Wildstar got off to a rocky start, but it does have a huge number of fans who really love the game and hope that it keeps going for a very long time. However, it does have a very unique setting that makes it a little hard to find games like Wildstar. For some people this is one of the best things about the game and one of the reasons that they play, for others this is more than a little frustrating as they struggle to find another game they truly enjoy. Jump into this list of games like Wildstar and see if you can find something that scratches that Wildstar itch when you just need a break from the game.
Guild Wars 2
Rating : 2 out of 5 stars for similarity.
Guild Wars 2 is an incredibly popular game that incorporates dreamy graphics with intense combat and challenges that even seasoned gamers have problems overcoming. The developers are highly responsive to the community as a whole, and it has a huge user base that can be extremely passionate about their game.
Similarities
Reactive combat system and movement systems. The reactive system is something that lots of games have been trying out, but in Guild Wars 2 the system feels almost the same as it does in Wildstar. It does work a bit smoother for the Wildstar's combat, making a lot of people feel that Guild Wars 2 is superior in that sense. Others feel like they have gotten used to the way that Wildstar plays and they don't really understand why everything seems to move just slightly different in GW2.
The ability to just jump in and play is something that both of these titles have as well. While a lot of games require a lot of tutorial work to even get into the main storyline, both of these games thrust people into the storyline with very little planning, making the game much more exciting from the beginning of play.
Differences
Pretty much everything else. There aren't that many similarities, but the differences are also things that people often complain about when it comes to Guild Wars 2 as well. For example, Wildstar actually has more healing involved, catering to people who enjoy that role. The crafting components of Wildstar are often seen as much less tedious as well. This encourages people to play Wildstar who really just want to be able to make their own weapons, enjoy the game, and not feel like they have to farm for hours.
Art style is also hugely different. This may be something a lot of people may not be able to get past, due to the art looking completely different, but others will not get to the point where they actually get deep enough into the game to see similarities. Guild Wars 2 does have an amazingly beautiful style of art however, even if it does seem much more serious that Wildstar on the surface.
This isn't the game most like Wildstar, but it still belongs on the list of games like Wildstar due to the combat system similarities and ability to just pick up the game and run with it.
World of Warcraft
Rating : 3 out of 5 stars for similarity.
World of Warcraft is one of the originals. In business for more than 10 years, it seems to re-invent itself with each and every expansion and show that you can have it all. However, it has slowly been losing popularity over the years as the content seems to stay somewhat similar. Each patch sees a huge number of people coming back and it remains the gold standard for raiding and is the first game that many people played.
Similarities
Questing is actually mostly the same, and most people who have played WoW feel right at home when they jump into Wildstar. Objectives are easy to find, go well with the story line, and are not too hard to collect. WoW doesn't punish you for questing, the same way that Wildstar also doesn't punish you for questing. In addition, quest lines are well connected and flush out zones with very few problems.
Party makeups are extremely similar. 5 man groups operate in the same way, and in high difficulties, such as Mythic, the pressure to be perfect is there as well. This is great for anyone who is really into the heart pounding stress that trying to get gold on a dungeon in Wildstar brings about.
Transmog and wardrobe systems allow players to have their favorite gear as their appearance, but not to restrict themselves to that gear. Originally Wildstar had it so you had to cart around the gear with you, but the system has opened up, just like in WoW.
Differences
WoW has a lot more abilities. Wildstar is known for having very few abilities, making some people think it is a bit simplistic. However, the game does go out of it's way to make sure that you are going to use each and every ability. WoW on the other hand has a large number of abilities available, but you won't be using all of them at once. Many people find that they don't even end up using half of their abilities, but everyone uses different abilities based on their play style. This makes Wildstar a little less customizable, but also makes it simpler, which is one of the key points that brings people into the game.
WoW no longer has faction restricted classes. Wildstar still has classes that are restricted based on faction, and this drives some people away. WoW used to have this, with Paladins and Shamans being restricted, but they removed those issues and also added in more classes that are available to everyone. Of course the different races are restricted by faction, but anyone can be a Pandaren in WoW, and there are talks of more non-restricted races as well. For many people this represents a much more open ideal towards their play style and is one of the bigger pulls towards WoW.
WoW doesn't have a housing system. This is one of the things that people love the most about Wildstar, but you won't find it in WoW. There are some spaces that you kind of own, but those have mostly gone away with the latest expansion. People weren't wild about them, so they were gotten rid of. However, Wildstar figured out how to make the system work and has been able to make that one of the things that people really like about the game.
Overall, the two games aren't that similar for PvP, but they do work together well when it comes to PvE content. Anyone who just wants to play with friends, do quests, or take on the world at their own pace will likely enjoy World of Warcraft. It is also one of the most common games like Wildstar to be mentioned, but many people can't look past the combat differences to see what really makes it tick.
Borderlands 2
Rating : 1 out of 5 stars for similarity.
Borderlands 2 isn't really an MMO, but it does have a multiplayer element where you can play with your friends. However, it is a highly popular game that has a lot of action, fun, and humor that brings people in and keeps them hooked. There was an MMO being planned, but it was going to exclusive to China. Sadly the studio shut and there will be no Borderlands MMO.
Similarities
Humor and dialogue are the real keys to this game. Jokes are delivered the same, it's easy to see where inside humor comes from, and overall the game just keeps you laughing. The dialogue is delivered in a similar way as well, making it straight to the point and non-confusing. For people who really like questing and understanding what is going on this is extremely important.
Graphically the two are pretty similar as well. Borderlands is a bit more gritty, but it still has the in-your-face cartoon-like graphics that Wildstar is so known for.
Differences
Borderlands 2 is not an MMO and it shows. While you may enjoy grouping up with your friends, you may find that you get bored easily. It is a quick play through, but there are some elements to keep you coming back. Most people find that they game is pretty funny, but that they don't really want to pick it up again after they have finished.
Borderlands 2 is also a much darker game, touching on themes that Wildstar is happy to avoid.
Overall, Borderlands 2 is going to be a fun choice for someone who wants a quick play that emotionally feels similar to Wildstar. However, it isn't going to make the top of any lists of games like Wildstar, making it a little less worth checking out for people who want the exact same experience.
Phantasy Star Series
Rating : 3 out of 5 stars for similarity.
Phantasy Star is actually a series rather than just one game, but it is based in space and has had a huge following for a very long time. It isn't talked about much so there aren't new fans very often, but older gamers will likely recognize the name without much trouble.
Similarities
Play style is very similar, with the classes matching up pretty well. There are a few classes in each game that the other game doesn't have, but people who enjoy Wildstar will be able to find something that they enjoy in this game. The controls uses are also similar, making it a much smaller learning curve that most other games.
The sci-fi feel that the game gives off is very similar. Travel through space, explore planets, learn about the world, and try to remember it all. This gives it the same incredible feeling of awe inducing otherworldly fiction. Phantasy Star doesn't take itself too seriously, something important that has made the entire concept of space work so well for Wildstar.
Differences
Combat is completely different and based on a much more traditional style of playing. This means that the challenge of the game comes not from how you move your character, but how well you pay attention to the environment around you.
The Phantasy Star world is not an open world. There is a very linear path you should follow at all times and going outside of it is kind of pointless. There aren't that many things to do outside of the main quest lines, but there are a number of things you can do to improve the way that you perform along the way. This can be disappointing when you just want to go off an explore something interesting, but feel like you are trapped in the proper line of progression.
Overall this is a game like Wildstar that captures a lot of the concepts well but doesn't feel the same when you are out in the world. It is however a good way to further explore the themes within Wildstar without adding in the stress of figuring out all new classes from scratch.
Closing Thoughts
As you can see, there aren't really that many games like Wildstar. Instead, they seem to have created something that is pretty unique but that could also take in some tips from other games. This has led it to being not as popular as anticipated, but it does have a great fan base that are really passionate about the game. The devs are pretty good at responding to the community, and they are proud of having developed a game that people really can't find anything similar to. This has limited them a bit as well, but seasoned players will tell you it is hard to go back to anything else once you have played Wildstar.
For the sake of our list, World of Warcraft ends up being the most similar, but that doesn't mean people who played Wildstar will be instantly hooked. However, anyone who enjoys questing and is looking to have a great time with their friends should give it a try, they might be pleasantly surprised by what they find.
