let me clarify, since "action RPG" is an inherently vague term. I don't mean a game similar to diablo or the like, closer to kingdom hearts, with it's third person camera and focus on simple combos as opposed to holding right click. now, what's an easy piece of content to make regarding aRPGs for someone who runs a blog? that's right, a top five. it would be a top ten, except the kind of action rpg I'm looking over is a niche genre, and as such is a little scarce. with the intro out of the way, let's get into the meat of the matter: the list!
#5: Fortune Summoners
Fortune summoners is a side-scrolling action RPG translated and released to western markets by carpe fulgur and developed by one-man-army lizsoft. being a fan of their previous works, I can understand if some of you say, "why this, but not recettear?!" to which I have but one answer: the combat. whereas recettear was more casual in it's approach to fighting, (as was chantelise, to a degree. the only "combos" were mashing attack) Fortune Summoners is closer in it's approach to a 2D dark souls.
while the tone of the two may be drastically different, the goal is the same, and that goal is to engage players through difficult enemies and skilled, rewarding combat. FT features a complex combo system, directional input attacks, blocking, and a wide variety of skills to be learned. it's depths are truly astounding. the only reason it's so low on this list is because of a semi-awkward control scheme and a lack of strong presentation.
#4: Dust: An Elysian Tail
While not very similar in tone or content to FT, Dust: An Elysian Tail has very similar origins, what with it being a side scrolling action RPG developed by (mostly) one person. the mad genius who pulled this feat together was none other than Dean Dodrill.
While Dust is not as complex a game as FT, nor is it as hard, what places it higher is the impeccable presentation. where most independently developed games lack voice acting all together, Dust has some of the best I've heard in a long time. The art is gorgeous, with the stylized animal characters blending perfectly with the detailed, luscious backgrounds. The story is not shabby either, even if it falls on some familiar tropes such as amnesia.
Don't let what I said when comparing it to FT fool you, though. the game's combat system is highly engaging, with visual effects and sounds that give every attack and special a satisfying punch, not to mention the fast pace at which it moves. many of your specials will send you flying across the screen or help you traverse obstacles, adding to variety of both the game overall and the combat engine, and unlike FT, the game controls beautifully.
#3: Ys The Oath In Felghana
After Ys Ark of Naphistim, I'm pretty sure no one thought developer nihon falcom would top that, and then they did. Ys Oath is a remake of Ys III using naphistim's engine, giving the excellent story and design an amazing combat and graphical upgrade. While I will admit that Ys is lacking in complexity, insofar as there's really only one combo, and all your "specials" are a single button press, it more than makes up for this in pacing, puzzle design, and difficulty.
Ys Oath might be one of the hardest games I've ever played. When I first started playing, the first boss alone gave me serious trouble, nearly ending with me bashing my head into my desk, but I perserved, learning the attack patterns and appropriate dodging maneuvers, then memorizing them to a tee. at the end, the feeling I was met with was intense satisfaction, which is definitely the feeling you should get from any harder game.
What more than helps with the difficulty curve is the pacing of the game's fights, adol's swift sword strikes are meant to tear an enemy apart in seconds, and the enemies are designed in due kind. the later bosses require some bullet-hell level reaction skills, one boss even going as far as using actual bullet hell tactics!
All of this adds up to an immensely satiating experience that is never, under any circumstances, boring or dull.
#2: Dark Souls
Oh Dark Souls, what can I say about you that the internet hasn't already said? a fantasy aRPG with a focus on slow, tactical combat, Dark souls was developed by from software with the hardcore in mind.
While the game is nowhere near as fast as Ys, it is certainly as hard, replacing high octane action with making every hit count. Even the most basic of enemies can give you a run for your money if you don't have the right equipment. Add to this an intriguing meta-online system, an amazing story told almost solely through item descriptions and the environment, and visual cues telling you not only about the world, but about the traps to come ahead, and you have one hell of a game.
"What could possibly top Dark Souls?" you might be asking. the answer is right here:
#1: Kingdom Hearts 2
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The first Kingdom Hearts will always have a place in my heart, as it was one of the first games I remember playing. in that case, why did I pick KH2? the answer there is actually pretty simple: it's a better game. Everything KH1 did, 2 did leagues better. The combat added variety with the drive forms, and the special command prompt attacks. The Gummi ship went from a boring, simple distraction to actually having depth. They even made the magic system more viable for an action setting, by having your MP recharge after you use it all, saving you from having to carry a million ethers.
Not to mention the worlds. KH2's story might be more confusing overall (thanks to 358/2 days and chain of memories) the individual worlds were improved tenfold, with the exception of the pirates one. Everything, even sora's outfit, was made more aesthetically pleasing, yet it still managed to visually fit together. Even the finale was more grand. In the first game, you take down a baddy who has not been well developed, with generic intentions of turning everything dark. While the final boss here may be smaller in size, his goals are clear cut, and the fight that ensues actually manages to be more engaging than giant-ship-ansem. at least half of the fight is mashing triangle, and despite that, it still manages to be a fantastic fight all around. This game's at the top of this list because it took one of my favorite games and made it even better, and really, that's all I could ever want.
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