PPG Game Of The Year 2024 - 12 - Slashing And Hacking
Ranging from the humble action RPG all the way to the stylish character action and back again, you certainly aren't starved for choice in the AAA or indie space. But where AAA often hones in on the smoothest experience possible, the character that fills these action games certainly comes from the indie side.
Three Kingdoms Zhao Yun
Isometric Dynasty Warriors RPG
A Three Kingdoms story with Zhao Yun as the sole perspective. Has a few optimization issues, but the action is solid and the classic it pulls from gives the story an edge.
BattleJuice Alchemist (EA)
Brew Potions, Blow Up Fools
A combat focused game with crafting based around alchemy and attacks based around using said alchemy to, often, blow things up. Neat art style and fluid gameplay.
Aeruta (EA)
Ingredients Collector
Head out into the world and fight monsters for cooking ingredients in a 2D sidescrolling action game, then head home to bake treats for the town.
NanoApostle
Boss Rush Action
2D hack and slashing boss rush with great pixel art and finely tuned combat. Got some great music and a good story to tie its tech focused world together.
AMEDAMA
2D Sidescrolling Slasher
A cool story about a boy trying to find his sister, with the catch being that he is but a soul with not much time remaining that must jump from body to body to get to her.
Judero
Claymation Hack N Slash
Nobody does it like Jack King-Spooner does. The singular handmade claymation game creation style pulls in Scottish folklore to create a wild action game unlike anything you've ever played.
Into the Necrovale
Not A Roguelike But Can Be
Love the idea of a top down roguelike, apart from the roguelike part? Have I got a game for you. Also, it does have a roguelike mode. Best feature is its wide and deliberately broken-esque build options.
Wayfinder
Stunning ARPG Comeback
Originally envisioned as an online MMO turned into a regular premium ARPG Loot based game with co-op. A fantastic turn around to completely overhaul the game into something players are super into.
Arisen Force: HeroTest
Sidescrolling Beat-em-up
A bit of a different beat-em-up with the focus on climbing a tower and defeating ever stronger waves of enemies with a cadre of eclectic heroes. Fun action, though fair warning, the titty is strong with this one.
AWAKEN - Astral Blade
2D Sidescrolling Adventure
Build combos with an array of weapons against terrors unknown as you explore a vibrant and evocative 2D world.
Xenrai
Sci-Fi Spectacle Fighter
Final update has been a long time coming for this one, but now in 1.0 this slick sci-fi action game has landed. Sick combat to rival DmC and some diverse landscapes to explore.
Blackheart
Fantasy RPG With Some Shooting
Top down action combat with a bit of shooting via magic spells but also a bit of Hades style melee combat. Story told through VN style conversations.
And The Best Hack And Slash Action Game Of 2024 Is…
Plushie from the Sky
Unleash Cuddly Chaos
A goofy couple of hours long action focused RPG where the main character uses their plushie bear as a weapon against the nightmarish forces standing in her way. Wildly inventive and built to evoke joy in the player. A stunning example of what games have oftentimes lost, and what this type of action game could be.