15 Best Action Video Games of All Time

Our list of the top 15 Best Action Video Games of All Time explores the world of action video games. These games are renowned for delivering thrilling adventures, captivating stories, and offering exciting gameplay. From epic fantasy battles to intense stealth missions, each game offers a unique experience. Whether you’re fighting dragons, exploring vast worlds, or saving the universe, these games have something for everyone. Perfect for gamers who love action and excitement, this list showcases the very best in the genre. Get ready to play and enjoy.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

A popular video game “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” is released in 2017 by Nintendo. It follows an amnesiac hero, Link, on a quest to save Princess Zelda and stop Calamity Ganon from causing chaos. The game’s world is vast and encourages exploration, offering freedom to tackle tasks in any order.

It took five years to develop and was initially planned for the Wii U before releasing on the Nintendo Switch. The game received critical acclaim for its open-ended gameplay, open-world design, and sold millions of copies. It’s considered a landmark in open-world gaming and has inspired other game developers.

Dark Souls

A series of challenging action role-playing games Dark Souls is created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and developed by FromSoftware. It started with Dark Souls in 2011, followed by Dark Souls II in 2014 and Dark Souls III in 2016. These games are famous for their high difficulty levels.

The story is told indirectly through the game world, items, and dialogue, promoting exploration and discovery. Players fight tough enemies and bosses, collect souls to level up, and use bonfires as checkpoints. Online features allow players to interact, leave messages, and engage in both cooperative and competitive multiplayer. The series has sold over 35 million copies worldwide.

Half-Life 2

Released in 2004, Half-Life 2 is a first-person shooter game by Valve Corporation. Players control Gordon Freeman, who fights against the alien Combine empire to free Earth. It uses the Source engine, offering improved graphics and physics-based gameplay.

The game received acclaim and won numerous Game of the Year awards. It introduced the Gravity Gun, allowing players to manipulate objects creatively. Half-Life 2 achieves its immersive storytelling without cutscenes by relying on in-game events and dialogue. Despite delays and a stolen version, it was a huge success, selling millions of copies and spawning sequels and spin-offs.

God of War (2018)

An action-adventure game God of War is developed by Santa Monica Studio. The game follows Kratos, the former Greek God of War, and his son, Atreus. They embark on a journey through Norse mythology to fulfill Kratos’ wife’s final wish. Unlike previous games in the series, this one is inspired by Norse mythology. The game features a new camera perspective and uses an axe as the primary weapon.

Players also have RPG elements, like crafting and upgrading armor. Kratos can go into a powerful Rage mode, and Atreus helps in combat and solving puzzles. The game received widespread acclaim for its story, graphics, and gameplay, becoming one of the best-selling PlayStation 4 games and inspiring a sequel.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Set in 1899 Red Dead Redemption 2 is an action-adventure game that features outlaw Arthur Morgan and his gang’s struggles in a fictionalized U.S. The game offers an open world for exploration, with activities like hunting, horseback riding, and interactions with NPCs.

Players can make moral choices affecting their Honor level. Combat involves gunfights, Dead Eye targeting, and tactical choices. Players must also manage their character’s health, stamina, and appearance. Committing crimes leads to bounties and law enforcement pursuit. The game received praise for its detailed world, characters, and storytelling, becoming one of the best-selling and acclaimed video games.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

A stealth action-adventure game Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is Set in 1984. It is a stealth action-adventure game where you play as Punished “Venom” Snake. It offers an open world for exploration. You can use various weapons, items, and even have AI companions like D-Dog and Quiet.

The game encourages non-lethal tactics and offers vehicles and support options. There’s a base-building aspect, where you grow Mother Base and upgrade equipment. You can choose mission order, and your actions impact the game world. Dynamic weather and day-night cycles affect gameplay. Despite some criticism, it’s considered a great stealth game.

Grand Theft Auto V

In Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V), three characters—Michael, Trevor, and Franklin—engage in various criminal activities as players follow their stories. The game offers a vast open world for exploration, mission completion, and participation in activities such as scuba diving and racing.

The player can use weapons, drive vehicles, and even buy properties and customize their character. Police may chase them if they break the law, and the game features a wanted system. GTA V received praise for its gameplay, but also faced controversies due to its portrayal of violence and women.

Doom Eternal

Sequel to the 2016 “Doom,” game Doom Eternal is a first-person shooter game where players take on the role of the Doom Slayer. They battle demons and thwart the alien Maykrs’ plot to destroy humanity. The game offers a single-player campaign, Battlemode multiplayer, and an additional horde mode.

Players can also perform brutal “glory kills” to regain health. New features include a grappling hook and flamethrower. It received positive reviews for its campaign, graphics, level design, and combat mechanics, although some criticized its storytelling and platforming sections. It was nominated for several awards, including Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2020.

Resident Evil 2

A survival horror game “Resident Evil 2” is from 1998, where players control rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy and college student Claire Redfield. They must escape Raccoon City, overrun by zombies due to a biological weapon. The game focuses on exploration, puzzles, and combat, with unique storylines and obstacles for each character.

Initially, there was a different version called “Resident Evil 1.5,” but it was canceled. The final game received acclaim for its atmosphere, graphics, audio, and gameplay, becoming one of the best video games ever made. It’s the best-selling Resident Evil game for a single platform, with over 6 million copies sold.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

A 2015 action RPG “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” is set in a fantasy world inspired by Slavic mythology. Players become Geralt of Rivia, a skilled monster hunter, on a quest to find his adopted daughter while evading the otherworldly Wild Hunt.

The game offers an open world, third-person perspective, combat with weapons and magic, and various quests to gain experience and gold. Choices in the story lead to multiple endings. Developed over three years, it received critical acclaim for its gameplay, storytelling, and visuals. With over 50 million copies sold, it’s considered one of the best-selling video games ever.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

The gameplay “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey” is a 2018 action RPG by Ubisoft. Set in ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War, players become a Spartan mercenary searching for family and battling the mysterious Cult of Kosmos. The game emphasizes combat, exploration, and naval warfare, and it follows the story of Layla Hassan, introduced in “Assassin’s Creed Origins.”

Inspired by RPGs like “The Witcher 3,” it introduced player-choice mechanics and shifted focus from the Assassins vs. Templars conflict. While praised for its gameplay and world design, some criticized its overambitiousness and microtransactions. Despite this, it sold over 10 million copies and received DLC expansions.

Bioshock Infinite

A first-person shooter “BioShock Infinite” is game set in 1912. Players control Booker DeWitt, sent to rescue Elizabeth from the flying city of Columbia. As they uncover the city’s secrets, they’re caught in a conflict between the ruling Founders and the rebel Vox Populi.

Elizabeth’s ability to manipulate time adds depth to gameplay. The game’s development took five years and had challenges. Despite this, it received critical acclaim for its story, setting, and visuals, selling over 11 million copies. It later became part of the BioShock collection, available on various platforms.

Batman: Arkham City

“Batman: Arkham City” is a 2011 action-adventure game where players become Batman in the fictional Arkham City, a super-prison in Gotham City. Batman must uncover a plot by Dr. Hugo Strange while facing various challenges. The game focuses on combat, stealth, detective skills, and gadgets.

Players can explore Arkham City, complete missions, and unlock content. Catwoman is also playable with her story. The game received acclaim for its story, characters, gameplay, and design, becoming one of the best-rated games. It sold over 12.5 million copies and had various releases and sequels in the Batman: Arkham series.

Gears of War 3

A third-person shooter game “Gears of War 3” is developed by Epic Games for Xbox 360. It’s the final part of the original trilogy. It was initially set for April 2011 but was released in September 2011.Players engage in intense combat, utilizing cover and teamwork.

They can carry four weapons, reload quickly for extra power, and stay alive by avoiding enemy fire. Damage is indicated by a blood-red “crimson omen” on the screen. The game received praise for its story, voice acting, visuals, and music but was criticized for lacking innovation. It sold over 3 million copies and a sequel, “Gears of War 4,” was released in 2016.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

An action-adventure game Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End” is released in 2016. Players control Nathan Drake, a retired treasure hunter, who teams up with his brother Samuel to find a lost treasure. The game combines exploration, puzzles, and combat, featuring stunning visuals.

Development began in 2011, and despite facing some challenges, critics highly anticipated and praised the game for its gameplay, storytelling, and visuals. It became one of the best-selling PlayStation 4 games, selling over 15 million copies. In 2017, they released a standalone expansion called “Uncharted: The Lost Legacy,” and in 2022, they launched a remastered version.

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