Rockstar Games is commonly known for its popular franchises, Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption. However, before the release of these action-adventures, Rockstar Games had also released plenty of other interesting titles, with some of them even having exciting combat that players were hooked on.

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Looking back at those titles Rockstar Games has created, players are sure to see how the combat has progressed throughout franchises as well as the games developed by Rockstar. Therefore, out of all the titles and franchises created by Rockstar Games since they were first established in 1998, these are by far the games with the best combat, ranked.

5 Oni

Deemed As The Best Melee Combat Game With Plenty Of Combos

• Platform(s): PC & PlayStation 2
• Released: 2001-01-26
• Developer(s): Bungie West & Rockstar Canada
• Genre(s): Action, Beat 'em Up, & Third-person shooter

Oni is an interesting addition as the original title for PC was developed by Bungie West in 2001. However, later that year, a PlayStation 2 port of the game was also developed by Rockstar Canada, and therefore, Oni still has a place on the list of the games developed by Rockstar Games with the best combat available.

Although Oni was released to mixed reviews, the combat of this third-person action game was one of the main elements that players praised. Combat in Oni consisted of a mix of melee combat and gunplay which had players swapping between the two as they dealt with enemies. As players progressed through the story of Oni, they would unlock interesting melee combos that allowed players to flawlessly take down their opponents.

4 Max Payne 3

Cutting Edge Shooting Mechanics For Better Gunplay

Max Payne was originally developed by Remedy Entertainment and received a great following from players. Max Payne 3, on the other hand, was developed by Rockstar Games and while the title as a whole received mixed reviews from players, the combat of this third-person shooter was something that fans continued to adore about the title.

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One of the most prominent gunplay features of Max Payne continues to be one of the reasons why this title is one of Rockstar's games with the best combat, as players can once again dive left and right, shooting excessively at their opponents, also known as shootdodge, as players jump out the way of one attack to return with their own. Alongside this were plenty of other interesting gun mechanics that made gunplay in Max Payne 3 feel intense while also allowing it to flow naturally.

3 The Warriors

Brawl Through The Various Levels

The Warriors was a beat 'em up game that was heavily based on the 1979 film that had the same name. Players follow a New York street game that is framed for the murder of another gang. This game was argued to be one of the best of its genre when it was released in 2005, as the game focused heavily on brawling combat that many players fondly remember from the game developed by Rockstar Games.

Back in 2005, when The Warriors first released, many players and critics felt that this beat 'em up title breathed new life into the brawler genre as they felt the combat was controlled and detailed. This deep combat also allows for the gritty feel of The Warriors to continue throughout the title, as players can fight with more than just their fists throughout the chapters.

2 Grand Theft Auto 5

An Assortment Of Weaponry and Epic Missions To Use Them In

Grand Theft Auto is arguably one of the most popular franchises to be released by Rockstar Games, and for good reason. The game has some of the best gunplay in a third-person title, which was only improved upon through a variety of weaponry and the missions in which players combat against enemies in Grand Theft Auto 5.

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With the player also being able to have a weapon wheel for all their guns provided to them at all times, it means players can easily swap between weaponry. The game is put into a slow-mode, which allows the player to flawlessly swap between a pretty pink pistol for a horrifying minigun in seconds. Overall, although the combat sounds quite simplistic with players taking cover and aiming for vulnerabilities, it's a flawless combat system that players continue to enjoy.

1 Red Dead Redemption

Dead Eye To Litter Enemies With Bullets

Out of all the Rockstar Games to be released over the years, one title that arguably has the best combat overall is the Western action-adventure, Red Dead Redemption. In this title, players take on the role of the former outlaw, John Marston, as he works for the government as a hired gun. Like any cowboy title, players can expect combat to be based around epic gunplay through showdowns, as they take cover and shoot, similar to that of Grand Theft Auto.

However, unlike that title set in the modern age, John Marston also has the shooting mechanic of Dead Eye that allows the player to slow time and mark various areas of the enemy. Once the timer is over, John Marston shoots all those places left. This can be upgraded throughout the story of Red Dead Redemption to make it even more powerful.

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