Summary
- Red Dead Redemption 2 features an impressive and fleshed-out melee combat system.
- Manhunt 2 offers brutal executions with melee weapons for stealthy players.
- Bully focuses on melee combat, allowing players to master combos and grapples.
Rockstar is one of the most beloved video game developers around. The amazing open-world games developed by this company are in a class of their own, letting players embark on epic adventures full of violence and bloodshed.
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These games feature compelling combat systems, with fans loving the number of options they have in ranged combat. However, players who want to get up close and personal with their foes will be satisfied by the melee combat in some of Rockstar's best titles, even if it plays second-fiddle to the gunfights that can be enjoyed.
8 Red Dead Redemption
Using Melee Attacks Against Others Is Wild And Ineffective, But It Gets The Job Done
Red Dead Redemption
- Released
- May 18, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Adventure
Many gamers love that Red Dead Redemption lets them take on enemies with their fists, using grapples and dodges to knock their enemies out. However, melee combat is a death sentence in tense shootouts and should only be a last resort.
Even if players knock enemies down with their fists, a Hunting Knife is needed to finish the job. Otherwise, characters just get back up for another beating, which can take the wind out of the player's sails. Thankfully, this is a relatively minor complaint, with melee combat being pretty fun in Red Dead Redemption despite its limited applications.
7 Grand Theft Auto 5
The Melee Combat Is A Downgrade From The Previous Title But Still Pretty Effective
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
- September 17, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
One thing Grand Theft Auto 4 excelled in was letting players enjoy a fun melee combat system, and it's a shame that the sequel was a huge downgrade in this regard. Aside from a scene at the start of the game where players beat down Simeon as Michael in order to teach him a lesson, there's no real reason to engage in melee combat.
However, it's a testament to the impressive systems at work in Grand Theft Auto 5 that even this downgraded melee combat system is engaging in its own right. Gamers will love socking smart-mouthed NPCs and beating them to a pulp in Grand Theft Auto 5, even if they have to bolt when the police arrive to arrest them.
6 Manhunt 2
Fist And Melee Weapons Are Great Means Of Knocking Down And Incapacitating Alert Enemies
Manhunt 2
- Released
- October 29, 2007
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar London
- Genre(s)
- Stealth
While the vibes of Manhunt may be superior to its successor, the combat is better in Manhunt 2. Players will love sneaking up behind their enemies and carrying out brutal executions based on how long they "charged" their kill.
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The melee combat is a last resort that players must rely on if they get spotted. They can use either their fists or melee weapons to beat enemies to a pulp if they're spotted. It may feel clunky, but this is intentional given how players are supposed to be stealthy in their approach instead of attracting as much noise as possible.
5 L.A. Noire
Cole Phelps Must Use Hand-to-Hand Combat From Time To Time To Take Out Suspects
L.A. Noire
- Released
- May 17, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
L.A. Noire lets players explore Los Angeles in the late 1940s as they solve a string of cases. Detective Cole Phelps is a compelling character who does everything in his power to solve a string of serial killings, even after facing pushback in his department.
Melee combat in this game feels great, with players smacking suspects around if they're being uncooperative. While Cole can always pull out his firearm if things get too dire, there are times when he must engage in melee combat and use his fighting skills to incapacitate suspects instead.
4 Grand Theft Auto 4
Niko Bellic Can Use An Array Of Complex Dodges, Blocks, And Counters In Combat To Turn The Tables
Grand Theft Auto 4
- Released
- April 29, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
Grand Theft Auto 4 was a huge step forward for the series, leaving behind the 3D universe and letting players enjoy a GTA game in a brand-new engine. The urban sprawl of Liberty City is a joy to explore, with Niko trying to make a name for himself and earn a ton of cash during his time there.
What comes as a surprise is how deep the melee combat is, with players being able to pull off combos that end in ruthless backfists and powerful overhead kicks. Given that the mo-cap for the melee combat was done by the legendary Bas Rutten himself, it's easy to see why these moves look so impactful.
3 Bully
Jimmy Is Mostly Reliant On His Fists And Melee Weapons
Bully
- Released
- October 17, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Crude Humor, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox
Since players control a teenager in Bully who shouldn't be within fifteen feet of a firearm, it's easy to see why melee combat is a huge focus in the game. Sure, players have some ranged weapons to rely on, but Jimmy's fists will usually do the talking for him in most encounters.
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Players can unleash combos and grapple their foes, acquiring more moves after going to the gym or learning them from others. In no time, Jimmy can become a master of melee combat, punishing anyone who even looks at him in the wrong way.
2 Red Dead Redemption 2
The Amount Of Melee Combat Animations Is Pretty Impressive
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
For a game that prides itself on its cinematic firefights, it's amazing how fleshed out the combat in Red Dead Redemption 2 is. Even though a lot of combat moves are contextual, that takes nothing away from how amazing a fistfight feels when Arthur readies a punch.
Players can unleash simple combos, block enemy attacks, deliver counters, and tackle enemies to break their guard. The combat system is deceptively complex and not explained all that well, meaning that players must experiment with it by getting into fistfights and seeing what Arthur is capable of.
1 The Warriors
An Underrated Beat 'Em Up That Arguably Boasts The Best Melee Combat Seen In A Rockstar Game
The Warriors
- Released
- October 17, 2005
- ESRB
- M // Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Beat 'Em Up
The Warriors is one of the most underrated Rockstar games ever made. It's a shame that not many gamers have heard of this fun beat 'em up title, which boasts what is arguably the best melee combat system that players can enjoy in a Rockstar game.
Weak attacks, strong attacks, grapples, throws, and weapons are all present in the game, and they all serve to spice up the melee combat. This makes for an impressive integration of a close-range combat system, and it's a shame that it hasn't been experienced by more people.