Since the inception of gaming, all of its genres have evolved and even taken on sub-genres. From RPGs to Action/Adventure and First-Person Shooters, there’s a genre out there for every fan. One such popular option is the Hack and Slash style of games. What started with the original God Of War title and games like Drakengard have evolved. Over the years, it has become a blend of new gameplay mechanics and other genres.
The Hack and Slash games of this generation have tried to give players what they love about the genre and add a lot of new toppings to make it a unique experience. Sadly, the frequency of Hack and Slash games has significantly reduced with newer generations. This could be due to the growing taste for realism in video games. Despite that, some of the best Hack and Slash games ever made still hold up by today’s standards. Here are the best options according to Metacritic.
Updated by Juliet Childers on December 10th, 2020: Sometimes, players just want to turn off their brains and stomp some trash mobs. Though “hack and slash” titles can involve holding down the right mouse button as a wizard in Diablo III forever, they usually involve swords. However, the genre has adapted over the years to become more inclusive of other elements such as RPG and Roguelike traits. One of the newest heavy hitters in the genre is Supergiant Games’ indie gem Hades. But how does its Metascore stack up against those of God Of War and Devil May Cry?
14 Darksiders: Warmastered Edition – 81
Darksiders: Warmastered Edition was released in late 2016 and is a remaster for the first Darksiders from 2010. What makes it one of the best Hack and Slash games on the current-gen consoles, is its traditionalism. Darksiders is what anyone would call a classic Hack and Slash.
It packs itself with the features that have defined the genre for a long time: straight-forward combat, puzzle-solving, boss battles, and lots, and lots of combo mechanics. Darksiders is an experience that is closest to the roots of the genre.
13 Middle-Earth: Shadow Of Mordor – 84
Released in 2014, this was one of the first Fantasy Action Hack and Slash games of the generation. What makes Middle Earth: Shadow Of Mordor, a unique game is the fact that it takes inspiration from a lot of other video games. It takes inspiration from games such as Assassin’s Creed, Batman Arkham, & Prince of Persia.
This game also has features such as combo-based combat and a heavy emphasis on counter-attacks and executions. Middle Earth: Shadow Of Mordor is famous for its Nemesis System and is worth playing for the sheer fun of it.
12 DmC: Devil May Cry Definitive Edition – 83 – 86
A lot of people disapproved of the idea of a new look for Dante in the DmC: Devil May Cry. But despite that, this game proved to be an enjoyable Hack and Slash of its time. In 2015, a remastered version for this game came out called DmC: Devil May Cry Definitive Edition.
It’s the same game with added features and content, such as better textures, frame-rate, resolution, and extras. The Definitive Edition is one of the best games for the genre on PS4 and Xbox One.
11 Astral Chain – 87
Astral Chain debuted for the Nintendo Switch in 2019 from developer PlatinumGames. The setting is a dystopian Earth future where the police must protect citizens from interdimensional monsters invading the planet. But the two characters have the unique ability of “chaining” their creatures to use in battle.
The game features cyberpunk themes and grade A Hack and Slash combat. Fans agree that the Astral Chain offers a great soundtrack, engaging visuals, fun mechanics, and a solid story. It maintains a Metascore of 87 and the studio recently teased a sequel.
10 Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice – 88
Hellblade was the first major release by Ninja Theory since Dmc: Devil May Cry, which makes it the most significant title from the studio yet. The unusual nature of this hack and slash has been the topic of discussion among countless players. Hellblade builds immersion by minimizing UI elements and focusing on the sounds and instincts of players.
The game has won over 25 awards worldwide, and a sequel titled Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is in the works as well. This game is a unique experience through and through and is a must-play.
9 Torchlight II – 88
In the spirit of Diablo, the Torchlight series thrusts the player character into a grand narrative. It involves ancient gods, alchemists, and all kinds of sweet, sweet loot with a Metascore of 88.
While the game does not have the traditional mechanics of a Hack and Slash title, gameplay feels easy and fun. There are also dozens of combinations for classes, abilities, and armor/weapon builds.
8 NieR: Automata – 88
Nier: Automata is an action-RPG with Hack and Slash combat. It belongs to the set of games that are genuinely very innovative for their time. The game has an aggregate 88/100 score on Metacritic and is one of the games where the user rating is above the critic score. The game is very artistic in its visual style, and all the boss battles are a cherry on the top.
What makes this game worth playing is its environmental uniqueness and genre-defying gameplay elements. Another selling point of the game is that it is created by PlatinumGames whose games occupy several entries on this list.
7 Devil May Cry 5 – 88
Devil May Cry 5 is the sixth game in the series and is a true sequel to Devil May Cry 4. The game is very underrated compared to what it brings to the table. It is easily the best Hack & Slash game on the entire list, and the reason is not just it’s the gameplay. This game is a love letter to the fans of the series.
Moreover, it has innovated the genre without going into any different direction. Devil May Cry 5 is a real example of what people can expect from the next-generation of Hack & Slash games. It may also settle the Vergil vs. Dante debate for some people.
6 Bastion – 89
This is the first game that put Supergiant Games on the map as a studio. Though initially released in 2011, the game saw a resurgence in 2015 with more players diving into its story. Players control “The Kid” as he traverses areas filled with enemies in an isometric view.
The vibrant backgrounds and stunning soundtrack do a great deal of heavy lifting in terms of design. With a score of 89 on Metacritic, Bastion is a no-brainer for anyone interested in Hack and Slash games.
5 Bayonetta – 90
Bayonetta is the best Hack and Slash on Wii U, without a doubt. But does it hold the same value on other platforms as well? Easily it does. The game is a traditional Hack and Slash created by the developer PlatinumGames. It has a great sequel, which is also a must-play game.
The reason Bayonetta works so well is its over-the-top nature matches the whole point of what a Hack and Slash game is supposed to be. On the current-gen consoles, Bayonetta feels blazingly fast and smoother than before.
4 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – 90
Created by FromSoftware, Sekiro is a blend of action-RPG combined with Hack and Slash mechanics. The game has won many awards, on top of being the game of the year. It is a Metacritic must-play title. FromSoftware has created Ninja Blade, which is an underrated Hack and Slash of the last generation.
With Sekiro, they have blended the amazing role-play elements from Souls games into a Hack and Slash. Sekiro is a masterpiece and one of the best games on the consoles to date. This game deserves to be played by every fan of the genre.
3 Bayonetta 2 – 92
Bayonetta 2 is a Metacritic must-play title. With an aggregate 92/100 score for the Nintendo Switch, it is one of the highest-rated Hack and Slash games ever made. The game is a classic in its approach and adds a ton of new concepts into the gameplay. It is fast, full of combos, and extremely balanced.
Being a sequel, it makes a lot of fresh new additions to the original Bayonetta‘s formula. The combat in the game is very fluid, and the over the top nature of this game works in its favor. The only minus is that it is exclusively available on Nintendo Switch and Wii U. Perhaps the in-development Bayonetta 3 will explore other platforms when it launches.
2 Hades – 92
Supergiant Games scores another title on this list with its most recent release called Hades. It combines all the best parts of the studio’s previous titles and puts it in a Greek mythology setting. The player controls Zagreus as he runs into various members of Greek mythology and history.
He’s the son of Hades and he wants to escape the Underworld. Like Bastion, the game has an isometric view with challenging Roguelike combat. Despite its impressive score of 92 on Metacritic, another Hack and Slash game takes the top spot on this list.
1 God Of War – 94
God Of War has received every praise in the book. It’s the PlayStation game of the year. It is polished and built to perfection. It’s simple, fun, and straightforward. It shines the most in its sound and storytelling department, which is coated with fantastic combat and gameplay mechanics.
It is one of the must-play games on PlayStation 4. If players don’t want to buy a PS4, they can at least cosplay Kratos in Fortnite.
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