The Best Melee Combat In Obsidian Entertainment Games

Most developers focus on action games with melee combat, knowing that players love the simple allure of these titles. Obsidian Entertainment is no exception here, with the vast majority of their games featuring melee combat in some form or other.

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Whether players give tactical orders to their party or take part in the action directly, the best Obsidian games know how to make melee combat interesting. Letting players utilize special abilities in conjunction with their melee attacks is a great way to keep the action engaging, and this is something Obsidian excels in. This tantalizing combat is bound to feature in Avowed, which will make every combat encounter a blast to engage with. In the lead-up to Avowed’s launch, these are the best examples of Obsidian Entertainment’s melee-combat prowess.

8

Tyranny

The Tactical Battles Have A Great Focus On Melee Combat

Released

November 10, 2016

ESRB

t

Technically speaking, most people agree that playing as a mage is the best way to make the most of Tyranny‘s leveling and unique magic systems. However, if players choose to become melee-oriented fighters instead, then they shouldn’t face too many issues in this department.

Melee combat is simple and easier to get into for beginners, making it perfect to turn the main character into a brute who smashes enemies to a pulp or cleaves them in half. Given the focus on exploring evil in Tyranny, it’s easy to see why many players will love to roleplay as a gruff, intimidating Fatebinder who forces others to bend to their will.

7

Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire

Improves On The Combat From The First Game For A Great Experience

Systems

Released

May 8, 2018

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence

Pillars of Eternity 2 is a sequel grander in scope that has players embark on a seafaring adventure for the ages. Acquiring a crew of party members and sailing to various destinations is a blast every single time and ensures that players will love completing quests and engaging in combat throughout their adventure.

While the number of party members is reduced from the previous game, additions such as multi-classing coupled with more variety in combat ensures that players will love engaging with the game’s melee combat. A Barbarian, Paladin, Monk, or Fighter is best for the front lines, serving as a tank who can get some good hits in and defend the more fragile members of the party.

6

Fallout: New Vegas

Players Can Opt For Melee Attacks To Get Up Close And Personal

Systems

Released

October 19, 2010

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs

Melee combat in Fallout: New Vegas may seem simple, but it’s satisfying to thump foes to their death at higher levels. It helps that players are bound to acquire unique weapons during their journey that can add special effects to their melee attacks.

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Most foes will be unable to weather the courier’s might once they become strong enough to one-shot most foes. There’s nothing more cathartic than taking on a Deathclaw in melee combat and coming out victorious, even if players survived by the skin of their teeth.

5

The Outer Worlds

Investing In Melee Combat Lets Players Use Charged Attacks And Target Enemy Weak Points

Released

October 25, 2019

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

Players can level up several skills in The Outer Worlds to shape their colonist however they see fit. If players want to focus on melee combat, then they’ll be pleased by the options at their disposal.

The protagonist can unlock power moves and use their melee weapons to defend themselves in the heat of battle. To enhance the player’s options, they can also use mods to improve the performance of their favorite weapons, giving them more confidence to get up close and personal with their foes.

4

Alpha Protocol

The Melee Combat Is A Bit Janky, But Is The Best Way To Deal With Foes Non-Lethally

Systems

Released

June 1, 2010

ESRB

m

There’s a fair bit of jank involved in Alpha Protocol‘s melee combat, there’s no denying that. However, players will soon learn that mastering Michael Thornton’s moves is a must to pursue non-lethal options for the game’s boss fights.

This is easier said than done, especially since some of these bosses hit like a truck. However, players who dart in and out of cover to get a few blows in can take out these antagonists in style while still keeping them alive, which is something fans of espionage games would often prefer.

3

South Park: The Stick Of Truth

The Turn-Based Combat Emphasizes Player Input As To Maximize The Damage Of Melee Attacks

Released

March 4, 2014

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Violence

By taking a page out of Super Mario RPG, South Park: The Stick of Truth makes it easy for players to be invested in the game’s fun turn-based combat. Players control the New Kid along with a buddy of their choice in a hilarious adventure full of ridiculous battles and side-splitting comedy.

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From using farts for magic to summoning the most ridiculous characters in video games, it’s easy to see why fans love the authentic combat of The Stick of Truth. Something as simple as a melee attack requires a timed button press from players, while abilities have different inputs that players must nail to maximize the damage of their attacks.

2

Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords

Using A Lightsaber In Combat Is Effective And Fun

Released

December 6, 2004

ESRB

T For Teen due to Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence

Any game where players flourish a lightsaber to beat down their foes is bound to be engaging, and KOTOR 2 doesn’t disappoint. The framework of the combat system is very similar to the first game, making it easy for returning fans to get into.

The tactical combat soon becomes second nature for players as they manage enemy aggro and combine regular attacks with powerful abilities to turn the tide of battle. Despite how old the game is, players won’t have any problems getting into the combat system and mastering it, eventually becoming a powerful Jedi who can dominate the battlefield.

1

Grounded

Survival Requires Mastery Of Blocking And An Understanding Of How Each Weapon Works

Grounded

Released

September 27, 2022

ESRB

Teen // Blood, Mild Language, Violence

A brilliant survival game with an emphasis on co-op, Grounded is one of the best video games by Obsidian Entertainment, and it had no business being so fun to play. Players control miniaturized kids who must survive in regular household environments where the smallest bug can smash players if they’re not careful.

The melee combat in Grounded relies on perfect blocks to find openings that players can target. It rewards player skill and ensures that they can survive the first few hours once they get the hang of how melee combat works, with every weapon feeling weighty and letting players unleash a few hits before they must assume a defensive posture once again.

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