ARPG, or Action Role-playing, is an excellent genre of games and is well known for its adrenaline action, intense shooting, and easy character customization. The primary goals of gamers who play Action Role-playing games are getting the best tactical gear and defeating the enemy heroically. Gamers usually end up spending hours in the world of ARPGs.
This article will take you through a list of the top 15 Action role-playing games that were the best in 2024. From classic tower defense to the recent hit action shooters, this list will cover all the best ARPGs you can find online. So let’s have a look at the best 15 ARPGs of 2024.
What are Action Role-playing Games?
The action role-playing game, usually abbreviated as ARPG or Action RPG, is one of the favorite subgenres of role-playing games that combines Action and role-playing elements. These games focus more on real-time Combat and usually require an internet connection. The action mechanisms used in these games are often similar to shooter games or hack & slash games. The players have direct control over the characters compared to turn-based or other RPGs.
We can date the history of ARPG back to 1979 when the Temple of Apshai came out. After that, there were many action RPGs, and most were a success.
Popular Action Role-playing Games
I listed some of the popular ARPGs below.
Borderlands Series | Fight the Dragon | Sanctum Breach |
Darkstone | Grim Dawn | Shadows: Awakening |
Depths of Peril | Hero Siege | SlashDiablo |
Diablo II | Last Epoch | Spellwake |
Diablo III | Median XL | The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing |
Density | Nox | Titan Quest |
Din’s Curse / Din’s Legacy | Pagan Online | Torchlight / Torchlight 2 / Torchlight 3 |
Divine Divinity | Path of Diablo | Victor Vran ARPG |
Dungeon Siege III | Path Of Exile | Vikings – Wolves of Midgard |
Dungeon Siege / Dungeon Siege II | Project Diablo 2 | Warframe |
Exanima | Quest Hunter | Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr |
Exiled Kingdoms | Remnant: From The Ashes | Wolcen |
FATE / FATE: Undiscovered Realms | Sacred / Sacred 2/ Sacred 3 | – |
Subgenres
There are three popular subgenres of Action RPGs. They are as follows-
- First-person Dungeon Crawl
- Isometric/ Top-down Dungeon Crawler
2.1 Point and Click Combat
- Role-playing shooter
Best 15 Action RPG Games Review of 2024
Game lovers always seek different tests. However, this time we will focus only on the RPG games. Here is our top review of the best Action role-playing games of 2024.
1. Path of Exile
Path of Exile is the best online action role-playing game for PC. It is a truly classic title when it comes to free-to-play RPGs. If you are a fan of Diablo, then Path of Exile can be a suitable replacement for you. The smooth controls, intense music, and easy-to-understand concepts make Path of Exile one crowd favorite. The game will quickly become addictive, and you can spend hours playing it.
There are around 19 classes of characters from which you can choose yours. It also allows you to customize your playable character. So, grab your controllers and start playing Path of Exile on your PC.
2. Torchlight II
Next, we have Torchlight II, another masterpiece from the ARPG genre. Torchlight has always been a successful franchise when it comes to role-playing. Torchlight II has proudly uplifted its reputation and gave us many hours of fun. You can get yourself lost in the wondrous world of Torchlight II.
From intensified Action to amazing graphics, Torchlight II covers all the aspects of a great action role-playing game. It delivers pure, perfectly paced, action-filled loot-based euphoria for our enjoyment. The vibrant, steampunk environment with fun elements will surely keep you busy. And it is only twenty dollars on Steam.
3. Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr
Enter the classic chaos-focused Caligari Sector and purge the dead and unclean with the help of the most potent agents from the Imperium of Man! W40k: Inquisitor. This grim action role-playing game is a masterpiece and features multiple classes of the Inquisition, and they are ready to carry out the Emperor’s orders.
Fight in the shoes of different warriors and destroy the evil from the roots. Warhammer Universe games have always been fun to play, and with Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr, they have beaten their previous cards.
If you are up for a hardcore challenge with a fantastic story, pick up your mouse-n-keyboard and start playing Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor–Martyr.
4. Victor Vran ARPG
Victor Vran ARPG is the best isometric Action role-playing game on Steam. Build the character you want to play alongside gears and weapons. Victor Vran offers a more hands-on approach to gameplay compared to others. The game allows the players to experience intense combat action and powerful opponents. Run, jump, dodge, and attack to defeat your opponents.
Victor Vran ARPG takes us to a mysterious underworld where you must fight for the cause. You can enjoy this game online with your friends in the co-op multiplayer. Jump on a heroic action adventure and play Victor Vran ARPG.
5. Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem
Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem differs significantly from other ARPGs on this list. This game uses stylish visuals and creative controls to make it enjoyable. You need to think strategically and carefully to plan your every move. If you cannot do so, it may end up in your doom.
Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem is my first choice as a long-term game. Very few action role-playing games offer this much flexibility and Action in the game. The game puts enough challenges to keep you on your toes. Overall, Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem is a great role-playing game for you to try.
6. The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: Final Cut
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: Final Cut is a mysterious horror Action role-playing game. In this game, you play the vampire hunter Van Helsing and fight against evil beings. It has loot and grinding, along with a hack-and-slash combat mechanism. You can play The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing with your friends online. It supports both local and online co-op modes.
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: Final Cut is a collection of three games released previously and followed a single story. The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: Final Cut offers six legendary classes to play in the game. You can also select your unique skills and abilities to help you defeat the monsters.
7. Diablo 2: Resurrected
Although released 22 years ago, the Diablo series is still a fan favorite, and we go crazy about it. This excellent dark-action RPG set an example for other games of this genre. And among all the Diablo games, Diablo 2: Resurrected holds a unique position. The quintessential action role-playing game pursues the Dark Wanderer. The players have to fight the denizens of Hell and find the truth behind the fate of the Prime Evils Diablo, Baal, and Mephisto.
The game is in 4K, and every inch looks amazingly beautiful. The controls and animation are smooth as butter. Diablo 2: Resurrected is worth your time and money if you enjoy playing grim action games. You can play Diablo 2: Resurrected on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.
8. Chronicon
Chronicon was released in 2020 by Subworld and soon became one of the best Action role-playing games on the internet. With its retro-style animation and move-and-click mechanism, Chronicon is easy to control. You take on a noble quest of revitalizing fallen heroes. With the help of a magical device called Chronicon, you transport yourself into the souls of fallen champions. The task is to remove all anomalies and relive the legends of those heroes.
Chronicon puts on a show where evil has conquered all, and anyone can do nothing. But you come forward and, by utilizing Chronicon, try to triumph over the devils.
9. Vikings – Wolves of Midgard
Vikings – Wolves of Midgard is one of my favorite Action role-playing games, and I enjoy playing with players online. If you are looking for a deep-action RPG with excitement and fun, buying Vikings – Wolves of Midgard is worth every penny. Vikings – Wolves of Midgard contains blood, gore, and nudity in some scenes. This game is rated R+ and not suitable for players under 18.
The tale of Vikings – Wolves of Midgard takes us to the Shores of Midgard, a world of magic and fantasy. It would be best to stand against hordes of terrifying monsters and beasts of Ragnarok while surviving the deadly cold of Fimbulwinter. Vikings – Wolves of Midgard allows an online co-op mode for players to join in the fun.
10. Darksiders: Genesis
Darksiders: Genesis is a great action-adventure game that is the prequel to other Darksiders games. This 3D-action game has followed elements from other popular games like Diablo and The Legend of Zelda. The animation and control mechanism is quite good.
Overall, Darksiders: Genesis is a fantastic game with all the elements of an outstanding ARPG. But it would be much better if it had a simple story with an easily understandable skill tree. Besides, Darksiders: Genesis is worth buying and playing on the computer.
Darksiders: Genesis will give you about 17 hours of gameplay in length. However, it will take around 27 hours to clear out all the additional quests and mini-tasks.
11. Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance Series
Dark Alliance was the first title of the Baldur’s Gate game franchise released on consoles instead of PC. However, all the games of this series are available on PC and consoles. Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance Series features RPG, dungeon crawling, and loot grinding. This top-down action game has many similarities with Diablo and Path of Exile. The Dark Alliance Series is less complicated and easy to understand than other Action role-playing games.
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance Series comprises four games, all of which cover a single story. Dark Alliance II is the direct sequel of Dark Alliance, whereas the latter two follow a different approach.
12. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
If you are a fan of the Marvel Universe, then Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 is the perfect game for you. You can join your friends on a superhero journey with the co-op mode. You can choose your characters from the extensive collection of Marvel Superheroes. I enjoy playing Iron Man. Each superhero has its perks and cons. So, choose carefully. It would be best to choose a side of hero teams as the story covers the comic series of Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War. Where both parties think they are right and try to undermine the opponent.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 is a fun game to play. The graphics and animation are smooth like butter. The controls are also easy to understand. Complete different missions and tasks to get closer to your goal.
13. Titan Quest
Like Path of Exile, Titan Quest is also inspired by the Diablo game series. The thing that sets them apart is the timeline and setting. Titan Quest is set in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Asia. The Gods from heaven seek your aid to stop the Titans from destroying the earth and humankind. The set design and locations are incredibly inspiring. Aside from the beautiful graphics, the overall experience of Titan Quest is jaw-dropping. 2-6 players can join in the fun of this fast-paced Action role-playing game.
Titan Quest is available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. With new updates daily, the experience of playing Titan Quest never gets old.
14. Grim Dawn
Grim Dawn is an action role-playing game developed and published for Windows PC only. It is one of the best RPGs of 2016 and is still popular among retro gamers. The experience of playing Grim Dawn is exciting. Up to 4 players can join the co-op game mode and enjoy a great time.
Grim Dawn features a dual-class system; with this system, you can mix two classes and get higher skills and powers. The customizability of characters makes Grim Dawn stand out among other games. You should try it now if you have not already played Grim Dawn.
15. Dark Souls 3
Dark Souls 3 is another excellent Action RPG you can play on your PC. This game is comparatively easy-going and fun to play. For beginners who are just starting to play ARPGs, Dark Souls 3 is perfect. Some hardcore fans might not enjoy the gameplay experience as it takes a safer approach. But considering the overall experience, Dark Souls 3 is not evil.
Dark Souls 3 allows you to explore the world and choose your tasks. The character classes are also compelling. You will have a good time playing Dark Souls 3.
Final Thoughts
From the Path of Exile to Dark Souls, every game on this list is hand-picked for you to enjoy the Action RPGs. We tried to satisfy all types of gamers, from beginners to professionals. Let’s hope you find this article helpful. Don’t forget to share your opinions with us.