The best sci-fi video games for you depend on the combat you enjoy, whether you play alone or with a friend, and which platform you own. Match those and the shortlist below narrows quickly.
Picture finishing Baldur’s Gate 3 and wanting the same mix of dice rolls, careful positioning and companions who answer back, only in a science-fiction setting. Quick answer: start with Rogue Trader for a tabletop-style tactical party RPG, Knights of the Old Republic for d20 combat that shows every roll, and Citizen Sleeper 2 if story matters more than battles. Check the platform table before you buy anything.
Quick routes by reader goal
Pick the route that matches what you want from your next game. Each route points to the section where the reasoning and the trade-offs sit.
- You want Baldur’s Gate 3 in space. Go to Rogue Trader, a turn-based isometric CRPG built on a tabletop ruleset, covered under the tabletop-style party RPGs.
- You want to see the dice. Knights of the Old Republic resolves attacks on D&D’s d20 rules and shows each roll in a menu.
- You want a partner online. Wasteland 3 offers online co-op for two players, and the solo-versus-co-op section explains where that stops.
- You want a story without tactical battles. Citizen Sleeper 2 is single-player and text-heavy, with no tactical battles at all.
- You want to test before you commit. Colony Ship has a free demo on Steam, though it only runs on Windows PC.
- You want fantasy instead of sci-fi. The fantasy section covers Elden Ring and the wider open-world and Metroidvania routes.
If you already know your hardware, skip straight to the platform section. If you are not sure what you want from combat, the next section gives you a way to find out.
Using Baldur’s Gate 3 as your yardstick
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a useful reference point because a roundup of sci-fi alternatives to Baldur’s Gate 3 breaks its appeal into traits you can look for elsewhere: dice-based decisions, turn-based fights where position matters, and a party that argues back. Those traits make a better shopping list than a genre label, because each one points to a different kind of game.
Dice-based decisions
If you enjoy the tension of a roll deciding an outcome, look for games built on a tabletop ruleset. Rogue Trader is described as a turn-based isometric CRPG built on a tabletop ruleset, and Knights of the Old Republic resolves every attack on D&D’s d20 rules. The two differ in how visible the numbers are: the older game puts a menu showing each roll on screen, which suits players who like to understand exactly why a fight went the way it did.
Position and party behaviour
Turn-based fights where position matters reward players who like planning a few moves ahead and who are happy to pause and think. A reactive party is a separate quality: it is about conversation and consequence rather than tactics. A game can offer one without the other, so decide which you would miss more. Players who care most about companions and crew choices can follow the guide to games like baldur’s gate 3, which collects story-rich party RPGs beyond the sci-fi shelf.
A reference point on Steam
Baldur’s Gate 3 has its own listing on Steam, and the Steam community page for Baldur’s Gate 3 is a good place to read how other players discuss it. Treat it as a starting point for comparison rather than a verdict. The same habit works for any pick below: read the store listing for platform and content details, then judge the game against the traits you actually care about.
Tabletop-style party RPGs
These picks suit players who want rules-driven tactics and a party to manage. They are the closest match to the Baldur’s Gate 3 traits above, and they differ mainly in platform reach and in how many people can play together.
Rogue Trader
Rogue Trader is the most direct answer to the question of what to play after Baldur’s Gate 3 if you want sci-fi. The same alternatives roundup describes it as a turn-based isometric CRPG built on a tabletop ruleset, which is precisely the structure that makes position and dice matter. It lists PC, Mac, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2, so it is one of the few picks here that console and PC players can both reach.
It also covers the widest range of play styles in this guide: single-player, online co-op and cross-platform multiplayer. That makes it the safest recommendation for a household with mixed hardware, since a friend on a different platform can still join an online session. Players on the original Switch should note that the listed Switch version is for Switch 2.
Knights of the Old Republic
Knights of the Old Republic suits players who want the dice shown plainly. Every attack resolves on D&D’s d20 rules, and a menu displays each roll, so the system teaches itself as you play. That transparency is the reason to choose it over a newer game if you are curious about tabletop-style combat but have not committed to it.
Its platform coverage is unusually broad: PC and Mac through Steam, Switch, iOS and Android, with Xbox Series support through backward compatibility. Phone and handheld players therefore have a way in that most of the other picks lack. Because it is an older game, treat it as a classic to catch up on rather than a showcase of current visuals.
Wasteland 3
Wasteland 3 is the pick for players who want a squad-based RPG with a friend online. It lists PC, Mac, Linux, PS4 and Xbox One, and its co-op is for 2 players online only, with no split-screen or local co-op. Linux players, who are often overlooked, can play it, which is a genuine advantage over most of the other picks here.
The platform list stops at PS4 and Xbox One, so owners of newer consoles should confirm how the game runs on their system before buying. For sofa play it is not the right choice, as the next sections explain.
When crew choices matter most
Some players care less about the ruleset and more about squad dynamics and conversation. For that appetite, the guide to games like mass effect focuses on space RPGs with crew choices and combat, and it is a better next stop than another tabletop-style game.
Story-first picks with little or no combat
Not every strong sci-fi game is built around fights. Two picks here suit players who would rather read, choose and explore, and both come with clear boundaries that are worth knowing before you spend money.
Citizen Sleeper 2
Citizen Sleeper 2 is for readers. The alternatives roundup states plainly that it is not for anyone who wants tactical battles: there are none, the game is single-player, and it is text-heavy. If you loved Baldur’s Gate 3 for its writing and its consequences more than its combat grid, this is the pick that keeps the first and drops the second.
It also has the broadest console coverage in this guide: PC, Mac, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch and Switch 2. That makes it easy to recommend to someone whose only certainty is the console they own. Choose something else if you read slowly or dislike long passages of text on screen, since reading is the core of the experience.
Colony Ship
Colony Ship is a Windows PC game on Steam with a free demo. The demo is the reason to consider it: a tactical RPG you cannot run on a console or Mac is a risky purchase unsight unseen, and the free trial removes that risk. Download it first, and let a few sessions tell you whether the pace and complexity suit you.
Because it is PC-only, it is a poor recommendation for console players, and no amount of enthusiasm changes that. Mac and Linux players should also look elsewhere, since the listing names Windows specifically.
Choosing by platform
Choosing a game for your platform starts with the store listing, not the review. The table below pulls together the platform and play-mode details for each pick so you can rule games out in seconds.
| Game | Platforms listed | Combat and modes | Planning use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogue Trader | PC, Mac, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2 | Turn-based isometric CRPG on a tabletop ruleset; single-player, online co-op, cross-platform multiplayer | Best fit for mixed-hardware groups and for current-generation consoles |
| Knights of the Old Republic | PC and Mac (Steam), Switch, iOS, Android; Xbox Series via backward compatibility | d20 rules with a menu showing each roll | Best for handheld and mobile players who want tabletop-style combat |
| Wasteland 3 | PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, Xbox One | 2-player online co-op only; no split-screen or local co-op | Good for online duos and Linux players; wrong for sofa co-op |
| Colony Ship | PC (Windows) only | Free demo on Steam | Try the demo before deciding; not for console or Mac owners |
| Citizen Sleeper 2 | PC, Mac, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2 | No tactical battles; single-player; text-heavy | Easiest to run on any current system if you want story over tactics |
Platform and play-mode details come from the sci-fi alternatives roundup for Baldur’s Gate 3 fans.
PC and Steam
PC is the only platform that reaches every game in the table, and Steam is the storefront the sources keep returning to. Rogue Trader is listed there, Knights of the Old Republic is available on Steam for PC and Mac, and Colony Ship’s demo lives there. If you play on PC, you can usually try before you commit, so use the demo and the store page before spending money. Elden Ring also has a Steam store page, which is useful if your tastes lean to fantasy rather than sci-fi.
PlayStation and Xbox consoles
PlayStation owners have Rogue Trader and Citizen Sleeper 2 in the table, and Xbox Series X|S owners have those two as well. Knights of the Old Republic reaches Xbox Series only through backward compatibility, which is worth knowing because it is not a native listing. Wasteland 3’s platform list stops at PS4 and Xbox One, so a current-generation owner should check how it runs before buying. If you are choosing between the two consoles purely on these picks, the games do not separate them; look at the wider library instead.
Nintendo Switch
Switch owners get the most careful reading of the table. The original Switch is listed for Knights of the Old Republic and Citizen Sleeper 2, while Rogue Trader is listed for Switch 2 only. That distinction decides what a Switch owner should buy, and it is easy to miss. Handheld players who want a long tabletop-style RPG have Knights of the Old Republic, and those who want a narrative game have Citizen Sleeper 2.
Solo versus co-op play
Which games suit solo versus co-op play comes down to the table above, and the answer is more restrictive than the genre suggests. Most of these picks are single-player experiences at heart, and only two offer any form of shared play.
Playing alone
Citizen Sleeper 2 is explicitly single-player, and it is the clearest choice for solo players who want story. Rogue Trader also supports single-player, so a solo player can use it without needing a friend. Knights of the Old Republic and Colony Ship are the other solo-friendly routes in this guide, and Colony Ship’s free demo makes it the lowest-risk way to try one.
Playing together online
Rogue Trader offers online co-op and cross-platform multiplayer, which means friends on different hardware can still play together. Wasteland 3 offers online co-op for 2 players. If you and a friend each have a console or PC and live apart, either works, but Rogue Trader is more flexible because it crosses platforms.
Playing on the same sofa
Local play is where this shortlist runs out. Wasteland 3 has no split-screen or local co-op, and none of the other picks is described as offering it. If two people on one sofa is your priority, take turns with a single-player game such as Citizen Sleeper 2 or play online from separate screens. For a wider search, the guide to Best Multiplayer Space Games In 2026: Co-Op, PvP, And Massive Online Experiences – Spacemisfits covers co-op, PvP and massive online experiences in more depth.
Fantasy worlds beyond the sci-fi shelf
Many readers who love sci-fi also love fantasy, and the same decision method applies. Work out which traits you want, then check the platform before you buy.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring has a Steam store page and community area, which gives PC players the listing to check and the community discussion alongside it. It sits outside the tabletop-style group above, so do not expect dice rolls or party management by default. If your Baldur’s Gate 3 enthusiasm was about the fantasy world rather than the rules, this is a different kind of pick, and the store listing is the right place to confirm details for your platform.
Open-world and Metroidvania routes
Players who want to wander a large fantasy world can use the guide to games like skyrim, which collects open-world fantasy RPG alternatives. Those who prefer a post-apocalyptic wasteland can try the guide to games like fallout. Players who like to unlock a map piece by piece will find that the best metroidvania games span both fantasy and sci-fi worlds.
Where to go next by subgenre
The picks above cover tabletop-style RPGs and story-first games. Other moods call for other guides, and these are the natural next steps depending on what you want.
- A broad overview. Best Sci‑Fi Games in 2026: Top Picks For Story, Exploration, And Multiplayer – Spacemisfits widens the shortlist across story, exploration and multiplayer.
- Space as a setting. The Best Space Games in 2026: Top Picks for Every Type of Astronaut – Spacemisfits sorts space games by the kind of player they suit.
- Role-playing in the stars. Beyond Stars And Lasers: The Best Sci‑Fi RPG Games To Play In 2026 – Spacemisfits goes deeper on the RPG route introduced here.
- Flying and fighting. Space Sim Games: The Ultimate 2026 Guide To Spaceflight, Combat, And Exploration – Spacemisfits covers spaceflight, combat and exploration.
- Wandering the galaxy. Beyond The Stars: The Best Space Exploration Games To Play In 2026 (Guide + What To Expect) – Spacemisfits suits players who want discovery over combat, and the guide to games like no man’s sky narrows that to close alternatives.
- Thinking in fleets. Space Strategy Games: How To Conquer The Stars — A Practical Guide For 2026 – Spacemisfits is the route for players who prefer commanding to controlling a single character.
- Fear and survival. Space Horror Games: The 2026 Guide To Cosmic Fear, Best Picks, And Survival Tips – Spacemisfits and Top Space Survival Games In 2026: Survive, Explore, And Thrive Beyond Earth – Spacemisfits cover the darker, more pressured end of the genre.
- Building your own ship. Build The Ultimate Starship: The Best Spaceship Building Games And How To Master Them (2026 Guide) – Spacemisfits is for players who enjoy construction as much as flying.
- Loot and shared worlds. The guide to games like destiny 2 collects sci-fi looter shooters for players who want gear chases and group play.
Players curious about run-based design, where each attempt starts fresh, can read the explainer on roguelike vs roguelite before choosing a game in that style.
Putting a shortlist together
Narrow the choice in this order. Start with the platform, because it removes the most options at once: Colony Ship rules itself out on anything but Windows PC, and Wasteland 3 asks for a check on newer consoles. Move on to play mode, since only Rogue Trader and Wasteland 3 offer shared play and only online. Last, decide how much you want to fight, which separates the tabletop-style group from Citizen Sleeper 2.
If you are still undecided between two finalists, use the trial where one exists. Colony Ship’s free demo is the clearest example, and the Steam store pages for Baldur’s Gate 3 and Elden Ring are the right places to read current listing details before you buy. Then pick the game that matches your trait list, not the one with the loudest reputation.
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Baldur’s Gate 3 suitable for younger players? | Steam lists a General Mature Content descriptor for Baldur’s Gate 3 and notes that it may include nudity or sexual content, so check the Steam listing before sharing it with younger players. |
| Is there a Knights of the Old Republic remake I can play? | The remake is still in development and has no announced release date, so the original is the version to play today. |
| Do I need a PC to play these picks? | No. Rogue Trader and Citizen Sleeper 2 list PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2 versions, and Knights of the Old Republic also reaches Switch, iOS and Android. Only Colony Ship is limited to Windows PC. |
| What do Rogue Trader and Citizen Sleeper 2 cost? | The alternatives roundup lists current prices for both games. Prices change by store and over time, so confirm on the storefront. |
