There is something satisfying about video game combat that utilizes swords. The up-close nature allows gamers to live out their barbarian, knight, samurai, and swashbuckling fantasies to the fullest. Gun games are satisfying in their own right, but taking down multiple enemies with swipes of a sword and dueling a boss character feel more personable insword-fighting games.
There’s an escapism fantasy that swords play into that is forever timeless, and it harks back to fiction depicted in various forms likeConan the Barbarian, Excalibur, The Three Musketeers,andSeven Samurai.This list aims to provide games with the best open-world games where swordplay feels special and plays into the kind of power fantasy that fans love.
Like a Dragon: Ishinis asamurai-themed action RPGset in theYakuzauniverse. Players take on the role of a samurai named Sakamoto Ryoma. Ryoma is embroiled in a revenge story and a political and violent war between rival clans. The story sees Ryoma fighting off multiple enemies using various styles and combat stances.
The action is fast-paced and strategic when it comes to boss fights and even mixes in elements of classic coin-op arcade fighting games. If swordplay isn’t enough, Ryoma can use his bare hands, a pistol, and a combination of a gun and a sword.
While theAssassin’s Creedseries isn’t renowned for implementing great sword combat,Assassin’s Creed: Unitystands out as the best in the series, with its fencing style reminiscent ofThe Musketeersbooks, TV shows, and films. Players take on the role of Arno, an Assassin in Paris during the French Revolution from 1789 to 1794.
The fencing system utilizes regular attacks, strong attacks, staggering strikes, signature kills, parrying, and dodges for a cinematic but tactical fighting system that feels great to play once mastered. The combat system has changed significantly with the recent entries, butAssassin’s Creed: Unityhas the best combat system for swordplay, swashbuckling, and fencing fans.
Dragon’s Dogmais an open-world fantasy action RPG that excels at all forms of combat, especially sword fighting. It features the weighty back-and-forth combat of a Soulslike with the ferocity and speed of anaction game likeDevil May Cry. The fighting is satisfying, whether taking on equal-sized humans or gigantic mythical beasts like the Cyclops.
Taking on giant enemies feels reminiscent of the classic Harryhausen movies likeJason and the Argonautsand the PS2 classicShadow of the Colossus.It is a system that’s easy to pick up and perfectly plays into the power fantasy of a warrior against giants and monsters.
At its core,Elden Ringis an open-worldDark Soulsgame. However, it is more accessible than FromSoft’s previous efforts while offering players many options to suit virtually any playing style, not least sword combat. Many styles can be utilized, whether using a massive two-handed sword, like Guts fromBerzerk,or fighting like a samurai or a ninja.
Like most Soulslikes, players must utilize dodges, rolls, stances, and blocks and then manage their stamina to survive. The combat is weighty and impactful, with every strike feeling meaningful. Elden Ring is indeed a challenging game, but few can match the level of satisfaction of learning a boss’s patterns and defeating them. Creating a sword-wielding warrior with high stats in poise, dexterity, and strength can lead to one of the most satisfying builds inElden Ring.Combine this with the skills -known as Ashes of War- like Bloodhound Step, and they can be worthy foes against magic users and bosses.
Ghost of Tsushimais a stunning open-world samurai game that brilliantly utilizes swordplay and stealth. Whether playing on the PS4 or the PS5, it features a fast, responsive, and beautiful fighting system that few games can match. It takes inspiration from the iconic samurai films of Akira Kurosawa.
Whether players engage in one-on-one duals, a stand-off against multiple enemies, or the protagonist Jin Sakai charging into battle, the fighting system inGhost of Tsushimanever gets old. The game features four stances specializing in taking down sword users, shield users, spearmen, and brutes. Jin consistently improveswith new techniquesin evasion and deflection, making feel and play like a deadly samurai in any situation.
