Whether you like fantasy or horror, action games have one thing in common: grueling battle scenes. FPS games rely heavily on skilled shooters to land every bullet while other games are known to get a little more creative when it comes to weapons of choice.
However, some games do away with firearms altogether. Bullets are a scarce commodity during a zombie apocalypse, and they won’t exist at all if you’re playing a reckless medieval title. Whether you choose stealth or melee, here are some of the best action games without triggers.
10 Horizon Forbidden West
If Legolas was always your favorite character in Lord Of The Rings, chances are you’re a huge fan of Horizon Forbidden West. This game is a deft combination of historical fantasy and sci-fi, relying on your dexterity with bows and arrows, spears, tripwire and powerful Valor Surges to take down enemies instead of using gunpowder.
Sure, this one still has shooting mechanics, but there’s something very satisfying and palpable about sinking that last arrow into a particularly solid foe.
The third-person view means aiming your visor won’t obstruct your field of view, allowing you to take in every detail of the breathtaking 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. Combat as Geralt involves using a multitude 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 huge arsenal at your fingertips, this is one game where you would never wish you had a shotgun by your side. Although, Geralt would look good with a holster. Just say it.
8 Plague story: innocence
Equal parts moving, 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 about the safety of your young protagonists. In the rat-infested wasteland of 13th century France, you have little to defend yourself against the gnashing jaws of the sentient blanket that follows you everywhere.
Amicia uses arcane bombs she can make from found objects, while poor Hugo uses a strange ability that has made him the Emperor’s main target. If stealth and survival games are your thing, you need a bigger mug.
7 Detroit: Become Human
An interactive juggernaut that essentially lets you choose your own ending, Detroit: Become Human has a dizzying number of possible storylines, depending on decisions made at crucial points. The action in this game comes from the quick-time events that occur throughout the game, forcing you to make quick judgments against a timer that will decide for you if you’re not moving fast.
While the buddy-cop duo Connor and Hank wield weapons at various points (and Kara too, if you’re following a certain route in the early stages of the game), you’ll never have to aim and shoot anyone yourself. This provides a new perspective for fans of tried and true shooter games, allowing you to see the action as an all-powerful outsider rather than being put in each character’s shoes. It’s definitely emotional stuff.
6 The forest
The Forest isn’t just another zombie game, it takes on hordes of cannibals who want nothing more than to gut you at the sight and suck up the guts. The variety of weapons is bizarre. Go classic with a bow and arrow, grab a severed arm to drive your foes insane, or light a Molotov cocktail and send hellfire down on the bone-crunching mutants of this remote island where you’ve been stranded.
It is possible to gather the materials to assemble a gun, but honestly you don’t need one. Upgrading lower-level spears can triple their damage and effectiveness, so The Forest’s crafting elements 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 longed to step into the shoes of a Greek god, you’ve undoubtedly heard of God Of War. Traveling with Kratos and his son Atreus means you don’t need puny mortal creations like pistols and ammunition – especially when you have the might of Olympus at your side in the form of the world’s most legendary weapons.
From axes to bows to all-powerful swords, there’s no shortage of brash weapons in this installment of the hit game series alone. You wish you could wear the wings of a Valkyrie yourself after playing this one.
4 Extinguishing light
There’s something wonderfully primal about curbing the undead, and that’s one thing both Dying Light games appreciate. This game wrote the book on parkour mechanics in action games, allowing you to jump over hordes of zombies before smashing them with whatever brutal improvised weapon you’ve crafted in the crafting menu.
Decapitate your enemies with a razor-sharp machete, or pump them with enough electric volts to bake them ten times – the choice is yours in this open-world survival horror title, where gravity is no match for a well-placed pile of trash. Dying Light is another game where weapons are optional if you get into trouble, but for the most part aren’t necessary at all.
3 BloodRayne
Half-human, half-vampire hybrids rule in BloodRayne, whether you’re playing Terminal Cut or ReVamped. You have the Carpathian Dragon Pistols, which suck some blood instead of using bullets, but your main ports of call are Rayne’s beloved blades, high kicks, and the ability to feed enemies to restore your health.
The slick combat mechanics and satisfying blood splatter make this a delight for any blood fan, with the blades moving so fast and fluid you’ll struggle to find a moment when firing your pistols really comes to mind.
2 Ghostwire: Tokyo
Bullets mean nothing in this dystopian version of Shibuya in Ghostwire: Tokyo. The visitors are there and they are not going anywhere. Instead of guns, you are armed with the ability to weave attacks through the air and inflict enemies with various types of damage.
You can upgrade certain skills to massively boost your powers and learn more about your environment, including skills like Spectral Vision, Wire In, and Ether Shakedown. While it takes some time to master these combat mechanics, there’s no question that they offer a refreshing departure from the usual firearms approach of action games.
1 Elden Ring
As with other Souls games, Elden Ring is like Marmite: you either love it or you hate it. This list isn’t going to address the divisive nature of this particularly punishing melee action game though – it’s just going to praise it for having some really hand-to-hand combat mechanics. Whether you take on a Greatsword with two hands or take down your enemies from your noble steed, Torrent, there are so many ways to do battle in the vast world of The Lands Between.
Picking a character class at the start and noting their stats is just breaking the surface; you will have to improve your skills with harvested Grace if you want to resemble something close to an Elden Lord. With no gun in sight, you rely on swords and the magical arts to defeat mystical foes and invading foes. It’s certainly not for everyone, but if you’re an avid gamer who likes a good challenge, you’ve probably already tried Elden Ring.
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