Are There Any Action RPGs Left That Aren’t Soulslikes?

Action role-playing games have changed a lot over the years, but recently, “soulslike” games – known for their challenging difficulty and precise combat – have become incredibly popular and seem to dominate the genre. This makes sense, as their intense, rewarding gameplay works well in fast-paced action settings. However, it’s getting harder to find ARPGs that stick to older, more traditional styles, as many new games are now built around this newer “soulslike” approach.

The genre is still thriving with excellent games that offer both innovative and classic gameplay, thankfully avoiding simply copying the style of FromSoftware’s popular titles. These games deliver fast-paced action, thrilling experiences, and satisfying role-playing elements, keeping longtime fans engaged while still respecting the traditions they enjoy.

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Crimson Desert

The Next Big Open-World Sandbox

Insane amount of content.
Range of traversal options and open-world activities.

Crimson Desert is a wildly imaginative RPG that pushes boundaries. It doesn’t force players into a single way of playing; instead, you’re free to explore the world however you like – from soaring through the air on an adventure to building and managing your own base, truly embracing the freedom to role-play as you choose.

Battles in this game can be tough, but they’re not as precise or demanding as those in games like Dark Souls. You’ll have a lot of different weapons and skills to play with, letting you create powerful combinations without needing perfect timing or reflexes.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

Companions Leading The Charge

Physics-based encounters.
Organic interactions driven by AI NPCs.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 features a dynamic combat system that feels natural and unscripted. Instead of following set patterns, battles emphasize things like climbing on enemies and exploiting weaknesses in the environment. And that’s before you even factor in the intelligence of your AI companions!

The challenge in Dragon’s Dogma 2 isn’t about difficult battles, but about adapting to an unpredictable world. Players might strategically direct their companions one moment, and then be climbing a massive creature the next. This keeps the gameplay fresh and inventive, moving away from needing perfect timing and making it feel like a classic action RPG with some updated features.

Final Fantasy 16

Pure Cinematic Greatness

Large-scale battles against massive enemies.
Combos and ability synergies drive the combat.

Final Fantasy 16 features a new, action-packed battle system that emphasizes quick, visually impressive combat. It’s inspired by character-action games, focusing on combos, abilities, and timing, rather than the more deliberate, punishing style of soulslike games. This makes the combat feel more fluid and satisfying, though perhaps not as challenging in terms of precise timing and resource management.

Unlike many other role-playing games, Final Fantasy XVI prioritizes its story and characters, focusing on emotional depth and a more intimate narrative. This streamlined approach makes the game’s dramatic scenes more impactful, constantly moving players between exciting moments with little pause for breath.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Realism Over Fantasy

Methodical, detail-oriented gameplay.
Historical simulation devoted to accuracy.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 builds on what players loved about the first game, offering an even deeper and more realistic medieval experience. The game prioritizes realism in every aspect, from crafting weapons to riding horses, creating a truly immersive and engaging gameplay loop that avoids relying on quick fixes or easy paths to progress.

Battles require a careful, strategic approach, similar to games like Dark Souls, but there’s still plenty of room for aggressive plays and exciting action. What really sets this game apart is its realistic setting. Without magic or other fantastical elements, the story feels more believable and allows for a deeper exploration of the world and its details, avoiding the overly strange or illogical moments that can sometimes ruin a good narrative.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Accessible Yet Still Satisfying

Player builds greatly vary the gameplay.
Softer difficulty curve allows for gradual progression.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla builds on the recent trend of making the series more like a role-playing game, focusing on exploring the world and its story over just fighting. While combat is still important, it’s more adaptable and easier to pick up, letting players approach battles in different ways without feeling limited by complicated rules – which should appeal to both new and longtime fans.

I’m really loving how much there is to do in this game! There are activities and quests everywhere, so I’m never bored. And honestly, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla feels super accessible. It’s a fantastic way to lose yourself in the Viking age, and it doesn’t feel like the game is constantly holding you back from doing what you want.

Horizon Forbidden West

A Whole New World To Conquer

Strategic ranged battles that demand precision.
Preparation and resource management are key.

Horizon Forbidden West is a stunning game filled with exciting action and unexpected challenges. What’s impressive is that it achieves this without relying on the difficult, punishing style of ‘souls-like’ games. Combat focuses on smart tactics and precise timing, letting you target specific body parts and armor on enemies, and use a diverse range of tools to defeat even the biggest creatures.

The game now offers a more satisfying mix of ranged and close-up fighting styles. You’re not locked into one particular way of playing – you can switch between different approaches, which makes the combat more engaging. Plus, the world is designed for exploration, practically inviting you to soar and ride across it – and you’ll likely find yourself doing so from the very start of the game.

Path Of Exile 2

Loot For Everyone To Enjoy

Classic ARPG gameplay.
Long-term build complexity.

Path of Exile 2 is a classic isometric action RPG, continuing the deep character customization of the original game. The focus is on player builds, giving you total control over your character’s strengths – damage, survivability, and defenses – meaning there are endless ways to play and experiment.

While the tougher boss fights share some similarities with Souls-like games – demanding precise timing – ultimately, winning comes down to dealing high damage quickly and using your abilities effectively. If you’re looking for a deep and varied action RPG to really get lost in, it’s difficult to find one that offers as much as Path of Exile 2.

Tainted Grail: The Fall Of Avalon

Dark, Gritty, Yet Still Familiar

Open-ended RPG systems.
Exploration becomes the main focus of progress.

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon plays like a classic RPG, using a first-person view that fans of the genre will recognize. The game emphasizes player choice, letting you complete quests in various ways and progress however you prefer.

Compared to most RPGs, Tainted Grail has a much grimmer and more unsettling atmosphere, making for a world that’s both scary and strangely captivating. It feels like a throwback to classic action RPGs, making it a great choice for players who miss that traditional style of gameplay.

Monster Hunter Wilds

Bosses Of A Very Different Kind

Complex monster encounters.
Build variety tailored to every hunt.

Monster Hunter Wilds is taking the action to a new level, offering players challenging new monsters and a significantly larger, more open world to explore. While it shares similarities with ‘Souls-like’ games – particularly in its epic boss battles – Wilds distinguishes itself by requiring players to master and combine multiple gameplay systems, rather than simply relying on precise timing.

Winning a challenging hunt later in the game depends on understanding the environment, overcoming its difficulties, and using the right equipment to your advantage. Taking down a massive enemy feels similar to the rewarding feeling in soulslike games, but here, the real satisfaction comes from careful planning and teamwork, sharing the victory – and the loot – with your friends.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Creating Spectacles In Every Session

Party dynamics and strategic positioning.
Real-time, almost MMO-inspired combat.

Okay, so I’ve been playing Xenoblade Chronicles 3, and the combat is really unique! It’s an action RPG, but it doesn’t feel like something like Dark Souls at all. It’s more like it takes ideas from online games and classic party RPGs. You’re constantly attacking automatically, then mixing in special moves and trying to get the best position to maximize damage. It’s not about super-fast reflexes; it’s about thinking and figuring out the best strategy. There’s a ton of depth to learn, and it’s really rewarding when you get it right.

The way different characters work together is central to combat, turning each encounter into a puzzle of strategy and teamwork. Players will constantly discover powerful combinations and focus on building teams around them as they progress. The game offers incredible variety, ensuring that even veteran players will find fresh approaches and uncover hidden depths with each playthrough.

2026-04-09 11:36