Summary
Whipsare usually the last thing that comes to mind when talking about weapons (ranking just above boomerangs). They rarely show up outside of somecough coughkink-ridden scenarios, but when they do, their presence can be surprisingly powerful.
Not only do whips offer unique gameplay opportunities by striking a balance between long-range and close-quarters combat, but there’s also no denying the intensely satisfying, sound-barrier-breaking crack they produce. Let’s not forget that whips were the weapon of choice for Indiana Jones, and a man with that much swagger surely knows the most stylish method of delivering a beating. Thankfully, these games got the memo and followed suit, allowing their players to wield whips to great effect.
For the third installment in theDarksidersseries, Gunfire Games introduced fresh mechanics to shake up the formula. One standout addition was the whip. It was so iconic that it even earned a place on the game’s cover.
Wielded by Fury, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the whip became her signature weapon as she set out to vanquish the physical embodiments of the Seven Deadly Sins. However, players weren’t limited to just the whip inDarksiders 3—Fury’s arsenal also included swords, flails, daggers, and a touch of magic, but the whip was definitely the highlight.
Indiana Jonesis like the J.R.R. Tolkien of whips. If developers include a whip in their game, they have to reference him or go out of their way to set themselves apart. Or they can just do what GR3 Project did withLa-Mulanaand make a loving bootleg version of Indy without any attempts to change a thing. Well, except for the name.
Despite all this,La-Mulana isa whip-cracking good time, offering challenging platforming and a heartfelt tribute to classic MSX games. It was even beloved enough to warrant both a sequel and a full-blown remake.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Nightis an unabashed spiritual successor toCastlevania,and if a game is following in the footsteps of such a legendary franchise, it had better bring a whip. Otherwise, what’s the point?
Indie studio ArtPlay understood this perfectly. Their 2019 Metroidvania-inspired hit lets players wield whips—along with an arsenal of other weapons—to battle monsters and demons. Set in 18th-century England during the Industrial Revolution, the game tasks players with stopping a dark force before it makes the country even more dark and miserable (sorry, England).
Wait, there’s a whip inBloodborne? Yes, but chances are, many players never gave it a second glance. That’s because it’s disguised as the very dapper “Threaded Cane,” the weakest of the game’s three starting weapons. For a game as brutally difficult asBloodborne, who can blame players for choosing the path of least resistance?
However, beginner players shouldn’t shrug this choice off. With its incredible reach, ability to hit multiple enemies, and sheer speed, the Threaded Cane is a solid choice for anyone taking on theeldritch horrorsof Yharnam.
Combine an addictive roguelike with a dopamine-fueled shoot ‘em up, and the result is the sleeper hitVampire Survivors. Forplayers just picking up this game, the first weapon they’ll be dealt is none other than a whip.
It’s a solid starting choice, simple to use, with decent reach and respectable damage. However, as the horde grows and the chaos ramps up, players may want to swap it out for something a bit more devastating, such as magical projectiles or rapid-fire weapons.
It seemsMetroidvaniagameshave a soft spot for whips, and honestly, it makes perfect sense. One of the finest examples of this trend isDead Cells, a roguelike masterpiece that blends fluid gameplay, ever-changing levels, and the dreaded yet exhilarating permadeath mechanic.
When it comes to whips,Dead Cellsoffers plenty of choices. The most iconic is Valmont’s Whip, a name that sounds suspiciously close toCastlevania’sBelmont heroes. However, the real standout is the Whip Sword, which masterfully combines the bonking power of a sword with the long-range finesse of a whip.
The godfather ofroguelitesand one of the best platformers of all time,Spelunkyis yet another title on this list that wears its influences on its bomber jacket sleeve. Except this time, Indy is spelunking sideways through procedurally generated tunnels.
The whip inSpelunkyisn’t just for show; it’s an essential tool for fending off enemies, deflecting objects, and cracking open treasures. With a trusty whip in hand, rescuing damsels and exploring the unknown becomes child’s play. Scratch that; it’s probably not a good idea to give children whips.
When Bethesda first unveiled itsIndiana Jonesgame, some fans were skeptical about its first-person perspective. Fortunately, those concerns were quickly put to rest. What fans got withIndiana Jones and the Great Circleis, without a doubt, one of thebestIndiana Jonesgamesin the franchise’s 40+ year history.
Of course, noIndiana Jonesadventure would be complete without his signature whip, but in this case, Indy’s signature weapon isn’t just for cracking at Nazis. It’s a multi-purpose tool for swinging through levels likeSpider-Manand solving intricate puzzles. Think of it as a Swiss Army whip.
Elden Ringis overflowing with weapons. We could count them (and someone definitely has), but take our word for it: there’s a lot. So, naturally, with that many options to choose from, the game was bound to include asolid selection of whips.
Whether crafted from candlesticks, braids of giant’s hair, or even teeth, FromSoftware put serious thought into these unique weapons. They’re particularly suited for Dexterity-focused builds, but for those craving a truly chaotic playthrough, dual-wielding whips is an absolute blast and is wholeheartedly recommended. As a bonus fact, all threeDark Soulsgames let players use whips, but they don’t have the same “oomph.”
The Belmont clan sure loves a good whip. In fact, their weapon of choice, the legendary “Vampire Killer,” has been a vampire-slaying staple for generations. Add a Morning Star to the mix, and the result is the quintessentialCastlevaniatool. So when Simon Belmont joined theSuper Smash Bros.roster, it was only fitting that he brought his iconic whip along for the fight.
If there’s oneCastlevaniagame that truly honors the whip’s legacy, it’sCastlevania: Symphony of the Night.Even though this classic shifted away from a whip-wielding protagonist, the “Vampire Killer” still makes a well-earned appearance in one of thegreatest action RPGs of all time.
