Best RPGs For Hand To Hand Combat, Ranked

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Summary

  • RPGs offer diverse combat approaches, from magical powers to hand-to-hand martial arts.
  • Games like God Hand & Sleeping Dogs excel in hand-to-hand combat mechanics.
  • Sifu delivers punishing martial arts combat & challenging boss fights.

Role-playing games (RPGs) frequently provide flexible methods for players to engage in combat. This flexibility extends from mystical abilities to contemporary weapons, allowing players to test multiple strategies in battle. However, it’s important to note that not all RPGs rely on exotic powers to introduce variety. Some opt for a more realistic or practical approach to combat.

Characters modeled after open-handed “Monk” types frequently capture the interest of gamers. A popular daydream among players is vanquishing all adversaries using only bare fists. Regardless of whether they concentrate on martial arts, street fighting, boxing, or a blend of various disciplines with a touch of fantasy, these role-playing games (RPGs) prioritize hand-to-hand combat and excel at it. The ranking of these games considers both the quality of hand-to-hand combat and the game’s overall quality, giving higher scores to those that emphasize this style of combat more prominently.

Games with some RPG-like features, such as character progression, will also be considered.

8. God Hand

Level Die

As a diehard fan, I can attest that God Hand, initially met with a mixed response in 2006, has since been recognized as a hidden gem from Capcom’s illustrious catalog. This game centers around the journey of a martial artist who wields an extraordinary divine weapon known as the God Hand. The narrative may seem conventional, with its theme of vanquishing demons to save the world, but the combat system, based on dynamic martial arts moves, is anything but ordinary.

In God Hand, there are more than 100 moves inspired by martial arts, each one can be assigned to any of the face buttons for your convenience. This allows you to experiment with different fighting techniques and create unique combos. The result is a thrilling combat system that’s flexible enough to adapt as the game progresses. Additionally, the game features an intelligent difficulty system that adjusts according to your performance in battle, offering more rewards when you perform well.

7. Fist Of The North Star: Lost Paradise

Pressure Points

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve been hooked on the gritty stories and intense combat of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s Yakuza series. But when it comes to Fist Of The North Star: Lost Paradise, they’ve swapped the urban jungle for the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Fist of the North Star. In this game, I can unleash devastating martial arts moves that make my enemies pop like overripe water balloons with just a well-placed punch.

In terms of theme and gameplay style, this game shares similarities with the Yakuza/Like A Dragon series, but amplifies everything to an extreme level. The combat is particularly gruesome due to the powerful martial arts techniques, and the mini-games have added pizzazz. For instance, the baseball minigame resembles its Yakuza counterpart, but instead of using a bat and ball, players use a steel beam to destroy enemy motorcycles.

6. Jade Empire

Wuxia Daddy

The 2005 Xbox exclusive title “Jade Empire,” developed by BioWare, is not as widely recognized as some of their other role-playing games, but its emphasis on Chinese martial arts sets it apart from others in the genre even to this day. Given that BioWare was renowned for its turn-based combat systems in games like “Knights of the Old Republic,” the choice to create a real-time martial arts combat system for “Jade Empire” was a daring move.

This game offers a blend of melee combat and magic, but it sets itself apart by incorporating various martial arts disciplines inspired by real-world styles such as Aikido, Karate, and Capoeira. The development team modeled the movesets on these martial arts, enhancing them with motion capture technology. Although its visuals from the early 2000s may appear dated, the game remains compelling due to its groundbreaking combat system, making it worth revisiting.

5. Judgment

Lawyer Up

In contrast to the narrative of the “Like A Dragon” series, the game “Judgment” immerses players in the role of private investigator and ex-lawyer Takayuki Yagami. While it draws heavily from the fighting mechanics of the previous “Yakuza” games (formerly known as Ryu Ga Gotoku), it also adds a distinct flavor to Yagami’s moves to make combat feel unique.

In Judgment, Yagami will gracefully jump over foes, bounce off walls, and improvise with various weapons in battle. The animations and character’s attitude have a touch of comedy, making the fights feel like they’re straight out of a Jackie Chan movie. Just like the Yakuza series, players can freely switch between different combat styles and execute special moves based on context, using weapons, fists, and the environment. Despite a less successful sequel, Judgment is a game that action fans should definitely consider playing.

4. Sleeping Dogs

Hong Kong Brawler

Although United Front Games may no longer exist, Sleeping Dogs remains one of the most impactful open-world games from its era, particularly distinguished by its intense focus on close-quarter fighting. The game is set within the bustling cityscape of Hong Kong and chronicles the tale of undercover police officer Wei Shen as he delves deep into the Sun On Yee Triad organization.

Wei Shen excels in martial arts, and the game primarily focuses on close-quarter fights rather than shooting incidents. The fighting techniques are instinctive, featuring a Batman: Arkham-esque multi-angled blocking and countering system, which results in an agile and versatile melee system that remains enjoyable to play. As players advance through the game, they can discover numerous distinct moves and combinations to master.

In this game, an engaging progression system was employed, where experience points were distributed among Triad, Face, and Police experiences. Each type contributed to distinct character development areas for Shen. Weapons play a significant role in the gameplay, alongside various other open-world features such as driving, parkour, and police heat levels. However, close-combat stands out as one of the most impressive aspects in “Sleeping Dogs”.

3. Absolver

Melee Purist’s Paradise

In contrast to most games, Absolver stands out by being almost exclusively centered on close-combat martial arts. The gameplay solely revolves around martial arts battles, with no deviation from this theme. The narrative, albeit minimal, follows players aiming to demonstrate their worthiness to become part of the Absolver peacekeepers. To underscore this, players are thrust into a vast open-world environment where they engage in combat against various contenders, both AI and human adversaries.

In this game, you’ll find an extensive array of potentially offensive strategies that are represented as cards for players to utilize. You can outfit yourself with two moves for each posture, and you have the option to switch between four distinct postures during battle. This setup allows players to create a diverse repertoire of moves, which can aid in countering defensive tactics such as blocking and absorbing. While the game’s emphasis on martial arts combat might not appeal to everyone, it offers a unique and profound exploration of melee combat that any action enthusiast should experience.

2. Yakuza 0

Life Is A Cabaret

Among all the games in this collection, Yakuza 0 could be the one with the most satisfying blend of its combat-focused gameplay (which includes hand-to-hand brawling) and role-playing elements. The game offers a variety of fighting styles for the dual protagonists to utilize, and there’s also a richness to the characters, setting, and optional activities that players will explore.

In the realm of the renowned Yakuza series, Yakuza 0 stands out as an exceptionally captivating tale. It skillfully weaves together the narratives of its two protagonists, gradually unveiling how their stories will intersect before they eventually do. The mature themes and ambiance set a distinctive tone among modern RPGs, yet are peppered with humor and absurdity – a hallmark of the Yakuza franchise. Beyond the top-notch close combat system, it offers numerous other compelling reasons to return to this game.

1. Sifu

Trail Of Vengeance

In simpler terms, the intense close-combat gameplay of Sifu could arguably be the most authentic representation of martial arts fighting in a video game. It’s challenging to master this combat system, but the shift in experience – from approaching opponents with hope for victory, to knowing precisely how to defeat them – is unparalleled.

In the role of an avid fan, I’d express it like this: “The narrative of Sifu is reminiscent of classic martial arts tales, where the protagonist embarks on a quest for vengeance. This journey is sparked by the destruction of my martial arts school and the brutal murders of my master and father. Yet, what makes Sifu truly special is how this framework propels us players through an engaging progression. Each level represents a pursuit of a different gang member, culminating in epic boss fights against them.

In the game Sifu, the battles against the bosses are exceptionally well designed, aligning beautifully with their respective adversaries. Each fight offers a unique challenge, focusing on distinct elements of the combat mechanics. Unlike numerous other games where bosses can disregard the set rules of battle, Sifu’s bosses expect the player to be well-versed in their attack and defense strategies. This results in rewarding, learnable encounters.

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2025-01-12 00:24