Hack-and-slash games generally offer traditional, old-school gameplay loops that revolve around melee-focused combat. These games are often accessible, fast-paced experiences, and their gameplay is commonly fused with the action RPG genre.
When combined with ARPGs, in particular, hack-and-slash games tend to feature an inventory system and a large amount of loot to find. This often results in build-building gameplay that can add a dash of strategic choices to an otherwise basic gameplay loop. For the sake of variety, games like Diablo, Path of exileand other familiar names were excluded.
6 Halls of Torment
An arena survival Rogue-Lite with an old-school Diablo aesthetic
This arena survival roguelite works like one of many Vampire survivors clones that were released in the wake of its popularity. Players wander around a relatively cut-and-paste map, tearing apart hordes of enemies in an attempt to survive for thirty minutes.
The game's old-school art style is clearly an homage to the past Diablo games and, while Halls of Torment it's not quite up to par with classic ARPGs like Diablo2is a useful distraction for aesthetic enthusiasts and Vampire survivors I play the same way. Similar to Vampire survivorsmuch of the fun Halls of Torment it boils down to loot, offering a compelling and satisfying loop that tends to grow stale once players have exhausted potential strategies.
5 In the Necrovale
A Rogue-Lite ARPG with diverse loot
- Platform(s): PC
- Released: 2024
- Developer(s): Casey Clyde
- Genre: Rogue-Lite
Featuring a subtle visual style with crisp pixel art graphics and a tranquil atmosphere, In the Necrovale is a simplistic hack-and-slash rogue-lite that explores dungeons. Despite its simple gameplay, In the Necrovale is elevated by its huge variety of unique items that players can loot.
In the Necrovale It's a small, affordable title for fans of ARPG gameplay and rogue-lite structures. It's not an incredibly unique rogue-lite, especially when compared to other games on the market, but the solid hack-and-slash combat and loot diversity make the experience worthwhile.
4 Chronic
A deep, granular ARPG with chaotic combat
Simplistic pixel art and a basic user interface create Chronic easy to get through at first glance, but players who dig a little deeper will find a deep and granular character progression system with a large amount of customization available to the player. This allows for massive building creation that borders on the sandbox, especially in combination with the dizzying array of items.
The Chronic one Combat is chaotic hack-and-slash at its best, and like many action RPGs, success depends relatively heavily on character build. As mentioned, though, the fun of Chronic comes from working and perfecting each build, and the four distinct classes make it a replayable experience.
3 Torchlight procession 2
A Diablo-style game through a colorful fantasy world
Torchlight procession 2 it is mostly similar to the games it is inspired by Diablo2characterized by a gameplay loop focused on taking on missions and fighting large groups of enemies throughout the territory and through dangerous dungeons. As Diablo, Torch 2 is an RPG with a simple and intuitive combat system, build creation and a huge amount of items to loot.
Unlike Diablo, Torch is set in a bright and colorful world with a cheerful and light-hearted cartoon visual style. This does it Torch a much friendlier experience, but may turn away fans of Diablo's darker tones. Overall, Torchlight procession 2 offers a hack-and-slash ARPG experience that combines homages with unique ideas and a vivid world that's fun to explore.
2 Mortal sin
A first-person dungeon-crawl with unique visual effects
While its art style may be an assault on the eyes for some with its intrusive colors and aggressive visual effects, Mortal sin it's a crunchy and entirely satisfying experience. Mortal sin is a roguelike first-person action game with a mix of strange character designs and disturbing visuals, with excellent melee combat and a variety of unique weapons.
Mortal sin is primarily a hack-and-slash game, although it can sometimes feel more like a fighting game, relying on combo-based gameplay. Each weapon is uniquely expressive, giving players a sense of excitement and discovery every time they find a new one, and there are over thirty of these weapons in the game's Early Access state. Its graphics may be an acquired taste, but those who judge it solely by its aesthetics may be doing themselves a disservice, considering the high level of craftsmanship on display beneath the surface.
1 The dark dawn
An expansive and utterly ambitious action RPG
Fans of old-school action RPGs will find a lot to love about the world The dark dawnan indie RPG with hack-and-slash combat and hundreds of items to find and collect. The dark dawn it's old-school in its design, focusing its efforts on granular building supported by its variety of loot, skills, and crafting system.
The dark dawn it also features tons of quests and a richly detailed world that makes exploration even more rewarding and keeps things from getting stale. Although he was almost ten years old at the time of writing, The dark dawn it is still receiving significant updates. Additionally, the game features online co-op for those who don't like traveling alone. While those who haven't had time to enjoy classic ARPGs like Diablo2 you should definitely pay a visit there first, The dark dawn it should prove a welcome sight for veterans of the genre.
MOREOVER
The best Grimdark indie games
Fans of the dark and dark fiction subgenre may want to check out the following indie titles if they haven't already.