9 best games to play like Diablo 4 right now in 2023: Path of Exile, Warframe & more

9 best games to play like Diablo 4 right now in 2023: Path of Exile, Warframe & more
Image via Blizzard

Written by 

Joshua Boyles

Posted 

7th Aug 2023 17:33

Contents

Diablo 4 has been out for several months now, which might have some players wondering whether there are any other games like it that they can play in 2023. While Blizzard’s latest instalment of the Diablo series is quite unique in its ARPG offering, there are a few other games out there that can offer a similar experience.

From slower-paced, top-down RPG titles to more action-based alternatives, we have you covered. Keep on reading to learn more about our list of the best games to play like Diablo 4 right now in 2023.

What are the best games like Diablo 4?

9 - Pathfinder: Kingmaker

A gameplay screenshot from Pathfinder: Kingmaker
Click to enlarge
Image via Owlcat Games

Pathfinder: Kingmaker details:

  • Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation
  • Publisher: Owlcat Games
  • Developer: Prime Matter

If you’re looking for a game like Diablo that’s made by isometric ARPG fans, for isometric ARPG fans, then look no further than Pathfinder: Kingmaker. Set in the Stolen Lands, this is a debut game from the studio at Owlcat Games.

Featuring a thrilling combat experience, complete with a party system, plenty of weapons and armour to collect, and a massive world to explore, this should tickle that same high fantasy itch that Diablo 4 does.

What’s more, Pathfinder: Kingmaker has developers with some serious pedigree behind the wheel of the narrative, including those who previously worked on titles such as Fallout 2 and Dying Light 2. Those are both highly regarded as some of the best RPGs around, so if you’re a fan of those, you’re likely to be a fan of Pathfinder: Kingmaker too.

8 - Grim Dawn

A gameplay screenshot from Grim Dawn
Click to enlarge
Image via Crate Entertainment

Grim Dawn details:

  • Platforms: PC, Xbox
  • Publisher: Crate Entertainment
  • Developer: Crate Entertainment

Grim Dawn puts a post-apocalyptic twist on the tried and tested ARPG genre, bringing an exciting new world to the table. In this universe, iron is valued more than gold, and players must fight for what remains in this wasteland.

A particularly unique aspect of Grim Dawn is its class system, which lets players combine two of the six available to them at the start of the game. Choosing from either a Soldier, Demolitionist, Occultist, Nightblade, Arcanist or Shaman archetype, players can build up a character that feels truly unique to their play style.

What’s more, this title has up to four-player co-op functionality, so you can blast through the story and collect an abundance of loot with your pals. If you’re looking for a game like Diablo that'll be a new time-sink for you and your raiding party, Grim Dawn makes for a solid option.

7 - Baldur’s Gate 3

A party in Baldur's Gate 3 overlooking a cliff edge
Click to enlarge
Images via Larian Studios

Grim Dawn details:

  • Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5
  • Publisher: Larian Studios
  • Developer:Larian Studios

If you’re looking for a game like Diablo 4 that’s a little slower in pace, then you can’t go wrong with Baldur’s Gate 3. Perhaps the newest title on this list by a country mile, Baldur’s Gate 3 takes the tried and tested Dungeons & Dragons ruleset and turns it into a full-fledged, 3D RPG.

Fair warning, this game doesn’t have much in the way of action-based combat. Instead of running around feels while mashing buttons and waiting for abilities to cool down, you’ll have to think through combat scenarios much more tactically.

However, while the characters and story can very much take a backseat in Diablo 4 should you want them to, Baldur’s Gate 3 thrives on its characters and narrative design. It’s up to you where the story goes, with characters' fates often hanging on a knife edge, your next dialogue option influencing what happens next.

It’s a change of pace, but if you love Diablo 4, then you’ll likely enjoy a game like Baldur’s Gate 3, too.

6 - Warframe

A promotional image of a Teno in Warframe, one of the best games like Diablo
Click to enlarge
Image via Digital Extremes

Warframe details:

  • Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
  • Publisher: Digital Extremes
  • Developer: Digital Extremes

Warframe has been around for years now, but don’t let that put you off trying this free-to-play masterpiece. While this title forgoes the top-down isometric viewpoint, the game shares more DNA with Diablo 4 than you’d imagine. For starters, the dopamine-inducing looter aspect is second-to-none here, with the gameplay loop constantly offering up new shiny things to distract you with.

What’s more, there is far from a shortage of content for players to get stuck into after several years of live service support. With countless story arcs to complete and constant live events to take part in, it’s physically impossible to become bored while playing Warframe. If you’re looking for a sci-fi variant of Diablo 4 to play, this is the one to go for.

5 - Hades

A gameplay screenshot of Hades
Click to enlarge
Image via Supergiant Games

Hades details:

  • Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
  • Publisher: Supergiant Games
  • Developer: Supergiant Games

Diablo 4 has players dabbling with the gods of hell - but what if you wanted to escape the depths of hell itself? That’s exactly what you’re tasked with in Hades, this delightful rogue-like game from Supergiant Games.

You play as Zagreus, the son of Hades. He’s sick of living his life in the depths of Hell, and so the story and gameplay loop sees him progress through a series of chambers as he fights demons on his journey to the surface.

Much like Diablo 4, it retains a top-down, isometric perspective. There are fewer RPG elements like classes to consider, but you can choose your weapon and different upgrades to use while on each of your runs. Hades is one of the more forgiving roguelikes, too. You don’t lose everything when you die, meaning it’s quite satisfying to keep picking away at a playthrough as Zagreus becomes more powerful.

Better yet, Hades is one of the few games on this list that is available on Nintendo Switch. So, if you’re looking for a Diablo-like replacement that allows you to game on the go, Hades might be the one to pick.

  • Looking for something a bit more scary? Check out these best horror games you can play right now

4 - Diablo 3

Characters from Diablo 3 on a bridge
Click to enlarge
Image via Blizzard

Hades details:

  • Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
  • Publisher: Activision Blizzard
  • Developer: Blizzard

This is cheating slightly, but Diablo 3 remains just as viable a game to play in 2023 as Diablo 4. Of course, Diablo 4 is a sequel to its predecessor. However, the servers for Diablo 3 are still completely functional, with a whole world to explore right at the player’s fingertips.

Diablo 3 still holds up, too. It features a much less realistic graphical style, which while isn’t to everyone’s taste, remains remarkably attractive to look at while playing - even in 2023. The gameplay loop is essentially the same, too. There are just as many enemy types to defeat here, as well as bountiful amounts of skills to unlock for your character.

What’s more, a huge chunk of the Diablo 3 first act is available to play for free. So, if you’re on the fence about whether Diablo 4 is a game for you, or want to experience similar gameplay for less money, you can’t go wrong with Diablo 3.

3 - Torchlight 3

A gameplay screenshot of Torchlight 3, one of the best games like Diablo
Click to enlarge
Image via Echtra Inc

Torchlight 3 details:

  • Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
  • Publisher: Gearbox Publishing
  • Developer: Echtra Inc.

Next up is Torchlight 3, a title that shares a considerable amount of DNA with Diablo 4. Another isometric ARPG, this delightful title has players exploring the world of Novastraia, fighting off enemy monsters while in search of epic loot.

There are four classes to choose from here, as well as five additional subclasses. This means you can customise your build into something that suits your personality and playstyle. Oh, and there’s also a base-building side objective that sees you truly leave a mark on this world. After all, you need somewhere to display all that delicious loot, right?

Torchlight 3 was released in 2020, so it’s still a little on the expensive side. If you’d like to save a little, you can also opt for Torchlight 2, which has very similar gameplay mechanics and still holds up just fine.

  • Final Fantasy shares more in common with Diablo than you'd think. Check out the best Final Fantasy games here, all ranked in order from best to worst

2 - The Witcher 3

A gameplay screenshot of The Witcher 3 with Geralt on his horse in Skellige
Click to enlarge
Image via CDProjekt RED

The Witcher 3 details:

  • Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
  • Publisher: CDProjekt RED
  • Developer: CDProjekt RED

Ah, The Witcher 3 - what a game. Arguably the best RPG of the last generation, The Witcher 3 rounds off Geralt’s saga in a monumental fashion. Complete with robust RPG mechanics, a stunning world, and one of the most engrossing fantasy stories you’ll ever experience, there’s very little to dislike about CDProjekt RED’s magnum opus.

While it may not be the first game that comes to mind when you think of an alternative to Diablo 4, these games actually have quite a lot in common. Mostly, the similarities are to do with tone. While previous Diablo games have focused on the evil caused by the spawn of Hell, Diablo 4 seems to focus much more on the scourge of humanity. The Witcher 3 also shares this, with the story regularly pointing out that humans can be just as dastardly as the monsters that hunt them.

What’s more, while the monsters you fight in The Witcher 3 aren’t explicitly from the depths of Hell, they did appear in the world in a similar fashion. During an event known as the Conjunction of the Spheres, monsters came through into the world of the Witcher from multiple different universes. With a cosmic element to the lore of The Witcher, there’s plenty to keep you intrigued while you wait for Diablo 4 to release.

What is the best game like Diablo 4?

1 - Path of Exile

A gameplay screenshot of Path of Exile
Click to enlarge
Image via Grinding Gear Games

Path of Exile details:

  • Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation
  • Publisher: Grinding Gear Games
  • Developer: Grinding Gear Games

We can’t talk about the best games like Diablo 4 without mentioning Path of Exile. In fact, we’d go as far as to say that it’s easily the best alternative to Diablo 4 out there right now.

Path of Exile wears its inspirations on its sleeve, clearly taking inspiration from Diablo games of the past. With isometric ARPG gameplay, you’ll build up a character completely from scratch using one of many customisable classes. Path of Exile features one of the most robust and extensive skill upgrade systems of any game in this genre, with the skill tree extending for what seems like miles.

Even better, Path of Exile is completely free to play and has been since it launched in 2013. With almost a decade of content to catch up on, there’s a ridiculous amount of story, dungeons, and loot to be experienced in this mammoth title. Better yet, it’s still being updated today. So, if you’re looking for a much cheaper alternative to Diablo 4, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option than Path of Exile.

That’s it for our list of best games to play like Diablo 4 right now in 2023. For more, head over to our Diablo 4 homepage, or check out our Diablo 4 Nightmare Dungeon tier list.

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