Summary
Largely inspired by the popularity of martial arts films,the beat ‘em up genrewas pioneered by games likeKung Fu MasterandDouble Dragonin the 1980s. Known for fast-paced and hard-hitting action, entries in the genre have generally followed a side-scrolling arcade-style of gameplay, and it’s a formula that’s yielded continued success for decades.
Developers are always taking inspiration from one another and looking to innovate on existing concepts, so it’s only natural that some would take this popular style of combat and put it in a less linear setting. Here are some of the best open-world games featuring beat ‘em up combat, ranked based on a combination of their overall quality and the enjoyability of the hand-to-hand combat within them.
Based on the popular 1980smanga and anime series,Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradisefeatures gameplay mechanics akin to those of theYakuza/Like A Dragonseries. Set on Earth after an apocalyptic event, players can explore the wastelands and the idyllic city of Eden, pummeling a variety of enemies along the way.
Controlling franchise protagonist Kenshiro, the fictional combat style of Hokuto Shinken will be utilized to its fullest, with players unlocking new techniques as they progress through the game. The brutality and gore can be altered for individual preferences, and many minigames vary in quality, but ultimately, this adaptation stays true to its source material, even if it’s a bit rough around the edges.
Set in an enigmatic land known as Adal,Absolverputs playersin control of a masked amnesiac fighteras they seek to prove their value in combat, hoping to join the eponymous peacekeeping group. The large open world is full of secrets and shortcuts for players to utilize as they explore the land, battle enemies, and hone their hand-to-hand combat skills.
Enemies come in the form of NPCs and other players, though they could also be allies. Movesets are fully customizable as players find new combat cards throughout Adal and expand their arsenal of abilities. Emphasis is placed on stamina management and effective use of the four fighting stances, as these present different options depending on the phase of battle.
A spin-off of theYakuzaseries,Lost Judgmentis the sequel toJudgment, where players control private detective Takayuki Yagami as he investigates a series of murders. During his exploration of the familiar locations of Kamurocho and Isezaki Ijincho, Yagami must brawl with enemies, utilizing the two fighting styles of the previous game, plus some new styles introduced in this entry, depending on the situation.
The returning Crane style involves quick movements and is best used when tackling large groups of enemies, whereas Tiger Style is better for charging-up more powerful attacks against single opponents. The new Snake style allows Yagami to counterattack and even disarm opponents, and the optional DLC Boxing Style is tons of fun for strong and ridiculously powerful combos.
Regarded asone of the greatest games ever made in its time,Shenmuerevolutionized many aspects of open-world games, introducing a day-night cycle and NPCs with daily schedules. Set in 1986, teenager Ryo Hazuki investigates the circumstances of his father’s death, asking the locals of his hometown Yokosuka for information and assistance.
During these investigations, Ryo encounters many hostiles he must incapacitate with his martial arts skills. Sometimes, there are quick-time events in combat, but it’s generally similar to battles inVirtua Fighter, and Ryo can even practice techniques alone or with a friendly NPC. Throughout the course of a typical playthrough, he will learn new techniques and add to his already extensive repertoire.
Known asDowntown Nekketsu Monogatariin Japan andStreet Gangsin PAL regions,River City Ransomis one of the most famous games in the beat ‘em up genre. Released in 1989, it features similar fighting mechanics toDouble Dragon, such as the simple brawling attacks and the ability to use weapons, but in a fully explorable open-world setting.
Playing as high school students Alex and Ryan, the goal is to rescue Ryan’s girlfriend from Slick, a fellow student and leader of one of the many unique gangs encountered on the streets of River City. There are RPG mechanics too, since the two main characters can purchase items like books and spa treatments that give them new fighting abilities and restore or even increase their various stats.
A prequel to the original games,Yakuza 0takes place 17 years before the first entry during Japan’s bubble era, when asset prices rapidly increased in value. Playing as the regular series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu and recurring character Goro Majima, they are entangled in a conflict between various factions of the yakuza over an available piece of land.
Set in the fictional districts of Kamurocho and Sotenbori and alternating between the two main characters, players encounter enemies both randomly during exploration and at predetermined times in quests. Kiryu and Majima each possess their own unique fighting styles, which can be changed on the fly and are best employed in appropriate combat situations, such as Goro’s Slugger style when wielding a baseball bat.
The sequel toBatman: Arkham Asylumand the second part of theArkhamtrilogy,Batman: Arkham Cityboasts multiple playable characters and a large open-world setting. Set in the titular Arkham City,players may freely roam the metropolisfrom the very beginning as Bruce Wayne’s alter-ego — plus Catwoman and Robin are playable in separate DLC campaigns.
Combat is even better than in its predecessor, making use of the Freeflow combat system with new moves and gadgets for the vigilante to take advantage of. Combos engage Freeflow’s smooth combat and amassing more hits eventually allows players to quickly incapacitate enemies and even stun others nearby. Unlocking the Freeflow Focus ability causes Batman to experience combat in slow motion upon reaching a 12-hit combo.
Often feeling like an action film or even a classic martial arts movie,Sleeping Dogsfeatures some of gaming’s best unarmed combat in abeautiful and sprawling Hong Kong setting. From the early missions, players experience Wei Shen’s proficiency in martial arts as he brutally beats up members of rival triad gangs. He can disarm those holding weapons, smash his adversaries into environmental hazards, and even stun nearby aggressors when using particularly ferocious moves.
Outside missions, Wei Shen can also learn new damaging attacks at the various dojos located around the island, and he can brawl with six waves of progressively more difficult opponents in the four fight clubs. It’s highly recommended that Wei Shen makes use of the pork bun salespeople to keep his strength up for all the unarmed combat he engages in.
