Five action games from the past year that I've returned to repeatedly. Each works for slightly different reasons; each serves different gaming moods.
1. Game with deep combat system
The action game I've put most hours into this year. Combat has substantial depth that rewards extended engagement.
Best for: players willing to invest in mastering complex combat.
2. Game with strong narrative integration
Action gameplay that integrates with substantive narrative. The combat serves the story rather than being separate from it.
Best for: players who want story alongside their action.
3. Tight indie action game
Smaller-scale action game with tight mechanical execution. Shorter than major releases but produces equivalent depth in less time.
Best for: players wanting action without long commitment.
4. Action game with distinctive aesthetic
Action game with visual style that distinguishes it from genre conventions. The aesthetic is part of what makes it memorable.
Best for: players who value distinctive visual experience.
5. Action game with strong replayability
Action game that rewards multiple playthroughs through different builds, strategies, or perspectives. The replayability extends play time naturally.
Best for: players who like to master games across many hours.
What these have in common
- Substantive combat systems that reward engagement
- Production polish that serves gameplay rather than demonstrating itself
- Reasonable runtimes for the value provided
- Distinctive identity rather than generic execution
The takeaway
Action games work when they offer substantive combat plus distinctive identity. The five above demonstrate the qualities consistently.
For your own action gaming, weight combat depth and distinctive identity over production scale alone.
