Best Loot-Focused RPGs to Play After Dragon’s Dogma

If you loved Dragon’s Dogma’s blend of action combat and satisfying gear progression, the top pick to play next is Monster Hunter: World. It delivers the same visceral, skill-based fights against huge creatures, but with a deeper, more rewarding loot loop where every hunt is driven by the desire to craft that next piece of armor or weapon. The moment-to-moment gameplay feels familiar, yet the loot chase is far more structured and addictive.

What to Look For

When you finish Dragon’s Dogma, you’re not just looking for any RPG. You want a game that scratches the same itch: real-time combat that rewards skill, a loot system where gear genuinely changes how you play, and a sense of progression that keeps you saying “one more quest.” Here’s what actually matters:

• Action Combat: Turn-based or tactical games won’t fill the void. You need something where positioning, timing, and reflexes matter.
• Meaningful Loot: Gear should be more than stat sticks. Look for sets with unique bonuses, elemental resistances, or skill alterations.
• Boss Fights: Dragon’s Dogma’s best moments are its epic encounters. You want a game with memorable, challenging bosses that drop the best rewards.
• Build Variety: The ability to experiment with different weapons, skills, and armor sets is crucial for replayability.
• Post-Game Content: A good loot game keeps you playing after the credits. Look for endgame loops, higher difficulties, or randomized dungeons.

Monster Hunter: World

Strengths: This is the closest you’ll get to Dragon’s Dogma’s combat feel. Each of the 14 weapon types plays like a different class, and every monster is a boss fight that teaches you its tells. The loot system is pure and simple: carve, capture, and craft. Every piece of gear has a clear purpose, and the layered armor system lets you look cool while min-maxing. The endgame (Guiding Lands, tempered monsters) offers hundreds of hours of loot chasing.

Trade-offs: The story is paper-thin and the environments, while pretty, are not as varied as Gransys. The multiplayer is cooperative, not competitive, and there’s no pawn system to replace your AI companions.

Who it’s for: Players who want the most direct combat-to-loot pipeline. If you spent hours in Dragon’s Dogma fighting the Ur-Dragon for rare drops, this is your next home.

Nioh 2

Strengths: Nioh 2 is a soulslike with Diablo-style loot. It has the fast, stamina-based combat of Dragon’s Dogma but adds a staggering amount of gear customization. Weapons have rarity tiers, set bonuses, and special effects that can completely change your build. The Yokai Shift and Soul Cores add a layer of supernatural abilities that feel like Dragon’s Dogma’s augments. The endgame (Underworld, Depths) is a loot treadmill that rewards constant optimization.

Trade-offs: It’s brutally difficult, and the mission-based structure means no open world to explore. The loot management can be overwhelming with hundreds of items per mission.

Who it’s for: Players who want a hardcore challenge and love tinkering with builds. If the pawn system was your favorite part, you’ll appreciate the ability to customize your AI companion (Scampuss) and your own loadout.

Outward

Strengths: Outward is a survival-action RPG that shares Dragon’s Dogma’s sense of adventure and danger. It’s not a loot shower, but every piece of gear feels earned. You’ll trek across a hostile world, manage your stamina, hunger, and temperature, and fight tough enemies. The magic system is unique, requiring you to sacrifice health to cast spells. The loot is sparse but meaningful, and the co-op is excellent.

Trade-offs: The combat is clunkier and more punishing than Dragon’s Dogma. There’s no fast travel, and the game can be brutally unforgiving. The graphics and animations are dated.

Who it’s for: Players who value atmosphere and exploration over constant loot drops. If you liked the “journey” feel of Dragon’s Dogma’s open world, Outward will scratch that itch.

Remnant: From the Ashes

Strengths: This is a third-person shooter with soulslike mechanics and procedural loot. It’s a great change of pace if you want gunplay instead of melee. The loot system is based on crafting new weapons and mods from boss materials, and the randomly generated dungeons mean each run offers new gear. The difficulty is challenging but fair, and the co-op is seamless.

Trade-offs: It’s not melee-focused, so if you loved the sword-and-board combat, this might not satisfy. The world is less cohesive than Dragon’s Dogma, and the story is forgettable.

Who it’s for: Players who want a faster-paced, shooter-based loot loop. If you’re okay with a sci-fi setting and want a game you can play in short bursts, this is a solid pick.

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen (Again)

Strengths: The most obvious answer is to replay the game with a different vocation or on Hard Mode. The Bitterblack Isle expansion is a loot paradise, with cursed items that require purification and gear that’s far better than anything in the main game. It also features the most challenging bosses in the game, including the Daimon.

Trade-offs: You’ve already played it. If you’re burned out, this won’t help.

Who it’s for: Players who didn’t fully explore the endgame or want to try a new build. It’s the cheapest option and guarantees a good time.

God Eater 3

Strengths: This is a lesser-known action RPG that feels like a mix of Monster Hunter and Dragon’s Dogma. It has fast, flashy combat, a team of AI companions (similar to pawns), and a loot system based on crafting from monster parts. The Aragami are creative and fun to fight, and the story is more present than in Monster Hunter.

Trade-offs: The budget presentation and repetitive mission structure can be off-putting. The loot variety is narrower than other games on this list.

Who it’s for: Players who want a more anime-style take on the formula and enjoy having a story to follow between hunts.

How to Choose

Your choice depends on what you value most. If you want the closest combat and loot feel to Dragon’s Dogma, go with Monster Hunter: World. If you want a deeper build-crafting experience with a high difficulty curve, choose Nioh 2. If you’re on a tight budget, Outward is often on sale and offers a unique survival twist. If you want to play with friends, Remnant or Monster Hunter are excellent co-op experiences. And if you just want more Dragon’s Dogma, the Dark Arisen expansion is the most cost-effective option.

Common trade-offs: Monster Hunter lacks a strong story; Nioh 2 lacks an open world; Outward lacks polish; Remnant lacks melee depth. Consider what you’re willing to give up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these games on PC or console?

All five are available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox (with the exception of God Eater 3, which is also on Switch). Check the store for your specific platform.

Do I need to play the previous games in these series?

No. Monster Hunter: World, Nioh 2, and Remnant are standalone stories. Outward is a standalone game. God Eater 3 has a brief recap of prior events but is playable without context.

Which game has the most replayable endgame?

Monster Hunter: World and Nioh 2 have the most substantial endgame content, with hundreds of hours of post-story loot grinding. Remnant has a shorter endgame but offers randomized runs.

Can I play any of these with a friend?

Yes, all of them support co-op. Monster Hunter, Remnant, and Outward are best experienced with a friend. Nioh 2 and God Eater 3 also have co-op, but it’s more of a drop-in/drop-out system.

Which game is the easiest to pick up?

Monster Hunter: World has the most accessible onboarding, with clear tutorials and a forgiving early game. Nioh 2 is the hardest to learn due to its complex combat systems.

Do these games have a pawn-like companion system?

God Eater 3 has AI teammates that you can customize. Monster Hunter: World has a Palico (cat companion) that helps in combat. Nioh 2 has a Scampuss that distracts enemies. Outward has no companions.

Bottom Line

For the most satisfying loot-focused action RPG after Dragon’s Dogma, Monster Hunter: World is the clear winner. It delivers the same adrenaline-pumping combat and a loot system that keeps you engaged for hundreds of hours. If you want something more challenging and build-heavy, Nioh 2 is a close second. And if you want to stay in a similar fantasy world with a focus on exploration, Outward is a great budget-friendly choice. Pick the one that best matches your preferred setting and difficulty, and you won’t be disappointed.

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