Summary
Hack and slash games represent a diverse genre and can be used as a somewhat nebulous term incorporating any combat-heavy game. The basic tenants, though, encompass hordes of underpowered enemies and a usually melee-focused protagonist cleaving their way through said foes.
Titles likeDevil May CryandBayonettahave become titans of the genre, but somePS1games had to hack before they could slash. It’s a genre that time is not especially kind to, so bear that in mind when considering the best hack and slash games thePS1had to offer.
The Gauntletseries is an important pioneer in the hack and slash genre, dating back to the original arcade cabinet in 1985. Likemost popular arcade games it was portedto a wide variety of home consoles and by the timeGauntlet Legendscame out the release cycle was almost synchronous.
ThePlayStationport was actually the worst received of the bunch, with performance notably weaker thanNintendo’s N64or theSega Dreamcastversion, an odd sentiment today. Still, there was plenty of fun to be had withGauntlet Legends, with four classes to choose from that could be leveled up as players sliced their way through 3D dungeons.
9Darkstone (Evil Reigns)
Let’s Do The Time Orb Again
Darkstoneis a bit of a forgotten gem of the era. It was a rich and impressively stocked fantasy world that could rival most offerings upon its release. The game offered a more immersive experience than the likes of Elder Scrolls 2, as players embark on a quest to reconstruct a shattered time orb and bring an end to the chaos beset on the land.
With the crystals scattered across four distinct locales and a plethora of monsters and ghouls to slay along the way,Darkstonepresents an even challenge throughout. Players will learn to master their class en route to the wicked Draak.
Akuji The Heartlessis less combat-oriented than a lot of games in the genre but with his bladed arms and supernatural foes spawning around him, what is present is very reminiscent of the words hack and slash. The sections in between are essentially a 3D action platformer, withAkujistill showing some impressive nimbleness for his age.
Akuji the Heartlessis a relatively early entry fromCrystal Dynamicsand the mechanics within are recognizable in the studio’s more successfulLegacy of Kainseries and the originalTomb Raiderreboots.Akujimay be confined to history now but the spirit of the heartless lives on and the game retains some cult infamy.
7Xena: Warrior Princess
Surprisingly Good Tie-In
Video game tie-ins aren’t quite as maligned today as they once were, earning themselves a solid reputation for being low-quality cash grabs often rushed to market to coincide with the properties' release. So, of all the intellectual properties of yesteryear, it’s safe to assume the rather corny Hercules spin-off,Xena: Warrior Princesswas probably not expected to be box office.
And yet, just as the TV series vanquished the more recognizableHercules: The Legendary Journey,thePS1gameXena: Warrior Princessemerged as a surprisingly good hack and slash lark.The graphics are very respectable for the time and it’s a ton of fun to plow through enemies withXena’strademark sword and chakram.
6Rising Zan: The Samurai Gunman
A Super Ultra Sexy Hero
“Off the wall” is the first thing that comes to mind and that’s a good place to start for a genre that’s all about mindless fun.UEP Systemshas never madeanything other than snowboarding gamesbefore or since, but decided to go all out on their only action-adventure title.
With a revolver in one hand and a katana in the other, protagonist Zan lays waste to his enemies. Borrowing features from theirCool Boardersseries,Rising Zan: The Samurai Gunmanfeatures finishing moves labelled ‘Wicked’ and ‘Groovy’. The levels also give players a rating, a staple of modern hack and slash series, and they’ll have to refine their skills if they want to earn the coveted ‘Super Ultra Sexy Hero’ rank.
Nightmare Creaturesis a self-described survival horror game, but the protagonist is decidedly more equipped to deal with the eponymous creatures than most players would expect picking up a survival horror title today.Nightmare Creaturestakes place in a gothic horror-inspired Victorian London, where the player must battle through a cavalcade of horrific monsters plaguing the city following some occult shenanigans at the Great Fire of London.
That’s almost exactly the setting ofFrom Software’s Bloodborne, and whilst it’s a little disingenuous to compare the two on qualitywith those infamous genre-spawningBloodbornebosses, Nightmare Creatures does offer an intriguing look at whatBloodbornemight have been had it been made 18 years earlier.
One of the most recognizable entries,MediEvilis likely the first name fans think of when considering hack and slash titles on the PS1. The differences between the twoMediEvilgames are minimal, so rather than retreading dead ground, let’s consider them one package.
ThecartoonishNightmare Before Christmasinspired aestheticand comical tone drew a lot of fans in, butMediEvilstands above other hack and slash games with multiple weapons to wield andone of the greatest protagonists, Sir Daniel Fortesque. MediEvil allows players to customize the experience to some degree with several melee and ranged options to use against the undead army.
It seems unfair forDiablonot to be at number 1considering its legacybut thePS1port was a noticeable downgrade on its PC counterpart and that was reflected in the critical reception upon release. Judging purely onPS1gameplay there were a couple of hack and slash adventures that fared better with fans and critics.
That is by no means to suggestDiablowas a bad game, it was an industry-changing release with the randomized dungeons offering infinite replayability.Diablowould go on to spawn a huge franchise and it is without a doubt the most-played game today of any on this list. Just most of those loyal players choose to boot up the PC version of the game.
The first in theLegacy of Kainseries,Blood Omen: Legacy of Kainis more lauded for its exploration than its combat, with Kain’s basic sword attack rather limiting. Enemies do shatter into piles of viscera with relative ease though, so it can still satisfy the bloodlust.
The true nuance to combat comes in an assortment of spells and artifacts that can be insanely powerful wiping out screens of enemies in an instant. Offering the same kind of power trip as theDynasty Warriorsseries, all manner of supernatural foes will be fodder for a properly equipped Kain.
A Frankenstein of two other hack and slash titles. After some intellectual property disputes, theLegacy of Kainseries was awarded the official property ofCrystal Dynamics. Those paying attention will be aware where this going. IfAkuji The Heartlessis the beta, thenLegacy of Kain: Soul Reaver isthe magnum opus.
The games were actually developed in tandem, but the bulk of the resources were clearly allocated toSoul Reaver. Combat is fluid, creative and gorier than ever before.Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaveris closer to what fans will picture when they think of hack and slash today, a true cornerstone of the genre and one of the best-reviewed PS1 titles ever made.
