Sega Games With The Best Ranged Combat, Ranked

Sega is one of the most popular video game companies around, with the company delving into the hardware business at one point before abandoning this approach and sticking to publishing and developing software instead. During their long tenure in the industry, Sega has played a role in aiding the development of several incredible games.

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Some of the best video games by Sega feature ranged combat that fans will have a great time with. Shooting down opponents and maneuvering skillfully to avoid damage is a huge part of what makes these games so special.

8

Space Harrier

A Tough Rail Shooter With Charming Visuals

• Platforms: Arcade, Sega Mark III, Master System, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Game Boy Advance, Game Gear, PC, PlayStation 2, Sega 32X, Sega Saturn, Virtual Console, X68000, ZX Spectrum
• Release Date: October 2, 1985
• Developer: Sega
• Genre: Rail Shooter

A classic arcade game that fans love to this day, Space Harrier is a fun and challenging title where players must go through numerous stages and shoot up the bosses that stand in their way. The gameplay is simple yet engaging enough to keep fans glued to the arcade screens for a while.

Moving around deftly is important in this game if players don’t want to be shot down to bits in no time. This is easier said than done, but all it takes is a few playthroughs for players to get the hang of Space Harrier and amass an impressive high score in no time.

7

Condemned 2: Bloodshot

While The Improvements Made To Ranged Combat Are Great, It Comes At The Cost Of The Game’s Horrific Atmosphere

Systems

Released

March 11, 2008

ESRB

M // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

The first Condemned game wowed many fans with its creepy atmosphere and impressive melee combat. Fans wanted more from the sequel, but Condemned 2: Bloodshot decided to adopt an action-oriented approach instead, giving players more options to take out their foes with both their fists and weapons.

Most people felt that the game was too generous with its use of firearms, but players who want to enjoy the best of both melee and ranged combat will have a blast with Condemned 2: Bloodshot. As long as players aren’t looking for a horror game first, they should have a fun time messing around with the combat mechanics of this title.

6

Rez

A Rail Shooter With A Focus On Rhythm Combat

Rez

Systems

Released

November 22, 2001

ESRB

e

A unique combination of the musical and shoot-’em-up genre, the beautiful visuals of Rez coupled with its unique gameplay loop makes it clear why this title has been updated numerous times for updated hardware. It’s a simple yet engaging game that fans will have a great time with.

6:35

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Players launch projectiles to the beat of the rhythm and take out the many obstacles standing in their way. It’s a huge part of what makes Rez so special and ensures that players will have a great time with this striking rhythm title.

5

Alien: Isolation

Ranged Combat Is Just One Of The Many Ways Players Can Deal With Enemies

Released

October 7, 2014

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Strong Language, Violence

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Expand

Alien: Isolation was a great surprise that excited many fans. Amanda Ripley’s search for her mother brings her to the isolated halls of the Sevastopol Space Station, where numerous threats run amok, from the unsettling androids to the iconic and terrifying Xenomorph.

Amanda gains access to her fair share of weapons to make things easier for herself against the myriad of foes standing in her way. However, this survival horror’s solid ranged combat can only take players so far. A single encounter against the game’s dreaded Xenomorph will make it clear that some threats can only be evaded, not destroyed.

4

The Typing Of The Dead

A Unique Rail Shooter Where Players Type Out Words To Take Out Zombies

• Platforms: Arcade, Dreamcast, PC, PlayStation 2
• Release Year: 1999
• Developer: WOW Entertainment
• Genre(s): Survival Horror, Educational

One of the funniest Sega games of all time that fans can’t get enough of, The Typing of the Dead was an imaginative port of The House of the Dead where players had to type words to destroy zombies. It was a wacky gameplay loop that surprisingly worked — especially given how novel this port was.

Seeing the main characters carry keyboards around to deal with zombies is hilarious and never gets old. Players who want to take out the undead and improve their typing speed will have a great time with The Typing of the Dead.

3

Panzer Dragoon Orta

The Pinnacle Of Panzer Dragoon’s Rail Shooter Gameplay

Systems

Released

December 19, 2002

ESRB

T For Teen

Developer(s)

Smilebit

Panzer Dragoon is one of the most popular Sega franchises around, with one of its entries standing out as a JRPG that fans adore. However, the series is predominantly known as a rail shooter, and Panzer Dragoon Orta refines this gameplay to near perfection.

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Controlling Orta and her dragon as players take out numerous enemies and bosses is a huge part of what makes Panzer Dragoon Orta so special. Players who love quality rail shooters will have a blast with this title as they try to get through all ten levels.

2

Aliens Vs Predator

Controlling The Marines Turns The Game Into A Traditional First-Person Shooter

Systems

Released

February 16, 2010

ESRB

m

Aliens Vs Predator is one of the most ambitious video games Sega has published, letting players take on the role of an Alien, Marine, or Predator. All three factions play differently and add a ton of flavor to the gameplay.

If players take on the role of a Marine, then the title turns into a competent FPS that’s so fun to play through. Gunning down waves of foes with squadmates is a blast as players go through the title’s stellar campaign.

1

Virtua Cop 2

A Beloved Rail Shooter And One Of The Most Legendary Sega Games

Virtua Cop 2

Released

September 22, 1995

ESRB

t

Developer(s)

Sega-AM2

Virtua Cop is a series of legendary rail shooters that need no introduction. Most people are aware of Virtua Cop 2, the most well-known and beloved title in the series full of tense gameplay as players strive to take out criminals and save hostages.

Players must have lightning-quick reflexes to take out the many foes that stand in their way without making any mistakes. Given this title’s arcade roots, Virtua Cop 2 can be ridiculously hard, which is why it’s a genuine achievement to get past the game’s many challenging levels.

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