History Main / StylishAction

* ''[[https://www.kongregate.com/games/oneextragames/agony-the-portal Agony: The Portal]]: A flash-based HackAndSlash side-scrolling WebGame that pits you, an EvilOverlord MagicKnight with a flail and dark magic against hordes of different enemies, with a basic combo scoring system that rewards not only stringing long chains of attacks to crush the forces of good before you, but doing so in ''style'', actively giving out higher rewards for combos involving as many special attacks as possible.

* ''VideoGame/TEVI'': A {{Metroidvania}} BulletHell which places heavy emphasis on chaining together attacks and combo strings with the eponymous Tevi's wide arsenal of physical and magical attacks, while leveraging her mobility to dodge and weave through enemy attacks, complete with a combo-based style meter and certain abilities that only gain their full benefits at high enough combo ranks.

''VideoGame/ZenlessZoneZero'' (Android/PC/[=PS5=]): An action game focused on stylish combat with tag mechanics.

* ''VideoGame/LollipopChainsaw'' (Xbox 360, [=PS3=]), Creator/GrasshopperManufacture's answer to ''Bayonetta''. With a mix of hand-to-hand fighting and chainsaw attacks, players can trigger Sparkle Hunts, which are slow-mo-style rewards earned by killing multiple enemies at once. A remake is in the works for UsefulNotes/PlayStation5.

* ''VideoGame/SunsetOverdrive'': An [[UsefulNotes/XboxOne Xbox One]]-exclusive ThirdPersonShooter similar to ''Vanquish'' that has seen a port on PC. Gameplay places emphasis on constantly moving around, generating points through the Parkour system and firing at enemies with over-the-top weapons while grinding on rails.

Stylish Action is a sub-genre of [[ActionGame action]] video games that involves unrealistic combat and [[RuleOfCool the fun that comes from learning how to create it]]. Its main point is to use a deep set of mechanics to be stylish, rather than the style coming from the animations themselves. In short, the style is because ''you'', the player, are ''earning'' stylish combat through developing your skills, not just the character through what they're programmed to do.

* ''VideoGame/BeyondSunset'', one of the most gorgeous first-person HackAndSlash action games ever.
* ''VideoGame/BladedFury'', a game whose graphics looks like ancient Chinese art coming to life.

* ''VideoGame/BrightMemory'', or more precisely, ''[[UpdatedRerelease Bright Memory: Infinite]]'' (PC) offers the player a variety of guns, swordplay, a PowerFist with several interesting powers, and high speed movement options, allowing for creative and visually spectacular means of destroying various enemies encountered along the way.

** ''VideoGame/StrangerOfParadiseFinalFantasyOrigin'' (Xbox One, Xbox Series, [=PlayStation=] 4, [=PlayStation=] 5): A SpinOff developed by Team Ninja which brings a combat system more akin to the studio's ''VideoGame/{{Nioh}}'' and combines it with the aesthetics and magic systems of the franchise.
* ''VideoGame/FISTForgedInShadowTorch'' ([=PS4=], [=PS5=], PC, Switch), while a {{Metroidvania}} through and through, features a surprisingly deep combat system with three weapons which can be swapped on the fly; each with a variety of combos, super moves and special actions which can be chained together for some [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRuriwHPZJI spectacular results]].

** The 2018 ''[[VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4 God of War]]'' ([=PlayStation=] 4, [=PlayStation=] 5) soft reboot's placement in the genre is more up in the air, as it moves away from the faster-paced, over the top action of the previous games in favor of a more grounded, almost [[Main/SoulsLikeRPG ''Souls''-like methodical]] combat that also emphasizes the usage of Kratos' son Atreus as AssistCharacter. That said, the game still heavily encourages chaining combos to great effect, mixing with an axe that can be thrown away and addition of RPGElements that expand on Kratos' options and abilities for battles, as well as carefully translating the old combat system of the original games to a new perspective.

* ''VideoGame/{{Gungrave}}'' ([=PS2=]): A ThirdPersonShooter that could be considered the "spiritual ancestor" of sorts to ''Vanquish'', [[https://youtu.be/UBtS2gVw9IQ?t=260 if this video is anything to go by]]. Currently consists of ''VideoGame/Gungrave2002'' and its sequels ''VideoGame/GungraveOverdose'' and ''VideoGame/GungraveGORE''.

* ''VideoGame/HiFiRush'' (PC, Xbox Series X|S): A rhythm-based action game from Creator/TangoGameworks. Hiding behind its ''VideoGame/SunsetOverdrive''-esque aesthetics and gameplay lies a tightly-woven combat system that rewards players for attacking and defending in time to the beat of the soundtrack.

* ''VideoGame/LollipopChainsaw'' (Xbox 360, [=PS3=]), Creator/GrasshopperManufacture's answer to ''Bayonetta''. With a mix of hand-to-hand fighting and chainsaw attacks, players can trigger Sparkle Hunts, which are slow-mo-style rewards earned by killing multiple enemies at once.
* ''VideoGame/LostSoulAside'' ([=PS4=]): Formerly a one-man-team-made action game by Bing Yang (Now hired by Sony) that has aspects of the Teleportation system of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'' with ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' and ''VideoGame/{{Bujingai}}'' influences.
* The upcoming [[https://maddison-baek.itch.io/magenta-horizon Magenta Horizon]] (PC) cites VideoGame/HollowKnight and VideoGame/DevilMayCry as its inspirations, and provides both tricky platforming with plethora of different movement options and frantic yet technical combat with a vast assortment of techniques (including the aforementioned movement options) which can be chained into combos to fill out a [[GameplayGrading style meter]].

* ''VideoGame/{{Nioh}}'' and ''VideoGame/Nioh2'' (both [=PS4=]): From the same team as the above Ninja Gaiden games, it combines Ninja Gaiden esque mechanics with a [[VideoGame/DarkSouls Souls]]-esque stamina bar and progression system.

*** Its sequel ''[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIIRebirth Rebirth]]'' ([-PlayStation=] 5) expands character movesets and adds Synergy attacks, further diversifying the combat.

* ''VideoGame/AstralChain'' (Nintendo Switch): This Creator/PlatinumGames title combines the gameplay of fellow Platinum works ''Bayonetta'' and ''[=NieR: Automata=]'' with a touch of ''The Wonderful 101'' to create a game where the player takes control of not just his or her player character, but also a weapon called the Legion at the same time. Mastering the ability to control both the player character and Legion at the same time allows for creative and dazzling combos in what Platinum dubs a ''Synergetic Action'' game.

* '''Combat depth'''. The selling point of stylish action's combat is its variety. Most action games emphasize defeating your enemies, but stylish action emphasizes ''how'' you do it, so combat tools tend to be meant for different playstyles instead of being clearly better or worse than each other. Attacks and weapons can vary in range, speed, damage, knockback, launch angle, stun, and how much they move the player, and status changes like SuperMode, taunts, and BulletTime add to this further.

* ''VideoGame/{{Gungrave}}'' ([=PS2=]): A ThirdPersonShooter that could be considered the "spiritual ancestor" of sorts to ''Vanquish'', [[https://youtu.be/mXjNapmxZtc?t=291 if this video is anything to go by]]. Currently consists of ''VideoGame/Gungrave2002'' and its sequels ''VideoGame/GungraveOverdose'' and ''VideoGame/GungraveGORE''.

* ''VideoGame/XMenOriginsWolverine'' ([=PS3=], Xbox 360, Windows): A 3D action game featuring the superhero Wolverine based on the film of the same name. Taking inspiration from ''Ninja Gaiden'' and Greek-era ''God of War'', it features fast-paced combat with a plethora of unlockable moves utilizing Wolverine's claws, agility, and defensive skills to kill a variety of foes with style.

''VideoGame/ZenlessZoneZero'' (Android/PC): An action game focused on stylish combat with tag mechanics.

* ''VideoGame/PunishingGrayRaven'' (Android, iOS, PC), in the moment to moment action, is highly skill-based, requiring players to have a thorough knowledge of the many characters' abilities and when to implement them, while timing dodges to prevent overuse and further maximize damage. Players have even managed to make ''Devil May Cry''-level [[https://youtu.be/IGjuJuaNkZI combos]] in game.

* The first game of the ''VideoGame/ShadowWarrior2013'' ([=PlayStation=] 4, PC, Xbox One) reboot series had a ''DMC'' inspired score-system that rewarded combos, experimentation and using your sword after each arena encounter.

* ''VideoGame/{{Gungrave}}'' ([=PS2=]): A ThirdPersonShooter that could be considered the "spiritual ancestor" of sorts to ''Vanquish'', [[https://youtu.be/mXjNapmxZtc?t=291 if this video is anything to go by]].

* ''VideoGame/WantedDead'' ([=PS4=], [=PS5=], Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC) is an upcoming action game made by Soleil Ltd, with some staff members from the original ''Ninja Gaiden'' team. It features both melee and ranged combat with the ability to switch between combos and shooting on the fly, emphasizing improvisation.

** ''{{VideoGame/Okami}}'' ([=PS2=], [=PS3=] [=PS4=], Xbox One, Wii, Nintendo Switch, PC) for that matter, while hardly a ball-buster in the difficulty department and with a comparatively simplistic grading system, rewards skillful fighting with extra currency based on [[GameplayGrading final grade]] and offers a decent assortment of combos, purchasable techniques, and brush powers to play with.

** ''VideoGame/SpiderManMilesMorales'' ([=PS4=], [=PS5=]): A SpinOff starring ComicBook/MilesMorales, with an altered combat system that features largely the same combat system but with notable alterations befitting its protagonist, including [[ShockAndAwe bioelectrical abilities]] that Miles can chain into combos and finishers. Those powers also exist to compensate for and balance Miles' lower raw strength and durability compared to the first game's Peter.

* ''Wanted: Dead'' ([=PS4=], [=PS5=], Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC) is an upcoming action game made by Soleil Ltd, with some staff members from the original ''Ninja Gaiden'' team. It features both melee and ranged combat with the ability to switch between combos and shooting on the fly, emphasizing improvisation.

** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXVI'' ([=PlayStation=] 5), the long-awaited successor to ''XV'', is [[https://www.gematsu.com/2021/02/final-fantasy-xvi-is-quite-action-oriented-but-includes-story-focused-mode apparently]] taking the action further, and most notably has the involvement of Ryota Suzuki, who was one of the combat designers for Capcom's ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5''.

* ''VideoGame/AstralChain'' (Nintendo Switch): This Creator/PlatinumGames title combines the gameplay of fellow Platinum works ''Bayonetta'' and ''[=NieR: Automata=]'' with a touch of ''The Wonderful 101'' to create a game where the player takes control of not just his or her player character, but also a weapon called the Legion at the same time. Mastering the ability to control both the player character and Legion at the same time allows for creative and dazzling combos in what Platinum dubs a ''Synergetic Action'' game.

* ''VideoGame/PunishingGrayRaven'' (Android, iOS), in the moment to moment action, is highly-skill based, requiring players to have a thorough knowledge of the many characters' abilities and when to implement them, while timing dodges to prevent overuse and further maximize damage. Players have even managed to make ''Devil May Cry''-level [[https://youtu.be/IGjuJuaNkZI combos]] in game.

* ''VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvoltSeries'' ([=3DS=], Switch, PC, [=PS4=], [=PS5=], [=XBox=] One) is known for utilizing a unique scoring system called "Kudos". Kudos is earned by defeating enemies in a successful chain, and as well as defeating bosses using a skill. By utilizing different means to defeat enemies (such as aerial finishers, chaining tags, etc.) more Kudos can be earned. Taking damage will immediately rob you of your Kudos count, and reaching a checkpoint (bar ''3'') will bank your stored Kudos, thus, encouraging players to actually keep their score count, which includes during fights with a stage boss. Attaining higher ranks require players to precisely memorize the stage layout and anticipate enemy attacks to avoid getting hit, and as well as quickly clearing a stage in a lowest time limit. Later games put more emphasis on a fast-paced, high octane action by offering a variety of options to defeating enemies and earning kudos.

* ''VideoGame/BrightMemoryInfinite'' offers the player a variety of guns, swordplay, a PowerFist with several interesting powers, and high speed movement options, allowing for creative and visually spectacular means of destroying various enemies encountered along the way.