Most people love the wealth of titles Square Enix has released, even if some of its modern ventures have split fans down the middle. Thankfully, the company’s proficiency with games that focus on melee combat ensures that its games will be a blast to play through for fans willing to give them the time of day.
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Some of the best Square Enix games boast incredible melee combat that fans can’t get enough of. As they progress in these titles and acquire their fair share of skills, players can explore the depth of these combat systems and figure out the best way to humiliate their foes in style.
8
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion
The Remake Of This PSP Title Modernizes The Combat
- Released
-
December 13, 2022
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Strong
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 is one of the best spinoffs that fans can’t get enough of. Zack’s story is a tantalizing one that introduces several new characters and explores the story of Cloud’s close friend whose identity was taken by this mako-poisoned member of Shinra’s infantry.
The combat was great on the PSP, but Reunion ensures that this battle system is modernized for new audiences. Players will love the action-heavy focus of the remake coupled with its improved visuals that fans can’t get enough of.
7
Final Fantasy Type-0
Nailing Breaksights And Killsights With Melee-Oriented Party Members Is A Blast
- Released
-
October 27, 2011
Type-0 is a great Final Fantasy game that combines classic facets of this series with modern gameplay to make for a tantalizing combination. Players control the entirety of Class 0 and guide them through numerous action-packed missions full of engaging real-time combat.
Players love using the melee-oriented characters in this game since it’s easier to target Breaksights and Killsights with these party members. It ensures that players will have a great time nailing enemies and killing them in record time instead of chipping away at their HP bit by bit.
6
Kingdom Hearts 2
The Combat Of This Title Was Refreshing Back In The Day
Action RPG
Hack and Slash
- Released
-
March 28, 2006
- Developer(s)
-
Square Enix
While Kingdom Hearts 3 may feel more modern at times, most fans agree that the second mainline entry did a better job of letting players enjoy a combat system that they had more control over. There was more strategy involved in combat as players targeted enemy weaknesses and healed at regular intervals.
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This made Kingdom Hearts 2 feel tighter in many aspects, which helps its melee combat feel more skill-based instead of relying on luck more often than not. This, coupled with a well-paced story that is arguably the most coherent narrative told in a Kingdom Hearts game, ensures that fans will have a great time with this title.
5
Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy
A Crossover Fighting Game With Everyone’s Favorite Final Fantasy Characters
Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy
- Released
-
March 22, 2011
- Developer(s)
-
Square Enix
The Dissidia fighting games on the PSP were full of cinematic combat that used a simple yet novel damage system to great effect. Instead of directly targeting a fighter’s health, players were encouraged to build up their Bravery with regular skills before unleashing all their built-up damage in a devastating HP Attack.
This balancing act ensured that the simplest combat scenarios felt riveting as long as players were able to manage their offense. Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy is the upgraded version of the original and is what fans should gravitate toward if they want to enjoy a fun fighting game that slowly gets challenging as the difficulty ramps up.
4
The World Ends With You
This DS Action RPG Boasts Excellent Combat That Makes The Most Of The Handheld’s Capabilities
The World Ends with You is a game many fans love because of its innovative combat system that shone on the Nintendo DS. Each screen was reserved for a party member, with players using both touch and button inputs to unleash attacks.
It felt great to handle enemies on both screens even if the combat could get chaotic at times. It’s a shame that later re-releases have failed to capture this magic for obvious reasons, but fans who still own a DS should make it a point to check out The World Ends with You, a must-play action game in the eyes of many.
3
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
The Real-Time Combat Is More Cinematic And Engaging Than Ever Before
- Released
-
February 29, 2024
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is one of the best games of the modern era, featuring incredible combat and a wonderful story that features a fresh take on Final Fantasy 7‘s original narrative. Players will love stepping into the game’s open zones and taking out the many enemies that stand in their way.
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The bombastic boss fights are a treat to witness every single time, with players doing everything in their power to beat down an especially challenging foe. Players must ensure that their materials and equipment loadout is optimized if a particular foe is giving them a tougher time than they expected.
2
Nier: Automata
The Collaboration With PlatinumGames Was Integral To Make Nier One Of The Most Popular IPs Around
- Released
-
March 7, 2017
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Yoko Taro became a household name courtesy of Nier: Automata‘s breakout success, with PlatinumGames’ combat system shining in a title with an ambitious narrative. Characters like 2B and 9S have become popular courtesy of this title’s uniqueness, which is something that fans can’t get enough of.
Nier: Automata knows how to keep fans engaged by pushing the medium of video games to its fullest extent, introducing new and compelling gameplay loops at the drop of a hat. Even after players reach an ending, it’s just an excuse to replay the game as they unlock new playable characters and explore their move sets.
1
Sleeping Dogs
Boasts Some Of The Best Combat Players Can Enjoy In An Open-World Game
- Released
-
August 14, 2012
- Developer(s)
-
United Front Games
Sleeping Dogs‘ intense melee combat is one of the biggest draws of this game that fans can’t get enough of. The refreshing twist on the established Arkham combat lets players grapple enemies to unleash devastating attacks.
The game channels the vibe of old-school Hong Kong action flicks with everything from high-speed vehicle hijacks to the emphasis on environmental attacks. It’s a must-play for fans who want to check out excellent hand-to-hand combat in an open world.
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