Action video games live and die by their combat. Not only are they supposed to be fun, fast-paced, and accessible, but they also need to make the player feel as good as possible. This is true of any game with a dedicated combat system, regardless of the genre they belong to (FPS, Musou, hack-and-slash, etc.)
Numerous developers have succeeded in this regard, crafting some of the most satisfying combat systems in the history of this medium. With their deep mechanics, fluid control schemes, epic bosses, and diverse assortments of weapons and abilities, the following games are perfect for anybody who wants great-feeling combat.
“Satisfying” does not have to mean complex combat.
Kingdom Hearts 2
Much More Than A Whimsical Disney Crossover
The Kingdom Hearts series is well-known for being a weird but magical crossover between Disney and Final Fantasy characters. However, that’s not the only reason these games have achieved so much success. Their real-time action RPG gameplay also contributed to their worldwide popularity, and Kingdom Hearts 2 has the best combat system in the entire franchise.
Sora moves rapidly in this sequel, especially compared to his movement in the original Kingdom Hearts. Each hit of his Keyblade feels so good to land on enemies that it’s impossible not to keep playing for hours and hours. Reaction Commands keep the combat in Kingdom Hearts 2 interesting and engaging, especially during boss fights. Hidden mechanics like knock back and revenge values add much-needed complexity, which has led to the creation of a passionate speed running community.
No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle
Wield Two Beam Katanas With Motion Controls
The No More Heroes series stands out in the Nintendo Wii’s gallery not only because of its excessive violence, but because of its unique combat system that allowed players to eliminate enemies with the console’s motion controls. The original game was already great, but the sequel, No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle, was even better, at least in terms of raw action.
In No More Heroes 2, Travis Touchdown can wield two Beam Katanas at the same time, and the player can execute bloody and explosive finishers by swinging both the Wii Remote and the Nunchuk in various directions. This can feel a tad weird at first, but it ends up being incredibly satisfying. Combined with Travis’ elaborate new wrestling moves, it results in an unforgettable action experience like no other.
God Of War 3
Kratos’ Original Trilogy Ended On A High Note
While the new God of War duology is superior to the Greek Mythology trilogy in terms of storytelling, graphics, and mechanics, there’s one aspect in which they still haven’t surpassed it: the combat. All three original God of War games boasted excellent combat systems but, naturally, God of War 3 has the absolute best one in the franchise. It felt like the culmination of everything Santa Monica Studio had learned while working on the first two PS2 games.
Kratos is more furious than ever in God of War 3, which is reflected in his raw, violent, fierce fighting style. Swinging around the Blades of Chaos always felt great, but Kratos’ new collection of weapons (like the Claws of Hades and the Nemean Cestus) add some fun variety to the overall experience. Killing giant monsters and powerful corrupt deities with Quick-Time Events is as gruesome as it is satisfying. The advanced hardware of the PS3 allowed the developers to make all the blood and guts look shockingly realistic.
Bayonetta 2
An Over-The-Top Adventure, Starring A Stylish Witch
PlatinumGames specializes in some of the most hectic and refined character action games on the market. While they have been responsible for multiple critical and commercial (like Metal Gear Rising and NieR: Automata), Bayonetta 2 still possesses the best combat system this studio has ever designed. The original Bayonetta also had enjoyable hack-and-slash gameplay, but the sequel was better in every way.
The action itself is snappy, fluid, and fast-paced. Bayonetta herself is a fun character to watch mow down hordes of angels, and she has a huge collection of inventive weapons and useful abilities at her disposal. But the cherry on top of this excellent combat system is Witch Time, which allows the titular character to temporarily slow down time whenever the player avoids an attack at the last second. Mastering this mechanic may take some getting used to, but doing so is satisfying and takes the gameplay of Bayonetta 2 to a whole new level.
DOOM
Killing Demons In The First Person Always Feels Amazing
After a twelve-year-old hiatus, the iconic Doom franchise came back swinging in 2016, with the release of a high-quality modern reboot simply titled DOOM. This game was designed with one clear goal in mind: to allow players to rip and tear through as many horrible demons as possible and make them feel good while doing so. Needless to say, the talented developers at id Software knocked it out of the park.
From the moment the Doom Slayer rips apart a monitor at the beginning of the campaign and starts mowing down hordes of demons with his guns, fists, and chainsaw, it becomes evident that DOOM is different from most other modern first-person shooters on home consoles. Subsequent sequels, like Doom Eternal and Doom: The Dark Ages. also have fast-paced and rewarding combat systems, but they are also way more complex. The original 2016 reboot stuck to the basics and, as a result, has the most chaotic but gratifying gameplay in the series.
Devil May Cry 5
The Difficulty Is An Essential Part Of Its Outstanding Combat
The Devil May Cry franchise is partially responsible for creating and popularizing the hack-and-slash/character action genre, but most of its games are so challenging that most players (especially newcomers) won’t really feel satisfied while playing them. This is one of many reasons why Devil May Cry 5 is often considered the best game in the series, as it is also the most accessible in the series so far.
This game is still hard, but it’s not as punishing as its predecessors, which encourages players to get better at it by mastering its fluid controls and elaborate combos. And when it finally clicks, it becomes evident why Devil May Cry 5 has one of the most polished and satisfying combat systems in the genre. On top of all that, its three playable characters (four in the Special Edition) add some much-needed variety to the gameplay, as each one has their own distinct fighting styles, weapons, and abilities.
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4
One Of The Best Musou Games Is Based On A Popular Anime/Manga Series
The Musou genre is perfect for players looking for fast-paced games that give them instant gratification. Classic titles like Dynasty Warriors or Hyrule Warriors allow them to control a powerful character and mow down entire armies of enemies in seconds. While there are a lot of great titles in this genre to choose from, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 is one of the best and most polished Musou games out there, which is curious considering it’s based on a popular anime/manga series.
The premise is simple but very effective. Players choose a character from this series’ expansive roster, which includes both heroes like the Straw Hat Pirates, and antagonists like the Marine Admirals. They then unleash their bizarre, over-the-top powers to defeat massive armies of random enemies. The controls are smooth, special moves can be activated quickly, and the missions never drag on for too long. To no one’s surprise, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 is incredibly addictive, and longtime One Piece fans should add it to their game collection.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Two Powerful Web-Swinging Superheroes For The Price Of One
The original Marvel’s Spider-Man for PS4 is a masterpiece of the superhero sub-genre. It took everything that made the action in the Batman: Arkham series so great and reworked it to fit Spidey’s unique powers and abilities. After all, who wouldn’t want to feel like this iconic web-swinging superhero? The sequel, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, raised the stakes and improved the gameplay with one simple trick: the addition of not one, but two playable Spider-Men.
Just like its predecessor, the movement in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is wonderful, and the combat is snappy, fluid, and empowering. But the ability to swap around between Peter Parker and Miles Morales elevates the entire experience. Since the former has the symbiote suit and the latter has his Venom Blast and his invisibility, they both feel very different from each other. Taking down criminals, super-villains, and extraterrestrial threats is always fun, regardless of which one the player is controlling. And, of course, the two-button instant takedowns are always satisfying to pull off and are the perfect way to conclude each battle.
