How Action Games Encourage Skill

[@francescolombardi3438]

DMC: Kill everything with Style Bayo: Kill everything with Sex appeal Gaiden: GO NINJA GO NINJA GO NINJA GO!

[@leonardomesta6640]

These 3 games are the pinacle of hack slash games

[@rafael471992]

God this genre is so underrated it hurts. Great video! Spread the love!

[@jjdilla9848]

Rafael Economides exactly

[@realhayabusa9515]

Kids these days would rather play Minecraft, Call of Duty, or Grand Theft Auto. Some would play more casual games, but you're right, this genre is criminally underrated!

[@ondeaddogsyahurd4648]

This is my favorite genre of video games.. Criminally underrated.

[@rhowlforme]

@@allthereasonswhy7178 It really is. Only DMC5 and Bayonetta 3 to represent these kind of games nowadays.

[@MarinetteDupainCheng564]

@@rhowlforme Good thing, that Devil May Cry 5 won Action Game of 2019. =) like i did for Bayonetta 2, i would totally buy a Nintendo Switch, just for Bayonetta 3.

[@MrEinFan]

About Bayonetta's Dodge-Offset. You can offset with a lot of mechanics, Dodge-Offset and Taunt Offset are just two of those mechanics. You can also off-set with Panther Form and Umbran Spear. Generally though I have to mention that believe that Witchtime actually obscures Bayonetta's Combat Depth, after all wheen you trigger witchtime you are free to beat the shit out of your enemy without any consequences, even if just for a limited time. This is partly why I believe that enemies over the course of the game become less and less affected by Witchtime, Gracious and Glorious in Chapter 10 being one of the peaks of that, this also comes with the welcome fact that enemies don't become one-trick ponies and they actually can show off what they can do. With that, I believe the game tries to make the player less reliant on Witchtime, in other words, the skillgap exists through the reliance on one mechanic that gives a big reward for a relatively small action, peaking in the Non-Stop Infinite Climax difficulty, which completely removes Witchtime. At the same time, the player has to master Dodge-Offset, which is an absolute necessity if you want conquer the highest difficulty without getting Stone Awards and the Secret Boss who is locked on the highest difficulty. The only problem I have with that is that the game doesn't really directly mention Dodge-Offset unless you look it up, even though it is such a big game-changer. Overall though, very good video! I like the idea of the Cycle of Mastery and I think it pretty much sums up very well what I love about thiss genre! Sincerly, MrEinFan aka Chris

[@yamifromthedead]

MrEinFan You can also Cutscene Offset

[@harveycustodio2625]

In Bayoneta 2 the difference is that while you can trigger Witch Time in Infinite Climax in Bayo 2 all enemies are actually much stronger with how much they can block and resist Bayo's hits and how short Witch Time lasts and how fast the enemies become... In Bayonetta 2 you need to be able to anticipate moves from enemies just as they are about to do it with very small windows for you to dodge between attacks...

[@francescolombardi3438]

@@harveycustodio2625 also, it's important that you pay attention to all enemies at a time, because they will still do stuff and charge their moves to attack you when out of view.

[@KudaGeatsune3821]

I actually turn that off immediately via the dark harvest rosary which switches witchtime to leaving a Magic bomb in the spot you dodged out of causing the enemy to walk into an attack instead

[@KudaGeatsune3821]

@@harveycustodio2625 similary the "lumen sage" is basically immune to witchtime And his ability light speed stops you dead

[@PerilsofPokey]

Ninja Gaiden PC right now damn it.

[@NickolaiBoulton]

I'VE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR YEARS

[@DeathtoRaiden1]

Literal rivers of tears would flow from all the "artificial difficulty"

[@happytouch2671]

Perils of Pokey Nioh?

[@hemangchauhan2864]

I'm so happy that KOEI TECMO embraced PC platform, but they rarely ever remaster a game. This is one I'd absolutely get day one.

[@awwnuts07]

Ninja Gaiden Black pls

[@evilnekowantznobs]

>>Think im good at DMC4 >>Watch Donguri play I no longer think im good at DMC4.

[@GrumpyCat97]

i shit my pants after watching donguri plays dmc4

[@gamerprince-tl5hg]

Literally me

[@MatthewTheUntitled]

A mere mortal comparing himself to a god

[@kingdomkey2262]

@@MatthewTheUntitled "They worship a demon as a god"?

[@firelightning5018]

I'm convinced that Donguri is just Dante himself playing Dante.

[@RyuGoomba]

one huge part of ninja gaiden's depth is its dedication to attacks. The thing is in ninja gaiden is that start up and active frames are not cancelable, only recovery is so when you do a basic attack, you are committed to it until recovery for most moves. The options you have in recovery are projectile, block or ninpo. So one option is offensive (projectile/shuriken), one is defensive (block> dodge cancel) and one is to give yourself more breathing room but at a limited resource to assess a situation (ninpo). All within microseconds due to the speed and pace of ninja gaiden.

[@NickolaiBoulton]

Nail on the head!

[@realhayabusa9515]

I think it's because Ninja Gaiden is more realistic compared to the others

[@MatthewTheUntitled]

Ninja gaiden is literally "become master or die like noob" amazing, demanding game

[@maaramori3404]

The same goes for DMCs

[@thetruth7105]

Maara Mori actually you can cancel any attack in dmc.

[@NaveedMohebbi]

Yo this was some fantastic stuff Nick! My favorite action game is probably The Wonderful 101. I love how it deals with mastery of it's mechanics in a much different way than most of the games you looked at. There is really only one attack button but having to change weapons by creating different shapes on screen and doing this on the fly, while also learning what is effective against certain enemies, was something so unique and I just adored it.

[@Ultimagicarus]

we need more games like this more than soulsbourne.

[@lucemus1]

DMC 5 trailer just dropped, I pray for it to be good.

[@JezzY8ValentinE]

bayonetta 3 is coming

[@Junkyardproduxtions]

I personally would like a blend of the two. I think Gaiden is the closest the two have meshed after both types of gameplay being cemented, however Gaiden going to the crazier extreme. If we could get a Soulsborne with that kind of polish and technique I think the genre could grow more. As I feel that specific genre is kinda stagnated on a gameplay level at the very least.

[@SushiGhost97]

@@Junkyardproduxtions love it or hate it the closest we got to that is gow4, seeing how it has souls-like combat but with the combo potential expected within this genre. With some tweaking, it has the potential to reach the same level of depth ad ninja gaiden, bayonetta and dmc. Not sure if it will, but hey godhand did, no reason gow can't

[@rhowlforme]

@@SushiGhost97 Yeah but Santa Monica is not Clover Studio though.

[@miguelpadilla5899]

There's something that I would like to mention about this genre, in particular these titles that you mentioned: Your first time through the game, is just your practice run. Hack n' slash games DEMANDS you to play through the game multiple times, and in doing so, you have a better understanding of the combat system. And once you have fully understood the combat system, is when the real fun comes into play: Get the highest ranks. I remember when I played Astral Chain, one of my favorite games of this genre, I understood the combat system pretty well and aimed to get the highest rank, and that was soo much fun, because as I said, I fully understood the combat. Heck, even something like Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is ultra fun once you fully understand the combat and demolish your enemies in no time.

[@wastelandwanderer2693]

I love that DMC and Bayonetta are getting new entries in their series with DMC5 and Bayonetta 3 but damn i wish Ninja Gaiden was too, i guess NG is just gonna stay MIA for now since Team Ninja is most likely busy with Nioh 2.

[@2000Doriyas]

Not to mention the director behind the best versions (1, Black, 2 xbox 360) quit after 2 OG dropped so just as 3 showed it’s never going to be the same.

[@GrumpyCat97]

kinda sad : ( bayonetta 3 will be only on nintendo switch, devil may cry 5 wont be on nintendo switch. so you need to buy ps4 and switch.

[@armaansandhu3206]

@@GrumpyCat97 But to play Ninja gaiden trilogy you need to buy Xbox one. So Xbox one and switch for me. DMC 5 is on Xbox one too

[@leper763]

:(

[@risersin7957]

Did someone say Bayo 3.

[@rohanwalker7376]

This is like the Bible for hack and slash 👌👏

[@JohnGlow2]

Ninja Gaiden and Dmc are my favorite single player game series, been playing them for years. Only one I havent tried yet is Bayonetta but i always hear good things about it, so looking forward to trying that eventually

[@2000Doriyas]

Grab it for 360 if you have one it's only 15$

[@GrumpyCat97]

buy it, its fantastic hack n slash game

[@slingshotdon]

There is only one good ninja gaiden game and thats ninja gaiden black. That number 3 on my list, 1 bayonetta 2 2 bayonetta, 3 ninja gaiden black 4 dmc 3 5. God of war ps4. These are game the best in hack and slash history.

[@andc9155]

@@slingshotdon you have played all those great games and you put God of War 4 in this list ? I am genuinely surprised because I think God of War can't lace the shoes of any of those games in terms of depth

[@slingshotdon]

@@andc9155 read it again then come back to me

[@plantplayer303]

I love DMC, i only played 3 but i know this whole series is amazing. Look at playable Vergil in DMC3, you can use Beowulf's backward attack (RB+walking backwards+Y) to launch enemy and character in the air, you can wait and use Yamato's air slash to damage enemy or stick with Beowulf, wait for enemy to fall a little bit and then us starfall, you can also use Yamato's back attack to launch enemy in the air then jump and use air slash or just stick with basic combo. This game gives you freedom and it feels amazing.

[@novikovPrinciple]

I think Vanquish would be a good example of game design that works for casuals and masters of the mechanics alike.

[@RaengStinger]

Vanquish needs more love in general!

[@rafael471992]

Basically Platinum Games in general, some more some less but still all teir games are a notch above today's crap mechanically.

[@xblazekingz7070]

Not even a challenge

[@realhayabusa9515]

Grandfather_Paradox Nice profile pic! Master Onion

[@collindouglas8188]

That was actually made by the creators of Bayonetta.

[@JohnDoe-pt7ru]

Phenomenal video. Every dev should watch this, seriously. It's bang on accurate in how great action games refrain from being boring and repetitive. Too many devs fail to understand this and think shoving in more fetch quests or creating a massive map is the key to a great game.

[@VoltitanDev]

These kind of games are the inspiration for my own upcoming game's combat with a bit of super robot/ kaiju flare

[@JAD3__]

Dante and Ryu on the thumbnail. The main character from both of my favorite action game series. Love it

[@Wiffernubbin]

Other games that really push the mastery aspect are stealth and sim racers for me. Mastery of Dirt Rally or Splinter Cell/Dishonoured goes beyond just being capable, but performing flawlessly is on a whole 'nother level.

[@100hundert]

You describe so beautifully why character action games are so satisfying!

[@solidkingcobra]

I remember when Ninja Gaiden Black sent me to Ninja Dog mode. it was a humbling experience. I eventually able to beat the game. I need to play that game again.

[@mikecope2540]

YES! My husband wonder's why I play so much DMC5. I'm just like you don't get it. It's not about just killing the enemies. It's about how fn stylish and about how much you humiliate your enemies in the process and that huge smile on your face while doing so.

[@lizardguyNA]

Did you tell that the music only gets to the good part when you do well?

[@purvdragon-sensei]

Wow, that actually helped me understand the underlying mechanics of these games. Especially the ones mentioned in the video. I struggled hard in NGS because I just kept on using Flying Swallow so I'd like to play it again with a different mindset.

[@jnjuice1690]

I agree with everything in this video, but there is one thing missing in this discussion. It never tackled "teaching tools". These games, especially DMC, had teaching tools that allowed you to get to know the mechanics.

[@JAD3__]

Also, getting dmc3 for the switch is entirely worth it for the freestyle mode in my opinion. Having access to the 4 main styles through the entire game is so much fun just as it is in dmc 4

[@mollywantshugs5944]

Yup. I can’t go back to only 2 weapons and 1 style at a time

[@federicorosa6458]

in Italy we call this genere "stylish" beacuse your fighting style make the game a great experience

[@math_skill1]

Not exactly the same style of action game, but Kingdom Hearts 2 on its highest difficulty(LV1 Critical) does a great job of making all options useful to the player while providing great challenge. The (mostly) seamless magic/physical combo system does a great job of empowering you and making combos eye candy, even if you don't get points or a style meter.

[@Tacoyaki96]

I can only play kingdom hearts 2 on critical mode because any other difficulty babies the player, and they have no reason to actually learn how to play the game, most people have no idea how to actually play kingdom hearts 2, they just mash X.

[@dandre3K]

lolboatz The only problems are the clunky block/party and enemies randomly avoiding hitstun.

[@gamerprince-tl5hg]

That's the issue with KH2. Outside of Critical, the game can just be a button masher with no reason to get better.

[@forestofwonders7220]

gamerprince1999 That's not true. You can't get by in any difficulty in kh2 other than safe mode by just spamming X. Especially fighting bosses like Sephiroth or The Lingering Sentient.

[@A-Dubs398]

@@Tacoyaki96- Cuz the developers know mostly kids will buy Kingdom Hearts. They can't give a complex difficult game to kids.

[@EnderouSama]

Absolutely wonderful job.this video holds true with every last fact and i realized how accurate you were with your descriptions as i had played bayonetta 1 and found myself constantly restarting levels in order to learn enemy patterns and gain higher scores all while constantly trying to improve my combos to make them longer and more effective. I love what you're doing and honestly cannot wait to see the rest of your videos. Thank you so much for making this

[@teneesh3376]

Ninja Gaiden can suffer a little from first order optimum strategy. The Izuna Drop and the flying swallow are moves that I do spam the most in the game. Even on harf mode. Not as bad as other games, but it does happen sometimes This is something that will get me a lot of flack. But DmC Devil May Cry does have a system I love. Where you can start one combo with one weapon and end the same combo with a different weapon. Since you can easily switch weapons and the similar inputs (but different results). Though enemy AI's are very passive and attack you less whe they are off screen. Also keep in mind, as much as I love DmC Devil May Cry, it isn't as good as DMC5. That game is still much better

[@yasserammar4224]

God hand, vanquish and the wonderful 101 can be connected to the cycle of mastery

[@WoWisdeadtome]

Devil May Cry 3 and 4 are two of my favorite games of all time and I live to see my screen get shot to a thousand pieces at the end of a Dante Must Die level. Even just things like that, these games encourage you in subtle ways. No one wants an Enzo statue in Bayonetta you want to keep playing that level until you get that Rodan statue at least.

[@SolMrBadGuy]

Without flying Swallow, Ninja Gaiden would be near impossible for me

[@rfh9560]

When it comes to Ninja Gaiden Black/Sigma and 2/Sigma 2, I'm happy just for finishing the level

[@rfh9560]

@Phoenix 𝙾𝚙𝚎𝚗 𝙼𝚢 PROFILE you mean the Ninja Dog rating at the end of the mission? I’ve played them both twice, gameplay is so good that I’m sure going to play again many and many times. I suggest you getting the Master Collection on PS4/Xbox One, the remaster makes them a little better to look at, but the PS3 games I also have, don’t look much worse

[@SetnaroX]

Now this is my kind of video. Fantastic work all around. Bayonetta and Wonderful 101 still remains my top favorite titles due to its stylish and rewarding mechanics. I can never get enough of these types of games in general.

[@JunaColada]

Love that you are back making some banging vids

[@NickolaiBoulton]

Thank you! as a freelance video editor, I make a video about once a week. I really do this stuff in my spare time and I'm trying to aim for one video per month assuming work doesn't overwhelm me. In honesty, I have really been pushing through thanks to the supporters on Patreon having my back :)

[@Bloom_HD]

Bayonetta can disrespect me anytime!

[@aithanleeom5152]

2:24 Dante from Dante's inferno is an actual chad though, he fought and trapped satan with his brute strength and didn't hide behind a broken insta-kill block mechanic.

[@MILDMONSTER1234]

You mean worse darksiders/god of war lol

[@daddyhughes111]

Fantastic video! Can't wait to try DMC some time. Basically the only action spectacle fighter thing I haven't played :)

[@Azure9577]

Prince of Persia warrior within was a great hack n slash/charecter action game But it suffered from a huge first order optimal strategy problem

[@MythicMk.V]

It's actually the 4 Cycles of Mastery: TrickSwordGunGuard.

[@suhiljugroop5179]

I loved everything in this video also I like how you used rules of nature from metal gear rising revengence

[@KudaGeatsune3821]

Astral chain is one of them It's has dodge offset like bayonetta And mastering stuff like sync attacks And legion skills makes an otherwise Simple games very complicated

[@WaifuRuns]

i knew i recognized that dmc4 gameplay lmao vash nice

[@sylnz97]

I love this genre so much, absolutely styling on your enemies is so much fun fr

[@DreamedLint]

Nioh has some crazy deep mechanics for an action rpg.

[@Takitibi]

0:51 "To be clear..." You know, what I mean? 😏 "2B clear..."

[@user-yg8jf1zk9e]

This is impressively stated. Gaming creators should take note. I just recently startef getting into dmc but omg Ninja Gaiden though....i have never played any game with more player focus and mechanic mastery than Ninja fucking Gaiden. I put it so many hours in my childhood to get good and still haven't finished Master Ninja. My heart is still breaking knowing we dont have a true Ninja Gaiden on Ps4 or Xbone. Very informative my friend. Gamers have the knowledge on what makes games great.

[@nickyfandino8529]

0:50 "And 2B clear,.." oh you sly man

[@KillaCheeto56]

and with this you earned a new sub and as for my favourite action title it's most definitely Ninja Gaiden 2 although Devil May Cry 4 Special is a very close second

[@KillaCheeto56]

@H0T-Vlog Go to My Channel That would make sense since Team Ninja made both games. I'm honestly surprised I haven't played Nioh considering I do own the game.

[@tobiramasenju6290]

Just one thing on Ninja Gaiden. The Izuna drop is very unsafe on Very Hard & Master Ninja. Enemies (I'm looking at you she-cats) will routinely swipe you out the air while your performing the start of the technique. The flying swallow is INCREDIBLY unsafe because enemies will directly counter it like the bayonet-weilding army men. Most at higher levels will dodge it relatively easily leaving you vulnerable. Having played DMC1-3 and Bayonetta all on the highest difficulties I feel as if Ninja Gaiden has the best combat in my opinion. Incredibly fluid, difficult, rewarding, and immersive. The control starts to feel like a medium with which YOU jump YOU slash & YOU dodge.

[@Mr.Ditkovich.]

I am used to calling this genre "Hack and Slash" since the first Devil May Cry game I played. Maybe calling it Action Hack and Slash is better because Action seems way too broad. Most FPS games are action, but they are not in the same category.

[@teneesh3376]

Ninja gaiden is a rare case since the combat also relys on the environment. With raiden's wall run and the follow up moves. The environment are also not just insta I win situations like sleepong dogs or batman arkham knight

[@AngelSamael]

Sun Tzu said that and I'd say he knows a little more about fighting than you do pal because he invented it. And then he perfected it so that no living man could best him in the wring of honour.

[@Carsu12]

Angel Samael your point being?

[@thetruemaxgoof]

He did not invent fighting, that makes no sense.

[@RikkusguardianLanif]

Oh please, it's not like he took his fight money and bought two of every animal on earth, herded them onto a boat... ...only to BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF EVERY SINGLE ONE. But that does explain why a bunch of animals being in one place is called a "Tzu". Or is it a farm?

[@legendofsonic3979]

thetruemaxgoof He was making a Team Fortress 2 reference...

[@blackbolshevik1114]

@@RikkusguardianLanif what

[@86lanzo]

you just got yourself a sub...great video...for me its Ninja Gaiden all day..the feeling of going into a battle and beating hard foes without being touched is what I imagine real ninjas felt.... Also I loved how team ninja handled difficulty ..the didn't just up the enemies damage and hp...but rather made you play a different game..new enemy types..new groups new bosses weapons at different points....I wished every game did it like that

[@MarinetteDupainCheng564]

My personal favorite Hack n Slash are always Devil May Cry (not DmC), Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden and God of War. Goddamn, i miss God of War as a Hack n Slash game...

[@TheCivildecay]

7:08 it's insane to think this was a original xbox title from 2004!

[@malady_73]

>thinks ”i’m pretty good at bayonetta” >see donguri play bayonetta >thinks ”i suck at bayonetta”

[@bencicaballero8986]

Ah yes, a Nickolai upload. A rare breed of video, but one that is amongst the most exquisite of its kind. *obnoxious kiss on the fingers that makes you believe I'm cultured*

[@NickolaiBoulton]

oh my!

[@roverbuddiesroverbuddies9729]

transformers devastation as a platinum game has already exceeded my love apart from bayo and mgr . even though it lacks in some areas.... ahem ahem level design and arbitrary rpg elements , this game has a ton of nuances and mechanical complexity in order to be stylish and play efficiently. my man don't overlook this one

[@YARE_YAREsek1rof6n]

Sadly it was removed from steam by Activision without any warnings about month ago. And the only way to get this game for pc is to download a pirate copy. FUCKACTIVISION!

[@BIGJUNK1MILLION]

Spam this video to everyone who says DMC and Bayonetta are reliant on button mashing

[@spectacularpoopfly8464]

I remember playing Ninja Gaiden when I was a little kid and I remember it being extremely easy. So recently picked it up again and it's firmly kicked my ass ever since I started playing again😊

[@dominykaszakrys3373]

beat ninja gaiden 2 without taking damage - you are now ready to face chuck norris, bruce lee and muhhamad ali 1v3

[@LastGenRichtofenn]

Nah, thats unfair, the 3 wont stand a chance. You gotta drink 2 barrels of alcohol and fight them drunk with your hands tied behind ur back. That MIGHT give them a chance to even land an attack on u.

[@hemangchauhan2864]

First of all, great video on hack n' slash gameplay style. Now some personally silly stuff * breaths in * I'd like to go parallel-y to another line of thought. Ever thought of whether you are playing a game wrong or different than how the devs envisioned/didn't emphasize on that much? Because how I experienced these games are a child were playing them as action-adventure games. As in, God of War style. 2nd mission in DMC3SE kicked my ass, so the game turned down the difficulty for me to easy. I rarely got an S, and conserved the green healing stones/gems like a survival horror game. I also played DMC4 on Human, though I got more S this time since Nero was very casual friendly. But I love these games to death. They are a big part of my teenage years because their style, aesthetics and tone. It was after playing Castlevania Aria of Sorrow and Rogue Legacy did the idea of "skillful play" clicked with me. _"Being able to overcome an enemy that is already defeated"._ I went with this ideology in Metal Gear Rising, and OH BOI it was satisfying. All bosses test you on the skills you've learned in the game and test you on that, with final one being the ultimate challenge. My jaw dropped when it defeated it. Then playing the game on harder difficulty with no damage and it suddenly became a whole new game, because how much I needed to shift my strategy to ensure I don't get hit. On another unrelated note, I HIGHLY recommend watching LambHoot's video on God of War 3. He makes some fascinating observations on action games.

[@MariusUrucu]

I want to add Sonic the Hedgehog here too... or at least the good Sonic games... Yes, I'm serious! Sonic games are considered action-platformers afterall. The reason why I include this blue hedgehog in here is because his games are all about mechanical mastery flow and momentum, ever since the first game. You're not supposed to go fast anytime, all the time, especially during your first playthrough. But by understanding how the game works you can pull off some amazing stunts unseen on other paltformers. Just look at Sonic Mania and the crazy speedruns people can do. That's due in part to the depth the physics in those games have combined with the great level design. And it feels so satisfying to speed by the levels or skip large chunks of the level or an annoying platforming section by using your own skill and wits. I love it :)... And it makes me sad that most people ignore this aspect about the good Sonic games. Anyway, loved the video. Instant subscribe. :D

[@Sfyft]

I definitely agree. For me the best example of this would be sonic adventure 2, especially what you can discover in the multiplayer.

[@flowmotiiion9441]

Lets not forget sonic unleashed (ps3 xbox version)

[@EnderouSama]

Yes yes YES i know exactly what you mean. This is one of the reasons i like sonic generation's modern stages and the way they were treated with so many hidden paths and shortcuts rewarding exploration, quick reactions and proper timings allowing youto skip long sections all together

[@codegang9202]

WTF does sonic have to do with hack and slash action?

[@silkworm2595]

What does Sonic have to do with extreme brawlers? There was a Sonic Brawler and only one of those. Stylish action is about player expression, but Sonic is about distance over time which can only be a linear objective. In that sense I'd be fine including the sandbox Sonic fan games and also Tony Hawk I guess.

[@maroonkennedy6213]

I haven't played Devil May Cry, Bayonetta, or 3D Ninja Gaiden yet, but I do love Kingdom Hearts and No More Heroes so I'll definitely play those other games eventually

[@EccoMixes]

'How Japanese Action Games Encourage Skill'

[@DeathtoRaiden1]

I love Ninja Gaiden, they are the best action games ever made and i don't think it's even close. But if you are so inclined you can actually beat practically all of NG/S1 and NG/S2 by spamming Ultimate Technique and all of NG3RE by spamming Graveyard Spin, aka scythe 360. But i mean, that's if you want to be "that guy".

[@NickolaiBoulton]

I never played the Sigma versions, and NG3RE has a problem with charge moves as well, which is why I only showed examples from NGB and NG2. I think they are the more refined games in the series that promote a better use of the toolkit. But you're criticism is pretty fair! Ninja Gaiden 2 is probably my personal favourite action game :)

[@rafael471992]

UT in NG Black at least work better with mobs of easy enemies. Not so much on bosses as they can just block or attack you continuously so you cannot charge up. I think they try to balance it as a risk/reward mechanic but the way it's implemented is prone to overusing it and I think something must be tweaked in a potential sequel.

[@DeathtoRaiden1]

+NickolaiBoulton Uh Charge moves? If you mean UT then it was one of the most nerfed things in RE, now to get an UT you either need to charge the thing or get it through the Bloody Rage mechanic, while in NG/S1 and NG/S2 all you needed to do was kill one enemy and then chain UTs indefinitely for the rest of the fight. Actually the toolkit was significantly expanded in RE and so was the enemie's, now they have extra states besides Healthy/Delimbed like Armored, Bloodied or Shielded whith different properties associated with them and their guard break moves also went through the roof. I don't have personal favourites with these games though, i like each of them for different things.

[@DeathtoRaiden1]

+Rafael Economides They already fixed the UT mechanic in Razor's Edge. It's basically perfect as it is there, but now they need a slight nerf to the Steel on Bone mechanic. There's really no risk to UTs in 1 and 2 considering you can do them instantly, only reward. I mean it even gives you the most essence. I always try to limit my use of UTs in those games unless i am fighting the zombies in NG/S1 which is just a slog.

[@rafael471992]

DeathtoRaiden1 Never picked up RE after trying the demo of the vanilla one and not feeling it. Is it worth it? Do the other playable characters feel different enough to control?

[@durgaprasadsharma4143]

1st time playing dmc 4 as a kid... Half the time i was confused...with so many powers , special moves , guns , cannons, guns that turned into spaceships!... Different attack types powers got from the bosses.... Styles of dante , the engine reving of swords...etc...

[@jonathand.4088]

One of the few things I dislike about Bayonetta 2 is that the umbran climax you get from maxing out your magic meter was so much stronger than everything else, that it gave you almost no reason to spend that meter on torture attacks. It lessened some of the potential for decision making because the magic meter was really only useful for one thing because it was the lowest effort for highest results. Other than that it's a pretty fantastic game though

[@cekan14]

Okay, guys; let's make a list of the best of these glorious games: -Devil May Cry series -Bayonetta series -Ninja Gaiden -Metal Gear Rising Revengeance -God Hand -Nier: Automata -God of War (not the one for PS4) Something else you can think of? Let me know and I'll add it to the list.

[@leper763]

god hand

[@DANAR-ne3cn]

i wouldnt put gow on the same list even tho i really like gow but it aint that deep as those other games so since gow is here then samurai western must be here

[@leinadlink]

I'm sorry but all I could think about during this vid is about Being tracked by a starving beast Looking for its daily feast A predator on the verge of death Close to it's last breath Getting close to it's last breath RULES OF NATURE!!!!

[@NickolaiBoulton]

AND THEY RUN WHEN THE SUN COMES UP WITH THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE

[@AlexB4tman]

Leinadlink ALIIIIIIIIIIVE

[@rotatingdisc-479]

FOR A WHIIIILE (NO CHOICE)

[@Comkill117]

RotatingDisc - GOTTA FOLLOW THE LAWS OF THE WILD!!!

[@Z-Mikes00]

i love how these 3 games are xbox, ps2, and nintendo exclusives

[@armaansandhu3206]

Actually exclusives are bad for consumers

[@silkworm2595]

@@armaansandhu3206 but good for games existing

[@vexicution5533]

Here are a list of Hack & slash games you guys can look up: Soulstice Valkyri Elysium Wanted: Dead Etenights Stellar Blade Project DT Project M Lost Soul Aside Phantom Hellcat Arise of Awakener Granblue Fantasy Relink Yasuke A Lost Descendent Shred & Tear: Explosive Kajun

[@jurtheorc8117]

Hah, and so I witness thee yet again on the very same day in an older video :P

[@vexicution5533]

@@jurtheorc8117 Yep, like I said the more ppl know about theses games, the better.

[@jurtheorc8117]

@@vexicution5533 Right on! I'm hoping to do the same stuff for mainly Soulstice, as well as games like Cookie Cutter, Clash: Artifacts of Chaos, My Familiair, Moonhood Studio's & Amanita Design's respective new games, The Mermaid's Tongue/The Mermaid Mask, Loco Motive, Blud, Tiny Terry's Turbo Trip, and more. Good luck going forward! i hope these efforts will be of good effect.

[@mangelangel2570]

Thanks, brother. My fav genre.

[@vexicution5533]

@@mangelangel2570 Np hack & slash games needs to be on top again. Just to ask, out of the ones on the list what are your top 3? and If you had the ability to make a videogame, what would you make? Btw I added more on the list.

[@superpe]

Good God Ninja Gaiden Black still looks so damn good after all these years. It's a shame NG2 wasn't as good.

[@Shinobi8893]

Incendiary shuriken ninjas got your a*s huh?

[@crispypeepohole69]

Tbf, NG Sigma (or it might have been Sigma 2) had a "Do this, win big" thing, using the kusarigama and mash triangle works on everything except bosses. Also, I say this on pretty much every NG related topic, new players should learn just how important their block is, you can block a ridiculous amount of attacks, even ones that could level a building.

[@MrTekhnical]

Devil May Cry, Ninja Gaiden and Bayonetta are the Holy Trinity of action games and set the standard.

[@marky3609]

This video was great and makes me want to play all these games again lol

[@kylekardashian610]

I’m still dying for Bayonetta 3

[@jonathand.4088]

Me too

[@BK4D_yt]

I almost forgot completely about ninja gaiden I played the shit out of that game on the 360 ❤

[@agustigarciavila1880]

My favorites: DMC 3 (and 4) Bayonetta MGR And I actually enjoy the God of War series and Dante's inferno.

[@armaansandhu3206]

Bro play Ninja Gaiden. It will definitely come in your list

[@gamerprince-tl5hg]

When I play these action games, I never really put time into understanding the mechanics but I always try to use different sorts of combos instead of just pressing the same one over and over again.

[@waggleton.p.tallylicker9431]

Ninja Gaiden is my fuel. The sheer satisfaction of finally GETTING WHAT THE GAME ID TRYING TO MAKE YOU DO is unmatched. It is technically an ultrafast turn based game. Then comes Ninja Gaiden 2 and says "wanna do 6 lines of cocaine and boot up a game? We gotchu"

[@TheTyupi]

I hope your channel soon blows up, this was amazing.

[@GrumpyCat97]

i want PC version of the Ninja gaiden Black, Ninja Gaiden 2 and Ninja Gaiden 3 Razor's edge

[@armaansandhu3206]

Currently Xbox one is your best bet

[@theDiReW0lf]

So annoyed I didn't play these games when I was younger. They're what I've always wanted but are so damn niche it took me forever to start playing them. At least I played a ton of DMC the last few years. The new one is pure gaming bliss.

[@silkworm2595]

I was just too young and my parents wouldn't let me.

[@TAREEBITHETERRIBLE]

this was great. As a developer I have contemplated this for years

[@frantz816]

"To be clear" *shows NieR Automata gameplay*

[@imarock.7662]

This is EXACTLY the point of stylish action games.

[@Neobelmont1]

Not sure if your still reading the comments, but I enjoy the combat in Castlevania lords of shadow , The reason is due to three different systems. You have the light and Shadow Magic system the focus system from perfect blocking and keeping up combos, and the traditional sub weapon system. You can utilizing these systems together to create something that I've never experienced with these games and I've played them all the ones you listed. That's what made Lords of Shadow unique, I didn't need a bunch of different weapons, I have one main weapon bundled with sub weapons with Magic that buff them in interesting ways that also could deal double damage to certain enemies so that was good to know . It gets talked down but playing with the toolset in los made me think highly of it.

[@kjackice]

Metal Gear Rising will always be my favorite action game. Out of everything that platinum has worked on I always come back to MGR. Its almost the opposite to most other Platinum style action games because you start out pretty strong defeating a Metal gear Rex and proving your on a another level then anything else in the Metal gear series. But right after that you get a reality check from Sam and you have to work your way up the food chain to fight him again. Also the DLC showing off that Sam(The guy that made you look like a child waving a wooden sword around) got beaten/Dismembered trying to fight Armstrong really adds to how much Raiden grows as a character.

[@rafael471992]

kjackice It's hype af and I've finished it countless times, but I feel it suffered gameplay-wise from the limited time PG had for development. I think a sequel would be a huge improvement if they fix what was needed in 1 and also flesh out the mechanics/weapons/movelists.

[@DeathtoRaiden1]

Everything that made MGR great cannot be replicated in a sequel.

[@rafael471992]

Seriously though we need to come up with a single name for the genre. At this point people just confuse what kind of game we are talking about haha.

[@BrothaBeige88]

Those are my top 3 favorite action games too 😎👍🏾👍🏾

[@notproductiveproductions3504]

The part about first order optimal strategy reminds me of Baki Son of Ogre when Yujiro punishes Baki for using the same move twice (he even yells at him about it)

[@AraAra-pw7tl]

Power and motivation. I see, vergil is a combat game lover too

[@gigagines]

0:51 "And to be clear" *cut to 2B* Slow clap

[@visitor404]

DMC3 & NG2 top notch

[@GrumpyCat97]

and bayonetta 2

[@visitor404]

grumpy cat meh

[@GrumpyCat97]

don't like bayonetta?

[@visitor404]

I like it but is not a soy boy killer like the others, dont get me wrong, god of war is another franchise that I love, have all the games in my collection, but is not a pro skill game, even my little sister can beat gow or bayonetta.

[@MatthewTheUntitled]

Dmc3se/hd with styleswitcher is far superior to dmc4

[@RolandTechnicalDesigner]

I love the videos of people playing as dante and getting them sick combos but personally I loved nero much more especially in the fight against credo.

[@2000Doriyas]

I definitely feel Nero is more satisfying in DMC4 as his moves seem to have more impact and weight than all of Dante’s albeit impressive and flashy spamming of styles and moves that seem to be more effort than they’re worth to pull off but it’s probably because I’m just shit at understanding my options, Nero just feels so well equipped and effective in his move set that still takes plenty of skill in using Max-Act, Charge Shot, Devil Trigger in a useful flow that requires focus and practice all the same but doesn’t need quite as much mashing.

[@senecastoictruths]

Ninja Gaiden Now on pc june 10

[@jesusrperez5886]

*Laughs in No More Heroes* In all seriousness I love all these other games mentioned here, and I understand NMH is a more of a beat em up with obvious hack n slash.

[@jo99jonny26]

As a dmc fan i played dmc 3 but it wasnt as hard as ninja gaiden. I played both of them i finished all modes on dmc 3 easly without using a single item. but when i played ninja gaiden 3 on normal mode i got fked specialy final boss had to restart 50 times xddd (my personal opinion).

[@armaansandhu3206]

Lol play NG 2. You will get rekt

[@PersonMan000]

FOO strategies irk me. Yes, you can use one tactic over and over again for easy wins, and yes, the developer probably shouldn't have let that little bit of design stay in the game. But, you can just choose to not use the FOO strategy, and have a wonderful time regardless. For example, the Arkham series have a FOO strategy: Mash Counter, and then hit Dodge for uncounterables. But you can choose to not do that and instead go for perfectly timed strikes and variable use of gadgets, because that's actually fun!