After a 11-year gap since the release of Diablo 3, Blizzard finally gave us the highly awaited Diablo 4 in 2023. The game received a ton of praise and is sure to keep gamers busy for a while. But if you have completed the game already and are on the hunt for more games like Diablo 4, the ARPG genre offers a plethora of options to satiate your hunger for adventure.
While Diablo may be the gold standard, other developers have stepped up in recent years, delivering their own delightful dungeon crawling experiences. Some titles draw inspiration from Diablo, capturing its essence flawlessly, while others take unique approaches to the genre, offering fresh and exciting gameplay.
Path of Exile
Platform: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, macOS
Path of Exile, a true behemoth in the ARPG realm, stands tall as a definitive Diablo-like experience that deserves every ounce of praise it receives.
Grinding Gear Games’ masterpiece boasts an intricately crafted dark fantasy world, enriched by a sprawling skill tree that rivals even the most intricate tapestries. The sheer depth of character customization is staggering, allowing players to fine-tune their avatars to match their wildest dreams. The loot, oh, the loot! It rains down like a torrential storm, rewarding dedicated adventurers with a treasure trove of powerful items.
Path of Exile is a shining testament to the genre, continuously evolving with leagues every few months and offering endless hours of addictive, devilishly satisfying gameplay. It is, without a doubt, a crown jewel among its peers.
Grim Dawn
Platform: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One
If you are not a big fan of Path of Exile’s freemium model, Grim Dawn might be up your alley as it is widely agreed upon among the ARPG community to be the best single-player Diablo-like.
With its incredibly deep character customization coupled with a unique dual-class and devotion system, Grim Dawn will have your brain filled with exciting character theorycrafts all the time. And chances are, you will have a dozen characters in the game before you know.
Torchlight 2
Platform: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Runic Games’ magnum opus captures the essence of the genre, delivering a delightful blend of fast-paced combat, addictive loot, and a charmingly vibrant world. With its seamless multiplayer experience, adventuring alongside friends is a joyous romp through dungeons filled with menacing creatures. The game has a humble offering of four classes to choose from, and the pets are a nice touch in terms of customization options this genre is known for.
Torchlight 2 strikes a fine balance in a way very few games in this genre do. It does away with mindless grinding and instead serves you with an incredible fun, no-nonsense gameplay loop.
Victor Vran
Platform: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Luna
Step into the shoes of the demon-slaying protagonist in Victor Vran, as you embark on a quintessential journey to eradicate evil and all that jazz. The game shines when it comes to customization, offering an impressive array of abilities, weapons, and skills to craft your ideal demon-hunting arsenal. Presented from a classic isometric, top-down perspective, Victor Vran effortlessly appeals to veterans of older RPG games, making the transition a breeze.
It may not reach the grandeur of Diablo or Path of Exile in terms of scale, offering limited build diversity, game length, and world size. However, it remains a delightful option for those seeking a lighter, accessible experience with a grim aesthetic. Furthermore, the addition of DLC content enriches the adventure with fresh attacks, weapons, and maps, ensuring there’s always something new to discover.
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: Final Cut
Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux
If you’re on the lookout for an indie gem that punches above its weight in the ARPG realm, The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing is a hidden treasure you shouldn’t miss. While the sequels followed suit, it’s the original release from 2013 that stole fans’ hearts. The Final Cut essentially packs them all together in a neat package.
Drawing inspiration from the Diablo franchise, Van Helsing offers a similar class variety and abilities found in Diablo 3, while the skill tree provides a touch of the beloved Diablo 2’s character customization. But here’s the kicker: Van Helsing doesn’t take itself too seriously, injecting humor into the dialogue, which adds a refreshing twist. With a captivating Gothic-noir storyline and a mesmerizing world, the game rivals its big-budget peers and is certainly worth your time.
Titan Quest: Anniversary Edition
Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
While this game came out over a decade ago, it still continues to captivate ARPG fans with its timeless charm and addictive gameplay. Here, you will get to immerse yourself in its rich mythological tapestry besides, of course, fighting gods and embarking on epic quests – as is the custom with this genre.
The character customization of Titan Quest is nothing to scoff at. And as a side note, the devs behind Titan Quest went on to create Grim Dawn. So if you are looking to get back to the roots of the ARPG genre, this game is a must-play.
Borderlands Series
Platform: PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360, OS X, PlayStation Vita, iOS, Linux, Android, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5
If you are wondering what a first-person shooter game is doing here, let me reassure you. Yes, you won’t be getting the isometric camera angle, but everything else that you enjoy about the Diablo series can be found here.
This irreverent first-person shooter takes the Diablo formula, injects it with a dose of humor, and sets it loose in a vibrant, post-apocalyptic world. With its unique cel-shaded art style and witty writing, the Borderlands series offers a distinct personality that sets it apart from the crowd.
The thrill of opening a chest to find a rare weapon or teaming up with friends for chaotic co-op battles is simply unmatched. Borderlands embraces the addictive loop of looting and shooting, making it an essential experience for anyone seeking an adrenaline-fueled, loot-filled adventure.
Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr
Platform: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr commands the stage as a dark and immersive Diablo-like ARPG experience that transports players to the grim depths of the 41st millennium. This relentless action-packed journey, set in the iconic Warhammer 40k universe, delivers a fresh blend of sci-fi and fantasy.
With its deep character progression, brutal combat, and an ever-expanding arsenal of devastating weaponry, Inquisitor – Martyr embraces the addictive loot chase that fans of the genre crave. Its atmospheric environments and gripping storyline make every mission feel like a true battle against the forces of chaos. Prepare to wield your righteous power as an Inquisitor and cleanse the heresy that plagues the galaxy in this standout ARPG with a Warhammer twist.
Last Epoch
Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux
This game, albeit still in early access, has emerged as a worthy contender in the ARPG genre with its innovative mechanics and captivating world. This ambitious title takes the addictive loot and visceral combat formula of Diablo and infuses it with a time-traveling twist.
As you traverse through different epochs, the dynamic skill system allows for deep character customization. The stats and gear mechanic offer you non-obvious and creative ways to build your characters – which won’t make you juggle through spreadsheets for character builds like in Path of Exile. While the late game leaves something to be desired, the developers will hopefully address that before its full release.
Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem
Platform: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X|S
Wolcen burst onto the scene in 2020 with a dazzling display of hack-and-slash mayhem and ambitious ideas. While its release was met with some bumps, Wolcen’s significance lies in its potential and unique take on the genre. The dynamic combat system offers a refreshing blend of fluidity and devastating power, empowering players to unleash awe-inspiring abilities.
Wolcen knocks it out of the park when it comes to the visuals department, and I won’t blame you if you thought of it as a AAA title after a cursory look. However, players were not pleased with the buggy state the game was initially launched in. Despite its early hiccups, Wolcen’s stunning visuals alone make it a title worth sinking some hours into.
