Action RPGs (ARPGs) have long been a favorite genre for players who crave a balance between narrative depth and fast-paced combat. In 2024, the genre is reaching new heights, with a diverse array of titles promising innovative gameplay, captivating stories, and breathtaking worlds. This year’s offerings include long-awaited sequels, genre-defining remakes, and exciting new IPs that demonstrate the evolving nature of action RPGs. From sprawling open worlds to deeply strategic combat systems, the top Action RPGs of 2024 showcase the genre’s evolution, offering gamers unparalleled experiences that push the boundaries of storytelling, combat, and exploration.
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What Makes Action RPGs So Popular?
Action RPGs have garnered immense popularity due to their unique blend of fast-paced combat and deep role-playing elements. Players are drawn to the genre because it offers the thrill of real-time battles, often involving skillful dodging, blocking, and chaining together powerful attacks, all while providing rich character progression systems. This combination allows players to actively engage with combat while still enjoying the strategic depth of leveling up, choosing skill paths, and customizing their characters’ abilities and gear.
Moreover, the immersive storytelling present in action RPGs is a huge factor in their appeal. Games in this genre often feature expansive worlds, complex narratives, and compelling characters, encouraging players to invest emotionally in their adventures. The flexibility to influence outcomes through choices in dialogue or actions adds layers of interactivity that many gamers seek in modern RPGs.
The freedom to explore vast, open worlds also heightens the experience. With non-linear progression and countless side quests, action RPGs offer a sense of discovery that keeps players engaged for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours. The constant innovation in combat mechanics, coupled with the genre’s capacity for delivering epic, personalized experiences, ensures its ongoing popularity among both casual and hardcore gamers.
The History of Action RPG Games
The history of action RPGs (ARPGs) is a fascinating evolution of gaming, blending real-time combat with character progression systems typically associated with traditional RPGs. The genre has evolved significantly from its early days in the late 1980s to the genre-defining titles of today.
The Early Days: 1980s – 1990s
The action RPG genre can trace its origins to the early 1980s, when developers began experimenting with combining real-time combat with the character progression systems found in classic role-playing games (RPGs). Early RPGs were typically turn-based, but some developers sought to integrate more dynamic, real-time gameplay to make combat faster and more engaging.
One of the first significant entries in the genre was The Legend of Zelda (1986). While not a strict RPG, it introduced real-time combat within a fantasy setting, laying the groundwork for future action RPGs. Around the same time, games like Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished (1987) introduced RPG-style leveling and character growth with real-time combat mechanics.
By the early 1990s, the genre began to take a more defined shape. Games like Secret of Mana (1993) built on the idea of combining fast-paced combat with role-playing elements like an expansive story, exploration, and character leveling. Secret of Mana was especially notable for its cooperative multiplayer mode, which allowed multiple players to control characters in real-time combat. It was also released by Squaresoft (now Square Enix), a company that would continue to have a massive influence on the genre.
The Rise of the Diablo-Like ARPG: Mid to Late 1990s
The late 1990s saw a major shift in the action RPG genre with the release of Diablo (1996) by Blizzard Entertainment. Diablo is often credited with defining the modern action RPG formula, as it introduced a dungeon-crawling experience combined with loot collection, fast-paced combat, and randomly generated environments. The game was a massive success, and its influence is still felt today.
Diablo took a much faster approach to combat than most RPGs of the time, and its focus on loot—finding rare weapons, armor, and items—gave players an addictive reason to replay the game over and over again. Its online multiplayer feature also contributed to its success, helping establish action RPGs as a social gaming experience.
The Diablo model of ARPGs led to the creation of countless “Diablo-likes” over the next decade. Diablo II (2000) further cemented the franchise’s impact on the genre, adding more depth to character builds and a darker, more complex narrative. Games like Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance (2001) and Champions of Norrath (2004) further popularized the action RPG model on consoles, using hack-and-slash mechanics alongside more traditional RPG storytelling.
The ARPG Boom: Early to Mid-2000s
During the early 2000s, the genre expanded to include a wide variety of settings and mechanics. Titles like The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002) and Fable (2004) began to integrate more open-world exploration and non-linear storytelling into their designs. These games allowed players to shape the outcome of the story through moral choices, which became a hallmark of RPGs and many action RPGs that followed.
The Elder Scrolls series in particular grew into one of the most beloved franchises in the genre with The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006) and, eventually, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011). Skyrim’s success cannot be understated; it redefined how action RPGs could mix open-world design, engaging combat, and deep lore, making it a genre-defining title.
At the same time, the Souls series, which began with Demon’s Souls (2009) and later Dark Souls (2011), introduced a new flavor of action RPG with punishing difficulty, intricate world-building, and a focus on methodical combat. These games encouraged players to learn from their mistakes, creating a sense of accomplishment with every hard-fought victory. Dark Souls became a cultural touchstone, leading to the rise of the “Souls-like” subgenre, known for its challenging but rewarding gameplay.
Modern ARPGs: 2010s – Present
In the 2010s, action RPGs continued to evolve with advancements in technology and design. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015) is one of the most critically acclaimed ARPGs of the decade. It set new standards for storytelling, world design, and character development, combining intense combat with branching narratives and moral ambiguity. The Witcher 3 demonstrated how action RPGs could appeal to both hardcore gamers and casual players alike.
Similarly, Horizon Zero Dawn (2017) and God of War (2018) showcased how action RPGs could balance cinematic storytelling with fast-paced combat, all within richly detailed worlds. Both games introduced unique combat mechanics—ranged combat with mechanical creatures in Horizon Zero Dawn and the brutal, intimate axe combat of God of War—that kept players engaged while advancing deep narratives.
The genre continues to thrive today, with games like Elden Ring (2022), which combines the open-world design of The Witcher 3 and the challenging combat of Dark Souls, creating a massive hit and revolutionizing the genre again. Modern ARPGs increasingly focus on blending genres, integrating elements from platformers, shooters, and survival games to create more unique experiences.
Top Action RPGs of 2024
Top action RPGs of 2024 are pushing the boundaries of storytelling, exploration, and combat. From reimagined classics to highly anticipated new titles, here’s a detailed look at the games that are leading the charge this year.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
The Final Fantasy 7 Remake project, first released in 2020, set the standard for reimagining classic games, and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is the highly revered second installment in this trilogy. The game continues the epic journey of Cloud Strife and his companions, offering a visually stunning world brought to life with cutting-edge technology. Fans of the original will appreciate how Rebirth expands on the original’s plot, introducing new twists and more depth to characters while keeping the nostalgia of the 1997 classic alive.
Gameplay in Rebirth focuses heavily on real-time action combat, allowing players to control characters directly while also issuing commands to party members. The game strikes a balance between action-packed fights and strategic RPG elements, providing players with a seamless experience. Its world is reportedly more open than the first part of the remake, allowing for more exploration and immersion into the rich narrative.
The game’s high production values, coupled with a deep and emotional game storyline, make Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth one of the top action RPGs of 2024.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Dragon’s Dogma 2 marks the long-awaited return of the beloved 2012 cult classic, building upon its predecessor’s innovative gameplay systems. The game is known for its pawn system, where players create AI-controlled companions to assist them in combat. These pawns learn and adapt to the player’s playstyle, adding a unique layer of strategy and customization.
The game is set in a vast open world full of dynamic combat against large and fearsome creatures. The unique combination of action-based combat, climbing mechanics (used to scale massive enemies), and an ever-changing world where time and weather affect gameplay sets Dragon’s Dogma 2 apart from other RPGs.
Capcom has revealed that this sequel features improved AI and deeper systems that enhance the feeling of immersion. Players can expect an even more fluid and responsive combat system, more nuanced pawns, and an expansive narrative filled with mythical creatures and intrigue.
Stellar Blade
Formerly known as Project Eve, Stellar Blade is a sci-fi action RPG that promises to blend fast-paced combat with a beautifully designed dystopian world. In Stellar Blade, players take on the role of Eve, a warrior tasked with saving Earth from extraterrestrial forces. The game’s visuals are one of its standout features, utilizing high-quality graphics that bring its post-apocalyptic setting to life.
Combat is centered around fluid and dynamic action, with players needing to time attacks, blocks, and dodges perfectly to defeat powerful alien enemies. The protagonist’s abilities evolve as the game progresses, giving players access to a wide variety of combat styles and strategies.
The game’s combination of spectacular boss fights, intricate combat mechanics, and breathtaking environments makes it one of the best new IPs of the year. Fans of action-heavy RPGs with a sci-fi twist will find a lot to look forward to in Stellar Blade.
Black Myth: Wukong
Black Myth: Wukong has captured the attention of the gaming community with its gorgeous visuals and its reimagining of the famous Chinese novel Journey to the West. Players control the Monkey King (Sun Wukong), battling mythical creatures in a world filled with magic and wonder. The game’s world is rich in detail, featuring meticulously designed environments that range from serene forests to treacherous mountain ranges.
Combat in Black Myth: Wukong is a blend of fast-paced action and strategic use of the Monkey King’s . Players can morph into various creatures and wield powerful abilities, providing a unique twist on traditional action RPG mechanics. The game also offers a high level of challenge, requiring players to learn the attack patterns of bosses and make precise use of their abilities to succeed.
With its stunning blend of Chinese mythology, fluid combat, and rich world-building, Black Myth: Wukong is shaping up to be a game that could redefine the action RPG genre on a global scale.
Rise of the Ronin
Rise of the Ronin is a PlayStation exclusive set in 19th-century Japan, during the Meiji Restoration. This historical action RPG mixes real historical events with fantasy elements, offering players a rich, open-world experience. Players take on the role of a masterless samurai, or ronin, navigating a rapidly changing Japan filled with political intrigue, technological advancements, and intense combat.
The game is developed by Team Ninja, known for their expertise in crafting fast-paced, skill-based combat experiences. Rise of the Ronin features dynamic swordplay, allowing players to switch between different combat stances and techniques to take on a variety of enemies. In addition to sword-based combat, firearms and new technological gadgets are introduced to reflect the game’s historical setting.
The deep narrative, along with an emphasis on player choice and moral decisions, makes Rise of the Ronin a must-play for fans of both historical and fantasy RPGs.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Following the enormous success of Elden Ring, its first major expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, is one of the top action RPGS of 2024. This expansion is set to delve deeper into the mysterious lore of the Lands Between, introducing new areas to explore, enemies to conquer, and secrets to uncover.
Players can expect more of the challenging, open-world combat that defined Elden Ring, with new bosses, dungeons, and weaponry to discover. The expansion promises to add new depth to the game’s lore-rich universe, allowing players to engage with untold stories and explore unexplored territories.
With Elden Ring already considered one of the best action RPGs of all time, Shadow of the Erdtree has enhanced the experience even further, cementing the game’s legacy as a genre-defining title.
The First Descendant
The First Descendant is a looter-shooter action RPG that offers both solo and co-op gameplay. Players fight to protect humanity from an alien invasion, using a mix of firearms and powerful abilities. The game focuses heavily on team-based mechanics, where players must work together to overcome challenging enemies.
What sets The First Descendant apart is its focus on customization. Players can choose from a variety of characters with unique abilities, build their loadouts, and modify their powers to fit their playstyle. The game also promises a deep narrative, with a world full of lore and mysteries to uncover.
With its combination of RPG progression and fast-paced shooter mechanics, The First Descendant -despite its initial setback- is set to attract fans of both action RPGs and looter-shooter games.
Hades II
The sequel to the critically acclaimed Hades, Hades II is set to deliver more of the same roguelike action that made the first game such a hit. Players will once again dive into the world of Greek mythology, this time playing as Melinoë, the sister of the original protagonist Zagreus.
Hades II promises new gods, new powers, and an expanded world, while retaining the fast-paced, isometric combat that the original was praised for. The game’s roguelike structure means that no two runs are the same, offering players endless replayability as they attempt to escape the underworld.
With Hades having been one of the most celebrated games of its time, expectations for Hades II are sky-high, and it’s likely to be one of the standout action RPGs of 2024. The game is currently in early-access.
The Future of Action RPGs
The future of action RPGs is one of continued innovation and evolution, as developers push the limits of technology and visual storytelling to create ever more immersive experiences. As hardware advances, particularly with the ongoing developments in consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, and the rise of cloud gaming platforms, we can expect more seamless open-world designs, allowing for larger and more interactive game environments. These advancements also mean more detailed characters, dynamic lighting, and fluid combat mechanics, which are essential for action RPGs to remain engaging.
One key trend shaping the future of the genre is the rise of AI-driven systems that enhance both combat and non-playable characters (NPCs). With AI advancements, we might see NPCs that adapt more naturally to the player’s actions, creating more dynamic encounters and deeper, more realistic narratives. This can also improve the challenge level of enemies, making combat feel fresher with every encounter.
Another emerging trend is cross-genre experimentation. Many developers are beginning to mix action RPG mechanics with elements from other genres, such as survival, horror, or roguelikes, as seen in titles like Hades and Elden Ring. This blending of genres helps create unique gameplay experiences, ensuring the action RPG remains a versatile and exciting genre.
In addition to technical advancements, there’s an increasing focus on player-driven narratives and choice-based outcomes. As storytelling in games becomes more sophisticated, the future will likely feature even more games where player decisions shape the world and the narrative in a meaningful way, giving each playthrough a unique outcome.
Finally, the shift toward sustainable game development practices and a focus on diversity in gaming narratives is likely to influence the type of stories told in future action RPGs. As gaming audiences continue to grow, developers are aiming to create inclusive worlds that appeal to a wide range of players, adding to the richness of the genre.
The future of action RPGs is bright, filled with technological innovations and storytelling possibilities that promise to deliver unforgettable gaming experiences.
Conclusion
The history of action RPGs demonstrates the genre’s ongoing evolution, from the early innovations in games like The Legend of Zelda and Diablo to the modern masterpieces like The Witcher 3 and Elden Ring. This blend of fast-paced, real-time combat with deep storytelling and character progression has allowed the genre to continually reinvent itself while maintaining core elements that players love. As technology advances and gameplay mechanics continue to innovate, the action RPG genre remains one of the most dynamic and exciting fields in the gaming world, promising even more immersive and engaging experiences in the future.
