Action RPGs and Hack and Slash: From Diablo to Monster Hunter
What action RPGs and hack and slash games really are, where they came from, their subgenres, landmark titles, and key design points.
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#action RPG
8 articles
Dark Souls Series: FromSoftware's Trilogy That Created Soulslikes
The Dark Souls series: its origins, bonfire and soul-recovery gameplay, why it's a classic, its impact on the Soulslike genre, and how to play today.
The Diablo Series: The Blueprint for Hack-and-Slash Action RPGs
From the 1997 original to Diablo IV: the origins of Blizzard's Diablo series, how it plays, why it's a classic, and how to play the series today.
Dungeon & Fighter — Arcade Beat 'em Up Action Turned Online RPG
The origins of Neople's 2005 Dungeon & Fighter, its command-input and combo gameplay, why it's a classic, its success in China, and its impact on mobile.
Elden Ring: FromSoftware's Epic That Opened Dark Souls to the World
Elden Ring's origins, open world and combat, why it's a classic, expansions like Shadow of the Erdtree and Nightreign, and how to play it today.
Genshin Impact: miHoYo's Hit That Redefined Mobile Open Worlds
Genshin Impact's origins, elemental reactions and party-swap combat, free-to-play gacha, why it's acclaimed and criticized, and how to play it today.
RPG Types Explained: JRPG, ARPG, MMORPG, Gacha, Idle, Soulslike
What kinds of RPGs are there? JRPG, WRPG, action, MMORPG, gacha, idle, tactics, soulslike, roguelike, and survivors-like compared, plus how to choose.
What Is a Soulslike? From Demon's Souls to Elden Ring
High difficulty, learning through death, bonfire checkpoints, wordless storytelling. The Soulslike genre's definition, origins, key games, and design.