Fantasy Games With Great Combat Systems

Key Takeaways

Fantasy games excel at creating diverse combat systems with strategic depth, player expression, and powerful abilities.
Games like Dishonored 2, Dragon Quest XI, and Final Fantasy VII showcase varied combat styles from real-time action to turn-based RPG.
Games such as Devil May Cry 5, Monster Hunter: Rise, and Elden Ring offer rewarding combat mechanics with unique character skills and playstyles.

Fantasy games are plentiful in the gaming landscape and it is not surprising. Swords, magic, monsters, and of course, dragons, are perfect for the medium and a great combat system will give players a taste of that power. This can be via an in-depth strategic battle from a CRPG or an up-close and personal brawl seen in an action game.

Many fantasy games excel at generating an impression of magnitude and impact through their battle mechanics. These games allow for intricate player interaction, delivering nail-biting real-time action, a variety of strategic possibilities, and skills that seem to shatter the very reality around them.

8 Dishonored 2

Blink And They Will Miss

Just like many excellent open-world games, Dishonored 2 provides an array of tools, weapons, and abilities that significantly alter how players tackle each challenge. The steam-punk fantasy environments of Dunwall and Karnaca are brimming with useful devices, including stun mines, spring razors, and crossbows to complement a sword, yet it’s the powers that truly make the game shine.

Exploring these extraordinary talents in battle provides numerous strategic choices, such as allowing the player to swiftly move using Blink, manipulating foes and explosives from afar using Far Reach, and even halting time itself to snatch a bullet mid-flight and shoot it back at the assailant. The game’s principal characters, Corvo and Emily, each possess their own distinct set of powers, ensuring plenty of variety, even during repeat playthroughs.

7 Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age

If It Ain’t Broke

Analyzing Dragon Quest XI alongside the recent remastered version of Dragon Quest III reveals that while not many changes are apparent, this consistency in combat mechanics is what makes it so captivating. Maintaining its traditional style of turn-based role-playing game combat, players choose a particular ability and then decide on a target before each character’s turn unfolds. The simplicity in its design is nothing short of beautiful.

The game certainly isn’t lacking in complexity. It offers multiple skills for boosting players or weakening enemies, and each character has a customizable skill tree so you can tailor builds specifically to your playstyle. Furthermore, Dragon Quest XI presents pep powers, which can either provide powerful enhancements or inflict massive damage on enemies.

6 Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth

Something Old, Something New

Throughout its long history and numerous titles, the Final Fantasy series has occasionally sparked debate with various battle systems it employs. In the upcoming game, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, combat adopts a real-time style found in action games, but with an intriguing twist. Each time a party member attacks, they fill the Active Time Battle (ATB) gauge, a feature reminiscent of the original game and other titles in the series. When a gauge is full, players can utilize abilities, items, or spells. The more powerful the skills, the greater the ATB cost.

In this game, every team member brings their own distinct abilities and attack styles, keeping the battle sequences fresh and dynamic. During combat, you can pause between selecting a character’s skill, which gives an opportunity for strategic thinking before the next action takes place. This pause-and-plan mechanic harks back to the original game, demonstrating that Rebirth stays true to its origins.

5 Devil May Cry 5

Show That Smokin’ Sexy Style

One way to rephrase the given text could be: “If there’s any game embodying the saying ‘simple to grasp, tough to conquer’, it would be Devil May Cry 5. In this title, players battle demons across a fantasy cityscape, all while striving to maintain a high style rank to earn the highly-desired S rating in each level. The numerous combinations and special moves that can be performed often make it seem like you’re starring in your very own action anime series.

In this game, each character you can control has a distinct set of abilities and upgrades that demand dedication and skill to master. To illustrate, Dante frequently switches between melee and ranged combat using his assortment of weapons, as well as shifting among his styles to drastically alter his gameplay style on the spot. This game is satisfying for those who invest time in learning its nuances.

4 Monster Hunter: Rise

Big Weapons, Bigger Monsters

Success in Monster Hunter: Rise relies heavily on proper preparation. Players need to thoughtfully choose their armor, items, and passive skills when confronting the game’s diverse array of aggressive monsters. For instance, a fire-based weapon wouldn’t be effective against a fire-type monster, but a water one would. However, being well-prepared only gets you so far; players must also study each monster’s attack patterns and weak spots to emerge victorious.

In this game, known as Monster Hunter, it’s the upgrade system that truly sets it apart. When players focus on dismantling a monster, they’re rewarded with materials to enhance or create new weapons and armor for tackling even tougher monsters ahead. This continuous cycle of progress is incredibly gratifying, keeping the game feeling fresh and dynamic.

3 Metaphor: ReFantazio

Everyone Has An (Arche)type

In a new exploration of fantasy landscapes, the latest release from Atlus, titled Metaphor: ReFantazio, introduces a combat system with two essential components. The first is a refined version of the widely recognized press turn battle mechanic (featured in previous Atlus games), empowering players to seize additional turns by targeting enemy vulnerabilities. Conversely, players must protect themselves as the game’s extensive roster of creatures can also capitalize on these opportunities and gain extra turns as well.

Additionally, let’s talk about the game’s character Archetypes, which resemble the class systems found in role-playing games of a similar genre. Familiar roles such as healers and mages are present, but Atlus adds their unique touch with less conventional choices like The Sniper and The Merchant. What makes this stand out is that once a character learns a skill, it can be utilized across all classes regardless of statistics, enabling players to build parties that are incredibly powerful or bizarrely unconventional.

2 Elden Ring

Prepare To Die… Again

Creating an exciting battle system is one thing, but developing a new subgenre like Elden Ring (and the Souls games before it) is a whole different ball game. Elden Ring, in particular, represents the most polished iteration of the Soulslike genre by From Software yet, shining brighter than ever. The challenging yet rewarding combat encourages players to dodge destructive attacks, seek opportune moments to strike or heal, and rewards patience and skill with the pride of a well-deserved victory.

Players enjoy diverse character options, leading to numerous strategies for engaging each battle, utilizing an array of weapons, abilities, and magical powers. Consequently, no two gaming sessions feel repetitive. Notably, the iconic boss fights are where the combat system excels most. These colossal adversaries push players to employ all they’ve learned in a lethal dance, testing their wits and skill, as victory or defeat awaits.

1 Baldur’s Gate 3

When In Doubt… Fireball

In a skillful blend of the Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition rulebook (with some personal rules thrown in), Baldur’s Gate 3’s tactical, turn-based gameplay seems like a digital version of tabletop gaming. The players have an extensive array of classes, spells, and skills that significantly alter each battle’s outcome. Thieves can deal extra damage using stealth, Druids can morph into an owlbear to charge at enemies, and when all else fails, Sorcerers can detonate a fireball to obliterate opponents. Moreover, players have the freedom to multiclass if they wish to fine-tune their characters for maximum effectiveness.

In addition to other aspects, the environment plays an important role in the game. You can push enemies off high ledges, ignite flammable surfaces, and explode barrels for significant damage. The game also offers various magical artifacts that can substantially alter combat encounters. All these elements combine to create a tactically rich and enjoyable sandbox experience.

2024-11-23 11:35