Summary
- Konami games offer diverse and enjoyable real-time combat mechanics loved by fans.
- Silent Hill 3 and Castlevania games excel in delivering unique and engaging combat experiences.
- Metal Gear series showcases some of the best combat systems in the gaming industry, despite Kojima's departure.
Konami is a developer who has endured a rocky period in the industry in recent times. Hideo Kojima's departure was widely publicized and placed the company in a negative light. Only recently has the company managed to turn its reputation around with new games that are a ton of fun to play.
The company is known for trying its hand with many genres, with some of the best Konami games boasting amazing real-time combat that fans can't get enough of. From intentionally slow combat systems meant to strike fear in players' hearts to fast-paced bombastic affairs fans can't enough of, Konami has wowed many players with their real-time combat mechanics.
Best Horror Games Set In Hospitals, Ranked
For most people, hospitals aren't great places to be, especially in a horror game. Here are some spine-chilling horror titles set in hospitals.
8 Silent Hill 3
One Of The Better Silent Hill Games In Terms Of Combat
Silent Hill 3
- Released
- August 6, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Most survival horror games try to implement clunky combat systems that make players feel vulnerable against the many foes that come their way, and Silent Hill 3 is no exception. However, most people would agree that this game makes the most of its combat to help players step into the shoes of its vulnerable protagonist.
Heather Mason is meant to be a helpless teenager instead of a combat expert, and this shows in how she wields both melee weapons and firearms. Players will feel tense as they help her survive the horrors that come her way, which is easier said than done.
7 Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night
Simple Yet Fun (And Revolutionary) Melee Combat
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
- Released
- October 2, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
- Genre(s)
- Metroidvania, Action RPG
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is one of the greatest video games ever made. It sparked a revolution in the gaming industry and gave birth to a whole new genre that fans can't get enough of to this day.
The combat in Symphony of the Night is pretty varied, with players gaining access to various weapons and abilities to make things easier for themselves. As Alucard levels up and gains access to more abilities, he'll be able to take out greater dangers and prevent Count Dracula's plans from coming to fruition.
6 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection
A Collection Of Fun Beat-'em-Ups
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection
- Released
- August 30, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Arcade, Beat 'Em Up, Platformer
Konami developed a series of amazing beat-'em-up games with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IP. The Cowabunga Collection wraps up thirteen amazing titles in the series and lets players enjoy this glorious action for themselves.
6 Most Influential Konami Games
Konami is one of the oldest Japanese companies still around, and so naturally, they have made countless highly influential titles throughout the years
The combat boasts a ton of depth as players use melee attacks, throws, and super abilities to take out the many foes standing in their way. The old-school goodness of this title will keep fans coming back for more as they experience the massive amount of content jam-packed in this collection.
5 Silent Hill 2
The Remake Updates Combat Without Making Players Feel Too Strong
Silent Hill 2
- Released
- October 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
Most people didn't have high hopes for the Silent Hill 2 remake, but Bloober Team blew expectations out of the water with this title's release. James Sunderland's adventures look and feel better than ever before, letting new fans understand why this game's story was such a sensation in the first place.
As one would expect, the combat is improved to feel more modern without turning James into a superhero. This means that players should be smart about dealing with multiple foes. The protagonist can be swarmed and killed in no time if he isn't careful about dodging attacks and conserving his ammunition for tougher encounters.
4 Zone Of The Enders: The 2nd Runner
Lets Players Use A Vast Array Of Weaponry
Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner
- Released
- March 10, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action
Zone of the Enders is an underrated mecha franchise created by the great Hideo Kojima himself. The 2nd Runner is the latest mainline entry and the first to come out in quite some time, letting players enjoy fun mech combat as they target multiple enemies and take them out in style.
Acquiring powerful sub-weapons and using the environment in the player's favor is a huge part of what makes The 2nd Runner such a special game. It boasts the best combat system in any Zone of the Enders game, and fans of mecha games should check out this title for themselves.
3 Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow 2
The Combat Is Great, Even If It Sometimes Forsakes The Castlevania Identity
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2
- Released
- February 25, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
Many people argue that the Castlevania: Lords of Shadow duology sacrificed a lot of what made the series so unique, in order to appeal to a mainstream audience. This statement is true to an extent, but shouldn't take away from the strengths of both games.
Lords of Shadow 2 refines the combat and makes it feel better than ever before, with players tackling massive bosses in set pieces straight out of Shadow of the Colossus. Players who want to enjoy a great action game will love Lords of Shadow 2 and how approachable it is.
2 Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
Boasts The Best Combat In A Metal Gear Solid Game
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
- Released
- September 1, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Action, Open-World
It's a shame that Kojima was booted out of Metal Gear Solid 5 before the game could realize its true potential. The Phantom Pain is one of the greatest open-world games ever made. Players control Venom Snake in death-defying missions where stealth is key to clearing out hostile enemy bases.
The gameplay has a ton of layers and lets players experiment with the combat mechanics to take out hostiles in the most creative manner possible. As long as players don't mind the disappointing conclusion, the amazing gameplay of The Phantom Pain is more than enough to offer a satisfactory experience.
1 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Incredibly Engaging Hack-And-Slash 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
It was only a given that a partnership with Platinum Games would lead to players enjoying the best combat system ever featured in a Metal Gear game. The gameplay and style of Revengeance are so amazing that they turned even the most ardent Raiden haters into lifelong fans.
There's something cathartic about slicing enemies up and using their spines to heal the player that never ceases to be engaging. Revengeance is not an easy game in the slightest, but players who master the combat system will be rewarded with some sweet gameplay as they tear their enemies to shreds.
6 Canceled Metal Gear Games
For a series as extensive and established as Metal Gear, there are bound to be some game concepts that were permanently shelved in its history.