No Diablo 4? No problem. We've got a few options for anyone who hasn't gotten their hands on Blizzard's new action-RPG.
Diablo 4 is upon us and much like the people of Sanctuary, fans of the franchise have been absorbed into a bloody - but very fun - war between heaven and hell. Despite this being the first new mainline Diablo game in 11 years however, some players are likely not jumping on the bandwagon just yet. Maybe the microtransactions have rubbed you the wrong way, or maybe there are just too many great games coming out this month. Fret not: there are alternatives.
Diablo might be a fantastic action-RPG, but it isn’t the only action-RPG out there. Plenty of games have come out swinging with unique takes on the genre, sucking players into an addictive cycle of hack-and-slash fun. Here are a few action-RPGs that can help scratch your Diablo 4 itch:
Lost Ark
Lost Ark is one of the most popular MMOs around right now and for good reasons too. This game’s great combat shines in an epic story campaign that isn’t just visually pretty, but told on an immense scale that keeps you coming back for more. Much like Diablo, the game provides replayability in the form of endless customisation options that allow you to build the playstyle that best fits you, and then a few more just for fun.
There are around 20 character classes in Lost Ark that can be further divided into five archetypes, and each come with their own levelling system to grind through. The usual MMO add-ons like player housing and pets also keep you invested in your journey throughout the game. Amazon Games is providing strong support to the game, which means that you won’t have to worry about content running out anytime soon. A recent update in May added a new character class and a bevy of progression events. Another update planned for June will add the exploreable continent of Elgacia and a 4-player Abyssal dungeon, so there's plenty to chew on here.
Warhammer: Chaosbane
If you're just looking for a fun time to kill a few hours, check this one out. Warhammer: Chaosbane isn’t just for Warhammer fans - it’s a love letter to Diablo with a short and sweet campaign. Five character classes offer different ways of hacking and slashing your way through Warhammer’s many foes, which doesn’t feel dissimilar to tearing apart demons in Diablo. There’s a lot of environmental variety to enjoy here too, from murky sewers to dark dungeons.
There’s a fun progression system to dig into here during the short 15-hour campaign, with new abilities being handed out at a rapid pace and loot drops being unique to each class. Bosses are aplenty and there are different difficulty tiers offering replayability for those who want to try out different classes on a new playthrough. If you’re looking for another Warhammer game like this, try Warhammer 40,000 Inquisitor – Martyr.
Last Epoch
You know what we haven’t seen on this list yet? Time travel. This game takes place in the world of Eterra, where players are tasked with fighting gods and monsters to save time itself from the void. Five character classes are available to choose from, but they can also be ascended into 15 different Mastery Classes offering more specialised abilities and build options. Hundreds of skills allow you to alter your playstyle significantly even within those classes. Whether you’re into summons or archery, there’s something for everyone.
There’s a loot game to dig into too, with powerful unique and set items all contained within a randomised loot system. You can also craft items to control your character’s progression, and upgrade them as you see fit. The story campaign will see players travel across time to meet other factions and explore different parts of Eterra as they fight to right the timeline. There’s a lot of replayability here, and you can do it all over again with a friend if you’d like.
Hades
Calling Hades an action-RPG feels inadequate. Hades is many things, but it admittedly does do the action-RPG thing very well. You play as Zagreus, the unhappy son of the Greek god of death Hades, striving against all odds to break free from the underworld. This is a roguelike dungeon crawler, which means that the bulk of your playtime will consist of dungeon runs getting cut short by an unceremonious death. Developer Supergiant Games masterfully weaves this element of the game into the story, with Zagreus learning more about the underworld and growing close to a few of its inhabitants after every failed escape attempt.
The progression system is vastly more simple than Diablo’s, but nonetheless satisfying. Multiple weapons are available for Zagreus to use against the undead, and all of them can be upgraded along with the demigod’s own passive abilities. Even the shortest dungeon run always feels like a step forward, because not only are you learning how to best navigate the underworld, but you’re also collecting resources for various upgrades. Hades also boasts a fantastic story, which keeps you going even after the most rage-inducing defeats.
Path of Exile
Path of Exile is perhaps the most beloved game on this list, if only because its fanbase latched onto it early and never let go. It’s also one of the most complicated action-RPGs on the list, but that could be a selling point if you’re the kind of person who likes to micromanage builds in Diablo down to specific gear buffs. There are seven separate character classes that can be further individualised depending on your playstyle choice, and plenty of skills and abilities to pick from as you progress.
The game’s dark and brooding visuals hearken back to Diablo 2 and Diablo 4’s environments, and its variety of weapon effects, buffs and gear types are plentiful enough to keep you hooked for the rest of the year if you’re not careful. Path of Exile knows exactly how to keep you enthralled for the longterm, doling out new content in a robust and flexible progression system with the promise of even more being just a few hours out of reach.
If you’re looking for a game similar to Diablo 2 with a ton of content, lore and expansions to keep you busy, this is it.
