Whether you’re into fantasy or horror, action games have one thing in common: grueling combat sequences. First-person shooters rely heavily on skilled shooters to land each bullet, while other games have been known to get a bit more creative when it comes to weapon choices.
However, some games remove firearms altogether. Bullets are a rare commodity during a zombie apocalypse, and won’t exist at all if you’re playing a swashbuckling medieval title. Whether you go for stealth or close combat, here are some of the best shooter-free action games.
10 Forbidden Horizon West
If Legolas was always your favorite character in The Lord of the Rings, chances are you’re a huge fan of Horizon Forbidden West. This game is a clever fusion of historical fantasy and sci-fi, relying on your skill with a bow and arrow, spears, tripwires, and powerful courage surges to take down enemies instead of using gunpowder.
Sure, this one still involves marksman mechanics, but there’s something deeply satisfying and tactile about sinking that final arrow into a particularly strong enemy.
Third-person view means aiming down sights doesn’t obstruct your field of vision, so you can take in every detail of the stunning scenery.
9 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The White Wolf has long dominated the upper echelons of the world’s most beloved video games, and for good reason. The Witcher 3 has earned this spot not only for its story-rich world, but also for its dynamic gameplay. Fighting as Geralt involves using a myriad of swords that can be collected or crafted, as well as using potions, oils, and bombs to bring even the toughest monsters to their knees.
With such a vast arsenal at your fingertips, this is one game where you’ll never wish you had a shotgun by your side. Although, Geralt would look good in a holster. Just say.
8 Plague Tale: Innocence
Equal parts poignant, terrifying, and exciting, Amicia and her brother Hugo’s journey in A Plague Tale: Innocence will have your heart in your throat as you worry for the safety of your young protagonists. In the rat-infested wastelands of 1300 France, you have little left to fend off the gnashing maw of the sentient manta that follows you wherever you go.
Amicia uses arcane bombs that she can craft using found objects, while poor Hugo takes advantage of a rare ability that has made him the number one target of the Emperor. If stealth and survival games are your thing, you’ll need a bigger mug.
7 Detroit: Become Human
An interactive behemoth that essentially lets you choose your own ending, Detroit: Become Human has a staggering number of possible storylines depending on decisions made at crucial points. The action in this game comes from quick-time events throughout the game, forcing you to make snap judgments against a timer that will decide for you if you don’t move quickly.
Although buddy cop duo Connor and Hank wield guns at various points (and Kara too, if you follow a certain route in the early stages of the game), you’ll never have to aim and shoot anyone. This offers a new perspective to fans of tried and tested shooters, allowing them to view the action as an omnipotent outsider rather than stepping into each character’s shoes. It’s an emotional thing for sure.
6 The forest
Not just another zombie game, The Forest pits you against hordes of cannibals who would love nothing more than to disembowel you on sight and suck your guts out. The variety of weapons is strange. Go classic with a bow and arrow, grab a severed arm to slap your enemies across the face, or light a Molotov cocktail and rain down some hellfire on the bone-crushing mutants of this remote island you’ve been stranded on.
It’s possible to gather the materials to make a weapon, but honestly, you don’t need one. Upgrading lower level spears can triple their damage and effectiveness, so The Forest’s crafting items prove you don’t need bullets when melee weapons can be even more aggressive.
5 God of War
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If you’ve ever wanted to step into the shoes of a Greek god, you’ve no doubt heard of God Of War. Traveling with Kratos and his son Atreus means you don’t need puny mortal creations like guns and ammunition, especially when you have the power of Olympus at your side in the form of the world’s most legendary weapons.
From axes to bows and almighty swords, there is no shortage of cheeky weaponry in this single installment of the popular game series. You’ll wish you could don the wings of a Valkyrie yourself after you finish playing this one.
4 dying light
There’s something delightfully primal about stomping on the undead, and that’s something both Dying Light games appreciate. This game wrote the book on the mechanics of parkour in action games, letting you jump over hordes of zombies before crushing them with whatever brutal makeshift weapons you’ve prepared in the crafting menu.
Decapitate your enemies with a razor-sharp machete, or pump them with enough electrical volts to fry them ten times over – the choice is yours in this open-world survival horror title, where gravity is no match for a pile of junk. placed. . Dying Light is another game where weapons are optional in case you find yourself in a pinch, but for the most part completely unnecessary.
3 bloodrayne
Half-human, half-vampire hybrids rule BloodRayne, whether you play Terminal Cut or ReVamped. You’ve got the Carpathian dragon pistols, which draw a bit of blood instead of using bullets, but your main ports of call will be Rayne’s beloved swords, high kicks, and the ability to feed on enemies to restore your health.
Clever combat mechanics and satisfying gore spurts make this a delight for any gore fan, with the blades moving so quickly and fluidly that you’ll struggle to find the moment when firing your pistols crosses your mind.
two Ghostwire: Tokyo
Bullets mean nothing in this dystopian iteration of Shibuya in Ghostwire: Tokyo. The Visitors are here, and they’re not going anywhere in a hurry. Instead of weapons, you are armed with the ability to weave attacks through the air, dealing enemies different types of damage.
You can level up certain abilities to give your powers a huge boost and gain more insight into your surroundings, including abilities like Spectral Vision, Wire In, and Ether Shakedown. Although these combat mechanics take some time to master, there’s no doubt that they offer a refreshing departure from the usual gun-toting approach of action games.
1 elden ring
Like other Souls games, Elden Ring is like Marmite: either you love it or you hate it. However, this list won’t address the divisive nature of this particularly punishing melee action game; he’ll just praise him for having some truly minions melee mechanics. Whether he wields a great two-handed sword or strikes enemies from atop his noble steed, Torrent, there are plenty of ways to approach battle in the expansive world of The Lands Between.
Choosing a character class early on and taking note of their stats is just surfacing; you’ll need to level up your skills with Harvested Grace if you want to look anything like an Elden Lord. With no rifle in sight, you’ll rely on swords and magical arts to defeat mystical enemies and invaders. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you’re a keen gamer who loves a sizable challenge, you’ve probably already tried Elden Ring.
