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Borderlands

19 Dark games like Borderlands that you should try

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We filtered the 42 games similar to Borderlands down to the 19 that fit the “Dark” category. Outriders, Borderlands 3 and Shadow Warrior 2 top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Borderlands.

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GenreRPGSubgenreLooter Shooter
Tags
DarkSoloMultiplayer
Year 2009Dev Gearbox Software

Quick answer

Within the “Dark” category, the closest game to Borderlands is Outriders — scoring 94/100 on our similarity scale. Borderlands 3 and Shadow Warrior 2 follow close behind.

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The best dark games like Borderlands

19 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Borderlands. Each one has been evaluated across 19 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

Outriders
RPGLooter Shooter
Co-opSoloMultiplayerOnlineMeleeDarkOpen WorldSci-FiPost-ApocalypticLootExplorationSkill Tree
Steam👍 67%· 61KIGDB78· 12OC73· 147
Year 2021Dev People Can Fly · Square EnixOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Fits the looter shooters cluster, with deep RPG systems, shooter and first-person shooting

≠ Its own twist: third-person shooting and visual third person, while skipping action RPG combat

Borderlands 3
RPGLooter Shooter
SoloCo-opMultiplayerOnlineMeleeDarkOpen WorldSci-FiLootExplorationFirst Person
Steam👍 81%· 163KRAWG👍 75%· 976MC83OC81· 143
Year 2019Dev 2K · 2K GamesPlaytime ~11hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are looter shooters — sharing deep RPG systems, first-person shooting and shooter

≠ Where it differs: brings strong narrative focus and ranged combat, while skipping action RPG combat

Shadow Warrior 2
RPGLooter Shooter
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeDarkOpen WorldSci-FiLootExplorationSkill TreeFirst Person
Steam👍 87%· 28KRAWG👍 61%· 608MC78IGDB78· 17OC77· 80
Year 2016Dev Devolver DigitalPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of looter shooters: deep RPG systems, first-person shooting and shooter

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, procedural generation and ranged combat, while skipping post-apocalyptic world

The Ascent
RPGAction RPGIsometric ARPG
Co-opMultiplayerSoloOfflineMeleeDarkOpen WorldSci-FiExplorationSkill Tree
Steam👍 74%· 24KIGDB71· 9OC73· 116
Year 2021Dev Neon Giant · Curve DigitalOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ If you enjoyed Borderlands, expect deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and shooter

≠ Stands apart with setting cyberpunk, visual topdown and visual isometric, while skipping post-apocalyptic world

Dead Island 2
RPGAction RPGFirst-Person ARPG
Co-opSoloMultiplayerMeleeDarkOpen WorldPost-ApocalypticExplorationSkill TreeFirst Person
Steam👍 77%· 26KIGDB74· 6OC75· 159
Year 2023Dev Deep Silver Dambuster Studios · Deep SilverOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Like Borderlands, it's known for deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, survival mechanics and horror setting, while skipping setting scifi

Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse
RPGAction RPGThird-Person ARPG
SoloCo-opMultiplayerOfflineMeleeDarkSci-Fi
Steam👍 87%· 2.5KIGDB63· 4OC57· 23
Year 2005Dev Wideload Games · Aspyr MediaOn PS4 · PC · Mac

✓ If you enjoyed Borderlands, expect deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: horror setting, visual third person and visual 3d, while skipping shooter

State of Decay 2
RPGAction RPGThird-Person ARPG
SoloMultiplayerCo-opOnlineMeleeDarkOpen WorldPost-ApocalypticExploration
Steam👍 83%· 68KIGDB67· 12OC69· 130
Year 2018Dev Undead Labs · Microsoft StudiosOn PC · Xbox

✓ Like Borderlands, it's known for deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with survival mechanics, deep simulation and sandbox freedom, while skipping shooter

Grim Dawn
RPGAction RPGIsometric ARPG
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeDarkOpen WorldPost-ApocalypticExplorationSkill TreeLoot
Steam👍 94%· 105KRAWG👍 80%· 579MC83IGDB82· 4OC82· 23
Year 2016Dev Crate EntertainmentPlaytime ~8hOn PC · Xbox

✓ Shared with Borderlands: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with fantasy world, horror setting and crafting mechanics, while skipping shooter

How to Survive
RPGAction RPGIsometric ARPG
SoloMultiplayerCo-opOfflineOnlineMeleeDarkOpen WorldPost-ApocalypticLootSkill TreeExploration
Steam👍 83%· 17KIGDB87· 2
Year 2013Dev EKO Software · 505 GamesOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Like Borderlands, it's known for deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with survival mechanics, horror tension and combat tactical, while skipping shooter

Dead Rising 3
RPGAction RPGIsometric ARPG
SoloMultiplayerCo-opOnlineMeleeDarkOpen WorldPost-ApocalypticExplorationLootSkill TreeFirst Person
Steam👍 77%· 20KIGDB76· 16OC78· 66
Year 2013Dev Capcom Game Studio Vancouver, Inc. · Microsoft StudiosOn PC · Xbox

✓ Like Borderlands, it's known for deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Its own twist: survival mechanics, sandbox freedom and horror tension, while skipping shooter

Killing Floor 2
RPGAction RPGFirst-Person ARPG
MultiplayerCo-opOnlineSoloMeleeDarkPost-ApocalypticSci-FiSkill TreeFirst Person
Steam👍 88%· 129KIGDB81· 13OC78· 62
Year 2016Dev Tripwire Interactive · Iceberg InteractiveOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Shared with Borderlands: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and shooter

≠ Stands apart with survival mechanics, horror tension and strong narrative focus, while skipping adventure storytelling

Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide
RPGAction RPGFirst-Person ARPG
Co-opOnlineSoloMultiplayerMeleeDarkPost-ApocalypticLootSkill TreeFirst Person
Steam👍 80%· 21KIGDB80· 8OC77· 45
Year 2015Dev FatsharkOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Like Borderlands, it's known for deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and shooter

≠ Stands apart with survival mechanics, horror tension and strong narrative focus, while skipping open world exploration

Darksiders Genesis
RPGAction RPGIsometric ARPG
SoloMultiplayerCo-opOfflineMeleeDarkExplorationLoot
Steam👍 82%· 13KIGDB75· 11OC78· 142
Year 2019Dev Airship Syndicate · THQ NordicOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Like Borderlands, it's known for deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings fantasy world, visual isometric and visual third person, while skipping open world exploration

Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition
RPGAction RPGFirst-Person ARPG
Co-opMultiplayerSoloMeleeDarkOpen WorldPost-ApocalypticExplorationFirst Person
Steam👍 79%· 213KRAWG👍 65%· 444MC77IGDB77· 11OC76· 184
Year 2022Dev Techland · Techland PublishingPlaytime ~23hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Shared with Borderlands: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with survival mechanics, horror tension and strong narrative focus, while skipping shooter

Path of Exile
RPGAction RPGIsometric ARPG
SoloMultiplayerCo-opOnlineMeleeDarkLootExplorationSkill Tree
Steam👍 89%· 247KRAWG👍 66%· 1.6KMC86IGDB78· 4
Year 2013Dev Grinding Gear GamesPlaytime ~6hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ If you enjoyed Borderlands, expect deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: MMO world and community, horror tension and fantasy world, while skipping shooter

Complete list of dark games like Borderlands

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Borderlands, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

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