Hopefully, most people aren’t going to find themselves in a fight unless they are professional boxers, fighters, and so on. Those who have been in a brawl know everything happens fast in a non-choreographed manner. It’s not a great feeling, but that’s where games can help elevate life.
These titles have quick combat where players have to make split-second decisions to survive. It can be brutal but engaging at the same time for those who like a challenge. Action games don’t get any more high-octane than these examples, and they’re best suited for the thrill-seekers out there.
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Asura’s Wrath
Dragon Ball QTE
Asura's Wrath
- Released
- February 21, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action, Beat 'Em Up
Asura’s Wrath is like an interactive anime that channels both God of War and Dragon Ball Z. The titular Asura is on a revenge quest against his fellow gods that betrayed him, and the whole experience is pretty linear.
There are random enemies to fight in levels, which will attack quickly, but they’re more like set dressing in-between boss fights. Players will have to pummel these bosses while keeping track of the Quick-Time Events, or QTEs, as there are many. These QTEs are what make the combat so frantic.
Attack On Titan
A Perfect 1:1 Recreation Of The Anime
Attack on Titan
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 75 /100 Critics Rec: 50%
- Released
- February 18, 2016
- ESRB
- rp
- Developer(s)
- Omega Force, Koei Tecmo
- Publisher(s)
- Koei Tecmo
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action
Attack on Titan is an anime wherein the last dregs of humanity fight giants with gas power, grappling hooks, and intense steel blades. Every fight is more intense than the last, and the anime adaptation received a game in 2016 with the same name.
Players could swing through combat zones, dodging Titan swings, and then grapple behind to get a in stab or two. The game perfectly captured the intensity of the anime, and it’s a shame the entire saga hasn’t been turned into a gaming experience yet.
Hi-Fi Rush
Action And Music Clash
Hi-Fi Rush
- Released
- January 25, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Rated T: Fantasy Violence, Language
- Genre(s)
- Action
Hi-Fi Rush is one of the most impressive shadowdrops to ever release during an Xbox showcase, and it is wildly good too. It’s a combination of a rhythm-based game and a challenging action game akin to Devil May Cry or Bayonetta.
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Players can just hack and slash enemies if they so choose, but their attacks will be stronger if they fight to the music instead. For a rhythm game mashup, Hi-Fi Rush is a hard combat system to get used to, and it’s not like the game ever slows itself down, but this adds to why it’s such a creative experience.
Hotline Miami
No Rest For The Wicked
Hotline Miami
- Released
- October 23, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Strong Language, Crude Humor
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
Hotline Miami popped off hard as one of the most brutal indie games to release at the end of the first HD era of consoles. Players assume the role of a contract killer who wears different animal masks on jobs and has to eliminate enemies quickly with punches, melee weapons, or guns.
One hit in return would restart the whole level, so that alone makes it a difficult game. It’s kind of like a puzzle game in this way, as players have to slowly figure out, through repeated deaths, the quickest way to kill everyone without dying themselves.
Ninja Gaiden
The Original Soul Crusher
Ninja Gaiden
- Released
- March, 1989
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Action, Platformer
The reboot Ninja Gaiden game that sprang up on the original Xbox became notorious for being brutally difficult. And it was, but it never held a candle to the original NES trilogy.
Ninja Gaiden on the NES is still one of the hardest games to this day, which would make Soulslike fans cry. It’s all about moving fast, taking enemies down quickly, and memorizing patterns. The combat may not be as robust as the 3D games, but there’s something so pure about how Ninja Gaiden on the NES makes players feel powerless and cool at the same time.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
No Hiding In The Shadows For This Ninja
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 is still FromSoftware’s hardest game, because there are no strict leveling-up mechanics to aid players in their grind for glory. Instead, players just have to master their blade and counters.
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Wolf, the lone ninja hero, isn’t completely at a loss without RPG elements. Players get a grappling hook, which helps with traversal, and their wooden prosthetic arm can be used to equip different tools like a flamethrower. Thanks to the solid combat, this quickly became a favorite among FromSoftware fans who were up to the challenge.
Sifu
Live, Die, Repeat
Sifu
- Released
- February 8, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Beat 'Em Up
Sifu is a pure melee-focused roguelike wherein a martial arts student is out for revenge. The twist is that they have a magic amulet that can revive them upon death only a set number of times.
Each death will age players, so the trick is to get through the stages and defeat all the higher-ups before old age takes its toll and players have to start all over again. It’s a unique gimmick for a roguelike, and the action doesn’t let up, with players having to master offensive and defensive strategies to stay alive.
Zone Of The Enders: The 2nd Runner
Mecha Break
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
Most mech games emphasize ranged attacks, but Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner and its predecessor struck an equal balance between melee and ranged combat. Players inhabit a mech called Jehuty, which is always flying and on the move.
Players can charge up laser blasts that can take out smaller enemies, but dealing with bigger ones takes more strategy. They can strike with their blade, or grab objects like steel beams or enemy robots to use as melee weapons or projectiles. Not only is the game fast-paced combat-wise, but it is also short, akin to watching a three-hour sci-fi epic anime.
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