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
SPORE™ Creepy & Cute Parts Pack Add horror and humor to your universe. Make grotesque beasts or cuddly critters, then watch them do the robot, zombie walk, break dance and more! Includes over 100 new items. 60 New parts 48 New paint options 24 New animations

Price -75% 4.99€
Rating 8.5
Release 19 Dec 2008
Penguins Arena: Sedna's World Penguins Arena is a thrilling and innovative First Penguin Shooter with quick, hectic rounds and where the magic of reincarnation, combined with the supernatural ability to return to the game as a ghost, ensures that your character has every chance to change your tribe's fate, even in the afterlife.

Price -85% 0.89€
Rating 8.5
Release 18 Dec 2008
Aquaria Aquaria is an award-winning action-adventure game set in a massive underwater world teeming with life and filled with ancient secrets. Join Naija, a lone underwater adventurer, as she travels from hidden caves shrouded in darkness, to beautiful, sunlit oases in search of her past.

Price -81% 1.98€
Rating 8.4
Release 15 Dec 2008
Prince of Persia® The critically acclaimed Prince of Persia® franchise returns for the first time on next-generation platforms with an all-new epic journey. Built by the same award-winning Ubisoft Montreal studio that created Assassin's Creed™, Prince of Persia has been in development for over three years to deliver a whole new action-adventure gaming...

Price -80% 1.99€
Rating 7.6
Release 10 Dec 2008
Defense Grid: The Awakening Defense Grid: The Awakening is a unique spin on tower defense gameplay that will appeal to players of all skill levels. A horde of enemies is invading, and it's up to the player to stop them by strategically building fortification towers around their base.

Price -61% 3.14€
Rating 9.3
Release 08 Dec 2008
Iron Grip: Warlord Iron Grip: Warlord invigorates tower defense with first-person shooter elements to give a new twist to the genre.It puts you in the heat of the battle, fighting off hordes of AI-controlled invaders. Play alone or with friends, in a diverse and challenging struggle to save all of Atelia.

Price -81% 26.80€
Rating 8.0
Release 05 Dec 2008
Tomb Raider: Underworld Tomb Raider: Underworld represents a new advancement in exploration-based gameplay. As fearless adventurer Lara Croft explore exotic locations around the world, each designed with an incredible attention to detail resulting in breathtaking high-definition visual fidelity that creates a truly believable world and delivers a new level of...

Price -94% 0.55€
Rating 7.5
Release 21 Nov 2008
Call of Duty: World at War Call of Duty is back, redefining war like you've never experienced before. Building on the Call of Duty 4®: Modern Warfare engine, Call of Duty: World at War immerses players into the most gritty and chaotic WWII combat ever experienced.

Price -25% 14.99€
Rating 9.1
Release 18 Nov 2008
Left 4 Dead From Valve (the creators of Counter-Strike, Half-Life and more) comes Left 4 Dead, a co-op action horror game for the PC and Xbox 360 that casts up to four players in an epic struggle for survival against swarming zombie hordes and terrifying mutant monsters.

Price 9.75€
Rating 9.5
Release 17 Nov 2008
Mount & Blade Calradia is a land at war, offering great riches and even greater dangers to adventurers and mercenaries that flock to shed their blood on its soil. With courage and a strong sword, an unknown stranger can make a name as a warrior. Free-form sand-box gameplay.

Price -93% 0.75€
Rating 8.9
Release 03 Nov 2008
Fallout 3 Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters.

Price -91% 0.92€
Rating 8.0
Release 28 Oct 2008
Far Cry® 2 You are a gun for hire, trapped in a war-torn African state, stricken with malaria and forced to make deals with corrupt warlords on both sides of the conflict in order to make this country your home. You must identify and exploit your enemies' weaknesses, neutralizing their superior numbers and firepower with surprise, subversion,...

Price -70% 2.99€
Rating 7.5
Release 22 Oct 2008
Bully: Scholarship Edition Bully tells the story of mischievous 15-year-old Jimmy Hopkins as he goes through the hilarity and awkwardness of adolescence. Beat the jocks at dodge ball, play pranks on the preppies, save the nerds, kiss the girl and navigate the social hierarchy in the worst school around.

Price -65% 3.49€
Rating 8.3
Release 21 Oct 2008
X3: Terran Conflict It is the year 2938. The long wished-for encounter of the X Universe and the Earth holds both joy and sorrow for the people. Despite flourishing trade, the clash of the diverse races, cultures and life forms creates new tensions, mistrust and open conflict that need to be overcome!

Price -94% 1.07€
Rating 8.2
Release 16 Oct 2008
Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood™ With its unprecedented combination of authenticity, compelling story and squad-based action, the Brothers in Arms franchise has established itself as a benchmark for military action games, receiving the highest average review scores of any console WWII game to date (www.gamerankings.com).

Price 4.99€
Rating 8.3
Release 10 Oct 2008
Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway™ Brothers in Arms Hell's Highway brings the critically acclaimed squad-based WWII shooter into the next generation of gaming with amazing graphics and sound, new cutting-edge gameplay features and a totally redesigned online component.

Price -60% 3.99€
Rating 8.7
Release 08 Oct 2008
Zombie Panic! Source Dive into the zombie apocalypse with Zombie Panic! Source: a cooperative, survival-horror first-person-shooter. A fast-paced standalone modification.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.2
Release 03 Oct 2008
LEGO® Batman™: The Videogame When all the villains in Arkham Asylum team up and break loose, only the dynamic duo is bold enough to take them on to save Gotham City. The fun of LEGO, the drama of Batman and the uniqueness of the combination makes for a comical and exciting adventure in LEGO Batman: The Videogame.

Price 19.99€
Rating 8.7
Release 29 Sep 2008
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® 3 Gold Raven Shield:Command an elite multinational squad of special operatives against hidden terrorist forces. In Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield, the third installment to the wildly popular Rainbow Six series, Team Rainbow faces the hidden global forces of a new and secretive foe.

Price 4.99€
Rating 8.7
Release 25 Sep 2008
Multiwinia Multiwinia is a fast-paced, retro-inspired RTS that blends arcade action with strategic depth. Command armies of Multiwinians in multiplayer battles across vibrant, nostalgic environments. With simple controls and dynamic gameplay, it offers endless fun and challenge for players of all skill levels.

Price -81% 2.35€
Rating 7.7
Release 19 Sep 2008
Crysis Warhead® Pulse-racing new installment from 2007's PC Game of the Year*: Play as Sergeant Sykes and experience a whole new side of the battle. A standard combat mission behind enemy lines becomes critical when you discover your enemies have captured something of vital importance to the ensuing war.

Price 19.99€
Rating 8.3
Release 17 Sep 2008
The Witcher: Enhanced Edition Director's Cut Become The Witcher, Geralt of Rivia, a legendary monster slayer caught in a web of intrigue woven by forces vying for control of the world. Make difficult decisions and live with the consequences in a game that will immerse you in an extraordinary tale like no other.

Price 7.99€
Rating 8.8
Release 16 Sep 2008
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky – standalone prequel for the acclaimed S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, which tells you story about the Clear Sky group, that want to research the Zone and understand it better.

Price -79% 4.24€
Rating 8.4
Release 15 Sep 2008
Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus® Abe's peaceful retirement was shattered when visited by a vision from the Mudokon Spirit Guides. Abe™ learned the Magog Cartel was mining Necrum, the sacred Mudokon city of the dead, to collect bones to make super-addictive SoulStorm Brew.

Price 2.99€
Rating 9.0
Release 28 Aug 2008

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.