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For combo-driven character action, start with Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition. For fast, demanding weapon combat, choose Ninja Gaiden 2 Black; for melee action wrapped in story and exploration, consider God of War Ragnarök or Stellar Blade. “Hack and slash” covers several styles, so these are recommendations by fit—not an objective all-time ranking.
What counts as a PS5 hack-and-slash game?
The label can mean tightly scored combos and stylish weapon play, or it can stretch to action RPGs built around melee combat, bosses and exploration. PlayStation’s Canada guide makes that distinction visible: it groups Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition under character action, while listing NieR:Automata, God of War Ragnarök, Final Fantasy XVI and Stellar Blade as action RPGs. This guide includes both, while flagging the adjacent picks.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Lost Soul Aside - PS5 | $33.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
KIBORG (PS5) | $79.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Hell is Us – PlayStation 5 | $44.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 - PlayStation 5 | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
There is no shared scoring system or comprehensive ranking behind “most recommended” here. The selections below are editorial fits based on the combat and experience described by PlayStation, TechRadar’s PS5 list last updated 1 October 2026, and Tom’s Guide’s current PS5 guide (whose excerpt does not show an update date). See the PlayStation guide, TechRadar’s PS5 list and Tom’s Guide’s PS5 guide for their descriptions.
Best PS5 hack-and-slash games by play style
| Game | Best fit | What its combat offers | Consider if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition | Combo-driven character action | Style and weapon switching, with feedback that rewards execution and a high skill ceiling. | You want room to improve without needing to begin at the hardest level. |
| Ninja Gaiden 2 Black | Fast, demanding weapon combat | Breakneck fights against groups, several weapon types and five difficulty settings. | You enjoy learning enemy attacks and playing efficiently. |
| Stellar Blade | Modern action with progression and exploration breaks | Unlockable combos, moves and weapon upgrades, alongside boss fights. | You also want side quests, collectibles and activities such as fishing. |
| God of War Ragnarök | Cinematic story and heavy melee | The Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos, customizable Runic Attacks and shield choices, including a parry-focused option. | You want exploration and story alongside combat. |
| NieR:Automata | Action RPG with layered story | Melee and ranged attacks, projectile evasion and large boss fights. | You are open to successive playthroughs that reveal multiple endings. |
| Final Fantasy XVI | Cinematic fantasy action RPG | Swordplay, magic and summons combined into stylish combos, with cinematic boss battles. | You want a darker fantasy narrative around the action. |
| Hi-Fi Rush | Rhythm-led action | Attacks, dodges and parries are timed to the beat; there is also a post-story challenge mode. | You want rhythm to shape how you fight. |
| Granblue Fantasy: Relink | Action-RPG progression and boss missions | Character-specific combat learning, gear and weapon upgrades, and increasingly powerful missions and bosses. | You like building a character and tackling progressively stronger fights. |
Which game should you start with?
For combos, style and a high skill ceiling: Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition
This is the clearest choice if you mean “hack and slash” as expressive character action: switch styles and weapons on the fly, then use the game’s style feedback to sharpen your execution. PlayStation describes it as approachable at entry while still offering a high ceiling for mastery. That combination makes it a useful first pick whether you want to enjoy the action casually or work at getting better.
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#1 Best Overall
- Fight to save your world. Save your sister. Save your soul.
- Fight for everything. Legends are born from trials.
- Epic weaponry, collect a diverse array of melee weapons and define your playstyle with stylish, effective combat.
- Stunning worlds to explore. Prepare to adventure far and wide across dangerous dimensions, majestic lands and strange new worlds.
For a tougher test: Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
Choose this for rapid weapon combat that expects you to read enemies and make efficient decisions. PlayStation highlights five difficulty settings, but the emphasis on learning enemy attacks makes it a more demanding recommendation than a universally comfortable starting point.
For combat plus exploration: Stellar Blade or God of War Ragnarök
Stellar Blade develops its action through unlockable moves, combos and weapon upgrades, then breaks up boss fights with side quests, collectibles and fishing. Tom’s Guide describes it as a stylish, challenging PS5-exclusive action game with influences including Devil May Cry and NieR:Automata.
Rank #2
- KIBORG is a relentless rogue-lite beat’em up where you enhance your body with new cybernetic implants each run.
- FIGHT FOR YOUR FREEDOM! In the future, even death can’t free you. If a criminal dies while serving their sentence, they are reconstructed to return to their suffering. And you’re serving a 1300-year sentence. The only way to shorten this sentence? Win on “The Last Ticket.”
- NO COMPROMISES! KIBORG is a hybrid of old-school beat’em ups, shooters, and rogue-likes. The fights are fast, brutal, and deadly. Sever limbs, squash heads, and tear cybernetic cores apart from living foes.
- IMMENSE BUILD VARIETY! Replace your body parts with an array of cybernetic implants, enabling a wide variety of playstyles.
God of War Ragnarök is the better fit if cinematic storytelling and exploration are as important as melee. Its combat choices include the axe, the Blades of Chaos, customizable Runic Attacks and different shields, including one oriented toward parrying. Tom’s Guide likewise praises its mix of cinematic story, brutal combat and exploration.
For action RPGs and story: NieR:Automata or Final Fantasy XVI
NieR:Automata is not primarily a combo-scoring character-action game. Its melee combat is mixed with ranged attacks and projectile dodging, and its story unfolds across multiple endings on successive playthroughs. Pick it if that broader action-RPG structure appeals to you.
Rank #3
- A HOSTILE WORLD: In addition to the civil war dividing the country, the region is suffering from a mysterious calamity, which has given rise to supernatural creatures that no modern weapon can defeat. Your drone and sword from a different age are your faithful allies as you cut a path through lands infested with terrifying chimeras and try to unravel the mystery of their appearance.
- A UNIQUE EXPLORATION SYSTEM: No map, no compass, no quest markers. Following your instincts is part of the adventure. Enjoy a unique experience that uses innovative writing and level design to let you make your own decisions and follow your instincts as you explore. Your discoveries are yours alone.
- COMBAT AGAINST ORIGINAL CREATURES: Swords, spears and axes. A wide range of weapons forged specially for fighting these supernatural creatures is available. You must learn how to fight these monsters and use your drone wisely to stay alive.
- 'The central theme of Hell is Us is that human violence is a perpetual cycle fueled by human emotions and passions.'' – Jonathan Jacques-Belletête, Creative Director
Final Fantasy XVI takes a more cinematic fantasy approach: swordplay, magic and summons feed into stylish combos, while cinematic boss encounters and a darker fantasy narrative frame the action.
For an unusual combat hook: Hi-Fi Rush
In Hi-Fi Rush, rhythm is part of the fighting rather than just the soundtrack: time attacks, dodges and parries to the beat. Its post-story challenge mode gives players a further test after the main story.
Rank #4
- Embody the superhuman skill and brutality of a Space Marine. Unleash deadly abilities and devastating weaponry to obliterate the relentless Tyranid swarms. Defend the Imperium in spectacular third-person action in solo or co-op modes.
- Purge the relentless Tyranid swarms as legendary Space Marine Titus in a spectacular new campaign. Play solo or with up to 2 friends in 3 player co-op.
- Enjoy intense, gory and fast-paced third-person action with hundreds of enemies on screen, from the creators of blockbuster co-op shooter World War Z.
- Standard edition includes: Base game, Macragge’s Chosen DLC, with 3 unique cosmetics for your Bolt Rifle, Chainsword & Power Armour
For gear, characters and boss missions: Granblue Fantasy: Relink
TechRadar’s PS5 recommendations, last updated 1 October 2026, name Granblue Fantasy: Relink among their action RPG picks. The appeal is progression through character-specific combat, gear and weapon upgrades, with tougher bosses and missions to pursue.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Bayonetta a PS5 game?
Bayonetta is worth considering if you want theatrical combos and dodge-counter timing: PlayStation’s description highlights Witch Time and large finishing moves. However, the linked PlayStation listing identifies it as a PS4 game. Do not assume it has a native PS5 edition; check the current listing and compatibility details for your region before buying.
How to choose the right game
- Choose your preferred combat expression: free-form combos and style switching point to Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition; enemy-reading and weapon timing to Ninja Gaiden 2 Black; beat-matched actions to Hi-Fi Rush; melee mixed with ranged attacks and projectile evasion to NieR:Automata.
- Match the challenge: Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition offers an approachable entry with room to master its systems. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is the demanding pick, with difficulty settings and an emphasis on learning enemy attacks.
- Decide how much story and exploration you want: consider God of War Ragnarök, Stellar Blade, NieR:Automata or Final Fantasy XVI if you want those elements alongside the combat.
- Check the exact platform and edition: a guide covering PS4 and PS5 titles does not mean every listed game has a native PS5 edition. Confirm whether the listing is for PS5 or a PS4 release, and check compatibility and regional availability before purchase.
What “all time” means here
These recommendations are a taste-based shortlist, not a measurable ranking of every hack-and-slash game ever released. The cited guides describe selected titles but do not establish a shared genre-wide score or statistic. Availability and editions can also vary by region and change over time, so verify the exact game listing before purchasing.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
