The RPG genre is one of the most distinctive and diverse categories in the gaming industry, as it's essentially an "anyone can be anything" situation with several different titles under its collective belt. From fantasy realms far, far away to galactic spaceships and alien planets, there's practically an RPG that fits every player's taste.

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Many games fit the above description, but action-focused RPGs arguably have a better flow and feel than their traditional turn-based counterparts like Triangle Strategy or the Pokemon series. Fortunately for gamers everywhere, the industry is loaded with several iconic and action-packed titles. Whether they want to pick up a bow, a sword, or a plasma rifle, all they have to do is play one of these incredible titles, ranked according to Metacritic.

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen (81)

An archer fights a. hydra in Dragon's Dogma Dark Arisen

Capcom's take on the fantasy RPG formula might be a little standard-issue at times, but that's not saying it doesn't offer up something great. Players can highly customize their class, character, and appearance, and send them off on an epic quest to restore their heart from an evil dragon, and that's just the bare bones of the matter.

Taking just a few notes from the Monster Hunter games and a dash of Shadow of the Colossus, the game has players duking it out with gigantic creatures and bosses to earn gold and glory. Simple but effective, it certainly has its fans.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning (81)

An armored hero stands on the cover of Kingdoms of Amalur

Known to some fans as "the greatest game nobody played," Kingdoms of Amalur had a lot to offer when it was first released back in the days of the PS3. With a phenomenal voice cast, a script penned by R.A. Salvatore, and characters designed by Todd McFarlane, it's honestly a shock that it became somewhat of a cult favorite.

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Amalur is what would happen if Skyrim meshed with World of WarcraftWith the ability to craft, explore, and switch classes on the fly, the replay value for this colorful and distinct fantasy is more than enough to warrant a second look.

Dragon’s Crown (82)

All the heroes of Dragon's Crown together

Dragon's Crown is a fantasy fan's dream come true, as it pulls from a multitude of different fictional media to craft a gorgeous fantasy realm of fairies, wizards, and of course, dragons. It's a hand-drawn side-scrolling beat-em-up with beautiful graphics and a plentiful loot system that anyone familiar with the genre will absolutely adore.

References to Dungeons and Dragons, Conan the Barbarianand even classic Disney films abound in this Vanillaware ARPG. With six different classes and an enjoyable epic adventure, it definitely has a lot to offer for anyone looking to escape to a mystical realm.

Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition (90)

A fight scene erupts in Diablo III

Diablo is a giant of the ARPG genre, and the third entry is perhaps one of the most available and accessible for fans across a multitude of consoles. While not the most recent release of the enjoyable dungeon-crawler, the Ultimate Evil Edition has all the gothic charm and hordes of enemies that will suck players in.

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An ocean of loot, monsters, and weapons are just the tip of the iceberg for reasons to keep playing this addictive hack-and-slash adventure. Defeating the Prime Evil has always been an excellent way to spend a dungeon run, and the Diablo series is an undisputed master at the art.

Dark Souls II (91)

The Shaded Woods seen in Dark Souls II

The original Dark Souls was a title that redefined what it meant to be a brutally-hard game, the second entry only cemented that fact. Dark Souls II took the elements of the original and expanded on them further in a dark and difficult open-world RPG.

Where the original took more of a linear approach with its gothic, monster-filled world, the sequel opens the gate wide open and sends the player into a larger environment with winding paths, traps, and tons of beasts and bosses to contend with. "Prepare to die" is putting it lightly.

The Witcher III: Wild Hunt (93)

Geralt and Vesemir crouching in the grass during an early cutscene in The Witcher 3

The Witcher has been a fantasy epic for years, but the third entry in the popular monster-hunting franchise is perhaps the most polished and beloved. As the famous Geralt of Rivia, players can explore the vast wilds of The Continent and embark on a multitude of quests and adventures in a rich fantasy realm.

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There is simply so much to unpack in one game that it can be easy to forget that there is a main quest on the board. From reuniting with Yennifer and Ciri and fighting the titular Wild Hunt to collecting monster bounties or playing a game of Gwent, it's a game that players can get lost in without a second thought.

Mass Effect 2 (96)

The cover artwork for Mass Effect 2 shows three leading characters

Bioware's space opera RPG is a pillar of the genre and the saga of Commander Shepard is one the annals of gaming will not soon forget. Picking up from the events of the first chapter, Shepard is thrown back into action with the crew of the Normandy in a galaxy full of unique and dangerous alien life forms.

While the game's primary focus is indeed on third-person-shooter combat, Bioware's best roleplaying game elements have a heavy effect as well. Dialogue choices and trees determine the outcome of the player's own story. It's a great alternative for players tired of the fantasy motifs.

Skyrim (96)

The Dragonborn looking at the viewer in Skyrim

If there's one game that Bethesda will forever be known for, Skyrim is arguably the best choice. With an epic storyline of Stormcloaks, Imperials, and wielders of the Voice, it's one of the biggest adventures a gamer could have, regardless of console.

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Of course, the main story is almost entirely optional, as the game allows any would-be adventurer to carve out their path in the realms of Tamriel. Whether they want to be the heroic Dragonborn Skyrim needs or take up a sharp instrument and murder every NPC they encounter, the choice is entirely left up to the players.

Elden Ring (96)

A character in Elden Ring looking down at Volcano Manor, a castle inside a volcano

Although it hasn't been on the market long, Elden Ring has already carved out an impressive pedigree along with that 96 rating. With the difficulty and gothic forces of Dark Souls set in an immense open world, it's a recipe for a new flavor of Soulsborne with a much more grandiose scale.

Pair that with an original world created by George R.R. Martin, and the game is decidedly deeper and richer than FromSoftwares other predecessors. Although players might be too busy picking up their teeth after each boss encounter to further explore it, the game comes fully equipped with well-written lore.

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild (97)

Zelda standing in front of the landscape as the sun sets in Breath of the Wild sets

While there are some that are quick to dismiss Breath of the Wild as a true RPG, there are far too many elements seen in other ARPGs to ignore. Along with hacking and slashing a path through the kingdom of Hyrule, players can upgrade and customize Link to their heart's desire, making it a very expansive entry in the Zelda series.

While it does follow the standard Zelda script to an extent, it's a far deeper experience than the average dungeon crawler. There are branching pathways, a multitude of different weapons, and several different ways to approach the task of defeating Ganon. In the end, it becomes more of an ARPG than a Zelda title.

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