Counting Down Games With Hard-To-Learn But Supremely Satisfying Combat

Certain titles, especially those that nail their combat system, are some of the better experiences I’ve had playing video games over the course of the last few decades, but let me tell you this: There’s nothing better than a game that starts off hard, letting you in on just a little bit of gratification before it pits your against a steep learning curve.

Sooner or later, you find yourself having mastered the combat system, taking down a group of baddies in tough situations with relative ease. That’s when you know you’ve achieved something, and there only an anointed few games out there that have you feeling this way. Read along the article ahead to figure out what you’ll be playing next. 

It’s A Different Experience Learning Through These Hard-Hitters

Oh, and don’t forget to post a comment down below in case you have a contribution to make to the listicle with a suggestion of your own. 

1. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice 

Kicking this list off is a personal favorite and one of the most challenging games of all time that is going to get you by the neck if you don’t put in the right type of effort—trust me. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice — but I die a billion times — is one of FromSoftware’s best works to date, having cultivated a combat system so rich and satisfying, you can’t just wait before you master its ins and outs. 

And that’s really what Sekiro so special. You start out as someone who struggles against regular enemies, but before you know it, you’re parrying attacks left and right and dealing “Death Blows” with flawless accuracy. The feeling is unmatched when you get the hang of this game, I’ll tell you that. 

2. Sifu 

The skill ceiling is high when you’re talking about Sifu, a high-quality beat-’em-up title with a unique game mechanic centered around the ageing of the protagonist. Sloclap, an indie developer, has brought forth an extremely polished combat system in the name of Sifu, where you constantly have to be aware of your offense and defense, because the attack moves are varied, both for you and the enemy you face. 

Looking back at this 2022 hit, Sifu has remained relatively underrated over the years, with its popularity overshadowed by other blockbusters that were released at the time, including Elden Ring. 

3. Nioh 2

Being a top-tier Soulslike bar none, what Nioh 2 offers to aspiring players is seldom accomplished by like-natured games. It sports one of the most punishing — though equally rewarding — combat mechanics out there, and be warned: The game may as well give you a mental breakdown sometimes. I will say this, however, that once you start figuring out Nioh, you can become capable enough to take down mega bosses in one hit that would otherwise take a hundred strikes.

eXputer reviewed Nioh 2 and rated it 4/5 in its review, with author Hanzala Iftikhar remarking, 

Nioh 2’s minor design repetition and dated visuals are fully offset by the meaningful story and the superb combat you can’t get enough of.” 

4. Chivalry 2

I recently discovered Chivalry 2, and I’m glad I did. In an era of the gaming industry when there’s a concerning saturation of video game lookalikes, Chivalry 2 is out there offering a breath of fresh air with its first-person combat, though that’s not without a fair bit of challenge. It’s difficult to master the controls at first, but as soon as you start putting your back into it, watch how the tides turn in your favor.

eXputer author Huzaifah Durrani rated Chivalry 2 a cool 4/5, praising its fantastic performance even on last-gen consoles and remarking, 

Unlike other games of this type, Chivalry 2 is also extremely welcoming to newcomers, with a tutorial that will quickly help any novice understand the fundamentals of combat.” 

5. Dying Light 

While the sequel is out and making a killing, I’ve always felt a certain kinship toward the first Dying Light, the game that made me fall in pure love with first-person games with amazing melee combat. Fantastic atmosphere, great visuals, a likable protagonist, and great PvP in the name of Be the Zombie mode—I don’t think I want more.

The way you progress in this game, upgrade your skills, build more endurance and stamina, makes it all the whole worth it comparing your starting self to your end-game character. Oh, and throw in all the gear you collect along the way, and all the work put into the title is just super worth it. It’s for reasons like these that make me say that even after all the years, the original Dying Light experience reigns supreme.