If you want an online co-op multiplayer looter shooter after Borderlands, start by deciding whether you want a contained campaign for a regular party or a persistent world built around continuing activities. Remnant II is the clearest fit for a small group that values difficult encounters, exploration and build progression. The First Descendant is the strongest third-person option, with character and weapon customization plus multiplayer boss fights. Outriders, The Division 2 and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands are worthwhile leads, but the available evidence for their current platforms and features needs checking on official product pages.
The comparison below separates what is documented from what still needs verification, so you can choose the Borderlands-like qualities you actually miss: shooting feel, loot, character builds, a humorous campaign or an ongoing shared-world grind.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Remnant 2 - PlayStation 5 | $30.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Remnant II | $24.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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ASRVA Wireless Controller for PS5/PS5 Pro/PC, Hall Effect Joysticks & Triggers (No Drift), 2 Back... | $52.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Quick comparison: which Borderlands alternative fits?
| Game | Best for | What the available source establishes | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remnant II | Small groups that want challenging encounters, exploration and build progression | Playable solo or in co-op with two other friends; archetypes have independent progression and distinctive traits, perks and skills. Official site | The cited page does not establish current price, editions, cross-play, subscription requirements or every supported platform. |
| The First Descendant | Players who prefer third-person shooting, character and weapon customization, and boss-focused co-op | The PlayStation Store describes it as a third-person online co-op action RPG looter shooter with multiplayer co-op boss encounters. The listing says PS4 support ended June 19, 2025. PlayStation Store listing | Platform eligibility is region- and date-sensitive; verify the store page you will use. Do not assume PS4 access, cross-play or subscription terms from this listing alone. |
| Outriders | A more campaign-focused alternative to investigate | Included as a Borderlands alternative in a GamesRadar roundup. Roundup | Current platform support, matchmaking and detailed features were not verified in the available official material. |
| The Division 2 | Players interested in a persistent shared-world structure | Included in the same GamesRadar roundup as a Borderlands alternative. | Confirm the current edition, platforms, group size and live-service details before buying or installing. |
| Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands | Players who want to stay especially close to Borderlands’ style | Included in the GamesRadar roundup as a Borderlands alternative. | Verify current co-op and platform details from an official source; the cited roundup is not a live product specification. |
This is a trade-off list rather than a universal ranking. The most similar game depends on whether your priority is first-person shooting, a particular tone, a directed campaign, randomized loot, build crafting or activities that continue in a shared world.
First decide what “like Borderlands” means to you
“Games like Borderlands” can describe two different expectations. One is a campaign you can progress with a few friends: missions have a beginning and an end, loot improves your character, and the group can stop when the story is finished. The other is a persistent online game where the world, characters and activities are designed for repeated sessions after the main campaign. Both can be called looter shooters, but they produce very different rhythms.
#1 Best Overall
- Intense Remnant Combat Experience - A mix of methodical and frenetic ranged/melee combat returns with cunning enemies and large scale boss battles. Choose specific gear and weapons to optimize for the different biomes and battles ahead. Bosses will bring high-level players to team up to overcome the challenge and try to obtain the biggest rewards
- New Worlds to Explore - Players can travel alone or with friends as a team through strange new worlds and beyond, overrun by mythical creatures and deadly foes while trying to stay alive. There are multiple worlds to explore with different types of creatures, weapons, and items. Utilize and upgrade discovered items to take on tougher challenges
- Endless Replayability - Branching quest lines, augments, crafting, and loot rewards will test the resolve of even the most hardened players in dynamically generated dungeons and areas. Playthroughs will feel challenging, varied, and rewarding as players succeed against unrelenting odds. Various stories are woven throughout the different worlds, encouraging exploration and multiple revisits
- New Archetypical Progression - Expanded Archetype system provides players with unique passive bonuses and stunning powers. Multiple Archetypes can be unlocked during play, leveled up, and equipped together for a variety of play styles
Choose a contained co-op campaign when you want closure
A campaign-first choice suits a group that meets at a predictable time, wants to see the same story together and does not want its progress tied to a continuing service. Ask whether the game gives your party a clear route through missions, whether builds matter during that route and whether the activity remains enjoyable without an endless checklist. Remnant II is the clearest candidate in this shortlist for that small-party decision, while Outriders is the campaign-focused option identified by the editorial roundup.
Choose a shared world when you want a long-term routine
A persistent shared-world game is a better match if your group wants repeatable activities, regular character maintenance and a reason to return after the initial story. The trade-off is that your experience may depend more on current service policies, matchmaking and platform support. The Division 2 belongs in this investigation category, but its current edition and live-service details should be confirmed before you commit.
Separate loot from build depth
Loot can mean frequent weapon drops, long-term equipment optimization or a small set of meaningful class decisions. Those are not interchangeable. Before choosing, decide whether you want to compare guns constantly, tune a skill-based build, or both. Remnant II’s official description specifically supports independent archetype progression with traits, perks and skills. The First Descendant’s store description supports character and weapon customization. The available evidence does not justify treating those systems as identical.
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Remnant II is the safest recommendation when your group wants a demanding co-op adventure rather than a permanently running online world. Its official site says you can play solo or co-op with two other friends, establishing a three-player party ceiling for the feature described there. That makes it a natural fit for a regular trio, and it also works for a solo player who occasionally adds friends.
Why it fits Borderlands players
- Co-op scale: the documented format is one player alone or three players total, so you can plan around a small, stable group.
- Build progression: each archetype has independent progression and its own traits, perks and skills, giving players a reason to specialize rather than simply equip the same upgrades.
- Encounter focus: the editorial fit is strongest for groups that enjoy challenging encounters and exploration alongside progression, not only a rapid stream of weapon drops.
Where it differs
Do not approach Remnant II expecting a direct copy of Borderlands’ pacing or tone. The available official description establishes the party structure and archetype system, not a first-person perspective, a specific loot frequency or a Borderlands-style comedy campaign. If your favorite part of Borderlands is constant gun swapping and a broad, joke-driven story, check gameplay footage and the current official product information before purchasing.
Questions to answer before buying
- Is a three-player maximum enough for your usual group?
- Do you want independent archetype builds more than a huge catalog of interchangeable weapons?
- Does your platform and edition support the way your friends intend to play?
The cited official page does not provide current prices, store editions, cross-play rules, subscription requirements or player-population figures. Treat those as purchase checks, not assumptions.
The First Descendant: a third-person, boss-oriented co-op choice
The PlayStation Store describes The First Descendant as a third-person online co-op action RPG looter shooter. Its listing also highlights multiplayer co-op boss encounters and customization for characters and weapons. That makes it the most clearly documented choice here for someone who wants a third-person viewpoint and co-op organized around large boss fights.
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What the store description confirms
- Perspective: third person.
- Online format: co-op is part of the game’s core description, rather than an incidental mode.
- Progression targets: the listing points to character and weapon customization.
- Group activity: multiplayer boss encounters are explicitly called out.
The PS4 cutoff matters
The PlayStation Store notice says PS4 support ended on June 19, 2025. Do not list PS4 as a currently supported platform on the strength of older articles or search snippets. Store notices can vary by region and can change over time, so open the PlayStation Store page for your account’s country before you plan a purchase or promise a friend that an older console will work.
Rank #2
- Intense Remnant Combat Experience - A mix of methodical and frenetic ranged/melee combat returns with cunning enemies and large scale boss battles. Choose specific gear and weapons to optimize for the different biomes and battles ahead. Bosses will bring high-level players to team up to overcome the challenge and try to obtain the biggest rewards
- New Worlds to Explore - Players can travel alone or with friends as a team through strange new worlds and beyond, overrun by mythical creatures and deadly foes while trying to stay alive. There are multiple worlds to explore with different types of creatures, weapons, and items. Utilize and upgrade discovered items to take on tougher challenges
- Endless Replayability - Branching quest lines, augments, crafting, and loot rewards will test the resolve of even the most hardened players in dynamically generated dungeons and areas. Playthroughs will feel challenging, varied, and rewarding as players succeed against unrelenting odds. Various stories are woven throughout the different worlds, encouraging exploration and multiple revisits
- New Archetypical Progression - Expanded Archetype system provides players with unique passive bonuses and stunning powers. Multiple Archetypes can be unlocked during play, leveled up, and equipped together for a variety of play styles
How it compares with Borderlands
The First Descendant preserves the broad loot-and-build motivation while changing the camera and the activity emphasis. A third-person view can make character positioning and the presentation of abilities feel different from a first-person campaign. Boss encounters also suggest a more deliberate group objective than simply moving through a linear mission. The store description does not establish exact party size, cross-play behavior, pricing, subscription requirements or the length of its campaign; verify those points independently.
Outriders: investigate it for a campaign-led experience
Outriders appears in the GamesRadar roundup of Borderlands alternatives and is identified in the available editorial guidance as the campaign-focused option for readers seeking a co-op looter shooter. That makes it a sensible name to investigate when your priority is a directed story with friends rather than a persistent shared-world routine.
What you can reasonably take from the listing
The roundup establishes that Outriders is considered relevant to the “games like Borderlands” question. It does not, by itself, establish the current platform list, matchmaking behavior, party size, edition differences or the state of its online services. Those details are especially important for a game you plan to play as a group.
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Verification checklist
- Open the official product page for your platform and confirm that the edition you are considering is still sold or supported.
- Check the current co-op and matchmaking description rather than relying on an older review.
- Confirm whether every member of your group can access the same version and online features.
- Look for any region-specific service or account requirement before scheduling a shared campaign.
Choose Outriders only after those checks answer the practical questions. Its place on a recommendation list is a starting point, not proof of current availability.
The Division 2: consider it when you want a persistent shared world
The Division 2 is also included in the GamesRadar Borderlands-alternatives roundup, but its editorial angle is different: it is the shortlist’s investigation target for players who want a more persistent shared-world structure. That distinction is more important than a superficial “looter shooter” label.
Why the structure changes the decision
A persistent world asks you to think about ongoing activities, return sessions and the health of its online ecosystem. That can be ideal for a group that wants a long-term routine. It can be a poor match for friends who simply want to finish a campaign together and move to another game. Decide which of those schedules describes your group before treating The Division 2 as a Borderlands replacement.
Details that still need an official check
- Which current edition includes the content your group expects?
- Which platforms and console generations are supported now?
- What group size and matchmaking rules apply to the activities you care about?
- Which live-service features are active in your region and edition?
The available roundup does not answer those questions. Use it to identify the game’s role in the comparison, then confirm the specifics on an official product page.
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Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands: the closest stylistic lead
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is named in the GamesRadar roundup as a Borderlands-adjacent alternative for players who want to remain near the franchise’s style. It is therefore the first name to investigate if tone and familiar presentation matter more to you than moving into a different kind of shared-world game.
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Why it may be the right direction
A stylistic match can preserve the feeling that made Borderlands appealing even when another game’s progression or setting is technically similar. If your group wants a recognizable sense of humor and a campaign-shaped experience, Wonderlands deserves priority in your own comparison.
Do not skip the current-product checks
The cited roundup does not establish current co-op implementation, platform availability, edition contents or support policies. Confirm those items from an official source for the platforms your friends own. In particular, avoid assuming that a current storefront listing, a previous-generation version or an older co-op guide still represents the same availability.
Comparison by the decision that actually matters
| If your priority is… | Start with… | Why | Check before committing |
|---|---|---|---|
| A trio that wants challenging encounters and build progression | Remnant II | The official site documents solo play or co-op with two friends and independent archetype progression. | Platform, edition, cross-play, price and subscription terms. |
| Third-person shooting and co-op boss fights | The First Descendant | The PlayStation Store explicitly describes that format and character/weapon customization. | Your regional platform page; PS4 support ended June 19, 2025 according to the listing. |
| A directed campaign rather than a continuing world | Outriders | The editorial shortlist positions it as a campaign-focused alternative. | Current official platform, matchmaking and service information. |
| Long-term shared-world activities | The Division 2 | The editorial shortlist positions it as the persistent-world option. | Current edition, platforms, group size and live-service status. |
| Staying close to Borderlands’ style | Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands | The editorial shortlist identifies it as a close Borderlands-adjacent choice. | Official co-op and platform details for your region and edition. |
A practical selection process for your group
1. Write down the non-negotiable feature
Ask each player to choose one requirement: first-person shooting, third-person shooting, a humorous tone, a campaign with an ending, randomized loot, build experimentation or a persistent activity loop. If everyone chooses a different requirement, rank them rather than pretending one game maximizes all of them.
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Remnant II’s official description gives you a concrete three-player model. For the other games in this shortlist, the supplied sources do not establish a current party limit. Count your regular players and confirm the limit on the official page before buying.
3. Decide how much service dependency you accept
A campaign-led game can be easier to schedule, while a persistent online game may offer more reasons to return but more dependency on servers, matchmaking and ongoing support. This is a schedule and reliability decision, not merely a genre preference.
4. Verify every platform separately
Do not infer cross-generation support, cross-play or subscription requirements from a review, a search result or another player’s setup. The First Descendant’s PS4 cutoff shows why platform information needs a date and a region. Check the store page for every member of your party.
5. Buy only after the evidence matches your requirement
Use the shortlist to narrow the field, then confirm the exact edition, price, platform, co-op mode and account requirements from the current official product page. The available sources do not provide a reliable basis for universal price claims, player counts or compatibility guarantees.
Common mistakes when replacing Borderlands
- Choosing by the word “looter” alone: loot volume does not tell you whether the game is campaign-led, boss-led or a persistent service.
- Assuming every co-op game supports the same party: only Remnant II’s solo-or-two-friends structure is established in the cited official material.
- Trusting an old platform list: The First Descendant’s stated PS4 support end date demonstrates how quickly eligibility can change.
- Expecting identical tone and pacing: a game can share shooting, loot and builds while feeling very different because of its camera, encounter design or world structure.
- Buying before checking editions: the roundup identifies candidates but does not specify which current edition contains the features your group needs.
For readers searching for “the best co-op looter shooters like Borderlands,” the useful answer is not a single winner. It is a choice between a three-player, progression-heavy adventure; a third-person, boss-centered online game; a campaign-focused lead; a persistent shared world; and a stylistic near-neighbor.
The Bottom Line
Pick Remnant II for a documented three-player co-op structure and archetype progression. Pick The First Descendant for third-person online co-op, character and weapon customization and multiplayer boss encounters, while checking your regional platform page because PS4 support ended June 19, 2025. Investigate Outriders, The Division 2 and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands according to whether you want a campaign, a persistent world or a closer Borderlands-style presentation—and verify their current official details before purchase.
Quick Recap
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