RPGs With The Best Reflex-Based Combat Systems

Key Takeaways

RPG combat systems now offer exciting and dynamic gameplay requiring quick reflexes and strategy.
Titles like
Dragon’s Dogma, Genshin Impact,
and
Monster Hunter World
showcase engaging combat experiences.
Games such as
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Elden Ring,
and
Bloodborne
provide challenging and addictive combat loops.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I must admit that each of these games showcases exceptional combat mechanics that require skill, strategy, and quick reflexes. Each title offers a unique approach to engaging players, from the intricate stance system of Kingdom Come: Deliverance to the lightning-fast, rhythmic combat of Bloodborne.

As a gamer for quite a while, I remember that Role-Playing Games (RPGs) used to have rather fixed combat systems due to their roots in turn-based tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons. But boy, they’ve sure evolved! Today, RPGs boast some of the most thrilling combats found across video game landscapes.

In these RPGs, you’ll find yourself skillfully dodging colossal monsters at the right moment using their invincibility frames, or executing well-timed combo attacks. What makes them so captivating is that they rely heavily on player reflexes for combat.

This collection primarily spotlights role-playing games (RPGs) where story and character development take precedence over action elements. Consequently, fast-paced action games such as “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” and “Nier: Automata,” while excellent in their own right, won’t feature here; they would likely rank high on the list if the focus was more on action rather than RPG gameplay.

8 Dragon’s Dogma

Ever The Underdog

Dragon’s Dogma is often eclipsed by the heavyweights in the Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG) genre, such as FromSoftware and Square Enix. However, despite being overshadowed, it has managed to maintain a dedicated fanbase who are drawn to its unique combat system that demands strategic thinking and quick decision-making, similar to a game of chess.

Specifically, what makes this fight stand out is its heavy, impactful animations and powerful blows. However, it’s not just about dodging and attacking; players must also learn about their opponents and quickly decide on strategies to counter them, all while maintaining offensive momentum. It’s a gameplay cycle that’s hard to resist, especially if you haven’t discovered it yet.

7 Genshin Impact

God-Tier Gacha

In a simpler and more conversational way, one might say: “Some games have such dedicated fanbases that they can seem a bit intimidating to engage with, and Genshin Impact is definitely one of those games. People usually discuss its vibrant world and abundant content, but what they might not realize is the game’s complex combat mechanics hidden beneath.

In intense fights, players manage a diverse team of characters, quickly switching between them as needed. Each character typically specializes in a specific element, and enemies have varying vulnerabilities and resistances to these elements. To survive, players must make swift and strategic moves during the heat of combat.

6 Monster Hunter World

Hold The Nerve

As a gamer, I can confidently say that Monster Hunter World was a game-changer for the Monster Hunter series, thrusting it into the spotlight and introducing countless gamers like myself to its distinctive monster-hunting combat system. The allure lies in its demand for patience, careful preparation, and sharp reflexes when the heat is on.

As I journeyed across the vast open-world landscapes, hot on the trail of a formidable foe, I found myself devising a strategy in a heartbeat. But let’s face it, things rarely go as planned when you’re dealing with such a formidable creature. So, I had to think fast and adapt my tactics on the fly, using an arsenal of powerful weapons, lightning-fast reactions, and a sharp mind to finally bring down my elusive prey.

5 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Steel For Men, Silver For Monsters

Speaking of the highly acclaimed RPG games from the 2010s, it’s not hard to find people showering it with excessive praise due to its exceptional quality. However, it’s important to note that The Witcher 3 truly lives up to its reputation, particularly when it comes to its engaging combat system, which, while it may have occasional hiccups, never fails to keep players hooked throughout the game’s numerous thrilling main quests and side missions.

The Witcher 3, much like the influence of Batman: Arkham Asylum, focuses on linking strategic combos using light and heavy strikes, parries, dodges, gear, and magical spells. This gameplay mechanism offers a straightforward yet gratifying experience that demands quick decision-making, backed by knowledge gathered about specific enemy types, particularly when Geralt finds himself in the midst of multiple adversaries.

4 Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Jesus Christ Be Praised

Genuine swordfighting is quite challenging to reproduce accurately, which is why games like Chivalry and For Honor are respected for their valiant efforts in tackling this issue. Kingdom Come: Deliverance, on the other hand, offers a unique solution, although it might feel a bit disconcerting at first, that’s surprisingly immersive. The learning curve is gentle, but mastery requires dedication.

As a passionate gamer, let me tell you about the thrilling swordplay in this game I adore. The combat revolves around a stance system, where I must swiftly adapt my sword position to deflect incoming attacks from enemies. The diversity of swords adds another layer of complexity, making each encounter a strategic dance. To succeed, I have to anticipate my adversary’s next move based on their positioning, quickly adjusting my stance to block an attack before launching a counteroffensive. It’s a challenge, but the satisfaction of mastering this skill is unmatched!

3 Elden Ring

Don’t Shatter Under Pressure

The game Elden Ring has built a significant status within the RPG community, often appearing as the potential culmination of the FromSoftware Souls series formula. It’s challenging to imagine how the genre might progress beyond this title. As the epitome and most adaptable embodiment of the Souls-style combat, it also demands swift reactions throughout its extensive roster of bosses.

Regardless of whether the player has constructed their character for a bulky figure, nimble assassin, or mage, they will often find themselves needing to determine how to deflect, evade, or strategically position themselves to dodge massive strikes. Mastering these skills demands rapid reactions, which involves understanding an enemy’s attack patterns, devising counter strategies, and executing them with swift and accurate actions. This challenge is what makes the RPG series known as Souls so engaging, contributing significantly to their widespread popularity.

2 Kingdom Hearts 2

Nobody’s Heartless

As a gamer, I gotta admit, the combat in the Kingdom Hearts series isn’t usually deep, but it sure knows how to keep things interesting. It gradually layers complexity through customizable abilities tailored for each character, which leads to some mind-blowing battles that demand quick reflexes and a sharp awareness of the situation.

In Kingdom Hearts 2, they introduced a feature called the contextual action button, which allows Sora to perform a unique attack or ability based on the enemy he’s fighting and their specific circumstances. This often leads to an impressive combo. The game is all about finding strategies to make the most of these contextual attacks, resulting in a thrilling and consistently fresh experience, especially towards the end when Sora’s attacks become absolutely spectacular.

1 Bloodborne

Fear The Old Blood

While Soulslike games vary in the level of player interactivity they require (Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice primarily abandoned RPG aspects for a pure focus on action), no game within this genre has tested the boundaries quite as much as Bloodborne.

Completely debunking the idea that battles in Souls games are slow, Bloodborne’s mechanics emphasize relentless aggression against opponents, maintaining a continuous assault and swiftly evading at the last possible second to dodge devastating boss attacks. Armed with parrying pistols and guns, it can feel like a rhythm game on occasion, and its impact is evident throughout the RPG genre since then, most notably in the equally exceptional Lies of P.

2024-11-05 17:34