Summary
Games likeDiabloand the recently releasedPath of Exile 2are known as action role-playing games (ARPGs). These types of games feature fun and addictive gameplay loops that see players kitting out their characters, sending them on quests to slay hordes of enemies, and picking up a lot of loot along the way.
Though coming up with character builds and managing loot can be complex and time-consuming, the ARPG genre is perfect for mobile gaming. Blizzard famously publishedDiablo Immortalfor players who have phones, though the game lacked praise from many longtime fans. There are, however, a slew of incredible ARPGs to enjoy on iOS right now.
10Nordicandia: Semi Idle RPG
Players Can Grind Even When They’re Not Playing
Nordicandiais a comfy phone ARPG that is simple by design, allowing players to get into the game loop easily. It can be played in an idle manner, allowing players to collect EXP and loot even when they’re too busy to play. It’s also perfect for those who just want toshut off their brain and play.
Nordicandiaprovides an auto-mode, where characters can move and attack on their own, allowing the game to run independently. Players also get a pet that can run around the map picking up loot.Nordicandiamight be a little basic in the graphics department, but it provides a lot of satisfaction for the gamer who loves leveling, collecting, and managing loot. The game also has a development team that frequently makes updates.
9Soul Knight Prequel
An Unconventional Aesthetic For A Dungeon-Crawler
There are two versions ofSoul Knight:Soul KnightandSoul Knight Prequel. The originalSoul Knightis a roguelike, but shares some similarities with ARPGS.Soul Knight Prequel,however, is designed from the ground up to be an RPG; hence, it’s more likeDiablo.
Soul Knight Prequel’s art style strays from the common ARPG dungeon-crawler aesthetic, with itspixel art RPG design. Despite its difference in appearance, there is much here that’s like classicDiablo.Soul Knight Prequelhas satisfying loot farming qualities, gear management, and monster slaying. The game is regularly updated, with a seasonal battle pass that gives additional rewards.
Undead Hordeallows the player to dive in and have fun right away. The player is a necromancer that gets set free and goes on a rampage, utilizing their ability to raise the dead and sticking it to their living captors.
Undead Hordeis a fun game that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It blends several styles of games together, like hack-and-slash, strategy, and RPG. Players can command their hordes of undead servants, giving the game a small element of strategy when approaching combat. Players can also collect loot and sell it on, a common aspect in any ARPG.
Exiled Kingdomsis aclassic-looking isometric ARPGthat allows players to explore a rich and unique world. It features an interesting main story quest, and faction quests that lead to additional content unlocks. The game features secret doors, loot, traps, optional bosses, and all the things a player would expect from an old school dungeon crawler.
Loot is handled in a way that challenges the player to explore. For instance, sticking to low stakes, mundane areas will fetch average loot. But if players manage to track down hidden, unexplored spaces, they’ll come across stronger enemies that drop special loot with magical properties. This is for players who want a more challenging experience without tutorials holding their hand.
6Almora Darkosen RPG
An Action-Packed Top-Down Hack ‘N Slash RPG
Almora Darkosenis an impressive ARPG for fans of the old-schoolDiablostyle of game. The environment feels less open-world, and more like individual maps designed in a maze format. Considering it’sdeveloped by one person, the love put into the game shines through. The developer was a real fan of these styles of role-playing game and wanted to contribute to the genre.
There are all sorts of impressive features, in addition to the common ARPG mechanics. One example is the merc-for-hire system that allows players to hire an AI-controlled companion, and equip them with potions, food and other goods they’ll need for their adventure.
Undecemberis a fast-paced action RPG with a great story that’s even voice acted. Players can customize their character at the beginning, butUndecemberis flexible, giving players the freedom to change direction with their builds if they wish to.
The game is dense with materials that can be collected to upgrade runes. This can be tedious for some, but for many players, the genre is all about micromanaging resources to ensure that their build is optimal. The combat is satisfying, and makes up for the complexity of the rune system.
The game doesn’t force players to spend money, but there is a slight paywall in Act 4, and the endgame is largely pay-to-win.
Eterniumis a fun ARPG, tailored for lovers of old-school classics likeDiablo. This game has an in-depth crafting system that featuresDungeons & Dragons-style rolls to determine the level of the items.
The main thing holding this game back is that it doesn’t get updated as frequently as some of the other games on this list. This forces players to endlessly fight the same bosses over and over, with slightly varied stats.
Unlike its predecessors,Torchlight Infinitewas developed with mobile platforms in mind. It’s often mentioned as one of the bestDiablo: Immortalalternatives out there. The game has pre-made characters for players to pick from, but there’s still a bunch of customization involved in fine-tuning them. The art style is anime-inspired, which appeals to modern players, but may turn off traditional ARPG gamers.
Despite often being compared toDiablo: Immortal, the game shares many mechanics withPath of Exile,such as similar mechanics and skills. Because of the game’s popularity, there are also manyguides for new players.
2Anima ARPG
No Longer Updated, But Still Worth It
Anima ARPGis set in a dark, gritty underground environment that looks like an ARPG from the late 90s. It has a persistent world, where monsters will no longer spawn once the player has cleared out the dungeon.
Players to pick between classes like skirmisher, sorcerer, and archer. Each class has its own sub-class types, and the game allows players to have a primary and secondary class. The game is no longer updated with new content, but it does have a NewGame+ mode that allows players to redo the main quest without the story itself.
Titan Questis a popular ARPG that goes way back to 2006, when it was originally released for Windows PC. It has re-released many times over the years.Titan Quest Ultimate Editionbundles the previous expansions with the newest one, creating an elite package.
Titan Questlets players take control of a Greek adventurer, who must navigate a world where the gods have disowned humanity. Beasts have overrun civilization and are destroying everything. The player must travel through numerous lands, defeating hordes of monsters, developing themselves as the most formidable force of nature in the world.
Titan Questchecks all the boxes that would be expected in aDiablo-esque ARPG. There’s an endless amount of quests and expansions, multiple tiers of loot, runes and enhancements. There’s even cooperative play. When looking for aDiabloalternative on iOS,Titan Quest Ultimate Editionis the go-to.
