For over two decades, Diablo has led the action RPG pack with its dark fantasy, loot-based progression, and endlessly replayable gameplay. But what do you do when you’ve farmed your last Legendary in Diablo 4 or completed all the challenges in Diablo 2 Resurrected? You turn to these incredible games like Diablo that capture the same magic but with fresh experiences.
What Makes a Great Diablo-Style Game?
The greatest games similar to Diablo have a few key things in common that keep people playing for hundreds of hours. One is the fighting – that lovely combination of heavy blows and fluid movement that makes every battle feel satisfying. Then there’s the loot system, where every creature could drop that game-changing piece of gear. Character development is also crucial, with deep skill trees and build options that enable you to create really unique playstyles.
Perhaps above all, these games require atmosphere. Diablo’s gothic horror style set the bar, and the top competitors realize that a great dark fantasy world is what makes all the difference. Whether it’s Path of Exile’s eldritch horrors or Grim Dawn’s war-torn worlds, atmosphere is just as important as gameplay.
The Top Contenders for Diablo’s Crown
1. Path of Exile – The Spiritual Successor
When Blizzard deviated from Diablo 2’s hardcore roots, Grinding Gear Games filled the void. Path of Exile is not just one of the best games like Diablo – for far too many ARPG fans, it’s the default choice.
What sets Path of Exile apart is how mind-bogglingly deep it is. Its passive skill web contains over 1,300 nodes, generating build diversity that makes Diablo 4 the green-eyed monster. Its free-to-play model is incredibly fair, with cosmetic microtransactions and stash tabs as the recommended purchases.
Seasonal leagues introduce new mechanics that become integrated into the game in most instances. The more recent additions like the Sanctum challenge or the revamped Ruthless mode are testament to Grinding Gear’s commitment to ongoing rejuvenation. The endgame Atlas system is more open than any other ARPG before it, where players can design their mapping experience based on the playstyle they prefer.
2. Grim Dawn – The Single Player Masterpiece
For solo-playing adventurers, Grim Dawn is among the finest single-player ARPGs available. Crate Entertainment’s masterpiece beats the Titan Quest formula in every way, with a grimdark world packed to the gills with eldritch abominations and moral ambiguity.
The dual-class system allows you to have incredible build diversity – you want to be a necromancer with flamethrowers? You can. The devotion system adds another level of choice, where you invest points in celestial abilities that make your actions special in ways the class doesn’t.
What really separates Grim Dawn is its world design. Unlike the often-randomized maps in Diablo, Grim Dawn features hand-designed zones with environmental narrative to share. You’ll see entire villages wiped out by the Aetherial threat, or stumble across secret cultist hideouts that reward good exploration.
3. Last Epoch – The Rising Star
Eleventh Hour Games has done something really special with Last Epoch, and it manages to hit that fine balance of accessibility and depth just so. The time travel-based narrative is a pleasant spin on the ARPG formula, and the skill system is Diablo-level deep without being mind-numbingly complex.
Each ability has a progression tree, and you can quite significantly alter the functionality of abilities. A basic fireball spell can be developed into something that creates a wildfire that spreads or a salvo of explosive missiles. Crafting is also creative, as you’re able to mod your items with deterministic outcomes instead of relying solely on random drops.
The monolith endgame provides an endlessly replayable test, with branching timelines that yield unique modifiers and rewards. Updates have added good multiplayer support, placing Last Epoch firmly among the top ARPGs out there.
Niche Gems Worth Finding
Aside from the big hitters, there are a handful of smaller games that add some new twist to the Diablo formula:
Chronicon encapsulates the ARPG gaming experience within a charming pixel-art package that in some form somehow fits more build diversity into gameplay than most AAA titles. Its straightforward approach to loot and character progression is perfect for grabbing some quick gaming sessions.
Undecember brings Diablo to mobile without compromising complexity. The touchscreen controls are remarkably skilled, and cross-play capabilities let you transfer your progress back to PC when you get home.
Warhammer 40K: Inquisitor – Martyr transplants the formula into Games Workshop’s sci-fi universe. The cover system and destructible environments add tactical depth rarely seen in the genre, while the persistent online world makes your actions feel meaningful.
What the Future Holds
The ARPG genre is giving no signs of slowing. Titles such as Path of Exile 2 and Dune: Awakening on the horizon will push the genre in exciting new ways. In the meantime, older titles continue to expand – Diablo 4’s season system is finally finding its footing, and Last Epoch’s 1.0 launch has drawn hordes of new players.
Selecting Your Next Adventure
Your best Diablo-like game depends on what you’re most hungry for. If you’re craving limitless depth and competition, Path of Exile is unbeatable. If you prefer a more elegant single-player experience, Grim Dawn can’t be beaten. If you’re searching for something new, give Last Epoch a shot, or if you’re set on something specific, Warhammer or Chronicon could be your ticket.
What all these games share is that core Diablo magic – the excitement of seeing a legendary item drop from the heavens, the pride of being a master of your build, and the joy of dashing through hordes of monsters with expertly honed abilities. That core experience endures through hundreds of games, ensuring that ARPG fans will never run out of hells to win.
