Highlights

  • Path of Exile fans can explore other ARPG alternatives like Baldur's Gate 3 and Diablo 4 for engaging gameplay and rich storytelling.
  • Games like Nox and Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem offer unique experiences with high-level loot and addictive hack-and-slash combat.
  • Other titles such as Chronicon and The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: Final Cut provide nostalgic dungeon-crawling action and challenging RPG adventures.

Dungeon-crawlers, otherwise known as hack-and-slash ARPGs, is a genre that sees few new releases today. Some ARPG fans have stuck with Blizzard's Diablo 2 this entire time, while some have migrated to Path of Exile, a free-to-play spiritual successor to the acclaimed title. While this game has a lot of content and frequent updates, burnout, and boredom can still happen when completing the Atlas or delving for the umpteenth time.

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Fortunately, there is a solid selection of ARPG alternatives that Path of Exile fans should try out while they wait for a new league or want a change of pace. Most of these games feature rich gameplay loops, a wealth of loot, engaging combat, or a combination of all three. Regardless of the reasons that fans may like Path of Exile, there are numerous games of the highest quality that will be right up their alley.

Updated on December 26, 2023, by Ritwik Mitra: Path of Exile is a great ARPG with one of the most infamous skill trees in gaming history. The sheer number of ways players can invest in the character of their choice is so immense that players can replay this title over and over again to enjoy a completely different experience. Players who love Path of Exile and are seeking out an experience similar to this hack-and-slash title will find a bevy of titles that fit these criteria.

29 Tyranny

A Brilliant Exploration Of Evil In The CRPG Genre

Characters facing another character up on a building in Tyranny
Tyranny

Platform(s)
Linux , Microsoft Windows , macOS
Released
November 10, 2016
Developer(s)
Obsidian Entertainment
Publisher(s)
Paradox Interactive
Genre(s)
RPG , Adventure , Strategy

Tyranny is an excellent CRPG with a rather unique look at how evil is portrayed in a video game. Trying to accomplish something good takes quite a bit of effort, and even that comes with some caveats of its own.

The only drawback of this CRPG is that it's pretty short, which is saying something for a game that's already 40 hours in length if players try to accomplish most of the sidequests that they find. With many people calling Tyranny one of the most dense Obsidian Entertainment RPGs around, it's easy to see why players may be intrigued at the prospect of checking out this ambitious game.

28 Baldur's Gate 3

Top-Down Strategic Combat Where Build Variety Is Critical For Victory

Fezzerk retreats from the windmill in Baldur's Gate 3.
Baldur's Gate 3

Platform(s)
PC , Stadia , macOS , PS5 , Xbox Series X
Released
August 3, 2023
Developer(s)
Larian Studios
Genre(s)
RPG

The release of Baldur's Gate 3 has been nothing short of a major phenomenon, showing players just how brilliant an RPG can be when developers add a ton of love and effort into making the best game possible. The fact that this game has sold millions of copies despite being a CRPG shows just how much stock players put into a deep role-playing experience that has a ton of effort put behind it.

Larian Studios is heading for bigger and better things after this title ended up selling bucketloads, with the Early Access period allowing them to incorporate a bunch of fan feedback and make a near-perfect RPG that players can invest a thousand hours into. The sheer amount of player freedom coupled with a mind-blowing narrative makes it easy to see why Baldur's Gate 3 is a one-of-a-kind that fans will have a great time with.

27 Diablo 4

A Legendary Hack-And-Slash Title From A Series That Inspired Path Of Exile

diablo 4 blood knight not coming to game immortal season of blood
Diablo 4

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
Released
June 6, 2023
Developer(s)
Blizzard
Genre(s)
Action RPG , Hack and Slash

There's no denying that Blizzard hasn't been enjoying the greatest reputation right now, with their recent scandals and the disastrous launch of Overwatch 2 hurting their goodwill considerably. However, this studio still has many talented developers at the helm, and this can be seen in the successful launch of Diablo 4.

The inclusion of an open world could've gone wrong for the game, but Diablo 4 manages to make the most of this inclusion by letting players explore some great locales and discover everything on offer here. The traditional gameplay loop of exploring hostile locations and attaining a ton of loot is as strong as ever. It allows players to engage in some truly fun and addictive combat as their damage numbers reach immensely high levels over time.

26 Nox

A Classic Hack-And-Slash Title With Multiple Narratives And A Story-Heavy Focus

Nox

It's a shame that Westwood Studios isn't active anymore since this company developed some great games that fans had a great time experiencing for themselves. One such title that a lot of people don't know about is Nox, a top-down ARPG that was favorably compared to Diablo 2 when it was launched. The game was a unique title that allowed players to experience a completely different story with three classes, making for a pretty engaging experience indeed.

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Nox had some unique ideas that make it worth checking out for Path of Exile fans, especially since finding high-level loot in this game is about as engaging as most people would expect. The game is pretty welcoming, with all three classes being a blast to mess around with in their way.

25 Wolcen: Lords Of Mayhem

An Interesting Attempt In The Hack-And-Slash Genre With Some Flaws

Bleeding Edge
Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem

Platform(s)
PC
Released
February 13, 2020
Developer(s)
Wolcen Studio
Genre(s)
Action RPG

Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem launched to a fairly tepid reception, with many players being disappointed with what was on offer. However, the developers didn't stop working on this game, fixing bugs and adding a steady stream of content that has salvaged the title's reputation quite a bit.

Gamers who skipped Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem because of mediocre reviews should consider giving this game a whirl now. It's far from a revolution in the genre, but fans of fun hack-and-slash RPGs can find a ton of things to enjoy in this game.

24 Chronicon

Dungeon Exploration And Looting Powerful Gear Takes Precedence In This Unique-Looking RPG

Chronicon
Chronicon

Platform(s)
PC
Released
August 21, 2020
Genre(s)
Action RPG , Adventure
Developer
Subworld

The first thing that players will notice in Chronicon is its unique pixel art graphics. Of course, the combat of this series is also pretty engaging and one of the many reasons why fans of Path of Exile should check this title out.

Looting gear, unlocking skills, exploring dungeons, and defeating powerful bosses makes for a simple yet engaging gameplay loop. All in all, Chronicon offers a nostalgic and challenging experience for players who crave classic dungeon-crawling action and cathartic action RPG combat.

23 The Incredible Adventures Of Van Helsing: Final Cut

A Gothic Take On A Familiar Genre But With Balancing Issues

The-Incredible-Adventures-of-Van-Helsing-FinalCut
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , Xbox One
Released
May 22, 2013
Developer(s)
NeocoreGames
Genre(s)
Action RPG

There's no denying that The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: Final Cut is pretty rough around the edges. The balancing in this game is all over the place, with certain areas being full of pushover enemies while other hostile zones feature enemies who are a nightmare to engage in combat.

However, there's no denying that this game has a ton of heart, with this gothic setting dripping in charm and atmosphere. If players forgive the faults of this title, then they'll be able to enjoy an excellent action RPG where they take on the role of the legendary vampire hunter, Van Helsing.

22 Dungeon Siege 3

The Third Entry In A Capable, Engaging Hack-And-Slash Series

Promo art featuring characters in Dungeon Siege 3
Dungeon Siege 3

Platform(s)
Microsoft Windows , PC , Xbox 360 , PlayStation 3
Released
June 17, 2011
Developer(s)
Obsidian Entertainment
Genre(s)
Action RPG , Adventure , Shooter , Fighting

Dungeon Siege 3 is an action RPG that features a richly detailed world, dynamic combat, and a compelling story with branching choices. Players will embark on a heroic quest to restore the kingdom of Ehb, taking on many tough enemies along the way.

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Players can choose from four unique character classes, each with their abilities and playstyle, and team up with friends in co-op mode. Dungeon Siege 3 offers an immersive and epic RPG adventure for fans of the genre who owe it to themselves to check out this engrossing game.

21 Borderlands 3

A Looter-Shooter With An Addictive Gameplay Loop

The Borderlands 3 Vault Hunters gathered together in combat
Borderlands 3

Released
September 13, 2019
Developer(s)
Gearbox Software
Genre(s)
First-Person Shooter , Action , RPG

Many people consider Borderlands 3 to be one of the weakest games in this trilogy and a disappointment following the brilliance of the second game. However, while it's easy to write this title off for these reasons, fans of looter shooters will find many things to like about this experience.

The classic visual design of the Borderlands series, coupled with its crunchy combat, are already two huge reasons to give this game a shot. Players who decide to power through this title with friends will be more than happy with what's on offer here.

20 Monster Hunter World

Players Are Encouraged To Hunt Monsters And Craft Powerful Equipment

monster hunter world 2 sequel potential current-gen fidelity visuals load times
Monster Hunter World

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , PC
Released
January 26, 2018
Developer(s)
Capcom
Genre(s)
Action RPG

A big part of Path of Exile's gameplay is kitting players out with the best equipment possible to take down massive threats. This is a gameplay loop that is present in Monster Hunter World too.

This game is the reason why the Monster Hunter franchise has such a massive fanbase right now, with the release of this game on modern hardware doing a great job of bringing more attention to the title. It helped that Iceborne was also a great expansion that made playing through this game a blast once again.

19 Final Fantasy 14

A Fantastic MMORPG With Deep, Strategic Combat

A party in Final Fantasy 14
Final Fantasy 14

Platform(s)
PC , PS3 , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
Released
August 27, 2013
Developer(s)
Square Enix
Genre(s)
MMORPG

Final Fantasy 14 is one of the best MMORPGs around right now. Fans of Path of Exile who want to interact with a massive community while going through the dungeon-crawling loop they love will have a great time playing through Final Fantasy 14.

The game is full to the brim with content and gets a ton of timely updates that make it a blast to revisit this game time and time again. Given how the content in Path of Exile is a huge positive, fans of developers working hard to make their games enjoyable will be more than happy with the experience of playing Final Fantasy 14.

18 Nioh 2

A Soulslike With A Focus On Looting

Nioh 2
Nioh 2

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , PS5
Released
March 13, 2020
Developer(s)
Team Ninja
Genre(s)
Action RPG

Nioh 2 is an action RPG that pretty much serves as the perfect sequel. Most of the complaints from the first game are addressed, leading to everything from level design to the overall feel of combat being an improvement in every way.

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Nioh 2's combat might be a bit more involving than that of Path of Exile, but the gameplay loop of getting great loot and equipping the best weapons and armor remains constant. As a result, this game is a great recommendation for Path of Exile fans who want to enjoy a combat system that requires pinpoint precision from their end.

17 Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning

A Highly Underrated Action-RPG Where Classes Are Unique And Important

KingdomsOfAmalurGentlemansFavor
Kingdoms of Amalur Reckoning

Platform(s)
PC , PS3 , PS4 , Switch , Xbox 360 , Xbox One
Released
February 7, 2012
Developer(s)
38 Studios , Big Huge Games
Genre(s)
Action RPG

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is one of the most underrated fantasy titles around. This RPG might've been slightly generic, but a great magic system coupled with powerful story moments more than made up for this drawback.

The recent remaster of this title makes for a great way to play this game in modern times. Path of Exile fans will love the amazing exploration of this title despite the perceived differences between both titles.

16 Hollow Knight

An Atmospheric Metroidvania With A Dark And Somber Tone

hollow knight mask maker character
Hollow Knight

Platform(s)
PC , Switch , PS4 , Xbox One , macOS , Linux
Released
February 24, 2017
Developer(s)
Team Cherry
Genre(s)
Metroidvania

The idea of exploring different areas and fighting the threats that lay within is common to both Kingdoms of Amalur and Hollow Knight. The latter is hailed as one of the best Metroidvanias around, and it's easy to see why fans are waiting with bated breath for the sequel to drop.

Hollow Knight's amazing art style, brilliant combat, and memorable characters have helped it garner such an impressive reputation. Fans can't wait to see how Silksong improves on a formula that was perceived as perfect by many.

15 Torchlight 3

The Third Entry In A Celebrated APRG Series

Torchlight 3 - Games To Play While Waiting Path Of Exile
Torchlight 3

Platform(s)
Switch , PS4 , Xbox One , PC
Released
October 13, 2020
Developer(s)
Echtra Games
Genre(s)
Action RPG

ARPG fans who want a more straightforward experience will appreciate Torchlight 3 and its penchant for hack-and-slash. In Torchlight 3, the declining Ember Empire is ill-equipped to face the extradimensional Netherim. It’s up to the players - as either the Dusk Mage, Railmaster, Sharpshooter, or the Forged - to take up arms and defend Novastraia once more.

As with its predecessors, Torchlight 3's steampunk world takes cues from classic ARPGs. In turn, players itching for genre staples will love Torchlight 3’s rarity-based drops, persistent enemies, and fast-and-loose skill system that will have them popping baddies with combos. However, unlike other more “hardcore” ARPGs, Torchlight 3 offers a decent balance of difficulty and fun fit for any kind of gamer.

14 Transistor

Supergiant Game's Take On A Hack-And-Slash Game With A Hybrid Combat System

Transistor
Transistor

Platform(s)
PS4 , Switch , PC , iOS
Released
May 20, 2014
Developer(s)
Supergiant Games
Genre(s)
Action RPG , Strategy

Transistor is the type of game that doesn’t immediately drag players into its presence. This Supergiant Games title has a “chill” aesthetic that does a good job of hiding its tactical ARPG splendor. Players take on the role of Red, a Cloudbank City singer on the run from the Camerata, an organization that ordered its robotic Process to assassinate her. Red manages to grab the Transistor, a sword-like weapon that was supposed to assassinate her. For some reason, the Camerata wants to retrieve Red alongside the Transistor.

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In addition to its stellar music and captivating visuals, Transistor shines in its gameplay. Red fights her foes from an isometric point of view, as expected from ARPGs. However, Red has access to the Turn() Mode, which enables players to plan commands to execute upon the return to real-time. Additionally, Red can possess Functions that have various effects on both her and her environment. With this freeform approach to control, players can not only control their environment but also plan their strategies.

13 XCOM: Enemy Unknown

A Return To Form For XCOM With Hard And Strategic Turn-Based Combat

XCOM - Games To Play While Waiting Path Of Exile
XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Platform(s)
Android , Linux , iOS , PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360 , PS Vita
Released
October 9, 2012
Genre(s)
Turn-Based Strategy , Action , Tactical , Strategy

Fans of sci-fi will love the XCOM series for its rousing premise. On XCOM’s Earth, aliens had just begun their invasion, and what remains of humanity appointed the player to command XCOM - the only military force with a fighting chance against these invaders. While every XCOM title has unique gameplay mechanics, XCOM: Enemy Unknown blends everything into a stellar title.

XCOM boasts one of the most complex tactical combat systems in an RPG. As commanders, players get all the tools they need to take the fight to the invading aliens. Players will appreciate XCOM’s in-depth terrain mechanics, where almost everything in the environment is interactive. Units boast deep customization and unit placement matters to maximize strategic options. Players who want to feel as though they’re manning a counterattack against aliens will want to grab XCOM.

12 Pillars Of Eternity

A CRPG That Rescued Obsidian Entertainment, Featuring Real-Time With Pause Combat

Pillars of Eternity have hundreds of in-game books to find
Pillars of Eternity

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , Switch , Xbox One
Released
March 26, 2015
Developer(s)
Obsidian Entertainment
Publisher(s)
Paradox Interactive , Versus Evil
Genre(s)
RPG
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
How Long To Beat
45 Hours
X|S Enhanced
No
File Size Xbox Series
14 GB (November 2023)

A spiritual successor to hit RPGs such as Icewind Dale and Baldur’s Gate, Pillars of Eternity carried a lot of pressure from fans. Thankfully, the game far exceeds expectations. Players take on the role of Watchers - people who can interact with souls and see past lives. Unfortunately, this gift comes with responsibility. As Watchers, players need to travel the Dyrwood and uncover the origins of the Hollowborn, children born without souls.

Pillars of Eternity earned critical acclaim for its immersive world, outstanding narrative, and strategic combat. Despite its usual fantasy setting with the usual cadre of classes, each class option offers something unique to gameplay. Players can have a party of up to six companions, each with a unique personality and story. Lastly, the game only rewards experience after quest completion and area discovery, meaning players always have the choice of completing quests outside combat.

11 Divinity: Original Sin 2

Am Amazing CRPG With Tactical Combat That Takes A While To Get Used To

Divinity Original Sin 2 has a long history to dive into
Divinity: Original Sin 2

Platform(s)
Switch , PS4 , Xbox One , PC
Released
September 14, 2017
Developer(s)
Larian Studios
Publisher(s)
Larian Studios
Genre(s)
RPG
ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
How Long To Beat
60 Hours
Metascore
93
Split Screen Orientation
Vertical

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is the sequel to Larian Studios’ Divinity: Original Sin. In Original Sin 2, players become Sourcerers, beings who can tap into the very fabric of existence. Unfortunately, their presence attracts Voidwoken, extra-dimensional beings who want to sow chaos in the world of Rivellon. To stop their threat, players - either as a custom character or one of the six main cast members - need to ascend to Divinity.

Fans love Original Sin 2 not just for its captivating narrative but also for its extensive approach to gameplay. Players can interact with almost all aspects of the game environment and even “break” the game’s script to their advantage. The game encourages players to explore existing areas to find creative solutions to problems - such as teleporting enemies away, turning bosses into chickens, or skipping combat through sheer diplomacy. While Original Sin 2 has a relatively straightforward plot, its depth of gameplay offerings can extend a playthrough for hundreds of hours.

10 Victor Vran

A Gothic-Fantasy ARPG That Is Fun To Play Through With Friends

Victor Vran ARPG
Victor Vran

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , Switch , Xbox One
Released
February 20, 2015
Developer(s)
Haemimont Games
Genre(s)
Action RPG , Hack and Slash

ARPGs that focus on cooperative play are a rare sight in today's market, especially ones that allow split-screen co-op. Victor Vran ARPG is one of the few ARPGs that fill this niche currently.

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While it doesn't have any new tricks up its sleeve for the genre, Victor Vran's ability to be played in split-screen co-op on PC and console makes for a great afternoon of dungeon-delving with friends.