Fantasy fans and action fans can sometimes have different priorities when it comes to games. Fantasy fans can enjoy worlds that come alive with rich characters and ever-changing environments filled with beauty and magic. Action fans may prefer fast movement and lively combat.
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There are plenty of great fantasy games out there, but are there enough that blend in fast-paced and visceral action to make both types of fans happy? Given years of gaming history, let's take a look and prioritize action over fantasy, because it's just window dressing for some. As long as the plot is good, that's all that matters, and these games shouldn't disappoint you.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Synergy with your party
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth adds a lot more combat options than the previous one Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Players have more characters to choose from, and there's a new Synergy element as well. Two characters can be combined to perform various combos, such as Cloud being able to lift Tifa into the air to hit airborne enemies.
In addition to synergy attacks, each character has a variety of skills to use in battle, along with magic thanks to the various Materia players find and unlock across the world. It is undeniably one of the biggest action posts in the Final Fantasy history.
God of War Ragnarök
Fly, my mighty axe!
The God of war the series was known for its brutal action during the PS2 era, but the 2018 reboot brought more visceral feedback than ever before. Like many “first” entries in a series, things were held back a bit in the reboot, but the combat system was better defined in the direct sequel, God of War Ragnarok.
Players have more weapons at the start for Kratos to use, and flipping between the boomerang-like Leviathan Ax and Blades of Chaos feels so right. Kratos may be a slower character to control than other fast-paced action heroes, but this doesn't detract from the experience. If anything, it makes him feel more brutal.
Blood borne
Transformative weapons
There are many great action entries in FromSoftware's Soulslikes series, but for many, they can't think of a better game than Blood borne. Set in a gothic fantasy world, players take on the role of a hunter and take down creepy monsters across a Metroidvania-like landscape that opens up over time.
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It's a more active combat system than meets the eye Dark soulsas dodges and counters take the place of defensive stances, shields and rolling. The best thing about combat though is that all weapons can transform during combat, such as a cane that transforms into a bladed whip. There is nothing cooler in a game than transforming weapons, and Blood borne is loaded with them.
Monster Hunter Wilds
Become the best
Monster Hunter Wilds is the latest Monster Hunter entry, and it also has transforming weapons. For example, the Charge Blade may look like a standard RPG sword and shield combination, but when combined they form a giant ax where the shield part becomes a grinding buzzsaw-like implement.
There are fourteen weapon types to master in the game, and many more to craft within each branch as players hunt and slay massive beasts and collect their materials. Whether playing alone or with a party online, the action is in Monster Hunter Wilds never ends.
Diablo 4
Evil dies easily
Diablo 4 doesn't play dramatically differently than the rest of the game Diablo series, but it feels better than ever before. It doesn't matter if players choose a melee-based class like the Barbarian or a more varied character like the Sorcerer; all players will be fine.
Making combos by chaining skills together is a blast, even when surrounded by twenty enemies at once. It's even more fun with other players online, and the new open world environment, as bleak as it is, adds more to this top-down dark fantasy.
Hades 2
Witchy vibes
Hades 2
- Released
-
September 25, 2025
Hades 2 is a roguelike where players are a witch in training, Melinoë, who can equip different weapons for each run. Each weapon has a standard list of attacks, all of which can be improved in battle as players unlock Boons gifted by the gods.
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They can create tidal waves, beams of light, or gusts of wind while fighting off attacks from the damned in the underworld or while struggling up Mount Olympus. Top-down games may not look as flashy as 3D action games, but Hades 2 will still blow players away.
Okay
Japanese folklore brought to life
Okay
- Released
-
September 19, 2006
Okay is a PS2 classic that has been improved upon several times, and it remains great with each revision. Taking place in a fantasy version of Japan, players control the goddess of the sun, Amaterasu, in wolf form, who has been tasked with rescuing other animal gods and restoring the land.
Players can initiate combat by attacking a demon seal in the world or a dungeon, which will create an instance of the battle arena. Players can then attack with various bite and weapon attacks, along with quickly pausing the game to draw some attacks, such as bombs, with Amaterasu's paint brush. Players can use their celestial brush to solve puzzles as well, which is a big part of the game.
Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning
Fluid Fantasy
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is a game that most people tend to forget, as it didn't impress many when it launched in 2012. However, most who have played it can at least agree that the combat is its best quality, surpassing many fantasy RPGs of its time.
Players are not limited to one class and instead can choose their perks in different skill trees as they level up. Weapons offer a good variety, from mid-range chakrams to regular longswords. Interspersed with magical attacks, combat is never boring, and it's a shame more Western RPGs haven't learned from the combat system found in Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning.
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