The best action games on PlayStation and Xbox
Fast, punchy and precise: games where reflexes and good timing make the difference.
How to find games that really suit you: Tap “I like it” on up to 5 games. Playalike compares 20 traits such as combat, story and atmosphere and suggests games that hit exactly the same spot, even across genres.
-
1 Elden Ring
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
A vast open world, demanding combat and countless secrets, from the creator of the Dark Souls series.
-
2 Dark Souls III
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
A dark action RPG with precise, unforgiving combat and intricately connected levels.
-
3 Bloodborne
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Sword fighting in feudal Japan, where parrying and posture decide everything.
-
6 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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 Apex Legends
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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 Bayonetta
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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 Devil May Cry 5
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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.
-
12 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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 Valorant
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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 Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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 Quake III Arena
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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.
-
16 Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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 Katana Zero
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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.
-
18 Enter the Gungeon
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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.
-
19 Lies of P
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
A Soulslike based on Pinocchio, set in a decaying Belle Époque city with a strong focus on parrying.
-
20 Stellar Blade
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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.
-
21 Elden Ring Nightreign
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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.
-
22 Ninja Gaiden 4
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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.
-
23 For Honor
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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.
-
24 Unreal Tournament
- Action-packed real-time combat
- Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
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.
What matters with 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.
Not quite your taste?
Tell us your favourite games and we'll find recommendations that fit you exactly.
