As long as life has existed on Earth, there have been individuals who have needed to settle their differences. All too often, this happens through fighting. Humanity’s uncanny talent for finding new ways to cause harm to others has led to a variety of dueling practices, many of which have been turned into sports. One such practice is the art offencing. In its simplest definition, this is a contest in which two or more participants fight with lightweight single-handed swords.
Fencing has captured imaginations for centuries. Authors like Alexander Dumas loved to tell stories of epic duels.The swashbuckling hero has been a staple of Hollywood since its beginning, with actors like Errol Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks. Any movie about pirates will inevitably have at least one big fencing scene. That is also true of video games. Fencing can be difficult to adapt into an interactive format, due to its complex techniques and strategies, but giving players the opportunity to participate in a fencing duel is a great selling point.
This ranking is based on the quality of the game’s fencing mechanics, not the game as a whole. This means an otherwise excellent game can end up near the bottom of the list, or vice versa.
Although it is an easy mistake to make, fencing is not to be confused withKendo, a Japanese martial art which also emphasizes sword technique. Most Samurai games are based on Kendo rather than fencing, resulting in their ommission from this list.
Being a pirate game, it makes sense thatSea of Thieveswould let players wield cutlasses, and it was inevitable they would start dueling with them. Swordfights are common inSea of Thieves, so the game includes some basic fencing mechanics. Players can attack, block, and dodge, using various combos to great effect. However, since most duels are performed between players who lack fencing experience, they can be a tad anti-climactic.
While the basic mechanics are solid, players can easily end up running around in circles and missing each other. There is also the fact that, this being a game centered on piracy, getting a fair fight is easier said than done. Some pirates may decide to “cheat” by employing firearms. While this does fitwith the idea of being a scoundrel on the high seas,Sea of Thievesmight not be the best choice for players looking to channel their inner Errol Flynn.
A Weird Mix of Fencing and Racing
Nidhogg 2
The wurm has returned and it must feed! Shed your garments and paint the walls with the flesh of your enemies, for only one can be worthy of sacrifice.The rules are simple. Reach the other side and kill anyone that stands in your way. Deftly parry and rend their throats, riddle their bowels with arrows, or squish their brains between your toes. The wurm cares not for chivalry.Sequel to the indie hit of 2014, Nidhogg 2 builds upon the award-winning gameplay of its predecessor with new weapons to wield and levels to master, head-to-toe character customization, and the captivatingly grotesque art of Toby Dixon.And, with music from artists including Mux Mool, Geotic, Doseone, Osborne, and Daedelus, Nidhogg 2 has a soundtrack so good that even the menu screens are awesome.
Another multiplayer entry,Nidhoggis a two-player sidescroller in which multicolored characters engage in a duel. The basic gameplay involves a simplified parry/strike system, where both characters can change the height of their weapon to block or attack. This particular aspect does give the feeling of a duel one might find in a swashbuckling adventure. However, it does come with some notable twists to the format. A big one is instant kill attacks, something not usually intended with traditional fencing.
The objective is not to defeat the opponent (who will respawn after being killed), but to reach the end of an obstacle course and get eaten by the Norse serpent Nidhoggr (which is apparently a desired outcome in this context). While this can create an engaging experience, it does mean players can treat it more like a platformer and avoid fighting all together. The experience of fencing depends on the opponent’s preferred strategy.
For a franchise known for emphasizing stealth, theAssassin’s Creedseries has a solid combat system.Melee combat has been a big part of the series from the beginning, but almost every game betweenIIandUnityshowed some obvious swashbuckler influence. The series started to move away from this inSyndicate, which shifted towards aGangs of New York-esque brawling combat style.
However, given the series' prioritizing of stealth, melee attacks were simplistic and typically reserved as a defensive measure. With a few exceptions (usually boss fights), fencing was more a means of warding off nearby enemies long enough to get a good escape window, or a reaction to stealth going wrong. This led to fencing coming in the form of simple button combos without much focus on strategy.
Combat in theUnchartedgames usually emphasizes either guns or hand-to-hand brawling, often both. It wouldn’t normally be associated with swordsmanship, but that didn’t stopUncharted 4: A Thief’s Endfrom experimenting with it. During the climax,Nate has to confront his nemesis Rafe Adler, and both have their guns taken. In a thematically appropriate move for a story about hunting for pirate treasure, the two pick up cutlasses and face off. This one also adds the twist of an unevenly matched fight. Nate lacks Rafe’s fencing experience, putting him (and by extension, the player) at a disadvantage.
While it is an interesting thing to experiment with, and a shift from the norm, it could be argued the fencing mechanics are underused. They only appear in the one scene right at the end, and it takes time to get there. While the player can strike and parry, and has some freedom of movement, the sequence also relies on quick-time events (usually the player pushing a button to keep Rafe’s sword off of Nate). The use of an extremely narrow room also makes it feel a bit restrictive. This is, however, something a futureUnchartedgame could have the potential to refine and improve.
Peach dons several costumes throughoutShowtime, each one coming with a unique persona and variations in gameplay. AsSwordfighter Peach, she gets to take on the role of a dashing heroine in a play about a heroic duelist. The level takes full advantage of her new sword, allowing her to battle her way through enemy knights and a plant monster. She gets to test her fencing skills against two bosses, with one unusual twist: both are significantly larger than her. The first is aGhost Knightwhose weapon blurs the line between a rapier and a lance.The second is theDark Swordfighterwho challenges her to a swordfight.
However, while this sequence is quite memorable, the fencing mechanics are affected by the fact that it is a play telling a scripted story. The basic enemies go down with ease, presumably because they are actors directed to do so. The two bosses present a challenge, but they focus heavily on dodging. While agility is a crucial skill for a good fencer, both opponents rely on dodging until an opportunity is found and then striking. This would be a legitimate strategy, but it means Peach doesn’t get a lot of room to use more advanced tactics.
Simple But Effective Mechanics For Settling Differences
Sid Meier’s Pirates!
Sail the Caribbean, marauding all on the high seas or ally your ship and crew as a privateer in search of riches - the life you choose is up to you. Face dogged enemies, raid unsuspecting villages, woo fair maidens, avoid capture or dig for buried treasure. Discover what it takes to become one of the most famous pirates in history!
This classic adventure game casts players as an up-and-coming pirate in the Caribbean. Naturally, fencing becomes a regular occurrence. Plundering a ship will require the player to duel its captain. Sometimes the player may encounter duels in other areas, such as dealing with romantic rivals, stopping a jerk from harassing a barmaid, or facing enemies with a more personal connection to the hero.They can even challenge real pirates from history.
The game employs a simplistic but informed dueling system. The player can choose from three dueling swords (longsword, cutlass, or rapier), which each have different advantages. The player gets two simple moves: blocking, and thrusting at different angles. The key to success is knowing the right moment to block and when to strike. This approach has the advantage of being accessible without sacrificing the need for strategy, though some players might find it repetitive.
Take on Tyrranny Like Errol Flynn
En Garde!
From the forgotten pages of history, comes Adalia de Volador! Legendary swashbuckler. Dashing adventurer. Hero of the people.Play as Adalia in her daring escapades full of sword-fighting, satire and shenanigans. Challenge the cruel Count-Duke and oppose tyranny with panache!Beautifully painted locations, charismatic characters, and an astounding amount of battle banter will transport you to the golden age of swashbuckling comedy!So, sharpen your sword, grab your boots and hat, and embark on a hilarious, action-packed spectacle!Fencing With Flair: Parry, riposte and lunge your way to victory! Fight with style to fill your Panache Meter and unlock special skills! But you’ll need more than your sword to win the day…Adapt and Improvise: Challenging, ever-changing fights push you to rely on your cunning and acrobatics to disturb your enemies. Learn their weaknesses to toy with them and express your fighting style.Experiment with the Environment: Combat areas are playgrounds full of opportunities to create mischief and gain the upper hand. Surprise, stun, or evade enemies with a variety of objects - from rolling barrels to falling chandeliers.
En Gardeis an homage to classic swashbuckling films, so it’s no surprise that fencing is a central mechanic. Even the title is a phrase associated with the practice. Throughout the game, protagonist Adalia De Volador has to take on a variety of enemies in her ongoing feud with the tyrannical Count-Duke. At different times, she has to take on different numbers of enemies, which can range from fighting one-on-one to dealing with whole armies. With different types of enemies, she has to adopt different strategies and sometimes switch between them.
What makesEn Gardedifferent from others on this list is its emphasis on the tactical side of fencing. It’s not just a button combo; players need precise timing to know exactly when to strike and parry, and how to break an opponent’s guard. This gives game a fluid combat that has the advantage of being easy to learn but can still be challenging when tested.
