13 Dark games like Golden Axe III that you should try

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We filtered the 45 games similar to Golden Axe III down to the 13 that fit the “Dark” category. Golden Axe II, Shank 2 and Shank top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Golden Axe III.

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GenreActionSubgenreHack and Slash

The best dark games like Golden Axe III

13 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Golden Axe III. Each one has been evaluated across 12 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Golden Axe II

iRank71

GenreActionSubgenreHack and Slash

SoloMultiplayerMeleeMagicDarkFantasy2D

Steam👍 71%· 14

Year 1991Dev Sega Enterprises, Ltd. · Sega of AmericaOn Linux · PC · iOS

✓ Nearly identical: fighting mechanics, deep RPG systems and action RPG combat.

≠ Missing: setting medieval.

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Steam

#2Shank 2

iRank80

GenreActionSubgenreHack and Slash

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeDark2D

Steam👍 82%· 3.6KIGDB75· 4

Year 2012Dev Klei Entertainment · Electronic ArtsOn PlayStation 3 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of hack and slash action games: fighting mechanics, action RPG combat and deep RPG systems

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, precision platforming and shooter, while skipping combat magic

Details →

Steam

#3Shank

iRank77

GenreActionSubgenreHack and Slash

SoloCo-opMultiplayerMeleeDark2D

Steam👍 90%· 4.0KRAWG👍 72%· 380MC67IGDB68· 5

Year 2010Dev Klei Entertainment · Electronic ArtsPlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the hack and slash action games cluster, with fighting mechanics, action RPG combat and deep RPG systems

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and offline, while skipping combat magic

GenreActionSubgenreHack and Slash

MultiplayerSoloCo-opMeleeDarkFantasy2D

Steam👍 69%· 1.2KRAWG👍 27%· 124MC61IGDB66· 6

Year 2013Dev Deep SilverPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of hack and slash action games: fighting mechanics, deep RPG systems and action RPG combat

≠ Where it differs: brings precision platforming, offline and online features, while skipping combat magic

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#5Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks

iRank74

GenreActionSubgenreHack and Slash

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeDarkFantasy2D

IGDB74· 3

Year 2005Dev Mortal Kombat Team · Midway Games

✓ Same family of hack and slash action games: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and fighting mechanics

≠ Stands apart with horror setting and offline, while skipping combat magic

Details →

#6Evil West

iRank73

GenreActionSubgenreHack and Slash

Co-opSoloMultiplayerMeleeDarkFantasy

Steam👍 74%· 13KIGDB72· 4OC73· 121

Year 2022Dev Flying Wild Hog · Focus EntertainmentOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Fits the hack and slash action games cluster, with fighting mechanics, action RPG combat and deep RPG systems

≠ Stands apart with shooter, third-person shooting and adventure storytelling, while skipping combat magic

GenreActionSubgenreHack and Slash

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeDark2D

Steam👍 90%· 2.5KRAWG👍 61%· 77IGDB39· 1

Year 2015Dev Hello There · Hello There HoldingPlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS · iOS

✓ Same family of hack and slash action games: fighting mechanics, deep RPG systems and action RPG combat

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, vibe casual and punishing difficulty, while skipping combat magic

Details →

Steam PS

#8Mother Russia Bleeds

iRank79

GenreActionSubgenreHack and Slash

MultiplayerCo-opSoloMeleeDark2D

Steam👍 87%· 5.3KIGDB73· 8OC69· 42

Year 2016Dev Le Cartel Studio · Devolver DigitalOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of hack and slash action games: fighting mechanics, deep RPG systems and action RPG combat

≠ Its own twist: horror tension, strong narrative focus and punishing difficulty, while skipping combat magic

GenreActionSubgenreHack and Slash

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeDarkFantasy

Steam👍 81%· 8.9KRAWG👍 53%· 103IGDB51· 5OC62· 15

Year 2017Dev WolfirePlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Fits the hack and slash action games cluster, with fighting mechanics, deep RPG systems and action RPG combat

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, sandbox freedom and punishing difficulty, while skipping combat magic

Details →

Steam

#10SENRAN KAGURA SHINOVI VERSUS

iRank77

GenreActionSubgenreHack and Slash

SoloMultiplayerMeleeDarkCozy

Steam👍 95%· 4.0KRAWG👍 68%· 50MC70IGDB72· 8OC65· 17

Year 2013Dev XSEED GamesPlaytime ~6hOn PC · PS

✓ Fits the hack and slash action games cluster, with action RPG combat, fighting mechanics and deep RPG systems

≠ Where it differs: brings cozy, relaxing feel, strong narrative focus and setting anime, while skipping combat magic

Details →

Steam GOG PS

#11Ape Out

iRank89

GenreActionSubgenreHack and Slash

SoloMeleeDark2DHardcore

Steam👍 95%· 4.0KIGDB82· 12OC83· 77

Year 2019Dev Gabe Cuzzillo · Devolver DigitalOn PC · Mac · Switch

✓ Both are hack and slash action games — sharing fighting mechanics, deep RPG systems and action RPG combat

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, adventure storytelling and shooter, while skipping combat magic

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#12One Finger Death Punch

iRank90

GenreActionSubgenreHack and Slash

SoloMeleeDark2DCasual

Steam👍 98%· 16KRAWG👍 79%· 195IGDB90· 2

Year 2013Dev Silver Dollar GamesPlaytime ~2hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Same family of hack and slash action games: fighting mechanics, deep RPG systems and action RPG combat

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, vibe casual and punishing difficulty, while skipping combat magic

GenreActionSubgenreHack and Slash

SoloMeleeDark2DNarrative

Steam👍 71%· 3.0KIGDB68· 7OC72· 161

Year 2022Dev Leonard Menchiari · Devolver DigitalOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Both are hack and slash action games — sharing action RPG combat, deep RPG systems and fighting mechanics

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and historical setting, while skipping combat magic

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

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