Free Hack and Slash Game Downloads. Some games offer deep narrative story arcs, pose important moral dilemmas, and otherwise push the boundaries of video game storytelling. Then again, with others. Hack and Slash games are known for their balls to the wall action and insanely intense combat. The genre is full of great games that each bring their own unique flavor of violence to the table. Today, we look at the 15 best Hack and Slash games to show you just how fun and diverse this genre can be. Asking what the best hack 'n' slash RPG other than Diablo is is like asking what's the best penis receptacle besides a woman. There is one thing and then there is everything else, and the two.
Best Hack and Slash Games
Note: This article was updated in August of 2019.
This week sees another entry into the popular and well populated genre of character action titles, or as they are also called, hack and slashers. The gameplay is relatively simple, there is one protagonist, a bunch of close combat weapons that tend to do a lot of damage, a few ranged attacks that do little damage, and usually a colorful array of thousands and thousands of enemy mooks to hack and slash through until you get to the oversized bossfight. Simple enough.
The genre has been around since the early days of video games and shows no sign of going away, and with good reason—it’s fun as hell and brings to video gaming the visceral feel that gamers often look for when they place their hands on the controller.
Recent years saw an increase in boss sizes and mook numbers, thanks to beefier hardware. It’s an all time favorite genre, and home to some of the most video game video games. It’s worth noting that these games are not ranked in a particular order as we have at times featured entire franchises.
#19 Castle Crashers
Castle Crashers is a rather older title on our list. This 2D arcade adventure can give friends countless hours of hack-and-slash gaming fun as players defend their kingdom and save the princess. Originally released back in 2008 for the Xbox 360, the game can also be found on the PC platform. Gather your friends for an incredible medieval co-op video game that has so far continued to impress gamers a whole console generation after it was first released. To make some comparisons, the gameplay plays a bit similarly to the latest indie hit, Cuphead as players will be facing against a series of bosses with a slight emphasis on timing out attacks and remembering enemy movements.
#18 DMC – Devil May Cry
This much hated reboot by Ninja Theory took the venerated Japanese Devil May Cry games and applied a sheen of western grittiness to it. Protagonist Dante received a complete overhaul together with the entire rest of the cast. Everyone is there. The fans were very negative about this game before release, some could be swayed by the tight gameplay and gorgeous visuals, others remained negative, crying foul about a lot of things. It is still a great game, though it remains up to the individual if this is actually the best entry in the saga, or even a worthy one, or a horrible failure.
#17 Bayonetta Series
Platinum Games have a knack for designing challenging yet delightfully silly titles like this one. The story about a time traveling super witch is largely forgettable, what matters is the super tight gameplay and the splendid presentation. Bayonetta is a ridiculously pretty game that bursts with style. But most importantly, the game mechanics fit as tightly as the eponymous witches leotard. Taking apart angels and demons and deities and other creatures takes a lot of skill, but once that’s mastered you’re going to have endless fun.
#16 Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
Another much maligned title. Lords of Shadow was slated to be an independent release by Spanish developer Mercury Steam. It eventually was shoehorned into the Castlevania saga when it was picked up by Konami and put under the wing of none other than Hideo Kojima. The production quality is superb, the art style reminiscent of a Guillermo del Toro. On the gameplay side, things could be a bit tighter, especially the camera, but after a few hours things fall into place, all crucial powers are unlocked, and things just flow nicely in this worthy addition to the Castlevania series.
#15 Warhammer 40.000: Space Marine
Relic, the people who do everything Warhammer 40.000 these days, went and created this little, brutal gem for their own distraction, or so it seems. Space Marine is all about smashing, tearing and blowing up enemies of the Emperor. So not that different from the strategy titles, though this time it’s just you as a Space Marine, armed with a trusty chainsaw bayonet and a bolt gun. Strategy isn’t as important, this is all about keeping the flow of carnage up. The game’s mechanics are a bit sluggish in comparison, but beefy enough to stay interesting. It’s a great slasher and a must play for fans of the fictional universe in which there is Only War™.
#14 Brütal Legend
After a really bumpy production history, being dropped by the publisher and taken up by another, and years in development hell, this title already had a rough patch behind it before it even got out the door. This fun brawler SLASH real time strategy SLASH adventure-ish game featuring Jack Black in the lead had a hard time living up to expectations. It’s not a bad game by any means, yet it did fall short in some aspects. Still, it is a very entertaining package with a ton of nods to classic heavy metal music, a great sense of humor and an art style that really comes into its own.
#13 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Revengeance was initially slated as an Xbox 360 exclusive release. Then the entire game concept was scrapped and development went over to Platinum, who crafted a high octane slasher in the vein of Bayonetta and Devil May Cry out of the material. Just as those games, MGR:R is fast paced, furious fun with an epic story told through too many too long cutscenes, as is the series mainstay. It’s great package that comes with even more awesome in the DLC that adds more playable characters.
#12 Devil May Cry V
Devil May Cry 5 is one of the few titles currently out right now for the spring releases. This title puts players into the shoes of a few different characters such as Nero who was present in Devil May Cry 4 and we have to say the game is very fluid with its combat, much like the previous installments. In terms of the narrative, the game picks up after the events of Devil May Cry 4 which follows Nero, Dante and a new character named V as the have to deal with a new powerful demonic invasion. We won’t spoil too much here and we suggest checking out our Before You Buy episode upload on the game posted above.
#11 Darksiders Series
First there was War, now it’s Death’s turn. Darksiders, that Todd McFarlane inspired post biblical apocalypse universe, keeps featuring horsemen of the apocalypse in the lead. The series takes some hints from the Zelda games, while delivering a very distinct own sense of style. Death is a remarkably unique protagonist, the world is really well realized in both visuals and writing and the game itself is just a blast to play.
The term hack & slash in gaming refers to a game that requires the player to run through large levels with a massive group of enemies, and take them out as swiftly and efficiently as possible using any weapon at their disposal. Most of the time the weapon most commonly used in this case would be the sword, which would explain the hacking and slashing aspects about the genre. However, various other abilities can be used such as your fists as well as magical spells. Essentially, hack & slash titles combine the RPG like approach to story, while plenty of action elements are taken from beat em’ ups to create a nice blend of fast paced and exciting fun. Whether you’re fighting for the Three Kingdoms in the popular Dynasty Warriors or battling gruesome pirates in One Piece: Pirate Warriors, the hack & slash anime genre has a lot to offer and we’re going to take a look at ten of the best out there for you to check out.
System/Platform: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Developer: Koei Tecmo | Omega Force
Release Date: March 1, 2007
As we all know by now, the Dynasty Warriors franchise has been the at the forefront when it comes to hack & slash, and so when you throw one of the world’s most notable franchises into the mix you’ve got a hit on your hands. Dynasty Warriors: Gundam Reborn is a title which combined the great minds of those at Omega Force and Koei Tecmo, with the style and appeal of Bandai Namco Entertainment and created an action title like no other. You get to choose your favorite Gundam from a list of popular storylines in the series, and play out that storyline as if you were directing it.
Voice acting from the original anime series are all in tact which give it more mass appeal, along with all of the explosions and laser beams we’ve all to know and love for decades. Everything is all in your face and fast paced, with objectives finishing as quickly as you started them but they’re so fun that you’d go back to replay it over again. Replay value is the major selling point of this title because even when you think you’ve cleared everything, there’s extra bonus features that you’ll need to unlock which just keeps you on the edge of your seat for hours.
System/Platform: PlayStation Vita, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 4, Windows
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Developer: Omega Force
Release Date: March 31, 2015
Toukiden Kiwami plays a lot like Monster Hunter than it does any other title, but it does a great job of incorporating its own style to still make the title feel very original. Using Japanese Medieval themes to convey certain monsters that you’ll encounter throughout the game, Toukiden feels very much like a game where, instead of actually killing monsters, you’re purifying them using special techniques, and through these actions you can collect mitama which can help in leveling up your skills over time. Myanmar typing software free download.
The enemies in this game are quite difficult at times and often had us reeling back in our seats as we tried to come up with strategic ways to combat these things. The boss battles feel a lot like Monster Hunter where you’ll need a large group to take them down, and have all of the right tools at your disposal to make quick work of it. With wi-fi enabled in the game it feels great to login, find your friends and take to the mountains to take care of these tough beasts to restore peace to the village.
System/Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Release Date: January 23, 2014
Sengoku Basara 4 is Capcom’s Dynasty Warriors franchise which provides a more anime feel compared to Omega Force’s more realistic appeal. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses but what makes Sengoku Basara 4 such as great hack & slash anime game is that it focuses on the popular Sengoku Era of Warring States Japan, where general Nobunaga was at the forefront while Sanada and Masamune were on the battlefield, doing whatever they could to secure the nation.
Sengoku Basara 4 is packed full of action with very funny animations that just have you laughing at everything happening. It’s a very lighthearted way of explaining the very violent events that took place during the Sengoku Era, using the very same characters from history but in a more carefree approach that sells to a wider audience. With a nice handful of features to play through such as the story mode and other bonus options, Sengoku Basara 4 is what every fan of Japanese History wants with a little comedy to keep you entertained.
System/Platform: PlayStation Vita, Steam
Publisher: Marvelous AQL | XSEED Games
Developer: Tamsoft
Release Date: February 28, 2013[JP] | June 1, 2016 [Steam]
Nothing is better than watching scantily clad girls battle it out for supremacy and in Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus, you get all of the oppai action and more. The story continues from its predecessor Senran Kagura Burst, which revisits the ongoing conflict between the Hanzo National Academy and their rivals Hebijo Clandestine Girls, while a new challenger comes into the fray: The Gessen Girls Academy. You all participate in this tournament known as the Shinobi Battle Royale, and only one of them will make it out alive.
Whatever school you decide to choose is up to you, but the roster itself is quite huge with 20 characters to choose from, 10 of which come from the original while the other 10 are fresh to the game. There are a ton of gameplay options to choose from such as arcade mode that provides a backstory of the character you chose, while completing the entire story will provide you with some extra added perks. Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus isn’t just for hardcore fans of these oppai girls, but it can be for just about anyone who loves a good laugh paired with a great assortment of action.
System/Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Windows
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Developer: Omega Force | Koei Tecmo
Release Date: March 26, 2015
When Dynasty Warriors comes knocking at Luffy’s door he’s always sure to answer, and with Pirate Warriors 3 you can tell Luffy came with a message to send to all of those pesky pirates. Everything you loved from One Piece is all thrown into this hack & slash anime game that puts Luffy’s team up against all of the other pirates who are all out for the same thing. With you in control of Luffy and his allies, you’ll be using whatever special moves you can to prevent the enemy from attaining the treasure by any means.
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 is nothing short of spectacular because it takes all of the plus points from each franchise and really creates a very balanced universe that truly feels like you’re battling pirates for the gold. You can choose from a variety of popular One Piece characters and take them onto the battlefield to battle big enemies and bosses, while clearing important missions to progress in the exciting story. The plot does follow the anime quite well so if you’re a die hard fan and want to experience the One Piece world hands on, this is the game to pick up.
System/Platform: Multi Platform
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Release Date: January 31, 2008
Devil May Cry has always been a fan favorite over the past decade, but it really hasn’t seen a huge resurgence as of late which is unfortunate. However, that shouldn’t take away the fact that the series is arguably one of the best hack & slash anime games out there and for good reason. Ever since the release of the series back in 2001, Dante has been kicking a lot arse and is not going to stop doing so anytime soon. The story takes place between the plots of the original and Devil May Cry 2, as you control Nero who’s on a mission to stop Dante.
Dante assassinated the leader of the Order of the Sword and Nero wasn’t too pleased by that, so now he seeks revenge by any means necessary. One great aspect about the Devil May Cry series is that, it has always been known for its challenging gameplay aspects and flashy techniques to score big points for massive damage. In Devil May Cry 4, none of that has changed and it sticks to the tried and true principles of the franchise very well. If you’re a big fan of Dante and the whole lore behind his character, then be sure to check this one out.
System/Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Windows
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Developer: Omega Force
Release Date: October 27, 2016 [JP] | February 21, 2017 [NA]
If you haven’t had the chance to check out our detailed review on this extremely hardcore title, then be sure to check out our game recommendations section not only for Berserk Musou but our library of review titles! Berserk Musou or in the west, Berserk and the Band of the Hawk, is a hack & slash anime title that puts you in control of Guts who’s on a mission to reclaim what’s his and take out the God Hand army before it’s too late. Guts is pissed off purely because he was betrayed by someone who he thought could be trusted, and it turns out that the friendship was just a setup.
Now hellbent on revenge, Guts dashes desperately through the demon infested world in search for Casca and to settle the score with Griffith once and for all. Everything from the manga up until the most recent Millennium arc is all thrown into the game, with extra modes such as eclipse mode that take the challenge to the next level with difficult to kill enemies. There’s tons of blood and gore in this game which really makes it feel like the true definition of hack & slash, and with Guts as the main lead you know there’s going to be tons of action.
Hack And Slash Comics
System/Platform: Nintendo Wii U
Publisher: Nintendo Australia
Developer: PlatinumGames
Release Date: September 20, 2014
It’s always nice when we get a chance to see female heroines take to the main stage and create epic adventures. We have to thank Lara Croft for breaking down the barriers for many more sexy females to take the lead. One of these sexy heroines is none other than Bayonetta herself, who in Bayonetta II finds herself on a crazy journey in order to find the Gates of Hell and save her friend Jeanne. It’s nothing but non-stop action in this game as the voice acting just gives it that extra oomph as well.
Straight out of the gates Bayonetta comes racing out like a horse starving for the trophy, and the story behind all of the hacking and slashing just adds more to the already delicious gameplay. As you run a muck through a horde of angelic and demonic forces, you’re greeted with spectacular visuals and exceptional story telling that at times it felt like an animated movie and you were directing it all. As you solve puzzles to clear objectives and take enemies out with the super effective ‘Witch Time’ ability, you’re just on this wild ride that doesn’t seem to have any breaks and quite frankly who cares! The game is jam packed with so much to do that you’re constantly all over the place, and that’s a very good thing.
System/Platform: Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo 3DS
Publisher: Nintendo | Koei Tecmo
Developer: Omega Force | Team Ninja
Release Date: August 14, 2014
Hyrule Warriors has been on our top ten lists recently and for good reason, one of which is the fact that well, it’s The Legend of Zelda. The other reason is that it incorporates everything from the popular series and throws you into a world that’s all out action, in order to restore peace back to Hyrule and prevent Cia from plotting out any more evil.
You can play from a variety of your favorite characters from the series, and they all come equipped with their original weapons that you’re used to. So if you’re a huge fan of Link then you can take to the battlefield with your master sword in hand, while throwing bombs at enemies to blast them away. You can also take part in various modes, all of which pertain to the Zelda lore but once again have you hacking your way through a horde of enemies to secure victory. This is one title you shouldn’t sleep on because it takes everything you love from both the Dynasty Warrior and Zelda games and provides you with an awesome hack & slash experience.
System/Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, Windows
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Developer: Koei Tecmo | Omega Force
Release Date: March 10, 2011
There’s no arguing that Dynasty Warriors is the undisputed champion in the hack & slash department because it coined the term ‘musou’, and it was the first to really take things to next level in terms of action. Hack & Slash has been around for a long time but it wasn’t until the rise of Koei Tecmo’s franchise that it took off and spread worldwide as the must have title. Dynasty Warriors combined both a historical aspect behind the gameplay which tied RPG elements along with it, then threw players into a large map filled with enemies that you need to dispose of.
Some stages require that the player follow strict requirements from the general and must go out to save other generals on the field before they’re bombarded by the enemy. So while people think hack & slash games are just about using very little brain power, there are times when you need to be on alert otherwise you’ll fail missions quite frequently. The one great feature about Dynasty Warriors 8 is that it comes with a variety of added features that really challenge you, but also it acts as sort of an education on Chinese history so if you’re into that this game is hands down the best. Let us not forget the big announcement that Omega Force and Koei just released, that Dynasty Warriors 9 is coming out next year with a new open world environment! We cannot wait to get our hands on that one.
Final Thoughts
The hack & slash genre will undoubtedly be one of the most enriching and entertaining genres in the game industry, because it provides so much more than hacking away all the time but also a nice story experience to wrap things up nicely. With there being so many titles out there to choose from, we’d like to hear from you as to which titles stood out to you the most in the comments section below. Were you excited to hear the news about Dynasty Warriors 9? Excited for Berserk Musou going stateside? Let us know how you feel!
As always, if you want to know about all the latest buzz straight from the bee’s nest in Japan, be sure to keep it locked here at Honey’s Anime.
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