We’ve put together a list of games that come with fantastic melee systems built to test your reflexes and ability to think on your feet as you take on either hordes of enemies or go head to head with deadly enemies who are just as skilled as you are.

It’s time to dive in! 

1. Lies of P

Neowiz’s take on the story of Pinocchio is nothing short of a masterpiece when it comes to how its combat systems convey a sense of danger while also making you feel powerful enough to take them down.

Although the action isn’t as fast-paced as some of the other titles on this list, the game necessitates a methodical approach to its madness. That’s not to say that things don’t heat up with a few bosses that up the ante with unrelenting, vicious combos that can push you to the limits of your skills.

However, a wide selection of weapons, skills, and the ability to mix and match between various weapons and handles can be a great way to get the upper hand. Finding a combination of weapons and skills that works for you is a feeling that other titles find hard to replicate. And that’s not to mention Legion Arms, each of which adds a new wrinkle to your playstyle.

Give this one a try for its story and intense gameplay.

2. The First Berserker Khazan

Neople’s take on the Dungeon and Fighter series blends a unique visual style with a combat loop that quickly becomes quite addictive despite a learning curve that can dissuade even the most determined of players.

Despite a limited selection of weapons, the game’s emphasis on raw aggression makes each fight a flurry of dodges, blocks, parries, and attacks that can quickly let you garner enough Spirit Points to unleash your most devastating skills while The Blade Phantom brings another layer of strategy to the table, allowing Khazan to harness the power of fallen warriors with some interesting effects.

This is a game that can test your patience but reels you in with its revenge-based story and well-designed encounters, aside from bringing a lot of replay value thanks to multiple endings for you to uncover.

3. Thymesia

If we were to complain about anything in Thymesia, its relatively short length is the only thing that comes to mind. Like Khazan, it’s a title that rewards aggression, with Corvus preferring to keep the pressure on his opponents at every instance. The ability to use your enemy’s own weapons against them while channelling your innate abilities to unleash some very cool moves comes together to present a combat experience that can be a challenge to master but is very rewarding to pull off.

When it’s played right, Thymesia is an absolute treat for players looking for a combat experience that lets them take on increasingly deadly threats with brutal efficiency and flashy style.

4. Sifu

This beat ‘em up action game from developer Sloclap is arguably the best martial arts title to be released in recent times. Aside from bringing the best of kung fu to every attack animation and enemies that ensure that those moves are put to good use, Sifu comes with a unique twist on resurrection after you’re taken down in battle.

This mechanic sees your character’s age go up every time they respawn, improving their attack power while lowering their defences. This could mean that even death becomes a strategic component, allowing you to take on increasingly difficult foes at the cost of a lower health bar.

It’s the perfect way to encourage players to constantly improve their skills while strategically using the game’s mechanics to give themselves a much-needed boost when things get out of hand. Its story may not be as interesting as Lies of P, but it’s nothing to scoff at either, making this a title that’s definitely worth your time.

5. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Wo Long is a refined take on the excellent combat mechanics that the studio established with its Nioh franchise. An obscure narrative and fairly linear world make this a game in which combat quickly becomes the star of the show.

Parrying flurries of attacks from enemies while building up your Spirit Gauge to cause some devastation of your own makes each fight a desperate battle for control, with even lowly grunts capable of taking you out with just a few hits.

 With each level in the game coming with a Morale System that requires you to defeat enemies in order to be capable to take on mini-bosses and bosses later down the line, Wo Long’s combat systems are a tug of war with your enemies as capable of summarily sending you back to the nearest save point as you are capable of sending them on their way to the next life.

6. Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut

The complete Ghost of Tsushima experience brings a poignant and riveting story, a beautifully crafted open world, and a sublime combat system that has a lot of depth to its mechanics. As a samurai forced to find new ways to take the fight to an invading Mongol army, Jin Sakai’s fight to defend his home sees him pull off some very flashy moves, assisted by your precision and sense of timing in every fight.

Leaping of your horse to challenge Mongol patrols to a standoff still feels as thrilling as it did five years ago, while flowing from stance to stance as we wield the Sakai clan’s katana and tanto against vicious enemies is an absolute treat for players who like to fight with style and flair.

Just be ready to have your heartstrings tugged on as you go further into this epic adventure.

7. Ghostrunner 2

For fans of first-person action, Ghostrunner 2 is quite easy to recommend, considering how its challenge lies in using Jack’s abilities with full awareness of what’s happening around him in any given situation. While his trusty sword is indeed a reliable killing tool, using it in tandem with all the other cool weapons he unlocks is paramount to victory.

His impressive parkour skills are as valuable to the game’s combat loop as the electrified Shurikens that eventually became an invaluable part of how we approached every encounter we had in the game. The cyber ninjas of Dharma Tower can be very deadly enemies, but for those of you who use every tool in your arsenal, they can quickly melt away in the face of your onslaught.

8. Hi-Fi RUSH

Hi-Fi Rush follows Chai, a young man who volunteers for Vandelay Technologies’ Project Armstrong in hopes of receiving a limb replacement. However, things quickly spiral out of control as he finds himself on the run from security forces, with a robotic arm and a target on his back. The game’s biggest hook lies in its rhythmic melee combat. Attacks and player actions are all synced to the beat, rewarding those who time their moves just right with extra damage and stylish combos.

9. Shadow Labyrinth

Bandai Namco’s dark and gritty reimagining of Pac-Man brings a combat loop that is a far cry from the character’s earliest appearances. Swordsman #8 might come with a limited set of skills and a distinct lack of options to heal himself while fending off enemies, but those limitations only serve to encourage a more strategic approach to the task at hand.

With exquisitely designed bosses and levels that are full of danger, this is an adventure that blends brains and brawn into a very attractive package that can keep you occupied for hours on end.

10. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black

If disabling your enemies in combat is more your style, Ryu’s adventures in this Unreal Engine 5 remake of Ninja Gaiden 2 is going to be quite a treat. However, your enemies could decide to cause as much damage as they can before their inevitable death, making this game’s combat an experience in which you are in danger of dying just as much as your opponents are.

With an emphasis on completing encounters while sustaining as little damage as possible, this game is one in which you need to be on your toes at any point in a fight and come out all the more powerful for it. However, using Ryu’s Ultimate Techniques and a host of other useful additions can ensure that you come out on top while managing to minimize the damage he takes while tearing through enemy ranks.

Bonus: Bloodborne

This list of titles with great melee combat experiences feels incomplete without mentioning Bloodborne, the FromSoftware masterpiece that shook up the studio’s combat formula back in 2015. Yes, it was originally a PS4 title and runs only via backward compatibility on PS5s at 30fps.

However, for those of you who can overlook that factor, its brutal combat and a selection of extremely cool weapons can quickly make you find yourself coming back for another bout against deadly bosses and enemies who can push you to the limit of your patience and skill.

It continues to be a unique and distinct take on the FromSoft formula, requiring lightning-quick reflexes and a very aggressive approach to take down its many threats. Approach this one with caution, and you’re sure to find many reasons to spend another hour in the streets of Yharnam.

And that’s a wrap on our favorite melee games that you can play on the PS5. We hope that you enjoy playing them just as much as we did!

Ghostrunner 2

Don’t let the fast-paced motorcycle sections, larger levels or cyberspace fool you – Ghostrunner 2’s Jack is still very much the cyber-ninja bad-ass as in the previous game. Deflecting attacks, slicing through foes, parkouring through neon-lit environments, and one-hit kills are still part of the gameplay loop. The new abilities and rogue-like mode further add to the experience, even if there’s a lot of trial and error involved to progress forward.

For starters, there’s Destiny 2: Lightfall, the looter shooter’s seventh major expansion, which launched in February last year. With the next expansion, The Final Shape, coming in June, this gives players the perfect opportunity to jump in and catch up. You will, of course, require the base game to be able to play the expansion.

Joining the service on the same day are EA Sports FC 24, One More Level and 505 Games’ acclaimed cyberpunk action game Ghostrunner 2, and Zelda-inspired action-adventure indie hit Tunic.

With all four titles becoming available on May 7, subscribers will have until May 6 to claim April’s offerings, which were Immortals of Aveum, Minecraft Legends, and Skul: The Hero Slayer.

Primordial Malzeno – Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak

The final post-launch monster added to Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, Primordial Malzeno is an enhanced version of Malzeno with way more health and damage. He’ll pummel you with smashes and swipes and unleashes Qurio projectiles, tail strikes and lasers in his frenzied state. Did we mention he can teleport around? All of this is before his insane supernova attack, which unleashes even more projectiles and energy waves before culminating in a big explosion. If that weren’t enough, he enters a Risen state near the end and goes insane with big attacks.

Dragon – Ark: Survival Ascended

The Dragon has remained a threat since Ark: Survival Evolved launched, and with Survival Ascended only having the island, it’s now the toughest boss in the remake. Regardless of which version is faced, its fire breath will deal damage equivalent to 20 percent of max health, regardless of armor or resistance (though dinosaurs immune to fire are safe). Other attacks, like its fireballs, are also dangerous, and it has Dimorphs and Pteranodons to help as well. Those playing solo should prepare for a long grueling fight.

Richter – Wanted: Dead

As the final boss of Wanted: Dead, Richter is fought one-on-one, which means no revives. He’ll dodge all bullets and can only be damaged with a katana. Which is fine, except you must parry almost every attack, and counter to stun and damage him. It’s all easier said than done when dealing with his fast strikes, and he becomes much more dangerous in the second phase, adding an insta-kill move to his arsenal. He also gains the option to heal because, of course, he does.

Horus Titan – Horizon Forbidden West Burning Shores

Even with the new Specter Gauntlet, the battle against the Horus Titan can be a doozy. It’s massive and constantly moving, with Aloy needing to expose its heat vents and deal damage. The second part of the fight involves avoiding its tendrils while facing it head-on, which is also challenging. Once it finally falls, you still need to venture inside and take out Walter Londra, which isn’t as difficult but still somewhat tricky.

Metroid Prime – Metroid Prime Remastered

Sure, Metroid Prime originally launched in 2002, but its final boss remains one of the toughest in the entire series to this day. It adapts to your weapons in the first phase, so switching it up is necessary, and things become even more unhinged when its core is exposed. Not only is it more aggressive and dangerous, but you need to use different visors to find it while using Phazon pools to charge up Samus and deal damage.

King of Puppets – Lies of P

You feel bad for the King of Puppets, especially when he’s trying to rescue P from a dark fate. Unfortunately, a puppet king spurned is a puppet king mad, and his first phase consists of slow but heavy attacks with extensive range. They become more complex and tougher to parry, and when you think he’s down for the count, Romeo, the actual King, emerges from the oversized suit. The battle becomes fast-paced, as you must keep track of his movements and slices, presumably with very little healing after the first phase.

The Unbroken Promise – Lords of the Fallen

What’s scarier? Having to face Harrower Dervla with her wide-range attacks or a version of her that’s stronger and wields Umbral Magic? The Unbroken Promise proved to be the latter, unleashing powerful attacks and magic with little downtime after taking over Dervla’s body. It can manifest an Umbral set of nails to follow and strike you or circle it at a moment’s notice with surprising speed.

Kale – Hi-Fi Rush

As the leader of Vandelay Technologies, Kale proves to be more than just a snobby executive. On top of devastating slashes and lightning strikes, he reveals four mechanical tentacles, which can slam the ground, create barriers, Z-shielding and more. His final phase is even wilder, as he starts summoning pillars of fire on top of wide-arcing slashes.

Annihilation – Remnant 2

This is easily the most challenging boss in the game and especially brutal at launch before the nerfs. It has three faces, from homing projectiles and massive sword swings to a giant energy ball, while flying around the place. The second phase takes place in a different dimension with a new form and brand new attacks, with Annihilation switching back and forth between both phases mid-attack. It’s disorienting, and attacks are brutal, but even after surviving, you need to deal with hordes of enemies in the third phase before it finally dies.

Mitra – Ghostrunner 2

How difficult you find Mitra will depend on how challenging a bullet hell fight with excessive platforming can be. From that perspective, he’s especially punishing as the fight wears on, with the Cybervoid presenting all kinds of traversal challenges as you avoid his projectiles. Due to the nature of the game, a single hit is fatal, which means you need to execute everything without any flaws.

Tsukuyomi – WILD HEARTS

For all the things WILD HEARTS suffered from throughout its lifespan, the Kemono continue to pose a challenge. Tsukuyomi is the toughest yet, with excessive health, immense damage and a predisposition to attack off-camera when you can barely set it coming. The fact that you must rely on specific elements to defeat it isn’t a new concept (see Alatreon from Monster Hunter World: Iceborne), but this is still a slog of a fight.

Lu Bu – Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Good ol’ Lu Bu remains a tough boss, even after all these months. Maybe it’s the fact that he deals absurd damage from range with arrows or up close with his spear. Maybe it’s the horse running around the arena, disrupting you even after Lu Bu is knocked off (which he can also get back on whenever). Regardless, he’s still rough, especially at this point in the game.

Ranrok Dragon – Hogwarts Legacy

As a final boss, Ranrok Dragon has a fair amount of attacks in his arsenal, unleashing projectiles and sweeping beams, the latter doing excessive damage. There’s also a massive explosive field in the second phase that must be avoided. You must destroy the floating orbs to deal any real damage, which becomes more challenging in the third phase when he lands and assails you with physical attacks.

Behemoth King – Final Fantasy 16

As one of five S-Rank Notorious Marks, Behemoth King is an optional boss fight and not required to finish the game. Nevertheless, it’s a worthy challenge for those who want to push their combat skills. If the name wasn’t a clue, it’s akin to regular Behemoth in some ways, but with more health and damage. It throws out tornados and meteors casually, with Reign of Fire triggering a storm of meteors when it’s at half health. Perhaps the only comfort is that Behemoth King dies when its health is depleted, unlike the regular version.

Bode Akuna (2nd Fight) – Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Unlike the first fight, you’re taking on Bode proper, with Merrin assisting. The first phase isn’t too rough despite several fast attacks and his unorthodox fighting style. However, when he starts dealing with wide-ranging attacks and chucking grenades, it becomes tougher. The second phase sees Bode throwing his lightsaber, which follows you, and throws stun grenades while firing at range. He also throws some unblockable attacks, and having to complete another phase after this while not being able to recharge health or Stims makes this the most challenging encounter in the game.

IB-01: CEL 240 – Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon

As one of the C-weapons powered by Coral, the IB-01: CEL 240 is fast, unleashes waves with its energy swords and even relies on remote satellites to hit you with lasers, often all at once. Getting a bead on it can be difficult, but with enough perseverance, it’ll fall. That is until it suddenly reactivates and adds new moves, like unleashing even more satellites to rain down lasers, more aggressive melee attacks, and even transforming into a firebird to ram into you.

Fang (Trip’s Story) – Sonic Superstars

It’s almost hilarious how Sonic Superstars has not one, not two, but three terrible final bosses. Fang in Trip’s Story narrowly manages to win out by sheer virtue of annoyance, which is saying something given how unnecessarily challenging her playthrough feels. This fight is long, with severe waiting periods between each attack and some insta-killing you just because it would be funny. The lack of any checkpoint in the second phase is also especially excruciating. It isn’t the end of the game, as there’s the true final boss to deal with, but it’s a disappointing conclusion to Trip’s Story all the same.

Zhang Rhang – Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

On the surface, Zhang Rhang’s schtick is interesting as he continuously summons clones. The problem? You have to keep killing them, building up Spirit Damage until he’s staggered for a Fatal Strike. So you’re running around, smacking clones, trying to find the right one, getting pelted with magic from this way and that.

Guan Yu and Cao Cao also assist during this fight, further adding to the visual mess and chaos. The worst part? Once you’ve staggered him and dealt a Fatal Strike, you must go through the whole process again. It’s one of those ideas that seems unique on paper but ends up being extremely tedious in practice.

Hunter and Emissary – Starfield

Depending on your decisions, you have to fight one or both of these entities in the finale of Starfield. However, outside of their gimmick of all three of you teleporting across different universes and areas, the fight’s mechanics are pretty non-existent. All you do is follow and shoot. Then you get teleported.

Then follow and shoot some more in a cave against them and alternate versions of your companions. Of course, the question arises: What could the team possibly have done differently? Maybe a space battle against the Starborn’s ships? It’s hard to say, but this wasn’t it. At least you can skip the fight with enough Persuasion.

Corrupted Parade Master – Lies of P

Given the sheer range of bosses in Lies of P, it’s weird fighting one with several of your options temporarily removed. Nevertheless, surely there would be an interesting twist to fighting a corrupted version of the first boss, aside from the danger of Decay? Well, not really. Most of his attacks are similar, and all you have to do is dodge through most of them, back off when it starts crawling on the ground and repeat. Not the worst fight ever, but pretty rote despite his heavily altered appearance.

NORA – Atomic Heart: Annihilation Instinct

The first story DLC for Atomic Heart is pretty underwhelming, with its final boss easily the capstone to all the disappointment. After the Twins arrive to save P-3, you must create a new schematic to stop NORA’s madness. It amounts to inserting the mechanical balls in the correct configuration on the floor, taken from fighting a familiar boss that keeps regenerating.

The sheer amount of manufactured tension belies how dull it is, despite the puzzle-solving approach, and the fight ends in a whimper. The worst part is that even after a relatively happy ending, the conclusion teases more annoyance for P-3.

Ahriman, the Destroyer – Ghostrunner 2

As the first boss of One More Level’s sequel, Ahriman is a solid test of the game’s combat and movement. The problem is, that’s pretty much all he is. Having such a cool-looking appearance and sword, you would think there would be something more to him after his defeat. Alas, he commits seppuku and that’s it.

No coming back later in some big twist or anything like that. Would I have been less disappointed if he wasn’t called “The Destroyer”? Probably. As an intro to the rest of the Asura, he’s pretty lame, but thankfully, the rest more than pick up the slack and offer far better fights.

Ruiner – Lords of the Fallen

Ruiner is this hulking beast of a warrior with a crazy look and fire magic that can build Ignite. As the guard of Fitzroy’s Bridge, he seems virtually impassable…until you start dodging his attacks. As agile as Ruiner can be, some attacks are insanely telegraphed, leaving him open for a heavy attack that knocks off a sizable chunk of his health. Pair that with Radiant damage, and take him out in no time. When the lead-up to a boss with all the enemies you have to deal with is considered more tedious than the actual boss, you know there’s a problem.

Narag-Shazon – The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria

It’s bad enough that Return to Moria has the issues it does, but there is a kind of charm throughout as you venture to the final boss. The Balrog isn’t your final challenge – instead, it’s Narag-Shazon, a dragon. Additional prep and end-game armor and weapons are a given, especially when playing solo, but she quickly falls after just a few hits. It seems to be an issue that will be fixed sooner or later. However, for those who have been playing on PC since October, it’s a let-down.

DJ Cyber – Bomb Rush Cyberfunk

Finally, you get to fight against DJ Cyber after all the cryptic nonsense, conspiracies and mysteries. Unfortunately, the first phase involves meleeing his projectiles back at him as his spider-bot jumps around. The second involves dodging explosives that he leaves on the ground and then returning his projectiles. Then you hit him with one last melee, and that’s it – game over. Truly a weak way to end the game, especially considering the final battles in the Jet Set Radio games were so hype.

Scorpion and Nitara (Invasions) – Mortal Kombat 1

After the insanity of Story Mode’s final battle (which admittedly ends in a bit of a disappointing fight), there was the opportunity to do something special with Invasions. With all the different mechanics, it could have made its bosses special, right? Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, and both Scorpion and Nitara, the bosses of Seasons 1 and 2, are relatively boring.

Of course, it also doesn’t help that Invasions has no impact on the overall canon (such as it is after two reboots). While this is likely due to the seasonal model, it also means there are no stakes, and the lasting impact on their demises is pretty much moot.

Armored Core 6 

FromSoftware has done an excellent job with Armored Core 6 and made this entry a glorious comeback for the long-running series. Taking place on the planet of Rubicon 3, Armored Core 6 tasks players to partake in increasingly tough battles against different kinds of mechs. There’s just a distinct sense of power fantasy that comes from controlling a heavily armed mech, and the developer’s signature difficulty makes sure that this power fantasy always feels earned.

Street Fighter 6 

Street Fighter 6 adds plenty of new elements to this long-running fighting franchise including but not limited to a full-fledged open-world, and it gets all the better for it. The core fighting mechanics are extremely solid, and it’s a lot of fun to experiment with different characters and find out what catches your fancy. Street Fighter 6 has a really high skill ceiling, and it makes climbing to the top ranks really fun with its selection of diverse game modes.

Mortal Kombat 1 2023 

Mortal Kombat 1 2023 is an excellent new fighter that’s easy to pick up but difficult to master. There’s just a vast list of combos available for each of the dozens of characters, and mastering each of these moves lists one by one is a consistently enjoyable experience. The combat really kicks into high gear on higher difficulties, where you must study your opponent’s moves and quickly devise a strategy to defeat them all in a matter of seconds – and that is something that will keep you coming back for more.

Dead Space Remake

Dead Space Remake is a faithful recreation of the 2008 horror classic, and developer EA Motive has done a job of cleaning up its many rough edges. What we get as a result is a modern first-person shooter that’s every bit as addictive as it is scary. Sure, the encounters are not as frequent as other action horror games – but Dead Space Remake offers plenty of player freedom with its selection of different weapons, abilities, and dismemberment mechanics which makes it all so endearing in the first place.

Hi-Fi Rush 

Tango Gameworks surprised us all with the recently released Hi-Fi Rush, which is easily one of the most well-designed games in recent memory. The entirety of the game world moves to the beat, and you must keep in time with the rhythm as you dish out damage to your foes. It’s a simple gameplay loop that manages to be extremely satisfying due to its rhythmic nature, and it’s made all the better through the use of catchy tunes among others.

Final Fantasy 16 

Final Fantasy 16 features over-the-top, fast-paced, hack-and-slash combat, which makes the resulting experience nothing short of extraordinary. The combat feels extremely polished and fast-paced, and using your abilities and weapons in creative ways not only looks really flashy but also provides a distinct sense of power fantasy. Add to that some amazing Eikon fights, and Final Fantasy 16 becomes a really addictive game.

Batman Arkham Knight

Batman Arkham Knight might just be the end of the Arkham games as we know, and it wouldn’t be an understatement that Batman went down in style. There are a few rough edges here and there, but Arkham Knight nails the rhythmic combat that the series is known for. The parry timings are generously large, the moves really flow into one another, and there are plenty of combat challenges for players to test their mettle.

Ghostrunner 2 

Ghostrunner 2 excellently builds upon what came before in new and interesting ways, and what we get is a sequel that is bigger and better than the original in almost every conceivable way. The one-hit one-kill mechanic is utilized to the fullest extent, and players are expected to do a meticulous ballet of wall slides, slashes, and slides to clear out large rooms of enemies. Ghostrunner 2 has a really high skill ceiling, which is what motivates you to go back and do it all over again – and that is what makes it all so intrinsically addictive in the first place.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus 

MachineGames’ delivered an excellent shooter with Wolfenstein: The New Colossus, which smartly marries the chaotic shooting of 90s first-person-shooters with modern gameplay conveniences and open-ended design. The New Colossus really embraces the chaos with dozens upon dozens of enemies filling the arena at any given point and the ability to dual wield any weapon type, and that makes the experience really fun and replayable.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is an excellent sequel that does a fantastic job of taking what worked in the original and ramping it up to eleven. Everything from the traversal to the story and the combat has been improved in significant ways, which makes it all the more addictive. Parker and Miles both have different movesets and special abilities and chaining them together to create a flurry of hard-hitting combos delivers a power fantasy like no other. Add to that plenty of combat challenges, and Spider-Man 2 becomes a really fun action game. 

Soulstice 

Soulstice is in many ways a glorious throwback to hack-and-slash classics like Onimusha, and it does a really good job of simulating that flashy combat design that made those games so great in the first place. Soulstice’s unique mechanic of controlling two conjoined characters also adds a fresh twist to the experience.

Lies of P

Lies of P tells the story of Pinocchio in a rather unique fashion thanks to its dark fantasy setting, but it’s an experience that has plenty to love as well. The combat draws heavy influence from Bloodborne, so it naturally revolves around striking a careful balance between aggressive strikes and calculative dodges. It also infuses some of its own mechanics like attachable prosthetic tools and customizable weapons into the mix, which makes it feel unique in a way. It obviously has a learning curve to it, but once you really get to grips with the systems – Lies of P becomes a really captivating experience.

Elden Ring

FromSoftware knocked it out of the park with Elden Ring, and it truly feels like an amalgamation of the developer’s best works to date. The combat system is still about managing stamina and carefully dishing out damage to your opponents, but what makes it so addictive is the sheer variety of weapons on offer. You can be a master sorcerer with a buffet of spells under your belt or you could be tank dual-wielding heavy swords. The challenging enemies and compelling NG+ options make it really difficult for players, which is what makes Elden Ring so much more addictive. 

Wild Hearts

Wild Hearts might have looked like a Monster Hunter ripoff at first glance, but the game was able to legitimize its existence upon launch with its fun gameplay and unique set of crafting ideas. The Kemono battles offer a diverse set of challenges to overcome, and you can use your knowledge of the Karakuri technology to craft interesting solutions to these challenges. The progression loop and the general smooth-flowing gameplay loop makes it all really addictive, and fans of Monster Hunter should definitely check this one out.

Gears 5

Gears 5 puts players in the shoes of Kait Diaz as she embarks on a grand quest to find the origin of the Locusts, and it’s a journey that’s punctuated with some really amazing firefights. The cover-based third-person shooting has been refined to an immaculate sheen and everything from the feedback to the balance and intensity are on point – which makes it all such an amazing experience. 

Whether that accounts for marketing and advertising is unknown. Neither the developer nor publisher 505 Games have revealed sales for the sequel. By comparison, the first game sold over 2.5 million copies in September, having launching in October 2020.

Ghostrunner 2 is available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Check out our review here for more details or the accolades trailer for other critics’ thoughts. Post-launch content is coming courtesy of the $19.99 Season Pass, with the Ice Pack going live on December 7th. It adds new Sword Skins, Hand Skins and a motorcycle skin.

The Dragon Pack arrives in February 2024, followed by the Heat Pack in July and Endless Moto Mode in September. There will also be an Anniversary Pack in October 2024. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.

Alongside the Accolades Trailer, One More Level has also been in the process of releasing a series of developer diaries for Ghostrunner 2. Dubbed The Download, two parts of the developer diaries are available right now, featuring the studio walking players through the process of making the game.

Ghostrunner 2 offers a major expansion over the key aspects and ideas behind the original Ghostrunner, offering more gameplay options, as well as a greater variety in gameplay, and the ability to commandeer and use vehicles for added mayhem.

Ghostrunner 2 is out now on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. For more details, check out our review. And in case you’re curious, here are 15 differences between Ghostrunner 2 and its predecessor. There’s also a roadmap showing off all of the post-launch support planned for Ghostrunner 2.

Set a year after the events of the original Ghostrunner, Ghostrunner 2 puts players in the shoes of cyber ninja Jack. Like in the first game, players will be able to make use of a katana as they slice and parkour their way through hordes of cultists.

In a major change from its predecessor, Ghostrunner 2 will also involve the player taking part in missions outside of Dharma Tower, where they will be able to take part in vehicular combat. The game also features new abilities, as well as a revamped progression system.

The studio had previously announced plans for post-launch content for Ghostrunner 2, with the game’s first DLC slated for release on December 7. Dubbed the Ice Pack, the DLC will feature three Sword Skins, three Hand Skins, and an icey skin for the motorcycle.

For more details on Ghostrunner 2, check out our review.

For its scale, the level of fidelity was incredible to behold. After the IP was sold to 505 Games, developer One More Level took over and handled subsequent content updates for the first game. The sequel was also announced, and it’s finally upon us. It offers a larger scale and brand new mechanics, new enemies, and an expansion to the overall lore while tweaking and expanding the base gameplay. While it may be viewed as straying away from several things that made the original unique, Ghostrunner 2 is a compelling experience despite its frustrations.

"While the designs for each character range from acceptable to pretty good, the facial animations for the humans could use some more polish."

One year after the first game’s events, Dharma Tower is in near-constant upheaval as rival gangs and factions attempt to one-up each other. The Climbers and protagonist, Jack, do their best to maintain order, but a new threat, the Asura, emerges. After resurrecting the mysterious Mitra, they embark on a plan that could have dire consequences for the Tower. Of course, Jack steps up to stop them, but things aren’t as cut and dry as they may seem.

From a story standpoint, Ghostrunner 2 puts in a decent effort. The characters, from enthusiastic scientist Kira to steadfast Bokunin, are solid, even if not everyone is fleshed out well when it’s all said and done. The Asura are perhaps the most intriguing characters, whether it’s Rahu’s standoffish nature or Madhu’s megalomaniacal streak, and even Mitra’s backstory is interesting. Overall, I enjoyed the expansion of the lore, and though the dialogue options are inconsequential, they offer insight into the world and each character’s place in it.

While the designs for each character range from acceptable to pretty good, the facial animations for the humans could use some more polish. They’re too wooden to convey the emotion inherent in the characters’ voices and feel more awkward between pauses when waiting for the dialogue menu to pop up. You don’t have to interact with anyone at the new home base and can skip through any pleasantries as needed, but it still sticks out.

"As a Ghostrunner, Jack can wall-run, grapple, slide, dash and activate Sensory Boost to slow down time and dodge projectiles in mid-air."

The same rings true of the dialogue. While a chunk is in keeping with the overall atmosphere and tone of the story, there are a good number of annoying quips and banter. Jack displays a range of responses, whether it’s exasperation or remarking about sitting quietly as his idea of fun.

They’re decent and get the job done, but the plot shines when interacting with the antagonists or delving into the Architect’s past. Still, cheesy as it sounds, whoever included the line, “Ghostrunners only die when they’re killed”, give yourself some Quartz and good luck on the 50/50.

This is superfluous for those who played the first game because the gameplay is the main appeal. As a Ghostrunner, Jack can wall-run, grapple, slide, dash and activate Sensory Boost to slow down time and dodge projectiles in mid-air. He can also slice enemies, slaying them in a single blow, with the tradeoff being that he also dies in one hit. Since many of your enemies are keen on bringing guns, your best means of survival is to keep moving.

However, Ghostrunner 2 demands a bit more. Several sections feature extensive platforming sequences, where one wrong jump can result in falling to your death. Throw in some enemies, whether it’s rapid-fire assault rifles, lasers or energy waves that can cross-map you, and situations become very dicey.

"You also have Ultimates, from a laser that can tear through scores of enemies to Overlord, which can puppeteer a few against each other and Blink for quickly teleporting to and decimating foes."

Each level is designed with different approaches in mind, and Jack has several tools available to slay his targets. You could throw Shurikens to kill enemies at range, and even if they sidestep, that offers more time to close the distance. Some are also stunned by your Shurikens, allowing you to grapple close for the insta-kill.

There are also abilities like Shadow, which creates a copy of Jack while he goes into stealth mode and slices unaware enemies. It’s a good tool for reducing aggro and providing several more seconds of survival while you assess the situation. Tempest also returns from the original, and it’s as you would expect – a force push that can either topple enemies and work well on groups or send threats into the abyss.

Throw in some upgrades, and you could use a Shuriken to stun a larger enemy and Blink to them for the insta-kill, activate Shadow to retreat, potentially causing the clone to electrocute nearby threats and maybe Tempest an explosive barrel into some unsuspecting enemies.

There are breakable walls and alternate routes that provide solid flanking opportunities in certain sections if the forward approach proves too dangerous. You also have Ultimates, from a laser that can tear through scores of enemies to Overlord, which can puppeteer a few against each other and Blink for quickly teleporting to and decimating foes.

"To the credit of developer One More Level, each chapter utilizes your base movement skills in familiar and uniquely interesting ways."

Progression is handled differently, though. Instead of Tetris-like shapes to puzzle out, you now have a Motherboard with branches. Each branch has several slots – as you gather shards to increase its level, more branches become available. Upon unlocking a skill, you can slot it into an empty slot. The catch is that skills of different categories can’t be slotted into the same branch. Initially, this means arranging the necessary skills in different branches to avoid clashes, but you can eventually unlock an upgrade that lets you slot any skill anywhere.

However, you also need to consider the Install Cost of each skill since there’s a limited amount. While it’s not nearly as fancy as the original progression system, the Motherboard is straightforward enough, offering freedom of choice while forcing you to make some hard choices.

If that weren’t enough, certain skills have tradeoffs, like being able to launch three Shurikens instead of one at a time, but the energy cost is 30 percent higher, or dashing making you invulnerable to projectiles and melee attacks but costing 10 percent more stamina.

To the credit of developer One More Level, each chapter utilizes your base movement skills in familiar and uniquely interesting ways. One moment, you could be traversing the Cybervoid and “hacking” into it to activate walls to run on and platforms to dash. The next could involve pushing cranes around to create points to grapple across.

"While I like the enemies and how they’re designed, with obvious tells but decent adjustments to their tactics, their placements in certain sections created some frustration."

There’s a healthy amount of variety, and most of it feels in keeping with the traversal and combat. The new blocking mechanic is also well implemented, providing some additional survivability, but best used with your movement. Standing still is a death sentence, especially since your stamina can run out quickly.

You will die eventually, but that’s okay since you return the action quickly. The smooth controls also help since it’s easy to string together wall runs, dashes, and grapples while chopping up enemies. Your mileage may vary at the checkpoints. They feel appropriate in some boss encounters, ensuring you don’t have to keep repeating entire sections because you made one mistake. However, you feel the burn when attempting to clear a room with several enemies. Die once, even if it’s to the last foe, and you must do it all over again.

While I like the enemies and how they’re designed, with obvious tells but decent adjustments to their tactics, their placements in certain sections created some frustration. I can deal with facing multiple threats, but getting killed from across the map by an energy wave or laser just feels lame. They’re not overly difficult to deal with and pose a decent challenge with a balanced number of enemies.

It’s only when the game throws multiple types of enemies with long-range capabilities that they feel unfair. On the bright side, some new enemy types, like the Synths encountered in the wasteland, are fun to fight against, even if their gun-toting fodder is recycled from the Tower. I won’t go into much detail about the bosses, but there are some fantastic encounters.

"In terms of presentation, Ghostrunner 2 looks great. The neon lights and dark alleys of the Tower feel as lively as ever, reinforcing the dark future of humanity while still feeling sleek."

The biggest new addition to Ghostrunner 2 is the motorcycle, which Jack uses in fast-paced vehicular sections and to traverse the world outside the Tower. These levels are significantly larger in scale than anything from the previous game. While it feels good enough to control – backing it up is a pain but still realistic – the overall flow of these stages may not gel with everyone. The very first motorcycle section involves pursuing Mitra out of the Tower. It was featured in the demo and is quite spectacular once you get used to controlling the bike.

However, racing through the wasteland and passing nondescript buildings, stopping at intervals to open the way forward? It can get a bit tedious. Another section involves venturing to three different towers and into the Cybervoid, which is a better experience overall.

My only other complaint about the bike is its weapons, which have a slight deployment delay before they can begin firing. When dealing with creeps approaching at high speeds, it’s awkward to fire off at times. There’s another traversal mechanic encountered late into the game, which I won’t spoil. It takes a bit of getting used to, but feels quite good, almost transforming the movement you’ve gotten used to up to that point.

In terms of presentation, Ghostrunner 2 looks great. The neon lights and dark alleys of the Tower feel as lively as ever, reinforcing the dark future of humanity while still feeling sleek. I also appreciated the contrast of the outside – it’s barren and bleak, but the ruins are varied enough to not get boring. While I did run into some performance issues while traversing the larger sections, knocking down a few settings to Medium fixed this immediately.

"While I didn’t face any issues with falling through the level, some problems emerged when using Blink as an Ultimate."

The frame rate and optimization are smooth, even on a GeForce GTX 1060 (6 GB). As for the soundtrack, it’s pretty good overall. The synthwave feels on point throughout, whether it’s the steady beats as you casually parkour and murder enemies or the fast-paced tracks that hit during boss fights.

The original Ghostrunner had its fair share of issues with clipping and jank, and while the sequel feels polished enough, some unfortunate jank rears its head on occasion. While I didn’t face any issues with falling through the level, some problems emerged when using Blink as an Ultimate.

Sometimes, I would be stuck in place after executing the Ultimate, taking no damage from enemies until eventually dying. This same issue would emerge at certain points when getting off the motorcycle – it was an option, and I could very much stop, but since it wasn’t “intended,” movement was impossible. Nothing to do but get back on the bike and play the section “normally.”

Some of these issues are more annoying than others, but overall, this is a challenging game. While the gameplay will doubtless appeal to many, having to retry different sections after making one mistake or being even slightly late when parrying attacks, can get annoying.

"If you enjoyed the original or the demo, Ghostrunner 2 is a worthy follow-up. It looks great and controls well while delivering some stellar level design and boss fights."

After completing the game, you can return to previous stages and try to get a better time or scout for collectibles like Sword and Weapon skins, Motherboard Shards, Artifacts and whatnot. The optional challenges at certain points are also cool, providing some interesting twists on existing layouts, and there’s even an optional roguelike mode called Roguerunner.exe with branching paths, upgrades and different areas. It’s little more than four stages to complete throughout a run, but is an interesting side activity – hopefully, it gets expanded upon in future updates.

If you enjoyed the original or the demo, Ghostrunner 2 is a worthy follow-up. It looks great and controls well while delivering some stellar level design and boss fights. Even if some sections can feel overtuned in terms of enemies, the occasional jank emerges, or your human allies stare into your very soul with their near-blank expressions, this is a fast-paced action-adventure that shouldn’t be missed, if you can deal with the constant respawning.

This game was reviewed on PC.