Nothing quite captures the imagination like the duel, where two skilled warriors test theirsword-fighting skillsin an epic showdown. The warriors are Knights, Samurai, Jedi, Vikings, and any fighter seen in history, fantasy, or science fiction, battling in one-on-one duels or wars of epic scale.
Games let players jump right into the action, testing their reflexes against waves of enemies and fierce bosses. But what about other players? PvP sword-fighting games allow players to face each other with dodges, parries, feints, and other techniques that can gain the upper hand when used correctly.
Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlordis primarily a single-player strategyaction RPG, but there are a few multiplayer modes that allow for fights between players, from smaller battles to large-scale, objective-based sieges. Players can choose from a list of seven unique classes (for each faction) with different weapons and equipment. More traditional Knights wear heavy armor and carry straight swords and shields, while other classes wield heavy battleaxes or spears.
The combat itself involves players blocking and attacking in multiple directions to get past the opponent’s defenses. Armor also plays a role, with heavily armored players moving slower than lightly armored players. Damage has different affinities: pierce, cut, and blunt. Each one has advantages in different situations, making for dynamic gameplay.
Soulcaliburis along-running seriesof 3D fighting games famous for their extensive customization and character rosters. The 6th entry has incredibly varied options for weapons and attack styles, allowing for some stylish and satisfying swordplay. As a fighting game, players can only engage in one-on-one fights, which is perfect for the duelists out there.
Combat is based on combos, special moves, KOs, and ring-outs. The character creation system lets players recreate almost any character, create an original fighter, or edit one from the game’s roster. This customization extends to the moves available in the arena.
Hellish Quartis a dueling game focused onauthenticity and realism, incorporating historical European martial arts (or HEMA) and real fencing techniques into its gameplay. The physics-based combat is incredibly deadly, with one well-placed slash or stab proving fatal. Every move the player makes is a matter of life or death.
The game is in early access at the time of writing, but there are plans to fully implement online PvP. In the meantime, players can still enjoy couch multiplayer or fight online using Steam Remote Play Together. There is a growing roster of interesting characters, some inspired by real historical people, such as Alexander Dynis and Jacek Dydynski.
Elden Ringhas continued thesoulsborne traditionof invasions and has brought back the arena combat modes fromDark Souls 3, with a few refinements on both systems. One of the best things about the open-world entry is the massive number of weapon types, magic spells, and Ashes of War that players can bring to the fight.
The combat system is a love letter to every previous From Software game. It includes dodge rolls, parries, poise, stance meters, and new moves, like the Guard Counter and the Ash of War system. Ashes are special moves attributed to weapons, often dealing heavy damage to opponents. One favorite example is the Storm Assault, which launches the player into the air before crashing down with a deadly slash.
Chivalry 2is a multiplayer hack-and-slash game that puts players on a medieval battlefield. There are several game modes to play, ranging from objective-based sieges of massive scale to smaller deathmatches. There are four classes: the archer, footman, knight, and vanguard. Each one provides unique advantages in different situations and ranges.
The classes don’t limit player choice, because players can pick up almost anything they find on the battlefield and fight with it. Combat involves overhead, lunging, and slashing attacks. Players have many options for defense, including parrying, dodging, ducking, blocking, and more. The gameplay is very well suited to the chaotic battles and large maps thatChivalry 2offers.
Fans of medieval games often draw comparisons betweenMordhauandChivalry, two hack-and-slash titles with similar mechanics and a comedic backdrop to their game worlds.Mordhau’s gameplay takes a more technical approach to combat, with multi-directional attacks and feints.
This gameplay is well suited to smaller matches and duels, instead of massive frenzies. There is avast array of weaponsto learn and master, with other fun aspects of gameplay such as horse-mounted combat. Game modes with fewer players are whereMordhaushines, as the more focused duels let them test their technical skills and reflexes.
Ubisoft’s arena combat fighting game throws players into a world with Vikings, Knights, Samurai, and more, all testing their skills in battle with one another. There is a solid roster of unique character types, such as the longsword-wielding Warden, and the Arashuma carrying dual katanas. The deep technical combat system is the highlight ofFor Honor, with its 3-directional attack and defense.
This system is full of stylish combos, unblockable attacks, grabs, bashes, parries, dodges, and more, giving players countless ways to dispatch an opponent.For Honoris a dueling game, with 8-player matches being the limit. This doesn’t make the game any less exciting, as themore focused duelsare intense and require concentration and expert timing.
