Charles Esther
It’s 2025, and the legendary media franchise that is Star Wars is still going as strong as ever.
There’s no shortage of Star Wars content to enjoy, but if you’re a die-hard fan, you may have already consumed it all.
And even if you haven’t, sometimes it’s nice to mix things up without drifting too far from the themes and genre you’ve come to love.
With that in mind, here’s a list of games that aren’t Star Wars, but come close enough that most fans will feel right at home.
The Mass Effect Series
When BioWare set out to create Mass Effect, they were fresh off the success of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and the influence shows.
This was their chance to build an original universe: their own version of Star Wars.
Drew Karpyshyn, the lead writer for Mass Effect, had also been a senior writer on Knights of the Old Republic, so it’s no surprise the series is infused with Star Wars DNA.
From the beginning, Mass Effect was envisioned as a trilogy.
BioWare aimed to tell a sweeping, galaxy-spanning space opera with the same kind of scope and ambition as Star Wars.
The series delivers that with a sizable cast of alien species, detailed lore, advanced technology, seedy underworlds, and a protagonist caught between diplomacy and war.
Commander Shepard, much like the classic “Chosen One” figure, must navigate destiny, sacrifice, and moral choices that echo the light vs. dark themes central to Star Wars.
Even Mass Effect’s biotic abilities feel like a sci-fi reimagining of Force powers.
Romance also plays a pivotal role in both franchises.
All in all, Mass Effect might be the closest thing you’ll find to Star Wars in video game form—without actually being Star Wars.
Everspace 2
If it’s the explosive, fast-paced space battles of Star Wars that appeal to you, look no further than Everspace 2.
It totally embraces the starfighter fantasy, letting you weave through asteroid fields and engage in thrilling dogfights against pirates and hostile factions.
While intense combat is the main attraction, Everspace 2 also features a compelling narrative campaign.
You play as a scrappy pilot trying to make a name for himself in a galaxy torn apart by conflict, populated by outlaws, aliens, and competing powers.
It’s a massive open world packed with secrets to uncover and locations to explore, perfect for anyone who grew up dreaming of Star Wars-style space-faring adventures.
Final Fantasy XII
The visuals might throw you off at first, but don’t judge a book by its cover.
It may not look like Star Wars, but beneath the surface, there’s a case to be made that it’s the most Star Wars-like game on this list.
Political intrigue and worldbuilding are at the heart of Final Fantasy XII.
The main plot centers on a rebellion against a powerful empire, with a small band of unlikely heroes rising up to challenge it.
Many of the characters feel like clear Star Wars counterparts: Princess Ashe mirrors Princess Leia, Balthier and Fran give off serious Han Solo and Chewbacca vibes, and Judge Gabranth both looks and acts like Darth Vader.
If you can look past its aesthetic and give it a chance, you’ll find that Final Fantasy XII scratches that Star Wars itch almost immediately.
The Destiny Series
From the creators of the Halo franchise (which itself shares more than a few traits with Star Wars), Destiny offers a universe that will instantly feel familiar to fans of the galaxy far, far away.
You play as a Guardian, wielding a mysterious power known as the Light to combat dark, oppressive forces across the solar system.
The game takes you to different planets, pits you against alien races with rich histories, and features cinematic battles that wouldn’t feel out of place in a Star Wars movie.
The Guardians themselves resemble Jedi Knights, capable of wielding magical powers, slashing enemies with sci-fi swords, and zipping across terrain on speeder-like hover bikes.
And there’s no better time to check out Destiny if you’re a Star Wars fan: the upcoming Renegades expansion is a full-blown crossover, complete with blasters and lightsabers.
Purchasing the Destiny 2: Year of Prophecy Ultimate Edition grants you the Dark Side Legends Bundle, letting you suit up as General Grievous, Darth Vader, or Kylo Ren.
The Outer Worlds
Comparisons between The Outer Worlds and Star Wars start with its retro-futuristic design that combines pulp sci-fi and space-western influences.
You play as a rebel in a galaxy controlled by greedy mega-corporations, and your journey is shaped by branching paths and meaningful moral decisions.
Along the way, you’ll be joined by a cast of colorful companions, each with their own backstories and motivations.
It’s a player-driven RPG full of charm, wit, and rebellion—qualities that should resonate with any Star Wars fan.
A sequel, The Outer Worlds 2, is scheduled to release later in 2025.
No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Sky captures the Star Wars fantasy of jumping to lightspeed and exploring a vast, uncharted galaxy.
With countless planets to discover, each one offers new risks and unexpected adventures.
You’ll encounter alien species, align with or battle against factions, harvest rare resources, and navigate dynamic economies.
Though No Man’s Sky had a rocky launch, it’s undergone a remarkable transformation.
Nearly a decade later, the game continues to receive substantial (and free) updates that have turned it into the experience players always hoped for.
The sheer scale and freedom are unmatched, and in VR, the immersion might just make you feel like you’ve been transported into a world that could exist in Star Wars.
Conclusion
As a Star Wars fan, it’s not always easy to find other franchises that evoke the same kind of magic.
Star Wars is a timeless classic for a reason, and anything compared to it has big shoes to fill.
Still, these games, one way or another, channel that Star Wars spirit.
And they do it all without the license.
