Is there anything more impressive in a video game than facing down impossible odds or an overwhelming boss and emerging victorious? From tooth-and-nail fights to wielding impressive weaponry, assuming therole of a warrior in a gameis always a satisfying affair.
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For the most part, playing a game - typically an RPG or action-driven title - as a warrior makes for some phenomenal combat experiences. However, there’s a clear distinction between simply selecting the warrior category on a character customization screen and actually living and breathing the role. There aresome games out there that personify what it is to be a warrior, and they’re all equal parts incredible and iconic.
7The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Skyrimwas released way back in 2011, but it still holds a legendary status as one of the best open-world RPGs today. It’s timeless, near-endless, and thanks to a vibrant modding community, there’s no limit to what a player can do with the base game. InSkyrim, players can assume the role of several warrior-type characters, fightingacross the lands of Skyrimwith valiant might.
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There’s no specific role to select as a warrior inSkyrim, but players can simply become one through their style of play. For instance, by selecting a Nord or an Orc character, and equipping them with dense armor and powerful weapons, the player can easily fulfill the concept of the ultimate warrior in one of the greatest RPGs of all time.
6God Of War: Ragnarok
God of War: Ragnarokis an award-winning follow-up to 2018’sGod of War, and it takes everything its predecessor did and improves upon it. That includes the combat, which is powerful, epic, and intensely memorable. InGod of War: Ragnarok, there’s no doubt that the player is able to fulfill their dream of becoming an unstoppable warrior.
There are few characters in the history of gaming that boast the sheer awe-inspiring that Kratos -God of War’s legendary protagonist - does. He’s a man-mountain, capable of immeasurable feats of strength, and he’s one of the most talented and tenacious fighters in the business. If anyone wanted to take on the role of the warrior, they’ddo well playingGod of War.
5Spartan: Total Warrior
Spartan: Total Warriorwas released in 2005 on the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and original Xbox platforms, and it was a smash hit. InSpartan, players assumed the role of - that’s right, a Spartan - gallivanting across a series of environments while doing battle against what was sometimes hundreds of enemies at once.
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InSpartan, players are offeredthe Power of the Gods, made deployable through a series of devastating weapons. With the press of a button, players can slice through dozens of enemy fighters, turn them to stone, or dominate them with shocks of lightning. There are few games that offer up battles at the scale thatSpartandid, and it’s easily one of the best representations of what it means to be a warrior.
4Ryse: Son Of Rome
Ryse: Son of Romewas a launch title for the Xbox One platform in 2013, and even by today, it remains one of the most impressive titles the world has ever seen. From cutting-edge visuals to gory, visceral combat,Rysetruly is a warrior experience like no other.
When it was released,Ryseboasted one of the most innovative combat systems around, putting players in the control of Marius Titus, a dramatically skilled swordsman and unwavering close-combat expert. From fighting face-to-face with barbarians to surviving in the iconic Colosseum,Ryseoffers up countless opportunities to be a true warrior.
3Elden Ring
InElden Ring, which won countless Game of the Year awards in 2022, players can quite literally be a warrior. There’s a class dedicated to the role, and it offers up the potential to become an agile, aggressive combatant. However, while most warriors rely on strength and power, the warrior class inElden Ringisa more dexterous, fast-paced role.
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It’s a popular enough path inElden Ring, which has proven itself to be one of the toughest games ever developed. From fighting immense, god-like creatures to potentially dying following a single hit from the most random enemies, it really is a warrior-like experience that’s reserved for the hardiest of players.
2Horizon: Forbidden West
Horizon: Forbidden Westexpands on the story of Aloy, which was first explored inZero Dawn, released in 2017. In theHorizonseries, Aloy is a machine hunter - a warrior infused with the ability to utilize both nature and the world around her, and massively advanced technology.
InHorizon, players are tasked with taking down somefairly terrifying robotic creaturesthat are built to model ‘old world’ lifeforms, such as dinosaurs, alligators, and coyotes. As a true warrior, Aloy defeats these threats primarily by using a spear, slingshot, or bow and arrow. There are few characters that embody the warrior spirit quite like Aloy.
1The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
InThe Witcher 3, players take on the role of a Witcher - arguably one of the most impressive kinds of warriors to ever exist. In this universe, a Witcher is a monster hunter for hire, happily doing battle with some of the most threatening and grotesque creatures that the world has ever seen.
When the playeradventures throughThe Witcher 3, hot on the heels of the Wild Hunt, they’ll make use of a whole host of warrior-like tactics. From hand-to-hand and sword-based combat to mystical spells - or ‘signs’ - that can set an enemy ablaze, a player can dominate a fight in no time at all. There are few characters in gaming more worthy of the title of ‘ultimate warrior’ than Geralt of Rivia, that’s for sure.
