7 best brawler games with incredible melee combat to play in 2024
Brawler games have been a major part of the melee combat genre in video gaming. Channeling your pugilistic intent with your fists alone is a feeling that is as primal as it is brutal. Many games have been released that channel this feeling just right, where fighting your enemies with just your knuckledusters has as much depth as any other character action game.
With character action games on the rise, here are seven incredible brawler games with rewarding melee combat to play in 2024.
Note: This article is purely subjective and reflects the writer's opinions.
Exploring 7 best brawler games with incredible melee combat you can play in 2024
1) Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
Spider-Man has been a host to many incredible interpretations, each with its unique take on the arachnid teen's physical prowess. While Insomniac's Spider-Man franchise has polished its gameplay to a tee, it cannot match the fantastical creativity of Beenox's first entry into its repertoire of Spider-Man series. Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions focuses on the Spider-Men's endeavors to collect the Tablet of Order and Chaos.
Shattered Dimensions focused on four different Spider-Men, each with its unique fighting style and abilities. Whether it be the Amazing's web-infused attacks, Spider-Man 2099's agile reflexes, Ultimate's crowd-controlling prowess, or Noir's focus on stealth, each Spider-Man feels refreshing to play, providing a change of pace with each succeeding level.
If you want to play brawler games with distinct superheroes, satisfying melee combat, and a wide roster of moves that build on the essence of its characters, Shattered Dimensions should be the pick for you.
2) God Hand
Shinji Mikami is one of many legendary directors who can be credited with various revolutions in the gaming industry. Mikami was involved with many exceptional projects, whether it be Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, Devil May Cry, Phoenix Wright, Killer7, Vanquish, and what can be considered one of the best brawler games to ever be released, God Hand.
Although limited by the technology of its time, God Hand has one of the most in-depth melee combat systems. Players can start by assigning any particular attack to one of the three available buttons. Each attack has its context, where it can either stun, juggle, break guards, launch, or trip enemies. There are also various unique enemies to test your combat against, providing a pure combat sandbox experience.
God Hand is a perfect title for players wanting brawler games that test their combat prowess in a tough-as-nails combat system with hard-hitting enemies.
3) Sleeping Dogs
The True Crime series was one of the heavy hitters in the 2000s. However, the dark and gritty counterpart to the GTA franchise started to lose its footing due to its disappointing commercial figures, resulting in its third game being stuck in development hell, until what would eventually become Sleeping Dogs. The title would focus on Wei Shen, trying to infiltrate the Yee Triad organization.
The game's melee combat takes inspiration from Batman: Arkham Asylum, but provides its own brutal and grounded take on the latter's system. Wei can attack, counter, and use grapple-based moves, including environmental takedowns, which see him use various surrounding objects to decimate his foes. The game is open-world, with you running around trying to balance both your police and triad reputation.
Players wanting brawler games with a brutal, gritty, and grounded setting with a focus on martial arts will thoroughly enjoy Sleeping Dogs.
4) Yakuza 0
When it comes to brawler games, very few can match the varied and over-the-top gameplay of the Yakuza games. Before the series shifted gears with Yakuza 7, it focused on Kazuma Kiryu's conflicts within the Japanese Yakuza mob family. While the Yakuza franchise has titles with incredibly strong gameplay, Yakuza 0 is considered one of the best.
The prequel focuses on both Kiryu and Majima, a series first, with both having three unique melee combat styles and a fourth secret legend style. The series focuses on attacking and dodging, along with the use of breakable weapons and firearms. As such, the series provides a lot of diverse and distinct options for players to take care of their foes, some of them filled with the signature Yakuza wacky spice.
Yakuza 0 is perfect for players wanting brawler games with a varied moveset, an impressive narrative, and a tone that tap-dances on seriousness and being borderline goofy.
5) Sifu
Sloclap has always been an underdog when it comes to developing games with a satisfying combat system, whether it be Absolver, or their 2022 release, Sifu. The game focuses on the son of a Sifu (martial arts master), who goes on a quest for revenge against five people who were responsible for his father's death.
Sifu focuses on Bak Mei kung-fu, featuring over 140 unique attacks. The game has a melee combat system similar to Sekiro, where players can either deplete the enemy's health or stamina gauge to defeat them. Impetus is put on player positioning and crowd management, along with deflecting or parrying attacks. The game provides a skill check to many players during each boss encounter, who wield a unique weapon.
6) Hellboy: Web of Wyrd
Things have not been great for Hellboy. While its earlier games were subject to mediocrity, its latest venture, Mike Mignola's Web of Wyrd, went under many people's radars, even though it shouldn't have. The game focuses on Hellboy, who is sent to investigate the mysterious realm of the Wyrd after a B.R.P.D. officer goes missing.
Players will be immediately impressed by the game's jaw-dropping art direction, replicating Mignola's comic style to a tee. However, its combat isn't lagging behind. The game mixes melee combat with ranged attacks to create a smooth flow of action, with diverse weapons and charms, each beautifully blending together.
If you're looking for brawler games where both melee and ranged attacks are vital, with a grungy cel-shaded art style, then Web of Wyrd is perfect for you.
7) Batman: Arkham Knight
In a list of melee brawlers, it is never a question of if an Arkham game will come, but when. Rocksteady's revolutionary action-adventure franchise has had a gigantic effect throughout the action industry. This all culminated in the final entry of the franchise, where the studio learned everything from their past ventures to create one of the greatest melee combat games to ever release.
Batman: Arkham Knight builds upon its predecessors to create a combat system with both extrinsic and intrinsic depth. Attacking and Countering are blended perfectly with incredible animations, showcasing the combat prowess of the caped crusader, while adding a diverse roster of villains and henchmen to fight against. The game provides a thrill that other games can on think of giving.
Players who want brawler games with a fast-paced melee combat system that encourages split-second decisions, and is filled with tons of weapons and abilities to experiment against a variety of foes, then Arkham Knight is your game.
Those were seven amazing brawler games with satisfying melee combat systems to play in 2024.