Summary
Just as bows have been important tools of hunting and defense in human history, they have also made their mark in video games, fulfilling the core romantic fantasy of being “nature’s sharpshooter” for as long as the hardware was capable of rendering a bow and drawstring on screen. With so manyniche simulation games available, it’s only natural that archery would have its own dedicated genre. However, while bows frequently appear in games in a thousand-and-one ways, they are not often portrayed with lifelike qualities.
That being said, a select few game studios have taken shots at giving players a virtual archery experience that strives for realism. Realism and fun don’t always go hand in hand in game design, and mechanics like rapid-fire shooting or eight-arrows-at-once, as seen in many fantasy games, while undeniably fun, don’t quite hit the mark for accuracy. These games feature archery mechanics that aim to be both enjoyable and lifelike.
Before getting his “hand” on the Ultrahand’s fuse ability, Link was up against some pretty realistic physics inBreath of the Wild. There are still some pretty wacky archery maneuvers available while wielding a bow, and while there was definitely a missed opportunity in not including wind-affected arrows, there’s also a great deal of realism involved as well. For one, arrows are tuned to their own gravity. For example, a Common Arrow adheres to slightly more of a downward pull than an Ancient Arrow. The use of stamina for drawing and the variety of bows, each with strengths and weaknesses, also bringsBreath of the Wild’s archerya little closer in form to the archery of the real world.
On the subject of “Ancient” weapons,Breath of the Wildhas one asset in particular that puts it on this list: the Ancient Bow. Upon attaining this weapon, the observant player may notice that for something named “ancient,” it sure has a modern and high-tech feature. The bow looks to be designed around an Olympics-standard bow (complete with a counterweight at the bottom) to increase the user’s accuracy. While this doesn’t explain how it can shoot penetrating arrows or why they have barely any downward pull at all, it is a nice nod to realism from Nintendo’s art department.
Despite its “cutsie” looks, the archery event inWii Sports Resortis one of the most intricate simulations of the bow-and-arrow dynamic in video games to date. As its name might imply,Wii Sports Resortasks players to consider archery as a sport rather than for hunting or combat while out onan idyllic vacation spot. Rather than sunbathing or floating around in a pool, players have to master their nocking and drawing techniques to even get close to putting their name on the leaderboard. That includes learning the course layouts to find and hit the many secret targets scattered throughout.
While a Wiimote can’t exactly provide the weighty feedback of an actual string and riser, being a piece of smart plastic,Wii Sports Resortsimulates the essential elements required in taking a real shot, including the player’s stance, movement, how they physically draw their bow, the gravity and rotation affecting an arrow’s course, and weather conditions, as competitors must factor in the direction of the wind when trying to land a bullseye.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim VR
The Most Immersive Range For Stealth Archery
There’s a good reason why most new games inSkyrimend up being astealth archer playthrough. Despite featuring as one ofSkyrim’s central themes, sadly, wind does not play a role in the trajectory of an arrow. However, one thing Skyrim does very well for those looking for a realistic marksman experience is heft. The drawstring pullback feels appropriately weighty, at least enough to match the distance arrows can fly. The northern province provides ample space and targets for an aspiring archer to roam and hunt.
The woods teem with natural creatures. Bandit camps tend to be situated below convenient sniping ledges. Being able to make an enemy ragdoll with a shot to the groin may not be realistic, but it is satisfying. However,Skyrimhas a VR edition that makes use of motion controls, where drawing and loosing can be done by hand. Although they aren’t part of the packageper se,The Elder Scrollsis famous for its mods, including those that canenhance archery realism in Skyrimto precisely the player’s liking.
Horizon: Forbidden West (PS5)
Archery With A Kinetic Tension Pull
If there’s one easy use of the PS5’s adaptive triggers, it’s for archery. Peeling out an arrow and drawing the string back may look cool, but with the added tension of the controller’s trigger pressing back, the experience becomes even more tactile and immersive.Horizon: Forbidden Westutilizes thePS5 controller’s adaptive triggersfor precisely this purpose, and, thanks to an already well-designed archery system, the sense of precision and control as Aloy takes a shot is elevated, giving each arrow a feeling of oomph as they fly and land.
As with the previous game,Zero Dawn,it matters where an arrow lands. Shooting a robotic beast in the legs will produce a different outcome than shooting it in the body or head. For example, it might be more advantageous to cripple a machine’s mobility rather than go straight for a critical hit). While some consider it a point to the game’s detriment, draw pulling is much slower and more lifelike than inZero Dawn. The game’s aim assist is also much more limited. Additionally, several bows provide unique functionality inForbidden West, meaning players must always choose the right tool for the job.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Hits The Spot For For Both Realism And Fun
When it comes to realism in archery,Kingdom Come: Deliverancestill reigns supreme. It may feel bad to start outas a hapless peasantwithout any instinct for shooting, but just like in real life, over time, they (or at least their avatar, Henry) can learn to master the bow.Deliveranceis an action RPG, which means that while player skill can determine success or failure, players will need to spend time honing their character’s skills with continuous use, which includes bow proficiency.
A novice will experience excessive sway, and their aiming time will be limited to a short gasp of breath. However, after spending time at shooting contests, the sway will lessen, and Henry’s aiming time will increase. Building up strength, agility, and vitality attributes also helps, as does findinga bow of a higher quality.Kingdom Come: Deliverancefeatures fairly realistic arrow damage, meaning that a headshot means instant death, but a well-placed body shot can still bleed an enemy out slowly over time.
