10 Video Games With the Greatest Power Systems

Published Aug 22, 2026, 4:29 PM EDT Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck is a writer for Collider. He grew up creating lists, stories, and worlds, which led to his love of anime and video games. He attended Sheridan College where he earned an Honours Bachelor of Game Design. Lucas and his group won 1st place for technical innovation at LevelUp Toronto 2023, and he was also an intern for the Oakville Film Festival of Arts. Video games are full of mechanics and systems that make up the gameplay experience, whether it be dodging, parrying, blocking, and attacking in titles like Elden Ring or shooting, hunting, fishing, and bullet time in a game such as Red Dead Redemption 2. However, a power system is a little different; it is simply the concept that embodies the mechanics, allowing players to do what they want to do. A video game power system is essentially the gameplay mechanics, but they can be so much more than just shooting or slashing, and that is what these ten games represent. This list will rank the ten video games with the best power systems based on creativity, execution, gameplay, design, intricacy, depth, fan opinion, critical acclaim, overall quality, and how well they represent the game. 'Monster Hunter: World' (2018) Image via Capcom The Monster Hunter franchise has seen a modern resurgence, and that is all thanks to Monster Hunter: World, which brought it into newfound popularity with its incredible power system. In this game, players can choose from 14 different weapon types, such as Charge Blade and Hunting Horn, making the mechanic depth so much more interesting and expansive. In most RPGs, players simply level up their stats and are on their way, but in Monster Hunter: World, gamers level up their mastery of weapon types. This approach allows players to experiment with multiple weapons and choose what they would prefer to master. This power system is skill-based, with each new weapon creating a completely different style of gameplay that changes the way players experience the game. 'Dishonored' (2012) A lot of dark fantasy games have incredible power systems, and one video game that proves it is Dishonored, both the first and second. Set in a dark gothic city where the elite control everything and the poor live in the shadows, players have an ability called The Outsider's Mark, which grants them a range of supernatural abilities like Bend Time and Possession. Dishonored may feel like it is simply a game with a bunch of random abilities, but each of them is well-designed and can all be used for specific problems. Solutions come from creativity and how players use their powers, making it an in-depth system that can freeze time, control rats, or fire a crossbow. However, Dishonored proves its prestigious nature through the way gamers can chain these powers together, making an interconnected power system that is fresh, fun, and dynamic. 'Prey' (2017) Image via Arkane Studios One of the most underrated sci-fi games of the past ten years is Prey, which has players hunting a shapeshifting alien in an abandoned space station, with the only goal being to escape alive. However, the alien isn't the only thing that can shapeshift, because with Neuromods, the in-game power system, players can also transform and have other abilities, like Leverage. While the alien is a big challenge in the game, one of the most fascinating uses of the power system is how it interacts with the space station. New Neuromods have different effects that change how players can traverse and hide from the alien, making gameplay feel tenser and more engaging, not to mention the creative solutions that make gamers feel immersed in the situation. 'Baldur's Gate 3' (2023) Image via Larian Studios A lot of Game of the Year winners are fantasy titles with deep power systems, and one of the best of all time came in 2023 with Baldur's Gate 3. Set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, players have control over magical abilities that range from powerful spells to random witchcraft, allowing them to chain these together and interact with the world for incredible combinations. Like a lot of other magic-based video games, players can chain spells together and use them to interact with the world around them. Baldur's Gate 3 takes things a step further with its detailed world and systems, which help make it one of the best turn-based RPGs ever. The power system can be used to learn about lore, defeat enemies, and solve any problem that the world throws at them. 'Batman: Arkham Knight' (2015) Image via Rocksteady Games Superhero games are always fun because they embody the power system of their respective hero, but it is ironic that the superhero video game with the best power system comes from a hero with no powers. Batman: Arkham Knight, and the whole trilogy for that matter, features a free-flow style of combat as well as plenty of gadgets to utilize, not to mention the Batmobile. The combat in the Arkham franchise was revolutionary, but it isn't so much a power system. The dozens of gadgets at the players' disposal, on the other hand, represent the best of Batman's abilities. There are so many different gadgets on the tool belt that can be upgraded in different ways, but they are more than just puzzle solvers. These instruments serve a fun purpose in combat and can be used with emergent possibilities. 'BioShock' (2007) Image via 2K Games Both BioShock and BioShock: Infinite have good power systems that are a bit similar, and while the latter has more unique abilities, the former is arguably better because of functionality and more variety. Plasmids are genetic-modifying injections that temporarily give players powerful abilities, such as the power to control fire, electricity, and telekinesis. Plasmids have a fun and distinct premise that allows for more than simple FPS combat, expanding the gameplay with creative solutions and attacks that work with the environment. However, BioShock doesn't just stop at this, because Plasmids also have a narrative tie-in, which makes them much more intriguing. The themes of unchecked power of progress relate to these abilities, showcasing why BioShock is a Game of the Year winner that aged like fine wine. 'Control' (2019) Image via 505 Games Mind-bending video games are a treasure trove for weird and remarkable power systems, and Control is the perfect example. Playing as Jesse Faden, players wield abilities tied to Objects of Power, such as levitation, telekinesis, shield, and evade, allowing them to fight against whatever is after them, as long as their energy meter doesn't run out of juice. Control has the best example of telekinesis in any video game, displaying it with such raw power and ease of use that it is so satisfying to use. Using these abilities alongside a gun, players have an arsenal at their disposal that elevates combat in every way, making every situation a chaotic and powerful battle of mind-bending weirdness. Image via Bethesda The Elder Scrolls is one of the biggest fantasy franchises of all time, and with five games, they have expanded the power system greatly. However, the single title with the best power system is arguably The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. Sword combat and archery are fun, but spellcasting and enchanting are even better, and this game allows a free form of that, so players can create spells beyond their wildest imagination. It may be game-breaking at times, but spellcasting in The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind is such a complex toy that players can pretty much do anything with it. From leaping across the entire province for a split second to breaking the game's economy, there is no shortage of opportunities. The power system of this game allows players to create new spells with custom parameters such as magnitude, duration, area of effect, and combinations. It's a malleable system and the reason Morrowind is one of the best fantasy video games. 'Magicka' (2011) Image via Arrowhead Game Studios Most of the games on this list are somewhat popular or mainstream, but there are plenty of lesser-known games with creative power systems, including Magicka. In this game, there are eight different elements, ranging from water to shield. Players use these elements to cast spells on the fly against opponents, even combining or chaining them together to get stronger effects. One of the best parts of Magicka is the fact that everything is in real time, creating a dynamic experience where spells need to be made with haste. Combinations create new effects, which can be good or bad, especially depending on environmental considerations. This chaotic experimentation is an artistic expression of mayhem and fun, proving it is one of the best power systems in video games. 'The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom' (2023) Image via Nintendo The Legend of Zelda franchise usually has some sort of gimmick, but they really leaned into great power systems starting with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild; the sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, is arguably better. With a new Zonai arm, Link is blessed with new abilities, like Ultrahand, Fuse, Recall, and Ascend, that allow him to interact with the world and objects inside of it. Abilities in Tears of the Kingdom aren't like normal AAA games, but they offer a range of creativity and experimentation where players can build unique contraptions from silly to engineering masterpieces. Ascend makes traveling much easier, and Recall is a useful tool to send things right back to the sender. But Ultrahand and Fuse are two of the most useful and ingenious abilities that add so much depth and thought to every playthrough. Tears of the Kingdom is a fantastic adventure game because imagination and curiosity fuel the abilities and what players get out of the game.