[Top 15] Best Hack And Slash Games To Play Today (Ranked Fun To Most Fun)

best hack and slash games, most fun hack and slash games, darksiders 2, ghost of tsushima, warhammer: vermintide 2, monster hunter: world, dead cells, ryse: son of rome, katana zero, hellblade: senua's sacrifice, chivalry 2, path of exile, nier: automata, devil may cry 5, metal gear rising: revengeance, hades, hades game, god of war, god of war 2018

Updated:

10 Aug 2022

Why are Hack-and-Slash Games This Much Fun?

Hack-and-slash games are usually fast-paced, off-the-wall crazy and overall really, really fun to play.

Even though the genre has been diminishing in popularity and recent releases recently, there are still amazing hack-and-slash games that have been released recently.

So, read to find out what these great hack-and-slash titles are and why they are so fun to play!

15. Darksiders II (PC / PS3 / Xbox 360 / Wii U / PS4 / Xbox One / Switch)

Trailer for the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCjlo5pdV2A&ab_channel=PlayStation

Developed by Vigil Games and published by THQ (Oh, now that’s an old name we haven’t heard in some time), Darksiders 2 is a game drenched in a dark atmosphere and fun gameplay. Playing literally as one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, Death, you are tasked with saving humanity for whatever reason Death would want to save humanity.

As one of the last swan songs of THQ before shutting down their doors, Darksiders 2 offers an open world filled with monsters and puzzles. There are side quests that you can find in the open world through dungeons. Also, you can ride Death’s horse in the game to traverse the vast landscapes. The combat is fun, you wield two scythes and can slash your enemies with these weapons, along with other side weapons like claws, blades, hammers, axes, and so on. A good entry into the hack and slash genre. Definitely worth a try.

14. Ghost of Tsushima (PS4 / PS5)

Trailer for the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqysmS4lxwQ&ab_channel=IGN

The long-awaited Ghost of Tsushima was released in 2020 by Sucker Punch Productions and published by Sony. Playing as the last member of its clan, Jin Sakai, you have to fight against a variety of enemies to take back your homeland. The game was released as a PlayStation exclusive, and it remains that way. You can play it both on PS4 and PS5.

You can slash through hordes of enemies in Ghost of Tsushima, but it has mechanics like stealth and other guerilla tactics to fight your enemies also. Stealth is usually not an option that is seen in hack-and-slash games, but it wouldn’t be unfair to classify this game as a hack-and-slash. The combat can be fast at times, and you will have to employ different tactics and fighting styles for different enemies. Also, Sucker Punch is known for being the developers of the Infamous series, so this is breath of fresh air for the company and a great game to play on top of that as well.

13. Warhammer: Vermintide 2 (PC / Xbox One / PS4 / Xbox Series S-X)

Trailer for the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTlpd3O6-gE&ab_channel=Fatshark

The hack-and-slash genre gets a new breath that It did not get for some time with Warhammer: Vermintide 2. Released by Fatshark in 2018, the game provides a great introduction to the Warhammer universe and a great co-op experience.

Going through hordes of enemies that reside and fight each other to death in the Warhammer universe, you can expect a great co-op experience with elements of the rogue-like genre. Wield different, strong weapons and crush your enemies with them. And yes, you will have to crush a lot of enemies in the game.

12. Monster Hunter: World (PS4 / Xbox One / PC)

Trailer for the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro6r15wzp2o&ab_channel=MonsterHunter

Ready to fight the biggest beasts in gaming you have seen? Then, Monster Hunter: World released by Capcom in 2018 might be your jam. Create your own character and travel the New World. You will be fighting with a lot of monsters that will be on your way, from beasts a few times bigger than you to colossal beasts the size of mountains.

The game offers an open-world aspect where you can explore the world of Monster Hunter: World from the moment you start the game. There are different zones in the New World which will prove different challenges and difficulties for your journey to become even stronger. The game can be grindy at times, but if fighting colossal monsters for an hour before they are defeated is something you are into, then this is just the game for you!

11. Dead Cells (PC / Switch / PS4 / Xbox One / iOS / Android)

Trailer for the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvGaSPTcTxc&ab_channel=PlayStation

Dead Cells is a game developed by Motion Twin in 2018 which might prove to be your favorite roguelike. The reason Deadl Cells is in this list is the fact that the game’s mechanics and combat have a lot to do with skills, tactics, and big numbers popping up on top of enemies telling you how much you are damaging them. So yes, you can tell I enjoy the combat in this game.

You play as the Prisoner. You are mute and the world around you is unknown to you. You try your best to find out more about the world through NPCs, enemies, and most importantly and the most fun of all, bosses. If you enjoy slashing through enemies with various skills and are also in love with rogue-likes like I am, this game is a must-play for you.

10. Ryse: Son of Rome (Xbox One / PC)

Trailer for the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNO9n9TthZg&ab_channel=outsidexbox

With the best graphics of its time that wooed many gamers when it first came out in 2013, Ryse: Son of Rome is a historical hack-and-slash game released by Crytek. Yes, the developers of Crysis. Okay, the mystery behind why this game looks so good even after a decade is solved. Nice, let’s carry on.

But the game is not only known for its graphics but its riveting gameplay as well. The game starts right in the middle of Rome being invaded. You will start the game and slash through enemies as you try to defend the city. The game is heavy, and every hit is felt. In addition to the amazing graphics that still look amazing even after almost a decade, the fact that you can feel every hit from sounds to how it looks gives us an amazing feel throughout every combat encounter. A fun game that is not hundreds of hours long, anyone who enjoys some hacking and/or slashing should definitely give this game a shot.

9. Katana Zero (Switch / PC / Xbox One)

Trailer for the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GcJC0N07Nk&ab_channel=Nintendo

Aesthetic spews out from every corner of Katana Zero, released by Justin Stander in 2019 and published by Devolver Digital. With such a small team, there is more to the game than one can expect. As an assassin who brings justice to the streets of New Mecca, you will have a fast-paced and gory time with this game.

Don’t let the graphics fool you. The game’s color scheme is an amazing blend of all the neon colors we all love, and the combat is fast, unforgiving, and fun as heck! The story is drenched in style and so is everything you see in the game. This is a proper hack-and-slash in the new era of gaming and with a such small studio behind it, you won’t believe how enjoyable it is to slash through gangs of enemies in your way to justice and more. Give this one a try, there is a high chance you will like it.

8. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice (PS4 / PC / Xbox One / Switch / Xbox Series S-X)

Trailer for the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBJ0ifVtK5c&ab_channel=PlayStation

Released by Ninja Studio in 2017, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a significant game in the ecosystem of gaming and media. The then small team of 20 people at Ninja Theory created a world where you play as Senua and do everything in your power to save your lover’s soul from the goddess Hela, from Helheim. Okay, you are against crushing odds, trying to take something from a goddess, but the game throws you even more things to worry about on the way.

Yes, the game is inspired by Norse Mythology. But not only that, but the game also manages to convey mental illness respectfully even in a fantasy world filled with Norse gods and monsters. We always love a game that brings focus to important issues such as mental health; so, props to the game for managing to do that so eloquently. The combat, in addition, brings only more heft to the story of Senua as you explore the world around you and fight with multiple enemies with heaviness and overall heft. Yes, the feel of the combat is great, and only adds to the heaviness of the game in general.

7. Chivalry 2 (PC / PS4 / Xbox One / PS5 / Xbox Series S-X)

Trailer for the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKlYVpCuab0&ab_channel=IGN

The follow-up to Chivalry I, Chivalry II brings more gore and a lot of that hacking and slashing we all know and love. Released by Torn Banner Studios and Published by Tripwire Interactive, the game takes the aspect of medieval warfare to a whole another level and brings fun to all the carnage one can easily come across on a medieval battlefield.

You can slash your enemy’s head and use that as a weapon. Yes, that should be enough reason to play the game. The game is multiplayer with servers that can reach 64 players, meaning that you can joust and fight to the death with various people of different skills. And when you win the fight and your enemy goes down, oh, there isn’t a better feeling honestly. You can go on the battlefield, do duels, or can even join huge sieges. Definitely worth a try.

6. Path of Exile (PC / Xbox One / PS4)

Trailer for the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbu0wBDC4Rg&t=1s&ab_channel=GameSpotTrailers

Released in 2013 by Grinding Gear Games, Path of Exile changes the perception of how many enemies can appear on your screen at a time. Probably the best ARPG released, the game offers a vast world, lore, and gameplay to boot.

The gameplay is intense. As you progress your character, you will slash through hundreds of enemies a minute. There are also countless builds and a variety of characters to choose from. If you enjoy ARPGs with a lot of detailed lore and gameplay with even a more fast-paced hack-and-slash combat than the genre’s titans like Diablo, this is the game for you. The game also resets every 3 months or so, bringing new content and freshness as it does. Overall, it is not that hard to sink a few hundred hours into the game easily.

5. Nier: Automata (PS4 / PC / Xbox One / Switch)

Trailer for the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJxNhJ8fjFk&ab_channel=PlayStation

You are in Nier, thousands of years have passed since the first game. Playing as both 2B and 9S, you are tasked with clearing out machines for the Resistance. Released by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix, Nier: Automata is a great way to discover that the hack-and-slash genre is not yet dead.

The gameplay is fast-paced, fun, and offers a lot of variety. You will be fighting against machines of every variety and the game tends to turn into a Bullet Hell at times too. With fast combat and huge swords, you will surely have a ton of fun in the sci-fi aesthetic of Nier: Automata.

4. Devil May Cry 5 (PS4 / PC / Xbox One / PS5 / Xbox Series S-X)

Trailer for the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHPAnj_Lcbo&ab_channel=DevilMayCry

Here is a real return to form. Devil May Cry 5, released by Capcom, is a successor to the last game in the series, DMC, which has not received, let’s say, favorable reviews from critics. As we’ve said, this is a return to form, and a strong one at that. Playing as the legendary protagonist Dante, you will explore the world of Devil May Cry filled with monsters, demons, and other enemies you will use to combo your attacks and deal ungodly amounts of damage.

This is prime hack-and-slash gaming right here. The combos and the combo meters are here. You can use different attack combos for different enemies. The combat is flashy, extremely fast-paced, and amazingly fun to play. This is a game not only for the fans of the original series but for fans of the hack-and-slash genre in general.

3. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (PS3 / Xbox 360 / PC)

Trailer for the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMCkbDnaTDM&ab_channel=GameSpot

Here we go. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance developed by PlatinumGames and Kojima Studios and published by Konami in 2013 offers one of the best combat in gaming. You play as Raiden, which will be a name that will be really familiar to the fans of the Metal Gear series. The game takes place four years after MGS4. Your task is to stop Desperado which is a company that wants to preserve war and break up the peace the world has managed to garner over the years.

The name “hack-and-slash” has been taken a little bit too literally in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. With obnoxiously fast combat (in a good way), you will be able to hack and slash your enemies to multiple pieces with your sword. The game also goes into a slow-motion sequence as you do so, and it is one of the most satisfying things in gaming. The gameplay is there, combos are there, and everything a great hack-and-slash game offers is there. And inside the Metal Gear universe on top of that. What more can you want?

2. Hades (PC / Switch / PS4 / Xbox One / PS5 / Xbox Series S-X)

Trailer for the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91t0ha9x0AE&ab_channel=IGN

Okay, here is another rogue-like in the list. Well, the only difference is that this, in my opinion, is the best rogue-like that has ever come out. Hades, released by Supergiant Games in 2020, is the story of Zagreus, the son of Hades. As Zagreus, your objective is to escape the clutches of the Underworld and your father Hades to go and find someone you have lost a long time ago, who is now in the outside world. Underworld ruled over by Hades is known to be inescapable; however, you are keen on changing that real soon.

Another fast game where you can upgrade yourself and use various weapons to slash through enemies with different combos, attack types, and strategies of attacks. The game is fast-paced, you slide around to escape the attacks of your enemies and counterattack from every direction. In Hades, you not only attack fast, but you also move faster. The game changes every time you die; however, don’t let the starting-over mechanic bother you. The game will change and upgrade itself every time you make progress. If you are a fan of hack-and-slash titles or rogue-likes, or what the heck, even both, you will love this game. Guaranteed.

God of War (2018) (PS4 / PC)

Trailer for the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqQMh_tij0c&ab_channel=PlayStation

With amazing graphics, an amazing story, and AMAZING gameplay, this is one of the best games released in recent memory. God of War, released by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony, is a soft reboot of the God of War games released for PS2 and PS3, with the third one released for the PS4. God of War as a series has always been about killing big monsters while being really angry about it, and as you do so, a big combo meter would pop up. Even though some hack-and-slash tropes have been stripped from 2018’s God of War, the soul of the genre and the original series is still there.

Going in a different direction, action-adventure, the game also goes for another mythology to follow. Today’s course is Norse mythology. Playing as Kratos, you are tasked with spreading your newly deceased wife’s ashes to the highest peak in the realm. You have your son alongside you, Atreus. Through the course of the game, Kratos tries his hardest to teach his son the realities of the world while also trying to not get overwhelmed with the sins of his past. The combat is amazingly enjoyable and hefty. While it is not as fast-paced as the previous games, as a result, the combat feels more concrete and heavier. Every hit you deliver feels like it has every ounce of muscle Kratos has in his body behind it. This is the game right here, in my opinion, the best hack-and-slash title there is, Even though hack-and-slash is not the game’s main focus.