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Slashing and Hacking the Hack n Slash Games

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Jimmy James 70 Says: the hack n slash is a tried and true genre with a long history and a prominent future. So why do hack n slash games get slashed and hacked by the critics?

This article takes a look at the history of hack n slash games, examines how the genre is evolving, and provides a couple of brief reviews of 2008 releases.
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JimmyJames70 - contributor
Published: 357 days 12 hours ago | Article | PlayStation 3 | Xbox 360 | Gaming | PC
 
 

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CrAppleton - 357 days 12 hours ago
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1 -
Yeah.. I'll have to say that hack n slash games aren't my favorite.. but they are fun none the less..
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bgrundman - 357 days 12 hours ago
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1.1 -
Games like Heavenly Sword and Devil May Cry were games that I didn't want to end... unfortunately for Heavenly Sword, it was over in a single play through.
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Cwalat - 357 days 12 hours ago
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1.2 -
For me,

God of war
Devil May Cry

some of the best series ever created... IMO...

it can be very deep for ppl who are hardcore...
as myself, i think it's just ppl who don't like the repetetive aspect... but then again, FPS are more repetetive than Hack and Slash game... if you think about it, shooting.. moving.. shooting.. moving... shooting.. moving..

yeah..
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bgrundman - 357 days 12 hours ago
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1.3 - @CWalat
That is a very good point. I had never thought of it that way before.
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CrAppleton - 357 days 12 hours ago
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1.4 -
That's true.. those are some good examples
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Neco512 - 357 days 12 hours ago
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1.5 -
i love this type of game, its nice to see others who appreciate them as much as i do
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CrAppleton - 357 days 12 hours ago
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1.6 -
Yeah.. I suppose there are alot of people who like these types of games
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Bill - 357 days 12 hours ago
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1.7 -
Heavenly Sword was one of the first awe-inspiring games showcased for the PS3. In terms of gameplay and graphic power, it is widely considered one of the better games, for any console, this generation.
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JimmyJames70 - 357 days 12 hours ago
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I'll play a hack n slash game, but really just as filler between an FPS or an RPG. It's kinda like eating dessert after a big meal.
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bgrundman - 357 days 12 hours ago
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2.1 -
That is a very good example! I have felt the same way about this genre, but the trick it is to play it in bursts. That way you don't get burnt out.
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CrAppleton - 357 days 12 hours ago
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2.2 -
I guess even Assassins Creed could be considered Hack n Slash? I really liked that one
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bgrundman - 357 days 12 hours ago
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2.3 -
I wouldn't say that Assassins Creed it was a hack in slash, but it was as repetitive as one!
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Neco512 - 357 days 12 hours ago
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2.4 -
i guess that could be one, almost anyways, it was a fun game though
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bgrundman - 357 days 12 hours ago
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2.5 -
Honestly, I didn't care for it at all. I beat it, but it was a meh. I couldn't figure out what all the fuss is about.
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himdeel - 357 days 11 hours ago
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2.6 - Since we mentioning HS and AC...
...I'll add that HS was an good game that was too short and AC was a good game that was too long due to repetition.
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bgrundman - 357 days 12 hours ago
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3 -
They are good mindless games once and a while.
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CrAppleton - 357 days 12 hours ago
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3.1 -
True.. they are a nice diversion
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Neco512 - 357 days 12 hours ago
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3.2 -
ya they really are great games
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iceman2885 - 357 days 12 hours ago
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4 - Call me simple minded if you want...
But few things are as fun as playing a good old fashion hack n slash game or side scrolling beat em up game (i.e. X-men arcade, ninja turtles arcade, and streets of rage). They may be repetitive, but you know what, I like the repetitiveness of pounding some guys head with my fist or slicing them up with some new combo. Just good times all around.
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Mwaan - 357 days 11 hours ago
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5 - Most hack and slash games are loaded with depth
Just because you can get all the way through one with the same 4 hit combo doesn't mean that you have to. It took me a while to memorize all the combos for Heavenly Sword, especially the air combos. I find other games far more repetitive. I can go through practically any shooter with the same gun I started out with.
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LeonSKennedy4Life - 357 days 11 hours ago
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5.1 - hm...
I don't know, man.

Devil May Cry 3 made SURE you learned all the combos. If you didn't you'd be screwed.
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Mwaan - 357 days 10 hours ago
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5.2 - Devil May Cry 3 was sadistic
I thought that it was wrong to alienate casual gamers with that difficulty. I was the only one out of all my friends that completed it. There's a big difference between challenging(example: Ninja Gaiden) and stupid hard.
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Assumedkilla - 357 days 11 hours ago
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6 - The list looks about right to me
Other than the top 3 games on that list, the rest aren't very good. It's not like hack and slash games are getting an undeserved rep, most of them are bad (same for any other genre). The only ones I would call great are DMC, NG, and GoW, Dead Rising is close but not great. Other than those games, the rest of the genre ranges from average to bad IMO.
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JimmyJames70 - 357 days 7 hours ago
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6.1 -
You really think GoW is a hack n slash?
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Dark General - 357 days 3 hours ago
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6.2 -
When i think hack and slash i think more or something akin to Dynasty Warriors. Mindless violence with waves of enemies etc. GoW and DMC for example i look at more like action adventure games. Where it's not quite JUST about mindless action but has some sort of puzzle/platforming aspects as well.
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LeonSKennedy4Life - 357 days 11 hours ago
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7 - yeah
I was playing Heavenly Sword last night. It's much better than it was the first time I played it. The action still needs to be tighter, but it's still fun.

Honestly, I think Devil May Cry is the best hack 'n slash. I love the storyline, the combo system, the leveling system, and just...everything! I'm so into that universe, ya know?
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LeonSKennedy4Life - 357 days 11 hours ago
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8 - wait
Did he say they consist of very few puzzles?

He didn't play Devil May Cry 2 or 3 then.
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Host Samurai_ - 357 days 9 hours ago
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I LOVE this genre. games like DMC, Ninja Gaiden, GoW etc. I am even gonna buy Afro Samurai,X Blades and Ninja Blade. I am a sucker for games with combat, combos and bosses.
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alkz - 357 days 7 hours ago
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sword of the berserk for the DC ftw!!!!its one of my favs in the genre
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cyrus228 - 357 days ago
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11 - hack and slash?
then why dont they critisize shooters for being run and gun games? all u do is shoot, or a platforming game, jump and jump. its stupid to criticize something like that, my fav games are heavenly, dmc, and ninja gaiden. how stupid are people.....
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