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While Path of Exile has a massive amount of content and frequent updates, burnout and boredom can still happen when completing the Atlas or delving for the dozenth time. Fortunately, there is a solid selection of ARPG alternatives that Path of Exile fans should try out while they wait for a new league or want a change of pace. Here are ten great video games similar to Path of Exile that fans should check out.
Updated on November 12, 2022, by Ritwik Mitra: Path of Exile is a great ARPG that fans of the genre definitely need to check out. A steady stream of content updates coupled with tight gameplay has led to this title becoming a fan favorite, and it’s easy to see why so many people want to check out games that offer a similar experience. This might seem like a tough endeavor, but the fact is that there are actually several games that are worth checking out for fans of Path of Exile. The best recommendations of the bunch are mentioned below.
20 Monster Hunter World
A big part of Path of Exile’s gameplay is kitting players out with the best equipment possible to take down massive threats. This is a gameplay loop that is present in Monster Hunter World too.
This game is the reason why the Monster Hunter franchise has such a massive fanbase right now, with the release of this game on modern hardware doing a great job of bringing more attention to the title. It helped that Iceborne was also a great expansion that made playing through this game a blast once again!
19 Final Fantasy 14
Final Fantasy 14 is one of the best MMORPGs around right now. Fans of Path of Exile who want to interact with a massive community while going through the dungeon-crawling loop they love will have a great time playing through Final Fantasy 14.
The game is absolutely full to the brim with content and gets a ton of timely updates that make it a blast to revisit this game time and time again. Given how the content in Path of Exile is a huge positive, fans of developers working hard to make their games enjoyable will be more than happy with the experience of playing Final Fantasy 14.
18 Nioh 2
Nioh 2 is an action RPG that pretty much serves as the perfect sequel. Most of the complaints from the first game are addressed, leading to everything from level design to the overall feel of combat being an improvement in every way.
Nioh 2’s combat might be a bit more involving than that of Path of Exile, but the gameplay loop of getting great loot and equipping the best weapons and armor still remains constant. As a result, this game is a great recommendation for Path of Exile fans who want to enjoy a combat system that requires pinpoint precision from their end.
17 Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is one of the most underrated fantasy titles around. This RPG might’ve been slightly generic, but a great magic system coupled with powerful story moments more than made up for this drawback.
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The recent remaster of this title makes for a great way to play this game in modern times. Path of Exile fans will love the amazing exploration of this title despite the perceived differences between both titles.
16 Hollow Knight
The idea of exploring different areas and fighting the threats that lay within is common to both Kingdoms of Amalur and Hollow Knight. The latter is hailed as one of the best Metroidvanias around, and it’s easy to see why fans are waiting with bated breath for the sequel to drop.
Hollow Knight’s amazing art style, brilliant combat, and memorable characters have helped it garner such an impressive reputation. Fans can’t wait to see how Silksong improves on a formula that was perceived as perfect by many.
15 Torchlight 3
ARPG fans who want a more “chill” and straightforward experience would appreciate Torchlight 3 and its penchant for the hack-and-slash. In Torchlight 3, the declining Ember Empire is ill-equipped to face the extradimensional Netherim. And now, it’s up to the players - as either the Dusk Mage, Railmaster, Sharpshooter, or the Forged - to take up arms and defend Novastraia once more.
As with its predecessors, Torchlight 3 has its steampunk world take cues from classic ARPGs. In turn, players itching for genre staples would love Torchlight 3’s rarity-based drops, persistent enemies, and a fast-and-loose skill system that will have them popping baddies with combos. However, unlike other more “hardcore” ARPGs, Torchlight 3 offers a decent balance of difficulty and fun fit for any kind of gamer. Path of Exile fans who want the bare essentials of ARPGs with a chill presentation would appreciate this title.
14 Transistor
Transistor is the type of game that doesn’t immediately drag players into its presence. This Supergiant Games title has a rather “chill” aesthetic that does a good job of hiding its tactical ARPG splendor. In Transistor, players take on the role of the singer Red, a Cloudbank City singer on the run from the Camerata, an organization that ordered its robotic Process to assassinate her. At the start of the game, Red manages to grab the Transistor, a sword-like weapon that was supposed to assassinate her. For some reason, the Camerata wants to retrieve Red alongside the Transistor, for reasons unknown.
Aside from its stellar music and captivating visuals, Transistor shines in its gameplay. Red fights her foes from an isometric point of view, as expected from ARPGs. However, Red has access to the Turn() Mode, a frozen mode that enables players to plan commands to execute upon the return to real-time. Additionally, Red can possess Functions, which are powers that have various effects that can affect both her and her environment. Players will love Transistor for this freeform approach to control, where players can not only control their environment but also plan their strategies in quick bursts and on the fly.
13 XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Fans of sci-fi will love the XCOM series for its rousing premise. In XCOM’s Earth, aliens had just begun their invasion, and what remains of humanity appointed the player to command XCOM - the only military force with a fighting chance against these invaders. And while every XCOM title has its fair share of unique gameplay mechanics, it’s XCOM: Enemy Unknown that blends everything together in a stellar title.
XCOM boasts one of the most complex tactical combat systems in an RPG. Essentially, players as commanders get all the tools they need to take the fight back to the invading aliens. Players will appreciate XCOM’s in-depth terrain mechanics, where almost everything in the environment is interactive. Units boast deep customization, and unit placement matters more than ever to maximize strategic options. Players who want to feel as though they’re actually manning a counterattack against aliens will want to grab XCOM.
12 Pillars Of Eternity
Being a spiritual successor to hit RPGs such as Planescape: Torment, Icewind Dale, and Baldur’s Gate, Pillars of Eternity carries a lot of pressure from fans. Thankfully, the game far exceeds expectations. In this fantasy RPG, players take on the role of Watchers - people who can interact with souls and see past lives. Unfortunately, this gift comes with a responsibility. As Watchers, players need to travel Dyrwood and uncover the origins of the recent Hollowborn, beings born without souls.
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Essentially, Pillars of Eternity earned critical acclaim for its blend of an immersive world, outstanding narrative, and extremely strategic combat. Despite its usual fantasy setting with the usual cadre of classes, each class option does offer something unique to gameplay and sometimes even dialogue. Its side quests also contain unique stories outside typical fetch quests. Players can have a party of up to six companions, each of which with unique a personality and story. Lastly, the game only rewards experience after quest completion and area discovery, meaning players always have the choice of completing quests outside combat.
11 Divinity: Original Sin 2
Divinity: Original Sin 2 serves as the sequel for Larian Studios’ Divinity: Original Sin, and perhaps the game that cemented Larian’s RPG expertise. In Original Sin 2, players become Sourcerers or beings who can tap into the very fabric of existence. Unfortunately, their presence also attracts Voidwoken, extra-dimensional beings who want to sow chaos in the world of Rivellon. In order to stop their threat, players - either as a custom character or one of six main casts - need to ascend to Divinity.
Despite the generic fantasy premise, everything else isn’t. Fans love Original Sin 2 not just for its captivating narrative, but also for its extensive approach to gameplay. Players can interact with almost all aspects of the game environment, and even “break” the game’s script to their advantage. The game encourages players to explore existing areas to find creative solutions to problems - such as teleporting enemies away, turning bosses into chickens, or skipping combat through sheer diplomacy. While Original Sin 2 has a relatively straightforward plot, its depth of gameplay offerings can extend a playthrough for hundreds of hours.
10 Victor Vran ARPG
ARPGs that focus on cooperative play are a rare sight in today’s market, especially ones that allow split-screen co-op. Victor Vran ARPG is one of the few ARPGs that fill this niche currently.
While it doesn’t have any new tricks up its sleeve for the genre, Victor Vran’s ability to be played in split-screen co-op on PC and console makes for a great afternoon of dungeon-delving with friends.
9 Diablo 3
While a massive departure from the first two games, Diablo 3 is a great casual ARPG for those that want an alternative to Path of Exile. Instead of managing dozens of progression systems, players can focus mostly on their gear and Greater Rifts.
It might not have the immense depth Path of Exile has, yet the game’s lack of meta-progression systems and intricate gearing make it a fantastic ARPG to play during the last month of a Path of Exile league or whenever a player experiences burnout.
8 Torchlight 2
Those looking for a casual ARPG to play with friends should give Torchlight 2 a try. This game has a colorful art style that compliments the gory combat quite well, interesting item modifiers, and a whole suite of mods to install. Its character build variety is certainly lacking with only four classes to choose from, but the plethora of mods available for Torchlight 2 more than makes up for that.
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Players that play for a while can also experience Torchlight 2’s endgame which is similar to Path of Exile’s mapping system minus the Atlas. Those sick of Path of Exile and Diablo 3 should give this a shot.
7 Warframe
Warframe is not a dungeon crawler nor is it an isometric RPG. Warframe is a free-to-play third-person looter shooter that has a solid amount of similarities to Path of Exile. Buildcrafting is a core part of Warframe’s gameplay rhythm due to the game’s massive roster of Mods, effectively passives that can alter an item’s behavior.
Each Warframe, effectively a player’s class, offers a suite of abilities that focus on a certain playstyle. Players can turn entire armies to particle dust with Nova, freeze time with Limbo, or punch enemies into oblivion with Atlas. The game lacks an in-depth endgame system, but the amount of content Warframe has on offer is worth experiencing during the end of a Path of Exile league. The game is also free, so players can try this fast-paced looter shooter for no cost.
6 Titan Quest
Titan Quest is a great alternative to Path of Exile and Diablo 2 if players want a fast ARPG to play. In Titan Quest, players get to battle notorious creatures and gods from Greek mythology as they complete the campaign.
As with Grim Dawn, Titan Quest is much more fluid with its class design that lets players create any character they wish. Players choose between two class archetypes and invest points into any skills or passives they wish. While it certainly shows its age today, Titan Quest’s unique setting and fluid character customization make for a great ARPG alternative to other dungeon-crawling juggernauts in the genre.
5 Last Epoch
Last Epoch is an early-access title that is shaping up to be a fantastic ARPG. Compared to other games in the genre, Last Epoch differentiates itself with its skill tree system.
Every skill in Last Epoch has its own augment tree that allows for in-depth customization without compromising itemization or adding unnecessary bloat. Those that want a hybrid between Diablo 3’s gameplayand Path of Exile’s customizationshould give Last Epoch a chance.
4 Diablo 2
Diablo 2 is the closest game to Path of Exile that one can find. Grinding Gear Games took heavy inspiration from Diablo 2 when developing PoE, hence why both games share so many systems.
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Players can choose one of six classes as they carve their way through hordes of creatures. Just like PoE, gear plays a major role in developing builds in Diablo 2. Mods also exist for this ARPG classic if players have gotten bored of the game’s core systems. “Path of Diablo” is a great mod for those that want a new suite of skills and abilities based on Path of Exile.
3 Lost Ark
Lost Ark takes the addictive hack-n-slash loot elements of an ARPG and sets them in an MMO setting. While that might be a red flag for some, Lost Ark manages to get the core fundamentals of ARPGs right.
Players choose from one of six classes that have multiple advanced classes, each focusing on specific playstyles. Besides the game’s satisfying abilities, Lost Ark also sprinkles a few MMO classics into the ARPG genre such as raids and multi-man dungeons. Unfortunately, the game is not available to western markets at this time, but players can try the game out by using a VPN.
2 Grim Dawn
For Path of Exile players that tire of the game’s clear speed meta, Grim Dawn might be a breath of fresh air. This game is much slower than Path of Exile without compromising build diversity.
Grim Dawn lets players choose between one of seven Masteries—nine with both major expansions—each with unique skills and passives. However, players get to choose a second Mastery at level 12. Those that like Path of Exile’s passive skill forest might enjoy Grim Dawn’s Devotion system, in which groups build stats and unique passive effects together as constellations to make build crafting much less intimidating. Combined with the game’s itemization, Grim Dawn is a great offline alternative to Path of Exile.
1 Hades
Roguelikes have seen a surge in popularity over the past few years due to their accelerated progression curves and addictive gameplay. On paper, Hades’ blend of roguelike systems and ARPG combat are antithetical to the genre’s focus on gearing and character building.
In practice, it is one of the most addictive and thrilling ARPGs one can buy. Hades does a brilliant job of incorporating randomized dungeon delves with meaningful character-building. Enemies spill out gold and build-enabling items that let players continue their run. When a player dies, they get to make small, permanent upgrades that will make their next run slightly easier. Packed with a satisfying story and beautiful art style, Hades is a must-play for ARPG fans.
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