Sci-Fi Games Like Baldur’s Gate 3 for Players Tired of Fantasy
Table of Contents
Baldur’s Gate 3 didn’t hook you with swords. It hooked you with dice that decide everything, turn-based fights where position matters, and a party that argues back. Most “sci-fi BG3” lists ignore that and hand you shooters. Every pick here keeps at least two of those three.
If you want the combat
Start with Rogue Trader, then Wasteland 3 or Colony Ship.
If you want the companions and choices
Start with Knights of the Old Republic or Rogue Trader. For the fantasy side too, see our full guide to games like Baldur’s Gate 3, matched to what you loved.
The short answer, and how we chose
Quick answer
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is the closest sci-fi game to Baldur’s Gate 3. It’s an isometric, turn-based party RPG with companions, romance, and online co-op.
⏱️ Verified 24 September 2026: Prices, sales, and subscription catalogues change constantly. Confirm on the storefront before you buy.
| Game | Platforms | Combat | Length | Price (Steam US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rogue Trader | PC, Mac, PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2 | Turn-based | $49.99 | |
| KOTOR | PC, Mac, Switch, iOS, Android | Pausable rounds | $9.99 | |
| Wasteland 3 | PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, Xbox One | Turn-based | $39.99 | |
| Colony Ship | PC (Windows) | Turn-based | $39.99 | |
| Citizen Sleeper 2 | PC, Mac, PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, Switch 2 | Dice placement | $24.99 |
Prices and platforms verified 24 Sep 2026 against Steam and publisher pages.
How we picked
We kept sci-fi games with party or crew play and choices that change outcomes. We cut anything that’s real-time action only. Mac players can cross-check our BG3-style games that run on a Mac, and handheld PC players can check any pick in our Steam Deck Compatibility Lookup.
The closest match: Rogue Trader
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
Platforms: PC, Mac, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2 · Price: $49.99 on Steam (verified 24 Sep 2026) · Mode: single-player, online co-op, cross-platform multiplayer · Rating:
It’s a turn-based isometric CRPG built on a tabletop ruleset, made by the studio behind the Pathfinder games.
Fights run on cover, positioning, and companion abilities, much as BG3’s run on terrain and spells. Your retinue has personal arcs you steer, and your decisions change the open world and the people in it.
Who it’s not for: anyone who has no patience for dense Warhammer lore or long, crunchy fights.
What changes from BG3
The rules come from a d100 tabletop system rather than D&D 5e.
⚠️ Heads Up: The developer’s own content warning covers torture, slavery, and abuse themes, among others. It’s grimmer than BG3 at its darkest.
On Nintendo’s new hardware? See our BG3-style picks for Switch 2.
The d20 original: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Platforms: PC and Mac (Steam), Switch, iOS, Android; Xbox Series via backward compatibility · Price: $9.99 on Steam (verified 24 Sep 2026) · Mode: single-player · Rating: ESRB T (Teen)
It’s made by BioWare, the original Baldur’s Gate studio, and every attack resolves on D&D’s d20 rules.
Combat looks real-time but runs in rounds you can auto-pause, and a menu shows the full dice-and-modifier breakdown. Up to two companions travel with you, and their banter unlocks extra quests.
Who it’s not for: anyone who needs true grid-based turns or can’t stand 2003-era visuals. There is no PlayStation version.
About the remake
The remake is still in development with no release date. Buy the original now; don’t wait for it.
The co-op pick: Wasteland 3
Wasteland 3
Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, Xbox One · Price: $39.99 on Steam (verified 24 Sep 2026) · Mode: single-player, 2-player online co-op · Rating: ESRB M (Mature 17+)
It’s a squad-based turn-based RPG where your choices open or close off whole story arcs.
You build a squad of up to six Rangers with perks and quirks, and the dialogue has full English voiceover. Its moral calls land harder and dirtier than BG3’s.
Who it’s not for: couch co-op players, and anyone chasing companion romance.
How the co-op actually works
Co-op is online only, with no split-screen. According to inXile’s co-op and crossplay guide, crossplay works only within the same platform family. More options are in our co-op games like Baldur’s Gate 3.
Two picks the big lists skip
Colony Ship: A Post-Earth Role Playing Game
Platforms: PC (Windows) · Price: $39.99 on Steam (verified 24 Sep 2026) · Mode: single-player · Rating:
This is the sci-fi game that best respects what made BG3’s skill checks matter. You can talk your way past every fight.
Turn-based combat depends on cover angles and aimed shots, and the game warns plainly that you’ll be outnumbered. Ten recruitable companions, four in the party at a time, and three factions to betray.
Who it’s not for: console players, and anyone who needs voice acting. There is none.
💡 Player Tip: Steam offers a free demo, so try the opening before you pay.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
Platforms: PC, Mac, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2 · Price: $24.99 on Steam (verified 24 Sep 2026) · Mode: single-player · Rating:
It takes BG3’s dice-roll dread and makes it the entire game.
You roll dice each cycle and place them into jobs. Crew members add their own dice, and pushing your luck costs stress.
Who it’s not for: anyone who wants tactical battles. There are none, and the game is text-heavy.
Skip these if you want BG3 in space
Starfield
It has been on PS5 since April 2026, and it’s the name every list reaches for. It’s a first-person action RPG, and its followers never form a tactical party you command. It’s a good game, just the wrong itch for this search.
Mass Effect (great, wrong fit)
Mass Effect has brilliant companions but real-time shooter combat. Shadowrun is out too, and not just on taste: Dragonfall is named after one.
FAQ
1. What’s the closest sci-fi game to Baldur’s Gate 3?
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is the closest: turn-based party combat, companions, romance, and online co-op.
2. Is Rogue Trader on PS5 and Switch 2?
Yes. Rogue Trader is on PC, Mac, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2.
3. Does KOTOR use dice rolls like BG3?
Yes. KOTOR resolves attacks with D&D’s d20 rules, and a menu shows each roll and modifier.
4. Is Knights of the Old Republic on PlayStation?
No. KOTOR is on PC, Mac, Switch, iOS, and Android, and on Xbox via backward compatibility.
5. Is the KOTOR remake out yet?
No. The KOTOR remake is still in development with no announced release date.
6. Can you play Wasteland 3 split-screen?
No. Wasteland 3 co-op is two players, online only, with no split-screen or local co-op.
7. Is Colony Ship on console?
No. Colony Ship is a Windows PC game on Steam, and it has a free demo.
8. Does Citizen Sleeper 2 have combat?
No. Citizen Sleeper 2 has no tactical battles; you roll and place dice, and crew members add their own.
9. Is Starfield like Baldur’s Gate 3?
Not really. Starfield is a first-person action RPG without a commanded tactical party.
10. Is Mass Effect turn-based like BG3?
No. Mass Effect has great companions, but its combat is a real-time shooter.
Where to start
For most BG3 fans, buy Rogue Trader. If you’re on a PC and want something nobody else is recommending, play the Colony Ship demo tonight. Our monthly picks digest flags new sci-fi CRPGs as they launch.
