Bungie studio is no stranger for any avid video game fan. While mostly known for the development of the global hit Halo series, Bungie’s one of the later games managed to generate a great amount of buzz in the gaming scene as well.
The game we are talking about here is Destiny, an online multiplayer video game released in 2014. The game integrates roleplaying into first-person shooter gameplay to create an exciting action-adventure environment.
The players share together a world that is under attack by aliens trying to take over a fictional place called Last City. Players play the role of Guardians. Guardians possess a power called Light and are the Earth’s only protectors.
The Guardians are trained with the main objective of protecting Earth from the aliens and revive a celestial being called The Traveler.
The game features both player vs environment (PvE) and player vs player (PvP) gameplay. The players not only have to battle the in-game enemies but also each other in a battle royale-like deathmatch. You can either go on cooperative missions with other players or battle each other to death.
The game has many beautiful maps in various locations for example; a spaceship stuck in the rings of Saturn. The game has received positive reviews and has been a hit amongst fan.
While Destiny is pretty much a one of a kind type of game in its whole, there are some more games who hold the same characteristics and qualities as Destiny.
Here are the Best Action Games Like Destiny:
Destiny 2
Being an official sequel to Destiny, Destiny 2’s inclusion on this list was obvious. Destiny 2 was released in 2017, 3 years later the first game’s release. Just like its predecessor, Destiny 2 is an online-only multiplayer shooting RPG.
The story is set one year after the SIVA Crisis that took place in the first game. The Last City is under attack by Red Legion’s Cabal forces. Red Legion’s commander Dominus Ghaul fixates a device on to the Traveler, the celestial being from the first game.
The device begins to suck out Light from the Traveler, which is the source of the power of Guardians. All Guardians lose their powers and the player’s character nearly gets killed but somehow survives. The story then follows the player character trying to restore the Traveler’s Light and the Guardians’ powers.
Just like its predecessor, Destiny 2 features player vs player and player vs environment gameplay. The game also introduced a new system of matchmaking called ” Guided Games “. In the first game, only players who matched with each other could talk to each other.
The game received acclaim for its open world, gameplay and character customization as well. Destiny 2 won the Best PC Game of the year at E3 2017. The game is available to be played on PlayStation 4z Xbox One, Microsoft Windows and Google’s Stadia.
Warframe
Warframe is an online multiplayer shooter game developed by Digital Extremes. The game was first released in 2013, being meant only for Microsoft Windows. However, it was later ported to other gaming platforms like PlayStation in the same year, Xbox One in 2014 and Nintendo Switch in 2018.
Warframe is also supposed to be released for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, once these consoles are officially released. The gameplay is played entirely in third-person perspective.
The story of the game is set in an advanced future and puts the player in the shoes of an ancient warrior. The character is a part of an ancient warrior race named Tenno. The members of the race have just awoken from a sleep that lasted for centuries and have already found themselves at war.
The war is against members of Grineer race that comprises of bloodthirsty human clones made of metal. The story requires players to execute missions across different planets and solar systems.
The missions can be either played in solo mode or player vs environment mode, with up to a maximum of four players in a team. As the game progresses, the player unlocks various weapons and abilities like advanced parkour, Amprex, Ignis Wraith etc.
Borderlands 2
Borderland 2, the second game in the Borderlands series, is an action role-playing first-person shooter game. It has been developed by Gearbox Software and was published by 2K Games in September 2012.
It was initially launched for platforms like Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and OS X but later on made compatible for PlayStation Vita, Linux, Android and Nintendo Switch.
The game features 4 new playable characters: Axton the Commando, Maya the Siren, Salvador the Gunzerker, and Zer0 the Assassin along with two additional characters available as downloadable content: Gaige the Mechromancer and Krieg the Psycho.
The characters from the first instalment also return as non-playable characters. The six new characters are the Vault Hunters who are a victim of a conspiracy and are left to die in a frozen wasteland. But subsequently, they are rescued by their allies and the story proceeds for an imminent war.
Borderlands 2 has been one of the best-selling games in the history of 2K Games. It has been commercially successful alongside being critically acclaimed. It has bagged several awards in various gaming award events over the years.
Overwatch
Overwatch is a multiplayer first-person shooting game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. It allots players into 2 teams of six and they can choose from a wide range of characters.
Based on their strengths, the characters can be clubbed into three categories. Damage dealing heroes for attacking purpose, Tank heroes for protecting the team and absorbing the enemy team’s damage, and finally Support heroes that provide the various ability and health boosts to the teammates.
Each character has their unique skillset and ability attributes. The game includes various modes like ranked mode for competitive action, casual mode and esports competitions. The developers release new maps and characters on a regular basis through updates.
The plot revolves around the concept of AI Takeover, where artificial intelligence becomes the dominant form of intelligence on earth after lethal robots start posing threats to humankind.
The United Nations forms the Overwatch task force to battle the outlaws and restore order. The game was formally announced in November 2014 and after an extended period of production, marketing and beta testing, it finally released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in May 2016.
The game was a massive hit worldwide with total in-game spending exceeding one billion dollars in July 2019. The developers have utilized the popularity of the game to raise fund for issues like Breast Cancer.
Overwatch swept away various gaming award events winning multiple awards throughout the years since its release. Since 2019 the game became available on the Nintendo Switch platform as well.
Black Desert Online
Get It On Google Play
Get It On App StoreBlack Desert Online is a massively multiplayer online video game developed by Korean video game developer Pearl Abyss. The game was initially only released for Microsoft Windows in 2015.
Later its release spread out to different platforms with PlayStation 4 getting a version in 2017 and Xbox One & Mobile in 2019. Black Desert Online has sandbox gameplay set in a world of fantasy in a third-person perspective.
The game has an elaborate combat system with precise aiming, dodging, timing being an integral part of the gameplay. The game has an impressive dynamic day-night cycle and even better weather system. Players will come across snowfalls, storms and typhoons which affect the gameplay too.
The gameplay features player vs player events as well as player vs environment conflicts. The game also features various side tasks like fishing, farming and trading.
The story of the game is based on a conflict between the Republic of Calpheon and Kingdom of Valencia, two fictional nations, polar opposites of each other.
Black Desert Online was well received by fans and critics alike. The game has reached over 18 million active players and managed to gain a global revenue of over $1 Billion dollars.
Paladins
Champions of the Realm is an online shooter game. This free-to-play game was developed by Hi-Rez Studios and released in 2018 for multiple platforms like Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch.
This game has a unique blend of medieval and modern contents as it is set in a sci-fi fantasy world. The soldiers appear to be from medieval times whereas the weapons are inspired by modern innovations.
The storyline involves a rivalry between two major factions- the Magistrate and the Paladins. Players can select various provided characters, known as Champions, belonging to different categories like Front Line, Damage dealer, Support and Flank.
A balanced team along with appropriate knowledge about the abilities and weaknesses of each hero increases the odds for winning. In-game text and voice chat options are available for the players to be able to communicate among themselves for better teamwork.
The game includes various modes like Siege, Onslaught, Ranked and Team Deathmatch. The mobile version of the game named Paladins Strike has also been released in the month of May in 2018.
The game was nominated for several awards throughout various gaming award events. It also has fairly good Metacritic score that makes it a must-try for the gaming geeks.
Tom Clancy’s The Division
It is an online-only action role-playing that was developed by Massive Entertainment. This game was published by Ubisoft in 2016 for platforms like Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
The story is set in the futuristic scape in New York City in the aftermath of a viral pandemic. The disease, commonly known as “The Dollar Flu”, is transmitted via banknotes.
The outbreak disturbs the order in many major cities and they are all placed under quarantine. The players can portray the role of a special agent of the Strategic Homelands Division which is assigned the duty of combatting the outbreak and keep a check on the growing criminal activities during the time.
The game was a massive commercial success and was critically acclaimed for its visual effects and post-apocalyptic-like setting. After the release, the game has been satisfied by additional content in the form of daily as well as weekly missions, Dark Zone missions and free updates on a regular basis.
The game obtained very good ratings from Metacritic and has often been compared to other stalwart games in the genre like Destiny and World of Warcraft. Due to its famed reception, a major film adaptation starring Jake Gyllenhaal is on its way.
Anthem
Anthem, developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts, is an online multiplayer video game. Anthem is a combination of action and role-playing aspects put together.
The story of the game is set in the outer space on an unnamed planet. The player takes upon the role of a member of adventures called Freelancers who are given the duty of protecting the planet for outer threats.
Freelancers wear exosuits called Javelins that give them the power required to so so. The game’s title is taken from a component of the story called Anthem Of Creation. Anthem of Creation is responsible for all of the advanced technology that exists on the planet.
This mysterious force is under the threat of being taken over by a villainous character named Monitor. The objective is to stop Monitor from doing so.
Anthem works in a shared-world where at most 3 players can play together. Players can choose between 4 types of Javelins which possess different types of combat abilities, that are an integral part of the combat.
Players can interact with fellow NPCs as well as join different factions. Anthem is available on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Diablo 4
Diablo 4 is more of an honorable mention on this list as the game has not been released yet. The game was first announced last year in November at BlizzCon 2019 but an official release date is yet to be announced.
Diablo 4 is supposed to be an online-only action RPG game featuring a shared-world system like Destiny series. Diablo 4 will also feature player vs player combat along with player vs environment conflicts like Destiny.
It will also include dungeons akin to those in World Of Warcraft, located in different locations. Three classes for character creation have been announced which are; Sorceress, Barbarian and Druid. More details are yet to be announced, but it is mostly expected of this game to be a hit like its predecessor and first MMO of the series to do so.
MMO games are a fun way of spending time and bonding with your friends and family. In the phase of the ongoing pandemic, games like Destiny are the best mode of socializing without getting out of your home. And when you are finished with Destiny, the aforementioned 9 games are the top contenders to replace it with.