iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Borderlands 4 is the closest researched match for Destiny 2’s combination of cooperative shooting, a persistent loot chase, and meaningful build choices. Gearbox describes branching skill trees, extensive gear hunting, local split-screen, and online co-op for up to four players. Dynamic level scaling and individual difficulty settings are designed to let players with different progression levels play together.
If you want a free-to-play third-person shooter built around four-player boss encounters, choose The First Descendant. If you are willing to exchange shooting for class-based action combat, Diablo IV offers cooperative campaign play, a shared open world, and build customization through skills, talents, items, and legendary powers. The comparison below separates what is documented from what still needs a current platform or systems check.
Quick comparison
| Game | Combat format | Co-op details documented in the available material | Build and loot focus | Entry model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borderlands 4 | First-person looter-shooter | Local split-screen; online co-op for up to four; dynamic level scaling; individual difficulty settings | Branching skill trees, gear hunting, and a deep loot chase | Paid game; launch platforms and later availability should be checked for the date and platform you use |
| The First Descendant | Third-person looter-shooter | Four-player co-op boss fights are highlighted in the Steam listing | Unique characters, gunplay, and looting; the available material does not establish the same skill-tree depth as Borderlands 4 | Free-to-play |
| Diablo IV | Action RPG rather than a shooter | Co-op campaign, shared open world, and parties of up to four for instanced dungeons in Blizzard’s overview | Skills, talents, items, and legendary powers | Paid action RPG; current edition, platform, and online requirements need a current check |
The table is intentionally conservative. It uses only features described in the cited official material, and it does not assign player counts, review scores, playtime totals, or current prices that were not established.
What makes a good Destiny 2 alternative?
“Games like Destiny 2” can mean several different things. A person who mainly wants first-person gunplay will judge a recommendation differently from someone who wants seasonal progression, raid-style teamwork, or an enormous menu of gear combinations. Use five questions to identify the right substitute before installing anything.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR VAULT HUNTER, YOUR PLAYSTYLE: Become one of four extraordinary Vault Hunters, each with unique abilities, playstyles, deep skill trees, and tons of personalization options.
- LOCK, LOAD, AND LOOT: With bazillions of guns and gadgets, every fight is an opportunity to score new gear. Firearms with self-propelling bullet shields? Check. Guns that grow legs and chase down enemies while hurling verbal insults? Yeah, got that too.
- A MAYHEM-FUELED THRILL RIDE: Discover new worlds beyond Pandora, each featuring unique environments to explore and enemies to destroy. Tear through hostile deserts, battle your way across war-torn cityscapes, navigate deadly bayous, and more!
- QUICK & SEAMLESS CO-OP ACTION: Play with a friend in online co-op, regardless of your level or mission progress. Take down enemies and challenges as a team, but reap rewards that are yours alone—no one misses out on loot.
- Includes: Borderlands 3 base game, Moxxi's Heist of the Handsome Jackpot, Guns, Love, and Tentacles: The Marriage of Wainwright & Hammerlock, Bounty of Blood, Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck, Designer's Cut, Director's Cut, and 30+ cosmetic items.
1. Is the combat actually shooting?
Borderlands 4 and The First Descendant are looter-shooters, so weapons and real-time aiming stay at the center of play. Diablo IV is an action RPG: its cooperative appeal comes from abilities, positioning, and itemized character power rather than a first-person or third-person firearm model. Diablo can satisfy the loot-and-build part of the request, but it is not a mechanical replacement for Destiny 2’s gunplay.
2. How will your group play together?
Check whether your group needs couch co-op, online parties, or both. Borderlands 4 is the only option in this set whose official feature material explicitly describes local split-screen as well as online co-op for up to four players. The First Descendant’s listing emphasizes four-player cooperative boss fights. Blizzard’s Diablo IV overview describes cooperative campaign play, a shared open world, and parties of up to four in instanced dungeons.
3. Can players at different progression points join?
Borderlands 4 directly addresses this problem with dynamic level scaling and individual difficulty settings. Gearbox’s feature article says scaling is intended to let players contribute despite differences in Vault Hunter levels or gear loadouts. The available material does not provide an equivalent, current statement for The First Descendant or Diablo IV, so do not assume their progression systems will synchronize in the same way.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match4. Does “build crafting” mean skills, gear, or both?
Borderlands 4 has the clearest documented combination of branching skill trees and loot-driven equipment choices. Diablo IV offers a different but explicit set of levers: skills, talents, items, and legendary powers. The First Descendant material confirms unique characters and looting, but it does not document a comparable branching skill-tree system. If changing a build is your main reason for leaving Destiny 2, that distinction matters more than the genre label.
5. What are the cost and platform constraints?
The First Descendant is free-to-play. Borderlands 4 and Diablo IV are paid games, but the supplied material does not establish current regional prices, editions, discounts, or subscription bundles. Verify the store listing for your country, the exact platform SKU, and any required console online subscription before buying. Borderlands 4’s documented online requirements are especially specific: an internet connection and a SHiFT account are required, crossplay requires SHiFT, and console online play requires a separate paid subscription.
Borderlands 4: the closest match for co-op loot and build crafting
Borderlands 4 is the strongest recommendation when you want the overall shape of Destiny 2 without leaving the looter-shooter category. Gearbox’s official feature material describes branching skill trees, a deep loot chase, local split-screen, and online co-op for as many as four players. Those details cover the three parts of this brief that are hardest to find together: shooting, cooperative progression, and build experimentation.
Why its co-op structure stands out
The most practical feature for an established group is dynamic level scaling. Instead of requiring every player to maintain the same character level or gear score, the game is described as scaling encounters so everyone can contribute. Individual difficulty settings add another layer of control: players in the same session can pursue different levels of challenge rather than forcing the entire group into one setting. The feature article’s wording specifically frames this as a way to play together despite differences between Vault Hunters’ levels or loadouts.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Online play supports up to four players, while local split-screen is also documented. The available source does not specify which console generations support every local configuration, so check the platform’s current product page if couch co-op is a deciding requirement. For online sessions, plan for an internet connection and a SHiFT account. Crossplay also requires SHiFT, and console players need the relevant paid online service in addition to the game and internet access.
How the build-crafting loop is described
Branching skill trees give you a way to specialize a character rather than simply replacing a weapon when a higher-level drop appears. The loot chase then supplies equipment choices that can reinforce or redirect that specialization. In practical terms, a group can discuss who is investing in which skill branches, which drops are worth keeping, and how a new piece of gear changes the role a player can perform. The source material calls the loot chase deep, but it does not provide a complete list of item slots, affixes, rarity tiers, or endgame activities; those specifics should be checked in current, platform-specific documentation.
Launch and availability caveat
A 2K roadmap dated August 29, 2025 listed launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on September 12, 2025, followed by Nintendo Switch 2 on October 3, 2025. That roadmap is a dated plan, not a live availability feed. As of any purchase decision, confirm that the edition you want is still sold for your platform, that cross-generation or cross-save behavior is supported if you need it, and that later content has not changed the stated requirements.
Who should choose it
- Choose Borderlands 4 if first-person shooting is non-negotiable.
- Choose it if your group needs local split-screen as well as online play.
- Choose it if friends are likely to be at different levels and you want documented level scaling.
- Choose it if you want skill-tree decisions to interact with a substantial gear chase.
Its main qualification is administrative rather than genre-related: online and crossplay setup depends on SHiFT, and console online play carries a separate subscription requirement. Confirm those conditions before inviting a group that plays across platforms.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
The First Descendant: a free-to-play third-person option
The First Descendant is the best fit here for players who want a free-to-play looter-shooter and are comfortable with a third-person camera. Its Steam listing highlights strategic boss fights in four-player co-op, unique characters, gunplay, and looting. That combination makes it a credible Destiny-like choice for a group whose priority is coordinated shooting and repeatable encounters rather than couch co-op or a documented branching skill-tree system.
What the documented loop emphasizes
Boss encounters are the clearest co-op anchor in the available description. A four-player group can organize around learning an encounter, choosing complementary characters, and improving its equipment through loot. The listing also calls out unique characters, which gives the roster an identity beyond simply changing weapons. However, the supplied material does not specify how deeply characters can be respecialized, how many build layers exist, or how gear modifiers interact with abilities. Treat “build crafting” as a possibility to investigate in the current game rather than as an established one-to-one match for Borderlands 4 or Destiny 2.
Rank #2
- Designed for Nintendo Switch: One of the cutest switch controllers; easy to pair/re-pair with v12.0; small yet comforatble to hold even for a long time
- Multi-Function: Features motion control, dual adjustable motors, and auto/manual adjustable turbo - enough to satisfy every gamer
- Home Button Wake Up: Simply wake up console from sleep mode - briefly press the home button on the controller to turn on screen and repair
- Long Battery Life: Built-in 300mAh battery lasts for 10 hours of playtime and takes 2 hours to recharge; supports charge while playing with a bundled cable. Charge it fully before first use
- Breathing Light & Headphone Jack: Beautiful lights on ears keep breathing during your gaming session; an audio port allows you to wear a headset and chat with teammates (Notice: pro controller must be plugged into switch dock)
Free-to-play changes the decision, not the requirements
There is no purchase price for the base game in the evidence used here, but free-to-play does not by itself answer questions about optional purchases, progression pacing, storage, or platform subscriptions. Check the current store page and the policies for the platform where you will play. Also verify whether your preferred group can use the same matchmaking, account, and cross-platform arrangement; the available listing excerpt does not establish those conditions.
Onboarding information is changing
The Steam listing included a notice dated October 8, 2026 about a planned November update to Guide Quests. Because the notice was future-dated relative to that listing, onboarding details may change around the time you start. If a new player is joining specifically for the tutorial or early progression path, check the live patch notes and in-game quest names rather than relying on older guides.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWho should choose it
- Choose The First Descendant if free-to-play access is the primary constraint.
- Choose it if your group prefers third-person shooting and boss-focused four-player encounters.
- Choose it if you are willing to investigate the current character and gear systems before assuming they match Destiny 2’s build depth.
It is not the strongest recommendation for local couch co-op: the supplied information only identifies online four-player boss cooperation. It is also not the safest pick for a reader whose main requirement is a documented, branching build system.
Diablo IV: the action-RPG alternative
Diablo IV belongs on this list because it covers cooperative progression and build experimentation, even though it changes the combat format completely. Blizzard’s 2019 feature overview describes co-op campaign play, a shared open world, parties of up to four for instanced dungeons, and character customization through skills, talents, items, and legendary powers.
What carries over from Destiny 2
The shared activities and layered character systems are the familiar parts. A group can progress through a campaign, move through an open world together, enter instanced dungeons, and adjust a character by changing abilities and equipment. The combination of skills, talents, items, and legendary powers gives build crafting several separate dimensions rather than making every decision depend on the latest weapon drop.
What does not carry over
Diablo IV is not a shooter substitute. Combat is viewed from an action-RPG perspective, and the core decisions concern ability rotations, positioning, item effects, and class development. A player searching specifically for Destiny 2’s first-person weapon feel should start with Borderlands 4 or The First Descendant instead. Diablo IV is the better branch of this list for someone who values loot and build theory more than firearm handling.
Why the date of the source matters
The supporting overview dates to 2019. It is useful as a baseline for the co-op campaign, shared-world, party-size, and build-customization concepts, but it is too old to certify every current system, season, edition, platform feature, or endgame rule. Before purchasing or returning to the game, verify the latest official information for the version you intend to play. Do not treat the older overview as a current content calendar or a guarantee that every listed system is unchanged.
Who should choose it
- Choose Diablo IV if you want an action RPG and do not require shooting.
- Choose it if your favorite Destiny activity is planning and refining a build rather than mastering a particular gun.
- Choose it if cooperative campaign and dungeon play are more important than local split-screen.
Side-by-side decision table
| Your priority | Best starting point | Reason | Check before committing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closest overall looter-shooter match | Borderlands 4 | Combines shooting, a deep loot chase, branching skill trees, and four-player online co-op | Current platform availability, SHiFT account setup, and console online subscription |
| Local couch co-op | Borderlands 4 | Local split-screen is explicitly described | Whether your exact platform supports the desired split-screen arrangement |
| Free-to-play entry | The First Descendant | The Steam listing identifies it as a free-to-play third-person looter shooter | Current account, matchmaking, optional-purchase, and platform requirements |
| Four-player boss cooperation | The First Descendant | Strategic boss fights in four-player co-op are a highlighted feature | Current onboarding and Guide Quest changes around the planned November update |
| Deepest documented build vocabulary | Borderlands 4 or Diablo IV | Borderlands 4 has branching skill trees; Diablo IV lists skills, talents, items, and legendary powers | Whether you prefer shooter combat or action-RPG combat |
| Action RPG rather than a shooter | Diablo IV | Co-op campaign, shared open world, and dungeon parties support a different style of group play | Current systems, edition, and platform information because the supporting overview is from 2019 |
Choose with your group in five steps
- Write down the non-negotiable combat format. If every player expects first-person shooting, remove Diablo IV from the shortlist. If a third-person camera is acceptable, keep The First Descendant in consideration.
- Mark the required co-op mode. Select Borderlands 4 first if anyone needs local split-screen. For an online-only group, compare Borderlands 4’s four-player party and level-scaling description with The First Descendant’s four-player boss emphasis.
- Describe the build decisions you actually enjoy. If you want branching specialization tied to equipment, Borderlands 4 is the clearest match in the available evidence. If you enjoy skills, talents, items, and legendary powers in an action-RPG framework, Diablo IV is the better fit.
- Confirm progression compatibility. Borderlands 4 documents dynamic level scaling and individual difficulty settings. For the other two games, verify current rules before assuming a high-level and new-player pair can share content smoothly.
- Check access on every player’s platform. Confirm the exact edition, current availability, account requirements, crossplay conditions, and any console online subscription. A free-to-play label or a remembered launch platform list is not a substitute for checking the live store page.
Co-op setup checklist
Use this checklist before your first session so technical constraints do not become a surprise after everyone has installed the game.
- Platform and edition: Match each player’s console or PC version to the current supported SKU. Borderlands 4’s dated roadmap listed PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and later Nintendo Switch 2; verify present availability rather than relying on that 2025 schedule.
- Accounts: For Borderlands 4 online play, create or sign in to a SHiFT account. Crossplay also requires SHiFT.
- Internet: Borderlands 4 online play requires an internet connection. Confirm that every player has a stable connection before troubleshooting the game itself.
- Console subscription: Borderlands 4 console online play requires a separate paid console subscription. Check the subscription on the account that will host or join the session.
- Party size: Keep the documented limits in mind: up to four online players for Borderlands 4, four-player boss co-op highlighted for The First Descendant, and parties of up to four for Diablo IV’s instanced dungeons in the older Blizzard overview.
- Progression expectations: Tell new players whether the group plans to prioritize campaign progress, boss repetition, or build testing. The games emphasize those activities differently, so agreeing on the loop prevents mismatched expectations.
Common selection mistakes
Mistaking shared loot themes for identical combat
All three games can appeal to a loot-focused player, but only two are documented as shooters. Diablo IV’s skills, talents, items, and legendary powers may provide richer theorycrafting for some players while feeling completely wrong to someone who wants precision aiming and gun handling.
Assuming every looter-shooter has the same build depth
The First Descendant listing confirms characters, gunplay, and looting; it does not establish the branching skill trees described for Borderlands 4. Ask whether you need documented build specialization or simply want a roster of characters and a reason to chase better equipment.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Ignoring the date on platform information
Borderlands 4’s platform schedule comes from an August 29, 2025 roadmap, and Diablo IV’s co-op overview comes from 2019. Both are useful evidence, but neither is a live store or patch status page. Availability, editions, and systems can change after a roadmap or feature overview is published.
Planning crossplay without checking account rules
For Borderlands 4, SHiFT is part of the documented online and crossplay setup. A group that buys the game on different platforms should create and verify those accounts before the planned play session, not after an invitation fails.
Verdict
Start with Borderlands 4 if your definition of a Destiny 2 alternative is cooperative shooting plus a serious gear chase and build crafting. Its documented level scaling, individual difficulty settings, four-player online mode, and local split-screen make it the most complete match for a mixed-progression group. Pick The First Descendant when free-to-play, third-person gunplay, and four-player boss encounters matter more than proven skill-tree depth. Pick Diablo IV when you are happy to leave shooters behind for a class-based action RPG with several explicit layers of character customization. In every case, verify the live platform, edition, account, subscription, and patch details before committing your whole group.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
