Top 10 Action RPGs you need to play now

Action RPG is one of the most captivating game genres. When interest in major titles or ranked games wanes, you can always immerse yourself in the world of isometry, loot, and builds. There aren't as many high-profile projects in the genre as there are in classic RPGs, and this is justified by the gameplay features.

In ARPGs, the emphasis is not on the story or character role-playing but on leveling up and efficiency. The better the gear and build, the further the player progresses in the game and can obtain even cooler items. This concept is very engaging, as gamers receive something every minute. I also fell into this trap and want to talk about the 10 most interesting ARPGs.

Diablo III

Image: diablo.blizzplanet.com

Yes, it's a cliché move, but let's start with Diablo since it is the progenitor of the genre. At the time, players received something that wasn't available in other projects. An RPG where there is no proven safe path, and every step could be fatal. The difficulties are compensated by a constant stream of loot and diverse leveling, giving incredible freedom of action.

At the beginning of the journey, the user chooses an archetype, and their list has changed little to this day. The choice is small, but as the game progresses, it is up to you to decide what your hero will become. An ordinary warrior can become a fierce berserker, a holy paladin, a tank, and so on. Much also depends on the equipment, and there is an endless amount of it here. Every mob drops resources and items, and elite bosses drop legendary weapons and armor.

The series grew and evolved, gaining new mechanics. Why choose Diablo III? In my opinion, it is the most balanced part. I myself started with the legendary second part, but for modern gamers, it may seem very raw and hardcore. The latest game, number IV, is very beautiful but has lost the charm of the entire franchise. Against this background, Diablo III seems the best option.

Last Epoch

Image: Steam

Let's move on to a project that revived hope for the resurrection of ARPGs and became a rising star of the genre. Last Epoch was developed by creators who once worked on the legendary Diablo II, and it shows. This is a game by devoted fans for other devoted fans, and it has already stolen hundreds of hours from me.

The concept is standard: choose an archetype and embark on a journey. Warrior, mage, ranger, druid, and necromancer are divided into three subclasses after reaching a certain level. However, the developers do not hinder the player from creating something versatile to their taste. A character can take some skills from other subclasses, and a paladin in battle can use dark magic if desired.

Last Epoch maintains an excellent balance between engaging gameplay and hardcore elements. A newbie won't have to read hundreds of pages of guides or watch hours of videos. Meanwhile, professionals can delve into build construction, as each skill has its own development tree! I was thrilled by this mechanic! Moreover, skill points can be easily reset to build a new one, but the class and subclass cannot be changed.

I also want to highlight the interesting concept of the game world. Everything here is divided into epochs, and one large map will change depending on the time period. Not only does the environment change, but also the enemies and the items that drop from them.

Path of Exile

Image: Steam

On Steam, you can download the main competitor of Diablo, Path of Exile, for free. The battle between these two titans of the genre has been going on for many years, but if you delve deeper, the projects are very different from each other. While the previous games on the list cater to a mass audience, PoE is ruthless to beginners.

The goal is the same for all ARPGs: leveling up and collecting gear for greater efficiency in a continuous cycle. The stumbling block in this game is the leveling system, as there are many variations, but not all of them are effective. At the beginning of the journey, a player can make mistakes and choose the wrong skill, and that's normal. However, PoE does not forgive such errors. Reversing a choice is difficult, so you either have to play with a broken build or start over.

An endless number of guides is an integral part of the gameplay. So why is the project so popular? It's simple: the logic is akin to that of Souls-like games. The hard struggle delivers incredible emotions. The right build, gear obtained through blood and sweat, a defeated boss — all these bring childlike joy and adrenaline. Of course, the complete freedom in choosing a playstyle also plays a role, but remember, Path of Exile does not forgive mistakes.

Titan Quest Anniversary Edition 

Image: Steam

Titan Quest was a breath of fresh air for gamers at its time. Endless dark locations with the undead were replaced by the landscapes of Ancient Greece, Egypt, and China. Rotten zombies and seductive succubi were replaced by creatures from various myths. Even the plot is interesting here, but what new elements does the project bring in terms of gameplay?

Honestly, not much. Expect no innovations, as it is practically a clone of Diablo II but in a new setting. However, there are some positive minor changes. For example, you no longer need to take all the previous skills to level up cooler abilities. It's enough to just invest a few points in the mastery bar. By the way, there are only two directions here: strength and magic. You can't combine them.

To celebrate the game's tenth anniversary, a global remaster called Anniversary Edition was released, allowing you to enjoy the classic on modern PCs with widescreen resolution. The developers also adjusted the balance and reworked some bugs, fixing millions of them.

Sacred 2 

Image: Steam

Another old game that is still considered one of the best ARPGs. As mentioned earlier, there are few new titles in this genre, so such veterans remain relevant as of 2024. In terms of gameplay, everything corresponds to the progenitor of the genre and the year of release, except that the hero has a horse. However, Sacred 2 captivates with its unique atmosphere.

Even compared to Diablo II (yes, yes, all developers were inspired by it), the game turned out to be very dark and bloody. The fun monster hacking is accompanied not by slow opera singing but by lively heavy rock. Perfect! Another feature is the storyline. The plot is quite interesting, and the bosses are well tied to it.

Overall, it's a typical game for the genre, but if you have a severe shortage of ARPGs, I can recommend playing this game.

Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr

Image: Steam

Let's switch to a truly unique project. As a fan of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, the release of this title was a real celebration for me. An ARPG in my favorite setting! However, the release turned out to be disastrous… But the developers didn't abandon their creation. Now, I can confidently call Inquisitor – Martyr an excellent game, and hundreds of thousands of other players agree with me.

So, once again, you choose an archetype, and each one is divided into subclasses. Since the action takes place in a grim future world, the classes match the setting. Ranged combat includes sniper, heavy gunner, psyker (mage). Melee combat involves knights and assassins, followed by interesting hybrid classes. Sisters of Battle use both ranged and melee combat (and a lot of holy fire), while Tech-Priests summon robots for assistance.

The combat style is influenced not only by class but also by equipment. For example, my heavy gunner can launch a barrage of rockets, leap short distances, or set up turrets — depending on the type of armor. Additionally, fans of big guns can wield a machine gun, rocket launcher, flamethrower, plasma gun, or laser rifle. This greatly affects gameplay since each weapon has four abilities. Still, nothing stops you from wielding a pistol in one hand and a chainsword in the other.

Enemies are represented by hordes of Chaos God spawn, which vary greatly from one another. There are also simple humans who amusingly turn into bloody clouds. By the way, the sound effects in the game are simply stunning! Of course, there's a plot that fans of the franchise will definitely enjoy. Remember, the Emperor protects.

Torchlight II 

Image: Steam

If you want to get acquainted with the genre for the first time, I recommend starting with Torchlight II. It's a fantastic game capable of maintaining interest without being off-puttingly difficult. The title remains hugely popular due to its engaging gameplay and pleasant art style, which doesn't age over time.

There won't be any severed limbs, seas of blood, or screams. The colorful world is enjoyable even in the heat of battle. However, don't think everything is too simple and casual. No, Torchlight II can be challenging but won't make you read hundreds of guides like PoE or face endless darkness like Diablo. It's hard to imagine, but any build works here!

In other respects, the game features are classic for the genre: leveling up, tons of loot, then more leveling up, and so on. The enemies are diverse, and so are the classes. In some way, it's steampunk, so you can play as a shooter with cool guns. I've played all the previous projects, and Torchlight II is one of my favorites.

Grim Dawn

Image: Steam

Enjoyed the colorful world? Time to return to the realm of darkness. Yes, ARPGs aren't the most cheerful genre. Before the advent of Last Epoch, this project remained the only bastion of hope for fans. Cool atmosphere, freedom of choice, beautiful graphics, and immense replayability — everything gamers need.

Opening the skills menu reminded me of PoE, horrified me, and nearly made me faint. But it's not that bad here. Grim Dawn's distinctive feature is that the player can combine two classes in one character! Yes, this way you can break the build, but the majority of combinations work effectively.

Another highlight is the game world. You can influence it. For example, the more you help human settlements, the better they become and the more benefits they provide. There are even reputation points, which bring discounts from merchants and a variety of goods.

A special mention goes to the satisfying feel of strikes. Every kill of thousands of mobs is accompanied by pleasing animations and juicy sounds. You won't get tired of the grind.

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing

Image: Steam

Another unique setting from the creators of Inquisitor – Martyr. Before bringing the Emperor's light to the masses, the developers made a game based on the Van Helsing franchise. It turned out to be very cool! The world is colorful, stylish, and memorable. Even today, the graphics and effects look good, and it’s enjoyable to return to this project.

Unlike previous titles, the character is entirely customizable by the player. The builder is very flexible, allowing you to create your own unique class. For example, I chose a lethal combination of pistols and throwing traps and was very pleased. The variety of enemies adds interest, as each requires a different approach.

One downside is the short storyline. If you don’t clear locations and ignore side quests, the adventure will be short (less than 20 hours).

Lost Ark

Image: forbes.com

We'll end the list with the most unusual project of all mentioned, as this is an MMO ARPG. Lost Ark almost died at launch, but now it shares top spots in the genre with WoW and TESO. Fans of previous titles will find it almost comfortable here. The pleasant isometric view, several active skills from a huge list, and a very dynamic combat system with hordes of monsters.

The game has many classes, so everyone will find a favorite. There are classic mages, warriors, and assassins, as well as demon hunters, reapers, mechanics, and other unusual professions. You might ask, "Why almost comfortable?" The answer is simple. Lost Ark is still an MMO project with characteristic features. Mobs won’t shower you with loot, and there are essential professions like fishing, resource gathering, and crafting.

For high-level raids, you’ll need other players, so cooperation is required. However, the story mode and some challenges can be completed solo. Essentially, players get a modern ARPG constantly being updated with new content. This hooked me, so I enjoy playing the game for a couple of hours in the evenings.

Despite the lack of new projects, the genre has many interesting games. There's a project for everyone that will provide hundreds of engaging hours, and I hope this helps you make your choice.

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