Firefall is a game that captured the hearts of many but kept the attention of few. It was seemingly world breaking, receiving a lot of attention when it first launched. However, a series of unfortunate events has left the future of the company in Freefall. Earlier this year the game went offline for almost 24 hours, sparking fears that it would be taken offline by the new company that had acquired it. Thankfully, these rumors were proven to be false, but the game is still going through some growing pains, and many fans are left wondering if they should try new games and if Firefall is going to be around for much longer.
Thankfully, I have prepared a list of games like Firefall for everyone, helping ensure that if the worst is to happen, diehard fans will always have a satisfying game to play. Even if the game does remain around, you might be able to find one you like playing at the same time. After all, one can never have too many games!
Star Trek Online
This is the game with the smallest amount of similarities to Firefall, but it still appeals to a large number of gamers who enjoy the genre. From complex sandboxing to combat that will have you on the edge of your seat, the game is definitely appealing to fans who are itching for a new game that runs in a similar manner to Firefall. Overall this game gets a 2 out of 5 for similarity to Firefall but makes up for it by being better in most ways.
This isn't a title that was well received, but nothing in this genre seems to be. However, a loyal player base makes this game feel much more like Firefall, bringing about a nostalgic feeling in other players as well.
Similarities
Sandboxing and space play are going to be similar in all of the games listed, but those aren't enough to make this list. Thankfully, Star Trek has more hidden up its sleeves than that, and delivers an intense combat system that really makes it stand out above other games. This isn't the play style that is expected when looking at the franchise as a whole, but it is an intensely satisfying game none the less.
The biggest similarity is actually the shooting style and the way that players progress through space. The comfort of similar controls can also be found, leaving players with a lot less stress than most people would expect. Shooting up bad guys is one of the biggest wins in both games, and this game offers a ton of combat that most players are more than happy to jump onto and enjoy.
Differences
The biggest difference is, of course, the two different intellectual properties that the games come from. Star Trek is still a game in that universe and must follow the rules set forward by the books, movies, and information that came before hand. This means that many items, such as jump pods, will never make their way into the game. However, it also means that players will always know what is coming and will very rarely be blindsided by surprises that make them feel like they are unable to progress in a meaningful manner. This is also one of the reasons that the game is likely to be around for a long time, allowing individuals to feel like they have really invested their time into something worthwhile.
The story line is also completely different. Both are set in space and revolve around exploration, but Star Trek focuses much more on the survival aspect and is extremely heavy in lore. this is a huge change from the very roll your own atmosphere that games like Firefall would be expected to possess, but they often feel very similar.
Warframe
A game that plays very similar to the original Firefall, it is also not exactly as similar as you would think. Players report that gameplay is intensely satisfying but that the difference in genre can be a bit more than they truly wanted to overcome. Overall this game gets a 3 out of 5 for similarity.
Similarities
The method of play and all of the controls seem like they could be copies of each other. With some UI customization, it would seem like the two could be twins, giving players a much more intensely satisfying experience than first assumed.
The grind is also the same, something that can't be said for a lot of things. If you like spending a lot of time in Firefall and hope that you will be able to do so for years to come, it might be time to start working towards the same goals in Warframe. It is a time heavy grind, but it is also extremely rewarding in a way that can't really be fully explained.
The graphics and overall look is also similar, giving players just enough similarities to make them feel at home. This is only apparent after playing for quite a while, but die-hard fans will recognize this right away.
Differences
The games are in completely different genres, and Warframe doesn't even pretend that it wants to break into the same niche. Warframe stands proudly by itself, much like Firefall does in its own category. This is a good thing, but players may find it a bit hard to get over when they are looking for something similar to play.
The game is not open at all, the progression is extremely closed, leaving players on a very linear track, this can be a problem when players are expecting to be able to play their own way. However, it isn't the end of the world, and most players feel like they would have merely wandered along the same path in Firefall as well. Unless you are heavily into customization, this game completely belongs on a list of games like Firefall.
Wildstar
A fun and quirky MMO with a lot of potential, this game is still going through some growing pains, but seems to have a number of dedicated players. The similarities are mostly within the combat systems and ways that players can interact with the world. Overall this game gets a 2 out of 5 for similarity to Firefall.
Similarities
Players enjoy varied forms of combat that leave your heart pumping and keep you coming back for more. The story lines are extremely open, but are also up to the player, with no two people experiencing the games in the same way. This is important when it comes down to replay value and is one of the things that has created a strong player base for both of the games. Players are able to choose their own destiny but are also able to link up with other players, giving the games a free type of feeling that many other developers have tried for and missed.
Differences
Wildstar isn't actually a shooting game, and it isn't as sandboxed as Firefall is as well. Instead, it is more of a traditional MMO with a mix of cute and gritty graphics. Somehow it works, but it doesn't have a very strong player base. Instead, it has a few strong fans and a number of servers with lots of population issues. It isn't always easy to get into as well, possessing a bit more of a learning curve than Firefall. However, it does seem like it could be seen as a spiritual successor, and that is enough to bring in a number of players who would normally ignore the game otherwise.
The graphics are also a huge divergence, with the style of Firefall seeming much more mature when compared to Wildstar. The graphics within Wildstar are a little too out there to be believed, but they do help with the immersive experience as well. Players are often made to feel like they actually are across the galaxy, instead of feeling like they are boxed in within a universe that they will never actually reach. It seems odd to say that about cartoonish graphics, but Wildstar does a good job of making players feel like they are within some kind of virtual reality.
Players also very rarely control any kind of exploration, making it hard for this game to truly be viewed as anywhere near the time on this list of games like Firefall.
Possible Future Games
Games like Firefall are hard to find because the concept is so different from anything that anyone else has really thought of before. Players are drawn to that uniqueness, and to the community that they have built together. There have been a number of scandals and the game has changed hands more times than most people care to count.
However, there is a possible spiritual successor in the works. The original creator has found himself unhappy with the direction the company took after he left, and he has been slowly trying to piece together a game that would do the genre justice. Sadly, this is just wishful thinking at the moment as development has barely begun and crowdfunding was less than impressive. It does show that there is hope for the genre and that there are still developers looking to bring the entire experience back in new games like Firefall.
