Summary
- Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim impresses with dual-wielding spells, a standout magic system in first-person combat.
- Fallout 4 offers satisfying gunplay and V.A.T.S. Mechanics for engaging first-person combat.
- Avowed stands out with a versatile magic system and unique melee weapons, offering engaging combat.
There's nothing better than coming out of a video game drought to get immersed in a new open-world game, especially during the cold winter months or the hot summer months when many are out of school. Open-world games run the gamut on how big they are, their themes, and especially their combat types, even if things are just narrowed down to open-world games that are in first-person.
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What open-world games have good gun, melee, or magic systems that are satisfying in first-person? Can they compare to third-person combat in open-world games? That's a debate for another day, but these games are generally considered engaging more or less. The better they are, the higher they will be ranked based on combat alone.
8 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Dual-Wielding Spells
Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim and all of The Elder Scrolls games can get some flak over their melee combat. It’s not the best, but it does the job, whether players wield a bow, sword, or anything in between.
What makes the game worth noting on this list, though, is the magic system because, like weapons, players can dual-wield spells, and it’s amazing. Players can double up on one spell to make a stronger fireball, for example, or use two spells to diversify their roster. If players aren’t going into The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim as a mage, then there is a problem.
7 Fallout 4
Taking Advantage Of V.A.T.S.
Fallout 4
- Released
- November 10, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M FOR MATURE: BLOOD AND GORE, INTENSE VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE, USE OF DRUGS
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Fallout 4 addressed some of the problems players had with Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, namely with the combat. First off, guns feel a lot better to wield in Fallout 4, and there is a variety of customizable options that can make combat more engaging.
There are more melee weapons, too, which feel better than the melee combat in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, which is another Bethesda game. The best part of the game, though, is the V.A.T.S. Mechanic, which can highlight parts of enemies to open up different strategies from wounding their legs to blowing up their heads.
6 Avowed
The Books Make The Adventure
Avowed
- Released
- February 18, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Avowed goes beyond Bethesda games and tightens up a lot of things from combat to the story. Players can dual-wield spells in this game, too, by equipping books and learned spells to create killer combos.
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There are even magic wands in Avowed to flick around, which are pretty fun to wield. The melee weapons are satisfying too, as there are a lot of cool abilities attached, from fire-infused blades to poisoned-tipped axes.
5 Cyberpunk 2077
Hack The Planet
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Cyberpunk 2077 had a rough start on consoles at launch, but thanks to updates, DLC, and new systems, it’s better than ever. Players can tackle missions in this massive cyberpunk game in so many ways, from sneaking through offices and hacking systems to going all out with guns or melee weapons.
The most attractive part of Cyberpunk 2077 is beefing out the character’s body with cybernetic mods like the Mantis Blades to make close kills more satisfying. Overall, it just looks cool to play the game visually if players get the funds and are talented enough to pull off the wildest moves.
4 Dead Island 2
Brutal And Creative Kills
Dead Island 2
- Released
- April 21, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Dambuster Studios
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Dead Island 2 is definitely the most visceral open-world game on this list in terms of its combat. Players will wander around the mad streets of California and avoid zombies in what used to be wealthy neighborhoods.
They can craft weapons like welding electric circuits onto machetes, and watching zombies light up after strikes never gets old. Melee combat feels weighted in Dead Island 2, which helps keep the threat of being turned into zombie food at the forefront of the player’s mind at all times. There are guns, but melee weapons are the most effective.
3 Ghostwire: Tokyo
Save Japan One Spell At A Time
Ghostwire: Tokyo
- Released
- March 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Tango Gameworks
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Ghostwire: Tokyo is something completely different gameplay-wise, but it also takes place in an infested city. Instead of zombies, various demons and ghouls are haunting the streets of Tokyo, and thanks to a metaphysical incantation, players earn the power to fight back.
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Instead of guns, players will learn elemental spells to keep these monsters at bay. Even though many of them are ranged, because of their hand-based nature, they feel more like melee attacks. Beyond magic, players get access to bows and talismans to banish demons back to the netherworld.
2 Immortals Of Aveum
A Magic-Based Shooter
Immortals of Aveum
- Released
- August 22, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Ascendant Studios
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
Immortals of Aveum was hyped up as a brand new story franchise, and while it didn’t get the fan backing that perhaps EA wanted, the combat at least made an impression. It’s not quite an open-world game as there is gatekeeping like a Metroidvania and a central hub, but there is plenty to do and see, and overall, it’s just a blast to play with the magic system.
Instead of giving players guns, they can equip various gauntlets and items to create a gun-like magic setup, from sniper rifles to machine guns. Blasting an enemy and then countering with a shield helped it stand out beyond other magic systems in shooters or RPGs. It’s worth checking out for the combat alone.
1 Halo Infinite
Master Chief Breaks Boundaries
Halo Infinite
- Released
- December 8, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- 343 Industries
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Among the many franchises out there, no one expected Halo to go open-world, but that’s exactly what Halo Infinite did. The first Halo is still regarded as one of the best console shooters thanks to its tight mechanics, and the more the series went on, the sharper the controls became.
It’s a high-quality shooter in an okay open-world environment. Players won’t get immersed in Halo Infinite’s world, but they will have a blast shooting aliens with guns or swinging around with the other new addition to the series: the grappling hook.
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