10 Best Action RPGs For Players Who Love Customization

Whether as a warrior, archer, mage, or cleric, playing video games is often closely with experiencing different lives in a completely new world. Since the early days, the ability for players to customize their own character has been a feature that stands out as something particularly unique to the medium of gaming.

Related

8 Best RPGs Inspired In Real-World Locations, Ranked

From ancient ruins to neon cities, these RPGs games turn the real world settings into your playground.

This characteristic is especially important for RPGs, or Role-Playing Games, whose very name describes the experience as the act of embodying another life or role. In this context, some titles stand out for their extensive customization options, ranging from altering the character’s appearance to changing gameplay by selecting new abilities to face challenges in a completely new way.

Black Desert Online

Players Can Create Unique Characters With Freedom

Released

March 3, 2016

ESRB

m

Black Desert Online is an action RPG and open-world MMO that drew a lot of attention upon its announcement, specifically for its impressive character customization. The variety of facial features that can be adjusted and the vast number of unique characters players can create drew thousands to try the Korean game.

Additionally, as a great MMORPG, the game offers various builds and classes that can be tailored to different gameplay styles, changing how it’s played, allowing players to experiment with different options as they venture through it.

Path Of Exile 2

One Of Best Games For Build Customization

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Nudity, Violence

At its launch, Path of Exile 2 went viral through videos of players reacting for the first time to the game’s build creation system. Even the most experienced players were taken by surprise, as the new title from Grinding Gear Games offers advanced customization, allowing each character to be truly unique with an incredible variety of skills and playstyles.

Inspired by classics like Diablo, this action RPG lacks an appearance customization mechanic but, at the same time, stands out as one of the games with the most extensive build variety in the genre. It’s a must-play for players who want the freedom to create different characters, customizing abilities or even the weapons obtained through enemy loot.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

It’s Possible To Customize Different Builds In This Action RPG

Released

November 18, 2014

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language

Aiming to balance between the mechanics of the first two games in the franchise, Dragon Age: Inquisition introduced a distinct combat system, blending some of the tactical depth from Origins while maintaining the action-oriented approach of Dragon Age 2. To make this experience even more distinct, the game provided players with a wide variety of classes and abilities to use throughout their journey.

However, another standout aspect of Dragon Age: Inquisition at launch was the advancements in appearance customization brought by the Frostbite 3 engine, which, at the time, impressed by allowing players to modify intricate facial details for each character. This made it possible to create truly unique Inquisitors as they ventured through Thedas.

Fallout 4

Players Can Build Aggressive Or Diplomatic Characters

Released

November 10, 2015

ESRB

M FOR MATURE: BLOOD AND GORE, INTENSE VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE, USE OF DRUGS

Fallout 4 is one of the standout titles in one of the most famous RPG franchises of all time. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic future where players must survive in a world ravaged by nuclear war, filled with chaos and hostility. Like other great RPGs, it offers a deeply immersive experience, allowing players to create their own character and customize it how they want to.

Related

8 Obsidian Entertainment Games With The Best Stories, Ranked

Obsidian Entertainment is well-known for crafting compelling stories. These are the best of the bunch.

So, their main character can focus on a more aggressive gameplay style, solving problems through violence, or take on a more diplomatic approach, relying on wit and charisma to achieve their goals. Additionally, the game also offers a great customization options, allowing players to craft their own weapons or even experiment with different builds through its unique perk system.

Diablo 4

Each Class Offers A Different and Customizable Playstyle In This Action RPG

Action RPG

Hack and Slash

Released

June 6, 2023

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language

One of the major appeals of the Diablo franchise is the variety of playstyles and characters players can create, and Diablo 4 is no exception. Blizzard’s character creator allows players to design necromancers, druids, barbarians, mages, warriors, and more.

Set in a world overrun by demonic forces, players can face their enemies in various ways, switching between different classes and playstyles, each with unique weapons and visuals. In fact, each available character feels truly distinct, thanks to the variety of abilities they possess, allowing for builds that shape each experience.

Elden Ring

Endless Builds For Ultimate Versatility

Released

February 25, 2022

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Elden Ring is renowned for its exceptional gameplay, challenging difficulty, and a world created in collaboration between Hidetaka Miyazaki and writer George R.R. Martin. However, one of the key features in any FromSoftware game, also strongly present here, is character customization.

The character creator, while still not one of Elden Ring‘s strongest aspects, allows for better-looking faces compared to the developer’s previous soulslike titles. However, the real highlight of the game lies in its versatility in gameplay customization. Weapons, skills, armor, and magic provide countless combinations of powers, allowing players to overcome enemies in a variety of ways.

Monster Hunter World

Weapons Define Entire Gameplay Experience

Released

January 26, 2018

ESRB

T for Teen: Blood, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence

Monster Hunter: World is a especially unique game, because character customization mainly focuses on the weapon the player chooses to wield. Switching weapons in Monster Hunter is almost equivalent to playing a game with entirely different mechanics, each offering unique strategies and approaches for dealing with various creatures.

Additionally, at more advanced levels, players gain access to a wide range of options through buffs that can be incorporated into their builds, allowing for high-level customization tailored to enhance their hunting experience. Mastering these combinations is essential, as some endgame challenges can be quite punishing for players who are not adequately prepared.

Cyberpunk 2077

Modify Characters Physically And Mechanically

Released

December 10, 2020

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Since its release, Cyberpunk 2077 has been a significant promise for fans of tabletop role-playing games. Inspired by Mike Pondsmith’s classic in the dystopian sci-fi genre, the game preserves some of its key features, emphasizing extensive character customization in both aesthetics and mechanics.

Related

16 Best Open-World FPS Games, Ranked

The FPS and open-world genres are two of gaming’s most popular. Put them together, and you’ve got a serious recipe for success.

Set in a world teeming with implants and body modifications, this Action RPG provides extensive character customization. Players can modify appearance, build, and even the cybernetic implants of each version of V, allowing the gameplay experience to change entirely based on individual playstyle preferences.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

Customization That Exceeds Expectations

Released

March 22, 2024

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence

Dragon’s Dogma 2 follows in the footsteps of its predecessor by offering players a unique Action RPG experience with a level of freedom uncommon in other games of the genre. The game features an impressive Character Creator that allows players to design unique faces for their protagonist or even recreate the appearance of popular characters from other games.

However, Dragon’s Dogma 2 stands out not only for its detailed character appearance customization but also for the hundreds of build possibilities through skill and vocations combinations, as each option provides a distinct gameplay experience. This allows players to experiment with different choices to tackle bosses and other enemies throughout the game.

Skyrim

Revolutionary Builds Mechanics Keep Players Engaged In this Action RPG

Skyrim

Released

November 11, 2011

ESRB

M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes

Skyrim is widely regarded as one of the greatest RPGs ever made, largely due to the immense freedom it offers – something that was impressive at launch and remains so to this day. Another key reason behind this acclaim is the level of customization players have when creating or developing a character throughout their adventure.

Bethesda’s developers brought years of RPG experience to craft a game where each player can create a truly unique character. Skills are unlocked through use, allowing for versatile builds that combine traits from various classes, enabling players to shape their journey in their own way.

7:52

More

28 Best Combat Systems In RPGs, Ranked

More recently, RPGs have incorporated combat systems that are satisfyingly fun to use. These games are the proof.