Summary
There was a time when the roleplaying genre never used to reach the same heights as pure action games in their combat systems. However,RPGscan offer unique takes on these systems that pure fighting or shooting gamescannot. More recently, the genre has incorporated combat systems that often find ways to integrate the need for number-crunching and a hybrid fighting system that is appealing to all gamers.
Japanese developers appear to be looking at Western action RPGs likeThe Witcher 3,with even theFinal Fantasyseries leaning toward the action genre. At the same time, Western RPGs are streamlining their once complicated leveling systems for something more straightforward like those seen in JRPGs. Whether fans want a superb action-based fighting system or something tactical and turn-based, this list has some of the best.
Updated July 23, 2025, by Michael Llewellyn:The varied nature of the RPG genre makes way for multiple combat styles. Whether it’s traditional turn-based or cinematic action there is something for every fan. This list has been updated to include two additional RPGs that offer very different perspectives on the action genre, yet remain equally compelling. Additionally, new tags, tag images, and information have been added.
Final Fantasy 16is one of the most cinematic entries in the long-running JRPG series. The combat is purely action-based and utilizes aDevil MayCry-style combat system that feels more in line with the hack-and-slash genre than an RPG. However, it creatively uses magic and summons associated with theFinal Fantasyseries and condenses them into one character as his story progresses.
The main downside ofFinal Fantasy 16is that the combat can become repetitive and dragged out, especially on higher difficulties. While theFinal Fantasyseries is renowned for long battles against boss fights, even the smaller fights against regular monsters inFF16can feel like they go on forever. Even so, the boss fights are among the best in the series with a cinematic scope of a monster movie likeGodzilla.
Next toFinal Fantasy, Dragon Questis the most well-established Japanese RPG series in the world. However, instead of reinventing the combat system with every new entry,Dragon Queststicks to the classic turn-based formula with a few modifications to make the experience more cinematic and appealing to modern audiences.
Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Ageis traditional but makes the system fun and accessible to modern gamers accustomed to the action genre. The characters can move within the battle space to recover and gain a strategic advantage. It’s a stunning game with a beautiful fighting system that opens up as the story progresses.
This entry bundlesYs 8: Lacrimosa of DanaandYs 9: Monstrum Noxbecause both titles feature similar combat. However, both RPGs feature some of the best and fastest real-time combat systems in RPGs. It is fast-paced, responsive, arcade-like, and accessible, especially on the PS5, running at a smooth 60 FPS.
Thelong-runningYsserieshas always made it easy for players to pick and play, but the challenge is there with the increased difficulties. Both titles are worth exploring for fans of the RPG genre.Ys 8has an intriguing and explorable island with a story that develops over time, andYs 9is slightly darker with more focus on character development.
Kingdom Come: Deliverancedidn’t win everyone over with its combat system, but with practice, it features a rewarding fighting system grounded in reality and brutally satisfying when mastered. It is apt for the struggling medieval RPG experience that the game wants to convey. The system remains inKingdom Come Deliverance 2and like its predecessor, requires practice and patience to master.
For those new to the series, its closest comparison is Ubisoft’s fighting gameFor Honorwith its directional attacks and blocking. The combat inKingdom Come: Deliverance 2is more refined, featuring smoother execution of ripostes, parries, and brutal finishers. Once players master their defensive skills and learn to dodge and counter effectively, they will find themselves seeking out fights with bandits instead of avoiding them.
Nier: Automatais a sequel toNier Replicant -the remasteredNier(2010) - it has some of the best real-time combat in a JRPG. It is developed by PlatinumGames and merges genres in exciting ways where the protagonist engages in swordplay, battles with giant mechs, top-down shooting, and platforming.
In addition to having slick combat,Nier: Automatahas an in-depth story that questions what it means to be human, morality, and much more. It hasmultiple endings, and the character development of 2B and 9S as androids with human emotions call upon questions raised in the iconBlade Runnermovies.
Team Ninja’sWo Long: Fallen Dynastyis an action RPG similar to theNiohandSekiro.Fans of the swordplay focus on deflections and counters inSekirowill love the combat inWo Long.It is a faster and more fluid RPG than most Souls-likes and will challenge the most seasoned veterans of the genre.
The firstboss battle against the Generalwill test the patience of most players, but it allowsWo Longplayers to become accustomed to the fighting system. The fights become more challenging, but it’s rewarding when players get skilled enough to defeat multiple enemies and bosses with deflections and counters.
Elden Ringis the latest game coming out of FromSoft’s Soulsborne franchise. It is arguably the best and most ambitious game the studio has created and features a ton of playstyles to choose from. The combat is an evolution of everything the studio has worked on, with onlySekirohaving better-dedicated swordplay mechanics.
The tough but fair philosophy is present in every fight, forcing players to learn the patterns and animations of enemies. There is a fun PVP, but it can feel unbalanced in favor of magic users. Ultimately,Elden Ringis at its best when playing the single-player mode because the scope and scale offer so much flexibility in the fighting systems.
TheTalesseries has always stood out because of its character development and combat systems.Tales of Ariseis no exceptionand has one of the best and most visually impressive combat systems.Tales of Arisehas the most cinematic combat system in the series, making players feel like they are in the middle of an anime fight scene.
The combat is challenging but easy to pick and learn with team abilities and characters that feel different and unique in battle. There are lots of monsters and engaging enemies to fight, and each fight feels rewarding in its own right.
2021 was a vintage year for Bandai Namco, with two big hits from the studio. The first isTales of Arise,and the most recent isScarlet Nexus.Scarlet Nexus wasa brand-new IP for the studio that uses the best elements fromTalesand the action genre.
A team of veteran developers who worked on severalTalesgames,Code Vein, and theGod Eaterseries developedScarlet Nexus. The combat system inScarlet Nexusis one of the best in recent times. It plays and feels like aDevil May Crygame while implementing telekinetic powers to use environmental objects like broken-down cars to smash enemies.
Released in December 2020, the long-awaitedCyberpunk 2077hada troubled launch, with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions plagued with bugs and glitches. It was clear the work went into the PC versions of the game. After several patches and a launch on the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S,Cyberpunk 2077is a more polished and enjoyable experience.
The combat system is flexible and adjusts to the style of the player. Whether attacking enemies with stealth, using brute force, melee, hacking, and more,Cyberpunk 2077allows players to be as creative and as violent as they want.
