Best games emerge when you mix the hack & slash and RPG genres. Such as Diablo, V Rising, Hades, etc. For the 20 best ones, scroll down below.
Hack & slash: Is a type of game that emphasizes non-stop action. You’ll be fighting and slashing hordes of enemies without a break.
RPG: Is a game in which you assume the role of a completely unique character and role-play to immerse yourself with the in-game universe.
Most RPGs lack real action. Also, most hack & slash games miss role-playing. So, when the two mixed, you get amazing action game with real-deal role playing elements.
20 best hack & slash RPGs:
1. Diablo 4
Most popular hack & slash video game franchise is most definitely Diablo. The Diablo 1 and 2 was cult-classic genre defining games. If you haven’t played them before, you can get the remastered versions from Blizzard’s website.
Anyway, latest game of the series is Diablo 3. It’s absolutely brilliant hack & slash with many classes, acts, enemies, overall content. You better not miss it. Especially now that Diablo 4 is on the corner. Initial release date of Diablo 4 is June 6, 2023 and before that, I recommend you play rest of the Diablo games and be ready!
What more can I say? Diablo is the king of isometric aRPG hack & slash genres.
2. V Rising
V Rising is a mix between action RPG and hack & slash elements. It’s also a vampire game. By the way, check best vampire RPGs if you like vampires.
You awaken as a Vampire in V Rising and the hunger hits. You must hunt for blood in nearby settlements. As you feed, your vampiric powers grow. You get to hack and slash a lot too.
V Rising can be played solo. But the real fun is in the online mode, especially when you raid other players castles. Yes, you can build a mighty vampire castle in the open-world and others can raid it, just like Rust.
3. Hades
Hades is an action roguelike which is also hack & slash RPG. It’s one of the highest rated games you can find on Steam platform because of its top-notch story, artwork, music, and gameplay.
In the game, you defy the god of the dead (Hades himself) as you hack & slash through Underworld. See, the game is heavily inspired or literally taken from the Greek mythology. As a history & mythology enthusiast, I can’t get enough of this game.
4. Path of Exile
5. Diablo 2 Resurrection
Diablo 2 is superior to Diablo 1 in every way you can imagine. Besides, Diablo 2 got remastered in 2021. So, if you haven’t played it before, go get Diablo 2 Resurrection now.
Choose amazon, assassin, necromancer, barbarian, paladin, sorceress, or druid class and embark on a epic journey. Fight denizens of hell including Diablo, Mephisto, and Ball. Diablo is resurrected, literally.
6. Lost Ark
Lost Ark is a Korean hack & slash MMORPG with the most ridiculous classes, spells, and abilities. Everything about Lost Ark is in grand scale in Lost Ark. Best part is, Lost Ark is free to play on Steam.
Lost Ark classes:
- Warrior
- Martial Artist
- Gunner
- Mage
- Assassin
- Specialist
Of course, all these classes have their own sub-classes.
Even though Lost Ark is a great hack & slash game, it’s still a MMORPG. So, if you don’t have lots of time and patient, I urge you to skip Lost ark.
7. Grim Dawn
8. Last Epoch
9. Darksiders Genesis
All the Dark Siders games are in third person view, except the latest release Darksiders Genesis. This one is an isometric hack & slash game in which you control fourth and last horseman STRIFE. If you play co-op, other play will control the horseman WAR. Co-op is also a first for Darksiders genre. Overall, Darksiders Genesis was an experimental game but the experiment ended in success. The game turned out to be great, positive reviews also points to that fact.
Darksider Genesis also has great puzzles waiting to be solved. Puzzles are especially fun in co-op mode.
10. Victor Vran ARPG
11. UNDECEMBER
12. The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing
13. Children of Morta
14. Eldest Souls
Eldest Souls is a souls-like game as can be seen on its title. It’s pretty similar to Dark Souls games in terms of classes, enemies, combat, and difficulty. Except, Eldest Souls use isometric camera unlike the third person view of Dark Souls games. An interesting take which works very well.
Pros of Eldest Souls would be artistic graphics, atmosphere, and epic boss battles. Can’t think of any cons except, the game is a little bit short. Wish it was longer!
15. Torchlight 2
16. Titan Quest
Anniversary
17. Rum & Gun
There aren’t many pirate themed hack & slash games. In fact, I can’t think any other. Except Rum & Gun. It’s a fast-paced shooter action with ARPG elements.
You like piracy themed games, check out the list of best pirate RPGs ever. You’ll definitely find something you’ll like.
Anyway, you’ll travel the Indian Ocean, uncover the secrets of the Drunken God, and become a legendary pirate captain in Rum & Gun. Be careful though, you’re not in Caribbean anymore. Natives, tribes, zombies, exotic animals, monsters, and many other enemies will relentlessly face you.
18. Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem
19. Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance is a hack & slash game released way back in 2001. However, you can get the 2021 remake from Steam. It’s a Baldur’s Gate game based on Dungeons & Dragons but it’s far from being a RPG. The game is pure action hack & slash. Check out other Baldur’s Gate games.
The game allows you to choose from three customizable characters, each with distinctive powers, appearances and abilities. It can be played solo and co-op. Needles to say, co-op is brilliant.
20. Book of Demons
