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GAF, recommend me great character action games!

F

FunkyLounge

Member
Here's the deal:

I really want to get into the genre, I feel it is where my gaming taste is leading. Recently I finished Vanquish and I absolutely loved it. The sensation of perfectly tuned movement, the precision of the action, EVERYTHING!

Then I have tried the PS3 demo of Metal Gear Rising and it felt like this was the game I wanted for a long time without knowing it. I have yet to play a real character action game though. I love precision controls and the satisfying feeling of performing perfect conters and rolls/dodges.

Here's the twist though! I have seen similar thread like this, but people always came to the same conclusion. The same few games.

So, are there any other amazing character action games OTHER THAN:

DMC 3/4
Bayonetta
MGR
Ninja Gaiden Black
Godhand?

I would like to see here some maybe lesser known character action games. Do you have a personal favourite, your beloved game you feel is underrated? I want YOU to learn with me in this thread.

PS:For the record - I own x360, PS3, PC and Vita (but I guess none are present there)
 
DMC1 is still worth playing, it's actually my favorite game in the series. DmC is okay, worth playing. Especially since you can find it for practically free these days.

Ninja Gaiden 2 is good, but stay away from 3.

You pretty much nailed the major genre players, though.
 
Going to get tons of hate here, but...DMC: Devil May Cry.

The game isn't as good as the other DMC games, but for people new to the Character Action style, this is a great game :). The controls are good (great for PC, as you could get the game at 60FPS), the graphics are very nice, the game's surprising amount of platforming is fun, the combo system being more streamlined causes it to be more inviting to new comers, and the game has a good amount of replay value. If you have PS+, you might already have this game (as it was given out as a Plus game in January) but if you don't own it, it should be 20 something bucks online or something :).

Another game would be Binary Domain, as you mentioned you enjoyed Vanquish :). The game isn't exactly like Vanquish, but feels like Sega made a sudo-sequel to it without Plantums help, if that makes since :l? Anyway, the game is a third person shooter with AI teammates (that you can talk to), controls really well, runs good on PS3, is quite funny, and has a crazy story. A underrated shooter that deserves a look if you have the times :).

My last recommendation would be El Shadai. The game is...odd, to say the least. It is a Japanese action game (not made by Platinum) that is based on the stories of Christianity before Satan was a fallen angel...if you're still with me here, the game is quite great :)!

The gameplay has simple combat (only three different types of weapons), but that combat is quite fun, the visuals are breathtaking, the platforming is really well done, and the story goes in all crazy directions (you even go to the future at one point!). Its only 20 bucks at GameStop and well worth your time.

Hope this helped out man :)!
 
Yep, I would love to see here some not-so-well known games. Something really overlooked, I refuse to believe, that those are the only good ones.
 
Just recently started playing Blades of Time, another character action game for PC. It's fun so far.

Edit:
Another game would be Binary Domain, as you mentioned you enjoyed Vanquish :). The game isn't exactly like Vanquish, but feels like Sega made a sudo-sequel to it without Plantums help, if that makes since :l? Anyway, the game is a third person shooter with AI teammates (that you can talk to), controls really well, runs good on PS3, is quite funny, and has a crazy story. A underrated shooter that deserves a look if you have the times :).
Click to expand...

Binary Domain is more similar to Gears of War. And I didn't like it; it was boring as hell.
 
RK128 said:
My last recommendation would be El Shadai. The game is...odd, to say the least. It is a Japanese action game (not made by Platinum) that is based on the stories of Christianity before Satan was a fallen angel...if you're still with me here, the game is quite great :)!
Click to expand...

Boom. Thank you, this is what I had in mind. Definitely will check out El Shadai - I love weird artstyles.

Thanks
 
HalfwayOrb said:
Just recently started playing Blades of Time, another character action game for PC. It's fun so far.

Edit:


Binary Domain is more similar to Gears of War. And I didn't like it; it was boring as hell.
Click to expand...

I only mentioned it due to his enjoyment of Vanquish, as they are similar games. Sorry you didn't like it though :(.
 
The reason people come to the same conclusions with these threads is because outside of the holy trinity and other franchises from Clover/Platinum there are not a lot of games in the genre. That's why when games like NG3 and DmC come out people get upset because there aren't any other options than the usual suspects.

I would recommend Viewtiful Joe 1 & 2, Vanquish (not hack & slash, but is more comparable to action games than typical TPSs), and the Batman Arkham series.
 
vanquish is basically a 3rd person shooter that plays and flows like a character action game. its super cheap, like 7 bucks at gamestop

both lords of shadows are worth playing as well

and definately go back to devil may cry 1. still a fantastic game
 
Ninja Gaiden 2 is one of the best 360 exclusives. Game has some of the best combat and weapon variety in the genre.

Poofynamanama said:
vanquish is basically a 3rd person shooter that plays and flows like a character action game. its super cheap, like 7 bucks at gamestop
Click to expand...
Read the OP:

Recently I finished Vanquish and I absolutely loved it. The sensation of perfectly tuned movement, the precision of the action, EVERYTHING!
Click to expand...
 
Trinidad_Jason said:
the Batman Arkham series.
Click to expand...

These really don't fit with the games OP mentions. Something similar, but closer to what the op is looking would probably be Urban Reign, though I've never played that. Yakuza's combat seems like it's similar to Urban Reign, but that series is not strictly a brawler.

impact said:
Ninja Gaiden 2 is one of the best 360 exclusives. Game has some of the best combat and weapon variety in the genre.
Click to expand...

This was pretty good, but I would've appreciated a non-glitchy/terrible final boss and fewer BS moments like the exploding armadillo
 
Spring-Loaded said:
These really don't fit with the games OP mentions. Something similar, but closer to what the op is looking would probably be Urban Reign, though I've never played that. Yakuza's combat seems like it's similar to Urban Reign, but that series is not strictly a brawler.
Click to expand...
I've played Urban Reign, and thought it was terrible. Nothing like Yakuza, either. Absolutely would not recommend going from God Hand to the likes of Urban Reign.
 
Killer is Dead is about to get a PC version, should be amazing at a locked 60fps. If you like crazy over the top action games you'll enjoy it.
 
Trinidad_Jason said:
The reason people come to the same conclusions with these threads is because outside of the holy trinity and other franchises from Clover/Platinum there are not a lot of games in the genre. That's why when games like NG3 and DmC come out people get upset because there aren't any other options than the usual suspects.

I would recommend Viewtiful Joe 1 & 2, Vanquish (not hack & slash, but is more comparable to action games than typical TPSs), and the Batman Arkham series.
Click to expand...

Arkham series is a good choice imo.
There seems to not really be a lot of these games anymore though.
I'd recommend agains DmC: Devil May Cry, I got it free on PS+ plus but it was bad. The frame rate is pretty bad and that you had to hold down the trigger to keep a devil/angel power activated messed with my hands.
 
If you enjoyed the demo for MGS Rising: Revengeance, I'd say go ahead and buy the full game (only $15 on Amazon!). One of Platinum's best, in my opinion.
 
Spring-Loaded said:
These really don't fit with the games OP mentions. Something similar, but closer to what the op is looking would probably be Urban Reign, though I've never played that. Yakuza's combat seems like it's similar to Urban Reign, but that series is not strictly a brawler.
Click to expand...

Urban chaos is not really doing it for me, seems too mindless and brawler like. Brawlers in general are not clicking with me for some reason. Yakuza on the other hand seems to be much better fit for me.

Thanks!
 
Spring-Loaded said:
These really don't fit with the games OP mentions. Something similar, but closer to what the op is looking would probably be Urban Reign, though I've never played that. Yakuza's combat seems like it's similar to Urban Reign, but that series is not strictly a brawler.
Click to expand...

The Arkahm games don't have the Japanese style of the others mentioned, but the combat system is still really good. The ranking system and the challenges do a good job of encouraging players to utilize all of Batman's moves/gadgets while in combat without getting hit.
 
super-famicom said:
If you enjoyed the demo for MGS Rising: Revengeance, I'd say go ahead and buy the full game (only $15 on Amazon!). One of Platinum's best, in my opinion.
Click to expand...

Oh I will. There is no doubt about that. I was waiting for the PC version, but now that it is out, there is no stopping me (apart from Dark Souls 2...)
 
Do you have a PS2? You might have fun with Viewtiful Joe 1 and 2.

Wonderful 101 is also worth playing, but I see you don't have a Wii U. Definitely check it out if you ever get one though. It's different from the other big games since you're managing a bunch of characters and it has the whole drawing mechanic, but the combat system is incredible and very creative. You can do a lot of cool air combos and stuff with all of the tools you have.

FWIW: My favorite action games are Bayonetta and DMC3/4.
 
Would Vanquish count?

It's not a melee based action game but a third person shooter but it's no less as awesome as the other major entries in the genre.

T4SteBu.gif
 
FunkyLounge said:
Urban chaos is not really doing it for me, seems too mindless and brawler like. Brawlers in general are not clicking with me for some reason. Yakuza on the other hand seems to be much better fit for me.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yakuza series in general is pretty fun and the closest of its type to the games in the op. It involves street-fights, but it's more technical than something like Streets of Rage. Leveling up and unlocking more moves is important too

Just know that it's much more of an RPG than any of the games in the OP. you'll get into a lot of fights, but the "walking/talking to fighting" ratio is similar to most RPGs.
 
If you have access to a Wii U, The Wonderful 101 is truly amazing, but I'm guessing this is obvious enough being a Hideki Kamiya/Platinum Games' game? I personally bought a Wii U to play this, Bayonetta 2, X, and Smash Bros, of which only W101 has been released yet, and entirely worth it.

I would also strongly recommend checking out Viewtiful Joe (the first one, not the second). Another Hideki Kamiya gem, it's basically the application of character action games to a 2D plane with mild platforming and tons of fighting (it also has the first instance of time manipulation that would go on to feature in Okami, Bayonetta and W101). For good measure the PS2 version has Dante as a playable character and he's great.

Basically you can't go wrong with Hideki Kamiya; every single of his games are absolute masterpieces, and with the exception of Resident Evil 2 and Okami, he's done NOTHING but character action games. :D
 
DmC is definitely worth playing for a newcomer. It's an entertaining romp on first playthrough. It just doesn't have the depth that's expected from a DMC title.
 
Tyrant Rave said:
Do you have a PS2? You might have fun with Viewtiful Joe 1 and 2.

Wonderful 101 is also worth playing, but I see you don't have a Wii U. Definitely check it out if you ever get one though. It's different from the other big games since you're managing a bunch of characters and it has the whole drawing mechanic, but the combat system is incredible and very creative. You can do a lot of cool air combos and stuff with all of the tools you have.

FWIW: My favorite action games are Bayonetta and DMC3/4.
Click to expand...

I do not have a PS2, but my PC is beefy enough for amulating at 60fps. I might have to check Joe out. Wonderful 101 seems perfect for me, but I will not buy a console for it.
 
Some people might tell you that it's the worst thing since Hitler, but Darksiders 2 has really fun combat. Really great game IMO.
 
RK128 said:
Going to get tons of hate here, but...DMC: Devil May Cry.

The game isn't as good as the other DMC games, but for people new to the Character Action style, this is a great game :). The controls are good (great for PC, as you could get the game at 60FPS), the graphics are very nice, the game's surprising amount of platforming is fun, the combo system being more streamlined causes it to be more inviting to new comers, and the game has a good amount of replay value. If you have PS+, you might already have this game (as it was given out as a Plus game in January) but if you don't own it, it should be 20 something bucks online or something :).

Another game would be Binary Domain, as you mentioned you enjoyed Vanquish :). The game isn't exactly like Vanquish, but feels like Sega made a sudo-sequel to it without Plantums help, if that makes since :l? Anyway, the game is a third person shooter with AI teammates (that you can talk to), controls really well, runs good on PS3, is quite funny, and has a crazy story. A underrated shooter that deserves a look if you have the times :).

My last recommendation would be El Shadai. The game is...odd, to say the least. It is a Japanese action game (not made by Platinum) that is based on the stories of Christianity before Satan was a fallen angel...if you're still with me here, the game is quite great :)!

The gameplay has simple combat (only three different types of weapons), but that combat is quite fun, the visuals are breathtaking, the platforming is really well done, and the story goes in all crazy directions (you even go to the future at one point!). Its only 20 bucks at GameStop and well worth your time.

Hope this helped out man :)!
Click to expand...

Good post this. I too heartily recommend DmC and El Shaddai.
 
DmC was one of the best games of last year and it's probably dirt cheap nowdays.

If I didn't have nostalgia for DMC1 DmC would probably be my favourite of the franchise.
 
NIN90 said:
Some people might tell you that it's the worst thing since Hitler, but Darksiders 2 has really fun combat. Really great game IMO.
Click to expand...

I played that! I really enjoyed the game, but I totally lost interest after the first world. I couldn't stand the repetitiveness of the Undead world (however it was actually called) I feel like if it had better pacing, I would have absolutely loved it!
 
Avoid DmC. One of the worst games I've ever played. Everything about it is obnoxious and terrible.

I'm not a fan of the genre though, but I did enjoy Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (PC version). Controls and framerate are precise and solid, and the art is amazing. Everything else is kind of meh and the QTEs are obnoxious, but it's worth playing for the art and combat. :)
 
Well if you don't mind indie you can try Mitsurugi Kamui Hikae

http://store.steampowered.com/app/263620/

Though they say they are rpgs I recommend the YS games highly enjoyable and since you have a vita you can play Oath in Felghana, YS Seven, or YS Memories of Celceta. On steam there is YS Origin, Oath in Felghana is also on there if you prefer to play on pc.
 
Character action game I don't entirely understand what you mean sorry. Though as mentioned already Ninja Gaiden 2 on x360 is gorishly gloriously precision ninja fine tuned mayhem. Everything else you listed is great.

Not sure how Onimusha has aged?
Prince of Persia series is not in the same genre though worth checking out.

If 2D sidescroller beat em ups are also to your liking Dragons Crown, Muramasa, Dishwasher Samurai etc.
 
Napalm_Frank said:
DmC was one of the best games of last year and it's probably dirt cheap nowdays.

If I didn't have nostalgia for DMC1 DmC would probably be my favourite of the franchise.
Click to expand...

Morrigan Targaryen said:
Avoid DmC. One of the worst games I've ever played. Everything about it is obnoxious and terrible.

I'm not a fan of the genre though, but I did enjoy Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (PC version). Controls and framerate are precise and solid, and the art is amazing. Everything else is kind of meh and the QTEs are obnoxious, but it's worth playing for the art and combat. :)
Click to expand...

These are both wrong

DmC is a middling game. It's not bad but it's definitely not good. Probably worth it for $5 on a Steam sale, but definitely avoid the console versions unless you like the feel of inconsistent 30fps choppiness.
 
Rinaldimanc said:
Oneechanbara

may seem like distasteful but if you like mindless but satisfying hack n slash then there you go.
Click to expand...

Literally one of the worst games I've ever played in my entire life. I can't even come up with enough hyperbole to describe how bad the game is, I'm at a loss.

It's that bad.

Lollipop Chainsaw is better than it in every way, but that's a bad game, too.
 
impact said:
These are both wrong

DmC is a middling game. It's not bad but it's definitely not good. Probably worth it for $5 on a Steam sale, but definitely avoid the console versions unless you like the feel of inconsistent 30fps choppiness.
Click to expand...

Way more consistent than your Ninja Gaiden 2 :3
 
FunkyLounge said:
I do not have a PS2, but my PC is beefy enough for amulating at 60fps. I might have to check Joe out. Wonderful 101 seems perfect for me, but I will not buy a console for it.
Click to expand...

I always forget which version was supposed to be better between the PS2 and GC versions of Viewtiful Joe. I only had the PS2 version, which had a couple of extra features in, but I think it was like RE4 were the GC version was better. Don't quote me on this though; I never played the GC version.
 
If you can stomach QTEs and pre-Dark Souls From software jankiness, get Ninja Blade (preferably for PC). It's a lot like Ninja Gaiden.
 
impact said:
These are both wrong

DmC is a middling game. It's not bad but it's definitely not good. Probably worth it for $5 on a Steam sale, but definitely avoid the console versions unless you like the feel of inconsistent 30fps choppiness.
Click to expand...

I could honestly find zero redeeming value about that game. I got it from PS+ and deleted that trash very quickly.
 
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