Not every video game is truly original. Some developers take ideas or features from other titles to incorporate them into their own games. This is normal for any art form. Yet, several developers have taken the concept further and created whole games that are remarkably similar to existing titles.
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To put it simply, they copied other games. Occasionally, however, this works out well, as the copycat game actually turns out to be good and perhaps even launches a full series. Here are some examples of great titles that clearly copied other games.
8 Saints Row
Copied The Grand Theft Auto Series
Many games over the years have been branded as GTA clones. Saints Row, however, is among the few to become a very successful series in its own right. It all began with the first game, which is a third-person, open-world, action-adventure game that revolves around gang warfare.
So, you can see why it has been compared to GTA. It remains a good game, though, and is filled with fun activities and decent gunplay. It has since helped spawn a fantastic series.
7 Fortnite
Copied PUBG: Battlegrounds
It isn’t hyperbole to say that Fortnite is one of the most famous video games of all time. Part of the reason for this is that it’s among the best Battle Royales ever. Yet, it can’t be credited with creating or popularizing the genre. After all, PUBG was the title that really made the genre a significant one.
Fortnite took the core gameplay style that PUBG helped establish, while adding building elements and a cartoony art style. Plus, over the years, many interesting skins have been added to the game. All of this makes it the more appealing of the two titles.
6 Cities: Skylines
Copied The SimCity Series
While there are numerous good city builder games available, the SimCity titles were the ones that truly defined the genre. Eventually, though, the SimCity series faded away. This created an opening for Cities: Skylines to arrive on the scene and make an impact.
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This is exactly what it did, as it’s an exceptional city builder. It offers numerous options and provides you with ample freedom to create the exact city you envision. It has managed to outdo the more recent SimCity instalments, but it probably wouldn’t have existed if it weren’t for the influence of SimCity.
5 Palworld
Copied The Pokemon Series
When it comes to core gameplay, Palworld isn’t too similar to the Pokemon games. After all, it’s a survival game where you build bases, feed yourself, and shoot things. Yet, it is set in a similar world to Pokemon.
It’s always bright, sunny, and filled with colorful creatures. These creatures are called Pals, and they heavily resemble Pokemon to the point that there has been legal trouble surrounding the game. Still, though, while Pikachu and the gang clearly inspire the designs of the Pals, the way they’re used in the game is unique. They can be your workers, friends, or food.
4 Stardew Valley
Copied The Harvest Moon Series
At the start of Stardew Valley, you inherit your grandfather’s old farm, and the goal is to rebuild it. That is the same exact premise as the original Harvest Moon. This is because Stardew Valley is clearly inspired by the Harvest Moon (also known as Story of Seasons) series.
Of course, they’re all farming sims, but the comparisons go deeper than that. Stardew Valley is both visually and tonally similar to the Harvest Moon titles. That said, Stardew Valley might be the most complete of any farming sim. There is simply so much to do in this game, and you’re given plenty of freedom to do it.
3 Brawlhalla
Copied Super Smash Bros.
You can’t really make a platform fighter without evoking comparisons to Super Smash Bros. Mario and his friends really helped establish a specific type of fighting game. These titles are 2D ones where you have to beat up on your enemies and knock them out of bounds.
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All of the Smash Bros games offer this type of gameplay, as does Brawlhalla. So, Brawlhalla doesn’t really separate itself through the core gameplay. But it does offer very different characters, stages, and weapons. Plus, the game is free-to-play.
2 Resident Evil
Copied Alone In The Dark
Resident Evil is one of the most influential horror games ever, but it shares many similar elements with Alone in the Dark. Both games have fixed camera angles, 3D character models, a mansion filled with puzzles, and some combat. So, Capcom seems to have been heavily influenced by Alone in the Dark.
This is a great thing because it resulted in an incredible survival horror game that is very well-designed and still pretty scary. That game then led to many more great Resident Evil titles.
1 Tunic
Copied The Legend Of Zelda Series
When you think of a gaming character wearing a green tunic, you likely think of Link from the Legend of Zelda series. However, there is another action-adventure game featuring a sword-wielding and tunic-wearing hero.
That game is Tunic, and it stars a Fox as the main protagonist. So, that is a bit different from the Zelda games. What’s also different is the fact that the game has you exploring the world, looking for pages of the game manual, which give you clues on what to do and how to do it. So, it’s a unique experience that’s very different from the hand-holding titles you see a lot these days.
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