Games Like Phantasy Star Online 2 (PSO2) If You’re Looking for Something Similar

Phantasy Star Online 2 withdrawal is real here in the North American regions where we patiently wait for the full release of PSO2. Maybe by the time you’re reading this though, PSO2 is already out and you’re just looking for even more games like Phantasy Star Online 2 to sate your appetite for action-heavy dungeon crawlers. In any event, let’s break down our recommendations for the best games like PSO2 if you’re looking for something similar.

Diablo

Games Like PSO2

Although the setting is extremely different, the closest comparison to Phantasy Star Online 2 (aside from previous games of course) is probably Diablo. You’ll likely want to go for Diablo III, the most recent game in the series, but there have been rumblings of a Diablo II Remaster for quite some time and a Diablo IV is also coming down the pipeline as well.

Diablo takes place in a grim, gothic, fantasy world filled with very angry angels and demons, and the player characters are in the middle of an endless war.

You’ll work together with other players either locally or online to build up your character with new loot that you find, and create a build for your favorite class that fits your play style. You’ll rip through hordes of enemies, get more powerful, and then face more difficult challenges and bosses in new areas.

Aside from the gameplay perspective, which is isometric and a little more slower pace in Diablo as compared to PSO2’s third-person gameplay that has you moving around very dynamically, PSO2 and Diablo have a lot in common.

Borderlands 3

Games Like PSO2

While Phantasy Star Online 2 does have shooting segments, it’s primarily an action-RPG of course. Borderlands 3 is definitely an FPS at heart with heavy RPG elements as well.

All of that said, PSO2 and share lots of similarities. For starters, they both have very deep skill trees with lots of room for player customization. You can get away with doing what you want for the easier stuff but for hardcore fans of both, you’ll need to demonstrate some mastery of the skill tree to clear the hardest of content and the toughest boss runs.

Both games also are way more fun when you’re playing with others. PSO2 and Borderlands 3 has a diverse cast of classes to choose from (Borderlands 3 is more about variations within the classes, while PSO2 has more actual classes), but the key to success is more about player skill and builds than anything else.

Destiny 2

Games Like PSO2

Destiny 2 is even more down the FPS path than Borderlands 3. While Borderlands 3 is more about having the perfect build and mixing that with skill, Destiny 2 is more about having the right gear, loot and also skill to survive the hardest content in the game.

For fans of PSO2’s more futuristic setting, Destiny 2 should appeal more to you than the last two games on this list. It takes place in a futuristic version of the Solar System where humanity fights aliens across familiar planets like Mars and Mercury to defend its territory and survive.

Destiny 2 is very different from a combat perspective than PSO2 as Destiny 2 is a FPS through and through, not an action-RPG. That said, the movement in Destiny 2 is more fast-paced than both Borderlands 3 and Diablo which might appeal to you more.

Destiny 2 also receives far more frequent updates to both its gameplay and its story than almost any other game on this list, and if PSO2’s evolving story and world appeals to you, than Destiny 2 may be worth a look in that regard.

And of course, like every game on this list, Destiny 2 features cooperative gameplay that requires players to work closely together to clear the game’s challenging raid bosses.

Path of Exile

Games Like PSO2

If what you like best about PSO2 is deep character building, min/maxing, and having lots of options to build your perfect character, Path of Exile is worth a look.

Path of Exile is more akin to Diablo II than Diablo III is even. While Diablo III focused on improving the speed, accessibility, and feel of the gameplay, Path of Exile doubled down on skill trees and player choice for speccing up a powerful character.

Path of Exile 2 is confirmed to be a thing, so if you want to get in on the ground floor of what is now a franchise, you can jump into Path of Exile for free just like PSO2.

Final Fantasy XIV

Games Like PSO2

Final Fantasy XIV, despite being a classical subscription MMORPG through and through, does share a lot in common with PSO2 especially when it comes to aesthetics.

First off, it’s the only other Japanese game on this list and it and PSO2 have a more similar art style, and just overall vibe that many Japanese games inherently contain. Final Fantasy XIV, despite its age, is probably the most beautiful game on this list.

Both communities also share a love for physical character customization glamour and other cosmetics. They both have extremely deep options, cash shops for additional cosmetics and an active community that loves to show off pictures of their creations. If that part of PSO2 appeals to you, there are few other games that have as rich of a glamour/cosmetic community than Final Fantasy XIV.

In addition to that part of Phantasy Star Online 2 though, Final Fantasy XIV also has very fast-paced combat. While yes, it’s rooted in old-school GCD, MMORPG-style gameplay where you’re spamming a rotation of actions as fast as you can; there is a TON of movement involved as the hardest raid bosses will require players to dance across the battlefield to avoid attacks.

Also like Destiny 2 and PSO2, Final Fantasy XIV receives frequent updates that keeps the game feeling fresh. If you’re open to more traditional MMORPG style gameplay, and paying a subscription, then Final Fantasy XIV might be the game most like PSO2 on this list.

Have more suggestions for games like Phantasy Star Online 2? Please let us know in the comments below and we’ll update our list with it!

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