After several years as a regional exclusive, Lost Ark burst onto western servers in early 2022. The MMO quickly climbed up the Steam charts, and it's currently one of the most-played games on the platform. Critics were just as kind to the game as consumers, with the hybrid MMO/ARPG earning a favorable 81 Metascore.

One of the most compelling reasons for Lost Ark's popularity is the impressive level of polish across all aspects of the game. Since it technically launched in select locations years ago, the development team had plenty of time to balance its classes, fix frustrating bugs, and craft endgame content that'll keep even the most dedicated adventurers busy for hundreds of hours.

However, hundreds of hours of content is only as good as the gameplay — and this is where Lost Ark truly excels. Its main campaign does a serviceable job of pushing the action along (and it's incredibly lengthy), but its fast-paced combat and elaborate upgrade systems are the reason thousands of players are logging on every day. From cooperative dungeons and crafting to competitive battles and sailing, there's no shortage of ways to spend your time in Arkesia. There's also an interesting mechanic that makes it easy to roll a second character, giving you a good reason to check out another playstyle and sink more time into its world.

Lost Ark might be the most compelling ARPG in recent years, but it's far from the only one worthy of your time. If you're looking for a new adventure (whether it's a dungeon crawler, traditional MMO, or something in between) there are plenty of titles to consider.

Here are 10 games like Lost Ark to play next, listed by Metascore.

Hades (PC)

Metascore: 93
Best for: Fans of unforgiving roguelikes
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: PS4, PS5, Switch, XB1, XBX

Hades isn't a game for the faint of heart. Every time you die (which happens frequently), you'll be sent back to the very first level of the game. Thankfully, you'll slowly accumulate a variety of powerful weapons and upgrade numerous attributes to help you conquer every region of the underworld. Combat is fast yet strategic, with each completed stage giving you the option to choose between a variety of temporary power-ups. These can do anything from refilling your health bar to granting you money to spend when visiting Charon's shop. It's all pulled together by striking graphics and a fun narrative about a son rebelling against his father — who just so happens to be the god of the dead.

"Few games aim as high, and fewer still reach their goals. Hades does, exceeding even the loftiest expectations." — GameSkinny

Diablo III (PC)

Metascore: 88
Best for: Fans of iconic ARPGs
Where to buy:

Diablo III is probably the most recognizable ARPG of all time — and its third mainline installment took the series to new heights. Before setting out on your top-down adventurers, you'll pick a class (such as Barbarian, Monk, or Witch Doctor) that will determine your playstyle. With this out of the way, you'll set out on a globe-trotting quest to save the realm from invading demons. Fast-paced combat is the main attraction, although hundreds of collectible items and unlockable skills means there's always something to chase. There's also a robust multiplayer system that lets you face the horrors of Sanctuary with a few friends by your side.

"At its core, Diablo III is a series of combat encounters and, when you realize just how carefully it's put together, Blizzard's expertise is staggering." — Joystiq

Torchlight II (PC)

Metascore: 88
Best for: Fans of vibrant art styles and lots of loot
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: PS4, Switch, XB1

Torchlight II is a well-executed ARPG, but one that opts for a lighthearted tone instead of creating a bleak world like most of the competition. Its unique biomes are a breath of fresh air in the genre, as you'll explore colorful ruins, lush forests, and more than a few undead crypts with an ethereal blue hue. Inviting graphics are only half the story — the other half is chaotic action that rewards you with a constant supply of loot. You'll accumulate more weapons and gear than you know what to do with, but it's great to know that your adventures will always be handsomely rewarded.

"Torchlight II is great fun and it won't be long before you're playing the game late at night muttering the famous gamer mantra, 'Just one more quest.'" — DarkStation

Path of Exile (PC)

Metascore: 86
Best for: Fans seeking another free ARPG
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: PS4, XB1

For a free-to-play ARPG, Path of Exile is a feature-complete game. Each class is well-balanced and offers a unique playstyle, its maps are multi-faceted and meant to be explored, and its combat is just as brutal as anything else in the genre. All the ARPG staples are here (loot, lots of enemies, and an emphasis on multiplayer), but it's the unique skill gem system that separates it from the pack. This mechanic grants you new abilities by slotting gems into your equipped gear. That means if you want to change up your playstyle, all you need to do is swap in some new gems.

"It's stunning just how much it blows the opposition away. They have taken what was wrong with the genre and fixed it; what was right, they have made even better." — NZGamer

Destiny 2 (PS4)

Metascore: 85
Best for: Fans of FPS games
Where to buy:

Don't let the first-person perspective fool you, Destiny 2 is just as loot-driven as Lost Ark. But instead of picking up fancy new staves and swords, you'll find new guns and other gadgets to help dispatch of your opponents. There's also a deep competitive scene, with a variety of game modes to keep you and your friends busy. If you're more of the cooperative type, then you'll want to dive into raids, which offer some of the most challenging content in all of Destiny 2. Backing the action is fluid gunplay that makes it a joy to run around shooting at aliens and explore its ever-growing world.

"A massive and rewarding game that offers the potential for hundreds of hours of fun and discovery with friends." — Game Informer

Grim Dawn (PC)

Metascore: 83
Best for: Fans of old-school ARPGs with modern conveniences
Where to buy:

Grim Dawn may have launched in 2016, but it plays like a game from another era. Dank dungeons, mountains of loot, and unforgiving combat will remind you of the classic Diablo II — although slick graphics and unique skill trees inform you that this is, in fact, a fairly recent release. Its story takes place in a mystical land with the last of humanity fighting to survive while two supernatural forces fight to determine their fate. When you're not hacking away at monsters or unraveling a grim storyline, you can check out an elaborate crafting system or help your fellow human's by checking out some side quests.

"A quality classic ARPG that recovers the essence and spirit of Titan Quest and sends us back to a different time in the best possible way." — Meristation 

Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen (PC)

Metascore: 81
Best for: Fans of quirky, open-world RPGs
Where to buy:

The original Dragon's Dogma from 2012 was brought back to life in 2016 with Dark Arisen, featuring new places to explore, new quests to tackle, and a bunch of smaller changes to modernize the title. You play as the Arisen, a hero tasked with protecting the land from a demonic dragon. Its story is intriguing enough to push you through to the final credits, but it's the dynamic battles that'll keep you glued to the screen. You're free to pick your playstyle (wielding bows, staves, and swords), but you can also select a few NPCs known as Pawns to accompany you on your journey. You can even climb on top of large beasts to reach weak spots and quickly bring them down.

"It won't be remembered for its technical features, but the depth of the gameplay and some truly original features make Dragon's Dogma one of the best role playing games ever made." — The Games Machine

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (Switch)

Metascore: 78
Best for: Fans of frantic, musou action
Where to buy:

It's not an MMO, nor is it an ARPG, but despite running with an entirely different crowd, Age of Calamity offers just as much action as Lost Ark. You'll set foot in Hyrule, prior to the events of Breath of the Wild, and face off against legions of enemies in typical musou combat. Link, Zelda, and other heroes are all playable and bring their own flair to the battlefield. All of them are just as fast and efficient as the classes of Lost Ark, and although you won't have piles of loot to sift through, there are plenty of collectibles and other reasons to keep playing once you've cleared a mission.

"An incredibly successfully follow-up to Hyrule Warriors, and in my opinion, it's the best Warriors title to date." — Worth Playing

Black Desert Online (PC)

Metascore: 73
Best for: Fans of action combat and sprawling open worlds
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: N/A

It's a bit rough around the edges, but Black Desert Online is one of the most innovative MMORPGs of the past decade. Instead of tab-based targeting and the usual assortment of dungeons, Black Desert Online gives you a combo-based combat system and a world that's teeming with in-depth activities. Fishing, cooking, gathering, and other Life Skills are a core part of the experience, and it's not uncommon to see players running around completely ignoring combat in favor of these pursuits. Of course, combat and questing are just as enticing, and folks willing to dive into its complex system of combos and skill upgrades will find an incredible MMO that's loaded with potential.

"A beautiful and entertaining new take on the classic MMO, with a strong player driven content path." — IGN Denmark

The Elder Scrolls Online (PC)

Metascore: 71
Best for: Fans seeking a traditional MMO
Where to buy:

The Elder Scrolls Online is a rather traditional MMORPG, although it makes liberal use of level scaling to let players venture wherever their heart desires. This means you can jump into just about any quest or region currently available, as opposed to locking areas behind a level gate like most MMOs. This makes the game incredibly friendly to newcomers, or to players who want to adventure with friends well beyond their current level. Fast combat, hundreds of quests, multiple expansions, and several dungeons and PvP modes make ESO a game that can eat up more free time than you could ever imagine.

"A remarkable MMORPG that keeps the essence of the original series." — 3DJuegos