1 Elden Ring
Open world
A vast open world, demanding combat and countless secrets, from the creator of the Dark Souls series.
The best action games on PC, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch
Fast, punchy and precise: games where reflexes and good timing make the difference.
How to find games that really suit you: Select up to 5 games you have played and enjoyed. Playalike compares 36 traits such as combat, story and atmosphere and suggests games that hit exactly the same spot, even across genres.
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1 Elden Ring
- Open world
- Lots to discover
- Fantasy setting
A vast open world, demanding combat and countless secrets, from the creator of the Dark Souls series.
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2 Dark Souls III
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Fantasy setting
- Challenging difficulty
A dark action RPG with precise, unforgiving combat and intricately connected levels.
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3 Bloodborne
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Challenging difficulty
- Lots to discover
A fast, aggressive Soulslike set in a gothic nightmare city, where you win by staying on the offensive instead of hiding behind a shield, and the story slowly turns into cosmic horror. Interlocking levels, brutal bosses and cryptic lore make it a genre landmark.
2 Dark Souls III
Dark, serious atmosphere
A dark action RPG with precise, unforgiving combat and intricately connected levels.
3 Bloodborne
Dark, serious atmosphere
A fast, aggressive Soulslike set in a gothic nightmare city, where you win by staying on the offensive instead of hiding behind a shield, and the story slowly turns into cosmic horror. Interlocking levels, brutal bosses and cryptic lore make it a genre landmark.
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Challenging difficulty
- Lots to discover
A fast, aggressive Soulslike set in a gothic nightmare city, where you win by staying on the offensive instead of hiding behind a shield, and the story slowly turns into cosmic horror. Interlocking levels, brutal bosses and cryptic lore make it a genre landmark.
4 Dark Souls
Lots to discover
A merciless action RPG whose interconnected world of Lordran rewards careful exploration with clever shortcuts, deliberate combat and cryptic, melancholic lore. Every death teaches something, and every victory feels truly earned.
- Lots to discover
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Fantasy setting
A merciless action RPG whose interconnected world of Lordran rewards careful exploration with clever shortcuts, deliberate combat and cryptic, melancholic lore. Every death teaches something, and every victory feels truly earned.
5 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Challenging difficulty
Sword fighting in feudal Japan, where parrying and posture decide everything.
6 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Co-op or multiplayer
The definitive competitive tactical shooter: terrorists versus counter-terrorists in tense round-based matches where precise aim, team coordination and smart economy management decide every win.
6 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- Co-op or multiplayer
- Competing against other players
- Shooting and gunplay
The definitive competitive tactical shooter: terrorists versus counter-terrorists in tense round-based matches where precise aim, team coordination and smart economy management decide every win.
7 Hotline Miami
Dark, serious atmosphere
A brutally fast top-down shooter where one hit kills and every floor is mastered through rapid trial, error and instant restarts. Its neon visuals, pulsing synthwave soundtrack and unsettling, surreal story about violence make it unforgettable.
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Challenging difficulty
A brutally fast top-down shooter where one hit kills and every floor is mastered through rapid trial, error and instant restarts. Its neon visuals, pulsing synthwave soundtrack and unsettling, surreal story about violence make it unforgettable.
8 Cuphead
Distinctive, stylised art style
A brutally tough boss-rush shooter animated like a 1930s cartoon, where precise dodging, parrying and shooting decide every fight. A swinging big-band jazz score and local co-op round it out.
8 Cuphead
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Lavish presentation
- Challenging difficulty
A brutally tough boss-rush shooter animated like a 1930s cartoon, where precise dodging, parrying and shooting decide every fight. A swinging big-band jazz score and local co-op round it out.
9 Counter-Strike
Co-op or multiplayer
The genre-defining team shooter where terrorists and counter-terrorists clash in tense rounds over bombs and hostages. With no respawns, an economy for buying gear and unforgiving gunplay, every round rewards teamwork, tactics and sharp aim.
- Co-op or multiplayer
- Competing against other players
- Shooting and gunplay
The genre-defining team shooter where terrorists and counter-terrorists clash in tense rounds over bombs and hostages. With no respawns, an economy for buying gear and unforgiving gunplay, every round rewards teamwork, tactics and sharp aim.
10 Apex Legends
Co-op or multiplayer
A fast free-to-play battle royale hero shooter set in the Titanfall universe, where squads of three legends with unique abilities fight to be the last team standing. Slick movement, tight gunplay and squad synergy define it.
10 Apex Legends
- Co-op or multiplayer
- Shooting and gunplay
- Sci-fi setting
A fast free-to-play battle royale hero shooter set in the Titanfall universe, where squads of three legends with unique abilities fight to be the last team standing. Slick movement, tight gunplay and squad synergy define it.
11 Bayonetta
Distinctive, stylised art style
A supremely stylish character action game where the witch Bayonetta battles hordes of angels using Witch Time, precise dodges and absurdly over-the-top finishers. Deep combo mechanics, colossal bosses and plenty of tongue-in-cheek charm.
11 Bayonetta
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Fantasy setting
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
A supremely stylish character action game where the witch Bayonetta battles hordes of angels using Witch Time, precise dodges and absurdly over-the-top finishers. Deep combo mechanics, colossal bosses and plenty of tongue-in-cheek charm.
12 Devil May Cry 5
Lavish presentation
A blistering stylish-action showcase where three wildly different demon hunters chain combos and weapon swaps to chase the highest style rank. Over-the-top cutscenes, a pumping soundtrack and deep mechanical mastery make it a genre benchmark.
- Lavish presentation
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
- Fantasy setting
A blistering stylish-action showcase where three wildly different demon hunters chain combos and weapon swaps to chase the highest style rank. Over-the-top cutscenes, a pumping soundtrack and deep mechanical mastery make it a genre benchmark.
13 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Melee combat with weapons or fists
A blistering PlatinumGames hack-and-slash where cyborg ninja Raiden parries and freely slices enemies apart with Blade Mode. Over-the-top boss fights and a legendary metal soundtrack make it a cult classic.
13 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
- Sci-fi setting
- Distinctive, stylised art style
A blistering PlatinumGames hack-and-slash where cyborg ninja Raiden parries and freely slices enemies apart with Blade Mode. Over-the-top boss fights and a legendary metal soundtrack make it a cult classic.
14 Valorant
Co-op or multiplayer
A competitive 5v5 tactical shooter that blends unforgiving, precision gunplay with distinct agent abilities. Team coordination and round-by-round strategy matter as much as raw aim.
14 Valorant
- Co-op or multiplayer
- Competing against other players
- Shooting and gunplay
A competitive 5v5 tactical shooter that blends unforgiving, precision gunplay with distinct agent abilities. Team coordination and round-by-round strategy matter as much as raw aim.
15 Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number
Dark, serious atmosphere
A brutal top-down action sequel where one hit kills and every floor demands split-second planning and reflexes. A fractured, non-linear story across multiple characters unfolds in garish neon, driven by a hypnotic synthwave soundtrack.
15 Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Challenging difficulty
A brutal top-down action sequel where one hit kills and every floor demands split-second planning and reflexes. A fractured, non-linear story across multiple characters unfolds in garish neon, driven by a hypnotic synthwave soundtrack.
16 Quake III Arena
Co-op or multiplayer
Quake III Arena is a pure arena shooter where blistering movement like strafe-jumping, precise aim and controlling item spawns decide every match. There's no campaign, just relentless deathmatches and duels against bots or real players.
- Co-op or multiplayer
- Shooting and gunplay
- Competing against other players
Quake III Arena is a pure arena shooter where blistering movement like strafe-jumping, precise aim and controlling item spawns decide every match. There's no campaign, just relentless deathmatches and duels against bots or real players.
17 Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening
Challenging difficulty
A blistering hack-and-slash where young Dante juggles swappable fighting styles, weapons and guns, and the game rewards you for fighting with flair. It is famously punishing, with legendary boss duels like the fights against Vergil and a heavy metal soundtrack.
17 Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening
- Challenging difficulty
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
- Distinctive, stylised art style
A blistering hack-and-slash where young Dante juggles swappable fighting styles, weapons and guns, and the game rewards you for fighting with flair. It is famously punishing, with legendary boss duels like the fights against Vergil and a heavy metal soundtrack.
18 Counter-Strike 2
Co-op or multiplayer
The definitive competitive tactical shooter, where two teams fight short, high-stakes rounds over bomb sites and precise aim, utility usage and team coordination decide everything. Source 2 adds reactive volumetric smoke to a famously unforgiving skill ceiling.
- Co-op or multiplayer
- Competing against other players
- Shooting and gunplay
The definitive competitive tactical shooter, where two teams fight short, high-stakes rounds over bomb sites and precise aim, utility usage and team coordination decide everything. Source 2 adds reactive volumetric smoke to a famously unforgiving skill ceiling.
19 Katana Zero
Dark, serious atmosphere
A blistering neo-noir action platformer where one hit kills and each room plays like a puzzle solved with your katana, slow-motion and deflected bullets. It's wrapped in a twisted, fragmented story with dialogue choices and a superb synthwave soundtrack.
19 Katana Zero
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
A blistering neo-noir action platformer where one hit kills and each room plays like a puzzle solved with your katana, slow-motion and deflected bullets. It's wrapped in a twisted, fragmented story with dialogue choices and a superb synthwave soundtrack.
20 Enter the Gungeon
Shooting and gunplay
A tough, pun-filled bullet-hell roguelike where you dodge-roll and flip tables through procedural floors with hundreds of wildly creative guns. Every run plays differently, and mastering the dense projectile patterns is deeply rewarding.
- Shooting and gunplay
- Runs that play out differently every time
- Challenging difficulty
A tough, pun-filled bullet-hell roguelike where you dodge-roll and flip tables through procedural floors with hundreds of wildly creative guns. Every run plays differently, and mastering the dense projectile patterns is deeply rewarding.
21 Lies of P
Dark, serious atmosphere
A Soulslike based on Pinocchio, set in a decaying Belle Époque city with a strong focus on parrying.
21 Lies of P
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Challenging difficulty
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
A Soulslike based on Pinocchio, set in a decaying Belle Époque city with a strong focus on parrying.
22 Stellar Blade
Lavish presentation
A slick hack-and-slash set on a ruined Earth where precise parries and dodges decide every fight. It pairs spectacular boss battles with semi-open zones full of secrets and a standout soundtrack.
- Lavish presentation
- Sci-fi setting
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
A slick hack-and-slash set on a ruined Earth where precise parries and dodges decide every fight. It pairs spectacular boss battles with semi-open zones full of secrets and a standout soundtrack.
23 Elden Ring Nightreign
Fantasy setting
A co-op roguelike spin-off of Elden Ring where a trio races across a shrinking map over three days, powering up before facing a towering Nightlord boss. Fast, intense runs with distinct hero classes replace the sprawling solo journey.
24 Ninja Gaiden 4
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Ninja Gaiden 4 revives the legendary hack-and-slash series with lightning-fast, brutal combat, co-developed by Team Ninja and PlatinumGames. As newcomer Yakumo you carve through a rain-soaked, demon-infested Tokyo where reflexes and combo mastery decide everything.
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
- Challenging difficulty
- Lavish presentation
Ninja Gaiden 4 revives the legendary hack-and-slash series with lightning-fast, brutal combat, co-developed by Team Ninja and PlatinumGames. As newcomer Yakumo you carve through a rain-soaked, demon-infested Tokyo where reflexes and combo mastery decide everything.
25 For Honor
Co-op or multiplayer
A weighty melee brawler where knights, vikings and samurai clash using a stance-based system that rewards parries, feints and reading your opponent. Tense PvP duels and team battles are the heart of it, with a short campaign on the side.
25 For Honor
- Co-op or multiplayer
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
- Competing against other players
A weighty melee brawler where knights, vikings and samurai clash using a stance-based system that rewards parries, feints and reading your opponent. Tense PvP duels and team battles are the heart of it, with a short campaign on the side.
26 Unreal Tournament
Co-op or multiplayer
The legendary 1999 arena shooter built around lightning-fast deathmatches, inventive alt-fire weapons and varied modes like Capture the Flag and Assault. Whether against humans or sharp bots, reflexes, map knowledge and precise aim decide every match.
- Co-op or multiplayer
- Shooting and gunplay
- Competing against other players
The legendary 1999 arena shooter built around lightning-fast deathmatches, inventive alt-fire weapons and varied modes like Capture the Flag and Assault. Whether against humans or sharp bots, reflexes, map knowledge and precise aim decide every match.
27 The First Berserker: Khazan
Melee combat with weapons or fists
A punishing soulslike set in the Dungeon & Fighter universe, where the betrayed general Khazan seeks revenge through weighty, precise melee combat and brutal boss duels. Its striking cel-shaded look and aggressive parry-and-stamina system set it apart.
27 The First Berserker: Khazan
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
- Fantasy setting
- Challenging difficulty
A punishing soulslike set in the Dungeon & Fighter universe, where the betrayed general Khazan seeks revenge through weighty, precise melee combat and brutal boss duels. Its striking cel-shaded look and aggressive parry-and-stamina system set it apart.
28 2XKO
Co-op or multiplayer
Riot's tag-team fighter pits League of Legends champions against each other in 2v2 duos, letting two players share a team and coordinate combos and assists. Fast, combo-heavy fights with approachable inputs but plenty of depth for competitive players.
28 2XKO
- Co-op or multiplayer
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Competing against other players
Riot's tag-team fighter pits League of Legends champions against each other in 2v2 duos, letting two players share a team and coordinate combos and assists. Fast, combo-heavy fights with approachable inputs but plenty of depth for competitive players.
29 Nioh 3
Strong character progression
Demanding samurai action where you switch on the fly between Samurai and Ninja fighting styles to take down yokai from Japanese myth. Deep loot and build systems meet an open world for the first time in the series.
29 Nioh 3
- Strong character progression
- Fantasy setting
- Challenging difficulty
Demanding samurai action where you switch on the fly between Samurai and Ninja fighting styles to take down yokai from Japanese myth. Deep loot and build systems meet an open world for the first time in the series.
30 Bayonetta 2
Distinctive, stylised art style
A blistering character action game where Bayonetta battles angels and demons using Witch Time dodges, wild combos and summoned demons. Absurdly over-the-top spectacle backed by an extremely precise and deep combat system.
30 Bayonetta 2
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Fantasy setting
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
A blistering character action game where Bayonetta battles angels and demons using Witch Time dodges, wild combos and summoned demons. Absurdly over-the-top spectacle backed by an extremely precise and deep combat system.
31 Demon's Souls
Dark, serious atmosphere
This remake of the genre-founding classic sends you through fog-shrouded, bleak fantasy realms full of merciless enemies and punishing bosses. Modern visuals and fluid combat make the birth of the Soulslike feel fresh again.
32 Furi
Distinctive, stylised art style
Furi is a pure boss-rush duelist where you mix sword combat, parrying and twin-stick shooting in intense one-on-one fights. Each guardian has a distinct style, backed by bold comic-inspired art and a driving electronic soundtrack.
32 Furi
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Challenging difficulty
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
Furi is a pure boss-rush duelist where you mix sword combat, parrying and twin-stick shooting in intense one-on-one fights. Each guardian has a distinct style, backed by bold comic-inspired art and a driving electronic soundtrack.
33 Returnal
Sci-fi setting
As a stranded astronaut caught in a time loop, you fight across a constantly shifting alien planet. Frantic bullet-hell shooting and a dark, enigmatic story make every run intense and punishing.
33 Returnal
- Sci-fi setting
- Shooting and gunplay
- Runs that play out differently every time
As a stranded astronaut caught in a time loop, you fight across a constantly shifting alien planet. Frantic bullet-hell shooting and a dark, enigmatic story make every run intense and punishing.
34 Phantom Blade Zero
Melee combat with weapons or fists
A blistering kung fu action game set in a dark 'Kungfupunk' world, where the dying assassin Soul unravels a conspiracy through fast, parry-heavy blade combat. Its fights feel like choreographed wuxia cinema.
35 Overwatch
Co-op or multiplayer
A vibrant team shooter where two squads of five clash over objectives using heroes with distinct abilities. Coordination, smart role and hero picks, and sharp reflexes decide every match.
35 Overwatch
- Co-op or multiplayer
- Shooting and gunplay
- Competing against other players
A vibrant team shooter where two squads of five clash over objectives using heroes with distinct abilities. Coordination, smart role and hero picks, and sharp reflexes decide every match.
36 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Co-op or multiplayer
The definitive crossover brawler, gathering every fighter in Smash history into a game that works equally well as chaotic party fun and deep competitive play. A massive soundtrack and the World of Light adventure mode round it out.
- Co-op or multiplayer
- Competing against other players
- Distinctive, stylised art style
The definitive crossover brawler, gathering every fighter in Smash history into a game that works equally well as chaotic party fun and deep competitive play. A massive soundtrack and the World of Light adventure mode round it out.
37 Doom: The Dark Ages
Lavish presentation
A heavy, grounded take on Doom where the Slayer stands his ground with a shield saw, parries and brutal melee weapons in a grim medieval sci-fi world. Rides on a cyber-dragon and battles in a giant mech add spectacle and variety.
38 Black Myth: Wukong
Lavish presentation
A visually stunning action RPG based on Journey to the West, pitting you as a staff-wielding monkey warrior against a parade of spectacular bosses. Transformations, spells and precise dodging define its demanding combat.
39 Onimusha: Way of the Sword
Lavish presentation
Capcom's revival of Onimusha sends a samurai wielding the Oni Gauntlet through a demon-infested Edo-era Kyoto. Its core is weighty, precise swordplay built around timing-based counters and gory, cinematic presentation.
- Lavish presentation
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
- Dark, serious atmosphere
Capcom's revival of Onimusha sends a samurai wielding the Oni Gauntlet through a demon-infested Edo-era Kyoto. Its core is weighty, precise swordplay built around timing-based counters and gory, cinematic presentation.
40 Titanfall 2
Sci-fi setting
A lightning-fast shooter built on wall-running and double jumps, with a short but inventive campaign about the bond between a rifleman and his mech BT-7274. It pairs that with fluid multiplayer where pilots and Titans clash on the same battlefield.
40 Titanfall 2
- Sci-fi setting
- Shooting and gunplay
- Lavish presentation
A lightning-fast shooter built on wall-running and double jumps, with a short but inventive campaign about the bond between a rifleman and his mech BT-7274. It pairs that with fluid multiplayer where pilots and Titans clash on the same battlefield.
41 Dark Souls II
Fantasy setting
The second Souls entry sends you as a cursed undead through the decaying kingdom of Drangleic, offering punishing bosses, huge weapon and build variety, and a sprawling, branching world packed with secrets.
42 Doom Eternal
Shooting and gunplay
A blisteringly fast shooter that forces you to keep moving and treat every demon as a resource, carving out ammo, armor and health with the chainsaw, flame belch and glory kills. Paired with a crushing metal soundtrack, its fights play out like a violent dance through hordes of demons.
42 Doom Eternal
- Shooting and gunplay
- Lavish presentation
- Dark, serious atmosphere
A blisteringly fast shooter that forces you to keep moving and treat every demon as a resource, carving out ammo, armor and health with the chainsaw, flame belch and glory kills. Paired with a crushing metal soundtrack, its fights play out like a violent dance through hordes of demons.
43 Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
Melee combat with weapons or fists
A fast-paced Soulslike from Team Ninja set in the collapsing Han Dynasty, where deflecting and countering define the combat rhythm. Demon-corrupted warlords and mythical beasts provide tough fights that can also be tackled in co-op.
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
- Strong character progression
- Dark, serious atmosphere
A fast-paced Soulslike from Team Ninja set in the collapsing Han Dynasty, where deflecting and countering define the combat rhythm. Demon-corrupted warlords and mythical beasts provide tough fights that can also be tackled in co-op.
44 Dead Cells
Runs that play out differently every time
A fast, fluid 2D roguelite with Metroidvania structure, where tight, punchy combat and a huge arsenal of weapons make every run feel different. Permanent unlocks and new routes give you a real sense of progress even as you die again and again.
44 Dead Cells
- Runs that play out differently every time
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
- Distinctive, stylised art style
A fast, fluid 2D roguelite with Metroidvania structure, where tight, punchy combat and a huge arsenal of weapons make every run feel different. Permanent unlocks and new routes give you a real sense of progress even as you die again and again.
45 Delta Force
Co-op or multiplayer
A free-to-play reboot of the classic military shooter series, combining huge vehicle-filled PvP battles with a tense extraction mode where your loot and gear are on the line. Class-based operators with unique abilities reward coordinated teamplay.
45 Delta Force
- Co-op or multiplayer
- Shooting and gunplay
- Competing against other players
A free-to-play reboot of the classic military shooter series, combining huge vehicle-filled PvP battles with a tense extraction mode where your loot and gear are on the line. Class-based operators with unique abilities reward coordinated teamplay.
46 Ultrakill
Shooting and gunplay
Ultrakill is an extremely fast retro first-person shooter that blends style-ranking from character action games with brutal carnage. You heal by bathing in enemy blood and must fluidly chain weapons, movement and combos.
46 Ultrakill
- Shooting and gunplay
- Distinctive, stylised art style
- Challenging difficulty
Ultrakill is an extremely fast retro first-person shooter that blends style-ranking from character action games with brutal carnage. You heal by bathing in enemy blood and must fluidly chain weapons, movement and combos.
47 Quake Champions
Co-op or multiplayer
An extremely fast arena shooter built on aim, movement and map control. Distinct champions with their own abilities add a twist to the classic Quake duel formula.
48 Monster Hunter: World
Strong character progression
You track and battle colossal beasts across living ecosystems, learning their patterns and crafting ever-stronger gear from their parts. The demanding, weighty combat really shines when hunting in four-player co-op.
49 God of War
Lavish presentation
An older Kratos travels through Norse mythology with his son Atreus. Weighty axe combat, an emotional father-son story and a seamless single-shot camera make it stand out.
49 God of War
- Lavish presentation
- Strong, story-driven narrative
- Fantasy setting
An older Kratos travels through Norse mythology with his son Atreus. Weighty axe combat, an emotional father-son story and a seamless single-shot camera make it stand out.
50 Monster Hunter Wilds
Lavish presentation
Wilds sets its hunts across seamless, shifting ecosystems where storms and weather swings change how monsters behave. Fourteen weapon types, a new Focus Mode and deep gear crafting make for more approachable yet still demanding fights, solo or in co-op.
- Lavish presentation
- Fantasy setting
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
Wilds sets its hunts across seamless, shifting ecosystems where storms and weather swings change how monsters behave. Fourteen weapon types, a new Focus Mode and deep gear crafting make for more approachable yet still demanding fights, solo or in co-op.
51 Guilty Gear: Strive
Distinctive, stylised art style
A blazing-fast fighting game with a striking anime-style 3D look and a heavy metal soundtrack. It welcomes newcomers while offering deep mechanics for veterans, wrapped in stylish presentation and aggressive, high-speed duels.
52 Beast of Reincarnation
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Game Freak's dark action RPG sends Emma and her dog Koo across a ruined, post-apocalyptic Japan. Its core is demanding, technical combat built around the two fighting as a duo.
53 Saros
Shooting and gunplay
Housemarque's spiritual follow-up to Returnal: a frantic third-person bullet-hell shooter on the eerie world of Carcosa, where each death feeds persistent progression and pushes the cosmic-horror mystery forward.
53 Saros
- Shooting and gunplay
- Lavish presentation
- Sci-fi setting
Housemarque's spiritual follow-up to Returnal: a frantic third-person bullet-hell shooter on the eerie world of Carcosa, where each death feeds persistent progression and pushes the cosmic-horror mystery forward.
54 Mortal Kombat X
Dark, serious atmosphere
A brutal 2D fighter where each character has selectable combat variations, flashy X-Ray moves and gleefully gory Fatalities. A cinematic story mode continues the saga of Earthrealm and Outworld.
55 Devil May Cry 4
Melee combat with weapons or fists
A fast, flashy hack-and-slash where Nero's Devil Bringer arm lets you yank enemies around and chain outrageous combos, with Dante returning with his switchable fighting styles. The style ranking system rewards variety and precision, giving it huge mastery depth.
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
- Fantasy setting
- Distinctive, stylised art style
A fast, flashy hack-and-slash where Nero's Devil Bringer arm lets you yank enemies around and chain outrageous combos, with Dante returning with his switchable fighting styles. The style ranking system rewards variety and precision, giving it huge mastery depth.
56 Quake Live
Co-op or multiplayer
An extremely fast, competitive arena shooter built on aim, movement and map control. Over 100 arenas and many game modes make it a classic of online competition.
56 Quake Live
- Co-op or multiplayer
- Competing against other players
- Shooting and gunplay
An extremely fast, competitive arena shooter built on aim, movement and map control. Over 100 arenas and many game modes make it a classic of online competition.
57 Marathon
Sci-fi setting
Bungie's extraction shooter drops you as a cybernetic Runner, solo or in a crew of three, onto the mysterious world of Tau Ceti IV to grab loot and fight rival players for a successful escape. Its bold, graphic-design-driven sci-fi aesthetic sets it apart from typical military shooters.
57 Marathon
- Sci-fi setting
- Co-op or multiplayer
- Distinctive, stylised art style
Bungie's extraction shooter drops you as a cybernetic Runner, solo or in a crew of three, onto the mysterious world of Tau Ceti IV to grab loot and fight rival players for a successful escape. Its bold, graphic-design-driven sci-fi aesthetic sets it apart from typical military shooters.
58 Mordhau
Co-op or multiplayer
Brutal medieval battles for up to 64 players where directional swings, parries and feints decide every duel. A steep skill curve meets chaotic, often hilarious battlefield mayhem.
58 Mordhau
- Co-op or multiplayer
- Competing against other players
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
Brutal medieval battles for up to 64 players where directional swings, parries and feints decide every duel. A steep skill curve meets chaotic, often hilarious battlefield mayhem.
59 Valor Mortis
Dark, serious atmosphere
A first-person soulslike from the Ghostrunner team that casts you as a resurrected soldier of Napoleon's army. You fight horrifying monsters with blades, firearms and supernatural powers, in tense parry-driven combat set in a grim, twisted version of the Napoleonic era.
59 Valor Mortis
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Lavish presentation
- Fantasy setting
A first-person soulslike from the Ghostrunner team that casts you as a resurrected soldier of Napoleon's army. You fight horrifying monsters with blades, firearms and supernatural powers, in tense parry-driven combat set in a grim, twisted version of the Napoleonic era.
60 Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
Dark, serious atmosphere
A demanding soulslike set in a grim take on the late Ming Dynasty, where a mysterious plague twists people into monsters. Flexible weapon builds, precise parrying and a madness mechanic that trades risk for power define its combat.
- Dark, serious atmosphere
- Melee combat with weapons or fists
- Strong character progression
A demanding soulslike set in a grim take on the late Ming Dynasty, where a mysterious plague twists people into monsters. Flexible weapon builds, precise parrying and a madness mechanic that trades risk for power define its combat.
Nothing matches this selection.
What matters: Action games
Action games live on the feeling of getting better. A boss that crushed you an hour ago suddenly falls because you learned its timing, or a floor that seemed impossible clicks into a clean run. This list leans heavily toward demanding games, so the main question is what kind of challenge you enjoy: slow, deliberate melee duels, frantic arcade-style runs, or competitive matches against other players.
If you want the classic Soulslike experience, Elden Ring is the most approachable entry point because its open world lets you leave a tough area and come back stronger. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is the pick for players who love parrying, since posture and deflection decide nearly every fight. Bloodborne rewards aggression rather than hiding behind a shield, though it is PlayStation only. For something shorter and punchier, Hotline Miami offers one-hit deaths and instant restarts set to a synthwave soundtrack.
Also consider who you play with. Cuphead supports local co-op and pairs brutal boss fights with a 1930s cartoon look, while Apex Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive are built around team play online. If you prefer flashy combos over grim atmosphere, Bayonetta delivers over-the-top style and deep combat with plenty of humor.
Frequently asked questions
Which Soulslike should I play first?
Elden Ring is a good start because its open world lets you explore elsewhere when you get stuck. If you prefer tighter, interconnected level design, Dark Souls: Remastered offers the original Lordran with sharper visuals and the Artorias DLC included.
Are there good co-op action games on this list?
Cuphead has local co-op for its boss fights, and Apex Legends is built around squads of three. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is also team-based, though it focuses on competitive matches.
What is a good action game that is not a dark fantasy RPG?
Hotline Miami is a fast top-down shooter with neon pixel art and instant restarts, and Bayonetta is a stylish, comedic character action game. Cuphead offers hand-drawn cartoon visuals and tough boss battles.
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