Action RPGs have increased in popularity over the past decade. Games like The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim and The Witcher 3 have taken this genre to even greater heights, and now with a powerful handheld console, the Nintendo Switch, players can enjoy these games anytime, anywhere, at their convenience.
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The best games of this genre vary in their graphic aesthetics, designs, and narratives, but in most cases, the core gameplay remains more or less the same, and fans can’t get enough of it. Unfortunately, the Switch only has a limited library of action RPGs, but all of them provide a fulfilling gaming experience nonetheless.
10Diablo 3: Eternal Collection - The Game That Defined Action RPGs
Diablo 3: Eternal Collection is a remarkable action RPG and an integral part of the widely popular Diablo series. This content-rich collection contains the Reaper of Souls expansion set along with the base Diablo III game and also features a few exclusive cosmetic items.
It provides seven different playable classes withdozens of hours of contentinvolving dungeon exploration, looting, and slaying ferocious monsters. The game can be played with up to four friends in online and offline mode, and its gameplay indeed stands up to the name and reputation of Diablo.
9Monster Hunter Rise - Best Title In The Series
Developed by Capcom,Monster Hunter Riseis a story inspired by ancient Japanese folklore, which takes you on a journey to become the ultimate monster hunter. The game offers fun gameplay, vicious monsters, a large variety of unique weapons, neatly designed maps for exploration, and a captivating storyline.
This title is considered to be the best entry in the entire Monster Hunter series by a majority of the fans. If you are looking for a fulfilling gaming experience with all the core action RPG elements, then you should definitely give it a try.
8Unsighted - A Sci-Fi RPG
Bored of medieval-fantasy RPGs? Try Unsighted! It is a metroidvania sci-fi adventure set up in a post-war city waiting to be explored. The game offers various playstyles andweapon-wieldingoptions, allowing you to use both close and long-range combat. It also features a crafting mechanic that adds to the layers of gameplay.
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Moreover, the in-game time constraints create a sense of urgency which makes the gameplay more thrilling and fun. These features also add to the replayability of the game without it being frustrating.
7Tunic - Cute Fox’s Adventure
Tunicputs you in the shoes of a cute but courageous fox adventurer exploring the vast ruined lands filled with ancient magic and legends. Its gameplay isheavily inspired by the old Zelda games, so if you liked them, you are going to love this one.
This isometric action game features several challenging puzzles and a complicated combat system which has led many gamers to label it as a “souls-like” adventure. Despite the high difficulty, Tunic is a spectacular experience that aces all the criteria required to be an entertaining game.
6Hyper Light Drifter - Modern-Day 16-bit Masterpiece
Hyper Light Drifter (HLD) pays homage to the classic 16-bit video games with a mix of modern gameplay mechanics. Similar to Tunic, its gameplay can be a little difficult for beginners, but if you are an action-RPG veteran, then you shall be able to easily break through its beautiful yet challenging levels.
HLD is generally claimed to be “not for everyone,” but its mesmerizing bright art, fascinating atmosphere, perfect soundtrack, and stunning world-building make it a masterpiece that should be enjoyed by everyone at least once.
5Nier: Automata – The End of Yorha Edition
Nier: Automatais an open-world sequel to the decade-old Nier. It features the iconic female android protagonist, 2B, in a post-apocalyptic world filled with stunning visuals and beautiful soundtracks. The game effortlessly blends action, storytelling, and thought-provoking themes and creates an immersive and emotionally charged experience.
Nier: Automata is usually known for its flawless combat system and charming visuals, but what really sets it apart is its deeper narrative that explores the philosophical questions on the existence and nature of humanity.
4Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - It’s Genshin Impact But For Switch
Xenoblade Chronicles 3is the latest addition to Nintendo’s well-knownJRPG seriesof the same name. It offers a vast open-world experience with a party combat system in which every character falls into one of the three categories: Attacker, Defender, or Healer.
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However, unlike the previous installments, it allows for a seven-member party (One being the player and the rest bots who “auto-attack”). Moreover, now you can also swap among the characters to control a certain action when it is urgently required.
3Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
No matter how great the sequels are, the original can never be replaced.Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Editionis a shining example of this scenario. It is an enchanting open-world journey filled with lush environments and captivating landscapes that allures both newcomers and returning fans alike. The combat and exploration aspects of the game are appropriately balanced, providing hours-long rewarding and immersive gameplay.
The enhanced visuals and soundtracks breathe new life into the already beloved title, making it the perfect case of a remaster done right.
2Bastion - A Decade-Old Classic Action RPG
Bastionis a decade-oldindie videogamebut do not get fooled by its age. It is still one of the best ARPGs that Nintendo Switch has to offer. The game has beautiful art, phenomenal soundtracks, and a wide arsenal of upgradeable weapons. But, most importantly, it has a reactive narrator that keeps track of all your actions, which makes it all the more interesting and fun.
Bastion is also widely considered to be the foundation of many spectacular modern-day action RPGs, therefore you can never go wrong with this ageless classic.
1Hades - The Ultimate Roguelike Experience
Hadesis a roguelike videogame developed by Supergiant Games, who are also the creators of Bastion. The game follows the journey of Zagreus, the son of Hades,attempting to escape the underworldand reach Mount Olympus.
The gameplay involves hacking and slashing through the waves of enemies while moving from one room to another in an attempt to escape the four regions of the underworld. The roguelike nature of the game can be frustrating for new gamers, but its simplistic yet impressive gameplay makes Hades popular among fans worldwide.
