Summary
- Hellish Quart offers the most realistic swordplay mechanics, focusing on twitch-based dueling.
- For Honor enables precise control over blocks and attacks with unique combat styles.
- Devil May Cry 5 features intense swordplay requiring combo mastery to defeat enemies.
Over the decades, the way that developers implement combat in melee-focused games has evolved. Years ago, combat was quite simple, with the player selecting a target and locking on, then queuing up attacks and abilities. As technology evolved, other forms of combat became possible, including twitch-style controls.
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Many modern games that feature sword combat have now implemented twitch controls, which adds to the immersion of a title, but can be difficult to master. Difficulty aside, there have been some excellent games that have implemented sensible twitch swordplay. Yes, it can be much more difficult to get used to twitch melee combat compared to ranged combat, but once mastered, wielding a sword in such a way is very gratifying.
8 Hellish Quart
Physics-Based Dueling Game
Hellish Quart
- Released
- February 16, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
The first entry on this list is entirely focused on twitch swordplay. In fact, it has been lauded as having the most realistic swordplay mechanics of any game by many players. The only reason that it does not feature higher on this list is that it is a bit of a one-trick pony, as most of the content revolves around dueling.
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That being said, the content that Hellish Quart does have is extremely polished. Combat is based on actual fencing styles, and with the right hit, it can be possible to one-shot an opponent. Combat is fully physics-based, and takes a long time to become proficient at, and much longer to master.
7 For Honor
Third-Person Melee PvP
For Honor
- Released
- February 14, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action
For Honor includes what the developers term the "Art of Battle" system. This system empowers the player to have very precise, twitch-based control over every block and attack during combat. The player can control many different types of warriors, including knights in armor, and Viking berserkers.
Each character has a unique combat style, with specific strengths and weaknesses which the player will need to learn and master. To become proficient in For Honor's combat, the player is going to need good reflexes, great hand-eye coordination, and a lot of practice and patience.
6 Katana Zero
Tough-As-Nails Action Game
Katana ZERO
- Released
- April 18, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs and Alcohol, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Action
Taking on the role of a katana-wielding assassin, players need skill and fast reactions during every sword fight in this game. The combat in Katana Zero can be brutal at times, with a single mistimed attack or block resulting in defeat.
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Slashes, dodges and deflections are all possible in Katana Zero, and if the player can set up their attacks correctly, a slash can instantly kill an enemy. Don’t let the fact that this is a 2D game imply that the swordplay is simple; it isn’t, and it is incredibly challenging at times.
5 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Legendary Hack-And-Slash Sword Combat
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
- Released
- February 19, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Action
Taking on the role of a cybernetically enhanced ninja, players of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance are capable of literally dicing enemies into several pieces, using the free-cutting swordplay mechanics. This may sound brutal, but it is a lot of fun once mastered.
Swordplay follows a hack-and-slash format, although defensive techniques also have their uses in this game. Staying agile and moving around during combat is vital to dodging incoming attacks and exposing the vulnerabilities of enemies in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance as well. The resulting combat system is both great fun and hard to master.
4 Ghostrunner
Cyberpunk Inspired Lightning Fast First-Person Swordplay
Ghostrunner
- Released
- October 27, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Action
Ghostrunner combines twitch-based swordplay with parkour mechanics into a frantic, fast-paced combat system. Reactions are key in this game, and a skilled player will find that if they get the timing right, they can even dodge bullets.
Players need to be very accurate with their attacks, as nothing short of a direct, unblocked hit will take down an enemy. Similarly, a single hit is all it takes to bring the player down, forcing them to move quickly and strike with precision. An accurate sword attack that is not dodged or blocked can result in an instant kill in the right circumstances when playing Ghostrunner. The game encourages players to try different tactics and find ways to succeed that are both effective and satisfying.
3 Nioh 2
Action RPG WIth Skill-Based Swordplay
Nioh 2
- Released
- March 13, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Several key combat mechanics set Nioh 2 apart from the competition when it comes to twitch-style swordplay. First of all, the player can switch between three combat stances: heavy attacks, medium attacks, or quick attacks. Choosing the right stance at the right time is the real trick here.
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Combat requires the player to parry and dodge attacks, and then respond with a riposte that can take advantage of enemies being out of position or other states of being vulnerable to damage. Decisions in combat need to be made quickly and with precision.
2 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Intense Twitch Swordplay
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- Released
- March 22, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice deserves a place on this list, for featuring some of the most responsive and smooth swordplay of any game. Counterattacks, parries, and deflections are all possible during combat, with the player needing to execute the correct timing to pull each of these off effectively.
Every duel in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice requires split-second reactions and absolute precision. The combat is brutal, unforgiving, and entirely based on the skill of the player. Expect to do badly at first, but practice really pays off in this game.
1 Devil May Cry 5
The Ultimate In Twitch Swordplay
Devil May Cry 5
- Released
- March 8, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action
Taking top place on this list is Devil May Cry 5, a game that has incredibly intense swordplay. Not only does the player need to block and attack, but they also need to learn how to string together devastating combos, which are key to defeating the toughest enemies, especially on higher difficulties.
Few games offer as deep of a melee combat system as Devil May Cry 5. Not only are good reflexes required, but the player has to think about their actions to decide on which combo to try, and the result is a fluid yet dynamic combat system that earns the game this top spot.
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