10 Best Hack And Slash Games On The PS1, Ranked

Key Takeaways

Gauntlet Legends was a pioneer in the genre, with fun 3D dungeons and classes to level up.
Darkstone offers an immersive fantasy world and challenging gameplay and monsters to slay.
Xena: Warrior Princess surprisingly delivers a good hack and slash experience with respectable graphics.

As a die-hard gamer who grew up in the golden era of PlayStation, I can confidently say that the PS1 was a treasure trove of groundbreaking games, and none more so than its collection of hack and slash titles. Among these, there were a few that truly stood out for me, each offering unique experiences that left an indelible mark on my gaming journey.

Hack-and-slash games fall under a broad category and can be referred to as any game that focuses heavily on combat. While the definition can seem vague, it generally involves a large number of weak opponents and a main character who often uses close-combat moves to defeat these adversaries.

Titles such as Devil May Cry and Bayonetta have risen to become giants within their respective genres, but some PlayStation 1 games required modification before they could unleash their slashing abilities. This is a genre that tends not to age gracefully, so remember this when evaluating the top hack-and-slash games from the PlayStation 1 era.

10 Gauntlet Legends

Running the Gauntlet

10 Best Hack And Slash Games On The PS1, Ranked

The Gauntlet series played a significant role as an early innovator in the hack-and-slash genre, with its roots tracing back to the original arcade machine released in 1985. Similar to many beloved arcade games, it was adapted for numerous home consoles. By the time Gauntlet Legends emerged, the release schedule had become almost simultaneous.

As a loyal gaming enthusiast, I must admit that the PlayStation adaptation of Gauntlet Legends didn’t quite live up to expectations compared to its counterparts like the N64 and Sega Dreamcast versions. Performance-wise, it seemed to fall short, which is surprising given today’s perspective. However, despite these performance issues, I found a great deal of enjoyment in Gauntlet Legends. The game offered four unique character classes that could be leveled up, providing a thrilling experience as we hacked and slashed our way through immersive 3D dungeons.

9 Darkstone (Evil Reigns)

Let’s Do The Time Orb Again

Darkstone is often overlooked but was a remarkable fantasy game of its time, boasting a detailed and captivating world that stood tall alongside many other releases. The game invited players into an immersive adventure as they set out to mend a fragmented time orb, thus ending the turmoil plaguing the realm.

In Darkstone, you’ll find crystals spread out among four unique settings, and there’s no shortage of monsters and ghastly creatures to vanquish as you progress. This game offers a balanced challenge all the way to your confrontation with the villainous Draak.

8 Akuji The Heartless

Early Archeology

In contrast to many games within the genre, Akuji The Heartless leans more towards adventure and less towards intense combat. However, the scenes of battle, featuring his armored arms and enemies with supernatural powers springing up around him, evoke a sense of hack-and-slash gameplay. The segments in between are essentially 3D action platformer levels, where Akuji, despite his age, displays remarkable agility and dexterity.

Akuji the Heartless, an early title from Crystal Dynamics, shares similar mechanics with their later hit series like Legacy of Kain and the rebooted Tomb Raider games. Although Akuji may be a relic of the past now, its heartless spirit continues to resonate, and the game still carries a certain cult-level notoriety.

7 Xena: Warrior Princess

Surprisingly Good Tie-In

Back in the day, video game adaptations of popular franchises were often seen as poor quality, hastily produced cash grabs. However, times have changed and they now carry a more respectable reputation. So, it’s reasonable to assume that an unconventional spin-off like Xena: Warrior Princess, a take on the classic Hercules character, wasn’t exactly anticipated as a blockbuster hit in its time.

Despite being overshadowed by the popular TV show “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys”, the PlayStation 1 game “Xena: Warrior Princess” proved to be an unexpectedly enjoyable hack-and-slash adventure. Its graphics were quite impressive for its era, and wreaking havoc with Xena’s signature sword and chakram was a blast.

6 Rising Zan: The Samurai Gunman

A Super Ultra Sexy Hero

For the genre of mindless fun, “Off the beaten path” might be a fitting paraphrase as it suggests something unconventional and exciting, which is what’s needed for this type of game. UEP Systems, known primarily for snowboarding games, took an adventurous leap by fully committing to their only action-adventure game.

Equipped with a revolver and a katana, protagonist Zan ruthlessly eliminates his adversaries. Taking inspiration from its “Cool Boarders” series, “Rising Zan: The Samurai Gunman” introduces finishing moves known as ‘Wicked’ and ‘Rad’. Like many contemporary hack-and-slash games, the levels offer a rating system, and players must hone their abilities to achieve the highly sought-after ‘Super Ultra Cool Hero’ rank.

5 Nightmare Creatures

Blood Born In Flames

The game titled “Nightmare Creatures” is often labeled as a survival horror experience, but its protagonist seems better prepared to confront the titular creatures than what modern players might anticipate from a horror game today. In this game, you’re dropped into a Victorian London setting that draws inspiration from gothic horror, where your mission is to fight your way through hordes of grotesque monsters that have overrun the city due to some supernatural events linked to the Great Fire of London.

This game shares a remarkably similar atmosphere to “From Software’s Bloodborne,” although it may not quite match up in terms of quality, especially considering the legendary bosses from Bloodborne. However, Nightmare Creatures offers an interesting glimpse into what Bloodborne might have been like if it had been developed 18 years ago.

4 MediEvil 1 & MediEvil 2

Back From The Dead

One standout game that readily comes to mind for hack-and-slash enthusiasts on the PS1 is undoubtedly “MediEvil“. While there are minor differences between the two versions of “MediEvil“, it might be more appropriate to view them as a single collection, rather than revisiting familiar territory.

The whimsical style and humorous atmosphere of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” attracted many fans, but it’s “MediEvil” that outshines other hack-and-slash games. This game boasts a variety of weapons for players to choose from and one of the most remarkable protagonists, Sir Daniel Fortesque. In addition to this, “MediEvil” offers a degree of customization, enabling players to select from multiple melee and ranged weapon options to combat the undead horde.

3 Diablo

Dungeon Crawl Through Hell

While Diablo’s legacy might suggest it should be ranked first, the PlayStation 1 port was significantly below its PC version, which influenced its reception upon release. On the PlayStation 1 itself, several hack-and-slash games received more favorable responses from both players and critics.

To clarify, stating that Diablo was not a poor game in any way; instead, it marked a significant shift within the industry due to its randomly generated dungeons providing endless playability. Over time, Diablo has given rise to an extensive franchise and is undeniably the most popular game on this list among dedicated players. Most often, these devoted players opt to launch the PC version of the game.

2 Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain

Vampire On The Prowl

In the initial installment of the Legacy of Kain series, known as Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, praise is often given for its intriguing narrative rather than its fighting mechanics. However, Kain’s basic sword attack isn’t particularly powerful, but foes do tend to disintegrate into pools of gore quite effortlessly, making it fulfilling for those seeking a bloodbath.

The essence of battle lies in various spells and trinkets that can unleash an overwhelming force, obliterating hordes of adversaries instantaneously. Similar to the exhilaration of the Dynasty Warriors franchise, any formidable opponent, even those with supernatural powers, will be reduced to mere fodder for a well-equipped Kain.

1 Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver

Shines Like Crystal

Combining elements from two popular hack-and-slash games, a new masterpiece emerged under Crystal Dynamics, thanks to some intellectual property settlements. If you’re familiar with the genre, you might recognize that Akuji The Heartless was like a prequel or prototype. In contrast, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver represents the culmination of this creative journey, the magnum opus in this series.

The games were created simultaneously, yet the majority of the funds were primarily directed towards “Soul Reaver“. The fighting in this game is smooth, innovative, and bloodier than ever experienced. “Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver” closely resembles what fans envision when they think about hack-and-slash games today; it’s a true pillar of the genre and one of the best-reviewed PlayStation 1 titles in history.

2024-11-19 02:35