Summary
- RPGs offer unique combat systems that combine strategy, timing, and skill appealing to all gamers.
- From turn-based classics like Dragon Quest to real-time favorites like Ys, RPGs continue to innovate.
- Games like Elden Ring evolve combat systems, offering diverse playstyles in challenging and rewarding experiences.
There was a time when the roleplaying genre never used to reach the same heights as pure action games in their combat systems. However, RPGs can offer unique takes on these systems that pure fighting or shooting games cannot. 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.
The Best Tales Of Games, Ranked
As a staple of the JRPG scene, the "Tales of" franchise has produced plenty of great games, but which entries rank the highest overall?
Japanese developers appear to be looking at Western action RPGs like The Witcher 3, with even the Final Fantasy series 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 February 10, 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.
28 Final Fantasy 16
Epic And Cinematic Combat
Final Fantasy 16
- Released
- June 22, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Final Fantasy 16 is one of the most cinematic entries in the long-running JRPG series. The combat is purely action-based and utilizes a Devil May Cry- 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 the Final Fantasy series and condenses them into one character as his story progresses.
The main downside of Final Fantasy 16 is that the combat can become repetitive and dragged out, especially on higher difficulties. While the Final Fantasy series is renowned for long battles against boss fights, even the smaller fights against regular monsters in FF16 can 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 like Godzilla.
27 Dragon Quest 11: Echoes Of An Elusive Age
A Classic Turn-Based System Modernized For New Players
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
- Released
- September 4, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Next to Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest is the most well-established Japanese RPG series in the world. However, instead of reinventing the combat system with every new entry, Dragon Quest sticks 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 Age is 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.
26 Ys 8 & Ys 9
A Combat System That Stands The Test Of Time Across Several Generations
Ys 8: Lacrimosa Of DANA
- Released
- September 12, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Nihon Falcom
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PS Vita, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
This entry bundles Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana and Ys 9: Monstrum Nox because 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.
The long-running Ys series has 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 8 has an intriguing and explorable island with a story that develops over time, and Ys 9 is slightly darker with more focus on character development.
25 Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
Realistic And Rewarding Combat
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Released
- February 4, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Warhorse Studios
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action-Adventure, Open-World
Kingdom Come: Deliverance didn'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 in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 and like its predecessor, requires practice and patience to master.
For those new to the series, its closest comparison is Ubisoft's fighting game For Honor with its directional attacks and blocking. The combat in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is 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.
24 Nier: Automata
A Brilliant Combat System That Merges Multiple Genres
NieR: Automata
- Released
- March 7, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Platinum Games
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Nier: Automata is a sequel to Nier Replicant - the remastered Nier (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: Automata has an in-depth story that questions what it means to be human, morality, and much more. It has multiple endings, and the character development of 2B and 9S as androids with human emotions call upon questions raised in the icon Blade Runner movies.
23 Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
A Stunningly Fast Fighting System Where Timing And Speed Is Paramount
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
- Released
- March 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Team Ninja
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Team Ninja's Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is an action RPG similar to the Nioh and Sekiro. Fans of the swordplay focus on deflections and counters in Sekiro will love the combat in Wo Long. It is a faster and more fluid RPG than most Souls-likes and will challenge the most seasoned veterans of the genre.
The first boss battle against the General will test the patience of most players, but it allows Wo Long players 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.
22 Elden Ring
An Epic Evolution Of The Souls Series Combat System
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
Elden Ring is 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 only Sekiro having better-dedicated swordplay mechanics.
Elden Ring: The 29 Best Incantations, Ranked
Incantations are a powerful form of magic in Elden Ring. Players should nab these special abilities whenever they get the chance.
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 Ring is at its best when playing the single-player mode because the scope and scale offer so much flexibility in the fighting systems.
21 Tales Of Arise
A Stunning Combat System With Special Team-Based Attacks
Tales of Arise
- Released
- September 10, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bandai Namco Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
The Tales series has always stood out because of its character development and combat systems. Tales of Arise is no exception and has one of the best and most visually impressive combat systems. Tales of Arise has 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.
20 Scarlet Nexus
A Stunning Title With The Speed Of Devil May Cry And The Depth Of A Classic JRPG
Scarlet Nexus
- Released
- June 25, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
2021 was a vintage year for Bandai Namco, with two big hits from the studio. The first is Tales of Arise, and the most recent is Scarlet Nexu s. Scarlet Nexus was a brand-new IP for the studio that uses the best elements from Tales and the action genre.
A team of veteran developers who worked on several Tales games, Code Vein, and the God Eater series developed Scarlet Nexus. The combat system in Scarlet Nexus is one of the best in recent times. It plays and feels like a Devil May Cry game while implementing telekinetic powers to use environmental objects like broken-down cars to smash enemies.
19 Cyberpunk 2077
Gives Players The Creative Freedom To Be As Violent As They Want
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
Released in December 2020, the long-awaited Cyberpunk 2077 had a 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 2077 is 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 2077 allows players to be as creative and as violent as they want.