The Best Open-World Games For Dual-Wielding Weapons

Key Takeaways

• Dual-wielding offers unique gameplay experiences in open-world settings
• Sometimes available from the start or as a late-game addition
• Various game genres embrace dual-wielding for versatile combat options

Dual-wielding has been a staple of many classic games dating back to the 1990s, especially in very linear first-person shooters like GoldenEye 007 and the Wolfenstein series, but what about in an open-world setting? Nothing quite beats the powerful feeling of shredding through enemies in an open-world environment, whether using two guns, two swords, or a combination of weapon types.

Highly skilled players are able to deliver brutal combos while dual-wielding for maximum damage, and they look cool while doing it, just for an added bonus. This feature is present across multiple genres too, so everybody can try their hand (or hands) at some dual-wielding goodness.

10 Bloodborne

Dual-Wielding Since Day One

• A plethora of combinations are available
• Melee and firearm options
• A chance to dual-wield from the beginning of the game

From the very beginning, players are given two weapons in the Hunter’s Dream. One is a melee weapon and the other is a gun. Regarded by many as one of FromSoftware’s best and most approachable outings, Bloodborne features many options for combinations, making each playthrough feel unique.

Players who build their character well and figure out the strengths of each weapon will be able to master their chosen instruments of destruction with ease, such as the Rakuyo or Blades of Mercy, to mow down the Lovecraftian horrors standing before them. Of course, some masochists choose to just dual-wield their fists instead, because who needs weapons in a Soulslike game?

9 Saints Row

A Late Game Perk To Spice Things Up

• Game-changing perk that really enhances the experience
• Chaotic fun in a great open-world setting
• Quite expensive with in-game currency, but well worth it

Despite the mixed reception, the Saints Row 2022 reboot does feature a great open-world to explore and fairly decent gameplay, as long as players can stomach the bugs and lackluster story. One popular unlockable comes late in the game in the form of a major perk allowing players to dual-wield weapons, surely causing all sorts of mayhem, which is the intention of the series after all.

Being the twentieth perk to unlock and costing either $25,000 for the first major perk slot or $100,000 for the second, this ability will require some time, patience, and a few side quests in order to acquire it.

8 Dynasty Warriors 9

Hack And Slash With Both Hands

• Mindless musou fun, better with two weapons
• Seemingly the only open-world musou game
• Perfect genre for dual-wielding

While the move to an open-world map has generally been regarded as a failure, among plenty of other issues with Dynasty Warriors 9, that mindless musou goodness remains, making players feel almost god-like as they smash their way through hordes of enemies.

As a musou game, most players will hack-and-slash their way through the proceedings anyway, so why not do it with two weapons?

Many of the over 90 playable characters can dual-wield weapons, which makes for some tasty combat when surrounded by a cluster of foes. Yue Jin’s dual hookblades are particularly eye-catching and are perfect for juggling swarms of adversaries.

7 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Dual-Wield Like A Hitman

• Hitman status available after building experience with individual weapons
• Double damage, but the same ammunition usage
• Still one of the best GTA games

Despite its age, San Andreas lives on in the minds of many as one of the greatest games of all time, and undoubtedly one of the strongest in the Grand Theft Auto series. The gunplay, like most of the game, may seem outdated by today’s standards, but it’s still enjoyable for most players.

By building up enough experience using the pistol, micro-SMG, and Tec-9 guns, the hitman status is unlocked and CJ is able to dual-wield them, causing double the damage, and looking very cool while he does it. Players can live out their action film fantasies and there is the added bonus that two guns use the same amount of ammunition as one, for some reason!

6 Star Wars: The Old Republic

Two Lightsabers Are Better Than One

• Two lightsabers are better than one
• Both Jedi and Sith can dual-wield
• Firearm options are also available

Darth Maul captured the imaginations of countless Star Wars fans with his iconic dual-bladed lightsaber but it’s hard to argue that Ahsoka Tano dual-wielding two lightsabers is a cool visual too. In the MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic, players can choose either of these options when playing as the Sentinel or Marauder classes, each being the Jedi and Sith counterpart to one another.

While the majority of players are likely to fulfill their Jedi or Sith fantasies and slash foes with their dual sabers, there are also options for people who prefer gun action. The Gunslinger and Mercenary classes, which are not the mirror classes of one another, are able to dual-wield pistols and blast their way through the galaxy.

5 Borderlands 2

You Get A Bullet! Everybody Gets A Bullet!

• Salvador’s special Gunzerking ability
• Typical Borderlands chaos
• Upgrades make this ability even more effective

Chaos and absurdity are two of the foundational principles of the Borderlands series, so going into a battle all guns blazing with a weapon in each hand seems like a perfect fit. However, in Borderlands 2, the only way to dual-wield is to play as Salvador with his Gunzerking ability.

This allows Salvador to go on a rampage firing two weapons of any type simultaneously, while also restoring his health throughout the activation period of his special class ability. The base cooldown is 42 seconds, while the Gunzerking ability lasts for 20 seconds before leveling up. Boosting the Rampage, Gun Lust, and Brawn skill trees will improve these durations and amplify the damage dealt to great effect.

4 Assassin’s Creed 2

Hidden Blade(s)

• Satisfying double kills with the hidden blades
• More creative options for stealthy players
• Dual-wielding possibilities in the series’ later installments

Innovations in assassination have been a staple throughout the Assassin’s Creed series and employing the use of two weapons concurrently is as gratifying in these games as in any others. However, nothing in the series can quite compare to those first kills after Ezio Auditore receives his second hidden blade.

Strolling casually up to two enemies who are standing close together triggers the ability to take down both at the same time using the dual-hidden blades. Furthermore, a tactical smoke bomb can add the element of surprise if Ezio is being pursued, and allows for a swift exit without anybody realizing who committed this heinous act.

3 Nioh 2

Even More Options Than The First Game

• Builds on Nioh’s excellent options
• Weapons specifically designed for dual-wielding
• Yields strong results for players who are willing to learn

Some swords and tonfas were specifically designed to be dual-wielded in the first Nioh game, with many players claiming this to be the most effective way to play. The sequel took that feedback and ran with it, providing even more options for players who prefer a binary weapon system, adding more weapons to be brandished in this manner, such as hatchets.

This play style is certainly not for everyone and can be hard to master, but when used correctly, it causes a tremendous amount of damage, especially with the hatchets. It can be a valuable asset to anyone’s arsenal if they persevere with these techniques.

The DualBorn

• Magicka and one-handed options
• Make use of armor bonuses for stronger effects
• The skill tree has specific upgrades for dual-wielding

Combat in Skyrim and the Elder Scrolls series as a whole often comes under criticism, since many other fantasy RPGs just do it better. Still, the iconic Dragonborn is capable of some very gratifying combat if players utilize the skill tree and armor bonuses well, combined with some effective weaponry or magicka.

Dragon priest masks are essential with their special effects, granting players powerful abilities when using magicka especially, such as the Morokei granting 100% magicka regeneration, allowing for players to ravage enemies with destruction spells. Alternatively, there are the Dual Flurry and Dual Savagery skill tree points for one-handed weapons, increasing attack speed by up to 35% and making power attacks 50% more damaging.

1 Elden Ring

For Best Results, Use Power Stance

• Many dual-wielding options
• Power stance is very effective
• Choose weapon types based on character build

Elden Ring is bountiful in terms of sheer numbers when it comes to weaponry, with dual-wielding being a perfectly serviceable option. However, the majority of players find that the best results are achieved through the power stance system.

First introduced in Dark Souls 2, power stance is when a player holds weapons of the same type in each hand. Plowing through enemies in this manner is incredibly satisfying, and the myriad of spectacular boss battles can be even more enjoyable with a weapon in each hand. If players want epic battles, then colossal weapons for a strength build are a must, or perhaps a player with a more dexterity-based build should consider whips to really pummel the monstrosities dwelling in the Lands Between.