Best Physics-Based Melee Combat Games

The portrayal of melee combat in gaming has existed since the arcade fighting and brawling games of the 1970s. This long-standing tradition has given developers decades to experiment with different mechanics and systems to create the most fluid and rewarding gameplay. With the advancement of technology, many game studios have taken the opportunity to simulate physics for more realistic and unpredictable character movements.

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By  Jordan Blaize Winter-Roach

When characters are no longer constrained to predefined animations, combat can be more exciting and engaging, with funny ragdolls, unexpected moments, and more accurate attacks and blocks. Large-scale and smaller independent studios continue experimenting with and innovating on these mechanics.

10 Stick Fight: The Game

Unpredictable 2D Fighting Game

Stick Fight: The Game is an action-packed and chaotic fighting game with ragdoll physics as one of its main strengths, both in visuals and mechanics. Players can attack, block, and jump, and must use these simple controls to defeat opponents while avoiding the deadly obstacles on each stage.

Weapons such as swords and machine guns drop onto the stage to raise the stakes of each round. These features, paired with a colorful and minimalist art style, create a perfect setting to jump into and enjoy with others. It's a game focused on fun, with wacky ragdolls and spontaneous action making up the experience.

9 Mordhau

Technical Medieval Combat

For gamers looking to jump into the Middle Ages with a suit of armor and fight online, Mordhau may be the perfect game. The combat system is deep, with timed parrying and dodging, multi-directional attacks, feints, and more. It has physical animation, ragdolls, and locational damage, creating unique in-game moments.

The physics simulation makes reactions to strikes and blocks more lifelike, providing accurate feedback for each move. Physics is also employed when throwing weapons and using projectiles, with larger ones like catapults and ballistas sending players hurtling back. Landing heavy attacks with large blunt weapons has a similarly satisfying effect.

8 Blade And Sorcery

Immersive VR Combat And Player Freedom

Blade and Sorcery is a VR title that gives a huge amount of player freedom in combat thanks to its motion controls, large array of weapons and spells, and physics simulation. Players can attack and defend in any direction, grab opponents, and more. Aside from combat, platforming utilizes physics for climbing on terrain.

With its fun combat gameplay, exciting boss battles, and awe-inspiring environments (that can only truly be appreciated in VR), Blade and Sorcery is the full package. It also has an active modding community that consistently adds content to the game. Virtual reality paired with fun mechanics creates a highly immersive experience.

7 Punch A Bunch

Engaging Gameplay With Creative Boxing Mechanics

• Platform(s): PC, Nintendo Switch
• Released: 2021-01-22
• Developer(s): Pontypants
• Genre(s): Fighting Game

Punch A Bunch is all about dodging, movement, maintaining stamina, and striking whenever there's an opening. The physics simulation makes landing a strike very satisfying. The boxer's upper body can lean in any direction independent of movement. This is for dodging the opponent's punches and building momentum for attacks.

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By  Ediz Guner

There are many interesting bosses to fight with unique designs and special moves, with some utilizing the game's physical animation for more engaging battles. The physics combined with the animation is fun to watch and control, with sharp movements and strikes that make characters wobble and shake.

6 Gang Beasts

Endless And Chaotic Party Game Fun

Gang Beasts is a party game with fun, physics-based wrestling and fighting at the heart of its experience. Controls are simple, with players grabbing, throwing, punching, and headbutting. This is paired with wacky physical animation and creative stages that the player must remain standing on to win matches.

It's a game best played with friends, challenging one another to ring out in wild environments from construction sites to railways to wind turbines. The bright art style, weighty physical animation, and satisfying ragdolls blend perfectly to create fun and engaging gameplay experiences.

5 We Who Are About To Die

Ruthless Gladiator Combat With Lifelike Physics

We Who Are About To Die is a roguelite RPG that throws players into the life of a randomized gladiator, who must win fights and elevate their status without dying, as there are no second chances. The combat features simple attack and defense animations that increase in complexity due to the physics simulation.

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By  Harry Ted Sprinks

Attacks, blocks, and movement are all accurate and mistakes can have deadly consequences. Players must control their space carefully to avoid damage. Arena matches have a crowd that reacts to the player's actions, encouraging them to take risks for greater rewards. Combat may seem sluggish at first glance, but it requires a methodical approach.

4 Overgrowth

Quick And Deadly Rabbit Warfare With Fun Movement

• Platform(s): PC
• Released: 2017-10-16
• Developer(s): Wolfire Games
• Genre(s): Action-Adventure, Fighting Game

Overgrowth is an action-adventure game that heavily emphasizes lifelike physics simulation in combat and platforming. Fights are quick and brutal, with a combination of simple controls coming together perfectly to create a satisfying system. The player can utilize rapid strikes, deadly jump kicks, and many weapons to wield or throw.

There is also the option for stealth takedowns, but the most fun will be achieved by mastering open combat against multiple foes and deadly bosses. Animation is fully integrated with the game's physics, giving hit reactions and successful strikes realistic feedback. Landing a perfect combo and making a heavily armored enemy ragdoll keeps players returning to Overgrowth's world.

3 Exanima

Unforgiving Physics-Based Dungeon Crawling

Exanima is an unforgiving dungeon-crawler RPG famous for its physics-based movement and combat. The player character's arms are controlled by the movement of the mouse, which gives the player complete freedom over their attacks. At first, this may seem tricky, but landing a strike against a tough boss or armored enemy is extremely rewarding.

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The game has many complex systems that come together well, with combat being down to the stats of the player's weapons and armor. A huge amount of equipment can be used in Exanima's winding dungeons. The brutal combat and iconic weightiness of the attacks and blocks give the game a satisfying combat feel.

2 Hellish Quart

A Focus On Realistic Combat And Injury

Players looking for a more realistic approach to historical combat will be interested in Hellish Quart. This game has a deep combat system with a cast of unique characters, countless motion-capture animations, and many combos to learn. The physics simulation is particularly impressive, with accurate sword clashes and feedback.

The fluid movement and easy-to-learn controls combine with physical animation to create engaging combat that rewards careful spacing and quick thinking. It has deadly lifelike damage that gives each round the potential to end with one well-placed strike. One wrong move can be fatal in the world of Hellish Quart.

1 UFC 5

Experience The Octagon With Lifelike Combat And Variety

The fifth installment of the UFC series is the ultimate gaming experience for fans of the sport. It features a refined and complex combat system that accurately portrays the fighting styles of countless professional fighters, including a few fighters from previous generations like Muhammad Ali. The game is focused on realism, so the physics simulation is incredibly lifelike.

Characters are reactive to each strike, block, and dodge, with the momentum of each movement affecting the next action. In addition, wrestling and takedowns feel weighty thanks to well-crafted animations and physics. Damage and stamina are accurate too, encouraging intentional fighting and making knockouts feel earned.