Action RPG
Ongoing coverage on Action RPG.
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Metroid Created The Formula, But Now It Faces The Same Uphill Battle As Everyone Else
The Metroidvania genre, pioneered by Metroid and Castlevania, now faces intense competition from numerous titles that have evolved the formula. While Metroid Dread successfully innovated by making exploration dangerous, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond struggles to integrate open-world elements with the genre's core progression. Nintendo must continue to find fresh approaches to keep its iconic series relevant.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword Review – Master of the Blade
Onimusha: Way of the Sword marks a triumphant return for the action samurai franchise, offering a challenging and modern take on the series' core identity. The game excels with its tightly designed, skill-based sword combat, which is praised as some of the best in modern gaming, particularly its parry mechanics. While the narrative is serviceable rather than standout, the satisfying moment-to-moment gameplay, deep progression systems, and solid technical performance on PlayStation 5 make it a highly recommended experience for fans of complex action titles.
The Blood of Dawnwalker Review – Gimme the Night
The Blood of Dawnwalker is an ambitious action RPG that explores themes of responsibility and consequence through its unique 30-day countdown mechanic and dual human/vampire gameplay. Despite rough edges in presentation and some repetitive activities, the game's compelling narrative and meaningful choices make it a worthwhile experience.
The Biggest New Game Releases Of September 2026
September 2026 is set to be a packed month for new game releases across PC and consoles, with many major titles aiming to avoid the shadow of Grand Theft Auto 6. Highlights include new entries in established franchises like Onimusha and Fire Emblem, alongside anticipated new titles such as Marvel's Wolverine and Silent Hill: Townfall.
Recension – The Blood of Dawnwalker
The Blood of Dawnwalker is a strong debut action RPG from Rebel Wolves, featuring vampires, difficult choices, and a ticking clock, despite a shaky start and technical issues. The game draws comparisons to The Witcher 3 due to its developers' backgrounds and its dark, Eastern European folklore-inspired setting.
Recension – Onimusha: Way of the Sword - Fångad av en samurajvind
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is a stylish action game that blends samurai combat with elements reminiscent of Sekiro and classic Resident Evil. It features intense boss fights, particularly against the memorable Sasaki Ganryu, and utilizes Capcom's RE Engine for impressive visuals and sound design. The game runs well on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5, with the Switch version even incorporating unique motion controls.
Capcom's hot streak continues: there is no game out there that makes you feel more like a swordsman of legend than Onimusha: Way of the Blade
Capcom's Onimusha: Way of the Blade is praised for its minimalist design and challenging combat system, which emphasizes observation and precise counterstrikes, drawing parallels to the philosophies of Miyamoto Musashi. While the core combat and boss design are lauded, some repetitive side content and pacing issues are noted, but the game's unique approach and strong characterization make it a standout experience.
Ex-Devil May Cry devs were tired of 40-hour ARPGs, so new zombie brawler Stupid Never Dies only takes 20 minutes to…
Developers formerly of Devil May Cry are creating Stupid Never Dies, a zombie-themed action RPG designed for quick progression, aiming for 15-20 minute dungeon dives rather than the typical 30-40 hour slog. Director Eiichiro Sasaki and founder Hiroyuki Kobayashi, with experience on titles like Resident Evil 6 and the original Devil May Cry, are focusing on "blazing fast growth" for the game, which is set to release on October 21.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword Review – Samurai spirit
Onimusha: Way of the Sword offers a fresh take on the samurai action-horror series with a charismatic new protagonist, Miyamoto Musashi, and revamped combat. While the game introduces engaging gameplay modernizations and a strong cast, it suffers from repetition in its later hours and some unintuitive puzzles.
The Blood of Dawnwalker Review – In the right vein
The Blood of Dawnwalker is a debut action RPG from Rebel Wolves that offers a compelling narrative and characters, but suffers from uneven gameplay mechanics and performance issues. The game features a unique time-tracking system and a focus on combat, but struggles with enemy variety and questline connectivity. Despite its flaws, the strong story and world-building make it a promising start for a potential new saga.
Fighting Is Everything In Onimusha: Way Of The Sword
Onimusha: Way of the Sword marks an excellent return for the long-dormant series, evolving its swordplay with captivating aplomb. While the semi-open-world structure is a stumbling block with dull side quests, the combat is incredibly satisfying and rewarding, featuring deliberate, layered battles and phenomenal boss fights.
The Blood Of Dawnwalker Makes You Want To Do Everything–And Tantalizingly Won’t Let You
The Blood of Dawnwalker is an ambitious action-RPG from Rebel Wolves that features a compelling time-based narrative and intricate systems, though some elements like combat and progression could be more refined. The game's strength lies in its well-written quests and the consequential choices players make, creating a deep and engaging world despite some technical jank.
The Blood Of Dawnwalker Makes You Want To Do Everything–And Tantalizingly Won’t Let You – Review
Rebel Wolves' open-world action-RPG, The Blood of Dawnwalker, is praised for its excellent writing and fascinating, tragic stories, despite some ideas not fully landing. The game's ambition to make players want to do everything is a key highlight, making it a worthwhile exploration.
Onimusha: Way Of The Sword review - Capcom’s hot streak continues
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is a strong reboot for Capcom's samurai action series, featuring excellent combat, engaging storytelling, and a fascinating blend of open-world exploration and linear stages. While the camera can be problematic in enclosed spaces and boss battles are challenging, the game's overall presentation and confident design make it a standout title.
The Blood of Dawnwalker review: "Despite clear Witcher 3 DNA, I wish this vampire RPG was messier"
The Blood of Dawnwalker is a freeform vampire RPG that attempts to streamline its time-based questing, but ultimately results in a less engaging experience. Despite its folklore-rich world and some interesting combat mechanics, the game suffers from pacing issues, underdeveloped vampire powers, and repetitive activities, leading to a lack of immersion.
It's no Sekiro, but Onimusha: Way of the Sword's tight combat is rewarding without ever punishing me too much
Onimusha: Way of the Sword offers a satisfying and rewarding combat system, though its storytelling and difficulty curve are inconsistent. The game is praised for its accessibility options and occasional humor, making it an enjoyable experience despite its flaws.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword (PS5) Review: Capcom’s Incredible 2026 Continues
Capcom's "Onimusha: Way of the Sword" revitalizes the franchise with a stellar action-adventure experience on PlayStation 5. The game features a charming new protagonist, Miyamoto Musashi, engaging combat with satisfying swordplay and brutal finishing moves, and challenging boss fights that stay true to the series' roots.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword review: A sharp return
Onimusha: Way of the Sword offers a compelling return to Capcom's unique action-horror franchise, featuring a captivating story centered on the rivalry between Musashi Miyamoto and Sasaki Kojiro. The game boasts impressive facial animations, striking demon designs, and a beautiful orchestral score, all contributing to an engaging Edo-period Kyoto setting. Combat evolves significantly throughout the adventure, demanding strategic use of various techniques and offering exhilarating duels.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword review
Onimusha: Way of the Sword offers a sublime mix of classic Capcom action and weighty physical swordfighting, though its pacing is its main drawback. The game excels in its combat mechanics, challenging players with precise parries and satisfying executions, and features a compelling use of Toshiro Mifune's likeness as Miyamoto Musashi. Despite its strengths, the game suffers from modern bloat with a dull hub world and grindy crafting, which detract from the overall experience.
The Blood Of Dawnwalker review - witcher by day and vampire by night
The Blood of Dawnwalker is a spirited action RPG that blends vampire lore with medieval European history, featuring an impressive and original combat system. Developed by Rebel Wolves, a studio founded by former CD Projekt Red staff, the game offers a challenging yet rewarding experience with a flexible upgrade system and a sandbox approach to quests. While it suffers from some technical rough edges and occasional repetition, its unique mechanics and well-written characters make it a standout title.
