Summary
- Game combat is a power fantasy for players, allowing them to steamroll enemies effortlessly.
- Fallout 4, Sleeping Dogs, and other titles offer engaging combat mechanics for players to enjoy.
- With abilities, weapons, and upgrades, players can dominate foes and explore open worlds with ease.
The vast majority of open-world games feature some form of combat to keep players engaged for the long haul. This isn't a bad thing in the slightest, with players loving how much fun it is to mow down enemies once they become strong enough.
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This power fantasy is engaging enough for players to spend a ton of hours in their favorite video games as they show everyone who's boss. With the acquisition of levels, gear, abilities, and everything in between, players can power through the strongest enemies around without any major problems in these excellent open-world titles.
8 Fallout 4
The Sole Survivor can Become a Powerhouse in Combat, Especially with the Game's Revamped Power Armor
Fallout 4
- Released
- November 10, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Fallout 4 is one of the best video games for players who love blasting their foes with a variety of creative weaponry. The improvements made to Power Armor ensure that players can always enter battles clad in this iconic suit and decimate enemies with ease.
As a result, Fallout 4 becomes one of the easier games in the series, where players can comfortably steamroll their opponents after earning a few levels. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, since players don't have to feel frustrated as they explore the world and uncover everything it has to offer.
7 Dragon's Dogma 2
With Advanced Vocations, Players can Combo Enemies to Death
Dragon's Dogma 2
- Released
- March 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Dragon's Dogma 2 is one of the most cathartic action games players can check out. Players will soon realize just how versatile every Vocation is, with more advanced variants of this elaborate job system allowing players to pull off some highly impressive moves in combat.
This allows players to go all out on enemies by the endgame, chaining attacks and abilities with great success. Combat always retains that chaotic edge, with only the toughest enemies being able to challenge players who can humiliate most other foes in the open world.
6 Sleeping Dogs
Wei Shen's Martial Arts Expertise Helps Him Humiliate Opponents with Ease
Sleeping Dogs
- Released
- August 14, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- United Front Games
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC
Players who want to check out a unique spin on Arkham's flowing combat will find Sleeping Dogs to be right up their alley. Wei Shen is a force to be reckoned with, who can obliterate his opponents in style.
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The environment can be used to land crunchy takedowns, and the focus on counters ensures that the player can always punish enemies eager to land a hit. Once players master the combat mechanics, smashing foes to a pulp and getting through encounters without incurring any damage feels great every single time.
5 Ghost of Tsushima
With All Stances Unlocked, Jin is Unstoppable in Combat
Ghost of Tsushima
- Released
- July 17, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Sucker Punch
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Ghost of Tsushima boasts one of the most robust and engaging combat systems that fans can get their hands on. Jin Sakai slowly learns all the stances he must master to deal with the game's many enemy types, which ends up helping him out quite a bit in the late game.
From fearsome brutes to annoying spearmen, no one is safe from the Ghost once he becomes strong enough to counter everyone in sight. It makes for a great time as players overwhelm numerous enemies and slice them apart in style, flexing their skills as a samurai in the process.
4 Grand Theft Auto 5
With a Diverse Arsenal of Weapons, Enemies are Helpless Against the Three Protagonists
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
- September 17, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar North
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The Grand Theft Auto series has always been about wreaking havoc, and the fifth mainline entry is no exception here. As players make progress in the game, their ability to decimate things in the open world becomes much stronger.
The three protagonists can eventually find flesh-shredding firearms and powerful, versatile explosives to smash their enemies to a pulp. This uninhibited violence ensures that players will have a great time with Grand Theft Auto 5 and smash through all foes standing in their way.
3 Cyberpunk 2077
With the Right Build and Weapons, V Becomes a Blur of Death and Destruction in Combat
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Cyberpunk 2077 has transformed from a buggy mess into one of the greatest open-world RPGs ever made. Numerous updates and a well-received expansion DLC have ensured that players will have a great time powering through V's somber adventure in Night City.
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As V gains levels, they can eventually get their hands on powerful weapons and cyberware to bring the heat to their opponents. This allows the merc to become a legend of Night City so powerful that even Adam Smasher can't handle their wrath.
2 Red Dead Redemption 2
With Dead Eye, Multiple Hostiles Become Easy Targets for Arthur's Gunslinging Skills
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most beautiful video games ever made. It also boasts extremely cinematic combat where players can nail enemies with headshots and use Dead Eye to pick off multiple opponents at once.
Arthur will eventually boast a massive array of weapons that can be used to obliterate the enemies standing in his way. The crunchy combat is satisfying to master, and players will never get tired of the final killcam in each encounter as enemies drop like flies in the wake of Arthur's carnage.
1 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
After Gaining a Few Levels, the Dragonborn Starts Living Up to Their Legend
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Skyrim is one of the most beloved open-world RPGs ever made, boasting an inverted difficulty curve that makes the game notably easier at higher levels. While the Dragonborn may be sent skyward by powerful Giants and their clubbing blows, these tough encounters won't irritate players for too long.
Eventually, the Dragonborn starts living up to their legacy as they pulverize everything in sight. There's a reason why so many mods aim to increase combat difficulty in the game, since the protagonist will rarely be fazed in combat, barring fights against Karstaag and Miraak in the Dragonborn DLC.
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