
Films like The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Die Hard, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon are considered some of the greatest action movies ever made, demonstrating the incredible range of spectacle cinema can offer. It’s challenging to translate that same excitement into a video game, though. Games need to be much longer than movies—often several hours—to feel like a worthwhile investment for players.
Some games now feature action sequences so well-done – blending gameplay and cutscenes seamlessly – that they compare to top action films. The smooth, dynamic movement in these games demonstrates the potential of the medium, and filmmakers could learn a lot from how they build excitement and adrenaline into the experience.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Get A Load Of This Bug
Hollow Knight: Silksong built on the success of the first game, offering a refined 2D Metroidvania experience. The new protagonist, Hornet, is quicker and more agile, allowing for faster attacks.
Combat in the game is fast-paced and complex, offering players a variety of options like dodging, quick attacks, special moves, and tools to disrupt opponents. While challenging, dedicated practice allows players to develop Hornet into a skilled fighter against the diverse insect enemies in Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Hades 2
Saving The Underworld
Hades 2 builds on the success of the first game, offering a wider range of attacks for its new protagonist, Melinoe. As you play, you’ll unlock various weapons, all of which can be upgraded and customized with Boons to change how they function during each playthrough.
Players can customize each playthrough with incredible abilities – from a powerful axe that generates shockwaves to devastating attacks that leave fiery trails. While the game, as a roguelike, can sometimes feel repetitive, the exhilarating and fast-paced action always compels you to jump back in for ‘just one more try,’ which often leads to many more.
Ghost Of Yotei
A Bloody Revenge
The biggest addition from Ghost of Yotei to this game series is a wider variety of weapons. Players controlling Atsu can now master polearms and chain sickles, and they also gain the unique skill of throwing disarmed weapons back at their opponents.
Atsu isn’t quite as subtle as Jin was in Ghost of Tsushima, but she’s incredibly resourceful, using any object she can find to defeat her opponents. This makes for a captivating and violent samurai game that’s just as fun to watch as it is to play.
Batman: Arkham City
Counter Strike
Batman: Arkham City is the second game in the Arkham series. In this installment, Batman has to control a section of Gotham City that’s become lawless. The fighting is much like the first game, but now includes better tools and ways to defend against enemies.
Batman is a famously awesome superhero, and this game really captures that feeling, especially in its combat. It’s incredibly satisfying to time your counters and take down enemies after letting them come at you – it feels just as good as aggressively attacking. Each punch and kick has a powerful impact, making you truly feel the force of the fight.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Two Heroes, One Destiny
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 concludes the story begun by Insomniac Games, letting players control both Peter Parker and Miles Morales. While Batman in Arkham City was a powerful, imposing figure, both Spider-Men are quick and nimble, relying on acrobatics, swinging, web attacks, and gadgets to defeat enemies.
Peter is more focused on using gadgets, while Miles has a few extra powers, such as electric attacks. However, Peter gains a significant boost when he acquires the Venom symbiote early in the game. What really makes this game stand out is how fast and fluid the combat feels, combined with a heartfelt story that lets players genuinely experience being Spider-Man.
Yakuza 0
The 80s Are Calling
Yakuza 0 takes players back to 1980s Japan, a time of economic boom and widespread crime. This is where we first meet Kazuma Kiryu, the main character, as he begins his journey. Despite being new to the world of organized crime, he’s surprisingly skilled in a fight.
Like most games in the Yakuza series, you can defeat enemies by fighting with your fists, performing powerful combos and special moves, or using whatever objects you find nearby. The combat is always wild and over-the-top – you can even use things like bicycles and park benches as weapons – so it’s a good idea to start with the first game in the series.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Grapple With Your Fears
Many consider Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice to be both one of FromSoftware’s most challenging and best games. Unlike some of their other titles, Sekiro focuses less on role-playing elements and more on skillful gameplay and resourcefulness. Players must master combat and utilize items to survive in this action-packed ninja adventure. They can also customize a prosthetic arm with various weapons, like a flamethrower, to aid them in battle.
The grappling hook is primarily used for exploring the world, but it can also be useful in tough fights. This game keeps players constantly on the edge of their seats, which won’t appeal to everyone, but if you’re looking for a challenging and thrilling experience, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is perfect.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
Stealth Need Not Apply
Before the popular ‘Souls-like’ genre, the Ninja Gaiden reboot series offered a truly difficult experience for action game fans. Both games, especially this remastered version and its sequel, are considered among the best in the genre, with the sequel generally being the more recommended title.
The game now features a wider variety of weapons, like scythes and dual sickles, and they all feel responsive and satisfying to use – but they require quick reflexes. This ninja isn’t about sneaking around; instead, players will need to master direct combat and skillful maneuvering to defeat their opponents.
Bayonetta 2
Nintendo Does What Sega Doesn’t
The first Bayonetta showed a lot of promise, but Bayonetta 2 was a significant improvement, especially with Nintendo’s support. PlatinumGames clearly had more confidence, and it showed in the game’s creative and playful approach to both storytelling and action.
Combat was always exciting, whether you were shooting enemies or using more outlandish methods to defeat them. Dodging attacks was especially satisfying thanks to ‘Witch Time,’ a mechanic similar to bullet time that rewarded precise timing, making it more engaging than in many other action games.
Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening
Pizza Time
Released in 2001, Devil May Cry significantly influenced the action game genre and set a new standard. Although the second game wasn’t as strong, Capcom redeemed themselves with Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening, which is considered the best in the series. This game served as a prequel, showing a younger, more self-assured and cocky Dante as a demon hunter.
While the new moves and weapons made combat more interesting, Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening was still focused on skillfully defeating enemies, chaining attacks together, and achieving a high score. Players might not have been as skilled as Dante himself, but they could enjoy pretending to be a stylish, pizza-loving demon hunter for a while. Even with sequels and other action games boasting more impressive visuals or moves, this game delivers pure, unadulterated action with no wasted elements.
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2026-01-17 11:35