2019 was not necessarily the strongest year for RPGs. That said, the genre did produce more than a few worthwhile games, even if most of the highest-rated releases were ports of older titles likeDragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive AgeandTales of Vesperia.
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Action-RPGs are starting to become the norm, as more and more developers seek to create an experience that has the depth of old-school role-playing games and the immediacy provided by high-octane combat. Which studios came the closest to delivering such an experience in 2019? According toMetacritic, these are the highest-rated Action RPGs of the previous year.
Disclaimer:While something likeIndivisiblehas elements of action, any RPG with turn-based combat will not be considered. MMORPGs, rereleases, and ports will also be ignored.
10Darksiders Genesis (78)
Airship Syndicate’s surprising spin-off to theDarksidersfranchise,Genesisis a competent top-down hack and slash RPG that allows players to step into the shoes of Strife and War. Along with being the first entry to make the former horseman playable,Darksiders Genesisdoes a brilliant job of transposing the core games' feel and combat into an entirely new perspective. Strife and War play entirely differently, with each having their own unique moves to unlock.
Darksidershas a track record of swapping genres, which helpsGenesiscome across as a legitimate addition to the license rather than merely a momentary distraction.
9Greedfall (79)
Be itThe TechnomancerorBound by Flame, Spiders is one of those few developers trying to keep AA games alive. While all of the studio’s projects, which traditionally fall within the action-RPG genre, tend to be deeply flawed, they also bear a certain charm that makes them worth seeking out.
Greedfallis arguably Spiders' best title to date, a fantasy RPG based on 17th-century colonialism. Combat is held back by enemies that seldom seem capable of putting up a fight, butGreedfallshines in its worldbuilding and thematic storytelling.
8Borderlands 3 (81)
For better or worse,Borderlands 3is simply moreBorderlands. How does it compare to 2012’s entry? With regard to gameplay,Borderlands 3presents a respectable account for itself. The gunplay is far more engaging and kinetic. Like in previous entries, each Vault Hunter has access to unique skill trees filled with explosive attacks or useful passive abilities.
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Borderlands 3’s story andhumorare more of a mixed bag. The main villains are a parody of YouTubers that fail to offer much in the way of biting commentary on streaming culture or anything close to entertainment. Focusing solely on the combat and RPG mechanics,Borderlands 3is a solid entry in the franchise.
7Streets Of Rogue (82)
This entry is the most obscure title featured on this list, one that only has a small handful of reviews on Metacritic.Streets of Rogueis a roguelike that, rather than procedurally generated dungeons, creates a unique town with multiple levels waiting to be explored. There are NPCs to talk with, 26 character types to choose from, and nearly as many ways to approach situations.
With a robust customization system and tons of replayability through the different playstyles afforded by the unique classes,Streets of Rogueis a fantastic indie game that warrants more attention.
6Dauntless (82)
Dauntlessmade waves for being a free-to-play alternative toMonster Hunter, which is not far from the truth. While not as complex or polished as Capcom’s franchise,Dauntlessserves as an accessible entry point into the “huntbig monstersendlessly” subgenre.
Focusing squarely on the thrill on the hunt,Dauntlesscuts out any distractions and streamlines the process of matching players - slayers, in this universe - against towering Behemoths. LikeMonster Hunter, hunts rewards items that can be used to craft armor pieces and weapons.
5Kingdom Hearts III (83)
Square Enix’s long-awaited sequel toKingdom Heartsfinally arrived in 2019, but was it worth the wait? WhileKingdom Hearts IIIis not the best entry in the franchise, the action-RPG does deliver in terms of flashy combat, gorgeous Disney worlds to visit, and fun boss battles.
The story’s pacing left a lot to be desired and the game would have been better served gradually expanding Sora’s abilities rather than unlocking nearly everything right from the start, butKingdom Hearts IIIis still a highly enjoyable action-RPG.
4Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (84)
Metroidvaniagames are typically considered their own separate genre, butBloodstained: Ritual of the Nightis classified as an action-RPG onMetacritic. A spiritual successor toCastlevania,Bloodstainedprovides the exact experience Konami has been refusing to deliver for years.
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Set during the Industrial Revolution,Bloodstainedfollows a Shardbinder named Miriam who awakens to find that England has fallen to an army of hell’s demons. Along with being an easy recommendation forCastlevaniafans,Bloodstainedshould be given a try by anyone seeking a wonderful 2.5D action-RPG.
3Dragon Quest Builders 2 (86)
Dragon Quest BuilderstakesMinecraftand adds a dash of JRPG goodness, a hint of Akira Toriyama, and a whole lot of charm. While the sequel takes a more structured approach to its campaign, tasking the protagonist with completing quests to help rebuild towns,Dragon Quest Builders 2still mainly focuses on its construction and crafting mechanics, with the combat being overly simplistic and seldom challenging.
As an action-RPG,Dragon Quest Builders 2is lacking in certain areas. That said, its characters and story maintain the franchise’s usual high standard.
2The Outer Worlds (86)
Obsidian Entertainment’sThe Outer Worldslaunched to stellar reviews from critics and players seeking an alternative toFallout. Focusing on space exploration and dialogue options,The Outer Worldsbrings together elements from similar games to craft a complete, satisfying, and familiar experience.
The Outer Worldsis not without its issues, mainly its bland gunplay and uninvolving perk system, but the whole amounts to more than the sum of its parts.
1Monster Hunter: World - Iceborne (90)
Although it may seem unfair to include an expansion,Iceborneoffers enough content to rival most base games.Monster Hunter: Worldranked among 2018’s best action-RPGs, and its 2019 expansion introduced new quests, areas, and monsters to challenge its existing player base.
With unwelcoming weather playing a significant role inIceborne, the expansion forces users to explore different means to combat the harsh environments and the approximately 30 new monsters that have been added toMonster Hunter: World.
