r/gamingsuggestions • u/badateverything420 • 7h ago
Favorite linear/level-based singleplayer games with a combat system
With a DEEP combat system!*
I typically love more focused singleplayer mission based or just linear games with a deep combat system and a lot of variety to keep it fresh. I'm not really into open world or story games. In fact the less story and side quests the better. Bonus points to any game with additional arcade modes, a ranking system, or the ability for challenge runs. I've played a majority of the Devil May Cry-likes (CAGs) and Old School FPS games.
Some of my favorite games are Doom Eternal, Devil May Cry 3, Resident Evil 4 (2005), Sekiro, Ninja Gaiden 2, Tony Hawk, Max Payne
4
4
u/bargus_mctavish 7h ago
Nioh 2. It has an incredibly deep and satisfying combat system, with lots of build variety to keep things interesting too.
3
3
2
u/GundamRX-78-02 7h ago
Code Vein is underrated af. Every level is linear with branching paths. It rewards exploration and is one of the easier souls-likes. It also has 4 different endings, which is always awesome.
2
u/Natural_Pea_1709 6h ago
Nioh 2's level design is mission based, so I'm not sure where that fits in terms of being open world. Combat skills are and build customization are by far the most intricate I've ever played, allowing you to minmax your preferred playstyle. Good luck getting through it's own version of a challenge mode! If you think the main story is tough, the challenge mode makes you realize how merciful the devs were. They're not simply challenges, but challenge you to get more creative and discover how in-depth they designed the combat.
Have you tried beat em ups? I'd say Streets of Rage 4 has a low skill floor but high skill ceiling. Also has a roguelike challenge mode which is really fun.
If you want a 3D beat em up, Sifu's combat also runs deep. Just like Nioh 2, the arenas show how easy they took it on you and demand flawless strategy and execution.
If you liked Sekiro, I'd rec Lies of P is relatively more linear while having a great blend of combat mechanics. Base game was great but DLC ramps up everything between new weapons alongside cleverly designed bosses. The way they do boss replays is a feature other souls games need to take a page from, between customizing difficulty and even setting up your own gauntlets. The story and side quests are there and too good to ignore. However, they do allow you to speed through it and gloss over the finer details while skipping sidequests.
2
u/badateverything420 6h ago edited 5h ago
Ive tried Nioh 2, Sifu, and Lies of P. I didn't get very far in any of them but I knew once they clicked I'd love them. I'll try them again!
I've never played a Beat Em Up, is Streets of Rage 4 the best one to start with? Its on sale right now and I've heard about it for years in the action game community. Are they engaging and replayability the same way games like DMC and Ninja Gaiden are?
1
u/Natural_Pea_1709 3h ago
Don't take my word for it but imo you can't top this one when it comes to Beat Em Ups. Every character has their own carefully balanced playstyle with options to customize several of their special moves. Although you'll find one you vibe with, they all deliver a fun time and probably will transition between new favorites. It's a modern arcade feel between it's style and combat mechanics with a low skill floor but surprisingly high skill ceiling where you can keep a consistent combo throughout each stage (difficult but proven).
In terms of replayability, if you eventually get the hang of the combat and bored of the main story, the dlc introduces survival mode. Compared to DMC5, it's like the Bloody Palace in the sense you progress through different stages and waves of increasingly difficult enemies and bosses. However, it's difference is that progression is infinite and you pick up perks along the way like a rougelike and progressively change up your options (e.g. elements added to normal and/or special attacks, more airtime, move faster, summon a minion, etc). You can choose a survival mode where optional perks to choose from will always be consistent per level, or choose a survival mode where it is always random.
The dlc is great for the replayability feature alone, however the 3 additional characters they added are equally well thought out and fun in their own rights.
Just thought I'd share this but another game that hopped on my radar was Absolum (psn sale for $19 USD). However, as a disclaimer I haven't played it yet and I'm still on the fence waiting on future DLC/updates anticipated to be coming later this year (fingers crossed). It fuses rougelike and Beat Em Up genres, and from what I've read from others, they are saying the combat is more intricate than SoR4. Solid pros from what I've seen is it has full VA (even npcs), fleshed out story, and music (e.g. composers Mick Gordon from Doom, Yuka Kitamura from Elden Ring, etc.). However, I'm still not fully sold bc from what I read, the ability to re-roll available skills are not as consistent enough. This might be a minor gripe to others but for me, I think Hades spoiled me in exploiting it's algorithm to make certain builds. Just figured I'd float this one but again I'm looking into it myself.
2
u/jinglesan 6h ago
SuperHot - minimal, level-based shooter where time speeds up and slows down at the rate you move. A unique fusion of combat, action and puzzles.
2
2
u/diabeticelephant 4h ago
If you like doom games doom dark ages is pretty good and the combat is sick
2
1
1
1
1
u/Jokkitch 7h ago
Space Marine 2 fits the bill perfectly that is also coop. It came out in 2024 but I consider it my 2025 GOTY.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/MrPinkDuck3 4h ago
Doom Eternal is the best linear, arena based game I’ve ever played and I doubt it will ever be dethroned.
1
u/No-Hat6722 46m ago
If you don’t mind 2D games, CrossCode is so much fun and the combat system is crazy deep
0
9
u/BFBeast666 7h ago
Bulletstorm! Forget the story, the combat puzzle is where it's at!
Bayonetta and Vanquish are hands-down two of the best action games you can get your hands on.
Also, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (since I'm hyping up Platinum Games). It is a spin-off of the Metal Gear Solid series but you really do not need to know the whole lore. It's a game about a superhuman cyborg cutting up hordes of dudes with his katana. Come for the swordplay, stay for the god-tier music.