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
Half-Life Deathmatch: Source Half-Life Deathmatch: Source is a recreation of the first multiplayer game set in the Half-Life universe. Features all the classic weapons and most-played maps, now running on the Source engine.

Price 9.75€
Rating 7.3
Release 01 May 2006
Earth 2160 After the destruction of the EARTH in 2150, the leaders of the Eurasian Dynasty escaped on board an evacuation fleet. Now they are fighting for the survival of the human species. Their base is one large building comprising of smaller variable parts.

Price -97% 0.31€
Rating 6.8
Release 01 Apr 2006
Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45 Fight in the theatre of war that changed the world forever. Battle alongside your compatriots on some of the most inhospitable environments of the Eastern Front in Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45. Red Orchestra places you in the most realistic WWII first-person multi-player combat to date on the PC, allowing the player to fight through...

Price -47% 2.15€
Rating 8.4
Release 14 Mar 2006
Dungeon Siege II It’s been a generation since you vanquished the evil that plagued the Land of Ehb, and now…a new menace has awakened. In Dungeon Siege II, the sequel to the best-selling RPG from Gas Powered Games, you will be called on to again wield sword and spell to save the world from a growing abomination many years in the making.

Price -82% 1.27€
Rating 7.4
Release 16 Aug 2005
Sid Meier's Pirates! Sail the Caribbean, marauding all on the high seas or ally your ship and crew as a privateer in search of riches - the life you choose is up to you. Face dogged enemies, raid unsuspecting villages, woo fair maidens, avoid capture or dig for buried treasure. Discover what it takes to become one of the most famous pirates in history!

Price -96% 0.43€
Rating 9.2
Release 11 Jul 2005
Half-Life 2 Reawakened from stasis in the occupied metropolis of City 17, Gordon Freeman is joined by Alyx Vance as he leads a desperate human resistance. Experience the landmark first-person shooter packed with immersive world-building, boundary-pushing physics, and exhilarating combat.

Price 9.75€
Rating 9.7
Release 16 Nov 2004
Counter-Strike: Source Counter-Strike: Source blends Counter-Strike's award-winning teamplay action with the advanced technology of Source™ technology.

Price 9.75€
Rating 9.5
Release 01 Nov 2004
Half-Life: Source Winner of over 50 Game of the Year awards, Half-Life set new standards for action games when it was released in 1998. Half-Life: Source is a digitally remastered version of the critically acclaimed and best selling PC game, enhanced via Source technology to include physics simulation, enhanced effects, and more.

Price 9.75€
Rating 6.8
Release 01 Jun 2004
Counter-Strike: Condition Zero With its extensive Tour of Duty campaign, a near-limitless number of skirmish modes, updates and new content for Counter-Strike's award-winning multiplayer game play, plus over 12 bonus single player missions, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero is a tremendous offering of single and multiplayer content.

Price 8.19€
Rating 9.0
Release 01 Mar 2004
Chicken Shoot Gold This tiresome bunch of feathered troublemakers is not giving any peace. Stop this hostile destruction from these rampaging roosters in Arcade mode, or fight against the clock in Classic mode in three difficulty levels.

Price -98% 0.29€
Rating 6.6
Release 01 Nov 2003
Day of Defeat Enlist in an intense brand of Axis vs. Allied teamplay set in the WWII European Theatre of Operations. Players assume the role of light/assault/heavy infantry, sniper or machine-gunner class, each with a unique arsenal of historical weaponry at their disposal. Missions are based on key historical operations.

Price 4.99€
Rating 8.8
Release 01 May 2003
Mafia It’s 1930. After an inadvertent brush with the mafia, cabdriver Tommy Angelo is reluctantly thrust into the world of organized crime. Initially, he is uneasy about falling in with the Salieri family, but soon the rewards become too big to ignore.

Price 9.99€
Rating 8.5
Release 28 Aug 2002
Deathmatch Classic Enjoy fast-paced multiplayer gaming with Deathmatch Classic (a.k.a. DMC). Valve's tribute to the work of id software, DMC invites players to grab their rocket launchers and put their reflexes to the test in a collection of futuristic settings.

Price 4.99€
Rating 8.0
Release 01 Jun 2001
Half-Life: Blue Shift Made by Gearbox Software and originally released in 2001 as an add-on to Half-Life, Blue Shift is a return to the Black Mesa Research Facility in which you play as Barney Calhoun, the security guard sidekick who helped Gordon out of so many sticky situations.

Price 4.99€
Rating 9.0
Release 01 Jun 2001
Gothic 1 War has been waged across the kingdom of Myrtana. Orcish hordes invaded human territory and the king of the land needed a lot of ore to forge enough weapons, should his army stand against this threat. Whoever breaks the law in these darkest of times is sentenced to serve in the giant penal colony of Khorinis, mining the so much needed...

Price 19.99€
Rating 9.0
Release 15 Mar 2001
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne is a violent, film-noir love story. Dark, tragic and intense, the in-depth story is a thrill-ride of shocking twists and revelations. Love hurts.

Price -92% 0.88€
Rating 9.2
Release 25 Feb 2001
Ricochet A futuristic action game that challenges your agility as well as your aim, Ricochet features one-on-one and team matches played in a variety of futuristic battle arenas.

Price 4.99€
Rating 8.0
Release 01 Nov 2000
Counter-Strike Play the world's number 1 online action game. Engage in an incredibly realistic brand of terrorist warfare in this wildly popular team-based game. Ally with teammates to complete strategic missions. Take out enemy sites. Rescue hostages. Your role affects your team's success. Your team's success affects your role.

Price 8.19€
Rating 9.6
Release 01 Nov 2000
Half-Life: Opposing Force Return to the Black Mesa Research Facility as one of the military specialists assigned to eliminate Gordon Freeman. Experience an entirely new episode of single player action. Meet fierce alien opponents, and experiment with new weaponry. Named 'Game of the Year' by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences.

Price 4.99€
Rating 9.3
Release 01 Nov 1999
Team Fortress Classic One of the most popular online action games of all time, Team Fortress Classic features over nine character classes -- from Medic to Spy to Demolition Man -- enlisted in a unique style of online team warfare. Each character class possesses unique weapons, items, and abilities, as teams compete online in a variety of game play modes.

Price 4.99€
Rating 8.5
Release 01 Apr 1999
Half-Life Named Game of the Year by over 50 publications, Valve's debut title blends action and adventure with award-winning technology to create a frighteningly realistic world where players must think to survive. Also includes an exciting multiplayer mode that allows you to play against friends and enemies around the world.

Price 8.19€
Rating 9.5
Release 19 Nov 1998
POSTAL Take control of The POSTAL Dude in his infamous first outing as he battles to survive in a world gone mad! POSTAL is a classic isometric shooter filled to the brim with fast-paced explosive action.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.8
Release 14 Nov 1997
Carmageddon Max Pack Carmageddon is the original freeform driving sensation, where pedestrians (and cows!) equal points, and your opponents are a bunch of crazies in a twisted mix of automotive killing machines. The game features anarchic drive-wherever-you-like gameplay and over-the-top surreal comedy violence. It’s the racing game where racing is for wimps.

Price -75% 1.99€
Rating 8.4
Release 30 Jun 1997
Arma 2 Building on 10 years of constant engine development, ARMA II boasts the most realistic combat environment in the world. It models real world ballistics & round deflection, materials penetration, features a realtime day/night cycle and dynamic wind, weather and environmental effects.

Price -80% 1.99€
Rating 8.0
Release -

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.