Summary
Combat is a core element in various genres, from third-person shooters to action-slashers with anemphasis on deadly swordplay. However, no matter how polished a game’s combat system is, to truly captivate players and keep them engaged, it needs more than just fighting. A well-rounded experience offers something beyond combat to prevent the gameplay from feeling repetitive once players have mastered their available skills.
The best action-adventure games traditionally balance intense, dynamic combat with calmer yet equally engaging sections, such as narrative-driven cutscenes, intricate puzzles, or heart-pounding platforming. By integrating different gameplay elements, the games below keep players surprised, maintaining excitement and preventing monotony, and offering a great balance between combat and platforming sections with complex mechanics.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s Endis the perfect sendoff to Nathan Drake’s adventures, showcasing everythingfans love about the series. Combat is intense and dynamic, with dozens of unique hand-to-hand animations. The shooting mechanics have never been smoother, and the platforming has been elevated with the addition of the grappling hook, offering one of the best implementations of this mechanic to date.
What makesUncharted 4truly exceptional is how seamlessly its gameplay elements flow together. The game masterfully balances breathtaking action scenes, unpredictable chase sequences, and intricate traversal sections with stealth or shooting, all within expansive levels brimming with verticality, multiple routes, hiding spots, and shortcuts. Even eight years after its release,Uncharted 4remains a standout, with few games able to match its blend of action, exploration, and storytelling.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivorpresents players withseveral expansive planets to explore, each filled with secrets and new force powers to unlock and master for chained platforming moves. The game expertly balances its spectacular lightsaber combat with exciting platforming, borrowing elements from the metroidvania genre to keep exploration fresh, especially when revisiting areas after acquiring new abilities or gear.
While the layout of some levels may feel a bit artificial, this doesn’t detract from the excitement of discovering new areas and uncovering hidden paths. The combination of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving keeps the game engaging throughout, offering a rewarding adventure forStar Warsfans and action-platformer enthusiasts alike.
One of the most notable improvementsGod of War Ragnarökoffers over its predecessor is the expanded verticality in almost every level. While the original game had combat confined to flat arenas, the sequel introduces sprawling environments with varying elevations that Kratos can use to his advantage. He can chain attacks with traversal moves, seamlessly moving between levels of terrain, which adds a fresh dynamic to combat. Kratos also gains new abilities that allow him to combine platforming and combat, like delivering devastating aerial strikes or quickly closing the gap by zipping toward enemies from below.
With the inclusion of two playable protagonists,God of War Ragnarökalso diversifies traversal, giving Atreus his unique movement abilities. The game even features entire platforming sections, such as scaling the towering Walls of Asgard. While the sequel may feel a bit chaotic at times, the added verticality and new traversal mechanics bring a sense of freshness and excitement to the gameplay,further enhancing the action-packed experience.
Though manyAssassin’s Creedtitles are known forblending free-form parkourwith engaging combat,Assassin’s Creed Unitystands out as a prime example due to its setting. The vast, intricately detailed city of Paris serves as the perfect playground for acrobatic assassinations, with some of the most fluid and exhilarating parkour mechanics in the franchise.
Arno moves with such grace and freedom that it feels almost like he’s flying through the streets and rooftops. This agility is matched by the game’s swift and deadly combat system, where every sword swing and counter can instantly take down foes, leaving behind only the fading smoke of an assassin’s disappearance.Unityhas grown in appreciation over time, solidifying its place as a standout entry for fans of parkour and stealth in one of the most iconic cities ever recreated.
TheDarksidersseries emerged at just the right time, quickly filling a gap for action-adventure titles on PC.Darksiders 2is often hailed as the pinnacle of the franchise, and for good reason. The game made significant strides over its predecessor, with a deeper, more flexible combat system and a robust itemization and progression system. The platforming sections also received a boost, offering players new ways to traverse its semi-open world filled with secrets and hidden treasures at every turn.
With the recent release ofDarksiders 2: Deathinitive Editionfor Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5, there’s no better time to either dive into thisbeloved series for the first timeor revisit it on modern hardware. The enhanced visuals and smoother gameplay make this action-adventure classic feel more polished than ever.
ThePrince of Persiafranchise has long been celebrated for its masterful fusion of platforming and combat, and whilenearly any title in the series offers those qualities,Prince of Persia(2008) stands out as one of the most unique. With its refreshed visual style, new traversal mechanics, and the introduction of magical powers granted by the Prince’s companion, Elika, this installment breathed new life into the series.
The changes didn’t stop at the visuals and platforming. The approach to combat was reimagined as well. Rather than facing waves of lesser enemies,Prince of Persia(2008) focuses on intense, one-on-one duels with powerful, distinct foes. These battles feel more personal and strategic, giving each encounter weight and importance, setting this entry apart from its predecessors in the most refreshing way possible.
