I reckon so. You can block attacks, dodge roll, and stun enemies and deal extra damage when they're stunned. I don't know how it stacks up against other games with similar mechanics, as I typically don't play these types of games, but it came as a surprise bonus for me. I got the game for the open world, Hogwarts Castle, and because you can pet all the cats that populate the world. And yes that last bit's important to me.