The best action role-playing games, according to hackers

14 action role-playing games recommended in Hacker News comments over the past year, ranked by how many separate people recommend each one.

All action role-playing games

Elden RingPraised for tight, guidance-free design and strong Linux performance, though critics find it dense, hard on bosses, and stuttery on PC.25recommend
Dark SoulsPraised for challenging but fair difficulty, a grounded world and gameplay-driven story; critics say the PC port has DRM save problems and a locked resolution.23recommend
Diablo II: ResurrectedPlayers recommend it as a classic action RPG with addictive gameplay, and the Resurrected remaster is easy to play on modern hardware.19recommend
Mass EffectRecommended for strong writing, memorable characters and an inventive sci-fi universe that many people still love revisiting.19recommend
Path of ExileFree-to-play action RPG praised for frequent free content updates and strategic depth. Most common caveat: heavy pressure to buy stash tabs in later game.15recommend
Diablo 4Recommended as a playable action RPG that runs well for many players. Critics say it is unstable with ray tracing and weaker than Diablo 2 and 3.10recommend
Dragon Age: InquisitionRecommended for its ambitious world and as one of BioWare's last well-received games; critics say it was a drop in quality and dumbed down, with a tacked-on multiplayer mode.10recommend
DiabloBlizzard's 1996 action role-playing game that people still recall fondly from childhood. Critics say it feels dated and has a linear story.8recommend
Deus Ex: Mankind DividedRecommended for atmosphere and a feel close to the original Deus Ex. Critics say the story ends abruptly and it sometimes won't run on Steam.8recommend
Mass Effect 3Liked as a strong BioWare game with a good story; critics say its ending was disappointing and tied to multiplayer grinding.8recommend
Mass Effect: AndromedaRecommended for its gunplay, exploration and classic Mass Effect feel, though critics agree the story and characters are weak.8recommend
Lies of PRecommended as a fantastic soulslike with a dark take on Pinocchio and a lot of heart; the most common caveat is a jarringly frustrating stage.7recommend
Dragon Age: The VeilguardFans praise its combat and progression and call it a favorite Dragon Age, but critics say it lost series depth and dialogue, and blame it for hurting BioWare.7recommend
Monster Hunter WildsRecommended for its distinctive take on the player's relationship with the world and fair-feeling difficulty; some critics point to a £40 price for its content and poor performance.6recommend