Are you looking for a change from Diablo 4? MeinMMO presents 12 games like Diablo to help you recover from demon slaying.
Today, we present you a selection of interesting alternatives set in the action RPG genre, but which also offer different features compared to Diablo. We have chosen games in various settings and with different approaches, so you can choose from a broader selection.
What is the situation with Diablo 4? The latest Season 4 is receiving excellent feedback and gets high praise from players and experts alike. With the latest Season, Blizzard has completely revamped the game and revised the core features. You can find everything here in the overview:
The first expansion, Vessel of Hatred, is supposed to be released in 2024, bringing a new class, new skills, and a new area. We will probably get to explore the jungle regions of Kehjistan around the city of Kurast.
We have already spoken with the executives personally about the future of Diablo 4 at BlizzCon:
V Rising
Platforms: Steam, PS5 (pending) | Release: May 8, 2024 (Version 1.0) / June 11, 2024 (PS5) | Payment model: Buy2Play | Website: V Rising on Steam
What is V Rising? You play as a vampire who has been stripped of your power. To regain your strength and rebuild your own vampire castle, you hunt for blood and servants.
The focus of V Rising is a skill-based combat system developed by experts who already gained a lot of experience with Bloodline Champions. You fight with swords, guns, and magic, ride through the world on your horse, and look for loot.
What sets V Rising apart from the other games on the list is that it is fundamentally a survival game. You are always looking for resources (and blood for sustenance) to expand and craft new equipment.
- As a vampire, you are a creature of the night – meaning: the day is dangerous, which is unusual for the survival genre.
- V Rising has an excellent combat system, which differs slightly from Diablo and similar games, but is easy to learn and offers a lot of freedom.
- You can play either solo in your world, co-op with friends, or on official servers, but be careful: Here, PvP exists.
- V Rising covers several themes that are usually not explored much: Vampires with all their clichés, Frankenstein cyborgs as enemies, and even Dracula at the end of the story.
- There is almost no loot; you mostly craft your equipment and become more powerful by hunting down progressively tougher bosses to unlock new recipes.
Who is V Rising suitable for? If the focus for you is on the combat in action RPGs rather than the endless grind for loot, V Rising is the best alternative for you from this list. The gameplay mainly consists of crafting, building, and fighting.
As a survival game, V Rising is also something entirely different and a refreshing change. If you’re a hack’n’slay fan looking for an accessible entry into the survival genre, you should definitely check out V Rising. The reviews also speak for themselves:
Last Epoch
Platforms: Windows, Linux | Release: April 30, 2019 (Early Access) / February 21, 2024 (Version 1.0) | Payment model: Buy2Play | Website: Last Epoch on Steam
What is Last Epoch? The exciting thing about Last Epoch is that you travel through time in the game. Depending on which era you are currently in, you will encounter corresponding enemies such as dinosaurs or undead.
So you can expect a certain variety among the enemies.
The class system consists of 5 main classes and 15 master classes that define your playstyle even more precisely.
- 5 main classes: Mage, Sentinel, Primalist, Rogue, Acolyte
- 15 master classes: Rune Master, Spellblade, Sorcerer, Shaman, Beastmaster, Druid, Lich, Necromancer, Warlock, Blade Dancer, Sniper, Falconer, Anvil Guardian, Void Knight, Paladin
- Over 100 skill trees to customize your playstyles
- Randomized loot
- Leaderboards
- Free updates
- Optional hardcore mode
An interesting mechanic for the release season is the factions of Last Epoch that supply you with items:
Who is Last Epoch suitable for? Last Epoch is now fully released and is considered the best alternative to Diablo 4, without being as complex as Path of Exile. It is the ideal middle ground between casual and core.
The game includes a short campaign that takes about 5-10 hours, as well as a comprehensive endgame with 3 repeatable activities. Here you will probably spend the most time. If you are still looking for the right class, you can refer to our tier list:
Killsquad
Platforms: PC | Release: July 16, 2019 | Payment model: Buy2Play | Website: Killsquad on Steam
What is Killsquad? In Killsquad, you are part of a mercenary group that does the dirty work for corporations in the galaxy. You fight aliens to obtain better equipment and upgrade your heroes – but with a unique system that differs from a conventional level-up in other action RPGs.
Still, you can expect familiar fare like missions, battles against many enemies, the hunt for loot and resources, and an interesting story.
- You fight in action-packed hack’n’slay battles against many enemies
- Team play is important
- You level up your heroes only per mission and start again at level 1 for the next job
- Depending on which class you play, you have specific abilities. You cannot change these; you can only improve them during missions
- You unlock dozens of weapons
- Collect resources to upgrade your weapons
- The individual characters have interesting personalities, similar to Overwatch
- Together in a team, you defeat massive boss monsters
We have included the launch trailer for Killsquad here:
Who is Killsquad suitable for? If you want to try out a different character system and place a high value on teamwork in a hack’n’slay, then you’re in the right place with Killsquad.
Moreover, the game also differs from many genre representatives through the science fiction scenario. Killsquad is a fast-paced action RPG that does some things a little differently, making it rather interesting.
Path of Exile
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PS4, PS5 | Release: PC: October 23, 2013, Xbox One: August 24, 2017, PS4: March 26, 2019 | Payment model: Free2Play | Website: Path of Exile on Steam, on Microsoft Store and in the PS Store
What is Path of Exile? Path of Exile is considered the biggest competitor to Diablo. What Grinding Gear Games has created here rightly shakes the throne on which Blizzard’s action RPG sits. This game mainly caters to those who find Diablo too easy and not complex enough. The character system, through which each class can develop in almost endless ways, is unparalleled in the genre.
- The hunt for ever better items and the exciting battles are on par with Diablo
- The search for the next waypoint to teleport to the area is nerve-wracking
- In every region await new challenges and adventures that you can face either alone or in a group with friends
- PvP fans also get their money’s worth, as there are several modes and PvP seasons to choose from, where everyone tries to become the best player of the hack’n’slay
With the new Necropolis expansion, starting is particularly easy, here is the trailer:
Who is Path of Exile suitable for? Path of Exile impresses with its immense complexity and extensive possibilities for individualizing the hero with a wealth of skills and items. In addition, there is a very fair Free2Play system that does not drift into Pay2Win and a large community where you can always find fellow or even opposing players.
Plenty of quests, areas, and challenges also promise a very long gameplay experience. Path of Exile is definitely worth a look for those looking for a more complex game system as an alternative to Diablo.
The developers are already working on a sequel. The beta for it has been postponed: You can start playing only at the end of 2024, but this time it will be in release condition. In the video, we show you everything we currently know about the sequel:
Torchlight 1 and 2
Platforms: Torchlight 1: PC, Xbox 360; Torchlight 2: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Release: Torchlight 1: October 27, 2009; Torchlight 2: September 20, 2012 (PC), September 3, 2019 (PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch) | Payment model: Buy2Play | Website: Torchlight 1 on Steam, Torchlight 2 on Steam
What is Torchlight? The Torchlight series can most likely be described as a Diablo clone, which remains true to the gameplay principle. This has a reason, as Torchlight was developed by former Blizzard employees Max and Erich Schaefer. Both also worked on the hack and slash Diablo.
Accordingly, both Torchlight games play very similarly to Blizzard’s action RPG. As a melee fighter, ranged fighter, or magician, you explore a vast dungeon overrun by monsters in the first part.
- The further you progress, the more dangerous monsters confront you
- You can improve your hero based on attributes and skills, and you regularly find new items in the underground corridors
- While Torchlight 1 does not have a multiplayer mode, it is possible in part 2 for up to six heroes to face the challenges together
- Torchlight 2 offers a fourth class, the engineer, which is versatile. In addition to skills and attributes, it is possible to earn glory points, which unlock special abilities
- Torchlight 2 is significantly more extensive than the first part and impresses with very good gameplay flow, many items, exciting battles, and multiplayer mode. Thanks to the randomly generated levels, each game also plays out a bit differently
Here you can see gameplay from Torchlight 2:
Who is the Torchlight series suitable for? Torchlight 1 and 2 are interesting for those who love the Diablo principle but want to experience a new story in a new world. Also, if you like colorful comic graphics, Torchlight is definitely interesting for you.
Meanwhile, a third part of Torchlight has already been released. However, it is received much worse than its predecessors. Therefore, we recommend the first two parts.
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4 | Release: May 22, 2013 | Payment model: Buy2Play | Website: The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing on Steam
What are The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing? Van Helsing, the vampire hunter, has a lot on his plate in the hack’n’slay The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing. The story is loosely based on Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula but is set in a parallel world where supernatural beings terrorize the European population of the 19th century. The Final Cut
version of the game contains all three parts in a significantly revised form.
- The gameplay principle is very much oriented towards Diablo
- From an isometric view, you fight through hordes of monsters as Van Helsing and use your items and skills
- While there are only 20 skills, they can be modified in many ways, resulting in hundreds of combinations. This way, you can still individualize any of the six classes
- The classic click battles are enhanced by bonuses generated from a rage bar
- You accumulate rage over time to unleash special attacks
- In multiplayer mode, you find three other players and embark together co-op to defeat the enemies
Meanwhile, a second and a third part have been released.
Here is the trailer for the extended edition on the PlayStation:
Who is The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing suitable for? The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing is a nice pastime for everyone who loves fast-paced and effect-rich hack’n’slays and wants to experience a different scenario. The vampire setting is a nice change from the action RPGs usually overrun by demons and undead.
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