Action games are one of the most popular genres in gaming—and it’s easy to see why. They deliver cinematic stories, unforgettable heroes, satisfying combat systems, and those moments where your heart rate jumps because everything suddenly goes wrong in the best possible way.
The Best Action Games to Play Right Now
Whether you’re here for stylish melee combat, open-world exploration, boss fights that test your patience, or pure zombie chaos, these are some of the best action games you can jump into right now.
God of War (2018)
A bold reinvention of the legendary franchise, taking Kratos from ancient Greece to the brutal lands of Norse mythology.
God of War
Release Date: January 14, 2022
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Close-up combat and a story that hits like a hammer
With the camera pulled tight behind Kratos, every fight feels personal and heavy. New progression systems, gear, skills, and the iconic Leviathan Axe make combat feel both tactical and brutal—while the father-son journey gives the adventure emotional weight.
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
A superhero action game that lets you swing through New York and fight crime as Peter Parker.
Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered
Release Date: August 12, 2022
Genres: Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Movement so good you’ll swing “just because”
Spider-Man Remastered blends slick combat, cinematic set pieces, and one of the most satisfying traversal systems in gaming. It’s packed with side activities, collectibles, and iconic villains—plus PC/PS5 upgrades make the experience even smoother.
Dying Light 2: Stay Human
A first-person action game set in a city overrun by infected, where parkour is your best weapon.
Dying Light 2
Release Date: February 04, 2022
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Parkour escapes and brutal melee combat in the same heartbeat
Dying Light 2 turns movement into survival. You’ll sprint across rooftops, dive through windows, and improvise fights with a variety of weapons while the undead hunt you down—especially when night falls and everything becomes more dangerous.
Elden Ring
FromSoftware’s open-world Soulslike that throws you into a vast, mysterious realm full of danger.
Elden Ring
Release Date: February 25, 2022
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Boss fights that demand skill—and feel incredible when you win
Elden Ring doesn’t hand out victories. Even basic enemies can punish mistakes, and major bosses are built to test your timing, patience, and build choices. But that’s the magic: when you finally win, it feels like you earned it.
Evil West
A monster-slaying action game where you hunt vampires and demons across a hellish Wild West.
Evil West
Release Date: January 01, 2021
Genres: Shooter, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Stylish brawling meets supernatural mayhem
Evil West mixes melee combos, gadgets, and gunplay into aggressive, punchy fights. It’s a great pick if you want something more direct and combat-focused—no endless map icons, just pure action and boss encounters.
Devil May Cry 5
A high-speed action game built around flashy combos, precision timing, and stylish combat mastery.
Devil May Cry 5
Release Date: March 08, 2019
Genres: Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Combo-driven gameplay that turns fights into performance art
Devil May Cry 5 rewards creativity and skill. The more stylishly you fight, the more satisfying the game becomes—perfect for players who love deep combat systems and replaying missions to improve.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
A brutally challenging action game set in a dark, myth-infused version of feudal Japan.
Sekiro : Shadows Die Twice
Release Date: March 22, 2019
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Parry-focused duels that feel like real sword fights
Sekiro is all about rhythm. Instead of hiding behind shields or leveling endlessly, you learn enemy patterns, deflect attacks, and break posture. When it clicks, combat becomes fast, intense, and ridiculously satisfying.
Hades
A roguelike action game where you fight your way out of the Underworld one run at a time.
Hades
Release Date: December 10, 2019
Genres: Adventure, Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Indie
Fast combat with story progression that never stops
Hades keeps the action flowing while constantly rewarding you with new dialogue, upgrades, and build options. Even failed runs feel like progress, which makes “one more try” dangerously addictive.
Final thoughts
The action genre is thriving because it offers instant excitement and long-term depth. Whether you want cinematic adventures, hard-as-nails boss fights, or chaotic zombie survival, there’s an action game here that can become your next obsession.
Pick your style—mythic brutality, superhero speed, survival horror tension, or Soulslike mastery—and jump in.