How Certain Games Have Hit The Nail On The Head With The Combat System

Oh, don’t we all love us a game with satisfying combat? I don’t know about you, but if you’re anything like me, you’re probably a big fan of titles doing the combat right, and thankfully, many titles over the years have been able to give players that feeling of gratification on a regular basis. That said, there’s an equal number, if not higher, of titles that remain quite on the opposite end.

That is why I decided to put together this article to go over some of the most solid games out there handling their combat features like no other. Make sure to read until the end of the write-up for the best results.

A Surreal Amount Of Effort Have Been Put Into These Games’ Designs 

It’s clear to everyone how the respective developers of each of these games put huge emphasis on combat as compared to other aspects of game development, and I’m glad things went that way. 

1. God Of War Ragnarok

As far as the combat system of a game like God of War Ragnarok is concerned, it’s safe to say that Santa Monica Studio has outdone itself with the level of quality on display here. Improving upon its predecessor that came out in 2018, Ragnarok offers players cutting-edge gameplay with breathtaking attention to detail.

The very weapons that Kratos uses feel amazing in hand, with each of them coming into due use in different battle situations. It’s one of those games that are easy to learn, but hard to master, and when you start getting the hang of things, that’s when true fun kicks in. What’s even better here, is that Santa Monica Studios — the developer — even released free DLC expansion for Ragnarok, which is a roguelike take on the world of God of War, and purely fighting-based. 

eXputer rated Valhalla 5/5 in its review, with author Usama Mehmood remarking, 

On top of it being a free update, God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla is a love letter to all the old fans of this incredible series.” 

2. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

I consider Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice the literal best work of legendary Japanese developer FromSoftware as far as the combat system is concerned. The game handles its gameplay so well, it actually gets really hard trying to find a noteworthy replacement for what Sekiro has to offer, and that’s true—mark my words if you haven’t played it already. 

Despite teasing that there’s more to come at the end of the game, word has been radio silent on a Sekiro sequel, which is, well, painful, to say the least. Oh, and the benefits of playing this game extend beyond the adrenaline rush and a feeling of accomplishment. Sekiro is one title that helps you get better at things in real life, no questions asked.

3. Sifu 

Focusing purely on martial arts and kung fu, Sifu boasts combat like no other. It has the most satisfying gameplay mechanics in the business, but be warned, it will take some time getting used to it. As much emphasis is drawn on the offense, you have to put in an equal amount of work defending yourself against incoming enemy attack moves. 

But then again, nailing a dodge at the perfect time is super gratifying in its own right. Unfortunately, Sifu could not get the type of spotlight it deserved. Looking back, it’s a fairly hidden gem overshadowed by 2022’s blockbusters. My colleague Ahmad Mansoor dedicated a piece to it, saying, 

If you look at Sifu and try it, you will see that the game is a piece of art crafted specifically for a niche fanbase. The game consists of excellent hand-to-hand combat and some of the best boss fights in video gaming history.” 

4. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance 

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is a super fast-paced title by iconic Bayonetta creator PlatinumGames, celebrated across the world for its one-of-a-kind combat gameplay. The game’s lost and forgotten at this point, unfortunately, with no remake or sequel to look forward to, but somehow, that does not stop Revengeance from staying relevant even to this day.

5. Mad Max 

Lastly, we’ve got Mad Max to talk about here, one of the most solid video game adaptations we’ve got to date. The game, although set in a vast wasteland, pays great attention to its combat, which is present in two forms: Hand-to-hand and vehicular. Playing through the action-adventure, you can painlessly observe how a lot of passion was poured into this game, where every punch and shotgun blast has a ton of weight to it, and feels really clicky in a good sense.