When you feel like enjoying an action RPG, among the titles that you will reach out to will definitely be “Diablo.” This is an action role-playing dungeon game series first developed by Blizzard North but was continued by Blizzard Entertainment after the former shut down in 2005. The series has four core games, namely “Diablo,” “Diablo II,” “Diablo III,” and “Diablo IV” – all very exciting.
However, sometimes, playing “Diablo” can feel somewhat overwhelming, but you still love the game. For those who want to vibe of “Diablo” but play another game, here’s a list of equally fantastic action RPGs that can captivate you like how “Diablo” did.
1. ‘Path Of Exile’
From Grinding Gear Games, this takes place in a dark, grim fantasy world, where the government running Oriath, an island nation, exiles people to the ruined continent of Wraeclast, which is home to several ancient gods.
So, in “Path of Exile,” you play as an exile, choosing to portray one of the game’s seven character classes: Duelist, Marauder, Ranger, Scion, Shadow, Templar, and Witch. You must fight your way back to the island, defeating powerful gods and evils along your way.
2. ‘No Rest For The Wicked’
“No Rest for the Wicked” is another action RPG game that will give you the same thrill as that of “Diablo.” Set in the year 841 (pretty much during the Middle Ages in the history of the real world), you play a holy warrior who must journey to Isola Sacra, an island, to investigate a plague called the Pestilence. This game is from Moon Studios and Private Division.
3. ‘Grim Dawn’
Developed and published by Crate Entertainment, “Grim Dawn” is set in a thematically dark fictional world but loosely based upon the Victorian era, which spanned from 1837 to 1901. That world is called Cairn, where a trans-dimensional war has dragged humanity near extinction. The setting and story are great, so playing this game will definitely be riveting.
4. ‘Ys VIII: Lacrimosa Of Dana’
That title is quite unique for a game. Well, the setting of “Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana” is on the Isle of Seiren, located south of Greek. It’s not Greece, but Greek, a fictitious place created for this game, so that’s not a typographical error.
Here, they say that ships that drift too close to the island sink for reasons unknown and mysterious. The island takes its name from Seiren, a mythical creature who sings only to lure wayward vessels and enraptured crew members to their doom. Thus, the Isle of Seiren is believed to be cursed. Now, it is up to the player to unravel its mysteries and make their way out alive. This game is from Nihon Falcom and NIS America.
5. ‘Torchlight II’
From Runic Games, “Torchlight II” is also an action RPG dungeon crawler video game like “Diablo.” It takes place in a fantasy world where you can play as one of the four in-game classes, each with unique skills and abilities. The story begins with the titular town’s destruction in the hands of the Alchemist from the first “Torchlight” game. You will then follow the trail of destruction left in the wake of the Alchemist as he looks for a cure for his disease that has left him insane.
6. ‘Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr’
Another game you must play when you want the feel of “Diablo” is “Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr.” This game is set in the fictional universe known as Warhammer 40,000. Your character is a member of the Inquisition, not the Inquisition in human history, but a secret police force delegated to fight the worship of Chaos and alien influence in the Imperium. This setting was created specifically by NeocoreGames, its developer, for this game.
7. ‘Rogue Legacy 2’
Developed and published by Cellar Door Games, “Rogue Legacy 2” is not just an action role-playing game but also a platform game. It features roguelike and Metroidvania elements (a game sub-genre focused on guided non-linearity, and utility-gated exploration and progression).
Here, you control a knight who must embark on an adventure through procedurally generated dungeons, collect treasures, and defeat foes. You can choose to play from various classes, such as the Ranger and the Barbarian.
8. ‘Wolcen: Lords Of Mayhem’
Another action RPG dungeon crawler worthy of praise like “Diablo” is “Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem.” In this game, you are a member of the Army of Purifies, along with your two childhood buddies. You have become part of Dawnbane, an operation that retaliates against the Brotherhood of Dawn that has attacked a mysterious fortress. This dark fantasy-themed game is from Wolcen Studios.
9. ‘Titan Quest’
From Iron Lore Entertainment and THQ, “Titan Quest” has a gameplay similar to the “Diablo” series. Its story revolves around a protagonist, which you create, navigating the ancient civilizations of China, Greece, and Egypt on a mission to defeat the Titans after they manage to escape from prison. Like “Diablo,” navigating this game happens on a mouse-driven tile-based interface revolving around real-time battles and role-playing mechanics.
10. ‘Victor Vran’
“Victor Vran” has a setting that resembles Gothic-fantasy fairy tales where both magic and science have etched their places in the world. Here, players assume the role of demon hunter Victor Vran, who arrives in the fantasy of Zagoravia to provide help to its people, fighting off a demon infestation with mysterious origins. The game is from Haemimont Games, a Bulgarian independent development studio.
Action role-playing games are along the lines of RPGs, but they combine the elements of both genres. “Diablo” is a leader of this genre and continues to inspire other games that want to follow in its footsteps.
