There have been a plethora of gripping RPGs and heart-pumping shooters over the decades. Various studios have explored the concept of overlapping these two rewarding genres by sprinkling light RPG elements into shooting games and vice-versa.
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Yet, the true RPG-shooter hybrid has just fairly recently begun to be fully explored. Franchises like Fallout really helped popularize this style. They added scale and intricate progression while keeping the run-and-gun gameplay accessible and appealing. This list will draw from a small but growing pool of RPG shooters and highlight some of the all-time best.
Updated May 11, 2025, by Mohamed El Ouardighi: The list has been update with a range of new shooter RPGs, because let’s face it, there’s always room for more explosive action and deep customization.
28
Outriders
Outriders
- Released
-
April 1, 2021
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes
- Engine
-
Unreal Engine 4
Outriders could be described as a Mass Effect-esque RPG with a dash of Everquest. Crafted by Warsaw-based studio People Can Fly — of Bulletstorm and Gears of War: Judgment fame — Outriders shines as an alluring, frenzied ARPG. The online focus adds to the impressive onslaught of fun action, while the backdrop brings a cool blend of fantasy and sci-fi.
Fighters can assume the role of a time-bending Trickster, a powerful Devastator, a gadget-whiz Technomancer, or a fiery Pyromancer. As one might expect from a shooter, an arsenal of potent weapons take center stage, making for a truly chaotic showdown as you fend off humanoids and creatures alike.
27
Far Cry New Dawn
Far Cry New Dawn
- Released
-
February 15, 2019
- ESRB
-
M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Mild Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
-
Ubisoft, Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Kyiv
- Engine
-
Dunia 2
While it may be a stretch to call this a true role-playing game, New Dawn takes the Far Cry series in an appealing RPG direction. Set after the events of Far Cry 5, it explores a post-apocalyptic Montana, offering a world filled with vibrant colors yet reminiscent of a Fallout game.
New Dawn continues with the same rewarding gameplay of its predecessor, keeping features like Companions and Prepper Stashes, now rebranded as ‘Treasure Hunts.’ It also introduces new elements such as crafting, enemy ranks, and settlement upgrades. The addition of memorable characters, along with the introduction of the new enemy faction, the Highwaymen, breathe fresh life into the devastated world.
26
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
- Released
-
March 25, 2022
- ESRB
-
T For Teen due to Blood, Crude, Humor, Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Engine
-
Unreal Engine 4
This spinoff is as much a deep, entertaining Borderlands game as it is a wacky homage and spoof of fantasy RPG tropes. And Wonderlands delivers on both fronts. Building on the foundation of the fan-favorite DLC, Assault on Dragon’s Keep, Gearbox strengthens the formula by using the smoother, sleeker BL3 engine, while retaining Dragon Keep’s zany spirit and premise.
The silly banter and quips are abundant as you embark on this colorful quest through the tabletop game “Bunkers and Badasses”, filtered through the warped mind of anarchist Tina. And of course, an assortment of distinct guns is also in large supply. This time, the weapons accompany a slew of cool spells and melee weapons.
25
Warframe
Warframe
- Released
-
March 25, 2013
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
- Engine
-
Evolution Engine
Now over a decade old, studio Digital Extremes has had much time to refine and flesh out its thrilling free-to-play shooter; and have done so emphatically. Players enter the fray as ‘Tenno’ fighters; an ancient warrior tribe awoken and spurred to action after centuries of stasis. This sci-fi premise sets the stage for several super-human abilities and powers, along with plenty of flashy visuals.
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The game allows you to zip about and unleash devastation as a sort of supersoldier that would even make Master Chief blush, bringing a sense of freedom and exhilaration. With PvP and PvE content, various unique quests, and loads of loot, there’s no shortage of fun activities to engage in here.
24
Stalker 2: Heart Of Chornobyl
What’s better than playing an RPG where you can consistently shoot enemies? Having your choices make significant differences above all that! Stalker 2: Heart Of Chornobyl, as you’d expect, is based in The Zone, which is the center of the Chornobyl radiation disaster with various regions in it.
You’ll find many unique personalities while meeting people who live in this wrecked section of the world. Based on your choices, you can completely change the outcome of a specific quest or the game as a whole, making it great for replayability as well.
23
Remnant: From The Ashes
Remnant: From the Ashes
- Released
-
August 20, 2019
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
-
Gunfire Games
- Publisher(s)
-
Perfect World Entertainment
- Engine
-
Unreal Engine 4
Remnant: From the Ashes keeps players on the edge of their seat with a grand, darkly-tinged aura. The plot involves evil, interdimensional forces, which have brought doom to the earth. As a rare survivor of this reckoning, players must traverse the wasteland and rendezvous with other humans holed up inside an underground bunker. But that’s only where this action-hero journey begins.
The game incorporates third-person shooting mechanics along with tough-but-rewarding Soulslike gameplay. This all serves to round out an intense experience throughout a 14-hour campaign. Cool world-building, lush biomes, wild boss fights and a roguelike survival add-on keep gamers engaged.
22
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
- Released
-
August 23, 2011
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
-
Eidos Montreal
- Engine
-
Crystal Engine
Deus Ex once led the charge for in-depth role-playing shooters, and the 2011 rendition remains a fan favorite, showcasing why it earned that distinction. Drawing on the elements that made the original so compelling, it amps them up with cinematic flair and even deeper gameplay.
Human Revolution, a cyberpunk-infused prequel, captivates players throughout its 21-hour campaign. Despite its age, the game feels remarkably modern with its extensive customizations and organic progression system. Stylish, satisfying, and expertly crafted, Eidos Montreal’s ARPG is a must-play for fans of the genre.
21
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is perhaps one of the first examples of Lucas’ epic space fantasy seeing a worthy gaming effort. Released in ’03, KOTOR dazzled gamers and moviegoers alike, with its attention to detail and narrative arcs that let players carve their own path of good or evil.
Being set in the Republic’s heyday, the stage is set for rich, compelling world-building and lore. The real power of this gaming force, however, is its combat, which balances action and round-based tactics. Despite being released “a long, long time ago,” this epic from a virtual galaxy far, far away has aged nicely. Sure, this might not apply to its presentation, though the much-hyped remake should take care of that, should it ever be released.
20
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
-
December 10, 2020
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
Cyberpunk 2077 may have gotten off to a rough start with its slew of bugs and performance issues, to be sure. Still, The Witcher creators CD Projekt Red have since ironed out many of these issues. And while still far from flawless, the game’s stellar blend of shooting, driving, and RPG depth has increasingly shone through; not as bogged down by these issues as before.
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When unhindered, this epic really does have the potential to captivate, even beyond its cinematic flair and Keanu Reeves appearances. The game entices with its onslaught of fun action via shooting, driving, and explosions as players traverse the dense Night City. This is strengthened by a fun cyberpunk premise, and clever use of technology; like hacking and customizable “Cyberdecks”.
19
Black Ice
Black Ice
- Released
-
July 9, 2014
- Developer(s)
-
Nonadecimal Creative, Super Duper Game Company
- Publisher(s)
-
Super Duper Game Company
- Multiplayer
-
Local Co-Op, Local Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- Early Access Release
-
July 9, 2014
A lot of the more interesting and colorful games (quite literally in this case) have been coming from the indie scene. This retro trip by Super Duper Garrett Cooper drops players into an obscure world of vibrant polygons, laced with open-world shooting and arcade sensibilities.
Self-described as “Borderlands-meets-Tron,” the experience is dripping with 80s technological flair. This is enhanced by its unique hacking gameplay and RPG elements of progression. Though it currently resides in “early access” status, Black Ice is brimming with appealing FPS gameplay.
