8 Action-Adventure Games With The Best Combat Mechanics
Action-adventure games are notorious for breaking the traditional boundaries of video game genres. You find impeccable storytelling, stunning visuals, and grand orchestral soundtracks wrapped up in a single piece of fiction. With that said, their true immersion comes from their combat mechanics. After all, a hero's journey is incomplete without a decent fistfight or the occasional cloak-and-dagger mission.
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PostsHowever, instead of recreating the weary and repetitive combat of the early eras of gaming, these games opt for more tasteful clashes that facilitate different player styles. It's this variety which makes them stand out.
8 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
May The Force Be With You
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Like Follow FollowedStar Wars Jedi: Survivor
Action-Adventure Soulslike Sci-Fi Systems 3.5/5 8.5/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 84/100 Critics Rec: 87% Released April 28, 2023 ESRB T For Teen due to Mild Language, Violence Developer(s) Respawn Entertainment Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Engine Unreal Engine 4WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONFive years after the events of its prequel, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor continues the story of Cal Kestis, one of the last remaining Jedi, as he struggles to survive the tyrannical rule of the Galactic Empire. He must also fight to protect his friends and journey to a mysterious planet to escape the clutches of the Empire.
In combat, Cal can use the 'Force' to pull weaker enemies or projectiles such as rockets in any direction. In addition, he can perform Jedi stances that deal substantial damage but cannot be canceled mid-stance, so avoid using them while an enemy is attacking. Cal can also slow down time momentarily, allowing him to cheat death when his health is low.
7 Assassin's Creed Origins
When It All Began
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Like Follow FollowedAssassin's Creed Origins
Action RPG Open-World Systems 10.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 85/100 Critics Rec: 87% Released October 27, 2017 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol Developer(s) Ubisoft Publisher(s) Ubisoft Engine AnvilNext 2.0WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONAssassin's Creed Origins is set during the final hours of ancient Egyptian civilization. We meet a new modern-day protagonist, Layla Hassan, who uses the Animus to view the life of Bayek of Siwa and his wife, Aya, as they fight against the Templar Order. Due to a tragedy, the couple bears a personal grudge against the Order.
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PostsUnlike its predecessors, Origins uses a hitbox system, meaning you land a hit when your hitbox meets the enemy's hurtbox. There's a deluge of weapons which are constantly being updated with new ones. Moreover, Bayek has a pet eagle, Sinu, who will perform recon of enemies in the area, even if hidden behind walls, to give you an idea of their number and location.
6 Marvel's Spider-Man 2
New Friends And New Foes
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Like Follow FollowedMarvel's Spider-Man 2
Open-World Action-Adventure Superhero Systems 4.5/5 10.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 88/100 Critics Rec: 91% Released October 20, 2023 ESRB T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence Developer(s) Insomniac Games Publisher(s) Sony Interactive Entertainment Engine Insomniac Engine v.4.0WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALMarvel's Spider-Man 2 features the dynamic duo of Peter Parker and Miles Morales as they work together to fight threats that plague New York City, including the infamous Kraven the Hunter and the alien Symbiote, which attaches itself to Peter and causes changes in his personality.
The combat mechanics combine ground-based and air-based attacks—the latter can control the fighting pace to your advantage. A new parry system can block your opponent's hits and fire hard-hitting counter-attacks. Moreover, you can switch between the two protagonists mid-battle for dual takedowns or use gadgets such as the web grabber for a more tactical approach.
5 Bloodborne
Victorian Era Cosmic Horror
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Like Follow FollowedBloodborne
Action RPG Soulslike Systems 8.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 91/100 Critics Rec: 98% Released March 24, 2015 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence Developer(s) From Software Publisher(s) Sony Engine HavokWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONBloodborne is set in Yharnam, a fictional city inspired by Victorian era and Gothic aesthetics. Yharnam is overrun by a disease that turns its inhabitants into hostile creatures. You play as the mysterious Hunter, who becomes entangled in the fight against the plague and discovers its dark secrets.
Bloodborne adopts a lot of its combat mechanics from Dark Souls but removes the ability to use shields. Instead, it encourages players to rely on dodging or the rally mechanic to regain some of the lost health after getting hit. Moreover, you can transform your weapons mid-battle if you need more power and range instead of speed (or the opposite) to defeat your current enemy.
4 Batman: Arkham Knight
The Caped Crusader's Last Stand?
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Like Follow FollowedBatman: Arkham Knight
Action Systems 10.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 86/100 Critics Rec: 82% Released June 23, 2015 ESRB M for Mature: Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) Rocksteady Studios Publisher(s) Warner Bros. Games Engine Unreal Engine 3WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONStealth, brains, and brute strength—these words have become synonymous with Batman. But they all fall short when Scarecrow teams up with the criminals of Gotham. What Batman needs is not flashier gadgets or new tactics. What he needs is raw willpower.
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PostsBatman: Arkham Knight doesn't reinvent the wheel of basic combat, but it makes it more fluid and dynamic while adding a few extra things. A new fear takedown can incapacitate up to five enemies in succession. Moreover, you can now use the Batmobile, which is equipped with heavy armor for protection and turrets to shoot anything that comes your way.
3 Devil May Cry 5
Non-Stop Devil Hunting
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Like Follow FollowedDevil May Cry 5
Action Systems 10.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 88/100 Critics Rec: 88% Released March 8, 2019 ESRB M for Mature: Blood, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Capcom Publisher(s) Capcom Engine RE EngineWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALDevil May Cry 5 is the fifth major installment of the series, featuring the story of returning protagonists Nero and Dante. They're hired by a mysterious man named V to defeat the Demon King Urizen. Both V and Urizen were born when Vergil separated his body into two parts: one demon and the other human.
The game features character-driven combat mechanics as you get to play all three characters (Dante, Nero, and V). Each has a separate arsenal of weapons, customizations, and special attacks, including Devil Breakers and Familiars. The combat has been hailed by critics for its simplicity and freedom, allowing players to neutralize enemies with style.
2 God Of War Ragnarok
Kratos Continues On The War Path
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Like Follow FollowedGod of War Ragnarok
Action Adventure Systems 4.0/5 9.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 92/100 Critics Rec: 97% Released November 9, 2022 ESRB M For Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language Developer(s) Santa Monica Studio Publisher(s) Sony Engine Proprietary EngineWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONGone were the days when Kratos was the vengeful warrior who brought Olympus to its knees—or so he thought. He retreated to a distant land for safety and solitude, but the illusion broke with the arrival of a stranger, which set off a chain reaction, leading to a war against the Norse gods.
The God of War is a series known for its rage kills, magical upgrades, and mythical lore. In Ragnarok, Kratos must wield his blades of chaos again to protect his son and show him the ropes of what it means to be a warrior.
1 Elden Ring
The Tarnished One Awakens
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Like Follow FollowedElden Ring
RPG Action Systems 10.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 95/100 Critics Rec: 98% Released February 25, 2022 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) From Software Publisher(s) Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software Engine ProprietaryWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALElden Ring is one of the most critically acclaimed action-adventure RPGs of recent times. Like all role-playing games, there is a loosely structured progression of the game, with some quests that you can do in any order. However, you wake up as the Tarnished one in the Chapel of Anticipation and end your journey at Erdtree in Leyndell.
Block, attack, and dodge roll are the bread-and-butter of Elden Ring combat. Not to mention, during a short time while rolling, your character is virtually invincible to any attack by the enemy. There are plenty of attacks to choose from, such as the backstab or the charged attacks, but you'll likely stick to a few, depending on your play style.
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