Different Weapon Styles in Games

[Hikari.EXE]

Ah yes, the tool of the warrior, a sword! Sharp, pointy and reliable... But also boring.
Let's be real, who picks swords in games? Maybe it's a bigger sword, or maybe you wield 2 of them, or maybe you just like the ol' reliable, who knows! But one thing is certain, there are many different weapon types in games, and in some, even similar weapons have different movesets, how exciting!
Do you have a favorite weapon that's well represented in media? Or maybe one that's not so much, are they well researched? or too fantastical? Either way, I want to hear what you have to say about these martial tools.

 

[DunkeyKong]

Sword with guns, or I guess Gunlance in Monster Hunter

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

I like picking swords on most RPGs due to the speed which with they can be swung at the enemies. You can even chain multiple moves on an almost stylish way while keeping both offense and defense covered.

But my favorite weapon in games is the shotgun, and I'm glad that they been kept universally grounded around decades of gaming. No game acts like you can kill at enemy at medium/large range with a shotgun, but they understand that a single blast should wreck your day at short range.

 

[RustySK]

I'm a sucker for boxer characters or fist weapons in general - Akihiko in Persona 4 Arena or that Squirrel Girl in Blazblue, that sort of thing.

Tends to be a pretty suboptimal choice most of the time, usually with terrible range and damage in exchange for fast speeds, but I love the aesthetic.

Every other character is taking things seriously, while you're just styling on people. Still waiting on a weapon to top Lucifer from DMC 4 in that regard though.

 

[DunkeyKong]

I like picking swords on most RPGs due to the speed which with they can be swung at the enemies. You can even chain multiple moves on an almost stylish way while keeping both offense and defense covered.

But my favorite weapon in games is the shotgun, and I'm glad that they been kept universally grounded around decades of gaming. No game acts like you can kill at enemy at medium/large range with a shotgun, but they understand that a single blast should wreck your day at short range.

Ah the mighty shotgun and Doom, match in heaven (rip and tear!)

 

[psvitaforever]

In Toukiden Kiwami I've chosen the two knives, in Phantasy Star 2 for PSP the greatsword :)

 

[Hikari.EXE]

Nice responses from all, personally I prefer a more "exotic" aproach to weaponry. I really like the industrial power tool asthetic, weapons that originally weren't meant to be weapons, few examples like: Plasma Cutter (Dead Space)

Black Steel Cutter (Lies of P)

Logarius Wheel (Bloodborne)

and many others.

 

[Cris_Agev]

I'm a classic guy so I always go either sword&shield to be in front of the line or great sword. I like close combat plus with the excuse of magic, technology, or... weird acrobatics devs make some really beautiful movements and attacks.

Even in L4D2 I was using a katana slashing all the zombies and bathing in their blood.
Also sword can be beautiful, for example she is a sword and you can end up dating you sword... thanks Japan????...

 

[tertura]

I randomly saw this thread on the sidebar and it made me realise: while shooters will often feature a variety of firearms, all designed to be as unique as can be, most melee-focused games just give you a sword, maybe of a quirky variety but still a sword, and many weapons you'd think would be popular like axes and lances rarely see much use. And while I can somewhat understand why it's that way for lances ("poke a guy until he dies while trying to keep out of his range" doesn't make for very compelling gameplay), it's a shame axes aren't used as the shotguns of the melee world like they should be!

 

[Hikari.EXE]

it's a shame axes aren't used as the shotguns of the melee world like they should be!

Well, theoretically, axes do work like shotguns in that they have a higher stopping power, but in a scenario where everyone is close ranged, the axe has its draw backs for being too slow. If you can hit someone, great they'll go down in an instant, if not, you'll be exposed to a critical counter.

 

[Enian]

Personally, I like comically large guns and weapons. They are rare in video games and even other media due to how impractical they would be. But man, they look awesome.

Imagine a Call of Duty with handcannons the size of buildings.

 

[beefbowl]

I either like rocket launchers or unarmed combat. No in-between for me. Swords are just glorified baseball bats in video games, they rarely have cool movesets. Unarmed combat can be more interesting, if acrobatics are incorporated.
Also grappling hook weapons are really cool to watch. I am not that skilled so I generally skip those in shooters.

 

[Cu-Neo]

I Always have been a fan of big swords and double swords/knifes in Videogames but one of my favorite weapons of all time is Nevan of DMC 3: an electric Guitar that can invoque bats and also becomes a scythe in some combos. Also Cerberus is pretty cool too

 

[Stookymalarkey]

Basically Kiryu Kazuma's moveset in the Yakuza games. Nothing like drop kicking a goon and then suplexing his buddy onto a guardrail.

 

[Zemus]

Sephiroth's sword, off the top of my head (I hope that's not literally!)



Also Zabuza and Kisame's swords, since I loved using them in the Clash of Ninja games.

 

[Mecharocca]

Meteor, Ready?

But seriously though, guns or polearm weapons. Ranged physical? Yes.

 

[Inkingsama]

But seriously though, guns or polearm weapons. Ranged physical? Yes.

Nothing like a good halberd.

 

[nachito]

I like the switchglaive from nioh 2

Also the kusarigama

 

[Hikari.EXE]

I was just thinking about Nioh when I made this thread, this game gave the most diverse weapon roster for any game.

 

[Octopus]

I was just thinking about Nioh when I made this thread, this game gave the most diverse weapon roster for any game.

And they all play beautifully and feel unique too. Nioh 2 was so good, man.

If a game has unarmed, that's my immediate go to. I'm not really into the whole dual wielding thing unless its pistols, then it's based. I really like tonfas but outside of Team Ninja games it's a very rare weapon, same with kusarigama; Ninja Gaiden 2 first showed me the way on that one. Other than those, I like ranged weapons too whether it's bows or some form of gun.

In Monster Hunter I'm a lowly scumbag bow main but I also love S+S, both bowguns and the lance and love to fuck around with the insect glaive whenever I get bored of the other stuff.

 

[Ailuropoda Melanoleuca]

Swords are my go-to more often than not simply by default: either because other options aren't present, or are so clearly suboptimal one wonders why they were included in the first place.

That said, when well-implmeneted in a game, big blunt weapons are THE BEST. Like a heavy warhammer or mace than can just instantly shatter armor, or take out enemies in a single hit. So much fun. And in a particular breed of action games (you know the one) it's hard to beat spears, simply because of how they're greater reach can make them pretty OP.

 

[Boo Man]

2H battle staff