[igotrhythm]

Why the hell has nobody mentioned any fighting games?

Go out and rent Guilty Gear XX. I COMMAND THEE. The heavy metal soundtrack blends perfectly with the references in the names of the characters and their attacks, the action is blazing fast (I love the air dash feature...makes jumping over attacks a lot easier), and the fighting is just the right combination of hardcore and bizarre. Selectable characters include:

-Dizzy, a half-clothed young woman whose wings are actually rivaling spirits
-Millia Rage, the queen of hair manipulation
-Eddie, a shadow creature who controls a dead body
-Baiken, a one-armed swordswoman
-Ky Kiske, a Holy Knight of Justice whose sword lets him command electricity
-Venom, who wields as his weapon of choice a pool cue (read that last part again)

The story mode is very compelling in its detail and depth as it describes how your character of choice got into the situation he/she finds himself/herself in and what happens as you progress.

By the way, if you're pissed off at I-no's Megalomania attack being not only inaccessible to the player, but also impossible to foil, join the club.