, the game gives players plenty of freedom to craft their own paths, which puts it at odds with BioShock‘s linear campaign.

Metroid Prime Remastered

All-Round Masterpiece

Metroid Prime is an easy recommendation in most situations, but the original GameCube masterpiece can feel a bit off if someone did not grow up with it (at least, initially). Fortunately, newcomers can just pick up the remastered version of the Switch, which tweaks the controls to accommodate modern sensibilities. This change turns the game into a more straightforward shooter, albeit one that still comes packed to the brim with fantastic puzzles, platforming, exploration, and boss fights. Metroid Prime Remastered is nearly flawless, which puts it right alongside BioShock.

Both games drop players in (mostly) desolate worlds that have seen far better days, and Talon IV is just as haunting and well-designed as Rapture. While perhaps lacking BioShock‘s philosophical element, Metroid Prime still crafts a tense and horror-leaning atmosphere, one elevated by environmental storytelling and a constant sense of danger.

Prey

Horror Metroidvania

Quite a few Arkane games are easy recommendations for BioShock fans. While Dishonored might be the studio’s most popular license, Prey is arguably the stronger pick for this discussion, and that largely comes down to Talos I. After an intro, Morgan Yu wakes up at a research station that has seen better days. Overrun by alien entities that are anything but friendly, the ravaged Talos I has become a monument to humanity’s ingenuity, greed, and vulnerability. Players have to explore this fairly big station, uncovering its secrets along the way.

Prey‘s setting is reminiscent of Rapture, even if its sci-fi aesthetic provides a fairly different feel. The games also have somewhat similar first-person combat, especially once Prey gives players a few powers to mess with.