While action games have been around for a while, sometimes you just want a title where you can wail on enemies until they’re down for the count.
Top 10 Upcoming Beat ’em Up Games of 2024
#9 Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
Platform: PC November 08, 2023
Release Date: PS4 PS5 Xbox One XSX|S – November 09, 2023
Steam | PlayStation | Xbox
When you’re in the Yakuza, you must get used to beating people up for the cause.
But Kazuma Kiryu had put his days of being a Yakuza behind him. He swore to protect his family at all costs and even faked his death so that this could happen. But someone doesn’t believe that he’s gone, and they’ve enacted a plot to try and lure him out.
Kiryu knows he can’t let this stand, but he can’t let himself get caught either. So don a new name and beat the crap out of anyone that comes after you. You’ll have multiple styles to pull from as you let loose to keep your secret hidden.
#8 Hi-Fi RUSH
Platform: PC XSX|S
Release Date: January 25, 2023
Have you played one of the biggest titles of the year yet? Hi-Fi RUSH was a game that was shadow-dropped on the world, and many were stunned by how fun and fresh it was compared to everything around it.
The title focuses on a “wannabe rockstar” who undergoes a procedure that goes very wrong. Now he has an MP3 player where his heart should be, and he must take down the company that wronged him. He won’t be alone, though! He’ll meet with others and take on the corrupt rulers of the business while jamming to an epic beat!
So feel the rhythm and beat up everything in your way!
#7 Like a Dragon: Ishin!
Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: February 21, 2023
Long before the Yakuza’s days, Japan’s fate was held in the hands of those who wielded a sword. In Like a Dragon: Ishin!, you’ll travel back to a period of Japan’s history where fate danced upon a blade’s edge.
You are a disgraced Samurai who must avenge his father’s death and reclaim his honor. To do so, you will defeat those who wronged you and force Japan to face the future that is coming for it!
As a legendary figure from Japan’s history, you’ll wield multiple weapons on your quest for justice and truth. Wield them with the efficiency of a warrior to overcome all odds and triumph!
#6 Sifu
Platform: Xbox One XSX|S
Release Date: March 28, 2023
If you’ve wanted to feel like a martial artist beyond what you sometimes get to do in fighting games, then Sifu is your title.
The game puts you in the role of a student who had to watch their master being killed. You swear revenge and seek those who took your sensei from you! You’ll have to battle swarms of minions and use various martial art techniques to get in and out with minimal damage.
Should you “die,” you’ll come back older, stronger but with less health. Can you weather the storm and make it out with your revenge satiated? Jump in and find out!
#5 Party Animals
- Release date: 2023
- Developer: Recreate Games
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
- Publishers: Recreate Games, Source Technology
Yeah…this game is honestly pretty simple, and pretty weird if we can be honest with you. Party Animals is very much a party game. One where you will be able to control a bunch of animals and fight it out on a variety of levels to do one simple task: get a gummy bear.
Yeah, it’s as weird as it sounds, and yet, as you look at the game, you honestly have to wonder how fun it is to control these animals. They actually promise you that you’ll be able to screw with people in the game in over 100 different ways. Or, you can team up to take everyone else out.
What will you choose?
#4 Troublemaker
- Developer: Gamecom Team
- Publisher: Freedom Games
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
- Release date: March 31, 2023
What’s that? You want a more straight-up beat’em up title? Ok, then Troublemaker is one to check out.
You’ll play as Budi, a transfer student to an Indonesian school, one that prides itself on its annual fighting tournament! Known as “Raise Your Gang”, it’s here that you’ll go and climb the social circle by literally beating up anyone and everyone that gets in your way.
But don’t think it’s all a fighting game. Oh no. You’ll still have to go through high school, make sure you make good grades, try and get a girlfriend and you know, STAY ALIVE!!! We’re just saying.
#3 Skinny & Franko: Fists of Violence
- Publisher: Console Labs
- Release date: April 28, 2023
- Developers: Console Labs, Blue Sunset Games
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
Skinny & Franko: Fists of Violence is actually a sequel to a previous game that was popular in the 90s. True to form, this title takes place almost 30 years after the events of the previous game. You are Franko, a man who is determined to help his friend out of trouble, so with Skinny by his side, they’ll cause all sorts of havoc in Poland in order to make their point and beat up a whole lot of people.
A lot of effort was put into this game, including the custom sprites and animations. So try it out and see how it works for you.
#2 Clash: Artifacts of Chaos
- Release date: March 9, 2023
- Developer: ACE Team
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5
- Publishers: Nacon, BIGBEN INTERACTIVE
Now here’s a title that will look and feel unlike many of the games on this list. In Clash: Artifacts of Chaos, you’ll play as a martial artist master who takes in a mysterious child under his protection. The problem though is that very powerful forces want this boy, and as a result, you’ll have to have a lot of serious fights.
Use your variety of martial arts abilities, and learn new ones, to create your own fighting style that’ll help you progress through the game.
What’s more, the game has a special dice battle mode before major encounters that will let the winner pick certain stipulations on how the fight will go.
Will you be able to learn the truth and keep the little one safe?
#1 Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Developer: Insomniac Games
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Platform: PlayStation 5
- Release date: October 20, 2023
The follow-up to Insomniac Games’ massive hit on PS4, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will continue the adventures of Peter Parker and Miles Morales. Now a unified “Spider Unit,” the two seek to protect New York City from numerous threats.
Such as what? Well, the arrival of Kraven the Hunter will put them to the test. He’s seeking the ultimate challenge and wants nothing more than to test himself against the Spider-Men and see if they’re worthy of the hunt.
But that’s not all! The Symbiote will get its claws into Peter, and Venom will soon emerge! Will the two be able to withstand the might of the Symbiote and the Hunter?
Disclaimer: This article was updated on 11/6/23 as we continue to adjust this list with new entries or remove games due to delays or failure to captivate audiences.
