by Vlad Mazanko
The Diablo series is easily among the most iconic and influential games, creating an entire action-RPG genre focused on character and gear progression. Ever since 2000, there’s been a constant stream of Diablo-like games with an instantly recognizable formula. Over two decades later, such games are still immensely popular, constantly drawing new players into the alluring feeling of dungeon clearing, mastering and experimenting with combat skills, and, naturally, hunting for the rarest loot drops.
The past few years have been especially fruitful for fans of isometric ARPGs, delivering massively popular games, including, of course, Diablo 4. But there’s more than that: Path of Exile 2 and Titan Quest 2 are already available in early access, Sacred 2 Remaster promises a nostalgia-fueled trip for fans of the series in just a few weeks, and beloved games like Last Epoch, Path of Exile, and Grim Dawn (with the upcoming Fangs of Asterkarn expansion) continue to receive content updates — not to mention an array of lesser-known isometric ARPGs.
As the genre evolves, developers strive to expand on the core formula, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, adding features, borrowing elements from other genres, and perfecting the signature gameloop with more classes, skills, and loot than ever before. The future also looks bright, as plenty of games like Diablo are gearing up for launch — and below are just some promising examples for scratching that very itch.
Crystalfall
Procedural Generation for Skill Trees Is Something Else
Crystalfall is a promising loot-driven isometric action-RPG set in a distinct steampunk world brimming with mutated creatures of all sorts. Aside from its unique setting, the game boasts colorful visuals, a classless character system with great potential for experimentation, and rich itemization.
Crystalfall uses procedural generation to randomize its maps and dungeons, offering endless replayability for fans of the genre while ticking all the necessary boxes. To spice up character progression, it extends procedural generation even to skill trees, while making skills lootable and of different rarities. With seasonal content and extensive endgame options already announced, this one shapes up nicely, promising dozens of hours of exciting playtime.
Gods, Death & Reapers
Experimental Take on the Genre
An intriguing take on the familiar genre, Gods, Death & Reapers aims to blend the classic Diablo-like formula with the extraction genre. Players can approach the game solo or in PvE co-op, ignoring its riskier features, but for the bravest, it delivers an intense PvPvE experience where teams gather epic loot and battle — risking losing it all.
Having already had a solid run at the genre with Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem, the team seems confident in tackling something fresh and potentially expanding its horizons with Gods, Death & Reapers. A neat bonus: the game’s visuals and overall vibe look fantastic.
Carbon
Blending Cyberpunk and Biopunk to Stand Out
- Release Date: To Be Announced
- Developer: Hardwired Studios
Carbon instantly stands out with its futuristic sci-fi aesthetic, still relatively rare in top-down ARPGs and somewhat reminiscent of the popular and gorgeous The Ascent. Blending cyberpunk and biopunk elements, the post-Earth world of Carbon is dark and dangerous, where body augmentations become necessary for survival and battling mutated creatures.
Carbon aims to fully leverage its unique setting and style, offering two types of gameplay largely based on augmentations that define character class — players can choose between Tech (a mix of Cyberware and Nanoware) or Bio (Geneware and Chemware). Progression is fueled by 18 unique core specializations with over 100 customizable skills and talents, so there’s plenty to choose from when building devastating combat setups. In addition to story mode, there’s four-player co-op, and the best part is — there’s already a demo available on Steam for those wanting to get a taste of what’s to come.
Necromage
It’s All About Minions
- Release Date: To Be Announced
- Developer: CrazyPepe Games
Being a Necromancer is a rather common choice in Diablo-like games, but for those who want to go all in, Necromage might be worth a look. As the name suggests, this ARPG is entirely dedicated to creating and playing as a powerful Necromancer with magical abilities, as players can raise the dead and summon various bone creatures to fight alongside them, as well as master various spells.
Necromage’s entire progression revolves around leveling up, customizing, and equipping not only the protagonist but also their minions, along with crafting enchanted spells to use. With robust itemization for each creature in a Necromancer’s party, players are free to unleash magical powers to defeat challenging bosses in this grim world.
Rekesh Gaal
Diablo Meets Dark Souls
- Release Date: Coming Soon
- Developer: Mystic Blade
Rekesh Gaal is all about that dark fantasy vibe, seemingly trying to deliver the classic and brutal Dark Souls feel in the top-down ARPG genre. A muted visual palette with all sorts of greys and blacks, a lone wanderer in a broken world with bleak towns, castles, ruins, and dungeons full of secrets — it all may sound too familiar, but what’s better than pure classics?
Aimed at hardcore fans of the genre, Rekesh Gaal offers complex character development based on hundreds of unique skills — there are over 210 different skills across 30 skill branches that players are free to combine as they see fit. Another unique feature is near-endless ways to improve and upgrade players’ favorite gear through deep and flexible crafting (over 500 crafting recipes), so you won’t be forced to constantly switch out your beloved armor or weapon. If Rekesh Gaal sounds like your cup of tea, check out the project’s demo that’s currently available on Steam.
Read the full article on GameRant
This article originally appeared on GameRant and is republished here with permission.
