Action games are my favorite genre, which is why the PS2 was my favorite console. For the purposes of this thread "action games" are games which focus almost entirely on combat, require fast reflexes and have in-depth combat systems; games such as DMC, Ninja Gaiden, etc... I do not consider "action RPGs" to be action games (games like Kingdom Hearts) because of the large element of chance and the need to grind experience points which are inherent elements of the RPG experience. So, tell us about your favorite action game and why you like it more than other action games. Me first:
My favorite all time action game is Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition. This game pretty much has everything I like in an action game: tough bosses, a very deep combat system, lots of weapons/abilities, rewarding gameplay, and that's not even mentioning the length and replay value. They even add a whole other character (Vergil) for optional replays. The icing on the cake of this game is the presentation. Bad presentation can take a lot away from a great game (see: GOD HAND), but this game is perfect. The graphics are excellent, the cutscenes are entertaining and server as a reward and incentive to progress through the game. The story is nothing special but you do end up caring about the characters which is what counts. You almost wouldn't know this game was Japanese if it wasn't for the effeminate white haired hero. Dante is cool, he never whines about stupid shit and has no trace of teen agnst. There's no little girls here to appeal to the pedo Japanese demographic, nor are there any big titties to pander to teenage boys. There's no high pitched "wacky" character, everything is great. It's a shame they threw almost all of this out of the window for Devil May Cry 4.
Honorable runner ups: GOD HAND, Viewtiful Joe, God of War series
Dishonorable mention: Ninja Gaiden (the targeting and context sensitive combos in this game really put me off)
Okay, now you.
My favorite all time action game is Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition. This game pretty much has everything I like in an action game: tough bosses, a very deep combat system, lots of weapons/abilities, rewarding gameplay, and that's not even mentioning the length and replay value. They even add a whole other character (Vergil) for optional replays. The icing on the cake of this game is the presentation. Bad presentation can take a lot away from a great game (see: GOD HAND), but this game is perfect. The graphics are excellent, the cutscenes are entertaining and server as a reward and incentive to progress through the game. The story is nothing special but you do end up caring about the characters which is what counts. You almost wouldn't know this game was Japanese if it wasn't for the effeminate white haired hero. Dante is cool, he never whines about stupid shit and has no trace of teen agnst. There's no little girls here to appeal to the pedo Japanese demographic, nor are there any big titties to pander to teenage boys. There's no high pitched "wacky" character, everything is great. It's a shame they threw almost all of this out of the window for Devil May Cry 4.
Honorable runner ups: GOD HAND, Viewtiful Joe, God of War series
Dishonorable mention: Ninja Gaiden (the targeting and context sensitive combos in this game really put me off)
Okay, now you.