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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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 -84% 2.64€
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 -92% 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
Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee® Selected by the fickle finger of fate, Abe™, floor-waxer first class for RuptureFarms, was catapulted into a life of adventure when he overheard plans by his boss, Molluck the Glukkon™, to turn Abe and his fellow Mudokons into Tasty Treats as part of a last-ditch effort to rescue Molluck's failing meat-packing empire.

Price 2.99€
Rating 8.3
Release 28 Aug 2008
FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage Collector's Edition Ready for the aggressive, adrenaline-filled ride that leaves you breathless? FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage Collector's Edition is all about destructive action. With carnage modes like the Deathmatch derby, Carnage Race and Head-on races are pure wreck-filled, adrenaline-pumping rides of maximum mayhem.

Price -75% 9.99€
Rating 8.7
Release 26 Aug 2008
Empires Mod Unique strategy/first person shooter mix: One commander on each team plays from above, choosing research, placing buildings and giving orders. The rest fill the role of soldiers on the ground, with four distinct classes to choose from and customizable vehicles to drive.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.2
Release 28 Jul 2008
The Wonderful End of the World You can't save the whole world. It's going to be eaten by a mythological demon with the head of a fish. But as a puppet that absorbs all it touches, you can try to rescue as much of Earth's greatness as you can before the end arrives. In the beginning, you roam the Earth, capable of absorbing only the tiniest of objects.

Price 9.99€
Rating 7.4
Release 17 Jul 2008
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon® Eastern Europe, 2008. War has broken out on the borders of Russia and the fate of the world hangs in the balance. That's when the call goes out for the Ghosts—an elite handful of specially trained Green Berets, armed with the latest technology and trained to use the deadliest weapons.

Price 9.99€
Rating 8.8
Release 15 Jul 2008
Sacred Gold A shadow of evil has fallen on the kingdom of Ancaria. It is a time for champions - a time to journey into the perilous world of SACRED. Battle blood-thirsty orcs & lumbering ogres... Destroy undead wizards & rotting mummies... Slay hellish demons & legendary dragons.

Price -96% 0.45€
Rating 8.3
Release 09 Jul 2008
Insecticide Part 1 Enter the fast shooting world of INSECTICIDE as hot shot rookie Detective Chrys Liszt and help solve a crime of epic proportions. Lead your team on a bug hunt, collecting clues and solving puzzles. Use old-fashioned street smarts, unique insect abilities and an arsenal of ingenious bug weapons to confront your suspects.

Price -88% 0.49€
Rating 7.1
Release 01 Jul 2008
IL-2 Sturmovik: 1946 Il-2 1946 includes all of the original IL-2 series content: IL-2 Sturmovik™: Forgotten Battles, Ace Expansion Pack, Pacific Fighters™ and alternate histry campaigns of year 1946. What was years ago began as a one-aircraft study sim is now an astonishing anthology, with a whopping 229 flyable aircraft and over 300 aircraft total!

Price -94% 0.63€
Rating 8.5
Release 13 Jun 2008
Silent Hunter® III The king of submarine simulations returns with an all-new 3D engine, new crew command features, and more realistic WWII naval action than ever before. The movie-like graphics and simple, tension-filled gameplay make this the perfect game for the realism fanatic and the casual gamer.

Price 4.99€
Rating 8.4
Release 13 Jun 2008
Rayman Raving Rabbids™ Hordes of crazed out-of control bunnies have invaded, enslaving Rayman and forcing him to participate in 'gladiator' style trials. Help Rayman win his freedom back by entertaining and outwitting these fury foes. Use the most hilarious fighting moves imaginable.

Price 4.99€
Rating 8.0
Release 13 Jun 2008
Cold Fear™ In a ferocious Arctic storm, distress signals are sent from a mysterious Russian whaler. As leading Coast Guard veteran Tom Hansen, you board to investigate — and discover unthinkable horrors lurking beneath the ship's bloodstained decks.

Price 4.99€
Rating 8.0
Release 13 May 2008
Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30™ Based on a true story. Set during the famous airdrop before the invasion at Normandy, where Sgt. Matt Baker and his squad of 101st Airborne Paratroopers were scattered over the French countryside.

Price 4.99€
Rating 8.4
Release 13 May 2008
Trackmania United Forever TrackMania is the most entertaining car racing game ever. Millions of players play it in single or multiplayer modes. TrackMania United Forever is the ultimate TrackMania edition thanks to the numerous additions and innovations it has to offer.

Price 29.99€
Rating 9.1
Release 16 Apr 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.