The Biggest Upcoming First-Person Action Games

by

First-person action games, especially those focused on close combat, can be difficult to design well. While aiming and shooting in first-person shooters feels intuitive, making melee combat feel equally natural is a real challenge. Despite many attempts to improve these systems over the years, no game has yet created a truly perfect first-person melee combat experience.

Despite the challenges, many developers are still creating new games. Several upcoming first-person action games aim to redefine the genre. While some include shooting, these games aren’t just shooters – they also feature things like hand-to-hand combat or special abilities, adding more variety to the gameplay.

Valor Mortis

Twisted Napoleonic Fantasy

Valor Mortis represents a significant departure for One More Level, the team behind the critically acclaimed and incredibly fast-paced first-person action games, Ghostrunner 1 & 2. While they’ve become experts in that genre, Valor Mortis is a bit slower and offers a different experience.

This game is an action RPG in the style of Soulslike games, played from a first-person perspective – which sounds really exciting. However, it seems combat will be more strategic and careful than the fast-paced, quick movements of Ghostrunner*. While it has typical features like blocking and dodging, it also includes shooting. For instance, you can shoot incoming grenades with a pistol. You’ll play as a soldier from Napoleon’s army who comes back to life to fight supernatural enemies, offering a fresh setting and imaginative creature designs.

Fatekeeper

Some Of The Best Hit Reactions We’ve Ever Seen

Details about the game Fatekeeper are still emerging, but it takes place in a bleak fantasy world and features a voiced protagonist accompanied by a talking rat. That’s a strong foundation, but the game has gained attention for other reasons, especially its stunning graphics. Fatekeeper looks incredibly beautiful, which is even more remarkable considering it’s being developed by a small team of only 12 people.

The combat in Fatekeeper is particularly impressive, clearly inspired by games like Dark Messiah of Might and Magic. Enemies react realistically to hits – smaller ones go flying, and you can even use telekinetic magic to throw them around. The environment is also interactive, with objects breaking convincingly when hit. Overall, Fatekeeper looks very promising, and we can expect to see even more of it as the release date approaches.

Alkahest

Medieval Fantasy Meets First-Person Set Pieces

While Fatekeeper and Alkahest share many similarities, Alkahest really stands out with its emphasis on creating a more cinematic experience. Both games use a physics-based first-person combat system, but Alkahest’s feels a bit quicker and more action-packed. This isn’t a drawback – it leads to faster, more intense fights and allows for some impressively violent dismemberment.

The game clearly takes inspiration from Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, especially in how kicking is used. The cinematics also stand out; though it’s not yet known how important they’ll be, scenes of sword fights with monsters and dramatic chases hint at moments that could be as exciting as those seen in Uncharted. If so, Alkahest will really distinguish itself from other games.

Clockwork Revolution

Like BioShock, But With Time Travel

Clockwork Revolution is best understood as a blend of steampunk aesthetics and the immersive world of BioShock, a description that accurately captures its appeal and serves as effective advertising. Created by the developers of beloved RPGs like Wasteland 2 and 3, it’s a first-person role-playing game offering a unique combination of steampunk weaponry and intriguing powers related to time manipulation.

The game centers on time travel: you’ll go to the past, make changes, and then return to the present to see the consequences. These changes can be minor or dramatically reshape the city of Avalon. You can also use these time-bending abilities during fights, which makes the steampunk shooting gameplay more interesting and diverse.

Judas

The Answer To “What’s Ken Levine Working On?”

Fans are understandably getting impatient for news about Judas, as it’s been a while since it was announced and we still don’t have a release date. However, this is Ken Levine – the creator of BioShock – and he deserves the time he needs. From what’s been shown so far, the game looks fantastic and promises a compelling narrative action experience.

As a big fan of BioShock, I immediately saw that influence in Judas – the way it blends shooting with cool powers, and the setting of a fallen utopia. But what really grabbed me is this idea of “narrative LEGOs.” Basically, your choices matter, which isn’t new for RPGs, but Judas takes it further. These choices don’t just happen once; they build on top of each other. This means your story can drastically change based on how you play, and even become totally different on a second playthrough! It’s a really ambitious project, and honestly, that’s why it’s taking a while. But if Ken Levine and Ghost Story Games can make it work, it could be something truly amazing.

Decrepit

Dark Fantasy, Emphasis On “Dark”

Decrepit blends the challenging combat of Soulslike games with the replayability of roguelikes, offering a unique first-person RPG experience. You begin locked in a cell within a ruined castle, and must battle relentless undead to escape. Combat requires careful timing and learning enemy attacks, as dying means starting back at the beginning with nothing.

When Decrepit was revealed at the 2025 Game Awards, its impressive combat and terrifying enemy creatures immediately grabbed attention. But the game offers more than just looks. Players can find powerful gear sets tailored to different classes – if they’re willing to take on the challenge. The game’s castle is a complex maze, but it becomes easier to navigate as you unlock shortcuts. Decrepit is a newcomer, but it’s already generating a lot of buzz about its potential.

Eldrimar

A Blend Of Action, Adventure, And Survival Horror

Platforms PC
Release Date TBA
Developer Honor Games
Genre Action-Adventure, Survival Horror

Compared to the other games here, Eldrimar hasn’t gotten much publicity. It didn’t have a major announcement or coverage from big gaming websites – which is understandable, since it’s being created by just two people with a very ambitious vision. However, Eldrimar is definitely worth watching, thanks to its unique visuals and blend of different game styles.

If you enjoy intense, up-close combat, Eldrimar is worth checking out. It combines that classic style with the tension of a survival horror game. The game takes place in a dark world controlled by powerful necromancers who command hordes of surprisingly frightening undead creatures. Levels are large and open, encouraging exploration for both story progression and valuable items. Eldrimar is currently being developed with plans for an Early Access release, allowing the developers to further improve the game. Even in its current state, it’s looking promising and could become a surprisingly popular title with a bit more refinement.

By Luke Gould

10 First-Person Games That Perfectly Blend Stealth and Combat

10 First-Person Games That Perfectly Blend Stealth and Combat

Read More

2025-12-27 04:06