5 Best Cutscene Fights in Video Games

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As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the epic battles that don’t always require my active participation. Sometimes, the direction of action sequences in cutscenes is so captivating that simply sitting back and becoming an engaged spectator is a treat. With the freedom that comes with these cinematic moments, it’s often when fists fly and sparks ignite within them, creating some of the most exhilarating scenes in gaming.

Video game series such as God of War are renowned for their epic battle scenes, which are often intense, brutal, and on a grand scale. Given that Kratos, the game’s main character, is known for his short temper, these fierce fights should come as no surprise. However, it can be challenging to replicate these action-packed sequences during gameplay. Nevertheless, during cutscenes, the meticulously planned fight sequences are so impressive that they might leave you in awe.

If you’re a fan of intense visual storytelling, here are some unforgettable cinematic moments that showcase top-notch action sequences, ranging from an epic duel between deities to a stealthy character taking down their enemies without mercy. These scenes epitomize the art of holding nothing back when it comes to delivering high-impact fighting sequences.

5. Tomorrow’s Display – Death Stranding 2

In Death Stranding 2, a captivating new character named Tomorrow was introduced. Due to suffering from amnesia and hailing from another realm, Tomorrow initially questions her existence and reason for being. However, as the narrative unfolds, we gradually uncover Tomorrow’s secrets. A crucial mission in the game reveals the precise nature of Tomorrow’s being.

As I delve deeper into the game, I stumble upon tomorrow only to be swiftly surrounded by a dozen spectral Ghost Mechs. Just when things seemed bleak, a cinematic sequence unfolds, and there she is – Tomorrow, swooping in to rescue me. With her distinctive Tar-infused abilities, she wreaks havoc among the enemy, engaging each Ghost Mech in intense, up-close battles. The whole ordeal, an iconic showdown I won’t soon forget.

In a continuous sequence, we witness Tomorrow’s struggle as she figures out how to harness her abilities and subsequently causes chaos with them. The skillful arrangement of actions and breathtaking visuals in this scene make it particularly striking, leaving Tomorrow’s performance in Death Stranding 2 among the most impressive cutscene fights in recent gaming history.

4. Ifrit vs. Titan – Final Fantasy 16

In Final Fantasy 16, one moment you’re battling ordinary-sized monsters, and the next, you’re squaring off against colossal adversaries as big as mountains. This game style alternates between everyday narrative and massive, exhilarating battles against formidable enemies. For regular storytelling, events mostly occur on a smaller scale. However, when the game wants to create a sense of excitement, it thrusts you into epic confrontations with powerful foes. The tension continues to ebb and flow throughout the experience.

Currently, in Final Fantasy 16, there are numerous grand battles taking place, however, many consider the battle between Ifrit and Titan as its finest. Given that both characters possess mighty magical entities inside them, events soon escalate on a massive scale. Consequently, an extended fight sequence of approximately an hour commences. During this battle, players take control for half the time, while the remaining half is devoted to cutscenes. Although it’s a lengthy encounter, the fast-paced nature ensures it remains engaging.

Initially, you find yourself battling Ifrit, skillfully maneuvering around incoming attacks. Suddenly, the action pauses for about five minutes as a dramatic scene unfolds where Ifrit charges towards Titan for an attack. Throughout the encounter, the game alternates between intense gameplay segments and captivating cutscenes. However, upon experiencing it directly, you come to understand that the gameplay serves primarily to maintain your engagement. In reality, the fight is essentially a meticulously designed series of pre-determined cutscenes, one of the most impressive examples in the genre.

3. Quiet’s Escape – Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

As I delved deeper into the narrative of Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, I found myself nearing the climax of Quiet’s storyline. In a heart-pounding twist, enemy forces captured her. Desperate to save her, I rushed to her last known location, only to be greeted by an unexpected cutscene.

In this scene, Quiet was mercilessly tortured by the armed forces. However, as the soldiers believed they had finally broken her spirit, she sprang into action. With a fierce bite, she severed one soldier’s ear and followed it up with brutal blows to the other two, proving once again that she is a force to be reckoned with.

Subsequently, when Snake frees herself, Quick springs into swift action and attacks other adversaries in the vicinity. She shatters a foe’s bones, stabs two more, and, clutching a grenade, she rushes headlong into a container teeming with additional enemies. The entire sequence unfolds as a gruesome spectacle involving Quiet and her captors. In the end, it is only Quiet who emerges alive from the container.

2. Wonder Woman vs. Superman – Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

In the game “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League”, Brainiac has seized control over Superman and other members of the Justice League. Superman becomes Brainiac’s deadliest weapon for destruction, prompting the Suicide Squad to join forces with Wonder Woman to put a stop to him. When players engage in combat against Superman, it falls solely on them. However, all the segments featuring Wonder Woman battling Superman take place within cutscenes.

In one scenario, Superman, under Brainiac’s control, viciously attacks Wonder Woman, sending her flying in various directions. He unleashes his heat vision towards her, but she defends herself using a shield infused with kryptonite. The intense battle between them causes extensive damage throughout Metropolis, eventually reducing the city to ruins. Given that it’s an action-packed fight sequence, the destruction and combat are visually stunning.

In the ongoing battle, Wonder Woman attempts to wound Superman using a piece of Kryptonite, but it fails to harm him in any way. Superman retaliates by destroying Wonder Woman with his heat vision, an event that leaves a lasting impression. This intense scene underscores Superman’s immense power and unpredictability. It establishes a bleak atmosphere for the rest of the game, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, giving players a glimpse of the formidable foe they must face at the end. Such cinematic scenes are not common in games, which is why this particular fight stands out as one of the most challenging and memorable cutscenes in gaming history.

1. God of War (2018) – Kratos vs. Baldur

2018’s God of War shifted its narrative towards a more grounded approach. Previously, the battles were epic and mythical, but this time around, they scaled down the action while maintaining the same level of intensity. This alteration significantly enhanced the storytelling, particularly in the significant battle between Kratos and Baldur, which epitomized this new direction.

A significant portion of this interaction feels like it’s straight out of a movie. The scene transition occurs when Baldur visits Kratos at his residence. Kratos requests that he departs, but Baldur refuses. Instead, Baldur attacks Kratos physically, to which Kratos responds with a counterpunch sending Baldur flying. The fierce fight subsequently spills into Kratos’ backyard, shifting from cinematic cutscenes to gameplay. In the subsequent cutscenes, Kratos manages to slay Baldur on several occasions; however, Baldur miraculously regenerates following each demise.

Due to the way this battle unfolds based on the scene, each of Baldur’s executions carries a strong impact. Many people believe that if this fight weren’t so visually impressive, it wouldn’t be as memorable. However, because it is cinematic, Kratos versus Baldur will always be remembered as one of the most compelling cutscene battles in video game history.

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2025-08-25 22:11