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NBA 2K21

14 Narrative games like NBA 2K21 that you should try

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We filtered the 32 games similar to NBA 2K21 down to the 14 that fit the “Narrative” category. Insurgency: Sandstorm, Space Trader: Merchant Marine and I Expect You To Die top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to NBA 2K21.

iRank50/ 100

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GenreActionSubgenreImmersive Sim
Tags
CompetitiveNarrativeMultiplayerSolo
Year 2020Dev Visual Concepts
Stores
Steam ↗Epic ↗Xbox ↗PS ↗Nintendo ↗

Quick answer

Within the “Narrative” category, the closest game to NBA 2K21 is Insurgency: Sandstorm — scoring 82/100 on our similarity scale. Space Trader: Merchant Marine and I Expect You To Die follow close behind.

#1Insurgency: Sandstorm82#2Space Trader: Merchant Marine81#3I Expect You To Die79#4Teardown78#5Flower78
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The best narrative games like NBA 2K21

14 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to NBA 2K21. Each one has been evaluated across 16 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.

#1Insurgency: Sandstorm
82
iRank82
Insurgency: Sandstorm
ActionImmersive Sim
MultiplayerCo-opOfflineSoloOnlineMeleeNarrativeOpen World
Steam👍 85%· 132KIGDB77· 6OC79· 58
Year 2018Dev New World Interactive · Focus EntertainmentOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Fits the immersive sims cluster, with deep simulation, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: shooter, first-person shooting and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping sports simulation

Details →
SteamEpicXbox
#2Space Trader: Merchant Marine
81
iRank37
Space Trader: Merchant Marine
ActionImmersive Sim
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldSkill TreeManagement3D
Steam👍 50%· 641RAWG👍 17%· 29
Year 2008Dev Meridian4Playtime ~1hOn PC

✓ Fits the immersive sims cluster, with deep simulation, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: ranged combat, setting cyberpunk and setting scifi, while skipping sports simulation

Details →
SteamGOGEpic
#3I Expect You To Die
79
iRank86
I Expect You To Die
ActionImmersive Sim
SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldHardcore
Steam👍 94%· 2.8KRAWG👍 87%· 76MC76IGDB80· 6OC83· 13
Year 2016Dev Schell GamesPlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS

✓ Both are immersive sims — sharing deep simulation, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, adventure storytelling and punishing difficulty, while skipping sports simulation

Details →
SteamPS
#4Teardown
78
iRank87
Teardown
ActionImmersive Sim
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldThird Person3D
Steam👍 96%· 130KRAWG👍 85%· 220MC80IGDB83· 3OC80· 35
Year 2022Dev Tuxedo LabsPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS

✓ Fits the immersive sims cluster, with deep simulation, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, puzzle design and precision platforming, while skipping sports simulation

Details →
Steam
#5Flower
78
iRank83
Flower
ActionImmersive Sim
SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldThird Person3D
Steam👍 80%· 5.0KIGDB83· 6OC87· 11
Year 2009Dev ThatGameCompany · Annapurna InteractiveOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · PC

✓ Both are immersive sims — sharing deep simulation, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, puzzle design and vibe relaxing, while skipping sports simulation

Details →
SteamGOGEpic
#6Squad
76
iRank80
Squad
ActionImmersive Sim
MultiplayerPvPMeleeNarrativeOpen World
Steam👍 81%· 237KRAWG👍 75%· 114IGDB83· 2
Year 2020Dev Offworld IndustriesPlaytime ~7hOn PC

✓ Fits the immersive sims cluster, with deep simulation, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with first-person shooting, shooter and turn-based strategy, while skipping sports simulation

Details →
Steam
#7Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad
75
iRank93
Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad
ActionImmersive Sim
SoloMultiplayerMeleeNarrativeOpen World
Steam👍 93%· 38K
Year 2011Dev Tripwire InteractiveOn Linux · PC

✓ Both are immersive sims — sharing deep simulation, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: shooter, first-person shooting and turn-based strategy, while skipping sports simulation

Details →
Steam
#8Thief II: The Metal Age
71
iRank93
Thief II: The Metal Age
ActionImmersive Sim
SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldStealth
Steam👍 94%· 2.1KIGDB90· 1
Year 2000Dev Looking Glass Studios · Eidos InteractiveOn PC

✓ Fits the immersive sims cluster, with deep simulation, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter, adventure storytelling and first-person shooting, while skipping sports simulation

Details →
SteamGOG
#9Thief: Deadly Shadows
71
iRank81
Thief: Deadly Shadows
ActionImmersive Sim
SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldSkill TreeThird Person
Steam👍 81%· 2.6KRAWG👍 77%· 230MC85IGDB83· 2
Year 2004Dev Ion Storm · Square EnixPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Xbox

✓ Fits the immersive sims cluster, with deep simulation, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, shooter and horror tension, while skipping sports simulation

Details →
SteamGOG
#10Need for Speed: Rivals
51
iRank78
Need for Speed: Rivals
ActionOpen World Action
MultiplayerSoloCo-opPvPOnlineOfflineMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldThird Person
Steam👍 76%· 10.0KIGDB80· 13OC80· 58
Year 2013Dev Ghost Games · Electronic ArtsOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · PC

✓ If you enjoyed NBA 2K21, expect sports simulation, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: racing gameplay, adventure storytelling and exploration and discovery, while skipping deep simulation

Details →
SteamXboxPS
#11Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
49
iRank75
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
ActionOpen World Action
SoloMultiplayerCo-opOnlineMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldSkill Tree3D
Steam👍 77%· 14KIGDB73· 6OC72· 147
Year 2023Dev Massive Entertainment · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn Xbox · PC · PS5

✓ Like NBA 2K21, it's known for strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, shooter and first-person shooting, while skipping deep simulation

Details →
SteamEpicXbox
#12Need for Speed™ Payback
48
iRank65
Need for Speed™ Payback
ActionOpen World Action
MultiplayerSoloCo-opPvPOnlineMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldThird Person
Steam👍 85%· 31KRAWG👍 43%· 741MC61OC60· 110
Year 2017Dev Ghost Games · Electronic ArtsPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ If you enjoyed NBA 2K21, expect sports simulation, deep simulation and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: racing gameplay, sandbox freedom and adventure storytelling, while skipping competitive edge

Details →
SteamXboxPS
#13Far Cry 6
48
iRank75
Far Cry 6
ActionOpen World Action
Co-opMultiplayerSoloOnlineMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldSkill TreeManagement3D
Steam👍 71%· 34KIGDB82· 11OC77· 185
Year 2021Dev Ubisoft Toronto · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Shared with NBA 2K21: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: shooter, first-person shooting and adventure storytelling, while skipping deep simulation

Details →
SteamEpicXbox
#14Strange Brigade
48
iRank79
Strange Brigade
ActionOpen World Action
Co-opSoloMultiplayerOnlineMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldThird Person
Steam👍 84%· 11KIGDB73· 12OC74· 93
Year 2018Dev Rebellion DevelopmentsOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Shared with NBA 2K21: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, puzzle design and shooter, while skipping deep simulation

Details →
SteamPSNintendo

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