13 Games Where Melee Combat Is Best

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One enjoyable aspect of fighting in video games is that you have control over the battle’s progression and strategy. You can choose whether to engage from afar or get right in the thick of things, allowing you to defeat opponents according to your preferred method.

However, there’s an unmistakable, raw intensity in confronting your adversary face-to-face and engaging in hand-to-hand combat, whether it be with your fists, a sharp tool, or an enormous weapon.

A well-designed melee combat system should provide immediate, impactful responses to every blow and offer increased mobility for dodging and retaliating against foes’ attacks.

Keeping this perspective, we’ll evaluate games by assessing the balance between the effectiveness of hand-to-hand fights, gun battles, and magic spells.

13.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Have At Thee!

Despite the frequent humor surrounding its remastering, “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” is undeniably one of the most renowned role-playing games set in a sword and sorcery fantasy world. The Dragonborn character has a versatile array of options for dealing damage, be it through wielding swords, mastering archery, or harnessing magical powers.

In simpler terms, the fight sequences in this game might not have the thrill or finesse of DMC5 or Soulsborne games, and some may dismiss them as overly simple. However, they are fundamentally strong and reliable, much like a Honda Civic car. This game offers you an opportunity to customize and upgrade it extensively, transforming it into something almost completely unique and personalized.

While it’s true that Skyrim’s melee combat becomes more immersive with the addition of mods, it’s undeniably worthy of inclusion on this list due to its remarkable adaptability.

12.
NieR: Automata

A Dance Of Death

Apart from boasting a powerful emotional narrative and an unforgettable soundtrack, NieR: Automata stands out for its exceptional combat system, often considered the pinnacle of hack-and-slash games. The game allows you to fluidly string together combos using different weapons, offering a vast array of possibilities for inflicting massive damage on enemies. You’ll find yourself constantly experimenting with various strategies to maximize your combat efficiency.

Beyond being armed with lethal weaponry, our beloved YorHa androids are also accompanied by supportive Pod companions. These companions are capable of sustained firing against enemies as well as executing charged attacks. However, they inflict minimal damage individually and primarily exist to enhance close-combat abilities.

Regardless of how impressive its combat might be, let’s remember that NieR: Automata primarily emphasizes close-quarters combat.

11.
Marvel Rivals

Massive Superhero Brawl

In the game Marvel Rivals, while each character possesses a melee attack, not all of them are experts at delivering punches to their foes’ faces.

However, those who engage in such actions are truly formidable adversaries on the battlefield. Many melee heroes, particularly Duelists, excel at striking from behind. It’s best to avoid encounters with characters like Lord Spider-Man using his signature web-swinging uppercut combo, or falling prey to a Wolverine who might abduct you and hurl you into the enemy team.

More recently, we’ve added Emma Frost to our roster. Her Diamond Form, found within her hybrid kit, makes her an unrelenting powerhouse capable of crushing soft adversaries with brutal choke slams that send them hurtling towards nothingness.

In Marvel Rivals, melee combat might appear somewhat basic when compared to other games, but it still provides an effective fighting style for anyone eager to engage in a solid brawl.

10.
Sleeping Dogs

Woah, I Know Kung Fu!

As a video game character in Hong Kong’s vibrant neon landscape, instead of relying on guns and law enforcement tools to take down my adversaries, I prefer the raw thrill of pummeling them, the excitement of street brawls adding an extra layer to the city’s electrifying atmosphere.

Sleeping Dogs masterfully embodies the raw violence typical of a classic John Woo movie, offering players a chance to dish out justice using a blend of kung fu and street brawling. The combat system is remarkably user-friendly, enabling you to engage multiple adversaries simultaneously from a third-person viewpoint.

In simpler terms, you have the ability to deflect, evade, and retaliate against foes reminiscent of the smooth hand-to-hand combat found in the game Sifu. Additionally, you can perform brutal environmental takedowns that might result in actual long-term harm.

9.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands

Swords, Guns, And Sorcery

In the Borderlands series, known for being an exceptional single-player looter-shooter with countless guns to fire, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands shifts the focus slightly towards melee combat compared to its earlier installments, making it a more prominent feature in gameplay.

As a follow-up to the DLC of Borderlands 2 titled “Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep”, “Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands” draws significant inspiration from tabletop role-playing games, such as Dungeons and Dragons. Unlike the pre-defined Vault Hunter characters in previous versions, you have the freedom to extensively tailor your own Fatemaker character in this game.

Besides having the freedom to select an assortment of peculiar weapons for the Fatemaker, certain character classes are primarily designed for close combat, such as the Brr-zerker or Stabbo-mancer. These classes can transform into lethal vortexes of blades, dealing immense damage. A vast array of melee weapons at your disposal allows you to obliterate, liquefy, incinerate, and freeze enemies with powerful strikes and devastating slams on the ground.

8.
Risk Of Rain 2

High Risk, High Reward

Risk of Rain 2 is a third-person shooter set in an alien world that becomes progressively more challenging as you spend more time there. The longer you survive, the tougher your foes become, launching an increasing barrage of projectiles at you in a style reminiscent of bullet-hell games, or sending waves of unyielding enemies your way. It’s widely regarded as one of the standout 3D roguelikes in recent gaming history.

In this game, you get to select from seventeen distinct characters who are all playable, each with their own set of skills that differ significantly from one another. The majority of these characters excel in gun combat and possess special skills, while a few of them come equipped with built-in melee capabilities right off the bat.

A mercenary is an ideal survivor for a close combat, or melee-focused build, given that his skills resemble those of action game heroes, such as Vergil from the Devil May Cry series, with his flamboyant and dynamic moves.

The mercenary is equipped with not just one, but two jump abilities and multiple dashing techniques, making him a highly agile character to control. Additionally, you can exploit his “Expose” debuff and the invincibility frames from certain moves to successfully execute his high-risk, high-reward gameplay style.

7.
Mega Man ZX

Rock On!

Mega Man Zero, along with its related series ZX and Advent, possesses a unique charm. They represent a creative evolution of the original Mega Man series, expertly blending Zero and X’s distinctive fighting methods.

In Mega Man Zero, ZX, and Advent, there’s a special feel that sets them apart from the traditional Mega Man games. These titles offer a fresh perspective by combining the combat styles of both Zero and X characters in an innovative way.

In terms of melee combat, ZX might just be one of the finest entries so far, even surpassing both Advent and the iconic Zero series within this franchise.

Let’s take our time discussing Mega Man Zero’s close combat. While I think it’s good, what sets ZX apart is that it combines the move set of all four games. This isn’t limited to Model ZX, but also includes OX, a character based on Omega from the Zero series, whose moves you acquire after defeating him in a hidden boss battle.

Model OX significantly expands the variety of traditional Z-saber movements, mimicking Zero’s diverse moveset as seen in his quartet.

There’s an extraordinary sense of fulfillment when you can slice effortlessly through Maverick enemies using the Z-Saber, making the scenes seem to slow down with every accurate critical strike during your spinning assault.

6.
Monster Hunter Wilds

The Hunted Becomes The Hunter

Tracking down beasts of legend calls for weapons as fearsome as the foes themselves, and Monster Hunter does not disappoint by offering a diverse selection tailored to your playstyle. While certain Hunters may choose to rain destruction from afar with a bowgun or a longbow, many prefer the direct approach of close-quarters combat.

It’s not surprising that Monster Hunter boasts some of the most engaging melee battles within video games. Unlike many other action RPGs where evasive maneuvers and swift strikes make you feel invincible, the rhythm of combat adapts according to the weapon you choose. For instance, with an insect glaive, you can dash through the air, or with a greatsword, you can build up a powerful charge.

Monster Hunter Wilds expands your gaming style by allowing you to wield not one, but two weapons at the same time!

In Monster Hunter, the close-quarter battles have a realistic and deliberate quality, but some players might compare it to moving slowly through treacle. It offers a unique sense of gratification that deviates from conventional hack-and-slash games, where you often feel overwhelmed by a monster’s persistent attacks.

5.
Warframe

Become A Walking Blender

exploit enemy vulnerabilities to massacre waves of foes effortlessly, repetitively using the same melee attack and transforming into a swift, ninja-like blender with a chic appearance.

In Warframe, the game mechanics simplify the process of eliminating large numbers of Grineer, Corpus, and Infected, making it feel like being a lethal weapon come to life. Essentially, you either inflict massive damage on enemies or they quickly overpower you – it’s as straightforward as that.

Besides the Soma Prime gun, there’s an abundance of melee options available for you to wield. You could unleash chaos with crafted Soma Prime, but why not opt for a variety of swords and blades instead, such as dual Kamas or the iconic Nikana?

Some warframes have the ability to call forth Exalted weapons, their exclusive weapons, and effortlessly cut through foes as if they were made of paper. If you’re a beginner seeking a versatile Warframe, Excalibur stands out as an excellent choice, offering not just shooting capabilities, but also the ability to slash enemies into shreds.

4.
Ghost of Tsushima

Stand And Fight!

In the realm of video games, I found myself utterly captivated by Ghost of Tsushima, a masterpiece that flawlessly blends stealthy strategies with heart-pounding swordplay. This exquisite open world is filled with breathtaking landscapes, and it seems as though this game singlehandedly reignited the fascination in pop culture for the noble, ancient art of samurai combat.

The primary charm of the game lies in its sword fighting, a feature that you may need to use when enemies manage to spot you and break your stealth, as you can also move around undetected, eliminate foes through assassinations, archery, and gadgets.

Instead, consider challenging them directly with a showdown, or engaging boss-like adversaries in combats reminiscent of Akira Kurosawa’s movies. To add tension, you might opt for the challenging Lethal difficulty setting, where every move counts as both you and your enemies can be defeated in just a few hits, emphasizing precision over reckless attacks.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve found the melee combat to be surprisingly intricate and solid, with a unique poise system that lets you wear down enemies, making them vulnerable to your attacks. Some adversaries, based on their weapons, are even susceptible to specific stances, such as shield-wielding foes being weak against the water stance.

3.
Cyberpunk 2077

No Such Thing As Cyberpsychosis

In a unique manner, Cyberpunk 2077 offers an engaging power fantasy experience where enhancing your character significantly boosts your abilities, making you nearly as powerful as characters like Adam Smasher – though without the ominous repercussions associated with cyberpsychosis.

In simpler terms, you have the ability to fire various types of guns at a distance or get tactically close using melee weapons and advanced cybernetic equipment, transforming you into a highly enhanced, ninja-like figure.

Among the most conspicuous cybernetic weapons is the mantis blade, an extension from your forearm that enables you to swiftly and fatally cut through opponents with precise strikes. However, if you prefer to pulverize your enemies, there’s also the option of gorilla-like arms at your disposal.

Adding similar devices such as a Sandevistan would allow you to transform into an ethereal warrior, swiftly slicing through adversaries with uncanny agility, much like a gust of wind.

2.
Elden Ring

God Slain

In Elden Ring, players are motivated to experiment with various gameplay methods and character builds. However, certain strategies might prove overpowered compared to others, based on the current meta. Consequently, it’s essential to adapt effectively using the resources at hand to make this challenging game a bit more manageable.

In many soulslike games, players often prefer a melee build over magic or faith-based abilities because there’s no substitute for the skill of anticipating an enemy’s moves and counterattacking effectively.

Regarding your question, Depending on the type of character you prefer, there are a couple of reliable choices. For instance, the “unga bunga bonk” build is an excellent choice for those who favor strength-based characters and enjoy delivering a massive strike attack. Alternatively, there’s the “edgy dual Rivers of Blood” build, which allows you to stack bleeds to deal explosive burst damage.

Engaging in combat within any Soulsborne game, particularly Elden Ring, can be likened to an intense, gory ballet. You watch, evade, counterattack, and hope fervently that the boss doesn’t have another form or phase to unleash.

1.
Warhammer 40K Space Marines 2

“My Armor Is Contempt. My Shield Is Disgust. My Sword Is Hatred.”

In terms of depicting the sheer magnitude of Warhammer 40k, Space Marines 2 excels remarkably. The game not only makes your space marine appear and sound like the armored warriors they are in the lore, but it also accurately represents the force behind their weapons. Boltguns resonate with a cannon-like boom, and every tooth of your chainsword slicing through Tyranid exoskeleton echoes with a sound and feel as if it’s tearing flesh and muscle apart.

Despite an array of firearms available, the upcoming game Space Marine 2 equips nearly every class with at least one type of melee weapon, allowing you to indulge in the slaughter of the Imperium’s foes. Each character, including those without a melee weapon like the Heavy, can participate in close combat and effectively block most attacks.

Melee-centric characters such as Bulwark and Assault are extraordinarily powerful in close quarters, capable of accumulating an astonishing number of kills solely through sheer determination. However, taking down a neurothrope when on the ground could be slightly more difficult compared to other character classes.

In the sequel to Space Marines, an exquisite blend of ranged and close-quarter fights is skillfully crafted, making each moment in battle increasingly thrilling compared to the previous one. This exhilarating experience feeds into the fantasy of effortlessly annihilating waves of disposable adversaries, even on tougher settings.

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2025-04-29 20:41