ARPGs are some of the most popular games on the market, with hundreds of amazing titles to choose from. For everyAAAtitle dominating the spotlight, there’s a whole world of overlooked ARPGs doing amazing things behind the scenes. Whether they were held back by indie studio budgets or simply released at the wrong time, these games deserve a second look.
10 RPGs That Get Better As You Go
From hidden gems to cult classics, these role-playing games only get better with time.
This list highlights the greatest underrated ARPGs that offer creative gameplay, immersive worlds, and unique mechanics that rival even the biggest titles in the genre, despite flying so low under the radar. From pixel art epics to vibrant co-op adventures, these games are packed with tons of heart-stopping action and adventure.
Some are passion projects that developers poured their hearts and souls into, while others are ridiculously detailed masterpieces that remain criminally underplayed. If you’re craving something fresh or are just tired of the same old loot grind, these underappreciated games might just surprise you!
Here are the best underrated ARPGs you need to add to your playlist.
12The Slormancer
Hack and Slash Collectathon
If Diablo II and Saturday morning cartoons had a secret lovechild, it would be The Slormancer. This dungeon-crawler ARPG throws you headfirst intoa retro-inspired pixel worldfull of over-the-top enemies, an overwhelming number of collectibles, and a ton of ridiculous items with even more ridiculous names.
You, a common pleb with few talents and even fewer skills, along with your merry band of outcasts, are expected to fight (and win) against hordes of enemies to save the world. It’s a task much easier said than done, but at least you’ve got your masochistic sense of perseverance on your side.
From there, it’s a wild ride through endless loot drops, procedurally generated dungeons, and more passive ability combinations than should legally be allowed in an RPG. It’s not a game that takes itself too seriously, but don’t let its self-discriminatory humor fool you—it offers some of the deepest, most flexible character building of any modern ARPG.
11Slime Heroes
Slimy Super Heroes
Slime Heroes
Slime Heroes is one of those games that draws you in without even trying.
On the surface, it looks like a charming, colorful ARPG where you play as an adorable goo ball with a sword. But if you dig just a little deeper, you’ll find a complex blend of dungeon crawling, puzzle solving, and co-op mechanics that make it more than just a cute face.
As one of the last of your kind, you’ll have to go around rescuing your fellow slimes, saving your world from corruption by destroying one enemy at a time. It’s not overly complex, but that’s kind of the point; Slime Heroes is breezy, upbeat, and accessible in a way that makes it perfect for ARPG fans of any skill level.
What really makes it stand out is the local and online co-op that it offers, which turns the game into the perfect adventure between friends. It may not have the deep loot systems or gritty lore of bigger titles, but its creativity and charm are undeniable. Slime Heroes is an under-the-radar gem that proves that sometimes, being squishy is the ultimate superpower.
Sci-fi Beat-‘em-Up
KIBORG hits like a punchy, cyberpunk fever dream; it’s fast, it’s weird, and, most importantly, stylish as all hell. Set in a dystopian future where biomechanical enhancements create the ultimate super soldiers, this fast-paced ARPG throws you into chaotic gameplay that’ll have you sweating from the moment you load it up.
As a falsely accused criminal sent to the most ruthless prison in the galaxy, you’ll be continuously resurrected and hooked up with cybernetic implants in order to serve your entire 1,300-year sentence. Death won’t provide you an escape, but taking part in a prison-wide battle royale to win your freedom will.
It’s a bit rough around the edges in places, but its raw attitude, snappy mechanics, and insane graphics make it one of the most exciting indie ARPGs you’ve probably never played. If you love your action brutal, your settings bleak, and your heroes cybernetically enhanced, then KIBORG should absolutely be on your radar.
10 Forgotten 2000s RPGs That Need The Oblivion Remastered Treatment
Oblivion Remastered is gorgeous and faithful to the original—what 2000s gems deserve the same treatment?
Mythology Meets Action Roguelite
Doryah Games
Release Date
May 6th, 2025
Action RPG, Roguelike
If you were a Percy Jackson kid, then you’re going to love Savara. Savara is an action RPG roguelite that allows you to take on the role of a soldier thrown into a ruthless battle royale based on the whims of an insatiable warrior god.
Set in a vibrant, mythology-inspired world, you’ll be summoned to take part in a dimension-wide “festival” that pits you against the best fighters in the multiverse. Each victory brings you one step closer to the title of champion, but be warned: every defeat will push you two steps back.
With an endless arsenal of weapons and gear at your disposal, you’ll have to choose your tools wisely if you’re ever going to see the end of this bloodthirsty festival. Weapon upgrades, special resources, and offerings to the divine statue are all things you’ll want to utilize to become as strong as possible. Victory may seem right around the corner, but that doesn’t mean you won’t hit a few roadblocks along the way.
The Fluffiest ARPG You’ve Ever Seen
If you ever wondered what Dark Souls might look like through the lens of an anime-infused, furry fever dream, ATLYSS is your answer. This indie ARPG delivers an unexpectedly heavy atmosphere, in-depth worldbuilding, and tight, fast-paced combat, all wrapped up in a visual style that’s equal parts adorable and oddly enchanting.
In ATLYSS, you’re dropped into a fragmented world filled with towering bosses, mysterious ancient ruins, and barely-explained lore, where every encounter feels like a test of skill, patience, and sheer luck. The allure of ATLYSS’s mysterious world is undeniable, but the best part of the whole experience is easily the adorable, fully customizable characters.
You can create your very ownchibi-style, furry characterthat’s great at kicking ass and even better at taking names. Plus, you can show off your skills (and your fashion sense) to your friends or other players via online co-op!
With three major classes to choose from—Fighter, Mystic, and Bandit—you’ll have the opportunity to build the ultimate warrior from the ground up, no matter which you decide to go with. ATLYSS is one of those rare gems that feels like a cult classic in the making; with its charming visuals, online co-op capabilities, and tight-laced gameplay, it’s got something for nearly every gamer out there!
7Drova - Forsaken Kin
A Grimdark Celtic Fantasy
Drova - Forsaken Kin
Drova - Forsaken Kin is what happens when you take classic, Gothic-style RPG grit, stir in some Celtic mythology, and then wrap it all up in a pixel art aesthetic that somehow works amazingly. It’s an atmospheric, explorative ARPG that manages to be every bit as captivating as you’d expect.
You play as a lone wanderer caught in a monumental clash between elemental spirits and the will of humanity, stuck walking the line between what’s right and wrong in an all-out, supernatural civil war. The combat is weighty and unforgiving, demanding timing, resource management, and a healthy respect for your enemies.
But what really sets Forsaken Kin apart is how much of its storytelling is purely environmental and player-driven. The lore in this game is insane, but that doesn’t mean it’s always going to spell it out for you; you actually have tolisten, explore, and engage with the world around you on its own terms.
This game is clearly a labor of love, dripping with atmosphere and melancholic ambiance. Its pacing may be a tad slow for some, but if you’re a fan of grounded, old-school ARPGs with a grimdark tone and meaningful exploration, then this one’s absolutely worth your time.
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6Towerborne
Loot, Shoot, and Repeat
Towerborne
I’m not going to lie, the first thing that drew me in about this game wasn’t its impeccable reviews or its ARPG status, it was actually its cartoony, retro art style that looks like something straight out of a D&D campaign.
Nostalgic aesthetics aside though, Towerborne is a criminally underrated game that I honestly can’t believe more people aren’t talking about. This game is the perfect combination of brawler and looter; who doesn’t love beating things up and taking their money??
In Towerborne, you play the part of an Ace, a soldier resurrected from the spirit realm with superhuman abilities and a thirst for justice. Combining your power with that of the other Aces, you’ll have to defend the Belfry, humanity’s last refuge, from the evil forces that lurk outside its walls.
The combat is frantically choreographic, with fighting styles that could make any battlefield look like a ballet performance. With mechanics that are as easy to pick up as they are difficult to master, Towerborne is the perfect addition to anyone’s collection, regardless of skill level.
5Soulstice
Cool Name, Cooler Game
Soulstice is a hack-and-slash spectacle fighter that would impress even the harshest of gaming critics. Not only is this game absolutely beautiful, but it also feels hauntingly nostalgic in ways that you just can’t get from any other ARPGs on the modern market.
If Devil May Cry and Claymore had a baby, it would look something a lot like Soulstice. This criminally overlooked ARPG delivers high-octane, combo-heavy action wrapped in a dark fantasy world dripping with gothic architecture, cinematic boss fights, and a grimdark tone that’ll have you sucked in from the moment you log in.
You play as Briar and Lute, two sisters whose souls are, quite literally, bound together. One handles the brutal melee combat while the other acts as a spectral companion, using her mystical powers to help you manipulate the battlefield. It’s a unique system that demands you split your focus, but once it clicks, the combat becomes the most stylishly chaotic dance of swordplay and sorcery you’ve ever seen.
4Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon
King Arthur Becomes Wizard John Wick
Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon
Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon takes the myth of King Arthur, drags it through the mud, and then resembles it into a bleak, first-person action RPG full of despair, decay, and eldritch horror. It’s Skyrim by way of Darkest Dungeon—a moody, melancholic crawl through a cursed land where hope is in short supply and every victory feels undeniablyearned.
This open-word ARPG throws you into a dark fantasy world inspired by Arthurian legends, and then pretty much leaves you to your own devices. Sure, it nudges you through the story here and there, but for the most part,this game doesn’t offer any hand-holding; from the moment you pick up your controller, you’re on your own.
Set in a world torn apart after 600 years of struggling, it’s up to you to decide what legacy King Arthur’s reign will leave upon a world shunned by its gods. Will you be the knight in shining armor that every storybook is so desperate to depict you as, or will you become a mad berserker, slaughtering anything that dares cross your path?
If you’re craving a mature, story-rich ARPG that makes you feel like you’re playing through one of the dark fantasy novels of your childhood, then you definitely need to pick up Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon.
10 Best 16-Bit JRPGs
It was during the 16-bit generation that the JRPG word began to spread across the world.
The Perfect Blend of Fantasy and Sci-Fi
Fextralife Wiki
Empyreal is one of those games that just checks all the boxes: ancient interstellar exploration? Check. Dungeon-crawling? Check. Choreographic combat that makes you feel like you’re in a John Wick movie? Double check.
This game thrusts you into the fast-paced life of a mercenary with nothing to lose and everything to prove; you must embark on a life-threatening expedition to an unexplored planet, one with a colossal monolith built by a long-dead ancient civilization.
Numerous others before you have failed, but you might just be the first to have what it takes. Surviving this indomitable structure may very well be the hardest thing you’ve ever done, but the secrets that lie within could transform our understanding of humanity and life itself.
Prior to entering the death cube, you’ll have the choice between three different weapon archetypes: the Glave, the Cannon, or the Mace and Shield. Each has its own strengths, weaknesses, and core move-sets, so you’ll want to choose carefully if you want to play to your own strengths as a player.
If you like the idea of an ARPG with Xenoblade and Matrix vibes, then this is one underrated title you’ll want to keep your eye on.
