Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • GamesRadar+ Replay
  • Mario Day deals
  1. Games

PlayStation's best swordfights, unsheathed

Features
By Play Staff published 26 March 2015

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

SlayStation

SlayStation

Ah, yes. Everyone loves a good gaming stabbing device. Whether you're slicing through demons or just giving bad guys a good poking, there's a swordfight for every occasion. Let's take a look at some of the very best that PlayStation has to offer

Oh, and if this leaves you in the mood for more weapon-based shenanigans, check out two of our most martial of features. There's one about the least practical armour in games, and another on the least practical swords in games - both accompanied by comment from real life weapons experts. Anyway, yeah, sword-fights.

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Dark Souls

Dark Souls

From Softwares hard-as-nails dungeon crawler hates you unequivocally. Yet its still kind enough to offer you a huge array of slashing implements to enter into demon swordfights with. Whether its a piddling steak knife or a dirk the size of a Cadillac, variety is the spice of constant death.

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Dishonoured

Dishonoured

Stupid Corvo. Why do your clanging metal-on-metal skirmishes have to be so much darn fun? When lopping off limbs is so satisfying, its only natural youd be tempted to bin off careful Blink-based sneakery to stab up every corrupt official in Dunwall. Go on, embrace your inner Errol Flynn. En garde!

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Truly, the right stick is mightier than the sword. Without Raidens slo-mo stick-twirling Blade mode, the ninja would wield all the precision of a heart surgeon whos dropped out of med school to learn vascular procedures from Operation. Master his flurries of slicing and dicing to dominate in cyborg swordfights.

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Lego Pirates of the Caribbean

Lego Pirates of the Caribbean

Daww, would you look at those adorable Danish plastic lumps? Put a pair of tiny cutlasses in the hollow claws of minifig Orlando Bloom and Geoffrey Rush and you have a high seas Jolly Roger-off for the ages. Granted, all youre doing is pressing square, but this is still some damn cute swordplay.

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Heavenly Sword

Heavenly Sword

Nariko really is a despicable cheat. The feudal warrior wins countless stabby encounters against overwhelming odds purely because her sword is essentially an eviscerating Transformer. Capable of morphing between two blades on a chain and a giant katana, it makes her the undoubted don of duels.

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
Sports Champions

Sports Champions

You insult my honour, sir. I challenge you to a duel uh, using plastic wands with glowing balls on the end. Still, if you cart your noggin off to Imagination Island, the short sword scuffles in this compendium of Move mini-games is fairly satisfying. Pity its light on the gorily graphic decapitations, mind.

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2

Look, a lightsaber is definitely a sword, okay? Oh sure, they never get blunt and buzz more than a hive of hornets going medieval on Macaulay Culkins ass. Yet give an asthmatic robot man and a crew-cut dude two of em and you have one heck of a swordfight even if there are far too many QTEs for our liking.

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Soul Calibur 5

Soul Calibur 5

If theres one thing The Princess Bride taught us, its that Andr The Giant is a dude. Oh, and pointy smackdowns between two opponents are hella noble. Soulcalibur is PS3s premier sword scrapper thanks to its agile combat, but samurais puncturing thong-flashing ladies is hardly dignified.

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
Devil May Cry 4

Devil May Cry 4

There are certain rules of engagement one should follow when it comes to proper duelling etiquette. One: dont fight in church. Two: avoid stabbing a mans cast. Nero and Dante cheerfully ignore both of these guidelines as they engage in a blade battle that destroys both Gods house and the formers arm plaster.

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
CATEGORIES
PlayStation PS4 Platforms
Play Staff
Play Staff
Social Links Navigation

We are Play magazine, the biggest-selling,100% independent, magazine for PlayStation gamers. Founded in 2021, it's brought to you by the same team of writers, editors, and designers as the Official PlayStation Magazine, with the same deep industry access, quality of writing, and passion for all things PlayStation. Follow us for all things PS5, PS4, and PlayStation VR.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Click here for more excellent Official PlayStation Magazine articles. Or maybe you want to take advantage of some great offers on magazine subscriptions? You can find them here.

Latest in Games
Pickmon
Pokemon fan artist alleges new Palworld clone Pickmon "stole one of my designs"
 
 
Life is Strange
Join Chloe and Max on a "fiery weekend" for a better glimpse into Life is Strange: Reunion at the Future Games Show this week
 
 
Bizarre Lineage codes
Bizarre Lineage codes (March 2026) for free Stat Point Essence, Rare Chests, and more
 
 
Cropped Helldivers 2 art from the official 'Save Cyberstan' poster.
Helldivers 2 devs "underinvested" in the game's engine, Arrowhead CEO admits, who pledges "things can/will get better"
 
 
Gideon talks to a tied up Leon in Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem is getting story DLC, as well as photo mode and a new minigame that had better be Mercenaries
 
 
Fallout 3 screenshot of someone in power armor standing in front of a rundown version of the Washington Monument
More hopium for Fallout 3 Remastered emerges as the unannounced RPG is named in a product listing for an upcoming figure
 
 
Latest in Features
Photo of a Mario nendoroid figure holding a microSD Express card with a Turtle Beach Switch 2 case in the background.
These Mario Day-inspired Switch 2 accessories will power up your console more than a super star
 
 
Underside of Alienware 16 Area-51 gaming laptop with glass viewing window and RGB fans
We could get a shock when 2026 gaming laptop prices are unveiled, here's what you need to know about buying this year
 
 
Emily Rudd as Nami and Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy in Netflix's One Piece
One Piece season 2 ending explained: Who is Mr. Zero? Who dies? Will there be a season 3?
 
 
In Hitman World of Assassination, Agent 47 sits at the departure gate in an airport during the loading screen
After weeks spent locked into Hitman's Freelancer mode, I realize there's one vital thing 007 First Light needs to learn
 
 
Mario gadgets, accessories, and games on a blue background
The ultimate Mario Day starter pack, kit up for the plumber's big day
 
 
Glen Powell as Becket in How to Make a Killing
How to Make a Killing is Glen Powell's latest mid-budget movie, and I hope he never stops making them
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Virtual Boy for Switch 2 sitting on coffee table with TV in backdrop displaying Wario Land gameplay.
    1
    I respect the Virtual Boy as a collectable Switch 2 gadget, but it’s not exactly a retro console remake
  2. 2
    Bizarre Lineage codes (March 2026) for free Stat Point Essence, Rare Chests, and more
  3. 3
    The Thrustmaster T248R is making me question where a sim racing wheel with no direct drive and no modular wheelbase fits in the market in 2026
  4. 4
    These Mario Day-inspired Switch 2 accessories will power up your console more than a super star
  5. 5
    Pokemon fan artist alleges new Palworld clone Pickmon "stole one of my designs," saying "they didn't even try to change something and make it a bit less obvious"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...