An action role-playing game or action RPG is a common name for a type of computer or video game which is closely linked to the console role-playing game genre. Although the precise definition of the genre varies, the typical action RPG features a heavy emphasis on combat, often simplifying or removing non-combat attributes often associated with more traditional role-playing games, such as statistics and the effect they have on the character's development Additionally, combat always takes place using a real-time system (hence the "action") that relies on the player's ability to perform particular actions with speed and accuracy to determine success, rather than mainly using the player character's attributes to determine this. However, RPGs that use this style of combat system give equal focus to non-combat elements such as non-player character interaction and character development (such as The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion) are often referred to as computer role-playing games.

Although certainly not the first, Diablo and its sequels helped revitalize the action RPG genre. Other examples include Crystalis, the Mana series, Kingdom Hearts, and Dungeon Siege.

Genre blurring

Some RPGs decrease the importance of character attributes far enough to also be considered action-adventure games, and some recent action-adventure games (such as Grand Theft Auto IV) have begun including RPG-like attributes along the lines of those in an action RPG. Action-adventure games that do not include character statistics (including the Legend of Zelda series but excluding Zelda II: The Adventure of Link) are also sometimes referred to as action RPGs, although this is often debated. It is fair to say that the RPG genre, and the Action-Adventure genre have greatly influenced each other, and are closely related.

Classic Action RPGs

One of the first games to fuse real-time action with RPG elements (such as an overworld, in most cases) was the cult hit Dungeons of Daggorath for the TRS-80 Color Computer. Released in 1982, Daggorath combined a typical dungeon crawl with real-time gameplay requiring quick keyboard presses.

While Western developers continued to explore the possibilities of real-time RPG action, Japanese developers, with their recent interest in the RPG genre, tweaked the formula a bit to create a new brand of action/RPG. The company at the forefront of this was Nihon Falcom.

Falcom's Dragon Slayer, released in 1984, was a simple real-time treasure grab game. However, its sequel, Xanadu, released in 1985, was a full-fledged RPG, with character stats and a large quest. What set Xanadu apart from other RPGs was its action-based combat. The game was immensely popular in Japan, setting records for PC game sales.Fact: date=April 2007