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.

Filters & Lists
Lone Survivor: The Director's Cut In this original and adult psychological survival horror, the masked protagonist must escape from a city ravaged by disease, by any means necessary.

Price -51% 4.87€
Rating 8.1
Release 23 Apr 2012
Blades of Time Ayumi, the gorgeous gun and sword-wielding treasure hunter, sets out on a journey to an ancient island in search of new adventures. While rich in bounty, the island is also filled with the magic of Chaos, being at the same time home to blood thirsty monsters.

Price -93% 0.70€
Rating 7.6
Release 20 Apr 2012
Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet In this Insanely Twisted, 2-D action-adventure game, explore unique environments and battle bizarre creatures.

Price -74% 3.69€
Rating 8.2
Release 17 Apr 2012
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition A time of untold chaos has come. Mighty forces clash behind the scenes in a struggle for power and influence. The Northern Kingdoms mobilize for war. But armies on the march are not enough to stop a bloody conspiracy...

Price -85% 2.99€
Rating 8.8
Release 16 Apr 2012
Men of War: Condemned Heroes Men of War: Condemned Heroes tells the story of one of the infamous Soviet penal battalions during the WWII.

Price -89% 0.90€
Rating 6.8
Release 12 Apr 2012
Legend of Grimrock Use the Dungeon Editor to build entirely new adventures and challenges for other players to solve.

Price -95% 0.83€
Rating 9.1
Release 11 Apr 2012
Rayman® Origins Experience the magical universe of Rayman with legendary 2D gameplay that has captured the hearts of millions of fans!

Price 9.99€
Rating 9.1
Release 29 Mar 2012
A Total War Saga: FALL OF THE SAMURAI Experience the dramatic conflict of samurai culture and modern weaponry between the Imperial throne and the last Shogunate in 19th century Japan.

Price 29.99€
Rating 6.7
Release 22 Mar 2012
Warp Warp™ is a strategic stealth-action puzzler where gamers play as Zero, a loveable yet lethal, little orange alien with a big score to settle. Abducted by a villainous General from his home world and taken to an underwater research facility, Zero must plan his ultimate escape by relying on his arsenal of special abilities.

Price 9.99€
Rating 6.5
Release 21 Mar 2012
Waveform Navigate the beauty and hazards of the solar system while riding a wave of light through 100+ levels in this innovative action-puzzle game!

Price 0.99€
Rating 8.0
Release 20 Mar 2012
Ys: The Oath in Felghana An Action RPG driven by fast-paced combat and paired with an intricate puzzle-filled world.

Price 11.99€
Rating 9.0
Release 19 Mar 2012
Wizorb The once peaceful Kingdom of Gorudo is threatened by an evil presence. The only hope for salvation is Cyrus!

Price -66% 1.03€
Rating 6.7
Release 14 Mar 2012
Vessel Living liquid machines have overrun a world of unstoppable progress and their inventor must stop the chaos in this game about a man with the power to bring ordinary matter to life!

Price 4.99€
Rating 8.3
Release 01 Mar 2012
Luxor Evolved In an all-new, completely revamped LUXOR Evolved, the chains are faster, the power-ups more awesome, the shooters more stealthy. In this retro-styled arcade shooter, you’ll experience a faster, more intense LUXOR, unlike any you’ve seen before.

Price -95% 0.54€
Rating 8.5
Release 01 Mar 2012
iBomber Defense Pacific iBomber moves to the Pacific as you fight a whole new enemy across the Pacific rim to regain freedom.

Price -86% 0.84€
Rating 7.8
Release 01 Mar 2012
Really Big Sky A super fast, twin analogue shooter for the modern age!

Price -97% 0.19€
Rating 7.3
Release 24 Feb 2012
Wargame: European Escalation The New Fatal Error DLC includes a new 5-mission Operation and touch-screen controls.

Price -92% 0.89€
Rating 7.6
Release 22 Feb 2012
Realm of the Mad God Exalt Embark on an exhilarating journey into the pixelated Realm of the Mad God! Join, an action-packed, free-to-play MMO bullet hell game. Discover a world with danger, challenges, and hidden treasures as you battle through waves of enemies. Team up with players and conquer dungeons to become a legend!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.2
Release 20 Feb 2012
Alan Wake A Dark Presence stalks the small town of Bright Falls, pushing Alan Wake to the brink of sanity in his fight to unravel the mystery and save his love.

Price -94% 0.80€
Rating 8.9
Release 16 Feb 2012
The Darkness II An intense first person shooter that delivers a twisted and gripping narrative of tragedy, modern crime drama, and supernatural horror.

Price -97% 1.04€
Rating 9.0
Release 09 Feb 2012
Jagged Alliance - Back in Action A contemporary remake of the much-loved series of turn-based mercenary-themed strategy games.

Price -75% 4.99€
Rating 7.0
Release 08 Feb 2012
Shank 2 The fan-favorite 2D brawler is back as ex-mob hit man Shank returns to action in Shank 2. With those closest to him under attack, Shank is once again forced on the offensive. Now he must put his trusty arsenal of handguns, shotguns, automatic weapons, chainsaws, machetes, grenades, plus all-new weaponry and moves to use in order to...

Price -89% 1.16€
Rating 8.0
Release 07 Feb 2012
PixelJunk™ Eden Swing, climb, and jump your way through massive “gardens” of vibrant other-worldly plant-life in this truly organic platformer.

Price 9.99€
Rating 7.5
Release 02 Feb 2012
Star Trek Online In Star Trek Online, the Star Trek universe appears for the first time on a truly massive scale. Players take the captain's chair as they command their own starship and crew. Explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, and boldly go where no one has gone before.

Price Free to play
Rating 7.8
Release 31 Jan 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.