From feudal Japan’s katana duels to medieval fantasy greatswords, these games deliver unparalleled blade-based combat. Below, we rank the top titles, breaking down their swordplay mechanics and standout features.
Top 10 Sword Combat Games
| Game & Platform | Swordplay Mechanics | Combat Style | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Elden Ring (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) | Katanas, curved swords, colossal greatswords with customisable ashes of war. | Slow, tactical, stamina-driven | Seamlessly switch between magic and melee; horseback sword clashes. |
| 2. Ghost of Tsushima (PS5, PS4) | Four stances (Stone, Water, Wind, Moon) to counter spearmen, shields, or brutes. | Precision parrying, duels | Lethal strikes: cinematic slow-motion kills after perfect parries. |
| 3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (PS4, Xbox) | Deflection system: timed blocks break enemy posture for instant kills. | Rhythm-based, high-risk | Prosthetic tools like the Loaded Axe to smash shields mid-combo. |
| 4. Dark Souls III (PS4, Xbox One) | Ultra Greatswords, rapiers, and twinblades with unique weapon arts. | Methodical, punishing | Trade health for damage with the Blessed Blade or Darkdrift. |
| 5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (PS5, Xbox) | Silver swords (monsters) and steel swords (humans) with whirlwind spin attacks. | Fluid, combo-focused | Oils and potions enhance blade damage against specific foes. |
| 6. For Honor (PS5, Xbox Series X/S) | Directional combat: block/attack in three stances (left, right, top). | Competitive, tactical | Samurai Kensei class wields nodachi; Viking Warlord uses broadsword and shield. |
| 7. Nioh 2 (PS5, PS4) | Switch between low stance (quick slashes) and high stance (heavy blows). | Stamina management, aggressive | Yokai Shift transforms you into a demon for devastating sword combos. |
| 8. Chivalry 2 (PS5, Xbox Series X/S) | Physics-based swings: drag or accelerate attacks for headshots or feints. | Chaotic, immersive | Decapitate foes with a well-aimed greatsword swing. |
| 9. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (Xbox) | Blade Mode: slow time to slice enemies into pieces. | Over-the-top, fast-paced | Parry missiles with your HF Murasama blade. |
| 10. Hollow Knight (Switch, PS4, Xbox) | Nail arts: charge attacks like the Great Slash for burst damage. | Tight, responsive | Upgrade your nail with Pale Ore; duel Mantis Lords in a rhythmic showdown. |
Key Mechanics Compared
| Game | Best For | Sword Customisation | UK Availability | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elden Ring | Open-world exploration | Weapon ashes, scaling | £59.99 (PS Store) | Pair a katana with Bloodhound’s Step for hit-and-run tactics. |
| Ghost of Tsushima | Samurai authenticity | Stance upgrades | Free on PS Plus Extra | Master the Water Stance to dismantle shielded enemies swiftly. |
| Sekiro | Precision duels | Prosthetic tools | £34.99 (Xbox Store) | Deflect every hit in Genichiro’s flurry to break his posture instantly. |
| For Honor | Multiplayer rivalry | Hero-specific weapons | £24.99 (Amazon UK) | Feint heavy attacks with the Kensei to bait opponents into parrying early. |
| Hollow Knight | Indie charm | Nail upgrades | £15.99 (Nintendo eShop) | Use Quick Slash charm to spam attacks during boss staggers. |
Why These Games Stand Out
- Realism vs. Fantasy: Ghost of Tsushima nails historical katana techniques, while Elden Ring lets you wield a flaming greatsword against dragons.
- Multiplayer Depth: For Honor and Chivalry 2 thrive on player skill, with directional blocking and feints adding chess-like strategy.
- Single-Player Mastery: Sekiro’s deflection system and Nioh 2’s stance-switching demand pixel-perfect timing.
Where to Buy:
- Physical Copies: Game, CeX, or Amazon UK.
- Digital: PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, or Nintendo eShop.
Final Tip: For Elden Ring and Dark Souls III, consider a quality gaming monitor (e.g., ASUS ROG Swift) to nail frame-perfect parries.
Whether you crave the weight of a claymore or the finesse of a katana, these games prove the sword remains gaming’s most versatile weapon.
