Horizon Zero Dawn
While Horizon Zero Dawn is considered an action RPG, the action that runs throughout its single-player is some of the best seen in any game this year. Taking on the variety of enemies, progressing from the smaller, weaker Watchers to the enormous Thunderjaws as you become stronger and more confident is great fun, and Aloy’s weapons each have their own strengths that can be used well in tactical battles. Battling a Fire Bellowback in the sandy plains of Horizon’s world is challenging and thrilling but, as long as you don’t stray too far from where you should be, you always feel well enough equipped to defeat what the world throws at you.
The story of a world that has been overtaken by hoards of robots and Aloy’s attempt to piece together what happened is also gripping from start to finish. Guerrilla has built a beautiful world full of unique characters and enemies that have the potential to form Sony’s next huge PlayStation exclusive franchise.
NieR: Automata
NieR: Automata is another action-RPG that has its focus set tightly on the action packed gameplay. Set centuries after the events of the first NieR, an alien invasion happens on Earth and mankind has been forced to live on the moon. To take the planet back, the humans created the YoRHa androids, and you assume the role of some of these androids during your time with the game.
The action of the game switches back and forth between side-scroller, bullet-hell shooter, and twin-stick shooter and is brutal and chaotic at every turn. It can be punishing, but the combat is fun and consistently surprising. NieR: Automata also boasts stunning visuals, an emotional and pulsing soundtrack, and a story that is incredibly powerful. Any PlayStation 4 owners that missed it during the hype that surrounded Horizon Zero Dawn and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in March should pick it up during these quiet summer months.
Ghost Recon: Wildlands
Ghost Recon: Wildlands is probably the closest to an out-and-out action game on this list. In Ubisoft’s sprawling version of Bolivia that is caught up in drugs and violence, the action is at the center of everything you do. Alongside the other members of your squad, you undertake a number of missions to take out the bad guys that are sending drugs throughout the area, corrupting it in the process.
You take out convoys, infiltrate enemy bases, and assassinate bosses, doing all of it with your trusty arsenal of weapons and explosives. It is even more fun and chaotic alongside some friends online. Your squad plans their attacks and uses a variety of tactics to successfully infiltrate bases and complete the objectives that are set for you. Expect explosions, high-speed chases, and millions of bullets to be fired.
Nioh
Nioh is another action-RPG that has released in the first half of this year. While, on the surface, the action looks similar to what you’d see in a From Software title, the combat feels unique. It is faster paced than its Souls counterparts, and the ancient Japan setting ensures that the enemies and bosses stand out in the world.
The combat is just as challenging as you’d expect, however. The player has to master a set of unique weapons, learn how to avoid attacks and read enemy movement, as well as become familiar with a variety of combat stances to exploit their opponents’ weaknesses. The level design also throws new and exciting things at you as you progress, making the battles feel fresh and keeps the game from getting stale as you repeatedly die and try new tactics. It is one of the finest action-RPGs of recent memory and is a must play for PlayStation 4 owners that are a fan of the genre.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Regarded by most that have played it as one of the best games of the year, or even generation, in any genre, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an action-RPG, but its action elements are vital to the experience. As you explore Hyrule, you come across a variety of enemies and you’ll be prompted to defeat them using the weapons at your disposal. With the weapon degradation mechanic, the enemy variety, and the speed of Link’s movement, considering your tactics before approaching any enemy is vital and the combat itself is deep.
There are also bosses that you have to defeat along your journey that require you to be meticulously prepared and as strong as you can be. Breath of the Wild is a masterpiece of open-world storytelling that grants players a sense of freedom that very few other games do. Exploring its beautiful world is compelling from start to finish.
Yakuza 0
Yakuza 0 is the perfect place for newcomers to the series to jump into the world of melodrama and brutal fighting that is at the center of the long-running Yakuza series. Alternating between playing as Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima, you follow the origin story of their dealings with the Yakuza on the streets of Japan before the events of the games that have released before.
While much of your time spent with the game will be taken up by cutscenes and conversations with a huge cast of characters, brutal hand-to-hand combat is a huge part of the experience. As you wander the streets, you’ll be attacked by gangs and you’ll have to face bosses as your dealings with the Yakuza get more and more serious. The combat is brutal and fast-paced and you become more and more powerful as you upgrade your abilities with the money you earn from the many side activities. You may go hours without fighting anyone in Yakuza 0, but it is certainly a key part of the experience.
Gravity Rush 2
The original Gravity Rush came to the PlayStation Vita a few years ago, but the long-awaited return of Kat came to PlayStation 4 in January. The new title added two new combat styles to Kat’s technique. Lunar style allows her to launch herself great distances without the need for gravity, while Jupiter style allows her to make herself slow and heavy, making her more powerful in attack. These new combat options make the action feel fresh as you change up your tactics depending on the type of enemy you’re facing.
That variety in combat solves the first game’s biggest issue and keeps Gravity Rush 2 from growing stale too quickly. It also helps that the game’s characters are interesting and that it is stunning to look at throughout. Gravity Rush 2 is an all-round great sequel but the changes and additions to the combat make it a consistently fun and thrilling action game.
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