12 Hardcore games like Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen that you should try

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We filtered the 50 games similar to Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen down to the 12 that fit the “Hardcore” category. NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139..., Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty and NieR:Automata™ top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen.

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GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction JRPG

The best hardcore games like Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen

12 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen. Each one has been evaluated across 18 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...

iRank85

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction JRPG

SoloMeleeMagicNarrativeHardcoreDarkOpen WorldFantasyExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 88%· 28KIGDB82· 12OC83· 135

Year 2021Dev Toylogic · Square EnixOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Same family of action JRPGs: deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and action RPG combat

≠ Stands apart with shooter, setting scifi and post-apocalyptic world, while skipping historical setting

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#2Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

iRank66

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction JRPG

SoloMultiplayerMeleeHardcoreDarkNarrativeFantasyHistoricalSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 50%· 29KIGDB84· 6OC81· 153

Year 2023Dev Team NINJA · Koei Tecmo GamesOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Fits the action JRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: fighting mechanics and co op, while skipping open world exploration

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction JRPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeHardcoreDarkOpen WorldFantasyExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 87%· 151KRAWG👍 86%· 2.2KMC86IGDB86· 24OC89· 157

Year 2017Dev Platinum Games · Square EnixPlaytime ~13hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the action JRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and action RPG combat

≠ Its own twist: ranged combat, setting scifi and post-apocalyptic world, while skipping combat magic

Details →

Steam Xbox

#4Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin

iRank78

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction JRPG

SoloMultiplayerMeleeDarkNarrativeHardcoreFantasyThird Person

Steam👍 84%· 4.4KIGDB72· 8OC72· 132

Year 2022Dev Team NINJA · Square EnixOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Both are action JRPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: co op, PvP competition and online features, while skipping open world exploration

Details →

Steam Epic PS

#5Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

iRank91

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based JRPG

SoloMeleeMagicNarrativeHardcoreDarkFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 95%· 266KRAWG👍 87%· 438IGDB87· 5OC92· 204

Year 2025Dev Sundial Interactive · Kepler InteractivePlaytime ~26hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ If you enjoyed Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen, expect deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings turn-based strategy, combat tactical and post-apocalyptic world, while skipping open world exploration

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

#6Monster Hunter: World

iRank86

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction JRPG

MultiplayerSoloMeleeHardcoreNarrativeOpen WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 89%· 508KRAWG👍 75%· 1.6KMC89OC90· 189

Year 2018Dev CapcomPlaytime ~15hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the action JRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: co op, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction JRPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeHardcoreSci-Fi

Steam👍 93%· 18KIGDB81· 8OC84· 71

Year 2018Dev Radical Fish Games · WhisperGamesOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of action JRPGs: deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and action RPG combat

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, shooter and setting scifi, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction JRPG

SoloMultiplayerMeleeHardcoreDarkFantasySkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 83%· 61KIGDB73· 11OC75· 119

Year 2019Dev Shift · Bandai Namco EntertainmentOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Fits the action JRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and action RPG combat

≠ Where it differs: brings setting anime, post-apocalyptic world and horror setting, while skipping strong narrative focus

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#9Ys: The Oath in Felghana

iRank85

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction JRPG

SoloMeleeMagicHardcoreFantasyExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 94%· 2.1KRAWG👍 83%· 57MC73IGDB83· 2

Year 2005Dev XSEED GamesPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS

✓ Fits the action JRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with setting anime, loot and gear systems and visual topdown, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Details →

Steam GOG PS

#10Ys Origin

iRank83

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction JRPG

SoloMeleeHardcoreFantasyExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 93%· 3.6KRAWG👍 77%· 94MC76IGDB80· 10OC81· 64

Year 2006Dev DotEmu · XSEED GamesPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the action JRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: precision platforming, setting anime and loot and gear systems, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreAction JRPG

SoloMeleeHardcoreFantasyExploration

Steam👍 85%· 879

Year 2012Dev Lizsoft · Carpe FulgurPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Both are action JRPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming, Metroidvania exploration and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

GenreRPGSubgenreJRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based JRPG

SoloMeleeHardcoreOpen WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 81%· 18KIGDB81· 10OC79· 145

Year 2021Dev Bandai Namco Studios · Bandai Namco EntertainmentOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ If you enjoyed Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen, expect deep RPG systems, JRPG narrative and systems and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings fighting mechanics, turn-based strategy and setting anime, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

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