As the gaming industry has evolved over time, so has the tendency for certain fast-paced games to adopt more and more mechanics that can be used to spice up the gameplay. Dashing is one such mechanic present in most action-heavy titles and platformers that is an absolute blast to execute, with a picture-perfect dash serving the dual purpose of avoiding an enemy's attack while also giving time to set up a damaging counterattack as well.
That being said, dash mechanics aren't universal throughout gaming, with some titles integrating this mechanic more successfully than others. In the following titles, using a dash move is extremely satisfying when carried out with the proper timing. It's one of the many reasons why these games are just so much fun to play through in the first place!
10 Hades
Hades is one of the best roguelike titles ever made. Dashing and slicing through enemies before decimating the bosses of the game makes for a great time indeed.
It helps that Zagreus' dash can also be augmented by either upgrading it in the Mirror of Night or getting boons through a run. Turning this dodge mechanic into a damage dealer is quite satisfying indeed.
9 Furi
Furi is a boss rush game where players need to be on their toes to deal with the imposing threat of these climactic showdowns. They need to use every tool at their disposal to beat these bosses, including their dash move.
A well-timed dash move is critical to dodge the many hard-hitting moves present in this game. Without using this dash move in Furi, players will see the game over screen more often than not!
8 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The dash move in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is only available in a few select instances. This is when players get to control Ciri and marvel at how effective and flashy her dodge is.
It's more like a dash where Ciri almost teleports forward in one of the coolest moves in the game. It's easy to see why so many people love controlling Ciri, with her amazing dash and powerful moves being one of the many reasons for the same.
7 Celeste
Celeste is a groundbreaking platformer that any fan of the genre should check out. The surprisingly engaging story and the fun yet challenging platforming combine for something truly special.
Celeste might not be the longest game around, but its challenging gameplay will make players come back and experiment around with the mechanics more often than not. The dash mechanic is a critical part of the platforming gameplay that needs to be mastered for the best results.
6 Katana Zero
Just like The Witcher 3, the main character of Katana Zero doesn't really have a dash mechanic per se. Rather, his dodge-roll maneuver lets him phase through certain attacks and unleash a powerful counterattack that should take care of most enemies in the game.
However, it's when players control, Fifteen, also known as The Dragon, that they get to experiment with one of the best dash techniques in gaming history. The Dragon's regular attack is basically a dash move that slices everything in its path. It's easy to see why this mechanic is so much fun to play around with in the game.
5 Doom Eternal
Doom Eternal took everything that worked well in the original Doom and cranked it all the way to the max. The sheer improvements made to the combat and the traversal were monumental and made the game a high-speed gore fest.
One such mechanic involved dashing, letting the player quickly gain a ton of distance to make combat even more fast-paced and enjoyable. It's easy to see why so many fans had a ton of fun with Doom Eternal, with this dash mechanic letting them rip and tear through enemies in quick succession.
4 Returnal
It's great to see that the rogue-lite genre has taken such massive steps that AAA publishers are experimenting around with the same. Returnal is a PS5-exclusive bullet-hell roguelike where players need to be on their toes at every step of the way.
Each run in Returnal is a visual bonanza of explosions and bullets that players need to avoid at all costs. The dash mechanic is especially useful and fun to pull off since it lets players avoid certain attacks and ranged projectiles with concise timing.
3 It Takes Two
It Takes Two is an excellent co-op platforming adventure that keeps the gameplay fresh in each and every section of the game. Two friends who decide to try this game out will have a blast from start to end.
It Takes Two doesn't waste any time in getting players into the heart of the action, with its platforming being pretty smooth and concise. Jumping and dashing through the many platforming sections in the game is pretty satisfying, with the latter mechanic being a great way to give players more control when it comes to their character's actions in the game world.
2 Ghostrunner
Ghostrunner is a fast-paced action game where players need to blast through levels with the slew of abilities they have access to. One of the most important gameplay mechanics is the dash move, which players definitely need to master to get through most levels with ease.
Ghostrunner doesn't waste any time in letting players know that the game is going to be anything but easy. Thankfully, once players master the dash mechanic, both combat and platforming become way more manageable.
1 Neon White
Speaking of fast-paced first-person games that have dash mechanics, it's impossible to not bring up Neon White. This is the most recently released title on this list that combines elements of speedrunning and platforming to make for an engaging experience.
Dashing in the game is not exactly an ability, and is technically a consumable that players can use to chain different moves together. This is the biggest reason why Neon White is such a massive success, with this precarious juggling act being critical to blast through most levels in record time.