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.
However, 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.
Five years after the events of its prequel, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor continues the story ofCal 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.
Assassin’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 theTemplar Order. Due to a tragedy, the couple bears a personal grudge against the Order.
Unlike 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.
Marvel’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 theinfamous Kraven the Hunterand 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’re able to switch between the two protagonists mid-battle for dual takedowns or use gadgets such as the web grabber for a more tactical approach.
Bloodborne 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.
Bloodborneadopts a lot of its combat mechanics fromDark Soulsbut 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.
Stealth, 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.
Batman: 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.
Devil 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.
Gone 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 againstthe Norse gods.
The God of War is a series known for its rage kills, magical upgrades, and mythical lore. InRagnarok, 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.
Elden 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 may 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 ofElden 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.
