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PlanetSide 2 similar games & best alternatives

PlanetSide 2

PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4 • 2012

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Quick resume

PlanetSide 2 is an all-out planetary war, where thousands of players battle as one across enormous continents. Utilize infantry, ground and air vehicles, and teamwork to destroy your enemies in this revolutionary first-person shooter on a massive scale.

Global score

81/100

Genres

Action, Massively Multiplayer, Free To Play, Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Arcade, Tactical

Similar games

    Pros

    • Massive open world battles
    • Free to play with fair progression
    • Strong community and teamwork
    • Varied classes and vehicles
    • Active development and updates

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve for new players
    • Performance issues in large battles
    • Some toxic player behavior
    • Complexity can overwhelm beginners
    • Pay to speed up progression elements

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Domination, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Leadership, Intimacy, Cooperation.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

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

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • 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.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      5

      "Players have full freedom to choose factions, classes, vehicles, weapons, and tactics in a large open world with no fixed routines."

    • Competence
      4

      "High skill ceiling with complex mechanics, aiming, positioning, and teamwork required; new players face a steep learning curve."

    • Competition
      3

      "Large scale PvP battles with faction vs faction combat and player vs player competition, though no formal matchmaking or ranked modes."

    • Continuation
      4

      "Players report long play sessions, habitual engagement, and thousands of hours invested; persistent world encourages ongoing play."

    • Cooperation
      5

      "Strong emphasis on teamwork in squads, platoons, and outfits; coordinated group play is essential for success."

    • Creativity
      3

      "Customization of loadouts, vehicles, and base building allows creative tactical approaches and personal expression."

    • Domination
      2

      "Some reports of toxic behavior and teamkilling for tactical reasons, but overall balanced faction warfare with shared leadership."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players use the game as a stress relief and immersive escape into large scale sci-fi warfare."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal desire and intrinsic interest; no obligation or pressure to play."

    • Experimenting
      4

      "Players encouraged to try different classes, weapons, vehicles, and tactics; VR training and trials support experimentation."

    • Exploration
      3

      "Large continents with multiple bases and dynamic battlefronts encourage discovery and strategic movement."

    • Expression
      3

      "Cosmetic customization of characters, vehicles, and weapons supports self-expression."

    • Fantasy
      3

      "Futuristic sci-fi setting with alien technology and imaginative vehicles and weapons."

    • Fellowship
      5

      "Strong community focus with outfits, platoons, and social interaction; players form lasting friendships."

    • Growth
      4

      "Players develop skills, knowledge, and tactical understanding over hundreds to thousands of hours."

    • Health
      -4

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; long sessions encouraged."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires sustained attention and focus during large battles; not suited for casual idle play."

    • Intimacy
      3

      "Players form close bonds within outfits and squads, sharing communication and emotional support."

    • Leadership
      5

      "Leadership roles in squads and platoons are important and impactful; players guide and coordinate others."

    • Progression
      4

      "Players accumulate certifications, unlock weapons, vehicles, and implants; progression is a core motivator."

    • Relaxation
      -2

      "Gameplay involves high tension and fast-paced combat; relaxation is limited during battles."

    • Sensation
      4

      "Visual and auditory stimulation from large scale battles, explosions, and vehicle combat provide excitement."

    • Status
      3

      "Recognition within community and outfits, as well as leaderboards and battle ranks, provide social status."

    • Story
      1

      "Some lore and faction background exist, but gameplay is mostly focused on emergent player-driven battles."

    • Strategy
      4

      "Strategic planning and tactical problem solving are essential in coordinated attacks and defense."

    • Thrill
      4

      "High stakes combat with risk of death and intense battles create suspense and thrill."

    • Value
      4

      "Free to play with fair progression; players perceive good return on time invested."

    • Violence
      4

      "Combat and destruction are central elements, with infantry, vehicles, and air combat."

    • Survival
      3

      "Players must avoid death and manage resources to stay alive in dynamic battle conditions."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026