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 gripping genres by sprinkling light RPG elements into FPS games and vice-versa.
Yet, the true RPG-shooter hybrid is a genre in gaming that’s only 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. And while not flawless, these types of games struck a chord with a great number of gamers for their depth and frenetic action. This list will draw from a small-but-growing pool of RPG shooters and highlight some of the all-time best.
Updated May 5, 2022, by Stephen LaGioia: With the advent of hits like Borderlands and Bethesda’s Fallout series, RPG shooters, have become a major force in the gaming community. It’s easy to see why, given the appealing fusion of heart-pumping action and compelling detail.
And with exhilarating epics like Cyberpunk 2077 making the subgenre more popular than ever, it seemed like a great time to revisit and reload this list with a few more of the best RPG shooters.
18 Remnant: From the Ashes
Remnant: From the Ashes keeps players on the edge of their seat with a grand, darkly-tinged premise. 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.
17 Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Deus Ex once stood at the vanguard when it came to in-depth role-playing shooters. This 2011 rendition, still a fan favorite, reminds players just why that is. The game draws from traits that made the original so compelling—and amps it up with cinematic flair and even deeper gameplay.
Human Revolution is an exciting cyberpunk-infused prequel that keeps gamers locked in across its 21-hour campaign. While many years old, the title feels very modern, with its wealth of customizations and organic progression system. Stylish, satisfying, and well-crafted, Edios Montreal’s ARPG is a must-play for fans of the genre.
16 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, rumored to be slated for 2023, should take care of that.
15 Cyberpunk 2077
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 some of these issues. And while still far from flawless, the game’s stellar blend of shooting, driving, and RPG depth is starting to shine; not as bogged down by these issues as before.
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.”
14 Black Ice
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.
13 Alpha Protocol
There are few developers more practiced in the art of RPG-shooter fusions than Obsidian. This stealth RPG is another shining example of its dominance in this area.
While it’s now a decade old, Alpha Protocol enthralls with cinematic greatness. This is thanks to its gritty, realistic visuals, epic cinematics, and a gripping narrative. The game draws from spy romps like the Bourne films and James Bond. This is laced with Splinter Cell-esque gameplay and what Obsidian describes as “espionage RPG” concepts.
12 The Outer Worlds
The Fallout inspiration is apparent in this gritty, retro-future RPG. This makes sense, given the directors’ role in the creation of that series. At the same time, The Outer Worlds takes a more colorful, zany approach in terms of style and content.
The player is in for an epic, memorable experience when embarking on their quest and unlocking their ship; the game’s main hub. The game integrates arcade action and RPG depth with its progression system and satisfying shooter mechanics.
11 Fallout: New Vegas
While it wasn’t looked at as favorably by most fans compared to the likes of Fallout 3, Obsidian brought a fun new sensibility to this epic series. Roaming the gritty remains of post-apocalyptic Vegas makes for some captivating exploration. Even if it’s a tad on the buggier side, New Vegas also introduces some new elements, fleshing out and refining this solid foundation set by Bethesda.
Featured here is an improved V.A.T.S system, additional perks, awesome new weapons, and as a fun bonus—a gambling feature. This game has been in the rearview mirror now for nearly a decade, but it feels as rich and grandiose as ever.
10 System Shock
Though this game might look crude to modern eyes, the ‘94 shooter from LookingGlass Technologies was groundbreaking for the time. In an era where 3D first-person games were still in their infancy, System Shock shocked the gaming world with a dynamic and wild trip.
Not only does it contain a range of weapons, skills, and progression elements, but it also features the neat ability to enter “Cyberspace.” This is a free-roaming mode that allows the player to drift weightlessly through a 3D space while getting data and dismantling security programs. The best part is that a sleeker, refined 2015 version can be played via GOG.com, fittingly called the Enhanced Edition.
9 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
This thriller by Troika takes the vampiric motifs and premise of a tabletop RPG by (mostly) the same name and amps it up with thrilling action and FPS gameplay.
Despite its 2004 release, the game’s aged pretty well, thanks to its sleek, cinematic presentation and deep gameplay. The game is wrought with werewolves, demons, and other things that go bump in the night, keeping players on their toes. It mixes a variety of unique quests and progression elements that allow the vampire antihero to choose their own path.
8 Resonance of Fate
Despite studio tri-Ace’s Japanese origins, this game feels very Western with its inclusion of gritty settings and action-tinged shooter mechanics. At the same time, there’s a tinge of JRPG nuance and majesty.
The game shines with its unique blend of strategy and TPS elements, providing a slew of tactics to gun down one’s foes. These PS3 and 360 titles fell under the radar amidst heavy-hitting shooters and RPGs after its 2010 launch. Regardless, Resonance of Fate still shines as a rich and rewarding thrill ride that deserves a second look.
7 BioShock Infinite
The third time is certainly a charm with this epic follow-up to Bioshock 2. That’s not to (unjustly) discredit its predecessors, but the 2013 installment just has a little something extra.
The game runs with the same satisfying system of weapons and psychokinetic powers, laced with in-depth FPS gameplay. At the same time, Irrational Games ups the ante with cool steampunk themes and a majestic setting of retro-futuristic Columbia. There’s a degree more variety and depth to the combat in addition to an exhilarating rail-transport system.
6 Borderlands 3
The third game in this awesomely zany trilogy was a long time coming, as fans had to wait several years for a new mainline game, satiated just by smaller spinoffs and DLC packs. And not as universally renowned as BL2, this follow-up holds that same thrilling Borderlands experience—and in more bombastic form than ever.
Deep, reworked classes and skill trees, colorful characters, and rich interplanetary settings await the Vault Hunters this time. Even more so than its predecessors, BL3 is brimming with fun loot and tons of insane new weaponry to play around with.
5 Mass Effect 2
While Bioware’s space adventure has seen its ups and downs, this second installment is often viewed as the peak. In fact, the 360 version sits at a stellar 96 out of 100 on Metacritic. Like Star Wars (in more ways than one), this second act is the franchise at its deepest and most emotional. It smooths out the blemishes of the 2007 hit while building on the already solid foundation.
The game doesn’t compromise in terms of its cinematics, choice-making plotlines, or exhilarating combat. The freedom in exploration, dense role-playing, and fun gunplay make for a memorable sci-fi odyssey.
4 Destiny 2
While stressing shooter elements more than some of its ilk, Destiny 2 provides a deep MMORPG-style experience with the thrills of FPS gameplay. Given Bungie’s pedigree with great, renowned shooters, it’s not surprising that this run-and-gun romp is both mechanically solid and fun.
Gamers will have no shortage of exciting moments as the Light-wielding protectors of Earth known as Guardians. The game rounds things out with gripping cinematics, refined social elements, and a range of unique side quests that add dozens of hours to the fold.
3 Deus Ex
This flashy romp from 2000 is still regarded by some gaming pundits as one of the best PC titles ever. It’s easy to understand why, given the gripping conspiracy plot and unique, immersive gameplay. It’s easy to get lost in the lavish sci-fi settings, enhanced with the dynamic Unreal Engine.
This groundbreaking game has since spawned a number of sequels/prequels, but it’s tough to match the iconic status of this originator. Like Doom before it, Ion Storm’s Deus Ex feels like a true evolutionary step in shooters, with its blend of RPG elements and a nuanced augmentation system.
2 Fallout 3
Despite being the third game in this post-apocalyptic series, Bethesda’s Fallout 3 felt like a breakthrough when it released in 2008. It’s still widely considered one of the best games ever, thanks to its captivating gameplay and distinct, atmospheric open worlds.
While the game emphasizes popping foes with a slew of fun weapons, it retains some tactical bits its PC predecessors had. This is achieved with its deep character customization system, and innovative V.A.T.S targeting. This allows you to weigh your options as you pinpoint optimal areas to hit foes. There’s something uniquely enthralling about roaming the ruins of retro-future D.C. while blasting corny old-time music.
1 Borderlands 2
Gearbox’s sequel to the zany, stylistic Borderlands really hit all the right notes for fans. BL2 finds that sweet spot between the cruder, simpler original game and the massive, arguably bloated BL3. Though it wasn’t blemish-free, it ironed out some quirks and flaws of the original, while building on its solid foundation. Various awesome guns are added, in addition to more intricate Pandorian settings.
Featured here are amusing new heroes and villains, including Tiny Tina and the smug Handsome Jack. Borderlands 2 is regarded as one of the few games that’s enjoyable and dense when tag-teaming with a friend or playing alone. Various DLC packs, like Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep and the more recent Commander Lilith further add to this action-packed journey.
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