The action RPG space has evolved a lot over time, but over the past few years, it feels like soulslikes have consumed the entire genre. It is easy to see why: the formula of fast encounters and satisfying combat fits perfectly into an already action-packed world. That said, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find an ARPG that offers a more traditional gameplay style, rather than being replaced by this new wave.
Thankfully, the genre is still full of many great titles that offer fresh and familiar gameplay approaches, without bowing to the FromSoftware overlords that have otherwise dominated the space. These games bring plenty of speed, excitement, and a healthy dose of role-playing as well, ensuring that longtime fans keep their love of the genre going without straying too far from the conventions they have grown accustomed to.
Crimson Desert
The Next Big Open-World Sandbox
- Insane amount of content.
- Range of traversal options and open-world activities.
Crimson Desert is about as out-there and ridiculous as an RPG can possibly get. Rather than sticking to one specific gameplay style, players can engage with the game however they see fit, whether that be gliding across the map in search of adventure or focusing on more grounded systems like base-building, fully leaning into the idea of true role-playing freedom.
When it comes to combat, the fights themselves can be fairly challenging, but they are far from the calculated encounters seen in a soulslike. Instead, players get to wield a variety of weapons and ability styles, combining them to unleash some pretty impressive combos, without ever feeling as though they are being pushed to their mechanical limits.
Dragon's Dogma 2
Companions Leading The Charge
- Physics-based encounters.
- Organic interactions driven by AI NPCs.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 takes a very system-driven approach to combat, where interactions become much more organic as opposed to following a script. Mechanics like enemy climbing and environmental weaknesses become the primary focuses during encounters, and that's without even considering the AI companions.
Dragon's Dogma 2's challenge comes from the unpredictability found within the world. One minute, players can use their pawns to control the pace of a fight, and the next, they need to scale a giant beast themselves. This gives the game a much more creative style that keeps it from being too reliant on precise swings or rolls, allowing it to feel like a more traditional ARPG with a few modern touch-ups.
Final Fantasy 16
Pure Cinematic Greatness
- Large-scale battles against massive enemies.
- Combos and ability synergies drive the combat.
Final Fantasy 16 shifts the series toward fast and spectacular real-time fights, drawing heavy influence from character-action games rather than soulslikes. Combos, cooldowns, and ability synergies take center stage over things like stamina management. In a lot of ways, the result is far more rewarding if a bit less physically taxing.
More linear than other RPGs in the space, FF16 puts a greater focus on the narrative and characters within, playing with emotions and delivering a more personal story as a result. The streamlined nature of the game also makes the cinematic moments hit much harder, as players are constantly being moved from one epic moment to the next, with very little downtime in between the action.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Realism Over Fantasy
- Methodical, detail-oriented gameplay.
- Historical simulation devoted to accuracy.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 takes many lessons from the original game and goes further to deliver an even more immersive medieval simulator. Realism remains the key component of the gameplay, as everything from weapon smithing to horseback riding factors into the real-world, creating a more engaging loop that doesn't rely as much on shortcuts or easy routes forward.
For the fights, players have to play more cautiously, like they would in a soulslike, but that doesn't mean there aren't opportunities to go on the offensive and create some chaotic moments throughout the story. Most importantly, because there are no fantastical elements, players get to experience a more grounded narrative that explores the world in greater detail, removing a lot of the more abstract and even absurd elements that can often bring down the tone of a story.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Accessible Yet Still Satisfying
- Player builds greatly vary the gameplay.
- Softer difficulty curve allows for gradual progression.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla continues the series’ shift into RPG territory, putting an emphasis on exploration and world-building rather than pure combat. The combat is much more flexible and forgiving, allowing for multiple playstyles to work without too many mechanical constraints that would otherwise turn off long-time fans.
These strengths continue into the world itself, which is filled to the brim with activities to complete and quests to follow, ensuring a consistent level of engagement from start to finish. More casual, less demanding: Assassin's Creed Valhalla is the perfect place to fully immerse oneself in a glorious Viking past, with very few barriers to what the player can accomplish.
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This article originally appeared on GameRant and is republished here with permission.
