When it comes to action roleplaying games (ARPGs), only one thing matters more than anything, and that's loot. It's one of the most prevalent common denominators ever for all ARPGs and for many players, it's the sole reason to continue playing even after finishing the game. After all, getting the last piece of gear you need for your build is one of the best feelings ever in video games.
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PostsARPGs understand and utilize that concept to a large degree. There have been many games that attempt this concept over the past years, but only a handful of them are worth immortalizing through countless hours of grinding. So if fans aren't tired of playing a violent digital game of piñata ad infinitum, here are loot-based ARPGs gamers need to lose themselves into.
Updated April 1, 2025 by Jacob Whaling: We've added even more loot-based ARPGs to this list.
Eternium
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Action RPG Systems Released 2014 ESRB nr Engine game engine Platform(s) Android, iOS, PC Developer Dream Primer Publisher Making Fun How Long To Beat 20 Hours Powered by Expand CollapseEternium is a good option if you want to hack and slash for loot wherever you are since it's available on mobile devices. Unlike the infamous Diablo Immortal, Eternium doesn't shower its players with aggressive monetization options, and that's why it's one of the most highly-regarded mobile ARPGs today.
Eternium is also available on PC if you want upgraded visuals and more precise controls. As far as ARPG gameplay goes, Eternium is a familiar experience. There is evil roaming around in dungeons; these evil enemies have loot, and you have the means to extract this loot. It's a tried and tested success formula.
Karnage Chronicles
Karnage Chronicles is an APRG hack-and-slash game released exclusively for Virtual Reality. It's certainly a different scenery and perspective since most first-person ARPGs are typically futuristic and have guns as the primary means of combat.
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PostsDue to the VR gameplay, the game puts more pressure on player skill and precision, so you can't wing a lot of the encounters here. The game promises a rich story involving a dark tale of reawakening where you assume the role of an undying knight hellbent on entering Death's domain.
Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem
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Action RPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 59/100 Critics Rec: 24% Released February 13, 2020 ESRB m Developer(s) Wolcen Studio Publisher(s) Wolcen Studio Engine CryEngine 3 Multiplayer Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALWolcen: Lords of Mayhem looked like their developers were so disgruntled with the direction of the most recent ARPGs that they decided to make one that caters to the hardcore audience while also attracting newcomers to the genre. For the most part, it worked well, and Wolcen has established itself as a power player in the genre.
It strikes a good balance between complexity and simplicity, with just enough variety to keep things interesting. It also has a highly-customizable skill tree apart from the beautiful graphics and the endless grind opportunity it brings to the table.
The Ascent
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Action RPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 73/100 Critics Rec: 56% Released July 29, 2021 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Neon Giant Publisher(s) Curve Digital Engine Unreal Engine 4 Multiplayer Local Co-Op, Online Co-OpWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONThe Ascent offers something different compared to most loot-based games. It's set in an intoxicating and visceral cyberpunk world where you assume the role of an indebted worker. You must then claw—or, more aptly—shoot your way into the higher levels of society.
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PostsThis way, you can clear your overwhelming debt and free yourself. Along the way, you get showered with a plethora of guns, armor parts, and cybernetic upgrades to make your twin-stick shooter gunplay much easier and even more brutal.
The Incredible Adventures Of Van Helsing Series
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Action RPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 70/100 Critics Rec: 50% Released May 22, 2013 Developer(s) NeocoreGames Publisher(s) NeocoreGames Engine tWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALTurns out Van Helsing is ripe with opportunities for a loot-based ARPG title. At the moment, it's at its third game, with each one offering upgrades and innovations from its predecessor. The first game is notable for putting a thematic spin on the ARPG or loot-based game genre.
It's not often you get to see a haunted Victorian-age video game with a cool protagonist. The only downside with these titles is that aesthetic customization is a bit limited due to the title; you only get Van Helsing to play with.
Vikings - Wolves Of Midgard
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Action RPG Systems Released March 24, 2017 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Game Experience May Change During Online Play, Partial Nudity, Violence Developer(s) Games Farm Publisher(s) Kalypso Media Engine unity, unity 5 Multiplayer Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONEver wanted a Norse mythology-themed ARPG? Then Vikings - Wolves of Midgard should sate that craving for Odin's dysfunctional family. Like most games set with that backdrop, it's all about surviving, stopping, or avoiding the Ragnarok or Fimbulwinter apocalypse.
It does seem that Vikings - Wolves of Midgard was made with co-op or multiplayer in mind. The game can get difficult and unforgiving without other players to help. It does make up for its rough edges with the good voice acting and action-packed frost giant slaying.
Minecraft Dungeons
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Dungeon Crawler Systems 5.0/5 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 74/100 Critics Rec: 48% Released May 26, 2020 ESRB E for Everyone: Fantasy Violence Developer(s) Mojang, Double Eleven Publisher(s) Xbox Game Studios Engine Unreal Engine 4WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONMinecraft Dungeons is one of the latest additions to the loot-based ARPG genre. It's also made quite a stellar entrance thanks to the branding attached to its parent franchise. In terms of gameplay, it's very much a familiar experience.
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PostsThe difference is that Minecraft Dungeons touts itself as a family-friendly ARPG, and that alone makes it unique, as most other games in the genre are typically grim-dark and made for the hardcore audience. Like Minecraft, Minecraft Dungeons can be a game for all ages, and even has a great couch co-op experience for playing with family members.
Victor Vran
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Action RPG Hack and Slash Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 75/100 Critics Rec: 54% Released February 20, 2015 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Game Experience May Change During Online Play, Partial Nudity, Strong Lyrics, Violence Developer(s) Haemimont Games Multiplayer Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALMuch like the Van Helsing games, Victor Vran has a few issues; thankfully, none of them are truly game-breaking. The isometric title features a main character with some disembodied voice that pesters him while he goes about his hunting business. It features co-op and controller support for more casual play.
But the best thing about the title is its unique incorporation of cards. While Victor can also use Demon Powers, Destiny Cards have unique attributes to boost Victor's abilities. It's a neat twist on how games like Diablo use gems to the same end. Another great thing about this game is that you can pick it up and put it down whenever you want.
Moonlighter
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Adventure Action RPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 82/100 Critics Rec: 78% Released May 29, 2018 ESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence Developer(s) Digital Sun Publisher(s) 11 Bit Studios Engine UnityWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONMoonlighter is a roguelike ARPG where you play as a shopkeeper who moonlights as a dungeon-crawling adventurer. During the day, you must manage your shop, setting the prices of the goods that you obtain during the night when you explore dungeons.
Moonlighter has tons of items and loot to collect, and the ability to manage your own shop is fun. The split between shopkeeping and dungeon exploring offers a nice flow that breaks up the repetitive nature of some roguelike games.
Warhammer: Chaosbane
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Action RPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 68/100 Critics Rec: 36% Released May 31, 2019 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Violence Developer(s) Eko Software Publisher(s) BIGBEN Interactive Engine Proprietary Engine Franchise Warhammer 40KWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONWith the likes of Total War: Warhammer and other Warhammer titles in the strategy genre strengthening the franchise once more, Warhammer: Chaosbane was only a matter of time. It's an isometric ARPG based on the Warhammer Fantasy universe. As such, it's gritty and dystopic, even more so than the Diablo games, which popularized the isometric ARPG genre.
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PostsCompared to most isometric ARPGs in this list, though, Chaosbane's length and replay value are not too competitive. Some players even regard it as a little too short for a game made for grinding. Thankfully, Chaosbane makes up for that in terms of its action and graphics and the general feeling of being a badass in a world like Warhammer.
