15 Hack and Slash Games You Have to Know

In the early days of the arcade and the first generations of consoles, hack and slash games were some of the biggest hits. These titles set the tone for decades to come, with influence still felt in many corners of the modern market. From the traditional hack and slash experience to modern RPGs with hack and slash elements, this genre shows no slowing down.

With all that in mind, we want to look at 15 of the best hack and slash games from the history of gaming. From the 1980s to the modern blockbusters, these games of action continue to fascinate players, and that doesn't look likely to change anytime soon.

The 15 Best Hack & Slash Games

Warriors Orochi 4

This is the biggest and best of the hack and slash games that combine Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors into one shared world. Warriors Orochi 4 routinely has players taking down over a thousand enemies in a battle, with weapons and abilities that go above and beyond the standard fare.

Metal Gear Rising Revengeance

Not at all a typical Metal Gear game, Rising Revengeance became one of the most frantic and impressive hack and slash games ever. Slice enemies into pieces, take down titanic machines, and engage in some of the best boss battles in gaming.

Golden Axe

One of the classic retro hack and slash games that started the genre. Golden Axe is old-fashioned fun, even if it is a little simple by today's standards. Pick one of three characters, and get ready to brag if you do manage to make it to the end.

Katana Zero

Combining gorgeous 2D graphics with a rewarding time-rewind mechanic, Katana Zero was a breakout hit few saw coming. Some hack and slash games like to do something different, and Katana Zero stands out for just how far it takes its gameplay loop.

Hades

A well-written roguelike game, Hades was considered by many as one of the best hack and slash games released in 2018. Each run in Hades is different, as boons from Greek gods aid the hero in escaping Hades for the free world above.

Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection

The 3D Ninja Gaiden games borrowed the difficulty of their 2D cousins while maintaining the action-heavy spirit. Some hack and slash games take no prisoners, and any of the Ninja Gaiden titles in this collection illustrate this point perfectly.

Onimusha: Warlords

Originally released for the PS2, Onimusha: Warlords still stood the test of time when its remaster hit PC. Become the eponymous Demon Warrior, hunt monsters, absorb their souls, and use magical weapons to turn the tide against the darkness.

God of War 3

God of War 3 isn't the latest in the series, but it is the one we feel best encapsulates the hack and slash games spirit. This title has Kratos finally enacting his vengeance on Zeus, setting himself up for the brilliant modern reimagining.

Elden Ring

FromSoftware's latest and greatest in the Souls-like genre, Elden Ring contains a huge world full of challenges. Be warned, a playthrough in this game can easily take over 80 hours, so prepare yourself for what's ahead.

Nioh

A Souls-like with a heavier emphasis on fast-paced action, Nioh is an interesting experiment that paid off. As a samurai warrior who commands spirits and ninjitsu, Nioh adopts Japanese mythology in a way that's both fascinating and challenging to overcome.

For Honor

One of the best multiplayer hack and slash games, For Honor has players competing as different warriors throughout history. From knights to Vikings, barbarians, and samurai, this game is something fantasy battles are made of, and it still maintains a dedicated online player base to battle against.

Devil May Cry 5

Following the divisive DMC reboot, Devil May Cry 5 is a return to form in hack and slash games. With multiple characters and a break-neck combat system, DMC5 demands mastery while also featuring some of the coolest cutscenes in the business.

Diablo 3

While Diablo 4 is currently on shelves, Diablo 3 has a longer and proven history within hack and slash games. Finding itself with RPG stylings, the Diablo 3 Barbarian class is a hack and slash powerhouse as they strive to make Diablo himself bend the knee.

Titan Quest

If you like Diablo but horror games aren't really your thing, then Titan Quest could be just what you're looking for. This title pits players against a menagerie of classic monsters like Cyclops' and Gorgons as they battle to become the strongest.

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

As perhaps the best Middle-earth game around, Shadow of Mordor combines the Batman Arkham battle system with Tolkien's world and an incredible Nemesis enemy framework. The orcs you face in this title have real personalities and traits, which makes it all the more satisfying when you take the head of a long-time foe.

Get Your Game On

While the above games illustrate 15 fantastic hack and slash games, they're far from the only great experiences out there. With hack and slash combined with so many genres, there are hundreds of experiences in which hack and slash ideals can be enjoyed. Fans out there just remember to stretch your wrists, as hours of beating down your enemies can take a toll!