Summary
Video games as a form are known for their unique ability to create power fantasies. Although these power fantasies can arguably be toxic when used in poor taste, a game that creates a balanced power fantasy combined with effective storytelling can give players an inordinate sense of strength.
Games that rely on pure power fantasy and wish fulfillment to provide players with escapism without bringing morals or motive into question can arguably be problematic, but this list aims to focus on action-packed experiences with competent storytelling that gives players solid context, or abstract storytelling that omits a story entirely.
This legendary cult classicfrom Remedy Entertainment(the team behind modern classics likeAlan Wakeand its recent sequel,Alan Wake 2) puts players in the shoes of an undercover cop with a tragic past, framed by mobsters.
Although the setup doesn’t do much to make players feel powerful, instead creating a dismal, bleak setting and tone, it does give players solid motive and context for the bloodbath that Max Payne creates throughout the brisk narrative. Combined with excellent voice acting, pulpy writing, andiconic bullet-timeand slow-motion dives,Max Paynedoubles as a grimy action film with a twisting narrative and action scenes that can have the player feeling invincible.
TheArkhamseries of Batman gamesdoes a great job of making the player feel like Batman by giving players access to his advanced tools and a fluid and intuitive combat system that gives players an edge over their enemies, often doing a lot of the work for the player.
AlthoughBatman: Arkham Cityhas its challenges, its combat is often a breeze. A plethora of gadgets, slow-motion takedowns, counter moves that take out multiple opponents, and combos that require little input results in encounters that players often dominate.
AlthoughDishonoredcan be difficult at times, especially for those attempting to play through the game in full stealth, the game gives players a wide array of tools and abilities that give them a complete edge over their enemies. Furthermore, the player’s movement abilities allow them to dart across levels with ease, escaping enemies easily and getting to vantage points with speed.
It’s exceptionally easy to take down enemies inDishonored, provided players are careful not to get surrounded, but even if players are spotted and need to escape, the abilities on offer make it easy. While this sounds like criticism, it’s far from it.Dishonoredallows players to feel nimble, facilitating intense chase sequences while still giving players the necessary edge they need to feel like an invincible assassin. Sneaking through a building with a careful plan of attack, taking out guards, and staying hidden is always a thrill, and when players make full use of their abilities both in and out of combat,Dishonoredcan easily result in players feeling invincible.
Bayonetta’s combination of “torture attacks” that allow players to throw enemies into iron maidens, spectacle fighter character action that gives skilled players the ability to juggle enemies midair, and slow-motion “Witch Time” that gives players an edge in combat allows them to dominate in the game’s combat encounters when all these tools are used effectively.
Even the protagonist herself is a cocky character that often speaks as though she’s unstoppable, setting the tone and allowing the player to immerse themselves in the action. AlthoughBayonettahas its problems, and can at times be challenging, the sheer spectacle of the action combined with the powerful tools that players are given makes it easy to feel invincible once players have learned the ropes.
This gamespawned an entire genrein the form of the “Bullet Heaven,” turning the Bullet Hell genre on its head and tasking the player with fighting off endless hordes of often brain-dead enemies with massive amounts of projectiles.
Vampire Survivorswas a sensation in the indie gaming scene and has remained popular, arguably because of the sheer power fantasy that it provides. With a character that automatically attacks, all players have to worry about is avoiding enemies and choosing the right weapons and upgrades, slowly increasing their ability to mow down hordes of monsters. This simple gameplay loop makesVampire Survivorsaccessible to almost anyone and allows even the most casual of gamers to feel invincible.
This FPS, inspired byold-school first-person shootersfrom the 90s, combines the fast-paced action and powerful weaponry of games likeDOOMandBloodwith the dopamine-inducing scoring systems of character-action gamesand spectacle fighters.
This combination of mechanics and genres works to create a hyper-focused and fast-paced experience that offers nonstop action in tandem with a gameplay mechanic that allows players to heal themselves by absorbing the blood of their enemies before it touches the ground. This allows skilled players to be close to unstoppable, and those who choose to play the game on lower difficulties will no doubt feel invincible as they clear entire rooms of enemies, out-healing any damage they take.
This demon-slaying character-action spectacle fighter features a vast array of set pieces, enemies, playable characters, and - most importantly - weaponry.Devil May Cry 5constantly switches perspectives between the varied cast of characters, giving players access to a broad selection of weapons and upgrades that keep the action engaging throughout.
With so many powerful weapons and combos available,Devil May Cry 5makes it easy to feel invincible, juggling enemies midair and taking out several demons at once with a well-timed combo is always satisfying, and the game’s skill-based scoring system encourages players to master the combos, even if the combat itself is rarely challenging.
Despite being quite challenging in places, especially due to competent AI and high-damage enemy attacks,Space Marinegives players access to a variety of powerful40kweapons, both melee and ranged, that are extremely satisfying to use.
Space Marine’s melee weapons are especially weighty, allowing players to carve their way through hordes of Orks, leaving a trail of carnage behind them. This, combined with slow-motion takedowns, a “Fury mode” that gives players major advantages, and heaps of blood and gore, allows players to feel the full power of the titularSpace Marineand the iconic weapons of theWarhammer 40,000universe.
Metal Gear Risingis over the top in every sense, from its nonstop soundtrack to its unabashedly extravagant characters, this game has players barreling through an action-packed story full of sci-fi sword fights and battles with oversized mechanical creatures.
Metal Gear Risinggives players an extremely powerful sword that cuts through enemies and objects alike with ease, giving players an on-screen combat manual and easy-to-learn combos that allow them to make full use of their sword’s power. The game’s set pieces alone are great for making players feel invincible, but once players are in the groove and have learned even the basics ofMetal Gear Rising’sgameplay, they’re sure to be slicing through enemies with admirable prowess.
This fast-paced reinvention oftheDOOMfranchiseis a nonstop, action-packed FPS gore-fest that’s full of strategic choices, challenging combat encounters, and a variety of enemies and bosses. Although the level design is fairly repetitive,DOOM’s combat rarely fails to be engaging.
AlthoughDOOMis arguably one of the hardest games here, especially on harder difficulties, its break-neck pace and fast-paced action make it easy to fall into a rhythm, enabling players to get into the groove, darting around the game’s cleverly designed arenas and strategically maneuvering from enemy to enemy, taking weakened ones down on the way to restore health and ammo. It might be harder to feel invincible inDOOMthan in other games, but the sheer feeling of power that can be had from mastering the game’s combat makesDOOMan experience that’s hard to beat.
