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All three entries in the series have sold over 24 million copies worldwide. The universe has been expanded through toys, novels, and comics. Pop singer Halsey announced the upcoming Diablo 4 and performed as the character Lillith at the 2022 Game Awards. The series has become a cultural phenomenon over the years. Still, fans of the genre can entertain themselves with some good alternatives while they wait.
Updated December 24, 2022 by Michael Llewellyn: With Diablo 4set to launch in June 2023, excitement for the latest entry in arguably one of the biggest RPG franchises ever is at an all-time high for fans. The moreish gameplay loop of combat, looting, and character customization bring fans back and playing for years to come. Early previews for Diablo 4 are already positive, with compliments geared toward the combat, visuals, and story. With a few months to go, this list is updated to include more games that will appeal to fans to hack-and-slash games and top-down action RPG fans.
13 Hades
Launched: 2020 Developer: SuperGiant Games Platform: macOS, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
As a roguelike RPG, Hades is quite different from the Diablo series. However, as one of the best hack-and-slash titles in years, fans will find a lot to enjoy in its unique spin on escaping the bowels of hell.
The comic book-like aesthetic and humor set it apart from Diablo, but the moreish gameplay loop and deep gameplay will keep fans busy until Diablo 4 hits the shelves. SuperGiant Games announced that the sequel Hades 2 would launch in Early Access in 2023.
12 The Golden Axe Series
Launched: 1989 Developer: Sega Platform: Arcade, Amiga, Atari ST, Amstrad, Commodore 64, Game, IBM, Gear, Genesis/Megadrive, Master System, PC, PC-Engine, PS3, PS4, Switch, Wii Virtual Console, Wonderswan, Xbox 360, Xbox Arcade, Xbox One, and ZX Spectrum.
Despite its age, the Golden Axe trilogy is timeless as a couch co-op classic, and the responsive timing-based gameplay adds a sense of accomplishment. The trilogy is readily available on the Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox online stores as part of the Sega Vintage Collection and Sega Megadrive/Genesis Classics.
11 Darksiders: Genesis
Launched: 2019 Developer: Airship Syndicate Platform: PC, PS4, Stadia, Switch, and Xbox One
A prequel and a spin-off to the Darksiders series, Darksiders: Genesis is a top-down hack-and-slash action RPG that puts players in the shoes of one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Strife. The gameplay is closer to Diablo than its predecessors. It features a two-player couch co-op via a split screen and is a blast with friends or family.
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Fans enjoyed a more personal story that focuses on Strife. They appreciated that the game gave players a meaningful look at the Darksiders universe and the events before the first title.
10 Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
Launched: 2019 Developer: Team Ninja Platform: Switch
Released in 2019 for the Nintendo Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is a sequel and a reboot for the isometric action RPG series. This entry is more of a soft reboot than a continuation of its predecessors, marking the beginning of a new story in a different universe.
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However, even though it is a standalone game taking inspiration from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the core gameplay mechanics remain intact. Ultimate Alliance 3 has faster combat and feels smoother than its predecessors. Fans have several Marvel superheroes to unlock with a deep skill tree to upgrade.
9 Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance Series
Launched: 2019 Developer: Snowblind Studios and Black Isle Studios Platform: Linux, macOS, PC, PS2, PS3, Ps4, PS5, Switch, Xbox, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance and its sequel launched n 2001 and 2004, respectively. The games are isometric action-RPG spin-offs for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox to Baldur’s Gate series that were only available on the PC at the time.
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Like its PC cousins, Dark Alliance is based in the ForgottenRealms Dungeons & Dragons universe, where players can choose a human archer, an elven sorceress, or a dwarven fighter. Dark Alliance 2 added new classes, the human barbarian, a drow monk, a moon-elf necromancer, a dwarven rogue, and a human cleric.
8 Shadows: Awakening
Launched: 2018 Developer: Games Farm Platform: PC, PS4, and Xbox One
Launched in 2018, Shadows: Awakening is an action RPG developed and published by Kalypso Media. Awakening is a hack-and-slash Diablo clone with just enough twists and gameplay mechanics to keep it unique.
Players must explore a parallel universe and switch between the Shadow Realm and the natural world to solve puzzles and discover more secrets and loot. Awakening offers a choice of three different characters with distinct storylines. The characters can absorb the souls of 14 characters and seamlessly switch between them while playing.
7 Sacred 2: Fallen Angel
Launched: 2009 Developer: Ascaran Platform: PC, PS3, and Xbox 360
Launched in 2008, Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is an isometric hack-and-slash action RPG. As well as offering similar mechanics to the Diablo series, Sacred 2 takes place in a massive and varied open world that spans 22 square miles.
Players can choose from seven classes the Seraphim, the undead Shadow Warrior, the high elf mage, the Dryad, the ranged warrior, a Temple Guardian, Inquisitor, and the Dragon Mage. There are two paths to follow, light and dark, depending on the choices made and hundreds of side quests.
6 The Incredible Adventures Of Van Helsing Series
Launched: 2013 Developer: NeoCore Games Platform: PC, PS4, and Xbox One
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing is an isometric action RPG based on the characters created in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The first title launched on the PC and Xbox One in 2015 and the PlayStation 4 in 2017.
Players take control of the titular Van Helsing, the son of Abraham Van Helsing, the vampire hunter and Dracula’s arch-nemesis. Van Helsing is a trilogy, but the second game has the best perks and offers an increased level cap and more distinct character classes.
5 Grim Dawn
Launched: 2016 Developer: Crate Entertainment Platform: PC and Xbox One
Grim Dawn was released for the PC in 2016 and developed by Crate Entertainment. The action RPG was successfully created through the use of Kickstarter funding. The game was built using Titan Quest’s PathEngine and used a Gothic-Victorian setting.
Grim Dawn offers players six classes, the Soldier, Demolitionist, Occultist, Nightblade, Arcanist, and Shaman. Players can customize their characters by creating a dual-class with lots of skills to play with. Fans of looting will also find a lot to love with Grim Dawn, as there is a ton to collect, use or sell.
4 Path Of Exile
Launched: 2013 Developer: Grinding Gear Games Platform: macOS, PC, PS4, and Xbox One
Path of Exile was first launched on the PC in 2013. It is an action RPG played from an isometric perspective with a free-to-play model. Contrary to many free-to-play games, Path of Exile has no pay-to-win mechanics, with all purchasable items being for cosmetic use only.
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There are six character classes in Path of Exilewith unique abilities to choose from the Ranger, the Marauder, the Dualist, the Templar, the Witch, and the Shadow. Path of Exile is packed with things to do, breaking the tradition of the money-grabbing free-to-play genre.
3 Vikings: Wolves Of Midgard
Launched: 2017 Developer: Games Farm Platform: Linux, macOS, PC, PS4, and Xbox One
Vikings: Wolves of Midgard was launched in 2017. It is Diablo-like with a Norse mythology setting that allows players to customize their characters with a deep set of options to play around with.
Wolves of Midgard can be played as a single-player game or experienced as a multiplayer online or local couch co-op. It’s not like the typical Diablo clone,butits campaign can be replayed, and the story varies depending on gender.
2 Torchlight 2
Launched: 2012 Developer: Runic Games Platform: Linux, OS X, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
Isometric action RPG Torchlight 2 was released on the PC in 2012 and on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2015. The Torchlight series was developed by former Diablo creators Max and Erich Schaefer.
With the Schaefers onboard, Torchlight II is as close to Diablo as a game can get. The sequel offered several improvements over its predecessor, including co-op multiplayer and better class options. There are four classes to choose from the Engineer, the Outlander, the Berserker, and the Embermage.
1 Titan Quest
Launched: 2006 Developer: Iron Lore Entertainment Platform: Android, iOS, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One
Originally released on the PC in 2006, Titan Quest was remastered and released on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch in 2017. It is a top-down action RPG similar to the Diablo series with a setting based on Greek, Egyptian, and Chinese mythology.
Titan Quest is a rewarding experience played alone as a single-player or in multiplayer co-op. Users can create and develop classes and skill sets to suit them. With a script written by Braveheart screenwriter Randall Wallace, Titan Quest has a story to rival the Diablo series.
Diablo 4 is set to launch in June 2023 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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