Best Western Action RPGs From The 2010s

Key Takeaways

• The 2010s was a defining decade for Western action RPGs, marked by technological advancements, streamlined gameplay, and big-budget sequels that refined and enhanced their predecessors.
• Diablo 3
  and
  Path of Exile
  emerged as the pinnacle representatives of loot-focused isometric ARPGs from that era.
• Story-focused action RPGs like
  Mass Effect 2
  ,
  The Witcher 3
  , and
  Deus Ex: Human Revolution
  were universally praised for pushing the genre forward.

The 2010s was a standout decade for action RPGs, with Western developers producing games that excelled in both technological advances and gameplay mechanics. A noticeable trend during this time was a shift toward action, as many titles began streamlining their RPG elements and simplifying progression systems to focus on dynamic, visually spectacular combat. This era is known for big-budget sequels that took the best aspects of their predecessors, enhancing their strengths while refining areas that needed improvement.

With the eighth generation of consoles (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One), many of these games still hold up today, featuring impressive graphics and easy accessibility through backward compatibility. Here, we highlight some of the best and most influential Western action RPGs of the decade.

Only titles released between 2010 and 2019 are included, and the list excludes JRPGs and action RPGs developed by Japanese or other Asian studios.

10 Borderlands 2 & Borderlands 3

A Real Paradise For ARPG Weapon Lovers

• 	Borderlands 2	Borderlands 3
  System	Nintendo, Xbox, PC, PlayStation, Mobile	Google, Nintendo, Xbox, PC, PlayStation
  Platform(s)	PS Vita, PS3, Switch, PS4, Xbox 360, PC, Android, macOS, Linux, Xbox One	PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, Stadia, Xbox One
  Released	2012-09-18	2019-09-13
  Developer(s)	Gearbox Software	Gearbox Software
  Genre(s)	Shooter	Action, RPG, First-Person Shooter

The original Borderlands was a unique action RPG shooter, but its follow-ups — especially Borderlands 2, Borderlands 3, and spin-offs like The Pre-Sequel — took its potential to the next level. Both Borderlands 2 and 3 are a loot-lover’s paradise, delivering a vast arsenal of guns and a gameplay experience filled with fast-paced action. Combined with the series’ trademark over-the-top narrative and eccentric characters, these games offer some of the most lighthearted and entertaining adventures around, perfect for a laid-back gaming session.

With its distinctive visual style and endless stream of unique, creative weapons, Borderlands 2 and 3 provide a truly engaging action experience. And with a co-op mode that’s truly the ideal way to play, these games are best enjoyed with friends, ensuring a chaotic and hilarious time for everyone.

9 Horizon Zero Dawn

A Spectacular Genre Switch For Guerrilla And A New PlayStation Star

Horizon Zero Dawn quickly became one of the most popular new PlayStation franchises, with Aloy now standing among the console’s most recognizable characters. Drawing inspiration from open-world action RPGs like The Witcher 3 and blending it with a bold, original setting, Guerrilla Games introduced a new PlayStation icon, sparking excitement for sequels and rapid growth for the franchise.

As Guerrilla’s first foray into the genre, Horizon Zero Dawn impresses with its engaging gameplay, full of fascinating discoveries, plot twists, and richly designed characters. Players can explore a variety of powerful upgrades, skills, and customizable weapons while enjoying the game’s remarkable technical achievements, including visuals that set a new standard for the genre.

8 Diablo 3: Reaper Of Souls

Returning To The ARPG Throne With Impressive Post-Launch Support

Diablo 3 may not have had the smooth launch Blizzard hoped for, with a few early missteps that kept it from fully surpassing Diablo 2. However, the Reaper of Souls expansion brought much-needed improvements, addressing many of the initial issues, expanding gameplay options, and delivering the darker, grittier tone fans had been hoping for.

While Diablo 3 may not be as deep or hardcore as Path of Exile, it has a broader appeal, leaning into a more arcade-style experience that makes it a fun, loot-filled adventure for isometric ARPG enthusiasts. It serves as an ideal time-killer between heavier RPGs. Its availability on multiple platforms and extended support — lasting until 2023, over a decade after its release — solidified its success and enduring popularity in the gaming world.

7 Tom Clancy’s The Division & The Division 2

Envisioning A New Kind Of Co-Op Action RPG

• 	Tom Clancy’s The Division	Tom Clancy’s The Division 2
  System	Xbox, PC, PlayStation	Google, Xbox, PC, PlayStation
  Platform(s)	PS4, PC, Xbox One	PS4, PC, Stadia, Xbox One
  Released	2016-03-08	2019-03-15
  Developer(s)	Massive Entertainment	Massive Entertainment
  Genre(s)	Third-Person Shooter, Open-World	Third-Person Shooter
  OpenCritic Page	https://opencritic.com/game/1530/tom-clancys-the-division	https://opencritic.com/game/7089/tom-clancys-the-division-2
  Top Critic Rating	79	83
  Critics Recommend %	74	91

From its announcement, Tom Clancy’s The Division captured players’ attention with its bold vision for seamless co-op in an open-world action RPG. It delivered on that promise, becoming one of the first extraction shooters to integrate deep RPG elements, from character skills and progression to rich itemization and complex weapon and gear customization. Adding to its appeal was the post-pandemic setting in a snowy New York, creating an atmospheric backdrop that helped solidify its popularity.

The sequel, The Division 2, expanded the series with a fully explorable Washington, D.C., while retaining elements from the original, and even featuring nostalgic nods with the Warlords of New York expansion. Both games remain among Ubisoft’s most popular titles, with a third entry already announced, promising to build on this well-loved franchise.

6 Deus Ex: Human Revolution & Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

Staying True To The Essence While Modernizing Every Aspect

• 	Deus Ex: Human Revolution	Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
  System	Nintendo, Xbox, PC, PlayStation	Xbox, PC, PlayStation
  Platform(s)	PS3, Nintendo Wii U, Xbox 360, PC	PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One
  Released	2011-08-23	2016-08-23
  Developer(s)	Eidos Montreal	Eidos Montreal
  Genre(s)	FPS	Action RPG

Staying true to the series’ roots, Deus Ex: Human Revolution masterfully combines action, RPG, shooter, and stealth elements into an immersive experience, all set within a richly detailed, futuristic world. The game introduces a unique dialogue system, an emphasis on hacking, and a dynamic switch between third-person and first-person perspectives, creating an engaging and versatile gameplay experience. Praised for revitalizing the series, Human Revolution was followed by a direct sequel, Mankind Divided.

While Deus Ex: Mankind Divided retained Human Revolution‘s essence and offered an even more intricately designed setting in futuristic Prague, the story felt somewhat stalled, as is sometimes the case with middle entries in a trilogy. This narrative slowdown, along with disappointing financial returns, led to the series being put on hold, leaving fans without a proper conclusion to Adam Jensen’s story.

5 Assassin’s Creed Origins & Odyssey

A Mythological Duo That Expands The Horizons Of The Long-Lasting Series

• 	Assassin’s Creed Origins	Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
  System	Google, Xbox, PC, PlayStation	Google, Nintendo, Xbox, PC, PlayStation
  Platform(s)	PlayStation 4, PC, Stadia, Xbox One	Switch, PS4, PC, Stadia, Xbox One
  Released	2017-10-27	2018-10-15
  Developer(s)	Ubisoft	Ubisoft Quebec
  Genre(s)	Open-World, Action RPG	Open-World, Action RPG
  OpenCritic Page	https://opencritic.com/game/4503/assassins-creed-origins	https://opencritic.com/game/6222/assassins-creed-odyssey
  Top Critic Rating	85	84
  Critics Recommend %	87	83

Learning from The Witcher 3‘s success, Assassin’s Creed Origins marked a major reinvention of Ubisoft’s flagship series, shifting it closer to an action RPG than the action-adventure it once was. Subsequent entries, Odyssey and Valhalla, further bridged this gap, introducing deeper character builds, diverse gear options, and even dialogue choices that add new layers to quests.

This so-called “Assassin’s Creed Mythology Trilogy” has become one of the most prominent open-world action RPGs, celebrated for its expansive, meticulously crafted historical settings, engaging combat, mythological elements, and an overarching story that appeals to both newcomers and longtime fans by expanding the series’ rich lore. Ultimately, each game’s setting — be it ancient Egypt or Greece — adds a unique flavor, allowing players to choose the historical backdrop that most appeals to them.

4 Path Of Exile

The Hardcore King Of Loot-Focused Action RPGs, Reigning Supreme For More Than A Decade

From the beginning, Path of Exile showed immense promise, but what the developers at Grinding Gear Games have achieved has far exceeded expectations. Over time, Path of Exile has evolved into the reigning champion of loot-based isometric ARPGs, arguably even surpassing the iconic Diablo series. Remarkably, this massive game is free-to-play, allowing players across multiple platforms to dive in at no cost.

Today, Path of Exile boasts a staggering amount of content that can sometimes feel overwhelming. With its intricate character-building options and richly rewarding mechanics, the game can be demanding, requiring time and strategy from players. Yet, once they find their rhythm, it’s difficult to step away from its grasp.

3 Fallout: New Vegas & Fallout 4

Two Great But Vastly Different Takes On The Iconic RPG Franchise

• 	Fallout: New Vegas	Fallout 4
  System	Xbox, PC, PlayStation	Xbox, PC, PlayStation
  Platform(s)	PS3, Xbox 360, PC	PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One
  Released	2010-10-19	2015-11-10
  Developer(s)	Obsidian Entertainment	Bethesda
  Genre(s)	RPG	Action, RPG

After Fallout 3 successfully reinvented the beloved RPG series with a more action-oriented approach, two notable entries followed: Fallout: New Vegas by Obsidian and Fallout 4 by Bethesda. While vastly different in execution, both received praise for their unique takes on the franchise.

Obsidian’s New Vegas is widely celebrated as one of the best entries in the series, particularly for its immersive world, memorable characters, and complex quests. On the other hand, Fallout 4 introduced a deep crafting system, expanded the game’s scope tremendously, and provided hundreds of hours of gameplay, with improved combat and impressive visuals. With no new mainline Fallout game likely in the near future, Fallout 4 remains the go-to experience for fans of the series’ single-player action-RPG style.

2 Mass Effect 2 & Mass Effect 3

Reassembling The Groundbreaking Original To Retain Only The Strongest Parts

• 	Mass Effect 2	Mass Effect 3
  System	Xbox, PC, PlayStation	Nintendo, Xbox, PC, PlayStation
  Platform(s)	PS3, Xbox 360, PC	PS3, Nintendo Wii U, Xbox 360, PC
  Released	2010-01-26	2012-03-06
  Developer(s)	BioWare	BioWare
  Genre(s)	Third-Person Shooter, Action RPG	Action, Adventure

The original Mass Effect was groundbreaking as an action RPG, but BioWare took Mass Effect 2 to new heights by addressing nearly every critique of the first game. With a tighter, more cinematic narrative, unforgettable companions, and a diverse range of environments and missions, Mass Effect 2 became one of the most impressive sequels of its time, winning numerous Game of the Year awards.

Though Mass Effect 3 didn’t represent as big a leap as its predecessor, it leaned further into action and introduced co-op multiplayer, providing a largely satisfying conclusion to the trilogy — despite its famously divisive ending. Both Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 are must-plays for any action RPG enthusiast, solidifying the series as one of the best trilogies in gaming history.

1 The Witcher 2: Assassins Of Kings & The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

A Step-By-Step Journey Toward The Pinnacle Of The Action RPG Genre

• 	The Witcher 2	The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
  System	Xbox, PC	Nintendo, Xbox, PC, PlayStation
  Platform(s)	Xbox 360, PC, macOS, Linux	PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One
  Released	2011-05-17	2015-05-19
  Developer(s)	CD Projekt Red	CD Projekt Red
  Genre(s)	Action RPG	Action, RPG, Adventure

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings marked a major leap for the series, particularly from a technological perspective. It was the first game to use CD Projekt Red’s own RED engine, which would later power The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. Upon its release, The Witcher 2 was praised not only for its stunning visuals but also for its exceptional storytelling and impressive non-linearity. Player choices had a significant impact on the narrative, with entire sections of the game-changing based on decisions, offering unique quests and storylines.

However, it was The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt that truly elevated the franchise, expanding its richly detailed world to millions of players. By merging the cinematic narrative strength of The Witcher 2 with a vast, beautiful open world, The Witcher 3 became a genre-defining achievement. For years, it has served as a model for open-world RPGs, influencing numerous games and franchises, including Assassin’s Creed and Horizon among others.