Why Parries Always Improve Action Games

Nowadays, it seems the “Soulslike” label is being slapped onto every genre imaginable, from high-stakes action RPGs to strategic deck-builders. These games are typically defined by their punishing difficulty, cryptic world-building, and intricate, interconnected environments. A cornerstone of their combat—exemplified by titles like Lies of P and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers—is a heavy reliance on parrying. Having recently immersed myself in various parry-centric titles, including the exceptional Metroidvania Nine Sols, I have reached a firm conclusion: every action game deserves a well-executed parry mechanic.

The absence of such a system is painfully apparent in the recently launched Romeo Is a Dead Man. The game’s marketing focused heavily on its visceral, ultra-violent combat, and for good reason—Romeo’s undead adversaries explode into geysers of gore as you carve through them. However, the moment these zombies retaliate, the gameplay loop falters. Your only options for survival are to dodge or retreat.

Because Romeo lacks a parry ability, players miss out on the opportunity to deflect a strike and transition into a cinematic finisher—an addition that would perfectly complement the game’s over-the-top aesthetic. Instead, the player is forced to have Romeo constantly rolling and diving across the screen, making the battlefield feel more like a frantic dance floor than a gritty brawl.

This defensive limitation stands in stark contrast to Stellar Blade, which I played just before diving into Romeo. Utilizing the early months of the year to tackle my backlog, I spent weeks mastering its post-apocalyptic world. The protagonist, Eve, gains a significant tactical advantage by timing her parries, which leaves her robotic foes wide open for punishing counters. Despite her singular focus on melee weaponry, the combat never feels stale because the parry mechanic ensures that every defensive move feels like a proactive strike.

The utility of the parry isn’t exclusive to third-person brawlers. Doom: The Dark Ages introduced a Captain America-style shield for the Doom Slayer, effectively distinguishing it from the sea of standard first-person shooters. In most FPS titles, defense is a passive affair—crouching behind cover and hoping for the best. In The Dark Ages, however, the shield allows you to meet projectiles head-on, swatting them back at demons with satisfying precision.

Perhaps the most surprising area where parrying shines is in the turn-based genre. The upcoming Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has garnered significant attention for its innovative approach to defense. Unlike traditional RPGs where you simply watch your characters take damage, Expedition 33 keeps players engaged. By timing a parry correctly, you can mitigate damage, earn vital action points, and even trigger devastating counter-combos. It seamlessly blends offense and defense, removing the feeling of helplessness that often plagues turn-based encounters.

My journey through the backlog also led me to Metaphor: ReFantazio. While the game is undeniably captivating, its combat feels somewhat restrictive after experiencing the active defense of Expedition 33. In Metaphor, being on the defensive means watching your heroes absorb punishment. While you can strategically position your party to bolster defense, you have no direct control over avoiding or deflecting hits. Success often feels like a matter of luck, hoping the RNG gods grant you a “Miss.”

Not every game needs to center its entire identity around parrying—many Soulslike players still prefer the safety of a well-timed roll—but providing players with more agency is always a win. It’s time to normalize the parry across every genre, from survival horror to tactical RPGs. With Pokémon‘s 30th anniversary looming, I’m holding out hope that Game Freak will let us slap away an incoming Thunderbolt with a well-timed tail whip. If not, we riot.

Source: Polygon