The term action game can be applied to almost any game that requires quick reflexes and/or fast, decisive movements. This includes some shooters, hack-and-slash games, and even platformers.
The best action games are the ones with fluid controls, fast-paced gameplay, and enough variety to keep you coming back for more.
You’re craving some intense action, but which games should you choose? Whether you want your action to be story-based or multiplayer-focused, realistic or cartoonish, old or new, there are plenty of great action games on Steam.
In fact, this is a platform with so many games that it is always hard to choose one that will best suit your needs and expectations. To help you with that decision, here are the 10 best action games on Steam.
Elden Ring
| Genre: | Action RPG |
| Developers: | FromSoftware |
| Release Date: | February, 2022 |
| Find at: | Steam |
| Multiplayer: | Online Co-op, Online PvP |
| Average Playtime: | 56 hours |
Elden Ring is an Action RPG developed by FromSoftware. Although FromSoftware games might not be the first thing that comes to people’s minds when they think of action, believe me when I say there is plenty of excitement in Elden Ring.
The game is set in a world of beauty, violence, and secrets. Much like other games made by Miyazaki, you will spend a lot of time fighting enemies just to get through places. Mysteries slowly unravel as you explore a world where most things want to end your life.
Elden Ring starts showing you the world is dangerous by presenting a huge boss that chases you throughout the first area of its open world. From there, things only escalate. Yes, the combat is methodical and can feel less frantic, but it doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of action involved in beating this game.
At some point, you will be fighting Dragons on horseback, dodging magic laser beams, and taking down demi-gods in truly epic battles. On top of that, Elden Ring has a cryptic but sensational story, much like the ones in Dark Souls games.
Vanquish
| Genre: | Third-Person Shooter, Action |
| Developers: | PlatinumGames, Little Stone Software |
| Release Date: | May 25, 2017 |
| Find at: | Steam |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 6 hours |
If you’re looking for an over-the-top action game with a healthy dose of style, look no further than Vanquish. This 2010 title from PlatinumGames is all about stylish shooting and is still one of the best examples of the genre today.
The fast-paced combat is exhilarating, and the unique boosting mechanics add an extra layer of depth to the gameplay. Plus, the game looks absolutely gorgeous for its age, with some of the best graphics you’ll see in an action game.
The most significant difference between Vanquish and other action games is that it is a third-person shooter. For that reason, many players spend a lot of time hiding behind covers instead of dashing through the battlefield while shooting.
This is what makes people have the wrong idea about what Vanquish is. Don’t get me wrong, play any way you want, but this game is way more fun when you are running, jumping, and taking risks when shooting. Learn from Devil May Cry. It’s not about defeating the enemies; it’s about looking cool while you do it.
Hades
| Genre: | Action RPG, Rogue-like |
| Developers: | Supergiant Games |
| Release Date: | September 17, 2020 |
| Find at: | Steam |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 22 hours |
Hades is a thrilling, isometric rogue-like game that has you hack and slash your way through hordes of enemies as you try to escape the underworld. The game is fast-paced and frantic, and you never know what’s going to happen next.
Since this game is a rogue-like, you will be doing the same thing over and over for a while. However, this only proves that game design is fantastic since you will keep returning for more.
There are tons of different weapons and abilities to choose from, so you can always find a way to play that suits your style. Plus, the art style is absolutely gorgeous. If you’re looking for a new action game to play, and especially if you like rogue-like or isometric games, definitely check out Hades.
Sekiro
| Genre: | Action, Adventure |
| Developers: | FromSoftware |
| Release Date: | March 21, 2019 |
| Find at: | Steam |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 29 hours |
FromSoftware’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is one of the best action games you can play on Steam. It’s a challenging game that will test your reflexes and patience, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.
The game is set in feudal Japan, and you play as a ninja who must rescue his young lord from the evil Ashina clan. The gameplay feels good and fast-paced.
However, you will find yourself repeatedly dying before advancing through each part of the game. This constant cycle of dying and learning is what ends up building an incredible sense of accomplishment when you do eventually make it to the end.
There are so many boss battles to fight through, each more difficult than the last. In fact, you might get stuck at the first boss for a while until you master some of the mechanics that you will certainly need to fight the other bosses in the game.
Sekiro is not for those who just want to slash through the enemies and mash buttons. You can’t turn on the autopilot and brute force until you reach the end. Even weak enemies will finish you off if you are not careful. Although it’s not really a souls-like game, there is a good chance you will like Sekiro if you enjoyed Dark Souls.
The Devil May Cry Series
| Genre: | Hack and Slash, Adventure |
| Developers: | CAPCOM Co., Ltd. |
| Find at: | Steam |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | Between 6 and 10 hours |
Devil May Cry is an action-adventure hack-and-slash video game developed and published by Capcom. In most Devil May Cry games, the player controls Dante, the Son of Sparda, although sometimes you might start playing the game as someone else.
Dante is a demon hunter with a sense of humor. He uses his supernatural powers to fight evil creatures that escape hell and threaten humans, but he often charges for it.
The series is set in the modern world, with a gothic setting. These games are divided into chapters, or missions as they are called, most of which must be completed through combat. Dante can use melee attacks, firearms, and other demonic powers granted to him by his half-demon heritage.
Some Devil May Cry games feature different characters. For instance, Devil May Cry 3 allows you to play as Vergil, Dante’s twin brother. It doesn’t stop there. Devil May Cry 4 introduces Nero, another white-haired demon slayer.
Depending on the game, you can also play as Lady, Trish, or V. Each playable character has unique perks and abilities that make them fun to use.
Devil May Cry is the inventor of the Stylish Crazy Action subgenre. It is all about looking cool while fighting the enemies, which is why you even have a style score tied to your combos.
Bayonetta
| Genre: | Hack and Slash, Adventure |
| Developers: | PlatinumGames |
| Release Date: | April 11, 2017 |
| Find at: | Steam |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 11 hours |
Bayonetta is a stylish, over-the-top action game with memorable characters, fast-paced combat, and amazing visuals. The game follows the story of Bayonetta, a witch who must battle her way through an army of angels in order to save the world from destruction.
Bayonetta is a blast to play, and its soundtrack is one of the best in any video game. There are plenty of other great games like this on Steam, but Bayonetta is certainly a memorable experience.
This fast-paced hack and slash game is a lot like Devil May Cry, with its stylish combat and a main character that doesn’t take herself seriously. This entire game is very goofy sometimes, but it is very intentional. Plus, although she is a weirdo, the heroine Bayonetta is a total badass.
You’ll have a blast tearing through hordes of enemies with her. She can fire guns kept at her ankles and summon demonic beasts from hell to help out in fights.
It may not be as high profile as other games on this list, and I’d argue that it is not as good as the games that inspired it, but Bayonetta is an absolute joy to play.
Scarlet Nexus
| Genre: | Action RPG, Adventure |
| Developers: | BANDAI NAMCO Studios Inc. |
| Release Date: | June 24, 2021 |
| Find at: | Steam |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 25 hours |
Set in a far future sci-fi world, Scarlet Nexus has you take control of members of the OSF, an organization with psychic abilities that’s looking to put a stop to the Others.
Unfortunately, despite the best efforts made to curb the growing menace, the Others could still be kept at bay by using conventional weaponry.
The best chance Earth had of repelling the invaders from the skies lay with psionics, individuals who possessed powerful psychic abilities. The game is set up like your typical action RPG, with you exploring the world, taking on quests, and fighting enemies.
The combat is where Scarlet Nexus shines, though. It’s fast-paced, fluid, and allows you to combo different attacks together to create some truly devastating moves. Plus, with a variety of weapons and abilities at your disposal, there’s plenty of room for experimentation.
Scarlet Nexus is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for an action-packed RPG with some truly impressive combat. The story is not the best you’ll ever find, but it does count with some good twists and an exciting ending.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
| Genre: | Action, Adventure, Souls-like |
| Developers: | Respawn Entertainment |
| Release Date: | November 15, 2019 |
| Find at: | Steam |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 17 hours |
This game was made by the developer behind the Titanfall games, Respawn Entertainment. It is a brand-new action-adventure game rooted in the Star Wars world.
In Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, you take the role of Cal, a young Jedi padawan who just survived Order 66’s purge. Now, you must finish your training before the Imperial Inquisitors find your hiding place.
Generally speaking, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is a souls-like game. You have a force bar that works somewhat like stamina in Souls games. The difference is that you only spend it on strong and special attacks. However, you also have a defense gauge that works as stamina for defensive purposes.
The game also has exciting locations, shortcuts, enemies with patterns for you to master how to approach them, and exciting boss fights. Unlike most Souls-like games, you can also select the game’s difficulty, meaning there is enough casual appeal to make it fun for everyone.
As you gain strength in the ways of the Force, use your Lightsaber and Force powers to battle through swarms of opponents. The stages are well-designed and challenging, yet they never feel unfair or like they would be impossible to complete.
Doom
| Genre: | First-Person Shooter, Action |
| Developers: | id Software |
| Release Date: | Mau 13, 2016 |
| Find at: | Steam |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 11 hours |
Doom is one of the most fun and fast-paced games you can play. The Glory Kills make you constantly feel like a badass, and the game is just challenging enough to keep you coming back for more. Plus, the dynamic soundtrack is a great extra feature that makes the game much more immersive and enjoyable.
Doom is different from other First Person Shooters because it forces players to move and be active while hunting down the demons. It’s not easy to go up against hordes of enemies at once, but this makes the action so much more intense.
There are also tons of weapons and modifications available in Doom which are unlocked as you progress through the story mode.
Overall, if you’re looking for a fast-paced FPS with plenty of challenges, Doom and Doom: Eternal are great choices.
God of War
| Genre: | Action, Adventure, RPG |
| Developers: | Santa Monica Studio |
| Release Date: | January 14, 2022 |
| Find at: | Steam |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 20 hours |
God of War is an action-adventure game that was released in early 2018. The game is a sequel to the 2010 game of the same name, and it’s one of the best action games you can play on Steam.
The story follows Kratos, a Spartan warrior who has left Greece and made a new life for himself in the northern lands. Sadly, his new wife died. This caused Kratos and his son to seek the tallest mountain to spread her ashes from there to honor her last wish.
However, that starts a series of events that reveals Kratos to the Northern gods, which inevitably leads up to epic conflicts, death, and war.
This game reinvents the franchise in many different ways. It adds constant dialogue between Kratos and Atreus, his son, and also changes the camera angle. Every battle feels more visceral and personal, but they also feel more dangerous since you can’t see enemies behind your back. That said, it still was a step in the right direction.
The gameplay is incredibly fluid, and the combat is some of the most satisfying you’ll ever experience. If you’re looking for a fantastic action game, God of War is definitely worth your time.
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
| Genre: | Action, Adventure, Open World |
| Developers: | Insomniac Games, Nixxes Software |
| Release Date: | August 12, 2022 |
| Find at: | Steam |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 17 hours |
Insomniac Games’ Spider-Man is one of the best superhero games ever made. It’s also one of the best action games on Steam, thanks to its thrilling combat and fluid movement. The game’s open-world New York City is huge and filled with things to do, and the story is excellent.
This is the game for you if you’re looking for an action-packed superhero adventure. Its free-roaming gameplay can make it a little too easy to get lost in all the city has to offer, but that’s part of what makes it so exciting.
Marvel’s Spider-Man has dozens of suits and gadgets to unlock and plenty of crime to fight. So even after completing the main campaign, you’ll have plenty more content left to explore. Alongside fast-paced battles against various types of enemies, players will also spend time-solving puzzles as they explore their environment.
The remastered version of the game looks gorgeous. It will only improve your experience in one of the most immersive videogames of the PlayStation 4 era.
Katana Zero
| Genre: | 2D, Action |
| Developers: | Askiisoft |
| Release Date: | 18 Apr, 2019 |
| Find at: | Steam |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 4 hours |
Who said that Action Games must always be 3D? Developed by Devolver Digital and published by Askiisoft, Katana Zero is a stylish action platformer set in a futuristic neon cyberpunk world.
You play as a katana-wielding assassin who must slice his way through enemies to complete missions. The gameplay is incredibly satisfying, with fluid controls and gorgeous visuals. It can be difficult at times, but the tightness of the combat means you’ll never feel cheated when you die.
The action in the game is superb. You need to neutralize opponents as necessary to survive. Send bullets back at adversaries, avoid strikes, and use bombs and traps to suppress foes and take control of the situation.
Each level has been meticulously designed to provide several ways to finish it. This gives you the ability to defeat opponents in unique ways, utilizing spontaneous strategies to get rid of them as you see fit.
Castlevania Advance Collection
| Genre: | Metroidvania |
| Developers: | September 23, 2021 |
| Release Date: | Konami Digital Entertainment |
| Find at: | Steam |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 21 hours |
Bringing more 2D action games to the list, I’ll be adding a collection that comes with some of the best pixel art games on all of Steam.
The Castlevania Advance Collection includes the following titles from the Game Boy Advance: Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, and it also comes with Castlevania: Dracula X.
In Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, you are Nathan Graves, an apprentice vampire hunter. Nathan and his master invade Dracula’s castle to prevent the Count’s fearsome return, but things don’t go as planned.
In the video game Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, you play Juste Belmont, a vampire hunter and the grandson of the famous Simon Belmont. The “Spell Fusion” system, which enables you to combine Secondary Weapons and Grimoires to create powerful spells, is one of the many new innovations that this game introduced to the genre.
In Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, you take on the role of Soma Cruz, a teenage high school exchange student in Japan. He ultimately falls victim to the Dark Lord’s endless cycle of rebirth.
As for Castlevania: Dracula X, it is regarded as one of the most difficult Castlevania games to date and is an adaptation of the classic action game Castlevania: Rondo of Blood.
Resident Evil 4
| Genre: | Action, Adventure, Survival Horror |
| Developers: | CAPCOM Co., Ltd. |
| Release Date: | March 23, 2023 (Remake) |
| Find at: | Steam |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 14, 12, and 21 hours |
Resident Evil became first known because it was the name of the most iconic survival horror games of the PlayStation One era. However, the franchise shifted to the action genre with Resident Evil 4 and stayed there until Resident Evil 6.
In Resident Evil 4, you’ll find yourself trying to escape an infected village by fighting off an onslaught of mutated villagers and giant beasts.
With the recent remake of the game, players can experience a modernized take on Leon’s quest to save the president’s daughter. As far as Remakes go, Resident Evil 4 Remake feels very much the original game, but expended and slightly modified.
If you like action in your surivival horror, I can’t think of many games that deliver it as well as Resident Evil 4.
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
| Genre: | Hack and Slash, Action |
| Developers: | PlatinumGames |
| Release Date: | January 8, 2014 |
| Find at: | Steam |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 7 hours |
An action-packed hack and slash game, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance has you playing as cyborg ninja Raiden.
You’ll face off against tons of enemies, deflect bullets using your katana, wall-run, and use high-tech weaponry to take your foes down. The story is intense, and the gameplay is just as thrilling.
There are some memorable characters and moments in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, but you are here for the action.
When it comes to that, there’s nothing quite like slicing through enemies as a cyborg ninja in this game. Raiden even fights a full-sized Metal Gear, and it is incredibly cool. The game doesn’t hide what it is
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance doesn’t even try to hide what it is. It’s clearly an over-the-top power fantasy that lets you play as the ultimate badass, cutting through foes with ease. Plus, the combat is incredibly satisfying, with a deep focus on strategic dismemberment.
