In medieval and medieval open world fantasy games, sword fighting will always be one of the most exciting things. While some can only offer a simple slash, block and parry system, other games offer complex sword fights where timing is everything and various combos can overcome staunch defenses if used correctly.
In some of these games, especially those based entirely on medieval history, swordplay can be more realistic, which may or may not be to everyone's liking. In others, players can expect ridiculously large swords, fancy combos, and endless fun on top of plenty of skill displays.
Elden Ring
Challenging fencing where timing is key
Elden Ring is not a game for the faint of heart, though its open-world nature allows players to grind and level up before taking on bosses if they so desire. It is also one of the best open world games with sword fighting, although there are plenty of other weapon types and playstyles available.
Fencing in Elden Ring he can be slow and methodical with Colossal Swords, with timing being key between boss attacks and parrying is also important. It can also be more hectic with lots of flourishes when using katanas, shortswords and longswords, especially when infused with certain Ashes of War that give the swords new abilities. Some bosses and many normal enemies also fight with swords, though their attacks are often more lethal during epic sword fights.
The Witcher 3
Geralt of Rivia is known for his two swords
While in many medieval fantasy games players may choose to wield a spear, mace, or other weapon instead of a sword, Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher 3 only uses swords except crossbow for ranged attacks. In fact, the White Wolf always carries two swords on his back, steel for humans and animals and silver for monsters.
The sword fighting is extremely fun without being overly complicated, and players should be able to find a level that suits them as there are several difficulties to choose from. Expect lots of twists, long slashes, and swordplay that often feels like a dance, especially after unlocking Geralt's best moves. His magic abilities and potions also shake up the fight, and fighting armored men in arms is completely different than fighting countless monsters.
Ghost Of Tsushima
Japanese inspired sword fighting
As many open world sword fighting games are inspired by combat from European history, players can enjoy a change in style in the game such as Ghost of Tsushimawhich takes place in Japan. While not entirely realistic, fighting with katanas and other types of swords is undoubtedly fun and highly rewarding for those with good reflexes.
While defending the island of Tsushima from the Mongol storm, players will mostly face enemies who also wield swords, resulting in engaging combat. The animations are also great, especially when the katanas are drawn from the side before the enemy opens up barely half a second later. There's a lot of rolling on the floor, spinning and all that fun stuff.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Authentic first-person medieval sword fighting
If players are looking for realistic sword fighting in an open world game, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is the answer, as with anything medieval. In this game, swords don't cut through armor like butter, and Henry can't take on large groups of gunmen by himself. A directional system is used where players can change their stance and where they strike from.
They will need to find gaps in their opponents' defenses while making sure they block or parry all incoming strikes. This is all in first person. In addition, the only way to improve Henry's swordsmanship is to train in battle arenas, and this time is also dedicated to improving the player's skills. There are also combos you can learn based on actual techniques from the manuscripts. Henry can even join the Swordsman's Guild in Kuttenberg through the “Ars Dimicatoria” quest, which eventually leads to weekly tournaments.
Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord
Medieval war sandbox game with huge battles
For those who want to experience life as a medieval soldier, mercenary or bandit, Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord is a game that turns such dreams into reality. It's a huge open-world sandbox game where players can do whatever they want, both offline in their own world and online with others. Huge battles, sieges and deadly duels are the main part of the game, which makes sword fighting quite complex and rewarding.
For starters, players will need to block with their sword or shield in one of four directions, depending on where they see their opponent attacking. This means that players have to actually pay attention rather than just hitting the block button at the right time. Attacking with a sword or other weapons follows a similar pattern, with players having to shake up what angle they're attacking from to catch the enemy off guard. Bannerlord's You can enjoy the combat in first or third person.
Rise Of The Ronin
Extremely flamboyant fencing in 19th century Japan
Set in mid-19th century Japan, Rise of the Ronin offers swordplay in a more modern setting, and yet its historical background doesn't stop it from being flashy. The combat is far from realistic with lots of abilities and combos, but this makes for some of the most fun sword fights in open world games.
Players can fly across the screen to their opponent, flip in the air, and pull out a secondary weapon before impaling. Sword effects add to the beauty of in-game combat, making every katana slash even more epic.
