25. Tails of Iron
8.5 — Sep 17, 2021
We open this list with an action RPG that’s as challenging as the Souls games. Narrated by the voice of Geralt of Rivia, Tails of Iron is a massive adventure all told in gorgeous 2D.
Don’t let its cute characters fool you. This deceivingly beautiful game is home to tough enemies that will beat you to a pulp. Master its combat by knowing when to roll and parry. In typical Souls-like fashion, explore this once-great Kingdom and reclaim the throne.
24. Dragon’s Dogma 2
8.5 — Mar 22, 2024
Dragon’s Dogma 2 is an ambitious follow-up to CAPCOM’s medieval ARPG that's still one of the Best PS3 Games. You and your Pawns’ journey across Vermund and Battahl are met with beauty and danger. This sequel maintains the soul of its medieval fantasy world and enhances the visuals tenfold.
You don’t have to play the first game as this takes place in a parallel world. You only need to believe in your Arisen and your Pawns as you face towering giants and epic dragons.
23. Diablo IV
8.5 — Jun 6, 2023
Despite numerous setbacks since its launch, Diablo IV still holds itself well. Blizzard’s latest venture into the realms of Hell was met with critical acclaim. It was praised for its impressive story and fantastic visuals.
The only downside was its weak endgame. Although most problems have been fixed, there’s still a lot to do before it can compete with other titles like Path of Exile and Last Epoch. Let’s hope Blizzard continues to support this until their upcoming expansion.
22. Fate/Samurai Remnant
8.5 — Sep 29, 2023
This is the latest addition to the Fate series and you don’t have to be a fan to enjoy it. It has its own cast of characters that’s centuries apart from the mainline anime.
Set during the Edo period of Japan, play as one of the seven chosen pairs of Masters and Servants in the epic Holy Grail War.
Combat lets you control Servants in battles and use your bond with them to survive.
Mix and match between these playable characters to strategically control the battlefield.
21. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
8.5 — Feb 13, 2024
Banishers is a story about two ghost hunters. With a character torn between humanity and a departed partner, it explores themes of morality and grief.
The combat is a far cry from DONTNOD’s previous games. Banishers’ fast paced combat complements well with its slow-burn story.
It was a game that came out in the middle of major titles like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Despite the bad timing, it proved to be a surprise hit praised for its characters and complex choices that define its ending. It received a playscore of 8.5.
20. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion
8.6 — Dec 13, 2022
Zack Fair’s origin story was a gut punch for us back in 2007. Now, more players can feel the shared heartache with Final Fantasy VII’s iconic hero. This is a fantastic remaster of one of PlayStation Portable’s greatest hits.
Shinra’s best SOLDIER looks even better with Reunion’s revamped visuals. Not only that, its combat is improved to match VII Remake’s fast-paced style.
His legacy to Cloud and friends still resonates today.
19. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
8.6 — Nov 11, 2021
Skyrim paved the way for ambitious medieval RPGs. It was the kind of game that felt so open-ended there was no wrong or right way to play it. You can just goof around and shout at NPCs, or slay a dragon.
Although the Anniversary Edition is the best way to play the game, it was met with lukewarm critic reviews. Most complaints are due to the obvious cash grab of its redundant re-releases . The good news is that this version comes with all DLCs and mod support.
18. Warframe
8.6 — Nov 2020
Any ARPG list would not be complete without Warframe. The free, live-service action RPG is still alive to this day and it’s better than ever. The Tenno keeps expanding to the ends of the universe with seasonal updates and expansions.
The PlayStation version of Warframe is the most reviewed game in this list. It has more than 600 thousand users praising its combat while criticizing its endless grind.
I wouldn’t say it’s for everyone. Warframe is a game built for players who enjoy repeatable activities and watching numbers go up.
17. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox
8.7 — May 9, 2023
Adol the Red embarks on a whole new journey in Monstrum Nox. This time he’s bringing his heroic deeds to the West. Adol, cursed with the role of exorcizing demons, is joined by five new characters, each bringing their own skills to combat magical threats.
It’s been some time since fans have been begging for localization, and it didn’t disappoint.
16. Granblue Fantasy: Relink
8.7 — Feb 1, 2024
The latest Granblue Fantasy game takes the franchise to a whole new level. Relink is a massive and visually stunning RPG perfect for new and longtime fans.
Players explore a grand open world with a freedom that exceeds its previous mobile entries. It has over 40 hours of playtime and no Gacha mechanics. Just pure, unadulterated action RPG.
You can opt to play single-player or grab a friend along in its multiplayer. If the RPG grind gets too much, there’s nothing wrong with asking for a little help from friends and the community.
15. Genshin Impact
8.7 — Apr 28, 2021
Genshin Impact’s presence here may cause some of you to roll your eyes. It is a gacha game, yes. But it’s an action RPG at its core. Finding god pulls and building the perfect character are what makes MiHoyo’s game great.
Sure, it does lure you to take out your wallet and go the easy way, but most of the content can be earned by simply playing. Who knows? You might get the best pulls without spending a dime.
14. Hogwarts Legacy
8.8 — Feb 10, 2023
Hogwarts Legacy is a dream come true for long-time Harry Potter fans. It was the game that finally let them role-play as a Hogwarts student. Attending classes, petting fantastic beasts, and brewing potions are common activities in this triple-A Harry Potter game.
The open world gave players a magical trip across the Wizarding world. Flying around Hogsmeade or exploring the Forbidden Forest is a fantastic experience only possible in Hogwarts Legacy. The only downside is it was a little lacking in content. With no DLCs on the way, it feels like a one-and-done journey.
13. Lies of P
8.8 — Sep 19, 2023
Lies Of P stands among the great Soulslike titles in recent memory. Developer Neowiz masterfully blended FromSoft’s style with their own twisted creativity.
The ‘dark’ fairytale setting is where Lies Of P shines. Here, Pinocchio is not the same long-nosed boy we knew. Instead, we get a robotic puppet with a trick arm.
Like any Souls game, there are plenty of challenging bosses to defeat. Each more difficult than the last. It still has the same themes of humanity as the original story, but its oppressive setting makes everything bleak. A DLC is slated to come out this year, promising more bosses and story content.
12. Monster Hunter Rise
8.9 — Jan 20, 2023
Monster Hunter Rise is the perfect game place to begin your Monster Hunting adventures. It’s the series’ most accessible game to date. There’s still a steep learning curve to master, but it’s less obtuse than the mainline World.
The addition of the Wirebug provides more free-flowing gameplay against hunting the series’ iconic monsters.
The game is currently free for PS+ Extra subscribers. To get the best experience, you’ll need the Sunbreak expansion. It adds a whole new roster of monsters to fight and weapons to craft.
11. Ys VII: Lacrimosa of Dana
8.9 — Nov 15, 2022
Before Monstrum Nox there was Adol and Dana. His perpetual quest to save the world from doom now involves this mysterious blue-haired girl. Together they go on a heroic quest where good ol’ JRPG tropes combine.
It features an intriguing dual-protagonist story, and a lush, expansive world to explore.
10. The Nioh Collection
8.9 — Feb 5, 2021
The Nioh Collection is the definitive way to play all of Team Ninja’s Nioh games. It’s ideal for players who want to experience the dark fantasy version of Japan for the first time.
Combat is an exhilarating blend of Soulslike and hack and slash. Changing stances and leveling up are essential to conquering its impressive bosses.
This dual pack contains both Nioh titles for the price of one. However, if you played Nioh you could always get Nioh 2 Remastered - The Complete Collection as a standalone purchase.
9. Tales of Arise
8.9 — Sep 10, 2021
The latest Tales game opens a whole new era for the series. Arise’s triple-A offerings transformed the once niche series into a mainstream hit.
The game’s added focus on action brings a new layer of style to its gameplay. It was praised by fans for its improvements in real-time combat. Using character abilities on the fly makes encounters feel seamless and engaging throughout its 40 plus hours of content.
8. Final Fantasy XVI
8.9 — Jun 22, 2023
The latest mainline Final Fantasy title proved that the series continues to evolve after each entry. XVI has more action than RPG, and that’s not a bad thing. Clive’s combat prowess could rival characters like Dante from Devil May Cry.
The gameplay is so fast-paced and the game has epic boss fights to pair it with. These cinematic battles were the talk of the town when it first launched. It pushed the PlayStation 5’s hardware…sometimes a little too much.
The game’s two expansions flesh out its world and characters, providing a bittersweet conclusion to Clive and Jill’s story.
7. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
9.1 — Jun 10, 2021
Speaking of Final Fantasy, this Remake of Cloud’s journey takes his adventures to a whole new perspective. Remake reinvented the original by fleshing out its characters and world-building.
Relive the iconic Disc 1 chapter of the 1997 classic with improved visuals, real-time combat, and memorable music. Intergrade just made the game run better on the PlayStation 5. It also includes Yuffie’s espionage days in Midgar.
It’s Final Fantasy VII perfected and you’ll have two more games to play after it!
6. Horizon Forbidden West
9.1 — Feb 18, 2022
Aloy returns in this second chapter to PlayStation’s Horizon series. Forbidden West is Sony’s excuse to flex their proprietary PlayStation 5 hardware. It’s one of the most visually impressive games on the console and it runs without performance issues.
The open world of the West Coast is teeming with mechanical threats. Aloy’s arsenal of powerful weapons turns her into a one-man army. Level up her tools to breeze through its gorgeous areas.
It’s a photo mode heaven, and Aloy’s journey isn’t even over yet. The Burning Shores DLC takes her to Lava-soaked California.
5. Demon’s Souls
9.1 — Nov 12, 2020
FromSoftware’s success wouldn’t be possible without their first ever Souls games. Demon’s Souls was a pivotal moment in action RPGs. It was the blueprint for Hidetaka Miyazaki’s future projects.
This Remaster transforms the 2009 classic into a modern masterpiece. The visuals are a huge leap from its PlayStation 3 days. It’s all thanks to Bluepoint’s mastery in polishing decade-old titles for new-gen eyes.
Purists shouldn’t worry about big changes. Everything is the same, it just looks insanely better. You don’t have to worry about dropping to 20 fps from that one boss fight.
4. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
9.5 — Feb 29, 2024
VII Rebirth was the most anticipated second chapter of the VII Remake trilogy. The gang’s fight against Sephiroth and Shinra takes them outside the lands of Midgar. This covered most of the original Disc 2. Longtime fans of the series will know how it ends.
Rebirth discarded Remake’s linear design for an open-world playground. This pacing gives players enough time to flesh out its cast of characters. Even side-quests are essential to getting to know our favorite VII characters, making it a perfect excuse to roam the open fields and grind levels.
3. Hades
9.5 — Aug 13, 2021
Supergiant’s godlike roguelike was their lightning in a bottle. Hades took the gaming community by storm with its energetic gameplay and well-written cast of characters.
Zagreus’ trip into the Lord of the Underworld’s realm is met with ferocious foes to slay. Thankfully, our aunts and aunties from the Greek Pantheon are ready to lend their helping hand.
The many synergies of their boons offer limitless potential for OP builds in its never-ending loop. Once you’ve conquered the highest Heat levels, you might be ready for Melinoe in Hades 2.
2. Elden Ring
9.5 — Feb 25, 2022
Oh, Elden Ring. FromSoftware’s multi-award-winning RPG was a gaming phenomenon. The Lands Between put almost every gamer in a chokehold with its challenging difficulty 2 years ago. Despite the grueling Soulslike formula, the game has surpassed 23 million copies sold. That means millions of Tarnished have become Elden Lords since its release.
There’s just so much fun to have within the Erdtree’s realm. You could either be a spellcasting mage or a dual-wielding warrior. Each player will have their own way of turning their hero into a badass.
With Shadow of the Erdtree’s release, there are plenty more challenges in the Realm of Shadows. But we won’t spoil that for you. You’ll have to experience it yourself.
1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
9.6 — Dec 14, 2022
Geralt Of Rivia takes the crown for the best PlayStation 5 action RPG.
The Wild Hunt was the epic conclusion to the White Wolf’s story. CD Projekt Red took the opportunity to fully flesh out Sapkowski’s high-fantasy series. It invited new fans to the series all thanks to its cast of beloved characters and branching storylines.
This silver-haired monster hunter’s journey wouldn’t be complete without the game’s two massive expansions: Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. The Complete Edition has access to both DLCs, which introduces players to whole new areas, characters and more GWENT.