stub 5 Best Martial Arts Games on Xbox Series & PS5 - Gaming.net
Connect with us

Best Of

5 Best Martial Arts Games on Xbox Series & PS5

Updated on

Martial Arts games are a genre of games that have recently seen increased interest. The high-octane action of these games, coupled with the often graceful movements of the animations, make for a winning combination. In addition, these are games that you can tweak to your liking and have a ton of adaptability to them. So if you are looking for a marital arts title to play, we have you covered. That being said, here are our picks for the 5 Best Martial Arts Games on Xbox Series & PS5.

5. Mortal Kombat 11

Starting off this list, we have Mortal Kombat 11. This game is famous for its gruesome and grotesque Finishers. The gory nature of the Mortal Kombat games has been a staple of the series since its inception. This gives the fights an extremely visceral feeling when you finally defeat your opponent. The combat in the game is smooth and rather focused on combos, as well as special moves teach character can obtain. Each of the game's characters has a distinct fighting style that feels unique to them and takes time to master.

One of the reasons why Mortal Kombat 11 is so great is the wealth of content it offers players. First of all, the cast of characters in the game is extremely memorable. Secondly, the game introduces many improvements to the combat in the game, making for a smoother, more enjoyable experience. Lastly, the graphical fidelity and way that the combat is depicted in the game make it one of the most stunning martial arts games to watch. For these reasons, we consider Mortal Kombat 11 one of the best martial arts games on the market.

4. Soul Calibur VI

Soul Calibur VI is a game that takes a rather slow approach to its combat. That isn't to say that there aren't characters who are quick on their feet, just that, as a whole, the time in which it takes the characters to move is usually longer. Also, where Mortal Kombat is a series that focuses on depicting different fighting styles, Soul Calibur VI looks to incorporate its martial arts in a different way. There are several characters in the game, and each feels distinct in the way they fight, which is great for character identity.

For example, if you are fighting against someone who likes to play Maxi, the nunchuck-wielding character, they usually rely on fast attacks. In contrast, there are characters like the behemoth Nightmare, who is extremely slow in almost everything he does. This makes the game not only about the combinations you can use but also the knowledge of each individual character. Added on top of this is a top-notch aesthetic for the game that pulls from many different sources yet comes together wonderfully. Simply put, Soul Calibur VI is one of the best martial arts games on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.

 3. Tekken 7

Next up, we have Tekken 7Tekken 7 is a game that is typically played much faster than the previous entries on this list. It has dynamic characters, and stages, that will allow each player to take advantage of their surroundings. Its roster of characters is extremely varied and even features many DLC characters for people to clamor for. If you have ever played any of the past Tekken games, you will feel right at home within Tekken 7. The game is built in a way that allows it to be so smooth and responsive that you will be able to play all day if you want.

The lack of frame drops and technical glitches in the game are one of the major reasons for recommending the game, as there are few feelings as crushing as dropping a combo due to a technical difficulty. The cast of characters that are at your disposal also feels fantastic in their own ways. The story of Tekken is also an interesting one for anyone who wants to follow it. Simply put, there is a ton of content here for players to enjoy. On top of being one of the best martial arts games, Tekken 7 is just a solid title overall.

2. Street Fighter V

Street Fighter V is a game that received its fair share of criticism upon its launch. However, since then, players have come around to the game and been able to forgive its lack of content upon release. Now the game feels fantastic to play, and with the upcoming Street Fighter VI, there has never been a better time in which to jump in and play. Players, old and new, will be able to choose from the glorious Street Fighter roster as they combo their way to victory. The learning for this game is admittedly steeper than other games on this list, but it still feels fantastic.

There are few feelings as satisfying in a fighting game as when you finally nail the combo you spent hours learning. Street Fighter V is a game that encourages this type of learning in its gameplay. The online play option of the game is where players will have to sort out their difficulties and grow their skills in order to become competitive. In the truest sense of the word, competition is at the heart of what makes Street Fighter V so fantastic. So if you haven't played this marital arts game staple, definitely jump into it in 2023.

1. Sifu

Sifu is a game that takes a unique approach to its design. The game features combat for a variety of martial art styles that the player can learn. Upon learning these skills, they are able to apply them to their character and build their character how they wish. The amount of combos and attacks that can be learned within Sifu is staggering. Perhaps more than any other entry on this list, Sifu is true to its martial arts roots.

The ability to chain combos together in the most efficient way gives this game a perfectionist feel to it. But even if you die in this beat-em-up title, you have the opportunity to learn more as you play. It is this commitment to repetition, pattern, and learning that makes it a fantastic game for martial arts fans. So if you haven't gotten the chance to play the game, or if you are just now hearing about it, definitely check out Sifu. One of the gems in the martial arts game genre, this game is sure to bring martial arts lovers joy for many years to come.

So, what's your take on our picks for the 5 Best Martial Arts Games on Xbox Series & PS5? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

Judson Holley is a writer that began his career as a ghostwriter. Returning to the mortal coil  to work among the living. With some of his favorite games being tactical FPS games such as Squad and the Arma series. Although this could not be further from the truth as he enjoys games with deep stories such as the Kingdom Hearts series as well as Jade Empire and The Knights of the Old Republic series. When not attending to his wife, Judson often tends to his cats. He also has a knack for music mainly composing for and playing piano.