Because of how over-the-top and eccentric a lot of hack and slash games can be, it means they also need a fun and engaging protagonist who can compliment this kind of gameplay. After all, it would be a little boring if the main character was uninterested and grumpy for a whole playthrough, since it just wouldn't gel with the chaotic combat system which rests at the core of the genre. Thankfully though, most developers are fully aware of this, and have created some incredibly fun and memorable leading characters who help to make these experiences all the more engaging.

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Considering that the genre has been around since the 1990s, there's a plethora of iconic hack and slash protagonists who have cropped up over the years, but who is really considered the greatest of them all? Here are the best hack and slash main characters, ranked according to their personalities, designs, character development, and how much fun they are to be around in general.

7 Death

Death Is A Merciless But Complicated Protagonist Who Grows A Lot Throughout Darksiders 2

Though War was a likable enough protagonist in the first Darksiders game, Death feels like a superior version of his brother in virtually every way. Not only is he a lot more ruthless and charismatic, but Death also stands out due to the fact that there are literally no moral boundaries he is afraid to cross in order to achieve his goals. Rather than being a straight-up good guy, Death comes across almost as an anti-hero, and is one of the most feared individuals in the Darksiders universe, so being able to take control of this horseman is certainly a treat.

Despite his cold exterior, though, Death isn't always a monster, as he has shown on multiple occasions that he possesses a deep sense of guilt and remorse for some of his past sins, especially those which ended up affecting his family. Death also tries to keep his past hidden as best as he can, which only helps to make each and every reveal in the story that much more satisfying, since he has an incredibly fascinating backstory which is packed full of references and small details to pick up on.

6 Raiden

The Cyborg-Ninja Raiden Is The Perfect Fit For An Over-The-Top Hack And Slash Experience

When it was announced a spin-off hack and slash Metal Gear game would be coming out with Raiden as the protagonist, needless to say, longtime fans started to get a little worried since it was such a big departure from what they were used to. The good news is, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance turned out to be a smash-hit, and while Raiden has been met with mixed reception in the past, this modernized iteration of the character truly shines in this excellent title.

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Raiden's quick and agile movements make him so much fun to control, but it's during the boss fights where he really gets to show off how powerful he is. Whether it's having a giant sword fight with a mech, or throwing Metal Gear RAY halfway across a street, there's no one in the Metal Gear universe who would be more fun to play in these scenarios than Raiden. The game also does an excellent job of building on his character, especially the "Jack the Ripper" label, which refers to his dark past as a child soldier, and how it still haunts him even after so many years.

5 William Adams

William Learns To Adapt To His New Environments And Become A Fearsome Samurai In Nioh

At the beginning of William's adventure through Japan in Nioh, he starts off fighting simply for the sake of survival, but as the story progresses, he starts to become more empathetic towards those beings who suffer in both the human and spiritual realm. Witnessing this slow and gradual character arc is a highlight of Nioh's narrative, but it's also fascinating to witness how William adapts to his new surroundings, since he is one of the few foreign samurai to ever step foot in Japan.

The fact that players are able to grow alongside William by enhancing his stats and abilities is also a reason why so many fans have enjoyed playing as him so much. Though he originally starts off with his trusty katana, William is able to acquire plenty of other deadly weapons which he will gladly use to decimate his opponents. Pair this with an iconic design and some excellent dialogue, and it's no wonder why this lethal samurai has turned out to be such a fan-favorite.

4 Kratos

Being Able To Control A Character As Absurdly Strong As Kratos Is Always A Blast

Though Kratos has settled down a little in the more recent God of War games, before he became a father, he was the most feared man (and then God) in all of Ancient Greece, to the point where no God, not even the mighty Zeus, could escape his wrath. Part of what makes Kratos such a beloved protagonist is the fact he is pretty much hatred personified. He doesn't care about giving his opponents a chance to fight, as he instead prefers to beat them down in the most gruesome ways possible, before moving on to his next victim.

His sheer ruthlessness allows the player to feel like an unstoppable badass as they scour the land, taking out anyone who stands in their way, but as the games go on, Kratos' character does also begin to become a little more layered. The tragic death of his family clearly left a lot of scars on Kratos' psyche, and though these would be expanded upon in the later games, there were still subtle hints at his underlying emotions peeking through in the original trilogy too.

3 Ryu Hayabusa

Ryu's Quick, Silent, And Deadly Fighting Style Tells Players Everything They Need To Know

Arguably the first ever hack and slash protagonist to become a household name, Ryu Hayabusa is a cold, merciless, but also honorable ninja who is considered to be an almost mythical figure by his townsfolk. Despite Ryu being a lot quieter than many of the other protagonists on this list, this is because he often prefers to prove himself through his actions, which certainly paint him out to be an incredibly dangerous warrior.

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Ryu is capable of moving at incredible speeds, while also having the ability to run across walls, use a plethora of different weapons, and utilize several special techniques to slice his opponents into pieces. He also comes with a striking design which includes a sleek Black Falcon outfit, along with a glossy ninja mask which has become so recognizable that it was even featured in some of the Halo games. Ryu is a man of few words, but his addictive gameplay mechanics and intense appearance make it very clear to players he's going to be a pretty fun character to take control of throughout their adventure in Ninja Gaiden.

2 Bayonetta

Bayonetta's Endless Charisma Makes Her A Joy To Be Around And So Much Fun To Play As

It's hard to find many video game protagonists as effortlessly charismatic and witty as Bayonetta. Since Bayonetta is a witch who's been around for thousands of years, she's already extremely powerful and more than capable of wiping out any angels who stand in her way. As a result, she often decides to have a bit of fun when in combat, rather than wrapping things up too quickly. This results in a unique combat system where Bayonetta is essentially dancing around her opponents before unleashing her demons to finish them off after they've been worn out from too many punches and kicks.

She may be carefree and outlandish, but Bayonetta is still determined to keep those around her safe from harm, even if those people might get on her nerves a lot of the time, such as Luka and Enzo for example. Her flashy fashion sense, eye-catching abilities, and clever dialogue have all made Bayonetta a gaming icon, and someone who has deservedly become one of the faces of the hack and slash genre.

1 Dante

The Legendary Demon Slayer Is A Cocky, Brash, But Also Complex Character Beneath The Surface

Often touted as being the king of the hack and slash genre, Dante is as cool, casual, and carefree as a protagonist can get, but he's still not afraid to let loose when a few ravenous demons stand in his way. Dante's demonic powers, which he inherited from his father, Sparda, have turned him into an unstoppable being who is literally capable of taking on gods, and this is the exact reason why he's such a blast to use in-game. The Style meter which features in the Devil May Cry games perfectly compliments Dante's cocky fighting style, which involves him using plenty of eye-catching abilities and flashy attacks to make quick work of his enemies.

Dante has also been admired for his dialogue, as he is constantly mocking his opponents, including the boss enemies who usually tower over him. On the odd occasion, he will show a slightly more serious side to his personality, especially during encounters with his brother Vergil, which indicates that there's something much deeper behind all of Dante's wild and wacky antics. By the time fans see him in Devil May Cry 5, the cracks in his personality have become a little more noticeable, but he's still just as wacky and wild as ever, and always up for a brand new kick-ass adventure.

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