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The best hack-and-slash games of 2016 depend on what you mean by the genre: the year’s options ranged from deliberate Soulslike combat and action RPGs to monster hunting and focused action adventures. This is an editorial shortlist, not a definitive ranking. It includes Dark Souls III, Grim Dawn, God Eater 2: Rage Burst, Monster Hunter Generations, Attack on Titan, Furi, Hyper Light Drifter, and Salt and Sanctuary—games united by combat, but quite different in pace and structure.
What counts as hack and slash here?
There is no single boundary for the label in the 2016 lists and descriptions cited here. It can cover action RPGs, Soulslike combat, monster hunting, and action games that mix ranged and melee attacks. For a narrower example, PlayStation’s description of Croixleur Sigma calls it a “hack-and-slash action game” and describes fighting successive waves with magic blades and different battle styles and weapons (PlayStation Blog, March 1, 2016).
The picks below are therefore grouped by the experience they offer, rather than presented as a score-based ranking. Gameranx’s contemporaneous roundup provides a broad set of 2016 candidates; PlayStation Blog’s retrospective separately called Dark Souls III a must-play and Salt and Sanctuary a hidden gem. Those are editorial signals, not a universal ordering (Gameranx’s 2016 roundup; PlayStation Blog’s July 2016 retrospective).
Eight hack-and-slash picks from 2016
Dark Souls III — deliberate combat and exploration
Choose Dark Souls III if you want demanding combat where timing and careful decisions matter more than simply charging through enemies. PlayStation Blog included it among the year’s must-play releases. It is one of the clearest choices on this list for players drawn to challenging combat and exploration, rather than wave-based action or hunting structure (PlayStation Blog).
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- Lead your guild of adventurers through battles, rescues, and lucrative quests.
- Choose a quest and roll the dice to gain fame or recruit new comrades for your party.
- Failing a quest means retreating back to the Tavern.
- The Deluxe edition includes all cards from the Hack & Slash 2 – Whack & Stash expansion.
- Treasure cards, first introduced in the expansion, are part of the Deluxe edition.
Salt and Sanctuary — a 2D Soulslike
Salt and Sanctuary translates the Souls formula into a 2D side-scrolling adventure. PlayStation Blog highlighted its brutal combat, atmosphere, and exploration, making it a natural fit for players who want demanding fights and discovery in a side-on format (PlayStation Blog).
Grim Dawn — action-RPG combat
Grim Dawn is the action-RPG choice in this shortlist. Gameranx included it among new hack-and-slash releases for 2016, a useful reminder that the genre label also encompasses progression-focused role-playing games. The available coverage supports that broad framing, but not a more detailed comparison of builds or platforms (Gameranx).
Rank #2
- EXPAND YOUR ADVENTURE – Take your Hack & Slash experience to the next level with this exciting expansion pack featuring 11 brand-new Quest cards that challenge even the most seasoned adventurers!
- INTRODUCING TREASURES – Discover a new type of reward: 20 powerful Treasure cards that boost your fame or give you rule-bending advantages in future quests.
- FAIL FORWARD, SHOP SMART – Didn’t make it through the dungeon? No worries! Visit Wiz-Mart to grab Treasures and get back in the game stronger than ever.
- NEW CHALLENGES AWAIT – Can your guild of adventurers handle MORE? Face tougher trials, earn richer rewards, and make your next game night legendary.
- MUST-HAVE EXPANSION – A perfect add-on for Hack & Slash fans looking for more depth, strategy, and replayability. Not a standalone game – base game required.
God Eater 2: Rage Burst — an action-game alternative
God Eater 2: Rage Burst offers a different action-game angle from the Soulslike and action-RPG picks. Gameranx included it in its 2016 roundup. GameSpot’s November 30, 2016 release schedule lists an August 30 date for PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita; that is a schedule entry, not a guarantee of identical regional storefront timing (Gameranx; GameSpot release schedule).
Monster Hunter Generations — combat built around hunting
Monster Hunter Generations is the hunting-focused pick. It belongs on a broad hack-and-slash list because it centers action combat, but its identity is distinct from a linear character-action game or a Soulslike adventure. Gameranx listed it among 2016 releases (Gameranx).
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Attack on Titan — licensed action
Attack on Titan is another action-focused option from Gameranx’s roundup. GameSpot’s 2016 schedule lists an August 30 release date for PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, and Xbox One. Treat those as platforms in that schedule rather than a claim about current availability or launch timing in every region (Gameranx; GameSpot release schedule).
Furi — a focused action pick
Furi is the shortlist’s focused-action option, and a contrast to progression-heavy action RPGs such as Grim Dawn. Gameranx included it in its 2016 hack-and-slash roundup. If you are choosing by specific difficulty or encounter counts, check a more detailed guide; those comparisons are not established by the cited roundup (Gameranx).
Rank #4
Hyper Light Drifter — action-adventure with a different feel
Hyper Light Drifter broadens the list beyond games that fit a narrow, melee-only definition. Gameranx named it among 2016 releases, including PC/Mac and later console references. It is best approached here as an action-adventure alternative with a distinct presentation, rather than as a direct substitute for a Soulslike or action RPG (Gameranx).
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which one should you play?
- For demanding combat and exploration: start with Dark Souls III; choose Salt and Sanctuary if you prefer a 2D take on the Souls formula.
- For action-RPG framing: consider Grim Dawn.
- For hunting rather than a conventional action-adventure structure: consider Monster Hunter Generations.
- For a distinct action-game or licensed-action option: compare God Eater 2: Rage Burst and Attack on Titan.
- For a focused action experience or a different action-adventure presentation: look at Furi or Hyper Light Drifter.
The shortlist does not establish a reliable numerical ranking, critic-score consensus, or sales leader. Choose by combat pace and structure, then verify the platform and regional listing you intend to use: GameSpot’s schedule is historical release coverage, not a current storefront check (GameSpot).
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Sword and Arrow Attacks
- Swappable Equipment
- Swappable Elemental Spirits
- Raise Elemental Spirit Levels
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