Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel similar games & best alternatives

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

PlayStation 3, Mac, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Android, Xbox 360 • 2014

Should you play it?

Launch into the Borderlands universe and shoot ‘n’ loot your way through a brand new adventure that rockets you onto Pandora’s moon in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel!

What works
  • Fun cooperative multiplayer
  • Unique low gravity and oxygen mechanics
  • Engaging story about handsome jack
  • Varied character skill trees
  • Vibrant sci-fi art style and humor
Things to keep in mind
  • Repetitive and confusing level design
  • Shorter campaign than borderlands 2
  • Some technical bugs and glitches
  • Limited innovation beyond borderlands 2 formula
  • Overpriced at full price, better on sale

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Aliens: Fireteam Elite

  • The Darkness II

  • Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet

  • Borderlands Game of the Year Enhanced

  • Toukiden 2

  • Dead Island: Riptide Definitive Edition

  • Borderlands 2

  • Remnant: From the Ashes

  • PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Scott Pilgrim EX

  • Perennial Order

  • Battlezone Gold Edition

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Violence. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Value, Leadership.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    3

    "Players can choose different characters with unique skill trees and playstyles, explore the open world, and decide how to approach quests and survival elements."

    Capsule for We Happy Few We Happy Few

    "Players can choose from multiple characters with unique skill trees and freely decide how to progress and explore the maps, though the game is somewhat linear in mission structure."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "The game offers challenging boss fights and skill-based combat requiring strategy and quick reactions."

    Capsule for Aquaria Aquaria

    "The game offers skill-based combat with new mechanics like low gravity and oxygen management, providing a moderate challenge especially in boss fights."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -2

    "Focus is mainly on cooperative and solo play with no strong emphasis on ranked or competitive modes."

    Capsule for Scott Pilgrim vs. The World™: The Game – Complete Edition Scott Pilgrim vs. The World™: The Game – Complete Edition

    "Focus is primarily on cooperative and solo play with no strong emphasis on ranked or competitive modes."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Players report spending 6-10 hours including side quests; some find it engaging enough to complete fully, but others note short length and low replayability."

    Capsule for Storm Of Spears RPG Storm Of Spears RPG

    "Players report spending 20-30 hours including side quests and replaying with different characters, showing moderate habitual engagement."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    4

    "Supports up to 4-player cooperative multiplayer; teamwork is important to defend the core effectively."

    Capsule for Sanctum Sanctum

    "Cooperative multiplayer for up to four players is a core feature, with team-oriented boss fights and shared objectives."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Skill tree and weapon variety allow some build customization; crafting exists but is simple; limited character customization."

    Capsule for Achilles: Legends Untold Achilles: Legends Untold

    "Players can customize characters via skill trees and use the weapon grinder to create new weapons, but overall the game follows established Borderlands formulas."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -3

    "Interactions emphasize shared experiences and cooperative play rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

    Capsule for Hellsweeper VR Hellsweeper VR

    "Interactions emphasize cooperative play and shared experiences rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "The game offers a humorous, chaotic, and immersive sci-fi world that players use to escape real-life stress and enjoy distraction."

    Capsule for Borderlands Game of the Year Enhanced Borderlands Game of the Year Enhanced

    "The game provides a colorful sci-fi setting with humor and action that offers an immersive escape from reality."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -3

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Carrier Command 2 Carrier Command 2

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Movement mechanics and weapon variety encourage trying new tactics and exploring game physics."

    Capsule for Chaos Chaos

    "New mechanics like low gravity, oxygen management, and laser weapons encourage players to try new combat strategies and movement."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    1

    "Some exploration of levels and lore, but maps are mostly fixed and repetitive; limited procedural variety."

    Capsule for Hell Clock Hell Clock

    "The game has large maps with verticality and some exploration, but level design and navigation can be confusing and repetitive."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Character customization through skill trees and weapon choices allows some personal expression, but limited cosmetic options."

    Capsule for Borderlands Game of the Year Enhanced Borderlands Game of the Year Enhanced

    "Character skill trees and weapon customization allow some degree of personal expression, though visual customization is limited."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Game features imaginative sci-fi setting, quirky characters, and humorous narrative elements."

    Capsule for Glorkian Warrior: The Trials Of Glork Glorkian Warrior: The Trials Of Glork

    "The game features an imaginative sci-fi world with exaggerated characters, humor, and improbable events."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    3

    "Strong community and multiplayer interactions foster a sense of belonging and shared experience."

    Capsule for Hearts of Iron IV Hearts of Iron IV

    "Strong community and multiplayer focus foster a sense of belonging and shared experience."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop skills, unlock abilities, and improve gear, showing learning and personal development."

    Capsule for Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn

    "Players develop skills, level up characters, and improve gear, supporting learning and progression."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Gameplay is sedentary with no physical activity; health mechanics relate to in-game character status only."

    Capsule for Not Tonight Not Tonight

    "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; oxygen mechanic is in-game only and does not promote physical health."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires continuous attention during combat and exploration; not designed for idle or background play."

    Capsule for Sword Art Online: Lost Song Sword Art Online: Lost Song

    "Requires continuous attention and engagement during combat and exploration; not designed for idle or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    1

    "Social interactions occur mainly through cooperative play but lack deep emotional or close relationship building."

    Capsule for World War Z World War Z

    "Social interactions occur mainly in cooperative gameplay but lack deep emotional or intimate connections."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -2

    "Players generally participate equally in cooperative play without strong leadership or authoritative roles."

    Capsule for Viking Squad Viking Squad

    "Players generally participate equally in cooperative play without strong leadership or authoritative roles."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Strong emphasis on leveling up characters, upgrading weapons, and unlocking abilities."

    Capsule for Steven Universe: Save the Light Steven Universe: Save the Light

    "Strong emphasis on leveling up, acquiring better weapons, and unlocking skills to increase character power."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    1

    "Gameplay balances challenge and flow but includes moments of tension and difficulty spikes."

    Capsule for Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier™ Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier™

    "Gameplay balances challenge and flow but includes moments of tension, especially in boss fights and difficult areas."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Visuals, audio, and humorous effects provide stimulating sensory and emotional experiences."

    Capsule for Zort Zort

    "Vibrant visuals, sound effects, and humorous dialogue provide stimulating sensory and emotional experiences."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -2

    "Recognition is mostly within community and workshop sharing rather than broad social status or popularity."

    Capsule for Brick Rigs Brick Rigs

    "Recognition is mostly internal or among friends in co-op rather than public or competitive status."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "Narrative immersion with character interactions and plot development, though story is sometimes generic."

    Capsule for Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga

    "Narrative immersion is present with character interactions and plot development, especially regarding Handsome Jack's backstory."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Players must plan skill builds, weapon loadouts, and combat tactics, especially for boss fights and survival mode."

    Capsule for Ghost 1.0 Ghost 1.0

    "Players must plan skill builds, weapon choices, and combat tactics, especially in cooperative and boss encounters."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "The game provides suspense and tension through stealth mechanics and enemy encounters."

    Capsule for Sumerian Six Sumerian Six

    "The game provides moments of suspense and excitement, particularly in combat and exploration of dangerous areas."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    -1

    "Some players feel the game is overpriced and microtransactions reduce perceived value, though others find it worth buying on sale."

    Capsule for PGA TOUR 2K23 PGA TOUR 2K23

    "Some players feel the game is overpriced for its content, recommending purchase during sales for better value."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Core gameplay revolves around combat, shooting, and destruction of enemies."

    Capsule for SUPERHOT: MIND CONTROL DELETE SUPERHOT: MIND CONTROL DELETE

    "Core gameplay revolves around combat, shooting, and destruction of enemies with a wide variety of weapons."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    2

    "Players manage oxygen and avoid threats underwater, adding survival elements."

    Capsule for DAVE THE DIVER DAVE THE DIVER

    "Oxygen management and combat challenge require players to avoid failure and manage resources strategically."

Last update: 01/06/2026