Summary
- Square Enix games offer unique ranged combat experiences, rewarding players for distancing from foes.
- Titles like Episode Prompto in Final Fantasy 15 and Parasite Eve emphasize gameplay focusing on ranged attacks.
- Forspoken and Hitman showcase engaging ranged combat mechanics despite criticisms.
Most people know Square Enix as the masters of the JRPG genre, crafting numerous games with either turn-based combat or real-time battles with a focus on melee attacks. As a result, some people may be dismissive when thinking about Square Enix games with ranged combat.
However, the developer has dipped their toes in this style of combat too, letting players enjoy unique gameplay offerings that reward them for keeping their distance instead of getting too close to the action. From guns to magic spells, there are many ways these games let players utilize ranged combat to take down their foes.
8 Final Fantasy 15: Episode Prompto
Episode Prompto Adds Ranged Combat To The Game
Final Fantasy 15
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 74%
- Released
- November 9, 2016
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Language, Mild Blood, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- luminous engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
WHERE TO PLAY
While Noctis could use guns in Final Fantasy 15, it felt like more of an afterthought as opposed to something fans could rely on. This changed with the release of Episode Prompto, letting players control this lovable party member as he uses his powerful guns to take out anyone standing in his way.
The short yet sweet DLC lets players take on several enemies in a Magitek Research Facility before they eventually reunite with their friends. During his adventures, he's aided by Aranea who aggroes enemies, giving Prompto a clear shot as he takes down his enemies in style.
7 Parasite Eve
Keeping A Distance From Foes Is Important To Help Aya Survive
- Released
- September 9, 1998
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Animated Violence, Mature Sexual Themes
- Developer(s)
- Square
- Publisher(s)
- Square
- Engine
- unity
WHERE TO PLAY
Parasite Eve is one of the most unique JRPGs players can get their hands on. This game doesn't waste the player's time and lets them control a single character who engages with enemies in a combat system that combines turn-based and real-time elements.
Players have all the time in the world to decide their actions whenever the ATB bar fills up, but there's still some effort required from their end to avoid damaging attacks. They must maneuver Aya across the environment and manage her distance, making sure she's within reach for her guns to hit without leaving her vulnerable to close-range enemy attacks.
6 Forspoken
The Game Has Its Issues, But The Magical Combat Feels Great After Frey Expands Her Selection Of Powers
Forspoken
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 66 /100 Critics Rec: 30%
- Released
- January 24, 2023
- ESRB
- M For Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Luminous Productions
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- unity
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Forspoken gained a bad rep from the very moment it was released, with many fans deriding it for its poor writing and uninspired open world. However, players who can look past its issues will be left impressed by the depth of its combat and traversal.
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The former takes a while to open up, but Frey becomes a blast to control in battle after her selection of magical spells increases. It takes a while, but Forspoken makes up for its poor first impression by letting players enjoy the best ranged combat ever featured in a Square Enix game.
5 Hitman
Players Who Don't Mind Getting Brutal In Encounters Can Use Agent 47's Firearms To Great Effect
- Released
- March 11, 2016
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- IO Interactive
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Glacier engine
- Franchise
- Hitman
WHERE TO PLAY
IO Interactive got a chance to reboot the Hitman series, utilizing an episodic release approach to flesh out every level before launch. This ensures that players are encouraged to replay levels and figure out the most creative ways to kill their target.
While direct combat is discouraged in this title, that shouldn't stop players from testing out Agent 47's aiming skills if they want to get wild in certain levels. For what is supposed to be a last resort, the ranged combat is surprisingly engaging — as long as the player isn't overwhelmed by enemy guards.
4 Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy
Star-Lord's Blasters Seem Boring But Can Be Great To Use After A Point
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 86%
- Released
- October 26, 2021
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Language, Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Eidos Montreal
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Dawn Engine
- Franchise
- Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
After the failure of Marvel's Avengers, most people felt that Guardians of the Galaxy would be dead in the water too upon arrival. However, it was clear that Square Enix learned from their mistakes, preferring to let players enjoy a story-driven experience this time around where players control Quill and fire up his blasters to take out any foe standing in his way.
The core shooting gameplay felt barebones at times, but Quill's access to elemental powers coupled with additional mechanics like active reloading ensured that players wouldn't mind flying around as Star-Lord and commanding his team to take out hostiles. These companion abilities are powerful and do a great job of giving players a breather if they're swarmed by enemies.
3 Just Cause 3
The Explosive Gameplay And Cathartic Shooting Are Great
Just Cause 3
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 75 /100 Critics Rec: 51%
- Released
- November 30, 2015
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Avalanche Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Avalanche Engine
- Franchise
- Just Cause
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Third-Person Shooter
The focus on explosive destruction in Just Cause 3 helps its combat stand out more in the eyes of many. The fact that players must blow things up to liberate a city from a dictatorship sounds odd but fits perfectly with Just Cause 3's chaotic vibe.
Players will love using the wingsuit to glide right into the heart of enemy outposts, using everything from their grappling hook to a suite of devastating weapons in a bid to take out enemies in style. No matter how much time passes, causing a chain reaction of explosions to destroy bases is a gameplay loop that never ceases to be engaging.
2 Shadow Of The Tomb Raider
The Final Title Of The Survivor Trilogy Gives Lara More Options In Combat
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 68%
- Released
- September 14, 2018
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Eidos Montreal
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Foundation Engine
- Franchise
- Tomb Raider
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
The final title in the Survivor trilogy did a great job of hammering in just how much Lara Croft had grown from her outing in the 2013 game. She was adept at using weapons and didn't flinch at the prospect of taking out enemies who had it out for her.
The improvements made to stealth, combat, and traversal mean that players will love the gameplay side of things in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, even if the title can feel generic in some aspects. Thankfully, clearing a group of hostiles and acquiring powerful upgrades is enough of a draw to keep fans coming back for more.
1 Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Adam Jensen Can Wreck Enemies In Combat With A Suite Of Impressive Weaponry
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 81%
- Released
- August 23, 2016
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Eidos Montreal
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Dawn Engine
- Franchise
- Deus Ex
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Mankind Divided is a game that had its fair share of issues, but the immersive hub of Prague coupled with gameplay improvements ensures that players would have a great time controlling Adam Jensen in another epic adventure. His augmentations are both a boon and a curse in this game, as players use their enhanced suite of skills to take out anyone standing in their way.
Sneaking around is fun, but players who are stocked up on resources shouldn't shy away from action-packed firefights from time to time. Adam Jensen can use several firearms to great effect as he takes down enemies in style and makes them rue the day they decide to go against this augmented agent.
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