10 Best Hack-And-Slash Switch Games, According To Metacritic

2022-05-21 21:58:13 By : Ms. Jill Xie

Compared to other consoles releasing games like Elden Ring, Godfall, and other hack-and-slash gems, the Switch seems to be slightly lacking.

Out of all the current consoles on the market, the Nintendo Switch arguably has the biggest and most eclectic library. The eShop is filled with games of all genres and flavors. From retro games of yesteryear to a bevy of indie darlings, the Switch can just about play it all.

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That being said, compared to other consoles releasing games like Elden Ring, Godfall, and other hack-and-slash gems, the Switch seems to be slightly lacking. While its selection of hack-and-slash titles might not be as visceral as those seen on the PlayStation and Xbox, there are few action-packed gems for those looking to slice and dice with Nintendo power.

Ashen is a Souls-like game that truly needs higher than a 71 rating. While it might lack its inspiration's overtly gothic and medieval design, it more than makes up for it in approachability and exploration. Veteran Souls players will immediately recognize the combat, but those not keen on the "git gud" method of gameplay will still be drawn to its wide yet minimalist world.

The game could best be described as "low fantasy" because while it does have its world of gods and monsters, players won't find any sorcerers casting spells or pyromancers setting bonfires ablaze. Still, it offers a different flavor to the established genre.

It might have begun life as a mobile game, but hack-and-slash fans are truly missing out if they haven't tried Implosion. Any game that has the player piloting a sword-wielding mech across a frozen wasteland fighting zombies and mutants most certainly deserves more attention.

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While it might seem a bit basic in the controls and gameplay, it truly is a solid hack-and-slash experience. There's something impeccably satisfying about slashing and blasting through hordes of monsters. Pair that with its robots, power-ups, and creature designs, and it will definitely scratch an itch for some.

Darksiders is about as classic of a hack-and-slash title as they come, and its Zelda-esque elements make it ideal for the Nintendo Switch. Considered by some to be a hybrid of God of War and Ocarina of Time, it has enough familiar and enjoyable elements to be loved by fans in both camps.

Players will step into the armor-plated boots of the Horseman of War as he purges a ruined Earth of the evil forces that framed him for the destruction of the planet. There's plenty of action, weaponry, and enemies to satisfy any fan of the genre, making it truly a must-have for anyone wanting to do a little damage on their handheld system.

For those that are looking for something with the atmosphere of a Dark Souls game but with the classic fantasy motifs of something from J.R.R. Tolkien or George R.R. Martin, Dragon's Dogma is the way to go. Capcom's ARPG has incredible character customization, an interesting pawn system, and more than enough monsters and enemies to keep an adventurer questing for hours.

A more elaborate take on the slay-the-dragon formula, the game truly has a lot to offer for any RPG fan. However, it's the combat that will draw hack-and-slash players in for the long haul. And with everything from hydras and chimeras to slay, there's always a bigger beast to bash.

If there's one subgenre that the Switch has no shortage of, it's the top-down dungeon crawler. Taking influence from games like Diablo, Torchlight II could be considered a starter-level entry into the genre. It has all the typical trimmings and trappings of the average dungeon crawler, but it's so easy to pick up and play that the enjoyment is unavoidable.

Classes are not bound by weapons or armor, making for some interesting combinations. A mage-class with a blunderbuss will certainly mow through the eldritch horrors without a second thought. It's a game that allows for a lot of combos and experimentation that any Switch owner can pick up.

With the release of the new Elden Ring, many gamers might want to get back to where it all began with the original Dark Souls. The infamous prepare-to-die title has made it to Switch in its entirety with all the brutal bells and whistles the fans could ask for.

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From the seedy shadows of Blighttown to the Kiln of the First Flame, players can revisit the grim and dark realm of Lordran and all the brutal bosses it contains. If newcomers missed the experience when it first premiered on the PS3 and Xbox 360, there's no better time to dodge roll into the shadows.

"Strange yet satisfying" might be the best way to describe Astral Chain. Playing as a police detective who works with a robot mech partner might seem like the plotline of an extremely complicated and convoluted anime title, but it makes for a rather interesting hack-and-slash game.

The combo-focused combat is reminiscent of a Devil May Cry title, and the ability to control two characters at once is something of a novel idea. Different mechs have different advantages, and the action is as crunchy and heavy as a hack-and-slash title can be. It might be a weird combination of certain elements, but it works in the game's favor.

In the simplest of terms, Diablo is the undisputed champion game when it comes to dungeon crawlers, and its focus on action-heavy gameplay is a testament to that fact. While it might lack the dark and grim flavor of its predecessor, Diablo III has more than enough dungeon-crawling content to satisfy any level of player.

While some fans might be divided on some design choices, this entry in the series is possibly the most accessible. With heavy replay value, hordes of both monsters and loot, and plenty of playable classes to tailor the experience to a player's tastes, there's something for everyone.

Considered by some to be the spiritual successor to the Devil May Cry series, Bayonetta has been blasting her way through both the divine and infernal forces for a good while, serving up large quantities of fan service along the way. While it's naughtier than the average Nintendo title, the big and bombastic sequel, Bayonetta 2, comes with high marks.

The flow, pacing, and impact of the game's combat are what make it such a standout in the genre. While Bayonetta is overtly and comedically sexualized at times, the action is as hard-hitting and invigorating as it can be.

So much about this Greek-mythology-inspired roguelike has already been said, but that doesn't mean it isn't still worth checking out. In a brilliant hybrid of Diablo, God of War, and Dante's Inferno, Hades has proven to be one of the most praised indie titles on the system.

As Zagreus, son of the titular Lord of the Dead, players will have to fight their way out of the jaws of the underworld to join the rest of his godly clan on Mount Olympus. Along the way, Zag will find weapons, encounter bosses, and make deals with other deities to escape his domineering father's clutches. The combat is excellent, the weapons and loot are plentiful, and death is more of an inconvenience than an end-all to progress. At the end of the day, it's a hack-and-slash title that begs to be enjoyed.

NEXT: 10 Best Switch Arcade Compilation Games, According To Metacritic

Zach Gass is a writer from East Tennessee with a love for all things Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel. When not writing for Screen Rant, Zach is an active member of his community theatre, enjoys a variety of authors including Neil Gaiman, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkein, and is a proud and active retro-gamer.