Best Loot-Based ARPG Video Games, Ranked

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home November 13, 2024 5 Views 24 Min Read
Best Loot-Based ARPG Video Games, Ranked



When it comes to action roleplaying games (ARPGs), only one thing matters more than anything, and that’s loot. It’s one of the most prevalent common denominators ever for all ARPGs and for many players, it’s the sole reason to continue playing even after finishing the game. After all, getting the last piece of gear you need for your build is one of the best feelings ever in video games.

Game art from Fallout New Vegas, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and NieR Automata.

Related


Best Action RPGs For Beginners

So many games to choose from and so little time! These beginner aRPGs are perfect for those just getting into the genre.

ARPGs understand and utilize that concept to a large degree. There have been many games that attempt this concept over the past years, but only a handful of them are worth immortalizing through countless hours of grinding. So if fans aren’t tired of playing a violent digital game of piñata ad infinitum, here are loot-based ARPGs gamers need to lose themselves into.

Updated November 13, 2024 by Jacob Whaling: The world of loot-based action RPGs is constantly expanding. From isometric hack-and-slashers to looter shooters, there’s something here for everyone. We’ve updated this list with even more loot-based ARPGs to play.

30

Eternium

Eternium is a good option if you want to hack and slash for loot wherever you are since it’s available on mobile devices. Unlike the infamous Diablo Immortal, Eternium doesn’t shower its players with aggressive monetization options, and that’s why it’s one of the most highly-regarded ARPGs today.

On the PC, it’s still in the early access phase though it’s a better choice if you want upgraded visuals. As far as ARPG gameplay goes, Eternium is a familiar experience. There is evil roaming around in dungeons; these evil enemies have loot, and you have the means to extract this loot. It’s a tried and tested success formula.

29

Karnage Chronicles

Karnage Chronicles gameplay

Karnage Chronicles is an APRG hack-and-slash game released exclusively for Virtual Reality. It’s certainly a different scenery and perspective since most first-person ARPGs are typically futuristic and have guns as the primary means of combat.

Switch Action RPG Cover Image No Text

Related


10 Best Action RPGs On Nintendo Switch

These action RPGs for Switch can be played on the go.

Due to the VR gameplay, the game puts more pressure on player skill and precision, so you can’t wing a lot of the encounters here. The game promises a rich story involving a dark tale of reawakening where you assume the role of an undying knight hellbent on entering Death’s domain.

28

Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem

wolcen lords of mayhem inventory screenshot

Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem looked like their developers were so disgruntled with the direction of the most recent ARPGs that they decided to make one that caters to the hardcore audience while also attracting newcomers to the genre. For the most part, it worked well, and Wolcen has established itself as a power player in the genre.

It strikes a good balance between complexity and simplicity, with just enough variety to keep things interesting. It also has a highly-customizable skill tree apart from the beautiful graphics and the endless grind opportunity it brings to the table.

27

The Ascent

The Ascent offers something different compared to most loot-based games. It’s set in an intoxicating and visceral cyberpunk world where you assume the role of an indebted worker. You must then claw—or, more aptly—shoot your way into the higher levels of society.

Split image of Cloudpunk and Cyperpunk 2077

Related


15 Games To Play If You Love The Ascent

You’ve played The Ascent. You loved it. Well, here are even more games to play just for you.

This way, you can clear your overwhelming debt and free yourself. Along the way, you get showered with a plethora of guns, armor parts, and cybernetic upgrades to make your twin-stick shooter gunplay much easier and even more brutal.

26

The Incredible Adventures Of Van Helsing Series

The player and a group of soldiers fighting off monsters.

Turns out Van Helsing is ripe with opportunities for a loot-based ARPG title. At the moment, it’s at its third game, with each one offering upgrades and innovations from its predecessor. The first game is notable for putting a thematic spin on the ARPG or loot-based game genre.

It’s not often you get to see a haunted Victorian-age video game with a cool protagonist. The only downside with these titles is that aesthetic customization is a bit limited due to the title; you only get Van Helsing to play with.

25

Vikings – Wolves Of Midgard

The player fighting monsters.

Ever wanted a Norse mythology-themed ARPG? Then Vikings – Wolves of Midgard should sate that craving for Odin’s dysfunctional family. Like most games set with that backdrop, it’s all about surviving, stopping, or avoiding the Ragnarok or Fimbulwinter apocalypse.

It does seem that Vikings – Wolves of Midgard was made with co-op or multiplayer in mind. The game can get difficult and unforgiving without other players to help. It does make up for its rough edges with the good voice acting and action-packed frost giant slaying.

24

Minecraft Dungeons

Minecraft Dungeons is one of the latest additions to the loot-based ARPG genre. It’s also made quite a stellar entrance thanks to the branding attached to its parent franchise. In terms of gameplay, it’s very much a familiar experience.

Split image of The Taiga Camp and Strider Pet mods

Related


Minecraft Dungeons: 10 Best Mods, Ranked

Enhance the cubic Diablo-style gameplay with mods for everything from pets and costumes to environments.

The difference is that Minecraft Dungeons touts itself as a family-friendly ARPG, and that alone makes it unique, as most other games in the genre are typically grim-dark and made for the hardcore audience. Like Minecraft, Minecraft Dungeons can be a game for all ages, and even has a great couch co-op experience for playing with family members.

23

Victor Vran

Much like the Van Helsing games, Victor Vran has a few issues; thankfully, none of them are truly game-breaking. The isometric title features a main character with some disembodied voice that pesters him while he goes about his hunting business. It features co-op and controller support for more casual play.

But the best thing about the title is its unique incorporation of cards. While Victor can also use Demon Powers, Destiny Cards have unique attributes to boost Victor’s abilities. It’s a neat twist on how games like Diablo use gems to the same end. Another great thing about this game is that you can pick it up and put it down whenever you want.

22

Moonlighter

Moonlighter is a roguelike ARPG where you play as a shopkeeper who moonlights as a dungeon-crawling adventurer. During the day, you must manage your shop, setting the prices of the goods that you obtain during the night when you explore dungeons.

Moonlighter has tons of items and loot to collect, and the ability to manage your own shop is fun. The split between shopkeeping and dungeon exploring offers a nice flow that breaks up the repetitive nature of some roguelike games.

21

Warhammer: Chaosbane

With the likes of Total War: Warhammer and other Warhammer titles in the strategy genre strengthening the franchise once more, Warhammer: Chaosbane was only a matter of time. It’s an isometric ARPG based on the Warhammer Fantasy universe. As such, it’s gritty and dystopic, even more so than the Diablo games, which popularized the isometric ARPG genre.

feature three shot warhammer image

Related


9 Video Game Genres Warhammer 40K Has Tried Out

The Warhammer 40,000 universe has dabbled in a variety of game genres, and these are some of the most notable.

Compared to most isometric ARPGs in this list, though, Chaosbane’s length and replay value are not too competitive. Some players even regard it as a little too short for a game made for grinding. Thankfully, Chaosbane makes up for that in terms of its action and graphics and the general feeling of being a badass in a world like Warhammer.

20

Chronicon

The player inspecting loot in the base.

Chronicon launched in 2020 with the setting of reliving memories of ancient heroes. The game uses tile-set dungeon crawling mechanics that are generated randomly. Though incredibly colorful, the game has much more in common with traditional ARPGs than fans might think.

For instance, it has more than 400 unique items that have their own powers. There are also more than 900 abilities, skills, and perks to mess around with, too. Players who want even more of a challenge can engage Hardcore mode, as well.

19

Grim Dawn

The player in town checking their empty inventory.

Grim Dawn is a sleeper hit. It has one of the more compelling plots in an isometric ARPG ever and, of course, a dizzying loot system. Still, Grim Dawn’s signature lies in its class customization.

After leveling up a few more times after selecting their initial class in Grim Dawn, players will be presented with the dual-class system. It essentially lets them combine the skills and dispositions of two classes (no matter how different they are) and create something entirely unique. Not only does this add to replay value, but it also gives players more means to experiment with gameplay.

18

Torchlight Series

Fun fact: some of Torchlight’s developers consisted of the original development team for Diablo. So these guys knew what they were doing when they made their killer ARPG. Firing up Torchlight (or either of its sequels) for the first time, it’s easy to see the influences. Even though the art style is a lot more cartoonish, the music and the level or enemy designs are still somewhat reminiscent of the first two Diablo games.

Erika left, Gemma middle-left, Rehan middle-right, Carino right

Related


Torchlight Infinite: All Classes, Ranked

There’s a range of classes to choose from in Torchlight Infinite, but which are the most effective and fun to play as?

As for which Torchlight game to play, it doesn’t really matter. Players will mostly forget the story since the main focus here is to make the player character stronger and get legendary loot. If you want better replay value, though, Torchlight 2 has bigger (and more open) maps and better mod support.

17

Neon Abyss

The player using magic laser attacks.

Have you ever wished that a game like Enter the Gungeon had loot-based progression like Diablo? Then Neon Abyss grants that wish. It’s a bullet-hell top-down shooter game based around obtaining loot and action combat. It’s also a rogue-lite game, but you can forgive that genre dipping once you’ve seen the game in action.

Neon Abyss will bombard your senses with a light show of carnage—all in stylized 16-bit glory. There are several characters to choose from in the game’s Grim Squad, a task force set up by Hades to infiltrate the Abyss and fight the New Gods. Hades’ involvement also explains the rogue-lite elements.

16

Ghostlore

Ghostlore is an indie ARPG in the style of Diablo 2 or Titan Quest, featuring the folklore and mythology of Southeast Asia. Ghostlore has a multi-class system, where you can experiment with the abilities from up to three different classes at a time. You can also makes use of different weapon types, Glyphs, and intricate skill trees to build your character however you want.

Ghostlore strikes a neat balance between the slow and methodical approach of Titan Quest and the fast-paced action of Diablo 3, all with its own unique build system, character customization, and lore.

15

No Rest For The Wicked

No Rest For The Wicked is a Soulslike action RPG set in a beautiful but deadly world where peril lurks around every corner. The game features difficult, precision-based combat where you’ll need to master your character’s movement to defeat various bosses.

There’s tons of loot, too, with randomized stats and traits to keep things interesting. Unique in the genre is a town-building mechanic where you can restore the town of Sacrament, building up its infrastructure to unlock new merchants or features. If you’re a fan of slow, methodical combat systems and deep loot mechanics, No Rest For The Wicked is definitely worth checking out.

14

Borderlands Series

The player looking at a lake with mountains in the background.

Let’s not forget the Borderlands games. Players can follow the story in Borderlands or even just the characters; some of them are actually over-the-top and riveting. However, most people play Borderlands games for one thing: guns.

Of course, Borderlands adds a twist to the already aging hack-and-slash ARPG genre by making the gameplay more shooty and skill-based. Even with all the character builds and skill customization players can have, overall shooting ability and player reactions will still be the most important factor in gameplay.

13

Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr

The pllayer being targeted with projectile attacks.

One of the beautiful things about the Warhammer universe is that so many game studios have crafted their own takes on it. Fans can access Warhammer (40K or otherwise) games of many genres, including Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr.

3:49

Some of the Best RPGs to Play on PC

Related


24 Best RPGs To Play On PC

From turn-based to story-based, here are some of the best RPGs you can play on PC.

It gives fans a futuristic setting that still maintains the gothic feel of a Diablo game. You can craft gear, create unique builds with the huge skill trees, and get some sweet isometric combat in. The only downside is that the game has just three classes in the base game: Crusader, Psyker, and Assassin.

12

Nioh

The main cover art for Nioh showing its main character William.

Nioh is a Soulslike action RPG set in feudal Japan, where you must battle undead warriors and massive Yokai that have overtaken the land. As expected from developers Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo, Nioh has fast-paced action combat with tons of variety, allowing you to customize your samurai’s playstyle however you want.

Plus, Nioh has a great loot system; enemies will drop random pieces of equipment or materials that you’ll need to periodically sift through to buff up your character. Along with its faster-paced combat, Nioh sits comfortably apart from other Soulslike games, carving out a place of its own in the genre.

11

Remnant: From The Ashes

The title and cover art for Remnant: From the Ashes.

Featuring some of the most unique monster designs, Remnant: From The Ashes tells the tale of a realm descending into chaos thanks to an alternate dimension evil—the remnants of humanity team up to fight off the monstrous hoard and take back their world.

It’s a pretty common setup, but Remnant executes itself with such panache and style. If you’re looking for a co-op Soulslike game with action, guns, and, most importantly, loot, Remant: From the Ashes is the one to play.

Source link