Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like BioShock (2026)
Every game below overlaps with BioShock on things players said about it rather than on our opinion of what feels alike. Each entry shows what it matched on, so you can throw out the ones matching on the part you did not care about.
The short version
- Closest match: BioShock 2, which both horror, science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric.
- BioShock is tagged FPS, Atmospheric, Story Rich, Action, Singleplayer, Horror, Steampunk, First-Person by Steam players. Those tags are what the matching runs on.
- 24 games qualify, each with at least fifty player reviews behind its sentiment figure.
- 1 are from the same studio: BioShock Infinite.
How these were matched
Steam tags carry the most weight, because players apply them and they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Souls-like, Atmospheric and Cozy exist as tags and as nothing else, which is exactly the vocabulary this question needs. Formal genres count for less, themes and a shared studio for more.
Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are thrown out before matching. Nearly everything is tagged Singleplayer, so matching on it is matching on nothing. That cutoff is computed from the catalogue rather than fixed, so it moves as the catalogue grows.
All 24, closest first
- 1
BioShock 2
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 13 player tags including FPS, Story Rich and Horror; published by the same company; released around the same time (2010).
Set approximately 10 years after the events of the original BioShock, the halls of Rapture once again echo with sins of the past. Along the Atlantic coastline, a monster has been snatching little girls and bringing them back to the undersea city of Rapture.
BioShock 2 at a glance Released 2010 Studio 2K Marin Player sentiment 89% positive of 14,964 Price $2.99 FPSStory RichHorrorFirst-PersonShooterSteampunkSci-fiUnderwater
- 2
BioShock Remastered
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 14 player tags including FPS, Story Rich and Horror; published by the same company.
BioShock is a shooter unlike any other, loaded with unique weapons and tactics. Complete with an arsenal of revolvers, shotguns, and grenade launchers, players will be forced to genetically modify their DNA to become an even deadlier weapon.
BioShock Remastered at a glance Released 2016 Studio 2K Boston Player sentiment 83% positive of 64,900 Price $4.99 FPSStory RichHorrorFirst-PersonDystopian ShooterUnderwaterSteampunk
- 3
BioShock 2 Remastered
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 13 player tags including FPS, Story Rich and Horror; published by the same company.
In BioShock 2, you step into the boots of the most iconic denizen of Rapture, the Big Daddy, as you explore through the decrepit and beautiful fallen city, chasing an unseen foe in search of answers and your own survival.
BioShock 2 Remastered at a glance Released 2016 Studio 2K Marin Player sentiment 72% positive of 30,149 Price $2.99 FPSStory RichHorrorFirst-PersonShooterDystopian Sci-fiRPG
- 4
BioShock Infinite
Why it matched: made by the same studio, 2K; both science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 11 player tags including FPS, Story Rich and Steampunk.
Indebted to the wrong people, with his life on the line, veteran of the U.S. Cavalry and now hired gun, Booker DeWitt has only one opportunity to wipe his slate clean. He must rescue Elizabeth, a mysterious girl imprisoned since childhood and locked up in the flying city of Columbia.
BioShock Infinite at a glance Released 2013 Studio 2K Player sentiment 93% positive of 145,518 Price $7.49 FPSStory RichSteampunkShooterFirst-PersonAlternate HistoryGreat SoundtrackDystopian
- 5
Half-Life 2
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including FPS, Sci-fi and Classic; released around the same time (2004).
Reawakened from stasis in the occupied metropolis of City 17, Gordon Freeman is joined by Alyx Vance as he leads a desperate human resistance. Experience the landmark first-person shooter packed with immersive world-building, boundary-pushing physics, and exhilarating combat.
Half-Life 2 at a glance Released 2004 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 98% positive of 278,618 Price $9.99 FPSSci-fiClassicStory RichShooterFirst-PersonDystopian Great Soundtrack
- 6
F.E.A.R.
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including Horror, FPS and Classic; released around the same time (2005).
Experience the original F.E.A.R. along with F.E.A.R. Extraction Point and F.E.A.R. Perseus Mandate.
F.E.A.R. at a glance Released 2005 Studio Monolith Productions Player sentiment 94% positive of 19,502 Price $9.99 HorrorFPSClassicShooterFirst-PersonDarkStory RichSci-fi
- 7
Far Cry
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including FPS, Classic and Shooter; released around the same time (2004).
A tropical paradise seethes with hidden evil in Far Cry®, a cunningly detailed action shooter that pushes the boundaries of combat to shocking new levels. Freelance mariner Jack Carver is cursing the day he ever came to this island.
Far Cry at a glance Released 2004 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 82% positive of 11,764 Price $9.99 FPSClassicShooterFirst-PersonStory RichSci-fiHorrorGreat Soundtrack
- 8
Black Mesa
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including FPS, Sci-fi and First-Person.
Relive Half-Life.
Black Mesa at a glance Released 2020 Studio Crowbar Collective Player sentiment 95% positive of 144,554 Price $19.99 FPSSci-fiFirst-PersonShooterClassicStory RichGreat SoundtrackHorror
- 9
Half-Life: Source
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including FPS, Classic and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2004).
Winner of over 50 Game of the Year awards, Half-Life set new standards for action games when it was released in 1998. Half-Life: Source is a digitally remastered version of the critically acclaimed and best selling PC game, enhanced via Source technology to include physics simulation, enhanced effects, and more.
Half-Life: Source at a glance Released 2004 Studio Valve Player sentiment 69% positive of 16,699 Price $9.99 FPSClassicSci-fiFirst-PersonShooterStory RichHorrorGreat Soundtrack
- 10
Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition
Why it matched: both science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including RPG, Classic and FPS; released around the same time (2007).
The year is 2052. The world's economies are close to collapse and the gap between the insanely wealthy and the desperately poor grows ever wider. Worst of all, an ages old conspiracy bent on world domination has decided that the time is right to emerge from the shadows and take control.
Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition at a glance Released 2007 Studio Ion Storm Player sentiment 95% positive of 15,619 Price $6.99 RPGClassicFPSSci-fiDystopian Story RichGreat SoundtrackFirst-Person
- 11
Deus Ex
Why it matched: both science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including RPG, Classic and FPS.
The year is 2052. The world's economies are close to collapse and the gap between the insanely wealthy and the desperately poor grows ever wider. Worst of all, an ages old conspiracy bent on world domination has decided that the time is right to emerge from the shadows and take control.
Deus Ex at a glance Released 2000 Studio Ion Storm Player sentiment 95% positive of 15,619 Price $6.99 RPGClassicFPSSci-fiDystopian Story RichGreat SoundtrackFirst-Person
- 12
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including Great Soundtrack, FPS and Classic.
The Master Chief’s iconic journey includes six games, built for PC and collected in a single integrated experience. Whether you’re a long-time fan or meeting Spartan 117 for the first time, The Master Chief Collection is the definitive Halo gaming experience.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection at a glance Released 2019 Studio 343 Industries Player sentiment 92% positive of 262,222 Price $39.99 Great SoundtrackFPSClassicStory RichSci-fiFirst-PersonShooterHorror
- 13
Thief: Deadly Shadows
Why it matched: both horror, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including Steampunk, First-Person and Classic; released around the same time (2007).
You are Garrett, the master thief. Rarely seen and never caught, Garrett is the best that ever was. Able to sneak past any guard, pick any lock, and break into the most ingeniously secured residences. Garrett steals from the wealthy and gives to himself, making his living in the dark and foreboding City.
Thief: Deadly Shadows at a glance Released 2007 Studio Ion Storm Player sentiment 81% positive of 2,604 Price $1.79 SteampunkFirst-PersonClassicDarkStory RichHorrorImmersiveFPS
- 14
Half-Life: Alyx
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including FPS, Story Rich and Horror.
Half-Life: Alyx is Valve’s VR return to the Half-Life series. It’s the story of an impossible fight against a vicious alien race known as the Combine, set between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2. Playing as Alyx Vance, you are humanity’s only chance for survival.
Half-Life: Alyx at a glance Released 2020 Studio Campo Santo Player sentiment 98% positive of 105,097 Price $59.99 FPSStory RichHorrorShooterFirst-PersonSci-fiGreat Soundtrack
- 15
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Horror, FPS and Shooter; released around the same time (2009).
Assume the role of Special Forces Sgt. Becket as your routine mission quickly turns into a fight for survival against the wrath of Alma Wade. As Alma's terrifying power surges out of control, your squad is forced to battle through an apocalyptic landscape in search of clues for how to destroy her!
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin at a glance Released 2009 Studio Monolith Player sentiment 85% positive of 9,496 Price $14.99 HorrorFPSShooterFirst-PersonClassicSci-fiStory Rich
- 16
Fallout 3
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including RPG, First-Person and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2008).
Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters.
Fallout 3 at a glance Released 2008 Studio Bethesda Game Studios Player sentiment 81% positive of 22,174 Price $9.99 RPGFirst-PersonSci-fiFPSShooterStory RichHorror
- 17
Return to Castle Wolfenstein
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including FPS, Classic and Alternate History; released around the same time (2007).
World War II rages and nations fall. The Nazis are twisting science and the occult into an army capable of annihilating the Allies once and for all. As US Army Ranger William “B.J.” Blazkowicz, pierce the black heart of the Third Reich and stop them...or die trying.
Return to Castle Wolfenstein at a glance Released 2007 Studio Gray Matter Studios Player sentiment 93% positive of 9,299 Price $4.99 FPSClassicAlternate HistoryShooterFirst-PersonHorrorSci-fiGreat Soundtrack
- 18
Unreal Gold
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Classic, FPS and Sci-fi; published by the same company; released around the same time (2008).
Your prison ship has crash-landed on the fastest, sleekest, most dangerous 3D world ever created. Look around, crystal clear water shimmers, shadows dance and shift, alien architecture fades into the horizon.
Unreal Gold at a glance Released 2008 Studio Epic Games, Inc. Player sentiment 89% positive of 2,569 Price Not listed ClassicFPSSci-fiGreat SoundtrackShooterFirst-PersonHorror
- 19
Wolfenstein: The New Order
Why it matched: both science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including FPS, Alternate History and Shooter.
Wolfenstein®: The New Order reignites the series that created the first-person shooter genre. Wolfenstein offers a deep game narrative packed with action, adventure and first-person combat.
Wolfenstein: The New Order at a glance Released 2014 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 92% positive of 62,216 Price $19.99 FPSAlternate HistoryShooterFirst-PersonStory RichSci-fiDystopian Great Soundtrack
- 20
Prey
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Sci-fi, Horror and FPS.
In Prey, you awaken aboard Talos I, a space station orbiting the moon in the year 2032. You are the key subject of an experiment meant to alter humanity forever – but things have gone terribly wrong. The space station has been overrun by hostile aliens and you are now being hunted.
Prey at a glance Released 2017 Studio Arkane Studios Player sentiment 91% positive of 54,539 Price $29.99 Sci-fiHorrorFPSFirst-PersonStory RichRPGGreat Soundtrack
- 21
Wolfenstein: The Old Blood
Why it matched: both horror, science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including FPS, Alternate History and Shooter.
Wolfenstein®: The Old Blood™ is a standalone prequel to the critically acclaimed first-person action-adventure shooter, Wolfenstein®: The New Order. This adventure spans eight chapters and features the hallmarks of MachineGames – thrilling action, immersive story, and intense FPS combat.
Wolfenstein: The Old Blood at a glance Released 2015 Studio MachineGames Player sentiment 90% positive of 23,595 Price $19.99 FPSAlternate HistoryShooterFirst-PersonStory RichSci-fiHorror
- 22
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Why it matched: both science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including FPS, Alternate History and First-Person.
America, 1961. The assassination of Nazi General Deathshead was a short-lived victory. The Nazis maintain their stranglehold on the world. You are BJ Blazkowicz, aka “Terror-Billy,” member of the Resistance, scourge of the Nazi empire, and humanity’s last hope for liberty.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus at a glance Released 2017 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 81% positive of 49,468 Price $39.99 FPSAlternate HistoryFirst-PersonShooterStory RichSci-fiDystopian Great Soundtrack
- 23
Deus Ex: Invisible War
Why it matched: both science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including FPS, RPG and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2007).
Approximately 20 years after Deus Ex, the world is only beginning to recover from a catastrophic worldwide depression. In this techno-nightmare, take part in the dark struggle to raise the world from its own ashes.
Deus Ex: Invisible War at a glance Released 2007 Studio Ion Storm Player sentiment 57% positive of 2,498 Price $1.74 FPSRPGSci-fiFirst-PersonDystopian ShooterStory RichClassic
- 24
Killer7
Why it matched: both horror, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Great Soundtrack, Story Rich and Horror; released around the same time (2005).
Sneak into a world of underground assassins as Harman Smith, a man who manifests 7 deadly personalities, the killer7. Take control of this distinct murderers' row as they hunt down the sinister Kun Lan to thwart his plan of world dominance.
Killer7 at a glance Released 2005 Studio Grasshopper Manufacture Player sentiment 93% positive of 3,995 Price $19.99 Great SoundtrackStory RichHorrorFirst-PersonShooterClassicFPS
Common questions
What game is most like BioShock?
BioShock 2, on the evidence we have. It both horror, science fiction, story-rich and atmospheric. That is a statement about overlap, not a promise you will like it as much: two games can share every tag and still feel different to play.
How is "similar to BioShock" decided?
By overlap on the tags Steam players applied to each game, the formal genres, the themes both sit in, and whether the same studio made them. Tags carry the most weight because players write them, so they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are ignored: matching on "Singleplayer" is matching on nothing. Every entry below shows exactly what it matched on.
Are these ranked by quality?
No. They are ordered by how much they overlap with BioShock. Where two games overlap equally, the better received one goes first, but that only moves a game a place or two. Each entry shows its own player sentiment so you can weigh that separately.
What else did the makers of BioShock do?
BioShock Infinite is also from Irrational Games, and appears in the list below for that reason as well as on tag overlap.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
No. The order is computed from tag and genre overlap and nothing else. No placement here can be bought, and a game appearing high on this page is a statement about resemblance rather than an endorsement.