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Wasteland 3 similar games & best alternatives

Wasteland 3

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Linux • 2020

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Quick resume

Following the critically acclaimed 2014 Game of the Year winner Wasteland 2, the RPG series that pioneered the post-apocalyptic genre in video games returns with Wasteland 3.

Global score

85/100

Genres

Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Adventure, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical

Similar games

    Pros

    • Engaging story with meaningful choices
    • Deep tactical turn-based combat
    • Strong character customization and progression
    • Immersive post-apocalyptic world with humor
    • Cooperative multiplayer mode

    Cons

    • Some bugs and technical issues reported
    • Loading times can be slow
    • Some combat difficulty spikes and balance issues
    • Limited exploration compared to open world rpgs
    • Ui and inventory management could be improved

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players have freedom to customize characters, choose dialogue options affecting story and roleplay, and multiple approaches to missions."

      Capsule for Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition

      "Players have extensive freedom to create and customize characters, choose dialogue options, and decide how to approach missions and combat."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      4

      "Combat and skill systems provide meaningful challenges and growth; players overcome complex mechanics and receive feedback on performance."

      Capsule for The Matchless Kungfu The Matchless Kungfu

      "Combat and skill systems offer meaningful challenges and require strategic thinking; players receive feedback and can improve builds."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -3

      "Focus is mainly on single-player or cooperative play with friends; no mention of ranked or leaderboard competition."

      Capsule for Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode II Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode II

      "Focus is primarily on single-player or cooperative play with friends, with no emphasis on ranked or leaderboard competition."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Many players report long play sessions, high replayability, and habitual engagement with the game."

      Capsule for Tinkerlands Tinkerlands

      "Many players report long play sessions, replayability with different choices, and habitual engagement with the game."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      3

      "Co-op multiplayer mode allows players to complete campaign together, increasing cooperative play."

      Capsule for POSTAL Redux POSTAL Redux

      "Co-op multiplayer mode allows working together with a friend to complete goals, enhancing cooperative play."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      3

      "Players customize characters’ skills, builds, and equipment; some visual customization; limited modding currently but potential for more."

      Capsule for The Iron Oath The Iron Oath

      "Players can customize characters, build diverse skill sets, and modify equipment; base building and vehicle customization add creative elements."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -4

      "Interactions emphasize shared goals and mutual respect; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."

      Capsule for The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV

      "Interactions emphasize shared decision-making and mutual respect; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Immersive post-apocalyptic world and engaging story provide strong escape from real life."

      Capsule for ENSLAVED™: Odyssey to the West™ Premium Edition ENSLAVED™: Odyssey to the West™ Premium Edition

      "The immersive post-apocalyptic world and engaging story provide strong escape from real-life problems."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, with no indication of obligation or pressure."

      Capsule for The Outlast Trials The Outlast Trials

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, with no indication of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      4

      "Players try different choices and strategies to discover new story paths and outcomes."

      Capsule for Fighting Fantasy Classics Fighting Fantasy Classics

      "Players try different character builds, combat strategies, dialogue choices, and explore multiple story outcomes."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      3

      "Open world with multiple city areas to discover and NPCs to meet; some players enjoy exploring new locations and secrets."

      Capsule for Youtubers Life 2 Youtubers Life 2

      "The game world is dense with multiple towns and factions; players explore new areas, find secrets, and interact with diverse NPCs."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      3

      "Customization of characters and vehicles with cosmetic and functional upgrades supports player self-expression."

      Capsule for Embr Embr

      "Character creation and customization, vehicle upgrades, and base building allow for player self-expression."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      3

      "Set in a surreal post-apocalyptic world with bizarre characters and events, blending dark fiction and absurdity."

      Capsule for LISA: The Painful LISA: The Painful

      "Set in a post-apocalyptic fictional world with imaginative characters and scenarios blending dark humor and surreal elements."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      3

      "Players feel part of a community through shared appreciation of characters and story, though gameplay is solo."

      Capsule for Smile For Me Smile For Me

      "Players can feel part of a community through cooperative play and shared story experiences, though solo play is common."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Character development, leveling, skill acquisition, and learning combat tactics provide meaningful personal growth."

      Capsule for Archaelund Archaelund

      "Character progression, skill development, and learning combat tactics provide opportunities for personal growth."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -4

      "The game involves sedentary play with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

      Capsule for Blasphemous 2 Blasphemous 2

      "The game involves sedentary play with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention during combat and story progression; not designed for casual or background play."

      Capsule for BioShock Infinite BioShock Infinite

      "Requires sustained attention and focus during combat and story progression; not designed for casual or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -3

      "Social interactions are mostly surface-level or functional; no evidence of close emotional relationships."

      Capsule for Death Trash Death Trash

      "Social interactions are mostly surface-level or functional; no evidence of forming close emotional relationships."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      3

      "Players lead parties of characters, make strategic decisions, and guide narrative outcomes."

      Capsule for Wildermyth Wildermyth

      "Players lead a team of Rangers and companions, making strategic and narrative decisions that guide the group."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Players accumulate items, weapons, upgrades, and level up their character throughout the game."

      Capsule for Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster

      "Players accumulate items, weapons, upgrades, and character levels throughout the game."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      2

      "Game offers a balance of challenge and humor, providing enjoyable and sometimes tense gameplay moments."

      Capsule for Tropico 5 Tropico 5

      "While the game offers moments of flow and humor, it also includes challenging combat and tense situations."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Visual effects, music, and sound design provide engaging sensory experience."

      Capsule for Break the Game Break the Game

      "Visual effects, sound design, and music provide stimulating sensory experiences enhancing immersion."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -3

      "Achievements and progression are mostly personal; little emphasis on social recognition or popularity."

      Capsule for Dead Island Definitive Edition Dead Island Definitive Edition

      "Achievements and progress are primarily personal; little emphasis on social recognition or popularity."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      5

      "Strong narrative immersion with branching plots, character interactions, and meaningful choices."

      Capsule for The Council The Council

      "Strong narrative immersion with branching plots, character interactions, and meaningful choices."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      4

      "Combat and character building require strategic thinking, planning, and problem solving."

      Capsule for Dungeons & Dragons Online® Dungeons & Dragons Online®

      "Combat and character building require logical planning, tactical thinking, and problem solving."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      3

      "Combat and story choices create suspense and excitement, especially on harder difficulties."

      Capsule for The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition

      "Combat encounters and story decisions create suspense and excitement, though not extreme or constant tension."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players perceive good return on investment through engaging gameplay and replayability."

      Capsule for No Umbrellas Allowed No Umbrellas Allowed

      "Players perceive good return on investment through engaging gameplay, story depth, and replayability."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      3

      "Combat involves destruction of enemy vehicles and use of weapons, fitting the post-apocalyptic theme."

      Capsule for Badlands Crew - Drive, Command, Conquer Badlands Crew - Drive, Command, Conquer

      "Combat involves tactical violence and destruction consistent with post-apocalyptic setting."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      3

      "Players manage resources and avoid threats to survive through hostile environments."

      Capsule for Half-Life: Alyx Half-Life: Alyx

      "Players manage resources, avoid threats, and strategically survive hostile environments and enemies."

    Analysis

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

    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

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026