GamingPickz
genre · ranked

Best Action RPG games: 25 ranked (2026)

Compiled by Ranjeeth, editor · Last updated 18 October 2026 · Free to read, nothing here is paid for

272 action rpg games ranked by the GamingPickz Score, a published composite of player sentiment and critic reception. The formula is below in full, and no placement on this page can be bought.

The action rpg games on a map

Compare the whole catalogue

The same 25 games, plotted rather than listed. The two axes below are the ones the ranking is built from, so a game sitting high and right is a game the formula placed near the top. Change either axis to see the field a different way. Where we hold a publisher wordmark, the game is drawn as its mark rather than a dot.

25 games have both

8510060100Players →Popularity →The Elder Scrolls IV: Ob…

Axes are fitted to these 25 games rather than the full 0 to 100 scale, because a filtered list shares a narrow band and would otherwise sit in one corner. End values are marked. A point on the left edge is the lowest of thesegames, not a low score.

Players. The share of Steam reviews marked positive, pulled toward the catalogue average in proportion to how few reviews stand behind it. A game with 200 reviews moves a long way toward the average; one with 200,000 barely moves at all. Without this a title sitting at 100 percent on nine reviews outranks Half-Life 2 at 98 percent on 278,000.

Popularity. A blend of two things that are not the same. Audience is how many people wrote a Steam review, which is a floor on how many played it. Reach is how many language editions of Wikipedia document the game, which is cultural footprint rather than sales. A game can score high on one and low on the other: a huge free-to-play title has audience without reach, and a landmark console exclusive has reach without a Steam audience at all. Where both exist they are averaged; where only one does, that one carries it.

  • Mobile
  • Multi-platform
  • PC
  • PlayStation
  • Xbox

Every point links to that game's entry. The value map and the reception map are fixed views of the same data.

How positions are decided

No paid placement, no favouritism, live third-party data
  • Placed by the published method, not by us. Every coordinate is computed from the axis definitions and weights printed on this site. Nobody moves a point. See the axes.
  • Nothing here is paid for. No sponsored placements, no promoted slots, no arrangement of any kind affects a position. If that ever changes it will be labelled and sit outside the ranking.
  • No favouritism, including our own. The 16 games we have written full reviews of are scored by exactly the same formula as the other 1,510, from the same third-party inputs, and they land where it puts them. Our own opinion of a game does not enter its coordinates.
  • A position is not an endorsement. It says how a game was received and what it costs, not that we recommend it. Where we do recommend something, it carries a written review with a name on it.
  • Fetched from live third-party data. Player sentiment from Steam, critic aggregates as published on store pages, prices checked hourly, attention from Wikipedia. Each figure carries its source and the date it was read, and we do not adjust any of them.

The short version

  • Top pick: Black Myth: Wukong, GamingPickz Score 9.0/10 from 1,209,348 player reviews.
  • 13 score 8.5 or above out of 272 ranked action rpg games.
  • Price range free to $69.99, median $19.99, with 31 free to play.
  • 84 are Steam Deck Verified by Valve's own testing.
  • 45 declare six or more accessibility features. Listed per game below.

At a glance

The top 12 side by side. Full entries below.

Top ranked action rpg games
#GameBest forScorePlayersPrice
1Black Myth: WukongThe safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence9.096% (1,209,348)$59.99
2Elden RingThe safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence9.093% (1,151,628)$59.99
3HadesHandheld play, small install and Deck verified9.098% (308,085)$24.99
4The Witcher 3: Wild HuntPlayers who need accessibility options that actually exist8.997% (885,535)$49.99
5The Elder Scrolls V: SkyrimThe safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence8.895% (317,769)$19.99
6Vampire SurvivorsHandheld play, small install and Deck verified8.898% (265,103)$3.74
7Clair Obscur: Expedition 33The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence8.795% (277,064)$47.99
8Hades IIHandheld play, small install and Deck verified8.796% (122,855)$29.99
9God of WarPlayers who need accessibility options that actually exist8.696% (184,172)$49.99
10DELTARUNEHandheld play, small install and Deck verified8.698% (133,535)$24.99
11Monster Hunter: WorldThe safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence8.589% (516,159)$29.99
12The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition Deluxe (2009)A consistently well-received pick in this category8.595% (52,989)$19.99

25 best action rpg games, ranked

Ordered by GamingPickz Score. Every figure links back to the source that produced it.

Sort by
  1. 1Black Myth: Wukong logo

    Black Myth: Wukong

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    9.0GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    Black Myth: Wukong at a glance
    Released2024StudioGame Science
    Player sentiment96% positive of 1,209,348CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$59.99Steam Deckunsupported
    Install size130 GBAccessibility4 declared features

    Raw 96% shrinks to 96.0 on 1,209,348 reviews, giving 9.0. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.

    What the data supports
    • 96% positive across 1,209,348 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.
    • Valve rates it Unsupported on the Steam Deck.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  2. 2

    Elden RingWe reviewed this

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    9.0GamingPickz ScoreOur review: 9.5/10high confidence
    Elden Ring at a glance
    Released2022Studiofromsoftware
    Player sentiment93% positive of 1,151,628Critics94/100
    Price$59.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size60 GBAccessibility7 declared features

    Raw 93% shrinks to 93.0 on 1,151,628 reviews, then blends with the 94 critic aggregate, giving 9.0.

    What the data supports
    • 93% positive across 1,151,628 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Declares 7 accessibility features, well above the catalogue norm.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PlayStation 5PlayStation 4Xbox Series X and Series SXbox OnePC

    Full entryStore page

  3. 3Hades logo

    Hades

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    9.0GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Hades at a glance
    Released2020StudioSupergiant Games
    Player sentiment98% positive of 308,085Critics93/100
    Price$24.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size15 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 98% shrinks to 98.0 on 308,085 reviews, then blends with the 93 critic aggregate, giving 9.0.

    What the data supports
    • 98% positive across 308,085 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  4. 4The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt logo

    The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

    Best for: Players who need accessibility options that actually exist

    8.9GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt at a glance
    Released2015StudioCD Projekt RED
    Player sentiment97% positive of 885,535Critics93/100
    Price$49.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size50 GBAccessibility9 declared features

    Raw 97% shrinks to 97.0 on 885,535 reviews, then blends with the 93 critic aggregate, giving 8.9.

    What the data supports
    • 97% positive across 885,535 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Declares 9 accessibility features, well above the catalogue norm.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PCPlayStation 4PlayStation 5Xbox OneXbox Series X and Series SNintendo Switch

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  5. 5The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim logo

    The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.8GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim at a glance
    Released2011StudioBethesda Game Studios
    Player sentiment95% positive of 317,769Critics94/100
    Price$19.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install sizeNot statedAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 95% shrinks to 95.0 on 317,769 reviews, then blends with the 94 critic aggregate, giving 8.8.

    What the data supports
    • 95% positive across 317,769 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  6. 6Vampire Survivors logo

    Vampire Survivors

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.8GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Vampire Survivors at a glance
    Released2022Studioponcle
    Player sentiment98% positive of 265,103Critics86/100
    Price$3.74Steam Deckverified
    Install size2.44 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 98% shrinks to 98.0 on 265,103 reviews, then blends with the 86 critic aggregate, giving 8.8.

    What the data supports
    • 98% positive across 265,103 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Small install at 2.44 GB.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  7. 7Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 logo

    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.7GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at a glance
    Released2025StudioSandfall Interactive
    Player sentiment95% positive of 277,064Critics91/100
    Price$47.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size55 GBAccessibility6 declared features

    Raw 95% shrinks to 95.0 on 277,064 reviews, then blends with the 91 critic aggregate, giving 8.7.

    What the data supports
    • 95% positive across 277,064 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  8. 8Hades II logo

    Hades II

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.7GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Hades II at a glance
    Released2025StudioSupergiant Games
    Player sentiment96% positive of 122,855Critics94/100
    Price$29.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size11 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 96% shrinks to 96.0 on 122,855 reviews, then blends with the 94 critic aggregate, giving 8.7.

    What the data supports
    • 96% positive across 122,855 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Small install at 11 GB.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  9. 9God of War logo

    God of War

    Best for: Players who need accessibility options that actually exist

    8.6GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    God of War at a glance
    Released2005StudioSanta Monica Studio
    Player sentiment96% positive of 184,172Critics93/100
    Price$49.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size70 GBAccessibility12 declared features

    Raw 96% shrinks to 96.0 on 184,172 reviews, then blends with the 93 critic aggregate, giving 8.6.

    What the data supports
    • 96% positive across 184,172 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Declares 12 accessibility features, well above the catalogue norm.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PlayStation VitaPlayStation 2PlayStation 3PlayStation 4Steam Deck

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  10. 10DELTARUNE logo

    DELTARUNE

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.6GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    DELTARUNE at a glance
    Released2025Studiotobyfox
    Player sentiment98% positive of 133,535CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$24.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size1 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 98% shrinks to 98.0 on 133,535 reviews, giving 8.6. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.

    What the data supports
    • 98% positive across 133,535 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Small install at 1 GB.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  11. 11Monster Hunter: World logo

    Monster Hunter: World

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.5GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Monster Hunter: World at a glance
    Released2018StudioCAPCOM Co., Ltd.
    Player sentiment89% positive of 516,159Critics88/100
    Price$29.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size52 GBAccessibility6 declared features

    Raw 89% shrinks to 89.0 on 516,159 reviews, then blends with the 88 critic aggregate, giving 8.5.

    What the data supports
    • 89% positive across 516,159 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  12. 12

    The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition Deluxe (2009)

    Best for: A consistently well-received pick in this category

    8.5GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition Deluxe (2009) at a glance
    Released2009StudioBethesda Game Studios®
    Player sentiment95% positive of 52,989Critics94/100
    Price$19.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install sizeNot statedAccessibility0 declared features

    Raw 95% shrinks to 94.9 on 52,989 reviews, then blends with the 94 critic aggregate, giving 8.5.

    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  13. 13The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition (2009) logo

    The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition (2009)

    Best for: A consistently well-received pick in this category

    8.5GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition (2009) at a glance
    Released2009StudioBethesda Game Studios
    Player sentiment95% positive of 52,982Critics94/100
    Price$14.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install sizeNot statedAccessibility0 declared features

    Raw 95% shrinks to 94.9 on 52,982 reviews, then blends with the 94 critic aggregate, giving 8.5.

    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  14. 14Hogwarts Legacy logo

    Hogwarts Legacy

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.4GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Hogwarts Legacy at a glance
    Released2023StudioAvalanche Software
    Player sentiment90% positive of 371,874Critics83/100
    Price$5.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size85 GBAccessibility7 declared features

    Raw 90% shrinks to 90.0 on 371,874 reviews, then blends with the 83 critic aggregate, giving 8.4.

    What the data supports
    • 90% positive across 371,874 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Declares 7 accessibility features, well above the catalogue norm.
    Worth checking first
    • Carries in-game purchases. Check what they cost before committing.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  15. 15Fallout: New Vegas logo

    Fallout: New Vegas

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.4GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Fallout: New Vegas at a glance
    Released2010StudioObsidian Entertainment
    Player sentiment96% positive of 261,194Critics84/100
    Price$9.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install sizeNot statedAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 96% shrinks to 96.0 on 261,194 reviews, then blends with the 84 critic aggregate, giving 8.4.

    What the data supports
    • 96% positive across 261,194 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.

    PCPlayStation 3Xbox 360Steam Deck

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  16. 16Dying Light logo

    Dying Light

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.3GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Dying Light at a glance
    Released2015StudioNot recorded
    Player sentiment95% positive of 494,569Critics87/100
    Price$24.99Steam Deckverified
    Install sizeNot statedAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 95% shrinks to 95.0 on 494,569 reviews, then blends with the 87 critic aggregate, giving 8.3.

    What the data supports
    • 95% positive across 494,569 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisModsStore page

  17. 17Dark Souls III logo

    Dark Souls III

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.3GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Dark Souls III at a glance
    Released2016StudioFromSoftware
    Player sentiment94% positive of 439,389Critics89/100
    Price$59.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size25 GBAccessibility7 declared features

    Raw 94% shrinks to 94.0 on 439,389 reviews, then blends with the 89 critic aggregate, giving 8.3.

    What the data supports
    • 94% positive across 439,389 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Declares 7 accessibility features, well above the catalogue norm.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PCXbox OneSteam Deck

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  18. 18DARK SOULS: REMASTERED logo

    DARK SOULS: REMASTERED

    Best for: Playing with other people

    8.3GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    DARK SOULS: REMASTERED at a glance
    Released2018StudioQLOC
    Player sentiment92% positive of 154,698Critics84/100
    Price$39.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install size8 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 92% shrinks to 92.0 on 154,698 reviews, then blends with the 84 critic aggregate, giving 8.3.

    What the data supports
    • 92% positive across 154,698 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Small install at 8 GB.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  19. 19Grim Dawn logo

    Grim Dawn

    Best for: Playing through with a friend online

    8.3GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Grim Dawn at a glance
    Released2016StudioCrate Entertainment
    Player sentiment93% positive of 109,295Critics83/100
    Price$24.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install size5 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 93% shrinks to 93.0 on 109,295 reviews, then blends with the 83 critic aggregate, giving 8.3.

    What the data supports
    • 93% positive across 109,295 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    • Small install at 5 GB.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  20. 20Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR'S CUT logo

    Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR'S CUT

    Best for: Players who need accessibility options that actually exist

    8.3GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR'S CUT at a glance
    Released2024StudioSucker Punch Productions
    Player sentiment94% positive of 96,000CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$59.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size75 GBAccessibility10 declared features

    Raw 94% shrinks to 94.0 on 96,000 reviews, giving 8.3. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.

    What the data supports
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Declares 10 accessibility features, well above the catalogue norm.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  21. 21ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights logo

    ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.3GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights at a glance
    Released2021StudioLive Wire
    Player sentiment94% positive of 45,705Critics86/100
    Price$24.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size2 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 94% shrinks to 93.9 on 45,705 reviews, then blends with the 86 critic aggregate, giving 8.3.

    What the data supports
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Small install at 2 GB.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  22. 22Halls of Torment logo

    Halls of Torment

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.3GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Halls of Torment at a glance
    Released2024StudioChasing Carrots
    Player sentiment95% positive of 31,787Critics88/100
    Price$6.66Steam Deckverified
    Install size4 GBAccessibility5 declared features

    Raw 95% shrinks to 94.9 on 31,787 reviews, then blends with the 88 critic aggregate, giving 8.3.

    What the data supports
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Small install at 4 GB.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  23. 23The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Game of the Year Edition logo

    The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Game of the Year Edition

    Best for: A consistently well-received pick in this category

    8.3GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Game of the Year Edition at a glance
    Released2009StudioBethesda Game Studios
    Player sentiment95% positive of 28,571Critics89/100
    Price$14.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install sizeNot statedAccessibility0 declared features

    Raw 95% shrinks to 94.8 on 28,571 reviews, then blends with the 89 critic aggregate, giving 8.3.

    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  24. 24Cyberpunk 2077 logo

    Cyberpunk 2077

    Best for: Players who need accessibility options that actually exist

    8.2GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Cyberpunk 2077 at a glance
    Released2020StudioCD Projekt RED
    Player sentiment87% positive of 976,377Critics86/100
    Price$59.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size70 GBAccessibility10 declared features

    Raw 87% shrinks to 87.0 on 976,377 reviews, then blends with the 86 critic aggregate, giving 8.2.

    What the data supports
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    • Declares 10 accessibility features, well above the catalogue norm.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PCPlayStation 4PlayStation 5Xbox OneXbox Series X and Series SSteam Deck

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  25. 25Mount & Blade: Warband logo

    Mount & Blade: Warband

    Best for: Players who trust other players over critics

    8.2GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Mount & Blade: Warband at a glance
    Released2010StudioTaleWorlds
    Player sentiment98% positive of 172,005Critics78/100
    Price$19.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install sizeNot statedAccessibility0 declared features

    Raw 98% shrinks to 98.0 on 172,005 reviews, then blends with the 78 critic aggregate, giving 8.2.

    What the data supports
    • 98% positive across 172,005 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    Worth checking first
    • Players rate it well above critics, 98 against 78. Usually a sign it improved after launch, or that it delivers something reviewers undervalued.

    AndroidAndroid TabletSteam Deck

    Full entryGames like thisModsStore page

How to choose between these

25 entries, six things that separate them

The ranking answers "which is best received". It cannot answer "which is best for you", because that depends on things no formula knows. Here is what actually separates these 25 action rpg games, in the order worth thinking about it.

  1. Check the sample size before the score

    A score is only as good as the evidence under it. 22 of these have more than 50,000 player reviews, which makes their number very hard to move.

  2. Look at where critics and players disagree

    The widest gap here is Mount & Blade: Warband, where players sit above critics by 20 points. A gap that size usually means the game changed after launch, or that it does something critics undervalue. It is worth reading why before deciding which number you trust. The disagreement map plots this across the catalogue.

  3. Decide what you are actually willing to spend

    The median here is $24.99, and the cheapest paid entry is Vampire Survivors at $3.74. Prices move constantly, so a game a place or two down the list is often the better buy this week. Filter by price below rather than assuming the top pick is the right purchase.

  4. Match it to the hardware you own

    16 of these are Steam Deck Verified by Valve's own testing, and install sizes vary by more than an order of magnitude. If you are choosing for a handheld or a drive that is nearly full, that narrows the field faster than any score.

  5. Check it supports how you want to play

    Solo, with a friend online, or two people on one sofa are different requirements, and a well-reviewed game that does not support yours is the wrong game. The filters below answer this directly.

  6. Look for the things a score hides

    9 declare six or more accessibility features, and 1 carry in-game purchases. Neither shows up in a review score, and both change the experience substantially. Each entry lists its own.

Choose one if…

Tick what matters to you. This filters the ranking above rather than reordering it, so the order you see is still the order the formula produced, minus the games that do not fit. Every filter reads a field from the game's own store listing.

Nothing selected, so all 25 action rpg games are shown below. Pick one or more above to narrow it.

The best action rpg games for a specific need

The ranking answers "which is best overall", which is rarely the actual question. These are the answers to the narrower ones, computed from the same scores, so a single pick is named for each.

What is the best cheap action rpg game?
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, top of 9.
What is the best co-op action rpg game?
Elden Ring, top of 7.
What is the best action rpg game for the Steam Deck?
Elden Ring, top of 16.
What is the best action rpg game for a small hard drive?
Hades, top of 8.
What is the best accessible action rpg game?
Elden Ring, top of 9.
What is the best action rpg game to play with a controller?
Black Myth: Wukong, top of 17.
What is the best action rpg game with the most reviews?
Black Myth: Wukong, top of 22.
What is the best single-player offline action rpg game?
Black Myth: Wukong, top of 23.
What is the best cheap action rpg game for the Steam Deck?
Vampire Survivors, top of 3.
What is the best Steam Deck co-op action rpg game?
Elden Ring, top of 6.
What is the best highly rated cheap action rpg game?
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, top of 7.
What is the best accessible single-player action rpg game?
Elden Ring, top of 9.

Why trust this list

Most "best games" lists are either one person's taste presented as fact, or an affiliate feed with the highest commission at the top. This is neither. It is a ranking of 272 action rpg games computed from two third-party signals we did not generate, using a formula printed below.

Our team has played and reviewed games for over twenty years, somewhere around 3,000 titles across every generation since the PS1. A good number of the action rpg games on this page are among them, and that experience is what lets us tell you which of these numbers are worth trusting.

It is not, however, what set the order. The formula did, and we think that is the right way round: a list ordered by one person's memory is a list you have to take on trust, and this one you can check line by line.

The order comes out of the grid. Every game in the catalogue is placed on eighteen measured axes, each one a number read from a named source rather than an opinion: player sentiment and its sample size, the critic aggregate, review volume, Wikipedia language editions, price, install size, Steam Deck rating, accessibility features. A ranked list is that grid collapsed to one dimension. The map at the top of this page plots these same 25 games on two of those axes, so you can see the position the ranking gave each one and check it against where the game actually sits. If the list and the map ever disagreed, the list would be wrong, and they read the same numbers so they cannot.

1 entry on this page carries a full review of ours, marked as such and linked. For the rest, the score reflects how other people received the game, and we say so rather than implying a verdict we have not written.

Update history 1
  1. First published with 25 entries ranked.

How we chose these

This ranking is a projection of the same axes the grid plots, not a second scoring system sitting alongside it. The grid answers where a game sits on two chosen measures; a ranked list needs one number, so the axes are collapsed using published weights. A game cannot be high on the grid and low here for a reason nobody can point at, because both read the same values.

Every ranked game gets a GamingPickz Score out of 10. It is a weighted blend of the axes below, and these percentages are read directly from the code that computes the ranking rather than written out separately, so the published formula cannot drift from the applied one.

Score weights
ComponentWeightWhat it is
Players52%The share of Steam reviews marked positive, pulled toward the catalogue average in proportion to how few reviews stand behind it. A game with 200 reviews moves a long way toward the average; one with 200,000 barely moves at all. Without this a title sitting at 100 percent on nine reviews outranks Half-Life 2 at 98 percent on 278,000.
Critics23%Metacritic and OpenCritic aggregate, normalised to 0 to 100.
Popularity20%A blend of two things that are not the same. Audience is how many people wrote a Steam review, which is a floor on how many played it. Reach is how many language editions of Wikipedia document the game, which is cultural footprint rather than sales. A game can score high on one and low on the other: a huge free-to-play title has audience without reach, and a landmark console exclusive has reach without a Steam audience at all. Where both exist they are averaged; where only one does, that one carries it.
Reader likes5%How many GamingPickz readers tapped the heart on the game, log-scaled to 0 to 100. This is the only signal here that comes from our own readers rather than a third party, so it carries a deliberately small weight and is a snapshot taken at the last build, not a live figure. A per-browser flag stops the same person liking twice; it is a popularity reaction, not a verified poll.

Shrinkage is the part that matters most. Without it a game with nine reviews at 100 percent outranks Half-Life 2 with 278,000 at 98. Player sentiment is pulled toward the catalogue average of 84 using a 400-review prior, in proportion to how thin the evidence is.

Popularity is deliberately a minority weight. At 20 percent it nudges well-known games up without letting fame decide the order. Weight it higher and the list becomes "games you have already heard of", which nobody needs a ranking for. Weight it at zero and a game almost nobody played can top the list on the strength of a few hundred enthusiastic reviews. Neither is useful, so it sits in between. How popularity is measured.

Where a game has no critic aggregate, that 35 percent is redistributed onto player sentiment rather than counted as zero, and the entry says so.

Games with fewer than 50 reviews are excluded outright. Shrinkage is symmetric, so a game sitting at 0 percent on one review would otherwise be pulled up near the average, which flatters something nobody has actually assessed.

What we deliberately do not do. No paid placement, no sponsored slots dressed as editorial, no hidden weighting. If sponsorship is ever introduced it will be labelled and will sit outside the ranking. The formula above is the whole formula.

Action RPG games by the numbers

The figures below describe all 272 entries on this page together, not the top pick. They are recomputed on every build, most recently on 18 October 2026, from 22,876,174 player reviews.

$24.99Median price31 free · $1.74 to $69.99
85%Median player sentiment1 pts above the catalogue average
62 ptsSpread, best to worst77 at 90% or better · 44 under 70%
2018Median release year67 from the last five years · oldest 1985
29Discounted right nowaveraging 64% off list
84Steam Deck Verified38 GB average install

What the pricing looks like

221 of the 272 carry a listed US price, with a median of $24.99 and a mean of $28.17. The mean sitting above the median tells you the field is pulled up by a few expensive outliers. The cheapest is Deus Ex: Invisible War at $1.74, the most expensive Metaphor: ReFantazio at $69.99. 31 are free to download. 47 carry in-game purchases on top of whatever they cost. Prices are read hourly from the US Steam storefront and move constantly.

How much this field agrees with itself

Player sentiment spans 62 points across these 272 entries. That is a wide band, which means the position of an entry here genuinely matters rather than splitting hairs. 152 carry a critic aggregate, averaging 80 out of 100. Players rate this field 4 points higher than critics on average, which is worth knowing before you weigh either number. See where the two diverge.

Who makes them, and what they overlap with

The studios appearing most often here are Bethesda Game Studios (10), Square Enix (10), BioWare (6), Gearbox Software (6) and Piranha Bytes (5). The genres these entries also sit in are action-rpg (272), rpg (258), open-world (161), action-adventure (68), soulslike (43) and jrpg (41), which is a fair map of what you are actually choosing between.

Which way attention is moving

We track Wikipedia pageviews over 28 days for 66 of these. 25 are gaining attention and 24 are losing it, with the rest flat. Attention is not quality, and we do not feed it into the ranking. The full monitor shows the movements across the catalogue.

The other 286 action rpg games

The 25 above are the top of the ranking. These 286 are the rest of the category: games that ranked below the cut, and games with too few reviews or no store listing to be ranked at all, which is normal for console and Nintendo exclusives.

Also catalogued

286 more action rpg games, not yet reviewed

None of these carry a review yet. The rest are catalogue records: title, year, studio and platforms, sourced from Wikidata. They are not indexed by search engines, because a record is not a review.

261 not shown

Common questions

What is the best action rpg game?

Black Myth: Wukong ranks first, with a GamingPickz Score of 9.0 out of 10 drawn from 1,209,348 player reviews. That is a statement about how it was received, not a claim that it is the one you personally will enjoy most.

How is this ranking calculated?

The GamingPickz Score is 52% player sentiment adjusted for sample size, 23% the critic aggregate published on the game store page, 20% popularity, from review volume and Wikipedia language editions, 5% popularity, from review volume and Wikipedia language editions. Player sentiment is pulled toward the catalogue average of 83.7% using a 400-review prior, so a game with a handful of reviews cannot outrank one with hundreds of thousands. Nothing on this page is paid for and no placement can be bought.

How many action rpg games are ranked here?

272 of them qualify. A game needs at least 50 player reviews to be scored, which excludes titles with too little evidence to place fairly.

Why is a game I love missing?

Three likely reasons. It has fewer than 50 player reviews, so it is excluded rather than ranked on noise. It has no Steam listing at all, which is normal for console and Nintendo exclusives. Or it is not in the catalogue yet.

Do you get paid for these placements?

No. Positions are computed from the formula above and nothing else. The site carries advertising, and advertisers can neither see nor influence this page. A position is not an endorsement, it is a measurement of reception.

How current is this?

Recomputed on every build from source data read on a stated date. This page was last rebuilt on 18 October 2026. Player review counts move daily, so positions in the middle of the list shift more than those at the top or bottom.

What is the best cheap action rpg game?

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the best cheap action rpg game, ranking 8.8 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 9 of the 25 action rpg games qualify.

What is the best co-op action rpg game?

Elden Ring is the best co-op action rpg game, ranking 9.0 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 7 of the 25 action rpg games qualify.

What is the best action rpg game for the Steam Deck?

Elden Ring is the best action rpg game for the Steam Deck, ranking 9.0 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 16 of the 25 action rpg games qualify.

What is the best action rpg game for a small hard drive?

Hades is the best action rpg game for a small hard drive, ranking 9.0 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 8 of the 25 action rpg games qualify.

What is the best accessible action rpg game?

Elden Ring is the best accessible action rpg game, ranking 9.0 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 9 of the 25 action rpg games qualify.

What is the best action rpg game to play with a controller?

Black Myth: Wukong is the best action rpg game to play with a controller, ranking 9.0 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 17 of the 25 action rpg games qualify.

What is the best action rpg game with the most reviews?

Black Myth: Wukong is the best action rpg game with the most reviews, ranking 9.0 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 22 of the 25 action rpg games qualify.

What is the best single-player offline action rpg game?

Black Myth: Wukong is the best single-player offline action rpg game, ranking 9.0 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 23 of the 25 action rpg games qualify.

What is the best cheap action rpg game for the Steam Deck?

Vampire Survivors is the best cheap action rpg game for the Steam Deck, ranking 8.8 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 3 of the 25 action rpg games qualify.

What is the best Steam Deck co-op action rpg game?

Elden Ring is the best Steam Deck co-op action rpg game, ranking 9.0 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 6 of the 25 action rpg games qualify.

What is the best highly rated cheap action rpg game?

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the best highly rated cheap action rpg game, ranking 8.8 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 7 of the 25 action rpg games qualify.

What is the best accessible single-player action rpg game?

Elden Ring is the best accessible single-player action rpg game, ranking 9.0 out of 10 on the GamingPickz Score. 9 of the 25 action rpg games qualify.

Reader comments

Comments are not switched on yet. When they are, they will be moderated before they appear: an unmoderated thread on a page carrying advertising is a policy problem as well as a reading problem.

Get the weekly rundown

One email a week: what moved in the rankings, what launched, and what dropped in price. No more than that, and unsubscribing takes one click.

We send the weekly email and nothing else. Your address is never sold, shared or used to build a profile, and it is not readable by anyone visiting this site. See our privacy policy.

Related

All ranked lists
Every action rpg games we trackThe 286 unranked ones, further down this pageCompare on any criteriaPrice, accessibility, hardware, audience and moreThe reach and reception mapSee the whole field at once