Horizon Zero Dawn

24 Games with a sci-fi setting like Horizon Zero Dawn that you should try

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Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentUpdated May 19, 2026How this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

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We filtered the 50 games similar to Horizon Zero Dawn down to the 24 that fit the “Sci-Fi” category. Death Stranding, NieR and Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Horizon Zero Dawn.

iRank87/ 100

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GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

Tags

NarrativeSolo

Year 2017Dev Guerrilla Games

Stores

Steam ↗GOG ↗Epic ↗PS ↗

Quick answer

Within the “Sci-Fi” category, the closest game to Horizon Zero Dawn is Death Stranding — scoring 90/100 on our similarity scale. NieR and Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls follow close behind.

#1Death Stranding90 #2NieR88 #3Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls88 #4Prototype80 #5UOS Prototype80

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The best games with a sci-fi setting like Horizon Zero Dawn

24 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Horizon Zero Dawn. Each one has been evaluated across 14 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.

#1Death StrandingClosest on genre

90

Death Stranding

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloStealthMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldPost-ApocalypticSci-FiExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 93%· 79KIGDB84· 17OC83· 203

Year 2019Dev Kojima Productions · Sony Interactive EntertainmentOn PS4 · PC

✓ Same family of third-person Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and shooter

≠ Where it differs: brings survival mechanics, horror tension and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping action RPG combat

Genre100Combat100Game mode100World100Progression100Visuals100

#2NieRClosest on tone

88

NieR

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldSci-FiPost-ApocalypticExplorationThird Person

IGDB69· 4

Year 2010Dev Cavia · Square EnixOn Xbox · PlayStation 3

✓ Same family of third-person Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, shooter and third-person shooting

≠ Its own twist: deep simulation, historical setting and visual 2d, while skipping action RPG combat

Genre100Game mode100Tone100World100Progression100Setting85

#3Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

88

Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeSci-FiPost-ApocalypticThird Person

Steam👍 82%· 7.3KIGDB74· 9OC73· 56

Year 2015Dev Spike ChunsoftOn PS4 · PC

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and shooter

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, survival mechanics and visual novel storytelling, while skipping open world exploration

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Combat78Tone62Setting61

80

Prototype

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeStealthNarrativeOpen WorldPost-ApocalypticSci-FiExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 80%· 14KRAWG👍 72%· 1.1KMC79IGDB78· 8

Year 2009Dev Activision · Activision BlizzardPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming, sandbox freedom and survival mechanics, while skipping shooter

New York, Manhattan Peninsula (very detailed), our days. The townspeople are struck by a mutation that turns people into bloodthirsty monsters. The protagonist of the game is a seemingly unremarkable young man named Alex Mercer.

It predates Horizon Zero Dawn by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals100Setting77World70

#5UOS Prototype

80

UOS Prototype

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeStealthNarrativeOpen WorldPost-ApocalypticSci-FiExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 80%· 14KRAWG👍 72%· 1.1KMC79IGDB78· 8

Year 2009Dev Activision · Activision BlizzardPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: precision platforming, sandbox freedom and survival mechanics, while skipping shooter

New York, Manhattan Peninsula (very detailed), our days. The townspeople are struck by a mutation that turns people into bloodthirsty monsters. The protagonist of the game is a seemingly unremarkable young man named Alex Mercer.

It predates Horizon Zero Dawn by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals100Setting77World70

75

Oni

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloSci-FiPost-ApocalypticThird PersonCyberpunk

IGDB70· 1

Year 2001Dev Rockstar Toronto · Rockstar GamesOn PC · Mac

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and shooter

≠ Stands apart with setting cyberpunk, while skipping adventure storytelling

It predates Horizon Zero Dawn by 16 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Setting80

#7Enslaved: Odyssey to the WestClosest on setting

73

Enslaved: Odyssey to the West

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeNarrativePost-ApocalypticSci-FiThird Person

Steam👍 86%· 8.1KIGDB82· 9

Year 2010Dev Ninja Theory · Namco Bandai GamesOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Same family of third-person Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings precision platforming and puzzle design, while skipping shooter

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Setting100Visuals100Combat81

#8Stellar Blade

66

Stellar Blade

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloSci-FiPost-ApocalypticThird PersonLoot

Steam👍 94%· 87KIGDB86· 8OC81· 168

Year 2024Dev SHIFT UP · Sony Interactive EntertainmentOn PC · PS5

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with loot and gear systems and skill tree progression, while skipping shooter

Where it drifts furthest from Horizon Zero Dawn: progression.

Released 7 years after Horizon Zero Dawn.

Genre100Game mode100Setting100Visuals100Progression0

#9Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII

64

Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloSci-FiPost-ApocalypticThird PersonFantasy

IGDB61· 3

Year 2006Dev Square Enix Product Development Division 1 · Square Enix

✓ Same family of third-person Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, shooter and third-person shooting

≠ Where it differs: brings fantasy world, setting mythology and setting cyberpunk, while skipping action RPG combat

Where it drifts furthest from Horizon Zero Dawn: progression.

It predates Horizon Zero Dawn by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Setting59Progression0

#10Mass EffectClosest overall match

93

Mass Effect

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldSci-FiExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 94%· 17KIGDB89· 4

Year 2007Dev BioWare · Electronic ArtsOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Same family of third-person Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and shooter

≠ Where it differs: brings roguelike runs, first-person shooting and setting space, while skipping stealth mechanics

Where it drifts furthest from Horizon Zero Dawn: setting.

It predates Horizon Zero Dawn by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100World100Visuals100Combat76

Steam Epic Xbox

#11METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE

89

METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeStealthNarrativeSci-FiThird Person

Steam👍 96%· 88KRAWG👍 87%· 1.3KMC83IGDB85· 17OC84· 19

Year 2013Dev Platinum Games · KonamiPlaytime ~6hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of third-person Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and shooter

≠ Where it differs: brings dark, oppressive atmosphere, punishing difficulty and fantasy world, while skipping open world exploration

After the events of the uprising took four years. Naomi Hunter creates the FOXAVILE computer virus that destroys the system of "Sons of the Patriots", thereby putting an end to the military economy, what turned the war into a profitable business.

Where it drifts furthest from Horizon Zero Dawn: setting.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals100Tone58Setting31

#12Mass Effect 2

89

Mass Effect 2

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeSci-FiExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 78%· 342IGDB96· 9

Year 2010Dev BioWare · Electronic ArtsOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and shooter

≠ Where it differs: brings roguelike runs, first-person shooting and setting space, while skipping open world exploration

Where it drifts furthest from Horizon Zero Dawn: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for Horizon Zero Dawn.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Visuals100Combat81Progression66

Steam Epic Xbox

#13Marvel's Spider-Man 2

80

Marvel's Spider-Man 2

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeStealthNarrativeOpen WorldSci-FiExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 82%· 38KIGDB82· 12OC88· 206

Year 2023Dev Insomniac Games · Sony Interactive EntertainmentOn PC · PS5

✓ Same family of third-person Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings skill tree progression, while skipping shooter

Released 6 years after Horizon Zero Dawn.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Tone100World100Visuals100

#14Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

78

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeStealthNarrativeOpen WorldSci-FiExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 93%· 53KRAWG👍 88%· 951MC86IGDB89· 16OC85· 211

Year 2020Dev Insomniac Games · Sony Interactive EntertainmentPlaytime ~9hOn PC · PS

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with fighting mechanics and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping shooter

Shorter and tighter than the game it follows: venom powers add real variation to combat, and a smaller winter New York with a more personal story avoids the padding of the original. Around eight hours. It reuses that map wholesale, and side activities are the same checklist the first game already exhausted.

Where it drifts furthest from Horizon Zero Dawn: setting.

Released 3 years after Horizon Zero Dawn.

Genre100Combat100Tone100World100Progression100Visuals100

#15Assassin's Creed III: Liberation

74

Assassin's Creed III: Liberation

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeStealthOpen WorldSci-FiExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 54%· 3.2KIGDB69· 6

Year 2012Dev Ubisoft Milan · Ubisoft Entertainment

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, sandbox world and historical setting, while skipping shooter

Originally a handheld game, following Aveline through colonial Louisiana with a persona system that swaps her between three social identities to change who reacts to her. New Orleans and the premise are the interesting parts. It is short and visibly scaled down beside the console entries, the persona mechanic is more inconvenient than tactical, and the story thins out badly in its second half.

Where it drifts furthest from Horizon Zero Dawn: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for Horizon Zero Dawn.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals100World71Progression61

Complete list of games with a sci-fi setting like Horizon Zero Dawn

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Horizon Zero Dawn, 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.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

RPG · Adventure

STAR WARS: The Force Unleashed II

STAR WARS: The Force Unleashed II

RPG · Action RPG

Spider-Man 2

Spider-Man 2

RPG · Action RPG

TMNT

TMNT

RPG · Action RPG

The Artful Escape

The Artful Escape

RPG · Puzzle

Zenless Zone Zero

Zenless Zone Zero

RPG · Action RPG

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

RPG · Action RPG

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series

RPG · Adventure

Transformers: Devastation

Transformers: Devastation

RPG · Action RPG

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