Fans of bothPersona 5and theDynasty Warriorsfranchise have much to look forward to this year. The worldwide release ofPersona 5 Strikersapproaches, meaning players have another opportunity to fight corruption as the Phantom Thieves. The game promises to deliver a healthy mix of hack-and-slash action, dungeon-crawling, and turn-based combat.
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But what to do in the meantime? Ideally, players should stretch those hack-and-slash muscles to prepare. Thankfully, many games offer an experience to get players back in the swing of things. So get ready to flip through that backlog of games and see if any of these titles stand out.
10Fire Emblem: Three Houses
The most recent addition in the iconic JRPG franchise,Fire Emblem: Three Housescontinues the legacy with high marks from critics. Follow the story of three school factions that grow up to become warring rivals. The game offers beautiful music, a gripping story, and engaging characters. Of course, expect tactical turn-based strategy and in-depth relationship building to carry over from the previous titles, as well. An expansion pass also exists for the game,which adds an increased difficulty modeand a fourth storyline.
9Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
Some game franchises work amazingly well regardless of genre.The Legend of Zeldais one of those franchises, andHyrule Warriors: Definitive Editionserves as proof. Released on the Nintendo Switch, this massive game takes characters from across the series' history and pits them against hoards ofZeldabaddies. Tons of modes and extra content mean that the whole game will take a long,longtime to complete (which is a perfect way to pad out the wait time forPersona 5 Strikers).
8Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
While this game falls more in the realm of action-adventure,Sekirostill offers a great challenge when it comes to its real-time combat. Made by the same team behind theDark Soulsseries, the game follows a shinobi named Wolf on his quest for revenge against a samurai clan.
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The game’s intensity is no joke; while the enemies may not be as abundant as those inDynasty Warriorsgames,they still offer a challenging fight. Anyone familiar withDark Soulsknows that death is practically inevitable at every turn, thoughSekiroalso has a focus on stealthy approaches for taking weaker enemies down quickly.
7Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
When people think of Vikings, they typically don’t imagine stealthy rogues felling their targets from the shadows, but the latest entry in theAssassin’s Creedfranchise delivers just that.Valhallagoes back to the days of Norse conquest, putting players in the shoes of a raider named Eivor. Naturally, as part of the series, the game offers a wide variety of combat options. In addition, players get to experience a multitude of side stories and social activities. These include drinking contests, hunting and fishing, and even inclusive romance options.
6Devil May Cry 5
Dante returns in this action-packed sequel, and he has a couple friends he’d like to introduce to some demons. While the game’s cutscenes and soundtrack definitely bring their own energy, the real thrills come from the combat. Each of the three playable characters comes withtheir own blend of stylish weaponryand combos. This game isn’t as long as the other entries, but it more than makes up for it with its combat. Try to rack up a SSS rank combo while pummeling those baddies!
5Nier: Automata
Nier: Automataproves its exceptional quality in almost every aspect. Its fluid combat, amazing character design, and well-paced plot all make for an incredible experience.
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This game is a bit older compared to the others on the list. Still, it offers hours upon hours of entertainment and has an impressive amount of replay value. That, along with its deep philosophical themes and rich character development, makes it a must-play for those who have yet to do so. This is also a great way to get familiar with the series in preparation forthe release of its remastered prequel.
4Hades
This indie gem took the roguelike world by stormwith its release last year. It handles beautifully and has a good amount of customization to fit multiple playstyles. Though it pulls from well-known Greek mythology, it manages to maintain a certain freshness through its art design. The upgrade system also makes subsequent runs through the Underworld easier for new players. For veterans, extra difficulty modes make for an impressive challenge. It’s the perfect way to hone both battle senses and reaction times.
3Astral Chain
Made by the same creative mindsbehindBayonettaandNier: Automata, this game combines good art and level design with unique battle mechanics. Players take control of a specialized police officer who fights interdimensional creatures called “Chimeras”. What makes the combat so special is the ability to restrain the Chimeras and make them join the protagonist’s side, turning them into helpful “Legions”. Controlling two characters at once proves jarring at first, but the game provides lots of opportunities to hone this skill. With five different Legions to control and three weapon types to use, every fight has the potential to be unique.
2Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity
With the success of the firstHyrule Warriorsgame, the team behindBreath of the Wilddecided to band together with Koei Tecmo to create a prequel detailing the events of the Great Calamity. Fighting as the Champions of Hyrule feels great, especially when taking out swaths of enemies with their special abilities.It may not have the sheer amount of content as its predecessor, butAge of Calamitydoes a fantastic job of outlining the sheer havoc of those fated battles 100 years prior.
1Persona 5
Naturally, the best way to enjoy the upcomingPersona 5 Strikersis to revisit the game it’s based off of! With Confidants to build, Palaces to explore, and Personas to capture and fuse, this game keeps players occupied for quite some time. A newer version released recently, as well;Persona 5 Royaloffers the same engaging story and gameplay,but comes with a few extra features, including a new Phantom Thief to add to the party. Why wait until February to change some hearts?
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