Summary
There are many kinds of action RPGs out there, from third-person games likeThe Witcherto immersive first-person open-worlds likeFalloutorThe Elder Scrolls. However, there is a genre that has stood the test of time starting from the late 90s to new titles in the current age with games likeDiablo IV: isometric hack-and-slashers.
Rather than the camera being up close and personal, it is high above the action, allowing the player to view the battlefield from all sides, using strategy, and experiencing unique worlds from a high perspective. Many titles have taken on this style of gameplay, with some better than others.
MultipleMinecraftspin-offs have come and gone, some more successful than others, withMinecraft Dungeonsbeing a prime example. It is a simple concept: the player picks a hero and sets off on an adventure to save the Minecraft universe from the evil Arch-Illager, slaying every monster that gets in their way.
ThoughMinecraft Dungeonsis far from complex, it provides a nice variety of weapons, armors, and artifacts to keep the gameplay engaging. As a bonus,the family-friendly nature ofMinecraft’s worldturns the game into the best game to introduce younger players to the world of ARPGs.
WhenDiablo IIIfirst launched, it was rather divisive, so other companies attempted to steal the spotlight with their own ARPGs, includingThe Incredible Adventures Of Van Helsing. The famous vampire hunter from the Bram StrokerDraculanovel is pitted against a legion of vampires and other monsters in the world of Borgovia, mixing melee combat with guns.
As a result,The Incredible Adventures Of Van Helsingbecame a cult gem for fans of the genre, thanks to its similarities to addictive gameplay, variety of wildly designed monsters, and an uncanny similarity to Hugh Jackman’sVan Helsingmovie. It spawned a whole trilogy that can be bundled together, making the journey last even longer.
During the long hiatus betweenDiablo IIandDiablo III,Torchlightwas a surprise release that helped fans cope until the big franchise returned. The team at Runic Games proved to be smart with their timing becauseTorchlightbecame the start of a new franchise that took the formula ofDiablogames and put it in a brighter world with vibrant characters and environments.
Torchlightis more than just a clone with a little more emphasis on puzzles. Itallows the player to have a petwith them on their journey and goes even further with the randomly generated worlds.Torchlightwas lucky enough to get sequels, with Torchlight II often considered the best of the trilogy.
WhileDiablocontinued to embrace dark fantasy,Grim Darklived up to its title by tossing the player into a gritty and dark gothic setting. With the apocalypse on the rise in the world of Cairn, the hero has to slay a plethora of monsters and, thanks to multiple expansions,Grim Dawnbecame yet another surprise hit.
Grim Dawntakes bits and pieces from all the different hack-and-slash games, fromDiablotoTitan Questto evenTorchlight, and manages to execute all those elements without coming across as redundant.The many Eldritch horrorscombined with gothic horror are a treat for fans of monsters while providing a challenge for even longtime fans of these types of games.
It’s always a gamble spending money on a new attempt at the hack-and-slash genre, running the risk of it being a disappointment. That is wherePath Of Exilesurprised gamersby being free-to-play on PCand consoles, allowing it to build a player base just by word of mouth, thus resulting in a massive success story with a highly-anticipated sequel on the way.
Not only didPath Of Exileimpress gamers around the world at launch, but since it is a live-service title, it has had the chance to be continuously updated with consistent patches and new content. This allowed the already well-received gameplay to evolve and get better, turning it into a modern classic.
Rather than a typical RPG like so many other hack-and-slashers tend to be,Hadestakes a page from Soulslike gameslikeDark SoulsorBloodborne, with currency gained by slaying monsters and difficult bosses but with a roguelike twist. As a result,Hadesquickly gained a following due to its difficult learning curve combined with a colorful art style that looks straight out of an animated series.
The story has the player controlling Zagreus, the son of Hades, trying to escape the Underworld, no matter the cost. The simple concept and engaging gameplay have led to the outcome ofHadesbecoming a smash hit, even being labeled as an all-time great by certain critics.
There is a reason whyDiablogames such asDiablo II: Resurrectedare always referenced when it comes to ARPG games: they may not have invented the idea, but they revolutionized it. Mixing addictive combat with RPG elements and constant replayability to keep players wanting to play again and again in a dark fantasy world of Sanctuary that has become iconic.
Diablo II: Resurrectedis the ideal game for newcomers. Not only is it readily available on most systems, but it also features fully remastered gameplay and cinematics to introduce gamersto the world of demonsand magic, and should they enjoy it, they can move on toDiablo IIIandDiablo IV, which keep the formula going strong.
