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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

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      5

      "Players have extensive freedom to choose approach, tactics, equipment, and mission order in an open world."

      Capsule for METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN

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

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      4

      "High skill ceiling with complex mechanics, strategic team play, and a learning curve; players report mastering abilities and tactics."

      Capsule for Midnight Ghost Hunt Midnight Ghost Hunt

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

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      3

      "Includes ranked modes and PvP battles where players compete against others, though player base limitations reduce frequency."

      Capsule for Blood of Steel Blood of Steel

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

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Players report long play sessions, habitual engagement, and investing hundreds of hours, indicating strong desire to continue playing."

      Capsule for The Last Starship The Last Starship

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

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      5

      "Strong emphasis on teamwork in multiplayer; coordination and squad tactics are crucial for success."

      Capsule for Space Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Edition Space Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Edition

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

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      3

      "Customization of vehicles and tactical choices allow creative strategies and loadouts."

      Capsule for Empires Mod Empires Mod

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

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      2

      "Some elements of exerting superiority in multiplayer and commanding large armies, but no strong evidence of toxic domination."

      Capsule for Cossacks: Art of War Cossacks: Art of War

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

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Players use the game as a fun, intense distraction and stress relief with immersive sci-fi combat."

      Capsule for SYNTHETIK: Arena SYNTHETIK: Arena

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

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

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

      Capsule for PowerWash Simulator 2 PowerWash Simulator 2

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

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      4

      "Players encouraged to try different weapons, tactics, and explore secrets; game rewards experimentation with mechanics and strategies."

      Capsule for Blood™ Fresh Supply Blood™ Fresh Supply

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

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      3

      "The large campaign map and many factions encourage discovery of new areas and strategic opportunities."

      Capsule for Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition

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

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      3

      "Extensive cosmetic customization options for characters and weapons allow self-expression."

      Capsule for Shatterline Shatterline

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

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      3

      "Set in a sci-fi universe with futuristic weapons and vehicles, providing an imaginative fictional experience."

      Capsule for MENACE MENACE

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

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      5

      "Strong community focus with players forming friendships and social bonds through gameplay."

      Capsule for Project Winter Project Winter

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

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Players learn skills, improve tactics, and develop builds over hundreds of hours."

      Capsule for PAYDAY 2 PAYDAY 2

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

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -4

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

      Capsule for KeeperRL KeeperRL

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

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention during battles; not suited for background or casual idle play."

      Capsule for World of Warships World of Warships

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

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      3

      "Players form close bonds through teamwork and social communication, though not deeply emotional."

      Capsule for We Need To Go Deeper We Need To Go Deeper

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

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      5

      "Squad leaders and commanders play critical roles in guiding teams and making strategic decisions"

      Capsule for Squad Squad

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

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Players accumulate weapons, mods, and ranks through gameplay and crafting; progression is a key motivator."

      Capsule for Armajet Armajet

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

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      -2

      "Gameplay involves tension and stress especially during combat and damage control; not primarily a relaxation experience."

      Capsule for UBOAT UBOAT

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

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      4

      "Flashy combat effects, music, and large-scale battles provide strong sensory stimulation and excitement."

      Capsule for DYNASTY WARRIORS 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition DYNASTY WARRIORS 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition

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

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      3

      "Leaderboards, badges, and ranks provide social recognition and status."

      Capsule for Starblast Starblast

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

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      1

      "Some lore and faction background exists but gameplay is mostly focused on competitive matches rather than narrative immersion."

      Capsule for Rise of Legions Rise of Legions

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

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      4

      "Strong emphasis on planning, resource allocation, and tactical defense against attacks."

      Capsule for Black Forest Black Forest

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

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      4

      "High stakes combat with risk of losing progress and punishing enemies creates suspense and thrill."

      Capsule for The Surge The Surge

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

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

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

      Capsule for Tap Tap Infinity Tap Tap Infinity

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

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      4

      "Combat and destruction are central, including infantry firefights, tank battles, and artillery strikes."

      Capsule for Easy Red 2 Easy Red 2

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

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      3

      "Players must avoid death and manage resources in combat scenarios."

      Capsule for Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 2 (2009) Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 2 (2009)

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

    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.

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 30/04/2026