Hack n’ slash is here to slay. The fan favorite genre has made many strides since God of War, most notably 2013’s Castlevania: Lords of Shadow.
Bringing the classic horror series to the PS3 generation, LoS distinguished itself with fast-paced action and adrenaline fueled gameplay.
But for those still needing their fix, there’s plenty more games like this to take on, with a few twists of their own.
11. Dante's Inferno
Anyone can say they’d do anything for love, but just how many would be willing to brave the nine circles of hell? Templar knight Dante will do just that to save his love, and perhaps confront his own many sins along the way.
With the seven deadly sins as the basis and the infernal realms ahead of you, you have the makings for one hell of a time. Humanity’s wickedness is laid out before you in game form, and only your proficiency with the scythe of Death himself can save you.
Dante’s Inferno borrowed a bit much from more popular series, God of War being the most obvious. But it did manage to bring its own spin on things with some truly hellish imagery. Anyone clamoring for a particularly visceral game will find their fix with the game’s plethora of nightmares.
10. Darksiders 3
Three riders into Darksiders’ saga of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse brings us to Fury. As with the previous games, your task is one of a truly divine scale. Whips and magic in tow, your job is to hunt the Seven Deadly Sins themselves.
Darksiders 3 is a game that’ll really test a player’s mettle. Careful strategy for even the lowliest of foes is what’s needed here, as any foe can prove overpowering, even with grinding and upgrades. But for those looking for a challenge, the game will prove rewarding for the more calculating gamer.
What’s more, DS3 chooses to forego the more linear gameplay mode and instead make even basic exploration rely on strategy. Each boss will require tracking down, and even then only once the proper upgrades are found to open up new areas. It’s a fresh addition that’ll keep gamers relying on brain as much as brawn.
9. Code Vein
Code Vein Gameplay
In the future, humanity is brought to its knees by way of a new enemy, the Thorns of Judgement. With the last bastions of civilization all but gone, the few remaining holdouts fight back in any way they can, and their champions have only their own humanity to risk losing if it means saving the human race itself.
Gameplay bears a lot of the hallmarks of the modern hack n’ slash, most obviously following the Dark Souls brand. However, Code Vein clearly isn’t trying to hide its inspiration, and still knows when to add some touches of its own. Features like optional companions, special abilities, and a wide assortment of weapons all add a new edge to the playstyle.
Code Vein has yet to hit the general market, but early hype is already glowing. Many are drawing comparisons to previous action game mainstays, but also emphasizing the unique draws it has going for itself. Only time will tell for certain, but it seems like it’s gearing up to be another hit.
8. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine
The future is an all-out, never-ending war, and few know this better than the Ultramarines. As Captain Titus, you face down wave after wave of the Ork horde and find whatever secret they’re gunning after before they do. After all, as a space marine, this is what you were born for.
Space Marine knows how to make a splash, even if it does occasionally get in the way of gameplay. Still, its grand sweeping battle scenes will make any gamer feel like they’re part of some overwhelming conflict beyond human scope. It’s constant, explosive, and neck deep in ultraviolence.
The Warhammer universe is one wrought with a trove of lore and history that can’t be easily be summed up. But even for those unfamiliar with the mythos, Space Marine does a stellar job appealing to longtime fans while also making for a good jump-on point.
7. Bayonetta
Five hundred years ago, a war between two clans of magicians nearly saw both sides eradicated. As Bayonetta, you play as one of the last of the Umbra Witches clan and tackle the very enemies that destroyed your people head-on. Only problem is, your memories are all but gone, and the clues left are a bit sparse.
Bayonetta is fast-paced, kinetic action that rarely lets up even for a moment. If anything, spectacle is the law of the land as the game puts its stock into ludicrous combo attacks and relatively easy dodge maneuvers. Coupled with lots of collectables to obtain, the game is loaded with replay value.
Bayonetta is a game that revels in its excess, and that comes in the best way possible. Hyper fast and unapologetically goofy, it’s equal parts sincere and irreverent.
6. Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
HELLBLADE SENUA'S SACRIFICE Gameplay
Hellblade is that rare game that tackles war from a different angle: the aftermath. As Senua, you venture into the realm of Helheim itself to save the soul of the man you love. But whatever trials await are nothing compared to the weight of trauma that plagues Senua throughout.
In Hellblade, combat takes a backseat to the visual experience before you. Enemies show up to be overcome but only as a break from the emotionally driven exploration. Sights and sounds flourish, but you’ll never know what to fully trust.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a sight to be behold, and no amount of words can live up to the experience itself. The game will take you inside a traumatized mind, showing a side to game violence rarely (if ever) explored. For an action game that can really sell itself as a work of art, this is it.
5. The Surge 2
The future is bright. As far as devastation goes, that is. Following the release of the 2017 original, Surge 2 will no doubt follow more of the exploits of its working class heroes in a brave new harsh world. New advancements may propel the human race forward, but some will always be left behind.
The first game received much praise for its strategic heavy combat systems, in particular allowing gamers to focus attacks on specific limbs and areas. The sequel is already promising to build off of that and more. The list goes on, including expanding further on character and weapon systems.
Like its predecessor, The Surge 2 is aiming to give gamers more of that grungy old school, sci-fi vibe. Combat is tight, heavy, and methodical, lending itself to the strengths of players who carefully think out each attack. The more things change, the more they stay the same, and survival of the fittest is the law of the land.
Relative newcomer Nero (introduced in DMC 4) is keeping his nose to the grindstone as a professional demonhunter. Unfortunately, things hit a bit of a snag when he finds himself deprived of his right arm, the Devil Bringer. To make things worse, a demon tree has taken root in Red Grave City, and it’ll take the combined efforts of Nero, Dante, and a host of friends new and old to cut to the chase.
Despite being the fifth game in the series (barring 2013’s DmC), Devil May Cry 5 proves to be a great entry point for newcomers and returners alike. Longtime fans will no doubt find plenty to appreciate this time around as well, with a slew of new improvements and gameplay additions to liven things up. Couple that with three playable characters who each have unique gameplay types, the playthrough experience will keep things fresh and interesting throughout.
While only having been released a little over a month ago, DMC 5 is already ramping up to be one of the year’s best releases. For the hack n’ slash crowd, or even just for the general market, this is a can’t miss title.
3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
As a shinobi dedicated to your code of honor, you adhere to one goal: protect your master at all costs. You abide by this goal to the point of death. But for those with real dedication, even death won’t get in your way.
Sekiro is a wealth of great gameplay, from combat, stealth, gadgets, and strategy. Much like the game’s spiritual predecessors Dark Souls and Bloodbourne, enemy defeats don’t come easy, but feel all the more earned when achieved. Plus the resurrection system will have you keeping all your options open. You may opt for quick and easy solutions or drawn out choices that’ll be more rewarding as things march on.
The world at your fingertips breaths with rich life and detail all around, and you’ll want to take all of it in. More so as the game has numerous secrets for the curious gamer to find. Between this and DMC 5, lightning certainly seems to strike multiple times, and the year isn’t even half over yet.
2. NIOH
Things in Nioh start off with the base desire for treasure and resources, though as is often the case, it rarely stays as simple as that. Taking on the role of William, you wander through Japan and undertake the way of the samurai. Only by doing so will you have a chance of taking on the enemy hordes after the same treasure you pursue.
With Nioh’s fast-paced action gameplay, it’s adapt or die. Enemies show just as much fortitude as the player, so every encounter makes for a learning experience. Yet with each of these new learning curves comes multiple ways to take down opponents, sometimes without having to take the most direct approach.
Combat itself is aided by many methods for improvement made available. Players can branch themselves out through combat enhancements, weapons crafting, and magic. The way of the samurai has never been this varied.
1. Dark Souls 3
The kingdom of Lothric has barely held onto any last shreds of peace and order. But when the First Flame begins to die out, signaling the end of an age, darkness and destruction rush in to take its place. As the undead Ashen One, you alone must take up the duty that others have failed to uphold. But will your efforts be enough?
Gamers will still find most of the trademarks they’ve come to expect from the series, from unrelenting enemies to frequent deaths and trial-by-error learning curves. That being said, Dark Souls 3 knows when to keep things fresh by injecting faster gameplay and a larger variety of weapons and unique attacks. The levels themselves are as vast as ever, helped by adding convenient ways to teleport around them.
Dark Souls’ influence has only become more and more apparent in recent years, from plenty of inspiration-driven games to straight-up knock-offs. But when all is said and done, nothing beats the granddaddy of them all. And three games in, the series has only gotten more and more brutal.
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