Despite going through its share of ups and downs over the last 15 years, Blizzard’sDiablois still arguably the definitive action RPG franchise, at least within its subgenre. 1997’sDiabloand 2000’sDiablo 2helped define isometric dungeon-crawlers, and they are still impressive as long as somebody goes in with realistic expectations since they are over 20 years old by this point. Their success inspired many developers to try their hands at craftingaction RPGs likeDiablo, to mixed results.
Nowadays, 2021’sDiablo 2: Resurrectedserves as a good entry point into the franchise for newcomers who want to start with the older releases rather than the more modern sequels. Alternatively, they can jump intoDiablo 4, the latest project in Blizzard’s franchise. Positive reviews aside, the game garnered quite a bit of criticism during its first year, butDiablo 4’s Loot Reborn helped steady the ship, setting the stage for the Vessel of Hatred expansion.More updates followed in 2025.
With the main entries andDiablo Immortal, the franchise is not exactly lacking in content; however, a change of pace can be preferred at times. Therefore, let’s highlight some of thebest games likeDiablo.
Updated on May 25, 2025 by Mark Sammut:As recent weeks did not produce too manygames similar to Diablo, an out-of-left-field recommendation has been added that might hit the mark with people craving a hack-and-slash project with an OP fantasy edge.
Dynasty Warriorshas been around for decades, and while consistently popular, it has never fully gone mainstream. While the earlier entries are quite difficult, the series' modern sequels and many, many spin-offs are synonymous with power fantasy-type action where players can demolish armies of enemies with a single swing of a sword. In some ways, Omega Force’s IP has followed the same trajectory as Blizzard’sDiablo, in the sense that they both gradually became more accessible and easier. If somebody is specifically craving a hack-and-slash romp that allows them to live out theirRomance of the Three Kingdomsdreams, they will want to check out this franchise, and there is no better place to start thanDynasty Warriors: Origins(in most circumstances).
As its subtitle suggests,Originswas designed to act as a gateway entry for newcomers, all the while still offering an enjoyable experience for veterans who have been around the block a few times. While the series, in general, is not known for cutscenes or storytelling, the 2025 entry weaves a surprisingly effective tale that delivers a cliffnotes take on the early conflicts of theRomance of the Three Kingdoms, all framed around a new character. In a shocking change from its predecessors,Originsopts out of including a massive roster in favor of a defined protagonist andbrief sessions with classic characters, which allows for a more nuanced and fine-tuned combat system.
Dynasty Warriors: Originsis very different fromDiabloin most ways, but they both excel in providing fast-paced and satisfying combat that leaves it up to the players to decide their difficulty. They can be challenging, but they can also be entertaining walks in the park.
Here is a bit of a weird one. 2023’sHammerwatch 2is more similar toDiablothan 2025’sHeroes of Hammerwatch 2, a roguelite game created by the same studio. However, overall, the latter is currently a better experience than the former, so it deserves to be highlighted. That said,Hammerwatch 2(and even the older games in the franchise) is worth looking into for anyone craving a traditional action RPG.
Heroes of Hammerwatch 2has a fun and addictive formula that is relatively typical for a roguelite, albeit executed well. Afterpicking a class (which are not all available at the start), players venture into a procedurally generated dungeon where they engage in isometric combat, unlock loot, and power up. Once done, they return to their hub tone where they can engage with the NPC community. Then, repeat the formula. The structure works well and can satisfy cravings for both action RPG and roguelite content.
While the first two entries are quite difficult,Diabloreduced its barrier of entry after that point, at least for the main campaigns.Diablo 3and4are both fairly easy action RPGs that enable players to curb-stomp most enemies, carving a path of destruction toward the endgame. The latter include notable spikes in difficulty, but things mellow out once players get into the endless loot grind (which tends to happen with most of these types of games, not justDiablo). Although this shift could be seen as a criticism, a power fantasy run that provides some challenge but not too much frustration can be fun in the right mood.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoningoffers something similar, albeit presented from a 3D angle. In 2012, Big Huge’s title had one of the best combat systems in Western RPGs, opting for a hack and slash formula akin to something likeGod of Warand, to a lesser extent,Devil May Cry. While showing its age at this point,Kingdoms of Amaluris still a blast to play, especially thanks to a weapon system with a decent range of variety (andcombos that can be enjoyably broken).
Visually,Kingdoms of Amaluropts for a colorful fantasy aesthetic, somewhat similar toDiablo 3. The story is not particularly great, but the open-world is lovely and filled with well-designed locations.
Not that the 2012 version is likely to be an option, but new players should go for the 2020Re-Reckoningrelease.
OK, this recommendation might seem like a stretch.Elden Ringis, obviously, a very different experience fromDiablo. For one, Soulslike combat is considerably slower thanDiablo 3and4’s hack and slash gameplay, although it is somewhat closer to the original games' pace.
While packed to the brim with optional content,Elden Ringdoes not really have an endgame that is meant to keep people playing indefinitely; once the final boss is defeated, the next step would be to start NG+. Loot is certainly a big part of the experience, but the game does not constantly push players to change their loadouts. In most playthroughs, players will likely stick to a handful of weapons, opting to upgrade and master those rather than frequently swap for a shiny new item.
Even thoughElden RingandDiabloare directly opposed in most key areas, there is still a good chance that fans of the latter will enjoy the former. Both properties bring to life fully-realized dark fantasy worlds that are rich in lore, if not necessarily story. Customization is also a central part of both experiences, withElden Ringallowing for quite a wide range of build types. Even though NG+ is far from the same thing asDiablo’s endgame, it does effectively serve a similar purpose by offering an opportunity to take on the same threats at a higher difficulty level.
Building beautifully on its predecessor’s ideas,Remnant 2is one of the better and more unique Soulslikes on the market. While the genre typically prioritizes melee weapons, Gunfire Games' franchise revolves around ranged action, with close-quarter combat being secondary. The games utilize procedural generation to enhance their replayability. In the case ofRemnant 2, each world’s dungeons are formed at random, meaning two playthroughs will encounter different enemies and level layouts.Diablo 4does the same thing with its dungeons, and the 2023 sequel was hardly the first entry in the action RPG series to implement this sort of concept.
Now,Remnant 2andDiablo’s combat are not that similar, although they share enough elements in common to be worth a mention. The former focuses quite a lot on crowd control, and the action is fairly fast-paced and consistently intense. The Soulslike has quite a lot of loot as well; however, unlikeDiablo,Remnant 2does not emphasize weapons in this area. Generally, drops come in the form of rings and relics, while most armor pieces and weapons need to be purchased. While initially this might seem restrictive, the game offers quite a bit of build variety, particularly once players unlock more Archetypes (classes). Similar toDiablo,Remnant 2also supports online co-op.
Minecraft Dungeonsis essentially aDiabloalternative for children. The hack and slash game simplifies most of the central mechanics associated with action RPGs, including completely removing a class system, all the while offering the minute-by-minute thrills associated with the genre.
Veterans fans of these sorts of projects might find this title a bit too unchallenging, even though they might still appreciate its charming visuals and decent level design. However,Minecraft Dungeonsis designed for younger players who are taking their first steps into this world; from that point of view, it gets the job done.
Inspired by Eastern mythology,Ghostloretakes theDiabloformula and gives it a thematic makeover, crafting a gameplay loop that is similar but still has a unique identity. The story mostly boils down to a student taking over their master’s monster-fighting responsibilities, which means taking on all sorts of quests that amount to “kill everything in this map.” That might sound overly straightforward, butGhostlorecomplements its narrative with a visually impressive world dripping in real-life culture. Even the enemies are inspired by Southern Asian mythology, and it is fun just learning about these beings.
Ghostlorehas a few other things that might hit the mark withDiablofans. Loot is plentiful, with players constantly having to update their builds. Class customization is important, and players will be mixing and matching skills from multiple classes to create their ideal fighter. Procedural generation is used for the map layouts, heightening replayability in the process.
Ever since its debut,Borderlandshas been described as FPSDiablo, and that descriptor has stuck around for a reason. Gearbox’s franchise lives and dies on the strength of its loot system, which is designed to keep players coming back long after they complete a playthrough. Each game has a few Vault Hunters who act as separate classes, each of which comes with a couple of skill trees that alter their playstyles. While not as endgame-driven asDiablo,Borderlandsis intended to be replayed over and over again, and the games emphasize co-op.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlandsis a spin-offthat flingsBorderlands' core gameplay loop into a traditional fantasy setting. While dungeons stick to the first-person rhythm synonymous with the license, the overworld shifts to a top-down perspective, which lends the title a classic role-playing feel that is often missing in the mainline entries.
In recent years, Riot Games has slowly expandedLeague of Legendsinto other genres via spin-off games revolving around specific Champions.The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Storypushes Sylas to the forefront, and the mage proves to be a fantastic pick for an action RPG.The Mageseeker’s combat is cut from the cloth that spawnedDiablo,Torchlight, and other similar games, although it comes with a few quirks.
Along with fisticuffs, Sylas has access to his chain and a wide selection of magic spells, which is not that unusual at face value. However, along with spells that use mana, the mage can also steal abilities from enemies, granting him a one-time use. Balancing these mechanics is a core part ofThe Mageseekerexperience, and it produces thrills and the occasional bout of frustration.
OK,Cat Quest’s tone is the direct opposite ofDiablo. While the latter is drenched in dark fantasy goodness, The Gentlebros' action RPG is colorful, cute, and filled with cat puns. Still, those things are not that crucial in the grand scheme of things, and the games have more in common than might initially seem to be the case.
Set in a lovely open-world and played from an isometric perspective,Cat Questfeatures dungeon crawling, simple but satisfying combat, loot, and a well-done upgrade system. Sure, the game is fairly “small” compared to any of theDiabloreleases, but sometimes nothing hits the mark like a 10-hour adventure that never threatens to overstay its welcome.
Cat Quest 2introduces co-op and is arguably better; however, the first title is worth playing too.Cat Quest 3is also a great option.
