Calculating the critic score average from other sites and reviewers alike, OpenCritic uses both the numeric score as well as a score based on how many reviewers recommend a specific game. Every game and genre is included with the ability to view the top-rated games from a list.
Narrowing the list down to purely action RPGs, there are a number of highly scored games within the genre. Using OpenCritic’s averages, one could find the best A-RPGs of all time without a bias. But what are the best Action RPGs of all time?
10 Dark Souls II Has An 88 Critic Score Average And A 91% Recommended Score
The sequel game to Dark Souls came only three years after the first game’s release in 2014. Developed by FromSoftware, the game divided the fans of both Dark Souls and Demon’s Souls. DS2 received high praise from critics and players alike, but there were notable differences concerning gameplay, enemy positioning, and direction.
Hidetaka Miyazaki, the director of the first two Souls games, took a step back to serve more of a supporting role for the game. This split many of the fans and the game is beloved by many or considered the weakest of the series. Evening if the thought is the latter, however, the game is one of the best action RPGs to date according to OpenCritic.
9 Asgard’s Wrath Has An 89 Critic Score Average And A 100% Recommended Score
Developed by Sanzaru Games and published by Oculus Studios, Asgard’s Wrath was released in 2019 for the Oculus Rift. It is often regarded as one of the most ambitious and well-made VR games to date and immerses players into the world of Norse mythology. Players assume the role of a god who controls mortals to fulfill their destinies, each with different weapons and abilities.
Jumping between god and mortal heroes, the VR game gained attention because of its intense and big world and story. The combat system had players swing for attacks and parry incoming attacks with their VR headsets, and was nominated for the best AR/VR game of both 2019 and 2020.
8 Horizon Zero Dawn Has An 89 Critic Score Average And A 93% Recommended Score
Guerilla’s 2017 game Horizon Zero Dawn seemingly came out of nowhere with Sony Computer Interactive backing it. Making a game with a new IP outside of Killzone was a first for the company and winning Game of the Year with that new game was an impressive feat in the industry. The game had players play as Aloy, an outcast of the Nora tribe, on her journey to find out her and the technology she uses origins.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the game features a sizeable open-world and layered combat that makes use of several different weapons, elements, and stealth. It has surpassed over 10 million copies sold and remains one of the best-selling Sony exclusives to date.
7 Dark Souls III Has A 90 Critic Score Average And A 93% Critic Recommended Score
Dark Souls III is regarded as one of the best games of the series, often being compared to the original Dark Souls game. Released in 2016 by FromSoftware and published by BandaiNamco, the game was a welcome addition to the series. It featured a magic meter previously seen only in Demon’s Souls while using many locations from the first game.
Nostalgia didn’t stop there, however, as many NPCs returned in the game along with bosses and weapons. It sold over 10 million copies and won Game of the Year during the Golden Joysticks award. Although many enemies frustrated players and critics alike, it is regarded as one of the most fun and rewarding games.
6 Monster Hunter World Has A 90 Critic Score Average And A 97% Critic Recommended Score
The Monster Hunter games’ popularity is much higher in Japan than in the west, but Monster Hunter World opened players’ eyes to the thrilling action RPG. Released in 2018 by Capcom, the game made a number of quality of life improvements that made the series more accessible for newcomers. The reception for the game was highly positive because of this, as players could jump in and learn the basics of tracking and hunting monsters, gathering materials on each map, and upgrade their weapons and armor easier than ever.
Winning both Japan’s Game of the Year and The Game Award’s Best RPG Game category, it’s no question why the game sold over 17 million units. The series sequel, Monster Hunter Rise would go back to the old formula but would attract the attention of many of the newly found fans of the series.
5 NieR: Automata Game of the YoRHa Edition Has A 91 Critic Score Average And A 100% Critic Recommend Score
Yoko Taro’s NieR: Automata tackles many philosophical questions regarding humanity in a hack and slash, action RPG style. Developed by Platinum Games and published by Square-Enix, the game takes place in the far future where humanity is forced to live on the moon while in a war with aliens and their machine weapons. They develop Androids as a means to fight back and the player assumes the control of 2B, a combat model, while discovering that not all is what it seems to be.
The game features a unique upgrade system with “chips” that further cater to a player’s style of play with an increase in attack, defense, particular skills, HP, and anything in between. Selling over 6 million units and winning several awards, such as the Role Playing Game of the Year award during the D.I.C.E. Awards Show, it remains one of the most unique and fascinating action RPGs.
4 Bloodborne Has A 91 Critic Score Average And A 98% Critic Recommend Score
Sony exclusive, Bloodborne, developed by FromSoftware and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, is one of the highest praised Sony exclusive games. 2015 saw the release of the victorian-style, gothic, Eldritch horror-inspired game with fewer weapons than its Dark Souls predecessor, but careful attention to the weapons available.
Most criticisms of the game stem from its difficulty and its 30FPS lock, but critics scored this game high enough to claim it as one of the best video games of all time. Additionally, the game was popular enough to get a card game and board game, as well as a comic book series. It was named game of the year by several review sites and nominated for 17 awards the year it came out.
3 Demon’s Souls Remake Has A 92 Critic Score Average And A 100% Critic Recommend Score
The remake of the 2009 game of the same name, Demon’s Souls (2020) was developed by Bluepoint Games and Sony Computer Entertainment. Despite not being made by the same developers as the original, Bluepoint made a faithful recreation of the game on PS5 with several changes and additions from the original.
Players create a character and traverse several levels through a central hub world in order to defeat Demons that are creating a deep fog that is consuming the world. The game features several weapons and builds that could be made using a stat system that each weapon scales differently with. Scored highly across the board, it is one the most highly rated remakes to date.
2 Hades Has A 94 Critic Score Average And A 99% Critic Recommend Score
Supergiant Games’, Hades, was released in 2020 after being in early access since 2018. The game is a rogue-like dungeon crawler that features action RPG elements in its gameplay for a hybrid experience like no other. It won several awards, as well as 3 Game of the Year awards while being nominated for a number of more. The game has players assume the role of Zagreus, the son of Hades, while trying to escape the underworld.
Running through an isometric-style dungeon, Zagreus uses upgrades from the gods called Boons to get through the rooms until he dies. Lost items can be recovered, however, as Zagreus can explore the House of Hades to retrieve them.
1 God of War Has A 95 Critic Score Average And A 98% Critic Recommend Score
2018 saw the return of God of War for the PS4, developed by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The game, like its previous titles, has players play as Kratos, the old Greek god of war, while journeying with his son Atreus. They make their way to the highest point in the realm, as per his late wife’s wishes.
The game gives Kratos new skills and armor over the course of the game, including new combos and runes to use with the Leviathan Axe. Unlike the previous games, the game is entirely over-the-shoulder and uses armor and runes to increase Kratos’s stats. It is one of the most highly rated video games of all time, selling over 10 million copies worldwide. It won several Game of the Year awards and was nominated for over 40 different awards between 2018 and 2019.
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