At a time where open-world adventures are dominating the gaming industry, with exploration and politicking becoming almost ever-present mechanics, it can be tough to find games that offer good old-fashioned action-heavy combat. PlatinumGames offered this experience to players in 2009 with the first of two Bayonetta titles.
Over 10 years since its release, Bayonetta is recognized as one of modern gaming's best hack and slash titles; while its sequel, Bayonetta 2, is considered by some to even better than its predecessor, exemplified by its huge 92 Metascore and Overall Best Game award from Destructoid. Fans of the series will be delighted to know that Bayonetta 3 is in development, though news of the game's release has been few and far between. For Bayonetta fans who are becoming impatient with the lack of news about the next entry in the critically acclaimed hack and slash series, here are 10 games to fill the void in the meantime.
10 Bloodborne
Beginning in 2009 with Demon's Souls on the PlayStation 3, FromSoftware's Soulsborne franchise has had numerous influences on modern gaming. At a time where games were becoming consistently easier and players were being flooded with tutorials and help-screens, FromSoftware reminded players of the reward that comes from being faced with a significant challenge.
Bloodborne is an excellent choice for Bayonetta fans who are looking to get their feet wet in the Soulsborne franchise, as it offers a more aggressive style of combat than Demon's Souls or the Dark Souls trilogy.
9 Yakuza 0
If you were to put Goodfellas in a blender with a few Cartoon Network shows, the result would probably be something like the Yakuza series. The franchise centers around the real-life organized crime group Yakuza, but ensures that it doesn't take itself too seriously by throwing in plenty of bizarre side quests and optional mini-games.
The game is an ideal choice for Bayonetta fans looking for hand-to-hand combat gameplay, as Yakuza 0 makes players feel extremely powerful as they mow done hordes of enemies, often with nothing but their bare hands.
8 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Despite not being included in the unofficial title, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is considered to be in the Soulsborne family; the game has many differences from FromSoftware's other games though, particularly with the combat.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice ditches the stamina bar, allowing FromSoftware to offer players a far quicker style of combat than even Bloodborne. The combat is excruciatingly difficult, but as a consequence, offers players extreme satisfaction when landing the final blow on a boss.
7 Ninja Gaiden Black
Another game that is notorious for its difficulty, Ninja Gaiden Black is a great starting place for players looking to get into Tecmo's series.
Beginning all the way back in 1988, the Ninja Gaiden franchise is one of the longest-running video game series still active today. Ninja Gaiden 4 is believed to be in development, with rumors circulating last year that it may be an Xbox exclusive. In the meantime, Team Ninja's first two modern Ninja Gaiden games are safe bets for action fans.
6 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Considering that Bayonetta is a playable character in the game, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate merits a recommendation. The Super Smash Bros. franchise began in 1999 and let players live out their fantasy of pitting iconic characters like Mario, Link, and Pikachu against one another in battle.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate exemplifies how far the series has come since its inception, with its huge roster of characters offering a little something for everyone.
5 Street Fighter IV
At least one conventional fighting game needed to make it into this discussion, and Street Fighter IV is a safe bet for Bayonetta fans. Truth be told though, there are numerous fighting games from many different eras that could have filled this spot, such as Tekken 3, SoulCalibur, and Mortal Kombat 11.Â
The critical and commercial success of Street Fighter IV resulted in the fighting game getting numerous re-releases and expanded iterations. Super Street Fighter IV, Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition, and Ultra Street Fighter IV are just some of the alternative releases of Capcom's modern classic.
4 Streets of Rage 4
From one arcade-inspired title to another, Streets of Rage 4 offers a modern interpretation of the classic beat 'em up genre that dominated the arcades back in the '80s.
The indie game received tons of plaudits upon release in 2020. Not only did it receive impressive Metascores that ranged between 82 and 86, but Streets of Rage 4 was also nominated for The Game Awards' Best Action Game award, though it ultimately lost out to Hades.Â
3 Batman: Arkham City
Released in 2009, Batman: Arkham City's predecessor, Batman: Arkham Asylum, set a new standard for superhero video games, much like how The Dark Knight raised the bar for superhero films the year prior. Among the game's many excellent features was its revolutionary combat mechanic. The smooth combat allowed players to fight off hordes of enemies at once and subsequently featured in all three Arkham titles.
Of the three Arkham games available, the second game, Arkham City, is the best choice to play. The game improved upon many of Arkham Asylum's core mechanics while offering an excellent open-world to explore.
2 God of War 3
The God of War franchise is an obvious choice for Bayonetta fans and any of the series' games could have suitably filled this spot. Although the most recent entry, God of War (2018), has quickly become the series' most critically acclaimed title, the original trilogy offers a more Bayonetta-like experience in terms of its all-action style.
God of War 3Â fine-tuned the combat mechanics that its predecessors created, and offered some of the series' most memorable boss battles.
1 Devil May Cry 5
No prizes for guessing which franchise would top this countdown, as Bayonetta was directed by Devil May Cry's creator, Hideki Kamiya. Much like God of War, almost any Devil May Cry title could fill this spot, as they all offer a similar gameplay style to Platinum Games' hack and slash title.
Devil May Cry 5 ensured that the hack and slash genre retained its place as one of gaming's most renowned gameplay styles. It picked up numerous awards, including Best Action Game at The Game Awards 2019 and Excellence In Gameplay from the SXSW Gaming Awards.