Most Underrated Action RPGs, Ranked

Summary

Some ARPGs offer unique gameplay experiences but don’t receive mainstream recognition due to bugs or being unconventional.
Games like Bound by Flame provide distinctive combat mechanics and storytelling, deserving more attention.
Titles like NieR Replicant and Vampyr offer emotionally engaging narratives with morally complex decision-making, standing out in the genre.

In today’s gaming landscape, there are plenty of fantastic action RPGs to choose from. However, it seems that those daring to take on more ambitious and innovative approaches often go unnoticed or undervalued. These aren’t the games that receive top honors at major gaming award ceremonies, typically dominated by high-budget titles.

These are games that initially went unnoticed due to technical issues at launch, missed the mainstream spotlight during hype cycles, or were considered too unusual by the general public. However, beneath their seemingly rough exterior, they hide some of the most imaginative, enjoyable, and well-designed gaming experiences in their respective genres. Each one is worth revisiting, or even trying for the first time.

6. Bound by Flame

A Flawed Flame That Refused to Die

Many gamers tended to bypass “Bound by Flame” when it came out in 2014, and honestly, it didn’t make a great first impression. The graphics were rough, the gameplay was even rougher, and some of the dialogue was painfully stiff. However, beneath its awkward exterior, there was a combat system that showcased a unique charm. Players had the ability to swiftly switch between melee weapons and pyromancy, creating builds with real consequences based on how much they allowed their inner demonic power to develop.

Spider Studio, known later for creating the game ‘GreedFall’, delved into moral complexity and dynamic narrative well before it became their signature style. Decisions impacted aspects ranging from your team’s loyalty to your character’s physical appearance. Although the tale of a mercenary transformed into a hellspawn wasn’t groundbreaking, it struck a unique balance between B-movie allure and genuine emotional depth. Despite not achieving cult classic status, it was more than deserving of recognition beyond mere obscurity.

5. Elex 2

The Best Game Nobody Played… Twice

Elex 2 pushed open-world design to an unprecedented level of anarchy. As the follow-up to Piranha Bytes’ genre-blending sci-fi fantasy ARPG, it plunged players into a post-apocalyptic landscape where knights and mechs coexisted in the same skyline. The game acknowledged its peculiarity and refrained from handholding or overexplaining its mechanics except when essential, making it either enjoyable freedom or frustrating complexity for different players.

Despite some awkward fighting mechanics, the game’s unrestricted exploration was exceptional. Players could swiftly traverse enemy territories using jetpacks within the initial hour, navigate through seemingly insurmountable predicaments by employing persuasive dialogue, or meet an untimely end for making a simple mistake. The importance of reputation, faction selections, and long-term NPC repercussions gave the impression that your choices had real impact. If Elex 2 had debuted with a larger budget and finer controls, it might have been hailed as a genre leader. However, its unique appeal lies in being that game in your collection that others doubt you’ve completed—and that’s part of its allure.

4. Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning

A Second Chance That Got Buried Again

Initially, there was an expectation that the game Kingdoms of Amalur would compete with Skyrim, but this didn’t happen. Instead, what it delivered was a rich and intricate action RPG structure, characterized by swift, combo-centric battles, and a comprehensive lore penned by R.A. Salvatore. The 2020 Re-Reckoning remaster aimed to rectify the original’s issues with balance and itemization, but its core strength was already established. Regrettably, it never received the attention it merited.

What truly set Amalur apart wasn’t its story, although it was satisfactory. It was the unique class system that allowed players to customize their characters at any point and combine rogue, mage, and warrior roles as they saw fit. This flexibility turned experimentation into a enjoyable experience instead of a punishment. Add to that numerous side areas, deep crafting mechanics, and skill trees that had noticeable effects, and it’s hard to understand why this game often gets overlooked in ARPG discussions.

3. NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139

A Number so Long, it Might Be a Glitch in the Matrix

In some games, their most intriguing mysteries are revealed over repeated plays, and this is deliberately the case with NieR Replicant. The remastered edition of Yoko Taro’s cult favorite has refined its rough combat mechanics and extended the life of its emotionally harrowing narrative. However, labeling it simply as an action RPG seems too narrow. Instead, it’s a tribute to unconventional storytelling that also includes elements like dodging and wielding a massive sword – a love letter to genre-blending gameplay.

Initially, the game appears to be a typical fantasy story with a young hero battling an illness and completing numerous quests. However, upon the third playthrough, things take a dramatic turn. Dialogues change, enemies unveil their heartbreaking pasts, and the protagonist’s role as the ‘hero’ becomes questionable and unsettling. This game provokes players to ponder not only their actions but also the very nature of video games themselves. Those who dismissed it due to its title or assumptions that it was merely a prequel to Automata missed out on one of the most emotionally wrenching adventures in Action Role-Playing Game (ARPG) history.

2. Vampyr

Sometimes You Heal People, Sometimes You Eat Them

Dr. Jonathan Reid didn’t volunteer to be a vampire, just as players didn’t join expecting an ordinary RPG. Instead, in the game Vampyr, combat transforms into a complex ethical predicament. Each citizen inhabiting the gloomy, plague-stricken London has their own name, history, and connections. Consuming them offers significant XP bonuses, but it also permanently removes them from the game world, modifies questlines, and influences the district’s overall wellbeing.

As a fan, I find the combat in Vampyr heavily centered on blood magic and stamina management reminiscent of soulslike games. Yet, it’s the narrative systems that truly set this action RPG apart. Rapid leveling up invites the darker aspects within me to emerge, while maintaining weakness preserves my humanity. The balance between power and morality is what makes Vampyr feel daring and unique in the ARPG genre, as it challenges players to contemplate morality directly and harshly.

1. Grim Dawn

The Real Successor to Diablo 2 Is Hiding in Plain Sight

When discussing games similar to “Diablo 2,” names like “Path of Exile” and “Last Epoch” often come up, but it’s important not to forget about “Grim Dawn.” Originating from the remnants of a canceled sequel to “Titan Quest,” this indie gem offers one of the most adaptable class systems in any Action Role-Playing Game (ARPG). The dual-classing feature allows players to create unique builds, such as poison-casting occultist-shamans or pet-focused demolitionists, without feeling constrained.

What truly sets Grim Dawn apart is its focus on long-term consequences. The choices you make among factions determine your access to vendors and the direction of questlines, which can branch off based on subtle dialogue decisions. Furthermore, even deep into the endgame, the gear drops remain significant. The world of Cairn may be grimy, corrupted, and steeped in apocalypse, but its systems are full of possibilities. It’s remarkable that despite not having a AAA budget, it manages to surpass many modern ARPGs in depth, polish, and replayability, showing that not every classic needs a big budget to excel.

2025-07-22 12:34