Bethesda Games With The Best Real-Time Combat, Ranked

Bethesda is a company that needs no introduction. After wowing players with their massive open-world RPGs, the company became bigger than ever as it acquired a host of studios to help them develop quality video games.

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So, it’s easy to see why some of the best Bethesda games boast incredible combat systems that fans can’t get enough of. Even if combat isn’t a focus, it’s compelling enough in these games to keep fans coming back for more.

Boasts The Best Combat In An Elder Scrolls Game

Skyrim

Released

November 11, 2011

ESRB

M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes

There’s no denying that The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim has some issues with floaty combat mechanics and a lack of feedback, but these are problems that fade into the background when the overall scope is taken into account. Compared to its predecessor, Skyrim has some incredible combat where players can dual-wield weapons and use a myriad of combinations to make combat as dynamic as ever.

The beauty of Skyrim stems from the variety players can enjoy as they try out numerous builds across different playthroughs. A player’s version of the Dragonborn can go into battle with dual blades, take out enemies from afar with a bow, or use magic to activate a myriad of effects that turn enemies into mincemeat in no time.

7

Fallout 4

The Combat Is Improved To Make The Shooting Feel Better Than Ever

Systems

Released

November 10, 2015

ESRB

M FOR MATURE: BLOOD AND GORE, INTENSE VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE, USE OF DRUGS

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

From the very moment players stepped into the Commonwealth, the gameplay improvements made to Fallout 4 were clear as day. Sprinting into combat and taking enemies out with a wealth of powerful weapons is something that fans never tire of,

Along with this. the VATS system lets players take their sweet time as they tear enemies limb from limb. All of this combines to let players enjoy the best combat system seen in a Fallout game, with the improvements made to Power Armor giving players more options in combat.

6

Starfield

The Sci-fi Setting Lends Itself To Some Brilliant Combat

Systems

Released

September 6, 2023

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs, Strong Language, Violence

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Starfield was put through the wringer for its reliance on loading screens and a lack of meaningful role-playing elements. However, players who gave this game a fair shot were impressed by how much fun combat was.

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Both ranged, and melee combat felt great, with Bethesda surprising everyone by letting them enjoy a polished combat system at launch. Some of the game’s other aspects may be lacking, but the numerous encounters players can throw themselves in are a blast to complete every single time.

5

Deathloop

Arkane’s Combat Shines In This Title

Systems

Released

September 14, 2021

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Deathloop is one of the best games made by Arkane where players are encouraged to optimize their route and kill eight targets, with the difficulty ramping up as hostile forces become more alert. Colt must be as swift as the wind and use stealth to take out his enemies in style as players gain access to a wealth of powerful moves.

The resetting time loop can be frustrating, but players who grit their teeth and make it a point to kill all targets in a single run will gain an immense sense of satisfaction from completing the game. It helps that Deathloop‘s combat is riveting enough to keep fans engaged till the very end.

4

Indiana Jones And The Great Circle

MachineGames Did A Great Job Of Making Indy’s Adventures Feel Better Than Ever

Systems

Released

December 9, 2024

ESRB

N/A

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

The fact that MachineGames was developing a first-person Indiana Jones title worried many fans, only for all these complaints to be silenced when the game came out. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is one of the best action-adventure games ever made that whisks players away on a grand archaeological adventure.

Players have a ton of options in combat, using everything from firearms to Indy’s trusted whip against Nazis. Players must be crafty in combat and rely on stealth to thin the herd before they can be comfortable enough to take on other forces in open combat without experiencing a brutal death.

3

Hi-Fi Rush

An Amazing Rhythm-Action Game With A Hypnotic Gameplay Loop

Systems

Released

January 25, 2023

ESRB

Rated T: Fantasy Violence, Language

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Hi-Fi Rush is one of the biggest surprise releases that fans adored when it came out. The rhythm-action combat was a blast to master as players hit their enemies to the beat and inflicted considerable damage.

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Wrapping up this unique package is a charming story with a ton of heart and amazing cel-shaded visuals that led to many fans falling in love with this pleasant surprise. Hi-Fi Rush is a must-play for fans of unique action games who want to enjoy a cathartic combat system.

2

Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus

Going Akimbo And Decimating Enemies Is Something Fans Can’t Get Enough Of

Released

October 27, 2017

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

MachineGames wowed everyone with The New Order, a reboot of sorts for the Wolfenstein series with the gameplay to match. It was clear that the sequel would be just as fun to play, and The New Colossus didn’t disappoint with its fast-paced FPS gunplay that fans couldn’t get enough of.

Regardless of whether players were moving around in a wheelchair or using an exoskeleton to lug around B.J.’s fragile body, the combat in The New Colossus never disappointed. While other aspects of this title were somewhat lacking, fans didn’t mind as long as they could dual-wield shotguns and blow Nazi heads in style.

1

Doom Eternal

The Doom Slayer Can Rip Enemies Apart In Style

Released

March 20, 2020

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Doom Eternal is a notable improvement over its predecessor, making the Doom Slayer feel more fast and ruthless than ever as he tore his enemies to shreds. While the game leaned into his epic personality a bit too much for most people’s liking, the title made up for it with incredible gameplay.

The game had its fair share of tricky enemies, forcing players to push the combat system to its very limits. The improvements made to each weapon, coupled with the catharsis of the Glory Kills, make Doom Eternal a worthy sequel that fans of the 2016 reboot will love.

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