There are many reasons someone might choose to play a video game, like wanting to relax for a few hours or seeking a difficult challenge to put their abilities to the test. However, sometimes gamers just want to feel like an unstoppable force of nature to blow off some steam.
Fortunately, there are many high-quality and easily obtainable video games out there that will make them feel extremely powerful in the span of a few minutes. They belong to all sorts of genres, from first-person shooters to character action titles. A lot of great games let their players feel like a boss, but the following are the best in that regard.
8 Best Combat-Heavy Open-World Games Where Players Feel Unstoppable, Ranked
These combat-heavy open-world games allow players to feel unstoppable, delivering heart-pounding action with dynamic combat.
Dynasty Warriors (Series)
Mowing Down Entire Armies Without A Care In The World
Dynasty Warriors: Origins
- Released
- January 17, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen / Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Omega Force
- Genre(s)
- Action, Hack and Slash
Gamers who want a quick, effective way of feeling good should look no further than the “Musou” genre, of which Dynasty Warriors is the most well-known and successful example. These action games are all about defeating massive hordes of enemies with a huge cast of overpowered playable characters, which admittedly isn’t very challenging. But that’s the point: mindless entertainment that makes the player feel great.
The entire Dynasty Warriors series falls into this category because (except for the underwhelming Dynasty Warriors 9) every entry is fun and satisfying. The franchise recently came back in 2025 with Dynasty Warriors: Origins, which is a great place to start. But fans of One Piece, Dragon Age, Fire Emblem, or The Legend of Zelda who are looking for something more familiar should try out those franchises' Warriors spin-offs.
No More Heroes
Motion Controls Make All The Difference
No More Heroes
- Released
- January 22, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Grasshopper Manufacture
- Genre(s)
- Action
No More Heroes was originally a Nintendo Wii exclusive, but is now available on the Nintendo Switch as well, meaning that motion-controls are at the forefront of its gameplay. Players take control of Travis Touchdown, a reckless nerd who has to advance through the ranks of the United Assassins Association by killing ten powerful assassins and their underlings.
This is a colorful, raunchy, violent, and stylish video game with challenging encounters and legendary boss fights, all elevated by its dynamic and fast-paced motion-controlled melee combat. Killing hordes of enemies with a slash from a motion-controlled beam katana feels way more satisfying than doing it by pressing a button. Not to mention, Travis can also perform different wrestling moves that the player has to emulate with this unconventional control scheme. Gamers who enjoyed No More Heroes should also check out its two sequels and MadWorld, which is a similar action game for the Wii.
God Of War 3
Killing Corrupt Gods Never Felt So Good
God of War III
- Released
- March 16, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content
- Developer(s)
- Santa Monica Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
The entire Greek Saga of the God of War franchise is great for players who want to feel like a boss, but the third numbered entry is the best in this regard. God of War 3 is the long-awaited conclusion of the legendary conflict between Kratos and the Greek Pantheon, and it’s full of epic encounters against powerful deities.
5 God Of War Games With The Best Combat, Ranked
While narrative has taken center stage in recent years, the God of War franchise has always been about combat at its core.
God of War 3 features the best version of the series’ signature hack-and-slash combat, complete with a variety of abilities, items, and weapons that are always enjoyable to wield in battle. But this game’s biggest highlight is its incredible boss fights. The demise of each one of these corrupt Greek bosses feels extremely satisfying, especially when Kratos executes them with over-the-top finishers that the player has to perform via Quick-Time Events.
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Who Wouldn’t Want To Be A Cool Cyborg Ninja?
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
- Developer(s)
- Platinum Games
- Genre(s)
- Action
When it comes to great games that make the player feel like a boss, there’s no better studio than PlatinumGames. Over the past decade, it has put out numerous incredible hack-and-slash titles, with Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance being one of the most notorious. In this spin-off of the Metal Gear franchise, players control the legendary cyborg ninja Raiden as he has to take the evil cyborg mercenaries from Desperado Enforcement.
Unlike other games in this series, Rising: Revengeance is an over-the-top character action experience with frenetic combat, incredible set pieces, and expertly designed boss battles. The player has to single-handedly destroy a Metal Gear RAY in the first ten minutes of gameplay. Another noteworthy mechanic of this game is its Blade Mode, which allows Raiden to slow time for a few seconds to slice through enemies with precision. Pulling this off always feels amazing.
Bayonetta 2
A Stylish Witch Who Takes Down Angels With Her Demon Pets
Bayonetta 2
- Released
- October 24, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Platinum Games
- Genre(s)
- Action
Bayonetta is PlatinumGames' flagship franchise, the one that put the studio on the map. While every entry succeeds in making the player feel great, Bayonetta 2 is the best choice. This sequel takes everything that made the original so special and makes it even bigger, better, and more polished.
Taking down hordes of deadly angels with Bayonetta’s arsenal of stylish, unique, and bizarre weapons always feels satisfying, especially for players who can master the combat system to pull off some incredible combos. But even more casual players will get some major enjoyment out of Bayonetta 2.tThe boss fights are incredibly ambitious, and finishing these enemies off with Bayonetta’s demonic summons is always a treat.
DOOM
Ripping And Tearing Through Hordes Of Evil Demons On Mars
DOOM
- Released
- May 13, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- id Software
- Genre(s)
- FPS
The release of DOOM, the 2016 reboot of the iconic Doom franchise, was monumental for both the FPS genre and the entire gaming industry, as it finally brought back one of the most important IPs to the public eye. By taking advantage of the more modern hardware of the 2010s, id Software created a violent, fast-paced FPS that felt like nothing else on the market.
DOOM is a simple but effective video game: players take control of the legendary Doom Slayer and utilize his vast arsenal of weapons to rip and tear through hordes of disgusting but powerful demons. The gameplay is dynamic and rewarding once players get the hang of the combat system, and while its two sequels, Doom Eternal and Doom: the Dark Ages, are also excellent games, it could be argued that they’re a bit more complex and challenging. The 2016 reboot is the best one at making the player feel like a boss in just a few seconds.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Exploring The Wild West As A Sharpshooting Cowboy
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
Open-world sandbox games are always efficient at making the player feel great by offering a vast collection of things to do, and the Red Dead Redemption series is especially well-known in this area due to its timeless western theme. The original game is an absolute classic, but its more recent sequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, is even better in almost every way.
It’s almost impossible not to feel like a boss while playing Red Dead Redemption 2, as players take control of Arthur Morgan (who’s already a cool character from the get-go) while exploring the Wild West and fighting other dangerous outlaws. Every mechanic in this open-world game was meticulously designed, so the player can feel like a real gun-slinging cowboy. The most important mechanic is Dead Eye, which allows players to slow down time during gun fights in order to mark enemies and shoot them in the blink of an eye. This differentiates Red Dead Redemption 2 from other similar open-world experiences.
Devil May Cry 5
A Collection Of Cool Playable Characters With Incredible Abilities
Devil May Cry 5
- Released
- March 8, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
As the most popular and recognizable hack-and-slash series out there, Devil May Cry always succeeds in making the player feel great, even if its challenging gameplay requires some practice. Furthermore, the most recent entry, Devil May Cry 5, has possibly the best and most refined combat system in the entire series, meaning that it’s the best choice for those who want to feel like a true boss.
The original version of this game featured three playable characters: Nero, V, and Dante. They all had their own collection of unique moves, weapons, and mechanics that made the combat fun, fluid, dynamic, and diverse. But if that wasn’t enough, Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition added Vergil as a new playable character. The combination of his fast-paced movement and his deadly katana make him a true force to be reckoned with. On top of that, the Special Edition also added the Legendary Dark Knight mode, which basically turns this already satisfying game into Dynasty Warriors, and it feels incredible .
The Best Bosses In Devil May Cry Games, Ranked
The Devil May Cry video games have featured a number of thrilling boss fights, and these are the ones that stand out most in players' minds.