It’s the biggest Xbox exclusive for a decade but if you’ve only got a PS5 what are the Starfield alternatives?
Despite some loud complaints and the occasional petition, Starfield is never going to arrive on PlayStation 5. Not unless Microsoft decides it feels like sharing, which is doubtful considering Starfield was one of the main reasons it bought Bethesda to begin with.
The only option for PlayStation 5 owners (that doesn’t involve buying an Xbox or gaming PC) is to fall back on similar space-faring video games; some of which are inarguably better games – even if they’re not exactly the same thing.
Below, we’ve put together a list of 10 Starfield alternatives that share at least one gameplay element with Bethesda’s newest project, from simulated space combat to deep role-playing.
Not all of them have native PS5 versions but, thanks to the console’s backwards compatibility, PlayStation 4 games can be played on the newer console.
Elite Dangerous
The grandaddy of all space simulators, Elite Dangerous is the modern day ancestor of the original space trading simulator from the 1980s. Like Starfield, its opening hours are a slog and some may be put off by its overly serious tone, but after almost a decade of support you’ll never run out of things to do.
Mass Effect
The Mass Effect trilogy really isn’t that dissimilar to Starfield, with some elements and locations even being suspiciously similar. It’s a sci-fi role-playing shooter hybrid with a large cast of companions that you bond with over the course of the story. The biggest difference is that Mass Effect has intelligent aliens to talk to (and kiss, if that floats your boat).
The Outer Worlds
Obsidian’s busy with its not-Skyrim game Avowed at the moment, but it kind of already did a not-Starfield game four years ago with The Outer Worlds. Technically, it has more in common with Fallout (Obsidian also made New Vegas), but you can’t go wrong with another sci-fi role-player, especially given its wining sense of humour.
Fallout 4
Speaking of Fallout, we’d be remiss to not mention at least one of Bethesda’s game from its pre-Microsoft days. There’s always Skyrim but if you’re not much of a fantasy fan, Fallout 4’s superbly detailed post-apocalyptic world and excellent upgrade system should more than make up for missing out on Starfield. Although it may be worth waiting for that next gen upgrade that’s meant to be happening.
No Man’s Sky
We are not the first to compare Starfield to No Man’s Sky and we certainly won’t be the last. It may have had a rocky launch, but years of post-launch support have turned it into one of the best space sims out there. Plus, unlike Starfield, this game lets you manually land your spaceship on planets, something it was able to pull off starting back in 2016.
Guardians Of The Galaxy
We’ll take any opportunity to push what is possibly 2021’s most underrated game. It may at first seem like just another quippy Marvel action game, but Guardians Of The Galaxy boasts some fun tactical combat, an incredible looking cosmic setting, a fantastic 80s soundtrack, and some surprisingly nuanced story and character writing.
Everspace 2
This one wisely launched a month ahead of Starfield, but it stands on its own despite obvious comparisons. More a looter shooter with role-playing elements, Everspace 2 boasts some great space combat and in-depth crafting systems. Although you are bound to your ship’s cockpit the entire time, so there’s no on-foot exploration.
Star Wars Squadrons
Of course we were going to include a Star Wars game on this list. Rather than either of Respawn’s Jedi games, though, we recommend Star Wars Squadrons, specifically for fans of space combat. The plot is okay (and seems like it might be referenced in the Ahsoka series) but it’s the action, inspired by the 90s X-Wing and TIE Fighter games, which is second to none, and way ahead of any other game on this list.
Outer Wilds
No, we didn’t list The Outer Worlds twice. Outer Wilds is a more solitary adventure that trades shooting and space travel for temporal puzzle solving and exploration. Whereas Starfield’s multiple planets can be incredibly sparse, Outer Wilds’ single location is incredibly layered and interesting to explore, as you unravel its time-bending mysteries.
Destiny 2
Destiny 2 has more in common with MMOs than single-player adventures like Starfield, but its first person combat is still the best in the business and miles ahead of Starfield. The core gameplay loop is very moreish and you’re never short on things to do and planets to explore. Plus, it’s free-to-play so there’s no harm in testing it out before committing hundreds of hours to it.
