Best Action Games on Steam

Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated action games. For those who prefer not to search, check out lists of the most played, top deals and best free to play Action games on Steam.

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Jet Set Radio Tag, grind, and trick to the beat in SEGA’s hit game Jet Set Radio!

Price 586.48€
Rating 8.5
Release 19 Sep 2012
Continent of the Ninth Seal The Continent of the Ninth Seal (C9) is an action MMORPG. Players take part in the game as heroes of Glenheim to stand against Nefer, an evil villain trying to open a gate to the Netherworld and swarm the land with his infernal legion.

Price Free to play
Rating 6.9
Release 13 Sep 2012
Critter Crunch Using Critter Crunch's 'Food Chain' mechanic, players will eat their way through a smorgasbord of levels and gorge on a feast of modes, including Co-op and Versus multiplayer.

Price 4.99€
Rating 8.7
Release 11 Sep 2012
Intrusion 2 "This is some of the most fun I've had with a game so far this year, and it will go down as one of the best side-scrolling shooters of all time." - 9/10, Destructoid

Price -72% 2.31€
Rating 8.5
Release 11 Sep 2012
Batman: Arkham City - Game of the Year Edition Get Batman: Arkham City and all DLC for one low price with the release of the GOTY Edition!

Price 19.99€
Rating 9.5
Release 07 Sep 2012
I Am Alive I Am Alive casts the player as a lone survivor in a believable, dark and insecure post-apocalyptic world.

Price 14.99€
Rating 6.6
Release 06 Sep 2012
They Bleed Pixels They Bleed Pixels is a fiendishly difficult action platformer inspired by H.P. Lovecraft and classic horror.

Price -90% 1.07€
Rating 8.0
Release 29 Aug 2012
Super Crate Box Vlambeer's SUPER CRATE BOX is coming to bring back the glory of the golden arcade age, when all that really mattered was getting on that high score list. Grab your baseball cap and loosen your pants, it's time to fight endless hordes of enemies and collect every weapon crate you can.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.6
Release 29 Aug 2012
STAR WARS™ Knights of the Old Republic™ II - The Sith Lords™ 5 years after the events of the award winning original, the Sith are on the verge of crushing the Old Republic. As a lone Jedi, will you follow the light side or succumb to the dark?

Price 9.75€
Rating 9.2
Release 23 Aug 2012
Counter-Strike 2 For over two decades, Counter-Strike has offered an elite competitive experience, one shaped by millions of players from across the globe. And now the next chapter in the CS story is about to begin. This is Counter-Strike 2.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.6
Release 21 Aug 2012
Galaxy on Fire 2™ Full HD A hyperdrive malfunction sends Keith T. Maxwell tumbling through space and time to fight for his life against a mysterious alien armada that is wreaking havoc.

Price 7.99€
Rating 7.4
Release 21 Aug 2012
Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack A sci-fi puzzle-platformer of cataclysmic proportions! You’re an ill-tempered blob that grows in size by swallowing everything in its path. Evolve from a tiny captive into a world-eating giant. Use your mutant blob powers to devour the pathetic humans and all of civilization!

Price -73% 2.67€
Rating 8.6
Release 15 Aug 2012
Tower Wars Tower Wars combines elements of tower defense, RTS, and all-out multi-player mayhem to bring you a completely unique experience, delivered with a fun and funny not-so-old world style!

Price -21% 6.38€
Rating 7.0
Release 14 Aug 2012
Iron Brigade Join The Mobile Trench Brigade and protect humanity from the evil Monovision menace!

Price -79% 3.15€
Rating 8.1
Release 13 Aug 2012
Symphony A mysterious entity is absorbing and corrupting your music before your very eyes. You must battle through your own song collection and fight to reclaim your music!

Price -60% 2.03€
Rating 8.0
Release 06 Aug 2012
Death Rally Load your guns, start your engines...THE CLASSIC IS BACK! Brought to you from Remedy, renowned developers of Max Payne and Alan Wake, Remedy's Death Rally classic top down racer is back, stronger and more vicious than ever.

Price -95% 0.54€
Rating 6.8
Release 03 Aug 2012
Awesomenauts Use your power, show your might! Play this Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game! AWESOMENAUTS combines 2D platforming with team-based strategy and hero based action. Whether you are a new recruit or an intergalactic legend, play AWESOMENAUTS!

Price 19.50€
Rating 8.3
Release 01 Aug 2012
Orcs Must Die! 2 You’ve tossed, burned and sliced them by the thousands – now orcs must die more than ever before! Grab a friend and slay orcs in untold numbers in this sequel to the 2011 AIAS Strategy Game of the Year from Robot Entertainment.

Price -93% 0.91€
Rating 9.1
Release 30 Jul 2012
Prototype 2 Become the ultimate shape-shifting weapon!

Price -75% 7.49€
Rating 7.5
Release 26 Jul 2012
Kung Fu Strike - The Warrior's Rise Taking its inspiration from ancient Chinese tales of revenge and retribution and then adding a dash of over-the-top martial arts and old school arcade fun, Kung Fu Strike features 28 stages of fast-paced combo-based fighting.

Price 9.99€
Rating 7.5
Release 24 Jul 2012
Hard Reset Extended Edition Over-the-top destruction, loads of enemies & a beautifully realized cyberpunk setting. Hard Reset is here to shake up the shooter scene. Try the demo now.

Price -97% 0.53€
Rating 7.9
Release 12 Jul 2012
Divine Divinity Divine Divinity is an epic role-playing game with hack-and-slash action, offering a huge world to explore and thousands of items to investigate, trade and use.

Price -21% 3.99€
Rating 8.5
Release 05 Jul 2012
Tribes: Ascend This edition packages weapon DLC from ten previous expansions as well new featured content.

Price Free to play
Rating 7.9
Release 27 Jun 2012
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier™ In Ghost Recon Future Soldier join an elite team of highly trained, cut-throat special-ops soldiers. Armed to the teeth with unrivalled combat technology, Ghost Recon takes you to the globe’s most deadly warzones to hunt down the highest value targets.

Price 14.99€
Rating 6.8
Release 27 Jun 2012

Action games are a cornerstone genre in the gaming world, cherished for their compelling gameplay that often involves intense combat, quick reactions, and strategic decision-making under pressure. These titles challenge players' reflexes and problem-solving abilities, making them a favorite pastime for both casual and hardcore gamers. On platforms like Steam, action games boast a massive following, thanks to their wide array of styles and creative design.

What Makes a Great Action Game?

Combat Mechanics
Deep and dynamic combat systems that offer a variety of approaches and satisfying feedback for every action taken. Look for games that introduce new weapons, abilities, or enemies as you progress through the adventure.
Pacing and Adrenaline
A well-managed game flow that balances moments of exploration or narration with intense combat sequences, keeping the player constantly engaged and excited.
Freedom of Movement
Fluid and responsive controls that allow players to move agilely, dodge attacks, and strategically position themselves, which is crucial in fast-paced combat situations.

Discover the Vast World of Action Games

Are you searching for the best action games? Here you'll find a curated collection spanning from fast-paced first-person shooters (FPS) and adrenaline-pumping hack and slash titles, to engaging action RPGs with compelling stories and online multiplayer action games that let you challenge friends or foes worldwide. Whether you prefer tactical action, breathtaking combat, or expansive exploratory adventures, our selection is constantly updated to offer you the most exciting new action titles and must-play classics.

What are the best platformer games for beginners?

If you're looking for beginner-friendly action games that ease you into the genre without overwhelming you, consider starting with titles that offer clear objectives, forgiving mechanics, and gradual difficulty spikes. Games like Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales offer intuitive combat and traversal, allowing you to feel powerful quickly. Horizon Zero Dawn™ Remastered also features accessible combat systems with clear enemy weaknesses and excellent tutorials.

Shared Adventures Await!

Multiplayer platformer games are all about creating unforgettable shared adventures. Experience the thrill of cooperating to overcome tricky obstacles and timing jumps perfectly alongside a buddy in local co-op gems like Cuphead or Rayman® Legends. Or, if you prefer connecting remotely, dive into unique online multiplayer experiences where teamwork is key, such as the delightful cooperative challenges of It Takes Two or the frantic, chaotic races of Party Animals.