Summary
The 2010s was a standout decade for action RPGs, withWestern developers producing gamesthat excelled in both technological advances and gameplay mechanics. A noticeable trend during this time was a shift toward action, as many titles began streamlining their RPG elements and simplifying progression systems to focus on dynamic, visually spectacular combat. This era is known for big-budget sequels that took the best aspects of their predecessors, enhancing their strengths while refining areas that needed improvement.
With the eighth generation of consoles (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One), many of these games still hold up today, featuring impressive graphics and easy accessibility through backward compatibility. Here, we highlight some of the best and most influential Western action RPGs of the decade.
Only titles released between 2010 and 2019 are included, and the list excludes JRPGs and action RPGs developed by Japanese or other Asian studios.
10Borderlands 2 & Borderlands 3
A Real Paradise For ARPG Weapon Lovers
The originalBorderlandswas a unique action RPG shooter, but its follow-ups — especiallyBorderlands 2,Borderlands 3, and spin-offs likeThe Pre-Sequel— took its potential to the next level. BothBorderlands 2and3are a loot-lover’s paradise, delivering a vast arsenal of guns and a gameplay experience filled with fast-paced action. Combined with the series' trademark over-the-top narrative and eccentric characters, these games offer some of the most lighthearted and entertaining adventures around, perfect for a laid-back gaming session.
With its distinctive visual style andendless stream of unique, creative weapons,Borderlands 2and3provide a truly engaging action experience. And with a co-op mode that’s truly the ideal way to play, these games are best enjoyed with friends, ensuring a chaotic and hilarious time for everyone.
Horizon Zero Dawnquickly became one of the most popular new PlayStation franchises, with Aloy now standing among the console’s most recognizable characters. Drawing inspiration from open-world action RPGs likeThe Witcher 3and blending it with a bold, original setting, Guerrilla Games introduced a new PlayStation icon, sparking excitement for sequels and rapid growth for the franchise.
As Guerrilla’s first foray into the genre,Horizon Zero Dawnimpresses with its engaging gameplay,full of fascinating discoveries, plot twists, and richly designed characters. Players can explore a variety of powerful upgrades, skills, and customizable weapons while enjoying the game’s remarkable technical achievements, including visuals that set a new standard for the genre.
Diablo 3may not have had the smooth launch Blizzard hoped for, with a few early missteps thatkept it from fully surpassingDiablo 2. However, theReaper of Soulsexpansion brought much-needed improvements, addressing many of the initial issues, expanding gameplay options, and delivering the darker, grittier tone fans had been hoping for.
WhileDiablo 3may not be as deep or hardcore asPath of Exile, it has a broader appeal, leaning into a more arcade-style experience that makes it a fun, loot-filled adventure for isometric ARPG enthusiasts. It serves as an ideal time-killer between heavier RPGs. Its availability on multiple platforms and extended support — lasting until 2023, over a decade after its release — solidified its success and enduring popularity in the gaming world.
7Tom Clancy’s The Division & The Division 2
Envisioning A New Kind Of Co-Op Action RPG
From its announcement,Tom Clancy’s The Divisioncaptured players' attention with its bold vision for seamless co-op in an open-world action RPG. It delivered on that promise, becoming one of the first extraction shooters to integrate deep RPG elements, from character skills and progression to rich itemization and complex weapon and gear customization. Adding to its appeal was the post-pandemic setting in a snowy New York, creating an atmospheric backdrop that helped solidify its popularity.
The sequel,The Division 2, expanded the series with a fully explorable Washington, D.C., while retaining elements from the original, and even featuring nostalgic nods with theWarlords of New Yorkexpansion. Bothgames remain among Ubisoft’s most popular titles, with a third entry already announced, promising to build on this well-loved franchise.
6Deus Ex: Human Revolution & Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Staying True To The Essence While Modernizing Every Aspect
Staying true to the series' roots,Deus Ex: Human Revolutionmasterfully combines action, RPG, shooter, and stealth elements into an immersive experience, all setwithin a richly detailed, futuristic world. The game introduces a unique dialogue system, an emphasis on hacking, and a dynamic switch between third-person and first-person perspectives, creating an engaging and versatile gameplay experience. Praised for revitalizing the series,Human Revolutionwas followed by a direct sequel,Mankind Divided.
WhileDeus Ex: Mankind DividedretainedHuman Revolution’s essence and offered an even more intricately designed setting in futuristic Prague, the story felt somewhat stalled, as is sometimes the case with middle entries in a trilogy. This narrative slowdown, along with disappointing financial returns, led to the series being put on hold, leaving fans without a proper conclusion to Adam Jensen’s story.
5Assassin’s Creed Origins & Odyssey
A Mythological Duo That Expands The Horizons Of The Long-Lasting Series
Learning fromThe Witcher 3’s success,Assassin’s Creed Originsmarked a major reinvention of Ubisoft’s flagship series, shifting it closer to an action RPG than the action-adventure it once was. Subsequent entries,OdysseyandValhalla, further bridged this gap, introducing deeper character builds, diverse gear options, and even dialogue choices that add new layers to quests.
This so-called “Assassin’s Creed Mythology Trilogy” has become one of the most prominent open-world action RPGs, celebrated for its expansive, meticulously crafted historical settings, engaging combat, mythological elements, and an overarching story that appeals to both newcomers and longtime fans by expanding the series' rich lore. Ultimately, each game’s setting — be itancient Egypt or Greece— adds a unique flavor, allowing players to choose the historical backdrop that most appeals to them.
From the beginning,Path of Exileshowed immense promise, but what the developers at Grinding Gear Games have achieved has far exceeded expectations. Over time,Path of Exilehas evolved into the reigningchampion of loot-based isometric ARPGs, arguably even surpassing the iconicDiabloseries. Remarkably, this massive game is free-to-play, allowing players across multiple platforms to dive in at no cost.
Today,Path of Exileboasts a staggering amount of content that can sometimes feel overwhelming. With its intricate character-building options and richly rewarding mechanics, the game can be demanding, requiring time and strategy from players. Yet, once they find their rhythm, it’s difficult to step away from its grasp.
3Fallout: New Vegas & Fallout 4
Two Great But Vastly Different Takes On The Iconic RPG Franchise
AfterFallout 3successfully reinvented the beloved RPG series with a more action-oriented approach, two notable entries followed:Fallout: New Vegasby Obsidian andFallout 4by Bethesda. While vastly different in execution, both received praise for their unique takes on the franchise.
Obsidian’sNew Vegasis widelycelebrated as one of the best entries in the series, particularly for its immersive world, memorable characters, and complex quests. On the other hand,Fallout 4introduced a deep crafting system, expanded the game’s scope tremendously, and provided hundreds of hours of gameplay, with improved combat and impressive visuals. With no new mainlineFalloutgame likely in the near future,Fallout 4remains the go-to experience for fans of the series' single-player action-RPG style.
2Mass Effect 2 & Mass Effect 3
Reassembling The Groundbreaking Original To Retain Only The Strongest Parts
The originalMass Effectwas groundbreaking as an action RPG, but BioWare tookMass Effect 2to new heights by addressing nearly every critique of the first game. With a tighter, more cinematic narrative, unforgettable companions, and a diverse range of environments and missions,Mass Effect 2becameone of the most impressive sequels of its time, winning numerous Game of the Year awards.
ThoughMass Effect 3didn’t represent as big a leap as its predecessor, it leaned further into action and introduced co-op multiplayer, providing a largely satisfying conclusion to the trilogy — despite its famously divisive ending. BothMass Effect 2andMass Effect 3are must-plays for any action RPG enthusiast, solidifying the series as one of the best trilogies in gaming history.
1The Witcher 2: Assassins Of Kings & The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
A Step-By-Step Journey Toward The Pinnacle Of The Action RPG Genre
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kingsmarked a major leap for the series, particularly from a technological perspective. It was the first game to use CD Projekt Red’s own RED engine, which would later powerThe Witcher 3andCyberpunk 2077. Upon its release,The Witcher 2was praised not only for its stunning visuals but also for its exceptional storytelling and impressive non-linearity. Player choices had a significant impact on the narrative, with entire sections of the game-changing based on decisions, offering unique quests and storylines.
However, it wasThe Witcher 3: Wild Huntthat truly elevated the franchise, expanding its richly detailed world to millions of players. By merging the cinematic narrative strength ofThe Witcher 2with a vast, beautiful open world,The Witcher 3became a genre-defining achievement. For years, it has served as a model for open-world RPGs,influencing numerous games and franchises, includingAssassin’s CreedandHorizonamong others.
