Outside of fighting and sports games, martial arts rarely serve as the foundation for combat, especially in RPGs. Some standout action titles like Sleeping Dogs, Sifu, or Lost Judgment offer spectacular and deep skill-based combat systems built around kung fu-style battles, but more often than not, martial arts remain just an optional layer or an underutilized way to fight in a game that still mostly relies on weapons, spells, and other classic gaming pillars.
That said, the relatively narrow niche of martial arts-focused RPGs still features some must-play titles that balance spectacular hand-to-hand combat with a satisfying RPG experience and lots to do outside of fighting. For today’s selection, the clear focus is on games where martial arts are pretty much your main arsenal, so it’s all about mastering spectacular moves and enjoying smooth animations.
Honorable mentions:
Given our main criteria, I exclude RPGs where hand-to-hand martial arts are only a minor layer (like in wuxia games), as well as martial arts-focused RPGs with tactical or turn-based combat that doesn’t really fulfill the promise of dynamic, spectacularly animated fights.
- Nioh 3
- Where Winds Meet
- Wandering Sword
- Hero’s Adventure: Road to Passion
- Tale of Wuxia
5
Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise
Unique Combat System Hidden in Yakuza’s Huge Shadow
At first, I almost included Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth here, but it didn’t seem right. Sure, Kiryu’s Dragon of Dojima job with three distinct fighting styles is exactly that, but it’s just one job in a game with far too many different combat styles to call it martial arts-focused overall. Other Ryu Ga Gotoku games like Yakuza 0 and Lost Judgment (with its neat Crane, Tiger, and Snake styles) are definitely stronger for the martial arts angle, but calling them RPGs, unlike the later series entries, is a huge stretch. Fortunately, there’s another lesser-known title in RGG’s portfolio that combines both worlds.
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Based on the manga franchise that introduced Hokuto Shinken, the series’ signature fictional martial art, Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise is pretty much a Yakuza game with a slightly different flavor. Exploring the city of Eden with the familiar progression and side activities of a typical RGG game, you’ll fight through enemies in classic, spectacular beat ’em up style, with the biggest distinction being the game’s Hidden Channeling Points system borrowed from the manga. These pressure-point attacks, special techniques, and spectacular finishers define Lost Paradise’s combat, making it an unmistakably martial arts-focused action-RPG.
Given Fist of the North Star’s uneven overall execution, despite delivering the martial arts fantasy directly, the game can only rank as an opener for this list.
4
Absolver
Stylish and Fluid RPG-Lite Just One Step Short of a Masterpiece
Since Sifu doesn’t quite cut it as an RPG, offering almost nothing outside of its (great!) kung fu combat and roguelike progression, Sloclap’s Absolver steps in. Compared to some other games in the genre, Absolver’s story and side adventures are undeniably light, as combat takes center stage here as well. Still, its character stats, equipment, different fighting styles, and player-driven interactions make the classification justifiable, of sorts. Just don’t push me too hard on genre definitions here; let’s get to the meat of it.
As you’d expect from Sloclap, Absolver features one of the most dedicated martial arts systems you can find in gaming, and it all demands learning and practice, just like real hand-to-hand combat. First, you learn attacks by defending against them and get to grips with four combat stances, dodges, blocks, and parries. Then you can start building your own fighting style (or rather, a unique Combat Deck), arranging the moves you’ve learned as you see fit before heading out in search of a challenge. You can also team up with other players to fight side by side, find mentors, and take on disciples.
Outside of its undeniably fluid combat, Absolver just oozes style through its unique aesthetics, visuals, and pretty much everything. A fully realized artistic vision with a distinctive combat system — one step short of a true masterpiece, if only it offered a more complete RPG package.
3
Clash: Artifacts of Chaos
Bold and Creative Hidden Gem Few Even Know About
A distinctive martial arts RPG many have probably never even heard of, Clash: Artifacts of Chaos is as bold and creative as games get. Chilean developer ACE Team is no stranger to making some of the most bizarre titles you’ll ever play, including the Zeno Clash series — a wild mix of ideas and influences that somehow come together just right. Artifacts of Chaos is the third game in the franchise, set in the same world, but, expectedly, it’s so different from what came before that it might as well be a standalone adventure.
Playing as a martial artist named Pseudo, whose fists, feet, speed, and agility are his primary weapons, you journey across the strange land of Zenozoik on a personal adventure, learning interchangeable fighting stances and upgrading special attacks. Clash: Artifacts of Chaos’ stylish, exaggerated moves and truly bizarre, sometimes giant opponents give the hand-to-hand fighting a distinctive visual identity, with certain techniques even switching into first person. Naturally, the combat is also rather flexible, as you can alternate freely between various styles and combine them to develop your own flow.
Clash: Artifacts of Chaos definitely won’t be for everyone, but its combination of dedicated martial arts combat, a distinctive world, and memorable adventures with a more traditional narrative gives it a reasonable edge over the equally inventive Absolver.
2
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
Superhuman Martial Arts Spectacle Just Like You Want It
Finally, a big name to spice up our mostly lesser-known RPG selection. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a recognizable action-RPG that many waited years for, bringing a superpowered angle into the mix. Stepping into the beloved universe as a Saiyan hero striving to become the greatest warrior in the universe instantly sets the right mood. When it comes to martial arts brawling, Kakarot won’t disappoint, even though most of the appeal lies in recreating extravagant anime battles rather than mastering an intricate fighting style.
Dragon Ball Z’s close combat mixes physical techniques like punch and kick combinations, counters, rapid strikes, evasions, knockbacks, and finishers, all of which have practical roles beyond looking spectacular. Some emphasize stun damage to break an opponent’s resistance; others create an opening for a longer combination. The flow is simple but effective: you rush into striking range, chain physical strikes, and knock opponents away, with most of the spectacle coming from the speed and sense of impact you won’t experience elsewhere. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Dragon Ball title without freeform flying, teleportation, enormous energy attacks, and exaggerated visual effects just for the sake of it, but that’s part of its core fantasy appeal.
Outside of battling, there are other equally important activities to pursue in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, including fishing and eating fish (and more). Even if the game is clearly aimed at long-standing fans of the iconic franchise, there really aren’t many alternatives to Kakarot’s irresistible superhuman energy.
1
Jade Empire
Possibly the Most Special RPG in BioWare’s Entire Roster
As many of us are still devastated by the recent news of BioWare’s official closure, that bitter announcement was never going to change which martial arts RPG should rank as #1 on this list for me. Jade Empire rarely ranks too high among BioWare’s acclaimed RPG hits, but it’s undeniably one of the most original games the studio ever made. It looks, feels, and plays like a true love letter to martial arts movies, showcasing the former team’s range.
Jade Empire’s combat was ahead of its time and mixed so much fun stuff together that there’s still hardly anything quite like it. From weapon-based combat styles to magic, transformations, and several distinct martial arts styles focusing on fist or leg strikes, there’s plenty to learn and master. A classic rock-paper-scissors balance between attacks, blocks, and power attacks keeps fights moving, while improvised weapons like broken table legs in the teahouse add another playful touch. It’s almost as varied as recent action titles like Black Myth: Wukong.
Dynamic, fast, responsive, spectacular, and deep, Jade Empire also features a harmonic combo system, combining disabling techniques with martial arts finishers. It’s an early example of the ability synergy the studio would keep exploring in both Dragon Age and Mass Effect.
Jade Empire is easily the strongest blend of the two essential halves of our criteria: martial arts are central to combat, setting, and story, while the choices, companions, and progression deliver the fullest RPG experience — one of the most unique in BioWare’s history.
