Searching for an action RPG with deep combat mechanics

[O4ri_Breaker]

I'm looking for an ARPG that isn't a diablo clone (isometric) with deep combat mechanics, dungeon crawling and rewarding exploration. The games that satisfy some of the requirements I posted are:
- Dragons Dogma 1&2
- Monster Hunter
- Elden Ring and all the soulsborne
- Ys/Kingdom Hearts
- Nioh

Games that doesn't (more like games i didnt like the gameplay loop):
- The Elder Scrolls
- The Witcher
- Assassins Creed
- Dragon Age

any suggestions? dont care if its old or whether its a JRPG or a Western RPG.

 

[Tonberry]

I'd recommend Nioh. I've only played the first one but I hear the second one is even better. It has a really in-depth and unique combat system, tons of loot and dungeon crawl-like levels.

Stranger of Paradise also comes to mind. The gameplay is really good and the job system is sick, as long as you don't mind the incredibly corny story.

Also, probably Bloodborne if you like Elden Ring, but it's stranded on Playstation so you need either a PS4 or PS5.

 

[O4ri_Breaker]

I'd recommend Nioh. I've only played the first one but I hear the second one is even better. It has a really in-depth and unique combat system, tons of loot and dungeon crawl-like levels.

Stranger of Paradise also comes to mind. The gameplay is really good and the job system is sick, as long as you don't mind the incredibly corny story.

Also, probably Bloodborne if you like Elden Ring, but it's stranded on Playstation so you need either a PS4 or PS5.

forgot to mention Nioh (amazing game) and I completed all the SoulsBorne games, hesitant on Stranger of Paradise because I read some mixed opinions on it online. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[valosagutas]

Craftopia

It's like "3D Terraria" but its combat mechanic is the best in any video game I've played.

There are tons of skills to unlock. You can unleash meteors on your enemies. You can throw a magic sword and teleport to where it hits. You can unleash magic swords and make it rain!!! There are really tons of cool skills I've lost count.

Skills are based on the weapon you use. There are also cool archer skills damn. The game made me create tons of characters for every possible play style lol.

 

[RustySK]

The Gothic series comes to mind - Gothic 2 especially.
Though I'm sure the combat system in those games has aged at this point. Still, might be worth a look - super in-depth, fun worldbuilding and RPG design.
(I guess the Elex games might be an option as well, that series being the spiritual successor of the Gothic games and all. Never played those though.)

If you don't mind survival mechanics, Outward might be worth a look as well.
Definitely a very janky game with ambitions that outstrip its reach, but I find games like that fascinating. Very little story in that one though, should that matter.

Last one I can think of would be Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning.
That one has a decidedly MMO vibe to it, so it might not be for everyone, but the combat is fun and hefty and the world is large - check it out if you're interested.

One more! FlyKnight. Super cheap, pretty short King's Field-like with a really charming presentation. Can't really go wrong with a well made game that goes for like 5 bucks.

 

[O4ri_Breaker]

Craftopia

It's like "3D Terraria" but its combat mechanic is the best in any video game I've played.

There are tons of skills to unlock. You can unleash meteors on your enemies. You can throw a magic sword and teleport to where it hits. You can unleash magic swords and make it rain!!! There are really tons of cool skills I've lost count.

Skills are based on the weapon you use. There are also cool archer skills damn. The game made me create tons of characters for every possible play style lol.

Thanks for the suggestion but I'm not really into life sims.

 

[Cantarella]

When you say deep, do you mean that there's lots of... things the player can do, or that there's a high mastery ceiling?
IDK if you played Nioh 2, but that game def. fit both counts. I wasn't really a fan of combat in the first one, but 2 took it to another level.

It's a jrpg where you have to actually unlock the capability to go nuts over time, and feels very restrictive at first, but tales of destiny DC goes berserk once it gets running.

 

[O4ri_Breaker]

The Gothic series comes to mind - Gothic 2 especially.
Though I'm sure the combat system in those games has aged at this point. Still, might be worth a look - super in-depth, fun worldbuilding and RPG design.
(I guess the Elex games might be an option as well, that series being the spiritual successor of the Gothic games and all. Never played those though.)

If you don't mind survival mechanics, Outward might be worth a look as well.
Definitely a very janky game with ambitions that outstrip its reach, but I find games like that fascinating. Very little story in that one though, should that matter.

Last one I can think of would be Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning.
That one has a decidedly MMO vibe to it, so it might not be for everyone, but the combat is fun and hefty and the world is large - check it out if you're interested.

Solid suggestions, I'm interested in Kingdoms of Amalur and Gothic, (I think I'll wait for the remake cuz it's coming this year).

 

[psvitaforever]

I'll suggest titles from PSVita, my favourite console, but some title is not exclusive.

EXIST ARCHIVE
You explore dungeons in 2d-scrolling with semi-3d battles half turn-based and half action (button mashing). Think of it as a clone of Valkyrie Profile but without time limits, I never played VP but I enjoyed Exist Archive. You have around ten party members and you can choose four for battles.

TOUKIDEN KIWAMI and GOD EATER SERIES
If you enjoyed Monster Hunter, try these titles: Toukiden is ancient Japan against giant monsters with three AI (and smart) party members, and you can choose lots of weapons like in MH; God Eater is post-apocalyptic against giant monsters with also AI party members, and you switch swords and guns with satisfying combat

 

[valosagutas]

Thanks for the suggestion but I'm not really into life sims.

It's no life sim lol.

You can build stuff if you want or just attack everything in dungeons and hunt bosses. It's up to you.

Play it alone or with a party. It's a really fun action RPG, man lol. It's so addicting to always upgrade your weapons and craft better weapons and stuff. It's like a dream came true. I'm glad this game wasn't released when I was a kid because I know it would be the only one that would make me stop going school lolol.

I'mma send you my video lol. This is my martial artist build:

Don't get discouraged because of "gotta eat food" and whatnot stuff in the game. It depends on the game world you create.

 

[O4ri_Breaker]

When you say deep, do you mean that there's lots of... things the player can do, or that there's a high mastery ceiling?
IDK if you played Nioh 2, but that game def. fit both counts. I wasn't really a fan of combat in the first one, but 2 took it to another level.

It's a jrpg where you have to actually unlock the capability to go nuts over time, and feels very restrictive at first, but tales of destiny DC goes berserk once it gets running.

Tales of Destiny DC appears to be within preferences, is there any games to be played before this one and generally what do you suggest as a starting game in the series (Symphonia or Arise?) because its in my backlog for a while.

 

[Cantarella]

Tales of Destiny DC appears to be within preferences, is there any games to be played before this one and generally what do you suggest as a starting game in the series (Symphonia or Arise?) because its in my backlog for a while.

It's a standalone entry. There is nothing required beforehand. With Tales series, it's generally up to preference as to what game appeals to you. I will say that Arise's gameplay was pretty weak. Symphonia's I don't remember enough to make a comment on, but I personally wasn't a fan of the writing. Still, it has a lot of fans. Destiny DC is one of the more technical games in terms of combat.

Do want to emphasize the "you have to play a while to get to this point" bit. Probably only worth it if you really vibe with the story/art/music. It's not like Ys or Nioh where you have some stuff locked but are still pretty nimble. In Destiny DC, Stahn moves like molasses in the beginning and his 'stamina' bar runs out super fast.

 

[Muklas]

Vagrant Story, though I'm not sure if it would fully count as a ARPG.

 

[freebie#47]

Best option is the Yakuza/Like a dragon series.

2nd Best option is to play later Tales of games...ps3 or higher. I been playing Tales of Vespia remake and that combat is more challenging early on...not to mention you have to watch your party members from wasting precious resources. No stop eating my orange gels dog...quit specialing and use normal attacks already...

 

[pizzaduds]

I don’t know if it’s your cup of tea but Final Fantasy Dissidia Duodecim has a pretty deep combat system with tons of modes, dungeon crawling plus exploration on story mode( I bought the game in 2012 and still have stuff to do)

 

[χKai]

Play Infernax, it's an action platformer Metroidvania with RPG elements and tons of stuff to do!
Decide whether to be good or evil, it changes what abilities you can use!
It's also 2-Player.

 

[Lokgamer]

"Tales of" satisfies the deep combat mechanics, but not so much the dungeon crawler or rewarding exploration aspects, anyway, keep that in mind, maybe you like it for the combat.

 

[Otsdarva]

Fear and hunger 1 and 2 PC

 

[χKai]

Tales of Symphonia has pretty good combat, with the directional input determining the way your character attacks, allowing you to chain combos in your own style preference. Then, you follow-up basic attacks with special techniques to make even more unique combos.

Plus the story is good and there's other customization options for each character (for which there are 9).

 

[Evaccaneer Doom]

I'm looking for an ARPG that isn't a diablo clone (isometric) with deep combat mechanics, dungeon crawling and rewarding exploration. The games that satisfy some of the requirements I posted are:
- Dragons Dogma 1&2
- Monster Hunter
- Elden Ring and all the soulsborne
- Ys/Kingdom Hearts
- Nioh

Games that doesn't (more like games i didnt like the gameplay loop):
- The Elder Scrolls
- The Witcher
- Assassins Creed
- Dragon Age

any suggestions? dont care if its old or whether its a JRPG or a Western RPG.

Final Fantasy Type 0 has some crazy experimental combat. Every character has their own little niche. On the dungeon crawling and exploration side, idk. To be quite honest, I didn’t get to play much of it due to me not being used to PSP controls on keyboard, my computer having been wiped that year due to booting problems by Apple, and the Gigabyte count. From what I have played, it’s pretty fun imo. Real shame it’s sequel is pretty much cancelled (Final Fantasy Type Next)

If it weren’t for the action RPG requirement, I would’ve suggested Shin Megami Tensei and Etrian Odyssey games as they fill the other two roles but aren’t ARPGs.

Yakuza’s games have some pretty deep combat mechanics and I don’t care what anyone says, this franchise is an Action RPG franchise up to Like a Dragon and Infinite Wealth.

Madou Monogatari is WEIRD. It’s no turn based RPG but it’s also far from an Action RPG either. You input attacks with combo codes like you were playing a fighting game (in the originals on MSX and PC-98, but also Genesis, not SNES, dunno about PC Engine or Game Gear). It doesn’t really have much in the scope of exploration I’d say.

Xenoblade (mainly X, 2, and 3 in terms of combat depth)

Princess Crown, Odin Sphere, Muramasa: The Demon Blade/Rebirth, Dragon’s Crown… Vanillaware makes some pretty damn good action RPGs and you can play them all. Aside from Princess Crown and the vanilla Muramasa and Odin Sphere, they’re all playable on Vita.

Hate to say it but that might be all I know


Actually you know what out of all I mentioned, play Type 0

 

[TotzOnGaming]

Tokyo Xanadu eX+
AI Limit
Oninaki
Nioh
are what I'm currently playing though.

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

Maybe Summon Night? The fact that you get to craft your own weapons gives it a ton of depth in my book.