The Best Hand-To-Hand Combat In Open-World Games

Key Takeaways

• Open-world games need more than vast worlds to attract fans; exciting combat systems are key.
• Games like
  Sleeping Dogs
  and
  Arkham Knight
  feature brutal hand-to-hand combat inspired by the
  Arkham
  series.
• Titles like
  Spider-Man 2
  and
  Lost Judgment
  offer satisfying combat systems that reward skill and style.

Open-world gaming has become so prominent in the gaming landscape that the simple promise of exploring a sandbox is no longer enough to entice fans. These games need to bring something exciting along with these vast explorable worlds to attract a fanbase that wants to invest in them.

Some of the best open-world games fans can get their hands on feature some incredible hand-to-hand combat that’s a joy to engage with. Players love the idea of smashing their fists into enemies and making them rue the day they thought they could take on the protagonist, even if the numbers game isn’t in their favor.

8 Sleeping Dogs

A Brutal Hand-To-Hand- Combat System Heavily Inspired By The Arkham Series

Sleeping Dogs is one of the most beautiful and exciting open-world games players can get their hands on. It’s a shame this game never got the sequel it deserved, since fans would’ve dropped the big bucks to enjoy another excellent video game inspired by Hong Kong action flicks.

One of the best parts of Sleeping Dogs is the satisfying melee combat system that takes a lot of cues from the Arkham games, but with a brutal touch. Players will love grabbing enemies and using environmental takedowns to experience some of the most brutal and satisfying ways to take out an enemy in style.

7 Batman: Arkham Knight

The Most Polished And Feature-Rich Version Of Arkham’s Iconic Combat

Ever since Arkham Asylum debuted one of the greatest melee combat systems ever seen in a video game, Rocksteady fans wanted to see how far this combat system could be pushed. This was answered in Arkham Knight, which let Batman carry out impressive combos and takedowns that made his enemies look like chumps.

The stealth gameplay was also refined to ensure that both halves of the game’s action gameplay could shine. Landing counters and using Batman’s gadgets to take out a group of thugs in style is something that Arkham fans and new players alike will get a kick out of, and the combat in Arkham Knight are the most polished version of this iconic system.

6 Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

The Two Spider-Men Boast Some Amazing Moves In Combat

The webslinger and his protégé return in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, letting players control two Spider-Men to save New York. While some people argue that the two characters feel too similar at times, that should take nothing away from the excellence of Marvel Spider-Man 2‘s snappy and satisfying combat.

Players will love walloping their enemies with Spidey’s punches before using his webs and other abilities to land the finishing blow. The hand-to-hand combat rewards aerial moves and ensures that players can take on hordes of enemies in style when they’re in a flow state.

5 Lost Judgment

The Most Polished Real-Time Combat By RGG Studio

With the mainline Yakuza series switching to a turn-based combat system of late, the Judgment spin-offs now feature the most recent version of RGG Studio’s stellar melee combat, with Lost Judgment being the pinnacle of those systems. Yagami may not boast the same charisma as the other protagonists in the Yakuza series, but that should take nothing away from his badass combat moves.

Players can switch stances on the fly, carrying out Heat Moves or juggling enemies with advanced attacks. Once players upgrade Yagami’s moveset, there’s no stopping this detective from punishing any unfortunate thug who decides to cross his path.

4 Mad Max

Boasts Some Brutal Hand-To-Hand Combat In The Post-Apocalypse

Mad Max came out of nowhere and established itself as one of the best post-apocalyptic open-world games players can get their hands on. Controlling Max Rockatansky and engaging with a combat system inspired by the Arkham series makes for a great time.

What players will notice from the very moment they get into combat is how satisfying and crunchy Max’s punches are. He can perform a ton of special moves, and more combat maneuvers can be unlocked to turn this protagonist into a fearsome fighter who can punch numerous enemies to a pulp with ease.

3 Bully

An Excellent Open-World Game That Focuses On Hand-To-Hand Combat

It’s a shame that Rockstar hasn’t given Bully the same love as its other IPs. The school setting can be a risky investment for a game, but players can’t help but pine for a sequel that will help them enjoy more of what the first game had to offer.

Controlling Jimmy in and around Bullworth Academy was a blast, with the game focusing on melee combat more often than not to make the most of this unique setting. Jimmy can whip out several moves in combat to punch his foes unconscious, bringing out special items from time to time to make the game’s most challenging battles easier to deal with.

2 Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot

Watch The Most Powerful Warriors In The Universe Punch And Blast Each Other

Hand-to-hand combat may be just one aspect of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot‘s earth-shattering battles, but it’s a critical part of the combat system that fans must master. It’s always better to soften enemies up with a flurry of punches before stunning them with a powerful blow and unleashing a powerful beam attack to capitalize on this attack window.

The game may not be the most challenging open-world title players can get their hands on, but it helps them feel strong as they wallop tough bosses and iconic Dragon Ball characters. Players will love getting accustomed to various moves and combos before using this mastery to deplete a boss’ health bar in record time.

1 Yakuza 0

A Great Entry Point Into The Yakuza Series With Sublime Beat-Em-Up Gameplay

Yakuza 0 is a great entry point for the Yakuza series, with its amazing story, a great cast of characters, and a fun combat system ensuring that players will have no problems sinking multiple hours in this magical experience. Both Kiryu and Majima employ distinct movesets, and switching between their points of view ensures that players can enjoy a refresher whenever one character starts to feel stale.

Players start with little to nothing before eventually unlocking some powerful moves and, eventually, a hidden fighting style for each character. Stabbing enemies with Majima or suplexing them with Kiryu is a great payoff for the hours players spend earning money and investing in the fighting abilities of both characters.