The best hack-and-slash JRPGs and action RPGs of 2026 deliver brutal battles, wild powers, and unforgettable power fantasies.
I have a confession: I love the moment a hack-and-slash JRPG stops asking me to think and starts letting me feel like a god. The genre has always been about power fantasies ⚔️. The JRPG adds party bonds, sprawling worlds, and absurdly large swords. In 2026, after years of new releases and remasters, I still measure every fresh action RPG against the games below. Some are underrated. Some are divisive. A few are all-time favorites. All of them deliver that specific joy of mincing enemies in a campaign of unrelenting melee violence.
11. God Eater 3 — Devour Divinity
I keep coming back to God Eater 3 because it is Bandai Namco's answer to Monster Hunter, but faster and stranger. Set in a post-apocalyptic future where humanity is on the brink thanks to the Aragami, the game lets me kill monsters and use their parts to make weapons. My weapon transforms between Blade, Gun, and Shield modes. The best part? I can literally eat the monsters. My weapon opens a giant maw and takes a bite. If you want over-the-top monster-slaying with impossible proportions, this is it.
10. Scarlet Nexus — Smack Your Enemies With Pillars
Scarlet Nexus struggles with tropey characters and a lackluster story. I do not care. Its combat and psychic powers shine. I play as one of two new recruits in a militaristic organization fighting monstrous mutants called Others. I have melee weapons, but the real fun is psychokinesis: I hurl objects at enemies. I bond with companions for extra combat benefits. The mix of Devil May Cry and PlatinumGames energy makes it a blast. The monster designs are awesome, too.
9. Tales of Arise — A Traditional JRPG With Flair
Tales of Arise leans closer to RPG elements, with bombastic combat and a distinct fantasy aesthetic. Like Scarlet Nexus, it shines in combat, but it is more accessible. The combo system is simple at first, then opens into complex mechanics. Tougher enemies can be a slog, but the flair in my party members' special attacks never gets old. The game drags in some side content, yet it remains a solid, lengthy JRPG with a great story.
8. Code Vein — What's That Smell? It's Blood! 🩸
Mix a post-apocalyptic setting with soulslike combat, anime art style, and bloodthirsty undead. You get Code Vein. It is unapologetically melodramatic. Its combat feels deliberate and fast-paced at once. I watch enemy attacks, then counter. I have a companion for most of the game, and they are more reliable than a Dark Souls or Elden Ring summon. The magic and weapons range from oversized hammers to bayonet rifles, plus blood-themed elemental spells. It is messy, but I love it.
7. Astral Chain — Swing Your Robotic Companion Like a Whip 🎮
PlatinumGames is undefeated at high-octane, fluid combat. Astral Chain is one of their best. I fight alongside robotic familiars called Legions, and their designs feel like JoJo stands or Personas. Chaining attacks activates synchronized quick-time events that look amazing when pulled off. I can fuse with my Legion to deal massive damage. The game lets me control two characters at once, which makes combat dynamic and puzzles fun. It is innovative in a way few action games dare to be.
6. Dragon's Dogma 2 — A Brutally Realistic Game 🐉
Dragon's Dogma 2 does not have the polish of Baldur's Gate 3 or the combat of Elden Ring. It makes up for it with Game of Thrones-inspired geopolitical intrigue, unforgiving encounters that snowball out of control, and a sense of wonder. Its combat reminds me of soulslikes and Monster Hunter. Every attack feels weighty at first, but at higher levels I feel like an unstoppable force. I can charge in as a fighter, hang back as an archer or mage, or channel my inner anime protagonist as a Mystic Spearhand. It is a must-play fantasy JRPG.
5. Kingdom Hearts 3 — A Series With The Most Devoted Fanbase 👑
Kingdom Hearts 3 is divisive. The fandom calls it a masterpiece. Naysayers call its worldbuilding nonsense. I fall somewhere in between. What I cannot deny is that Sora is incredibly fun to play. The visuals are stunning, the combat is fluid, and the level design is enjoyable. The JRPG elements combined with a Disney aesthetic make up for the convoluted narrative. Who would not want to fight alongside Goofy and Donald Duck?
4. Monster Hunter World — The Hunt Is On
Monster Hunter World is not always my cup of tea, but beating its main story campaign made me appreciate its impact on the JRPG genre. The loop is hunter-gatherer instinct: find a monster, track it, fight it, and use its hide and organs to make sick armor sets. There is a wide variety of weapon and damage types, especially the Insect Glaive and Warhorn. Combat feels intentionally slow. I must plan steps and make calculated strikes. No visible health bars make fights feel like wading in molasses. Yet whittling down each body part is immersive and satisfying.
3. Final Fantasy 16 — An Eikonic Experience 🗡️
Final Fantasy 16 is one of my favorite original entries. The scale of its battles and its combat system, which improves on FF15's Stagger mechanic, win me over. The dark fantasy setting is heavily inspired by Game of Thrones. Ben Starr's performance as Clive Rosfield is amazing. Combat director Ryota Suzuki, a former Devil May Cry developer, made a system that is accessible for beginners and deep for veterans. I chain intricate combos, toggle unique abilities, parry, perfect dodge, and fill a Stagger meter for maximum damage. Everything is epic, from the opening Eikon battle to fighting the literal god of the world. Side quests and a strong main narrative keep me invested.
2. FF7 Rebirth — A Reunion of the Ages 🌍
I know this is a back-to-back Final Fantasy entry, but it would be a crime to leave out Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth. It shifts from Remake's narrow, linear world to a wide, open world. It modernizes the original's overworld with collectibles and intense combat encounters. It is gorgeous, with equally gorgeous character design. After at least 80 hours, I can say it is one of Square Enix's best games to date. It retells the second act of the original with a fresh perspective. It has some of the best combat and minigames I have completed. It also understands Cloud's relationships with his companions, giving us moments we always wanted in high fidelity. The built-in card game is fun, too.
What About Number One?
My number one changes every time I replay one of these games. In 2026, the hack-and-slash JRPG is alive because it refuses to choose between style and substance. I want the power fantasy. I want the party banter. I want to eat a monster, hurl a pillar, or summon an Eikon. These games give me that. If you are new to the subgenre, start with Tales of Arise or FF16. If you want a challenge, try Code Vein or Dragon's Dogma 2. If you want a hunt, pick Monster Hunter World or God Eater 3. And if you want a reunion, Rebirth is waiting.
| If you want... | Play... |
|---|---|
| Fast monster hunting | God Eater 3 or Monster Hunter World |
| Psychic chaos | Scarlet Nexus |
| Soulslike blood | Code Vein |
| Stylish action | Astral Chain or FF16 |
| Open-world fantasy | Dragon's Dogma 2 or FF7 Rebirth |
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