Melee Combat
Ongoing coverage on Melee Combat.
Latest coverage
Fantasy sandbox Everwind gives a sneak peek of its new Arcanist starting area and claw weapons
Developer Enjoy Studio has provided a preview of an upcoming update for the fantasy sandbox game Everwind. The update will introduce a new Arcanist starting area, claw weapons for fast close-range combat, parrots and vultures, shield stands, improved leveling, and plant protection.
Blending Deus Ex with Escape from Butcher Bay, Deficit is one of the best-feeling indie immersive sims I've played—even if the stealth system needs serious work
Deficit, an upcoming immersive sim from Item42, offers a highly physical and satisfying combat experience reminiscent of The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, with impactful melee and reactive environments. While the game draws clear inspiration from Deus Ex, its stealth mechanics are currently problematic and require significant improvement. Despite these issues, the demo is playable and showcases strong potential for the full release.
PUBG's new spin-off game is 'faster, meaner, and more aggressive' with sword hands and 'a little bit…
PUBG Studios and Krafton have revealed PUBG: DED NET, a new '90s-set roguelite FPS spin-off that is described as faster, meaner, and more aggressive than the original PUBG. Creative director Dave Curd highlighted features like build variety, 'sword hands' for melee combat, and a soundtrack featuring grunge and hip-hop.
Control Resonant Looks Better Every Single Time We See It
Control Resonant appears to be a significant evolution of Remedy's formula, shifting focus from the environment to character-driven narrative with Dylan Faden. The sequel introduces deeper RPG systems, close-quarters melee combat, and open-ended exploration within its unique, reality-bending Manhattan setting.
Dungeon Quest Reborn Skills Tier List [Best Melee and Tank Abilities]
This guide provides a tier list for skills in Dungeon Quest Reborn, focusing on melee and tank abilities. It ranks skills from S to D tier, detailing their type, rarity, and effects, with S tier abilities like Gravity Leap and Yokai Transformation highlighted for their damage, buffs, and utility.
I hope the backyard wrestling GTA 6 showed is more than a narrative detail
This article discusses the potential for backyard wrestling to be a more significant gameplay element in Grand Theft Auto 6, beyond a brief cutscene appearance. The author expresses a desire for a more robust melee system, referencing The Warriors as a positive example of Rockstar Games' combat design. The piece also touches on the cultural relevance of wrestling in Florida and suggests various ways the mechanic could be implemented.
Path of Exile 2's melee options have "been a bit deficient," but that changes with 1.0
Grinding Gear Games director Jonathan Rogers acknowledges that Path of Exile 2's melee options have been deficient, particularly the lack of swords, but assures that version 1.0 will address this. He discusses the challenges in developing melee classes like the Duelist due to animation complexity and the team's efforts to create engaging sword combat and iconic skills like Cyclone.
Silent Hill: Townfall's latest gameplay trailer reminds me why the series shouldn't have guns
A new 18-minute gameplay trailer for Silent Hill: Townfall showcases protagonist Simon Ordell navigating the hostile town of St. Amelia. The author expresses a preference for the game's melee combat over firearms, arguing that guns can diminish the series' signature tension and fear. While acknowledging other horror games like Amnesia: The Bunker can balance guns with stress, the article suggests Townfall would be more effective with minimal firearms and a greater emphasis on close-quarters combat and stealth.
"The world's becoming so bleak": How Soulframe hopes to escape Warframe's shadow, with a little insight from Elden Ring
Digital Extremes is developing Soulframe, a new fantasy RPG that aims to differentiate itself from their popular live service game, Warframe. While taking some inspiration from Elden Ring for its methodical melee combat, Soulframe focuses on a more hopeful and inspirational tone compared to the bleakness of the real world and Warframe's sci-fi setting. The studio is also experimenting with its live service model, aiming for larger, more impactful updates early in Soulframe's development.
Rasen – Open Beta | Alpha Beta Gamer
Rasen is an atmospheric melee combat game featuring both PvP and PvE arena battles where precision and timing are key. Players can choose from various characters and engage in duels, clashes, and deathmatches with up to eight players, utilizing a combat system focused on parrying, blocking, dodging, and counters. The game also features a Beast Mode and GGPO-style rollback netcode for responsive online matches.
Control Resonant Wants 'To Challenge' What’s Come Before In Action Games — IGN First
Remedy Entertainment aims to innovate within the action game genre, particularly focusing on challenging established conventions in melee combat. This deep dive explores the studio's approach to developing fresh mechanics for their upcoming titles.
The surviving Tree of Savior introduces its hard-hitting Executor class
The imcGAMES-run version of Tree of Savior has introduced a new "Executor" class. This hard-hitting melee fighter wields a giant phantom greatsword, engaging in explosive combos and destructive close combat. The class arrived alongside a "Popo Boost event" to aid player progression.
Control Resonant's story will take around 30 hours, Remedy says, with completionists looking at 50-hour runs
Remedy Entertainment has revealed that Control Resonant's main story will take approximately 30 hours to complete, with full completion runs estimated at around 50 hours. Lead gameplay designer Sergey Mohov also discussed the game's evolution towards more aggressive, melee-focused combat, drawing inspiration from the original Control and titles like Devil May Cry. Control Resonant is set to release on September 24 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Hack And Bash: How 007 First Light Mixes High-Tech Gadgets With Old-School Brawling
007 First Light distinguishes itself by focusing on physical brawling combat over traditional shooting, reflecting Bond's origin story. Senior combat designer Tom Marcham explains how the team drew inspiration from Daniel Craig's movies and martial arts games like Sifu and Sleeping Dogs to create a grounded, improvisational fighting system. The game also balances stealth, shooting, and melee, with inspirations from titles like Batman: Arkham Asylum and Vanquish, aiming for broad accessibility.
PUNCH ARENA – Open Beta | Alpha Beta Gamer
PUNCH ARENA is a new physics-based battle royale brawler featuring elastic punches as projectiles and a blend of shooter and melee combat. Players customize skills like hit power and arm length using points earned in matches, with random map layouts and game modes ensuring variety. An open beta is currently available, allowing players to request access.
The Finals Season 11 goes galactic with a reworked melee system
The Finals' upcoming Season 11, titled Galaxy Masters, introduces a galactic theme with a new map, Galaxy Estates, featuring speed tunnels and anti-gravity sections. The season also brings a significant rework to melee combat with a new stamina system for lunges and a precision-based damage system. Additionally, a new player experience will allow newcomers to build confidence against bots before facing human competition.
How to use the Rapier in White Knuckle
This guide explains how to effectively use the Rapier weapon within the game White Knuckle. The article focuses on employing this melee weapon to navigate and overcome challenges in the game's underground environments.
Blending my way through Hive Tertium's tunnels as a towering murderbot might make the Skitarii my favorite Darktide…
The new Skitarii class in Warhammer 40,000: Darktide offers a unique and imposing playstyle, standing taller than other human classes and featuring customizable cybernetic enhancements. Players can choose from various abilities and weapons, including the Chordclaw and Galvanic Rifle, with a unique radial skill tree that provides more player freedom and encourages experimentation with charge mechanics and elemental effects.
Best Darktide Skitarii build
This guide details the best Skitarii build for Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, focusing on the Chordclaw ability and critical hits for damage bonuses and ability regeneration. It recommends specific weapons, blessings, perks, and talents to maximize melee effectiveness and survivability.
BREKEKEKEX – Alpha Demo | Alpha Beta Gamer
BREKEKEKEX is a third-person action brawler featuring fast-paced melee combat and a free-aim camera system. The game emphasizes player skill and weapon weight over stats or skill trees, with multiple characters planned for the full release. An alpha demo is available for download on Steam.
