.When a game combines an epic plot with a strategic approach, unlimited exploration, leveling up, and slashing hordes of enemies, you may have encountered a classic action RPG like Torchlight.
Action role-playing titles merge different game styles, appealing to fans of various genres. Who doesn’t like exploring and discovering pieces of an intriguing story arranged in a fantasy setting? Who doesn’t love unrestricted hack-and-slash battles bursting with legendary loot? Games like Torchlight combine engaging planning with satisfyingly mindless combat to deliver what we all crave – pure fun!
And while the Torchlight series represents a uniquely cartoonish take on the genre, you’ll find strikingly similar experiences on our list of five of the best recommendations
| Game | Release | Developer | Trailer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Diablo 2 Lord of Destruction | 2001 | Blizzard North | |
 | Diablo 3 | Blizzard Entertainment | ||
 | Diablo IV | 2023-10-17 | Blizzard Entertainment | |
 | Grim Dawn | 2016-02-25 | Crate Entertainment | |
 | Titan Quest Anniversary Edition | 2016-08-31 | Iron Lore Entertainment | |
 | Sacred Gold | 2006-08-14 | Ascaron Entertainment ltd. | |
 | Sacred 2 Gold | 2012-12-21 | Ascaron |
Diablo 3
| Release date: | 2012-05-15 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | Blizzard Entertainment |
This game is like Torchlight’s big brother, which has seen some disturbing stuff. No wonder – they were both developed by some of the same creators!
It’s 20 years after the turbulent events of Diablo 2, and a mysterious comet awakens an ancient evil. Pick one of seven heroes, embark on a grand adventure to solve this mystery, and lose yourself in addictive hack-and-slash gameplay! This recommendation offers a much darker, gothic environment with more varied loot, set in the familiar Torchlight-like mechanics of any classic action RPG.
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Path of Exile
| Release date: | 2013-10-23 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Grinding Gear Games |
Unlike Torchlight, PoE offers many more character growth options, featuring a massive skill tree with over a thousand talents included. Moreover, this game still evolves!
Explore a massive world as a lone wanderer discovering his destiny! PoE offers seven unique character classes and a gigantic skills system, so it is a fun alternative for challenge enjoyers. The game is free to play but features purchaseable items modifying the character’s appearance.
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Grim Dawn
| Release date: | 2016-02-25 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Crate Entertainment |
Choose this game if you expect more content and character development freedom than Torchlight offers without any mods included.
Grim Dawn features slightly fewer enemies than Diablo or Torchlight – but it does not lack the fantastic atmosphere we look for in every action RPG. Surprisingly, the adventure develops in an apocalyptic fantasy world, and only the playable heroes can save this reality from final doom.
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Titan Quest
| Release date: | 2016-08-31 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | Iron Lore Entertainment |
Prefer classic aRPGs, but with a mythological twist? Then, it is your ultimate game!
The plot unfolds in an ancient setting overrun by mythical monsters. Fight as a novice hero to finally confront the ancient evil. Traveling through China, Babylon, and Greece, you will complete thrilling quests and gain priceless experience. The game features 28 character classes, hundreds of battle items to collect, and powerful bosses to defeat!
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Sacred 2
| Release date: | 2012-12-21 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Ascaron |
Although this game doesn’t include pets as part of the gameplay, Sacred 2 is a user-friendly experience providing one of the most engaging storylines on this list.
Sacred 2 is a timeless classic featuring the once gorgeous world of Ancaria, now attacked by a mysterious energy. And the best thing is you decide its future! Become the ultimate saver or ruthless saboteur, complete over 500 quests, choose from 7 character classes, and try out thousands of pieces of armor and weapons in unforgiving combat. Moreover, this game version expands the world with new, extremely addictive content.
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Why do we love action RPGs? Partly because of their incredible complexity. Everything poses a challenge, including character development, hack-and-slash combat, decision-making, and exciting dungeon crawling. But paradoxically also because of their outstanding simplicity. Once you learn all the rules of any action RPG in this world, you know them all. In the end, these games are popular because they combine challenge and relaxation into one perfect experience.