Any action/fighting/shmup franchise because the stories are typically nonexistent/shit anyway:
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Bayonetta: I recommend the original as a starting point for an authentic action experience, but Bayonetta 2 is more beginner-friendly.
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Devil May Cry: either 3, or 5 will work—3 if you’re after a challenging experience, and 5 if you’re looking for an insane combo simulator. 1 could work as an entry point, but it’s too old and will not appeal to everyone.
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Ninja Gaiden: I recommend the original Ninja Gaiden 2 on XBOX (not Sigma) if you’re after nonstop action, and Ninja Gaiden Black if you’re more of a souls-like fan.
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Crimzon Clover: World EXplosion is the superior game.
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Under Night In-Birth: I recommend Sys:Celes because it’s the only one with functional netcode.
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Persona 4 Arena Ultimax because it’s the only Persona Arena game, they just started at Persona 4, and the story has tie-ins for Persona 3 and 4.
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Guilty Gear: start with XX Accent Core Plus R if you need the “the most Guilty Gear” because every character has the most moves they’ve ever had throughout the series. -STRIVE- for beginners, and Xrd if you find XX inaccessible. OG Guilty Gear is a broken artifact, maybe to be admired, but not taken seriously.
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DoDonPachi: DaiOuJou: widely regarded as a shmup goat and the best DoDonPachi game. I recommend the Black Label release.
Hmm… I suppose they’re not wrong seeing the most successful action franchise today—Devil May Cry—took the combo simulator route, which’s not necessarily bad, just not in line with the design principles of the genre’s best games: Devil May Cry 3, Bayonetta, and Ninja Gaiden 2.
We need the challenging/awesome action balance to come back, for sure.