15 Best Action RPGs of All Time (Ultimate List 2023)

We have actively kept track of the latest game releases and curated a list of the best action RPGs for you.

Action RPGs is a video game subgenre that is a hybrid of Action and role-playing games. The best part about this subgenre is the thrill of playing an action game with an intricate storyline. The essence of gameplay has changed lately; gamers desire more than just a fighting binge.

Having the added element of role-playing makes the Action interactive, delivering a completely unique venture. The gaming industry has identified this fact and is striving to make games more interactive.

Best Action RPGs of All Time

The origin of Action RPGs is older than one might assume. Dragon Slayer is one of the earliest ARPGs to exist that set foot in the gaming world in 1984. The genre has only gained more popularity ever since it set its roots.

Who wouldn’t want a challenging round of fighting with an alluring storyline after all? If you are an Action RPG enthusiast like us, you are in the right place. We have compiled a list of the Top RPG 2023 games right here!

15. Fallout: New Vegas

Fallout: New Vegas is a first-person, action-adventure game that acts as a spin-off to the main Fallout game series which is set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a global nuclear calamity in the year 2077, and the locations used in the game are heavily inspired by real-life American states like Arizona, California, and Nevada.

In this game, players take control of a courier who is ambushed and left for dead while delivering a package across the Mojave desert, and now it is up to the players to exact revenge on the people responsible for this crime.

During the course of the game, players will make friends and enemies from various factions, shoot irradiated monstrosities, and much more, all while trying to find their perpetrator and recover the all-important package they were initially carrying.

14. The Outer Worlds

The Outer Worlds is a first-person, sci-fi action-adventure game in which players take on the role of a ‘stranger’ who has been revived from cryo-sleep by a mad scientist, and must embark on a journey through Halcyon, a star system containing six planets, and save the inter-galactic cities from the greed of the megacorporations, collectively known as ‘The Board.’

In this game, players will travel to various points of interest location in various unique locations across the galaxy by using their trusted spaceship, The Unreliable, and explore and undertake various quests to rid the galaxy of the corruption caused by ‘The Board.’

Players will also meet interesting characters along their journey whom they can recruit as crew members and give refuge in their ship. The characters will assist players in combat situations and also provide additional hints about certain individuals players might meet in the game.

13. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen

Dragon’s Dogma is a third-person, hack-and-slash, action-adventure game set in the fantasy world of Gransys in which players take on the role of a human character called the Arisen, and guide him on his quest to defeat a dragon who is destined to bring about the world’s end as we know it.

In this game, like classic RPGs that have come before it, players will control a completely customizable character that they can craft and mold to their liking.

During the course of the game, players will fight both demons and monsters alike in real-time, and moreover, to assist the players in combat, players can also take a few companions along with them.

12. Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 is a great game if you’re looking for a good action RPG title and it takes place in a Night City. Players control a customizable character named V.

The storyline of this game starts off with players needing to select one of the three life paths for the character V and all of them involve V starting a new life in the Night City.

The gameplay of this game is in first person perspective where players can free roam in the open-world environment of the game. The visuals of the game are top notch and even tho the game received mixed reviews upon release, it is still a good game to enjoy if you’re looking for the Best action RPG games.

11. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Who doesn’t love the Assassin’s Creed franchise AC Valhalla is the twelfth major installment in this staggering franchise where players are given control of a Viking raider named Evior Varinsdottir.

This game also features a great character from the 21 century named Layla Hassan who relives Eviors memories so she could find a way to save Earth from destruction.

The game is set in Norway in 873CE where Evior and his older brother Sigurd Styrbjornsson lead their clan of Vikings so they could settle new lands in England.

The gameplay is a bit slower than the previous installments but overall the gameplay and storyline was impressive and we highly recommend you try it out.

10. Mass Effect 2

We couldn’t resist putting the 2010 release, Mass Effect 2 on our list, especially with all the hassle of upcoming Mass Effect 5. Mass Effect 2 is a futuristic game that is set up in the Milky Way galaxy in the 22nd-century timeline.

The player embodies the character of Commander Shepard in a suicide mission. The player can customize the MC according to their preference. The combat style in the game is squad-based, where the player leads a team of NPCs.

The player equips high-impact weapons like assault rifles, pistols, machine guns, and armor. The player must clear the mission while maintaining health points in order to progress in the game. Being an RPG, the game also enforces an interactive dialogue control to the player.

9. Dark Souls III

Next on the ultimate list of Best Action RPGs of All Time is the legendary Dark Souls III. This masterpiece was not just able to win the hearts of the fans but also earned the respect of the critics.

The game takes place in the fictional kingdom of Lothric. The story commences with the onset of the Age of Dark.

The player uses weapons and magic spells to eliminate the enemies to progress in the game. The gameplay is much more efficient and smoother than the previous versions of the game.

The game has earned a solid benchmark in the Best Action RPGs due to the perfect balancing of all the elements. We truly hope that the upcoming Dark Souls 4 will carry this franchise’s legacy well.

8. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

The next list of the Best Action RPGs is Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. This game is the 11th part of the Assassin’s Creed Series. The theme of the game is a mythological setting depicting the war between Sparta & Athens.

The game earned some mixed reviews from the fandom but the graphics & music effects stood out regardless. The player has to play as a mercenary in this action role-playing game.

The game focuses more on combat and action than the storyline aspect—the hardcore action & smooth gameplay land Assassin’s Creed Odyssey in the list of Top RPG 2023.

7. Monster Hunter: World

Monster Hunter: World is the next gem on the Best Action RPGs of All Time list. The 2018 release managed to sell over 18 million units of the game across the globe by December 2022. The hyper-realistic graphics & powerful gameplay is the highlight of this masterpiece.

The action is the more dominating element in this game compared to the RPG & storyline aspect. This does not imply that the storyline is a loose end of the game.

The impressive character designs, customizable multiplayer group size, and smooth controls land the game in the category of Best Action RPGs.

6. Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker

The next masterpiece in the list of Best Action RPGs of All Time is the Final Fantasy XIV Endwalker. It’s probably one of the best editions of the Final Fantasy Series.

The game received a lot of praise for the level designs. The game has an explorative theme with beautiful graphics and art style. The player can explore the six main locations in the game.

The player proceeds by battling against enemies & monsters. The technical accuracy of the fighting style imparts a thrilling experience radiating the true essence of an ARPG. We truly hope that Final Fantasy 16 will be able to live up to the standards of this epic game.

5. Nier: Automata

Next up on the list of Best Action RPGs of All Time is NieR: Automata! The game is based on a war scenario between Androids & Machines.

The player embodies the character of an Android in this action-derived game. The gameplay operates on hack & slash combat style.

Automata checks all the boxes to be in the Top RPG 2023 including combat style, storyline, gameplay, and graphics.

4. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a true contender for the Best Action RPGs Countdown. The game takes place in a fictional place called Skyrim.

The protagonist, Dragonborn is set up against a deadly World Eater, Alduin! The game provides an open-game experience in addition to the main storyline.

The player can explore the villages, cities, caves, dungeons, and even fortresses and engage in short-term professions in the game. The player is equipped with specialized weapons, magic spells & defense gears.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the next in the Best Action RPGs List. The game truly set a trademark in the arena of Action RPGs upon its release in 2017. The protagonist of the game awakens in a state of amnesia and now has to explore the kingdom of Hyrule.

A link has to recollect the missing pieces of consciousness during the gameplay. The game emphasizes experimentation through the use of physics & chemistry engines. Breath of the Wild has an additional element of solving puzzles, making it unique.

2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Next in the countdown of Best Action RPGs is the 2015 Game of the Year The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt! The protagonist of the game is Geralt of Rivia. Geralt is a demon slayer who explores the game in pursuit of his adopted daughter.

Geralt will encounter dangerous scenarios and vicious enemies to live through the quest. The player slashes through the enemies with the aid of Crossbows, Swords & bombs. The game offers three alternative endings that vary according to the player’s choices.

1. Elden Ring

Elden Ring earns first place in the list of Best Action RPGs. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best Open World games in the Action RPG category. The game was honored with the Game of the Year title in 2022.

The art style and explorative game design grant a unique gameplay experience to the player. The player is given a wide range of character classes to choose from as the MC. The action is spontaneous and quite challenging if compared to similar games in the category.

The player will need to combat ruthless monsters, animals, and even Demigods with the wise use of their weapon inventory & magic spells.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

This marks the end of our post. We really hope that you will be trying out these games soon. If you think a deserving game belongs on this list, feel free to comment below and let us know.

We are really pumped to hear from you. We will be back with more exciting Gaming News and Articles very soon. Till then, Happy Gaming!