ARPGs are incredibly popular nowadays, as more players are looking for an experience that offers both a satisfying gameplay loop and an engaging world in which to exist. Many games focus on a few specific aspects, but some lean so far into the combat side of things that virtually every other mechanic, system, and component doesn't actually matter, simply due to the fights being that good.
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These games, widely considered the best-written action RPGs ever, deliver unforgettable experiences through their compelling characters and themes.
This doesn't mean to say that the story and world-building of these games aren't stellar; it just means that the action that goes with them is enough of a reason to play in its own right. Achieving that caliber of combat is no easy feat, and it often means that the devs need to invest so much time into the customization options, fight variety, enemy patterns, and so much more, to give players an experience so enjoyable that they will forget there is even a story in the background.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Elden Ring
Toppling Giants And Taking On Dragons
Details:
- Signature soulslike combat
- More options and diverse gameplay styles
Elden Ring needs no introduction, and in typical FromSoftware fashion, they managed to design a combat style so fun and engaging that the exceptional world can often feel secondary. Every sword swing and shield block is responsive and heavy, and players have many different options to choose from to fit their tastes, ranging from fast daggers all the way up to gigantic hammers and maces with enough power to take down enemies in a single blow.
The bosses are the standout, and each one brings with it a new challenge for players to overcome and play around, pushing them to try new things, adjust their approach, or simply just get good. As difficult as the game can be, a lot of that curve comes down to how willing players are to explore. If they choose to step away from the main path, they will not only become stronger over time, but also be treated to some incredible fights that rival those on the actual story route.
NieR: Automata
Stylish And Fluid At All Times
Details:
- Fast aerial and ground combos
- Customizable ability chips
Blending PlatinumGames’ stylish action sensibilities with RPG customization, NieR: Automata delivers a combat experience that both looks and feels great to play. Combat flows seamlessly between melee strikes, aerial juggling, pod shooting, and evasive maneuvers, and there is a constant balance that players need to juggle between going on the offensive and waiting for the right time to strike.
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The Plug-in chip customization lets players alter their abilities and stats, allowing them to tailor the experience toward speed, durability, or raw damage, depending on the situation and their preference. Even outside narrative depth, the act of fighting remains exhilarating, as its combat systems alone deliver a level of satisfaction that is pretty hard to match in the entire genre.
No Rest For The Wicked
Weighty And Methodical
Details:
- Deliberate attacks and parries
- Tactical stamina focus
No Rest For The Wicked slows combat down into something deliberate and punishing. Each swing has a huge amount of impact behind it, with stamina management and precise positioning at the forefront of every encounter, meaning that players need to think carefully about their positioning and timing, rather than just mashing and hoping for the best.
Also, the weapon classes feel distinct, bringing something new to the table that can easily transform how certain fights play out and how players engage with the world around them. The world-building might be top-notch, but it is pretty common to see players become more interested in perfecting their parries and figuring out new ability combos than the actual story.
The Ascent
Twin-Stick Action Goodness
Details:
- Build-driven combat variety
- Responsive and precise gunplay
The Ascent delivers explosive twin-stick shooting layered with RPG progression that ensures players feel like they are progressing forward in the story and overall fighting power. The gunplay is sharp and reactive, with cover mechanics and vertical aiming adding depth to firefights, and despite how action-heavy it is, strategic positioning becomes the main driving force for pretty much every encounter from start to finish.
Weapon variety and augmentations allow players to experiment, from heavy ballistic builds to energy-focused setups, and those different choices will always come with a long string of tangible benefits that feel just as impactful as the next. It’s a mechanically satisfying combination of movement, firepower, and build tuning that stands firmly on its own in a genre that is otherwise hotly contested by some of the biggest names in the business.
Last Epoch
Constructing The Perfect Build
Details:
- Expansive skill customization
- Clear combat feedback
Last Epoch shines through its intricate skill trees and class mastery systems that lean heavily into true character customization. The combat is compelling because of how abilities evolve, as players unlock entirely new mechanics and synergies that feel hand-crafted and incredibly satisfying to pull off even in the early stages.
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The moment-to-moment action remains fluid, with impactful spell effects and clear enemy telegraphs that keep the threats feeling dangerous regardless of how strong players are. Without even diving into its complex time-travelling narrative, players will find themselves gripped from the moment they begin by the unreal pace and thrill of the adventure ahead of them.
Path Of Exile 2
Ruthless Complexity
Details:
- High ceiling but heavily rewarding
- Mechanically demanding bosses
An isometric action RPG that pushes its combat depth to the next level, Path of Exile 2 achieves this through a series of layered systems and demanding encounters that border on insane. The skills players acquire along the way link with support gems to create intricate ability combinations, offering enormous creative freedom that is almost necessary given how many enemies and bosses they will need to take down.
Execution matters as much as planning, as a player can optimize their build all they like, but if they can't dodge in time, they will die just as quickly as a casual. The end-game loop brings everything together into a melting pot of combat and customization goodness, keeping players mechanically and logistically engaged for dozens of hours after the main story.
Diablo 4
Streamlined Yet Satisfying
Details:
- Polished and impactful combat
- Distinct class identities
Diablo IV refines the franchise’s hack-and-slash formula into a visually polished and weighty combat system that is approachable to new players, but just as satisfying for older ones as well. Each skill feels as great as it sounds, and the enemies scale smoothly over time, maintaining a constant feeling of tension without overwhelming players with insane jumps in difficulty.
The build paths remain accessible yet flexible, allowing for a good amount of experimentation without too much excessive friction that would make a lot of the systems far less enjoyable. It might be a lot simpler than some of the older entries, yet the gameplay satisfaction is still incredibly high, giving players enough interesting weapons and engaging enemies to fight through for an entire lifetime.
The First Berserker: Khazan
Aggression On Another Level
Details:
- High-risk, high-reward gameplay
- Huge combo chains on both sides
This is what happens when hack-and-slash intensity meets the methodical gameplay of a soulslike. Speed and aggression are the point in Khazan, and players cannot just fly in and hope for the best; instead, they need to think carefully about every dodge, block, parry, and combo if they are to stand a chance.
The biggest draw comes from the weapons and the different skill trees they have. Players can start with just a few abilities, yet their arsenal will quickly grow into a series of chains that allow them to play defensively and offensively at the same time, giving them so much agency over how every fight plays out right up until that final brutal encounter.
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