Every time I dive into an action game, I feel an adrenaline rush—the press of each button, every dodge, block, and counter on the screen feels like a direct link between me and the character. The charm of action games lies not only in their rhythm and impact but also in those clutch maneuvers that can turn the tide at critical moments. Many times, a battle that seems lost can be completely reversed by a precise dodge or an unbelievable combo.
I’ve always believed that in action games, true mastery isn’t just about fast reflexes or good memory—it’s about making the best decision in an instant and using extreme operations to turn theoretical possibilities into real victories. Today, I want to share my own experiences in three popular action games and talk about the skills that can make you a true “master”—not just button sequences, but the thought process and rhythm control behind them.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — Winning Through Timing
On the surface, Breath of the Wild is an open-world adventure game, but its combat system has a surprisingly high skill ceiling. Many beginners rely on stronger weapons to brute-force fights, only to be crushed by powerful enemies. Through repeated gameplay, I found that the key to extreme performance lies in mastering timing.
Perfect Dodge and Flurry Rush
In Breath of the Wild, if you dodge at the exact moment before an attack lands, you trigger a “Flurry Rush”—time slows down, giving you the chance to unleash multiple hits without retaliation.
I remember facing a Hinox for the first time—several failed attempts ended with me being sent flying by its giant fists. But once I caught that subtle shoulder twitch before it punched and executed a perfect dodge, time seemed to freeze. I unleashed dozens of strikes, cutting what would have been a long fight down to half a minute.
Improvising with the Environment
In Breath of the Wild, the environment is part of the battle. Stormy weather can be used to call lightning down on enemies holding metal weapons; ice arrows can form temporary bridges; bombs can be rolled downhill to ambush foes. Once, I faced a group of torch-wielding Bokoblins—not by clashing head-on, but by igniting the dry grass around them, forcing them to scatter before picking them off one by one. This kind of improvised tactic is both safe and incredibly satisfying.
Extreme Stamina and Climbing Ambushes
Many players climb cliffs cautiously, resting midway, but in combat, using every last drop of stamina to climb behind an enemy and jump down for a downward strike can give you a huge advantage. This requires precise stamina management—one miscalculation and you’ll fall. But when it works, it’s a fast and dramatic way to win.
2. Devil May Cry 5 — The Perfect Blend of Style and Efficiency
Devil May Cry 5 is a game you could sum up with one word: “stylish.” But true experts aim not only for flashy combos, but also for maintaining uninterrupted output in extreme conditions. Here, extreme play often means executing complex sequences consistently at high speed.
Combo Rhythm and Weapon Switching
Beginners often lose momentum in their combos, giving enemies an opening. My method is to memorize the recovery times of every weapon until they become muscle memory, then switch weapons quickly in battle. For example, when playing Nero, I’ll start with the Red Queen for a short combo, then instantly swap to the Blue Rose for a charged shot. This keeps the flow smooth and maintains that coveted S-rank style rating.
Extreme Dodging and No-Hit Challenges
On higher difficulties, mistakes are punished severely—a single slip can ruin your run or cost your life. I once attempted a no-hit Boss fight, which meant memorizing every attack animation and using “Royal Guard” or side dodges to evade perfectly. The hardest part wasn’t the timing—it was staying calm, because a single lapse in focus during a multi-minute battle would ruin everything.
Juggling and Aerial Control
In Devil May Cry 5, aerial combos are a core skill for raising your combat ceiling. Once an enemy is airborne, you can keep them suspended with a string of attacks, preventing any counterattack. I once juggled an elite enemy for over 20 seconds as Dante, mixing sword strikes, gunfire, and weapon swaps—basically bringing training mode into real combat. The sense of flow you get when everything clicks is unmatched.
3. Monster Hunter Rise — Precision and Patience at Their Peak
Compared to the first two games, Monster Hunter Rise puts more emphasis on predicting and countering enemy moves. Every large monster has a complex attack pattern, and extreme performance comes from dealing maximum damage in very limited openings.
Perfect Evasion and Counter Timing
The “Evade Window” skill allows you to dodge attacks in an incredibly tight window, boosting your critical hit chance afterward. When fighting fast-paced monsters like Nargacuga, I look for tiny tells—like a slight tail flick or a subtle head dip—as signals. Time your dodge right, and you’ll not only avoid damage but also land a critical counter.
Wirebug and Aerial Positioning
The Wirebug system lets you perform rapid aerial maneuvers. Many players just use it for movement, but in combat, it can take you completely out of harm’s way during a monster’s large attack, or position you above them for a powerful strike. My favorite is to fly over a monster charging a special attack, then land a charged greatsword slash to the head—often dealing massive damage.
Extreme Patience and Sheathing Dodges
In high-level hunts, greed is your worst enemy. Many times, it’s better to hit once and retreat rather than overcommit. In one hunt against Magnamalo, I stuck to a “one hit, sheathe, dodge” strategy for the entire fight. While my teammates took heavy hits and fainted, I avoided nearly all damage and eventually completed the hunt solo. It may seem conservative, but in long battles, it’s a winning approach.
Core Principles of Extreme Play
Regardless of the game, extreme performance in action games shares a few key principles:
- Observation and Prediction – Reading your enemy’s movements and timing is more important than raw reflex speed.
- Muscle Memory – Key combos and dodges must be practiced until they’re second nature.
- Mental Control – Extreme maneuvers often happen under high pressure, and staying calm is the only way to perform consistently.
When these principles become part of your playstyle, action games stop being just entertainment—they become a stage for fully immersive, limit-pushing performances. The satisfaction of turning the tables at the edge of defeat is what keeps me picking up the controller again and again.
