There are many impressiveaction-adventurevideo games that embrace the hack and slash style of kinetic gameplay. It’s been amazing to see how these titles have been able to evolve and create a more immersive and challenging experience. TheGod of Warfranchise has done excellent work to perfect this style of gameplay in many ways.
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TheGod of Warseries expertly mixes together tight action with Greek and Norse mythology to create something special. That being said, there are plenty ofsimilar gamesthat either succeed or fail in capturing the same magic. Accordingly, here are 5 games to play if you likeGod of Warand 5 you should avoid.
10Play: Hellblade: Sensua’s Sacrifice
Hellblade: Sensua’s Sacrificeshould be mandatory playing for any fan of theGod of Warseries. Not only do the titles feature extremely similar combat and gameplay, but they’re both deeply entrenched in deep Norse mythology. It’s a lot of fun to encounter characters and deities inHellbladethat have appeared or been referenced inGod of Wartitles.
In addition to these surface-level similarities,Sensua’s Sacrificedoes fantastic work with its protagonist and works hard to turn Sensua into an empathetic figure who makes more of an impression thanKratos.
9Avoid: DmC: Devil May Cry
TheDevil May Cryseries has turned into one of Capcom’s most popular and lucrative franchises, but the frantic action slasher has had its ups and downs over the years.DmC: Devil May Cryis easily the most controversial entry in the series since it’s meant to operate as a reboot of the material.
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DmC’snew, “hip” perspective is largely considered an insult to the original series. The combat may still be entertaining, but the story and character problems turn this game into a soulless slog.
8Play: Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow
Castlevania: Lord of Shadowshould have been a home run on every front. It’s a promising return to theCastlevania series, especially since it puts video game auteur,Hideo Kojima, at the helm and he doesn’t hold back.
Kojima’s more adult take to the gothic series bears a lot in common withGod of War.They both feature similar gameplay and equally extravagant enemies.Lords of Shadowdoesn’t pull from mythology in the same way thatGod of Wardoes, but they both look to folklore for inspiration.
7Avoid: Lollipop Chainsaw
Video games have evolved so much that there’s a tendency to believe that more insanity is always a good thing. Developers like Grasshopper Manufacture and Goichi Suda largely operate off of this philosophy.
Sometimes this approach works, butLollipop Chainsawis the perfect example of the dangers of excess.Lollipop Chainsawthrowszombie hordes, chainsaw action, a partner that’s a disembodied head, and a protagonist that’s meant to be objectified. There’s never a lack of action in the game, but the combat is a lot sloppier than whatGod of Waroffers.
6Play: Dark Souls: Remastered
FromSoftware has perfected the art of frustrating gamers with insanely punishing experiences that push players to their limits. The chaotic combat inDark Soulsis incredibly similar toGod of Warand it’s easy to apply tricks from one game in the other.
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The enormous bosses share a lot of similar DNA, too. However, the biggest similarity between these hack and slash action-adventure games is how they approach level design and story progression. It’s hard to not inevitably compare these two titles when it comes down to how they throw players into these dangerous, new worlds.
5Avoid: Ninja Gaiden 3
TheNinja Gaidenseries deserves a lot of respect and the games helped give the original Xbox a popularity boost during the console’s infancy. Team Ninja is known for putting together tight hack and slash action experiences, butNinja Gaiden 3is a step backward in every regard.
It’s easily the nadir of the series, which makes its conclusion even more disappointing.Ninja Gaiden 3has a messy combat system and gameplay that constantly punishes and frustrates the player. God of War creates an addictive experience that inspires improvement, butNinja Gaiden 3is just a crushing blow.
4Play: Bayonetta
The developers behindGod of Warhave done incredible things with the series and created modern masterpieces, but when it comes to the competition it’s hard to top the work of PlatinumGames. Every game that Platinum puts out is reason for celebration, butBayonettais really the best example of what they can accomplish.
The title is the perfect mix of insane combat, bonkers visuals, and aheroinethat’s instantly lovable.Bayonettaoften feels like a fever dream, but it’s the kind that players will never want to wake up from.
3Avoid: No More Heroes
No More Heroeswas a groundbreaking title forNintendo’s Wiithat gave the friendly console a welcome dose of brutality.No More Heroeshas grown into its own ridiculous and meta franchise that in many ways is a deconstruction of the action genre.
No More Heroesarguably has more hack and slash combat action thanGod of War,but it’s a very different kind of violence. The game feels a little too far removed from reality and tonally it couldn’t be more different than whatGod of Warstrives to achieve.
2Play: Rise Of The Tomb Raider
TheTomb Raider serieshas had a fascinating evolution over the years and it continues to push boundaries.Rise of the Tomb Raideris a glorious reboot of the franchise and even though there’s considerably less combat and foreboding Gods to contend with inRise of the Tomb Raider,the games still share a bunch in common.
The biggest area of comparison between the titles is that the puzzles and massive environments inRise of the Tomb Raidereasily conjure the areas fromGod of War.It’s the perfect choice for gamers that want a more grounded experience.
1Avoid: Dante’s Inferno
Dante’s Infernoshares a lot in common thematically withGod of War.Both titles pull from weighty texts for their inspiration and tackle comparable ground.Dante’s Infernoadapts Dante’s work of the same name, with the title turning Dante into a scythe-wielding Knight of the Templar.
Despite the similar subject matter and combat styles, the game quickly loses its steam and becomes repetitive early on. It’s derivative ofGod of War,rather than an evolution of the genre that pushes that style of gameplay to new places.
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