The 14 Best Games Like 'Devil May Cry'

• Developer: PlatinumGames
• Rating: M for Mature

Noted Japanese game director Hideki Kamiya worked on the first Devil May Cry game. Upon leaving Capcom, he helped found the development studio PlatinumGames and used his action game expertise to create something of a spiritual successor to DMC called Bayonetta. Throughout three mainline series entries, a powerful and super cocky magic-wielding "Umbra Witch" named Bayonetta defends the human race against armies of demons, angels, and other sorts of otherworldly foes. Just like DMC, you'll be armed with a vast array of unique melee and ranged weapons that are capable of increasing your combo counter and helping you get rid of your foes in the most stylish ways possible. We recommend getting the Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle to play the first game and heading over to the Switch to check out the next two series installments.

• Developer: Team Ninja
• Rating: M for Mature

Ryu Hayabusa began his days as a master ninja back in 1988 in the first Ninja Gaiden game. Fast forward to 2004 - Ryu re-emerged as a fully realized 3D version of himself in a rebooted release that placed him right back in the gaming spotlight. The Sigma version of that release and the updated renditions of its two follow-ups are all contained in the Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection. All three games will make you stand up in your chair and lock in as you fight for your life against some of the most persistent enemies you'll ever confront in an action game. You'll need to master Ryu's offensive and defensive maneuvers if you want to have any chance of tearing through the opposition with his trusty "Dragon Sword" and other reliable weapons.

• Developer: PlatinumGames
• Rating: M for Mature

No one could have predicted how much of a sales success and critical darling NieR:Automata would turn out to be. With over seven million copies sold and high review scores granted to it upon release, this beloved title has earned its place in gaming history as one of the most surprising smash hits across the gaming medium. NieR:Automata starts with players commanding the battle prowess of an android named 2B and attempting to rid of a planet full of intelligent machines. As the story wears on, you'll become aware of your true purpose and the hidden truth behind the war between the constantly at-odds androids and machines that have taken over a planet once ruled by humans. 2B and the two other unlockable androids you'll come across as you get deeper into this game can pull off some of the snazziest combos you'll ever see thanks to their assortment of swords, lances, spears, and more.

• Developer: PlatinumGames
• Rating: M for Mature

During his debut in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Raiden caused a stir among everyone who wanted to play with Solid Snake instead. Thanks to Raiden's redemption via Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, he went from a despised protagonist to a more respected one. Raiden's badass cyborg ninja rendition earned the spotlight in this high-octane slasher developed by the previously mentioned masters of action games, PlatinumGames. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance gives Raiden several bladed weapons to rely on during his crusade against an organization known as "Rival PMC Desperado Enforcement LLC." With Raiden's collection of formidable blades at his disposal, you'll get to hack and slash through all sorts of cybernetic baddies and stylishly finish them off via slow-motion cutting sequences. The high-octane action and rocking soundtrack that accompanies every combat encounter in this game places it firmly on anyone's list of the best games like Devil May Cry.

• Developers: Vigil Games, Gunfire Games, Airship Syndicate
• Rating: M for Mature

Upon learning about who the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" are, we always envisioned a game where it would be possible to play as them to bring some sort of balance to the troubled universe they inhabit. We're so glad that idea for a game came to fruition in the form of the Darksiders series. The first three mainline games are all worth diving into thanks to their combination of the best features seen in games such as DMC, The Legend of Zelda, and God of War. The first game lets you play as War, its sequel gives you command over Death, and the third game lets you tap into the overwhelming power of Fury. All three characters have a myriad of melee and ranged weaponry in their arsenal that lets them tear through their demonic and angelic foes in the most brutal ways imaginable.

• Developer: PlatinumGames
• Rating: T for Teen

"Another PlatinumGames game is on this list?" Yep! They just have a chokehold on the action game market and craft the sort of experiences that are the best picks for gamers who adore DMC. Astral Chain sets you up as a member of a special police task force whose sole mission is to protect humanity from a race of interdimensional creatures and the aberrations that have invaded their planet. By taking control of powerful "Legions," you'll keep them close thanks to your "Astral Chain" and use a unique control scheme to fight as a unit during exciting combat sequences. Astral Chain's eye-popping cyberpunk/anime art style will pull you in and its intense battles will keep you invested from start to finish.

• Developer: Flying Wild Hog
• Rating: M for Mature

Evil West feels like such a throwback to the days of publishers taking more risks on unproven IP during the PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii generation. What's being offered here is a supernatural romp through the Old West where all the things that go bump in the night are real and ready to consume the weak. It's up to you (and an online co-op buddy if you want some assistance) to eradicate all those bloodthirsty demons during your time spent within a much darker version of the Wild West. With your hand gauntlets equipped, you'll have a hell of a time bashing in the heads of your enemies and blasting them with your revolver, beam rifle, and more. Evil West harkens back to the good old days of AA games that kept things simple by focusing on a central theme. In the case of this pick, this one's all about beating up all sorts of hideous fiends.

• Developer: Santa Monica Studio
• Rating: M for Mature

The God of War saga is spread out across violent crusades against the gods lifted from Greek and Norse mythology. The bald and perpetually pissed-off Kratos is the main star of this franchise that's all about slashing, smashing, ripping, and tearing through an army of mythical beasts and a petty pantheon of gods. Start your playthrough of this series by getting the God of War Collection, the God of War: Origins Collection, God of War: Ascension, and God of War III Remastered. After you've finally rid the world of Zeus and his followers, check out the 2018 God of War and finish off your lengthy god-killing journey in God of War Ragnarök and its roguelike Valhalla DLC. The old style of combat featured in the Greek era of this series is more akin to the combo-heavy and intense air combat that DMC regards so highly.

• Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture
• Rating: M for Mature

The No More Heroes comes from one of the most eccentric developers we've ever seen, Goichi Suda. His love of all things pop culture shines through this bombastic series of games that follows an otaku named Travis Touchdown. After getting his hands on a beam katana at an auction, he gets caught up in the exploits of the "United Assassins Association" and is tasked with taking out higher-ranked assassins. Not only can you tear into your foes with that famed beam katana, but you can also slam them into the ground with lethal wrestling moves. Once you've completed the first game in the series, we highly recommend checking out the rest of Travis' assassin-hunting adventures in No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle and No More Heroes III.

• Developer: PlatinumGames
• Rating: T for Teen

Transformers: Devastation marks another instance where we have to give PlatinumGames its much-deserved flowers. This action game honors the OG 80s animated series as it focuses on Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Wheeljack, and Grimlock's ongoing war with the "Decepticons" and "Insecticons." You'll make your way across different locales spread out across Earth and use your chosen "Autobots" arsenal to bring an end to the Deceptions' reign of terror. Dodging an opponent's attack at the very last second, activating slow-mo, and proceeding to ram into a nearby foe as a transformed vehicle never gets old. This one's not available on digital storefronts anymore, so go out and cop a physical copy ASAP.

• Developers: Taito, Red Entertainment,
• Rating: T for Teen

If you can get your hands on a PS2 or still have one chilling in your basement, do yourself a favor and plug it up for old-time's sake to check out this slept-on title. Bujingai: The Forsaken City takes place in a post-apocalyptic version of Asia where demons reign supreme. You'll confront those very same demons as the double-sword-wielding Lau Wong and also seek out the whereabouts of a former friend now turned foe. When you see this game's combat in motion, you'll be in awe at just how fluid and gorgeous it looks. Add in this game's use of counterattacks and you have a deep sword-based action game that deserves more love from games in this day and age.

• Developer: Wazen
• Rating: N/A

This next selection on our list of the best games like Devil May Cry is something we're sure many of you have never even heard of. Assault Spy is a PC exclusive, which may explain why you're seeing and hearing about this game for the first time. Here's the deal - you play as either Asaru or Amelia while on a mission to save the "Negabot" mega-corporation from a hostile takeover. The security robots that look to impede your mission can be assaulted with a cool array of maneuvers that emphasize swift dashes and dynamic combos. Both ladies have distinct approaches to combat that you'll quickly become a fan of as you smash all those invading bots in office arenas.

• Developers: Bandai Namco Studios, Tose
• Rating: T for Teen

Scarlet Nexus' world is set in a far-flung future where certain humans have acquired combat-ready psionic abilities. The most adept users of those powers join up with the Other Suppression Force (OSF) in hopes of defending humanity from a race of mutants that want to feast on human brains. As either Yuito or Kasane, you'll come into contact with those "Others" and attempt to rid the world of their existence with your signature weapon and superpowered attacks that work in unison with your party members. Stepping into this game's world will make you feel like you're smack dab in the middle of the best season of an anime thanks to its gripping plot points and thrilling fight sequences.

• Developer: Tango Gameworks
• Rating: T for Teen

The day that this game dropped at the same time it was announced, no one expected it to be as good as ended up being. Hi-Fi RUSH is a visual treat that offers something different from the norm of your average action game by challenging layers to synch up the hits they land to the beat of the OST. As Chai, you'll get to swing around his sick guitar and call upon his allies for combat assists when the time comes to smack around some robots. You'll be doing all this to bring down an evil megacorp full of outlandish personalities that make for some rousing boss fights. Hi-Fi RUSH's rocking soundtrack goes hand in hand with your combat performances and you'll enjoy every minute of it.