Video Games Have Become Obsessed With Bows And Arrows. But Which Game’s Bow Is Best?

If you've been playing big-budget action video games over the last couple of years, you've probably noticed a few trends. The graphics have gotten better. The animations have become more lifelike. The explosions have gotten more explosive.

And more recently, amid all those improvements, has come a trend that's even more earth-shattering and important: Video games have discovered the bow and arrow.

[LackTrue4K]

we all know this....
"Legend of Zelda"

[MariaHelFutura]

Kai (I think that is her name) from Heavenly Sword.

[scotchmouth]

Great missons. Its so satisfying having full control over the arrow to bring a villian down.

Only use of six axis i thoroughly enjoyed

[MaxXAttaxX]

lol not in Skyward Sword. If only motion controls were not forced then maybe.

[kreate]

Diablo 2 from 15 years ago.

Windforce.
Guided arrow and multi-shot.

[Mounce]

I say, Farcry 3 and Chivalry.

[Bakkies]

Turok

[Killustrious]

Haven't really enjoyed Turok since N64 but I'd have to agree with this

[camel_toad]

Turok was one of the best games on N64 and the slow-mo cheat was awesome. Too bad the last Turok was awful

[bunt-custardly]

"I am Turok"...

FYI the archer used the bow in the co-op arcade classic Gauntlet from 1985.

[Kurt Russell]

That's a franchise that could do with some love from a good Dev studio. It still has potential to be a great single player and multiplayer game... instead of dicking on it like the last couple of attempts ;)

[Conzul]

Really Kotaku?

[ironfist92]

you expected anything better?

[SP3333D-O]

My top 3 are:
1. Skyrim
2. Tomb Raider
3. Far Cry 3

Actually, those are all that come to mind! It's been way too long since I played Turok on the N64.

[x5exotic]

1. God of War 2: Badass bow with ice storms and shit
2. Tomb Raider
3. Skyrim (one of the few weapons that are actually fun to use, especially since you don't have to deal with retarded cameras doing backflips)

[smashcrashbash]

Exactly.How can we forget Kratos's magic ice bow he tore out of a Titan's eye? What is more bad ass then that?

[Thatmattkid]

Far Cry 3; molotov and explosive arrows were amazing.

[Camza]

I like this article purely for the inclusion of the Rambo picture.

[betan21]

Mrs.croft and crysis 3

[Detoxx]

Crysis 3 predator bow is the best.

[TuxedoMoon]

Easy! Turok (N64)!

I especially liked Turok 2's tek bow with the blue exploding arrows.

[sdozzo]

Skyrim was fun because you can enchant.

[LAWSON72]

Skyrim is fun as hell as a stealth archer and it is also pretty good in far cry 3

[GABRIEL1030]

a bow and arrows....effect of the economic crysis

[MariaHelFutura]

Lol. Crisis, not Crysis.

[InTheLab]

been funny if he meant that..

[GABRIEL1030]

Crysis from Crytek... :)

[MariaHelFutura]

I'm lost. Let's move on. :)

[Foxhound922]

I see what you did there :)

[StockpileTom]

Gough's Greatbow... that power...that knockback...

[ninjahunter]

Oh man haha, how does her even pull the strong back? XD I bet that guy can deadlift a house!

[StockpileTom]

The bow according to the game weighs 13 kg (28.6 lbs)and when is drawn back seems to be anchored to the ground. That string looks to be as thick as a bungee cable and the tension of a bow is provided by mostly the wood rather than the string. I estimate to bend wood that thick... okay hell if I know lol...

The bow requires a STR stat of 27. In comparison a claymore in that game requires 16 STR to wield effectively. So yeah deadlifting... I am thinking 900+

[Tzuno]

Windforce.

[mayberry]

I think the bow in Shadow of the Colossus had just the right amount of difficulty to make it "feel" like you weere actually shooting. Sort of like the "gun feel (weight)" in Killzone 2/3. Also the horse animations in Sotc don't get enough credit imho, I played Sotc soon before Assassins Creed, and it was very noticeable the difference between the two were, especially since AC was a "next gen" title. I did love AC, just thought the horse animations were bad.

[Nocturne147]

1. Tomb Raider 2013
2. Far Cry 3
3. Skyrim.

[InTheLab]

I pretty much exclusively used bows in both Farcry 3 and Tomb Raider. It's a nice break from standard weapons.

I also enjoyed the crossbow from Rage. It's like a not s*** version of what's in CoD.

[Sidewinder-]

Obvious same-head article.

What? Are bows new all of a sudden?

Any D&D game, Mount and Blade, RTS games? Turok & Thief?

Wao! Bow's! WAY-COOL!

[Lisica]

Call of Juarez, anyone?

[Capodastaro]

The bigger question is Compound or Recurve?

[breakpad]

Dragons dogma has by far the best bows and arrows ...they even have ballistic trajectory in long distances (which if you calculate and shoot with caution you can hit your target).....not even skyrim has that

[ferelinstincts]

Far Cry 3 hands down! :)

[ninjahunter]

XD i know its not quite the same, but the Cross bow from Cowadooty is glorious!

I just slap on the tri bolt attachment and 360 no scope xxx Skill shot noob buster my way to victory Singing "triiiiibooooooolt!" in the depths of my vocals... then getting completely destroyed XD... But its glorious while it lasts haha.

[Ace_Man_6]

The Sniper's Huntsman from Team Fortress 2!