Fast, punchy and precise: games where reflexes and good timing make the difference.
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How to find games that really suit you:
Select up to 5 games you have played and enjoyed. Playalike compares 50 traits such as combat, story and atmosphere and suggests games that hit exactly the same spot, even across genres.
A merciless action RPG whose interconnected world of Lordran rewards careful exploration with clever shortcuts, deliberate combat and cryptic, melancholic lore. Every death teaches something, and every victory feels truly earned.
A merciless action RPG whose interconnected world of Lordran rewards careful exploration with clever shortcuts, deliberate combat and cryptic, melancholic lore. Every death teaches something, and every victory feels truly earned.
A merciless action RPG whose interconnected world of Lordran rewards careful exploration with clever shortcuts, deliberate combat and cryptic, melancholic lore. Every death teaches something, and every victory feels truly earned.
The definitive competitive tactical shooter: terrorists versus counter-terrorists in tense round-based matches where precise aim, team coordination and smart economy management decide every win.
The definitive competitive tactical shooter: terrorists versus counter-terrorists in tense round-based matches where precise aim, team coordination and smart economy management decide every win.
A brutally fast top-down shooter where one hit kills and every floor is mastered through rapid trial, error and instant restarts. Its neon visuals, pulsing synthwave soundtrack and unsettling, surreal story about violence make it unforgettable.
2012PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified9.75 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 110,997 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Strong soundtrack
Distinctive, stylised art style
A brutally fast top-down shooter where one hit kills and every floor is mastered through rapid trial, error and instant restarts. Its neon visuals, pulsing synthwave soundtrack and unsettling, surreal story about violence make it unforgettable.
A brutally tough boss-rush shooter animated like a 1930s cartoon, where precise dodging, parrying and shooting decide every fight. A swinging big-band jazz score and local co-op round it out.
2017PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified19.99 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 200,988 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
Boss fights as highlights
Shooting and gunplay
A brutally tough boss-rush shooter animated like a 1930s cartoon, where precise dodging, parrying and shooting decide every fight. A swinging big-band jazz score and local co-op round it out.
2019PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switchfree67 % positive
A fast free-to-play battle royale hero shooter set in the Titanfall universe, where squads of three legends with unique abilities fight to be the last team standing. Slick movement, tight gunplay and squad synergy define it.
2019PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switchfree67 % positive
Mixed, 1,077,088 reviews on Steam
Shooting and gunplay
Co-op or multiplayer
Sci-fi setting
A fast free-to-play battle royale hero shooter set in the Titanfall universe, where squads of three legends with unique abilities fight to be the last team standing. Slick movement, tight gunplay and squad synergy define it.
A supremely stylish character action game where the witch Bayonetta battles hordes of angels using Witch Time, precise dodges and absurdly over-the-top finishers. Deep combo mechanics, colossal bosses and plenty of tongue-in-cheek charm.
2009PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified19.99 €92 % positive
Very positive, 27,651 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
Boss fights as highlights
Fantasy setting
A supremely stylish character action game where the witch Bayonetta battles hordes of angels using Witch Time, precise dodges and absurdly over-the-top finishers. Deep combo mechanics, colossal bosses and plenty of tongue-in-cheek charm.
A blistering stylish-action showcase where three wildly different demon hunters chain combos and weapon swaps to chase the highest style rank. Over-the-top cutscenes, a pumping soundtrack and deep mechanical mastery make it a genre benchmark.
2019PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified29.99 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 120,402 reviews on Steam
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Strong soundtrack
Fast pace
A blistering stylish-action showcase where three wildly different demon hunters chain combos and weapon swaps to chase the highest style rank. Over-the-top cutscenes, a pumping soundtrack and deep mechanical mastery make it a genre benchmark.
A blistering PlatinumGames hack-and-slash where cyborg ninja Raiden parries and freely slices enemies apart with Blade Mode. Over-the-top boss fights and a legendary metal soundtrack make it a cult classic.
A blistering PlatinumGames hack-and-slash where cyborg ninja Raiden parries and freely slices enemies apart with Blade Mode. Over-the-top boss fights and a legendary metal soundtrack make it a cult classic.
A competitive 5v5 tactical shooter that blends unforgiving, precision gunplay with distinct agent abilities. Team coordination and round-by-round strategy matter as much as raw aim.
A competitive 5v5 tactical shooter that blends unforgiving, precision gunplay with distinct agent abilities. Team coordination and round-by-round strategy matter as much as raw aim.
A brutal top-down action sequel where one hit kills and every floor demands split-second planning and reflexes. A fractured, non-linear story across multiple characters unfolds in garish neon, driven by a hypnotic synthwave soundtrack.
2015PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified14.79 €94 % positive
Very positive, 70,364 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Dark, serious atmosphere
Strong soundtrack
A brutal top-down action sequel where one hit kills and every floor demands split-second planning and reflexes. A fractured, non-linear story across multiple characters unfolds in garish neon, driven by a hypnotic synthwave soundtrack.
Quake III Arena is a pure arena shooter where blistering movement like strafe-jumping, precise aim and controlling item spawns decide every match. There's no campaign, just relentless deathmatches and duels against bots or real players.
Quake III Arena is a pure arena shooter where blistering movement like strafe-jumping, precise aim and controlling item spawns decide every match. There's no campaign, just relentless deathmatches and duels against bots or real players.
A blistering hack-and-slash where young Dante juggles swappable fighting styles, weapons and guns, and the game rewards you for fighting with flair. It is famously punishing, with legendary boss duels like the fights against Vergil and a heavy metal soundtrack.
A blistering hack-and-slash where young Dante juggles swappable fighting styles, weapons and guns, and the game rewards you for fighting with flair. It is famously punishing, with legendary boss duels like the fights against Vergil and a heavy metal soundtrack.
2019PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified14.79 €97 % positive
A blistering neo-noir action platformer where one hit kills and each room plays like a puzzle solved with your katana, slow-motion and deflected bullets. It's wrapped in a twisted, fragmented story with dialogue choices and a superb synthwave soundtrack.
2019PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified14.79 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 66,672 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Jumping and platforming
Strong soundtrack
A blistering neo-noir action platformer where one hit kills and each room plays like a puzzle solved with your katana, slow-motion and deflected bullets. It's wrapped in a twisted, fragmented story with dialogue choices and a superb synthwave soundtrack.
A tough, pun-filled bullet-hell roguelike where you dodge-roll and flip tables through procedural floors with hundreds of wildly creative guns. Every run plays differently, and mastering the dense projectile patterns is deeply rewarding.
2016PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified14.79 €95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 79,682 reviews on Steam
Runs that play out differently every time
Pixel art
Shooting and gunplay
A tough, pun-filled bullet-hell roguelike where you dodge-roll and flip tables through procedural floors with hundreds of wildly creative guns. Every run plays differently, and mastering the dense projectile patterns is deeply rewarding.
A co-op roguelike spin-off of Elden Ring where a trio races across a shrinking map over three days, powering up before facing a towering Nightlord boss. Fast, intense runs with distinct hero classes replace the sprawling solo journey.
2025PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck playable39.99 €83 % positive
Very positive, 130,469 reviews on Steam
Runs that play out differently every time
Co-op or multiplayer
Fantasy setting
A co-op roguelike spin-off of Elden Ring where a trio races across a shrinking map over three days, powering up before facing a towering Nightlord boss. Fast, intense runs with distinct hero classes replace the sprawling solo journey.
Ninja Gaiden 4 revives the legendary hack-and-slash series with lightning-fast, brutal combat, co-developed by Team Ninja and PlatinumGames. As newcomer Yakumo you carve through a rain-soaked, demon-infested Tokyo where reflexes and combo mastery decide everything.
2025PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified69.99 €87 % positive
Very positive, 8,792 reviews on Steam
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Boss fights as highlights
Challenging difficulty
Ninja Gaiden 4 revives the legendary hack-and-slash series with lightning-fast, brutal combat, co-developed by Team Ninja and PlatinumGames. As newcomer Yakumo you carve through a rain-soaked, demon-infested Tokyo where reflexes and combo mastery decide everything.
A weighty melee brawler where knights, vikings and samurai clash using a stance-based system that rewards parries, feints and reading your opponent. Tense PvP duels and team battles are the heart of it, with a short campaign on the side.
A weighty melee brawler where knights, vikings and samurai clash using a stance-based system that rewards parries, feints and reading your opponent. Tense PvP duels and team battles are the heart of it, with a short campaign on the side.
A punishing soulslike set in the Dungeon & Fighter universe, where the betrayed general Khazan seeks revenge through weighty, precise melee combat and brutal boss duels. Its striking cel-shaded look and aggressive parry-and-stamina system set it apart.
2025PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified59.99 €85 % positive
Very positive, 21,441 reviews on Steam
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Boss fights as highlights
Fantasy setting
A punishing soulslike set in the Dungeon & Fighter universe, where the betrayed general Khazan seeks revenge through weighty, precise melee combat and brutal boss duels. Its striking cel-shaded look and aggressive parry-and-stamina system set it apart.
Riot's tag-team fighter pits League of Legends champions against each other in 2v2 duos, letting two players share a team and coordinate combos and assists. Fast, combo-heavy fights with approachable inputs but plenty of depth for competitive players.
Riot's tag-team fighter pits League of Legends champions against each other in 2v2 duos, letting two players share a team and coordinate combos and assists. Fast, combo-heavy fights with approachable inputs but plenty of depth for competitive players.
Furi is a pure boss-rush duelist where you mix sword combat, parrying and twin-stick shooting in intense one-on-one fights. Each guardian has a distinct style, backed by bold comic-inspired art and a driving electronic soundtrack.
2016PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified19.99 €90 % positive
Very positive, 11,301 reviews on Steam
Boss fights as highlights
Distinctive, stylised art style
Strong soundtrack
Furi is a pure boss-rush duelist where you mix sword combat, parrying and twin-stick shooting in intense one-on-one fights. Each guardian has a distinct style, backed by bold comic-inspired art and a driving electronic soundtrack.
A vibrant team shooter where two squads of five clash over objectives using heroes with distinct abilities. Coordination, smart role and hero picks, and sharp reflexes decide every match.
2016PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable14.99 €32 % positive
Mostly negative, 430,494 reviews on Steam
Shooting and gunplay
Co-op or multiplayer
Competing against other players
A vibrant team shooter where two squads of five clash over objectives using heroes with distinct abilities. Coordination, smart role and hero picks, and sharp reflexes decide every match.
A heavy, grounded take on Doom where the Slayer stands his ground with a shield saw, parries and brutal melee weapons in a grim medieval sci-fi world. Rides on a cyber-dragon and battles in a giant mech add spectacle and variety.
2025PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified49.99 €88 % positive
Very positive, 33,013 reviews on Steam
Shooting and gunplay
Dark, serious atmosphere
Lavish presentation
A heavy, grounded take on Doom where the Slayer stands his ground with a shield saw, parries and brutal melee weapons in a grim medieval sci-fi world. Rides on a cyber-dragon and battles in a giant mech add spectacle and variety.
A visually stunning action RPG based on Journey to the West, pitting you as a staff-wielding monkey warrior against a parade of spectacular bosses. Transformations, spells and precise dodging define its demanding combat.
A visually stunning action RPG based on Journey to the West, pitting you as a staff-wielding monkey warrior against a parade of spectacular bosses. Transformations, spells and precise dodging define its demanding combat.
Capcom's revival of Onimusha sends a samurai wielding the Oni Gauntlet through a demon-infested Edo-era Kyoto. Its core is weighty, precise swordplay built around timing-based counters and gory, cinematic presentation.
2026PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable69.99 €90 % positive
Very positive, 17,500 reviews on Steam
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Historical setting
Dark, serious atmosphere
Capcom's revival of Onimusha sends a samurai wielding the Oni Gauntlet through a demon-infested Edo-era Kyoto. Its core is weighty, precise swordplay built around timing-based counters and gory, cinematic presentation.
A lightning-fast shooter built on wall-running and double jumps, with a short but inventive campaign about the bond between a rifleman and his mech BT-7274. It pairs that with fluid multiplayer where pilots and Titans clash on the same battlefield.
A lightning-fast shooter built on wall-running and double jumps, with a short but inventive campaign about the bond between a rifleman and his mech BT-7274. It pairs that with fluid multiplayer where pilots and Titans clash on the same battlefield.
The second Souls entry sends you as a cursed undead through the decaying kingdom of Drangleic, offering punishing bosses, huge weapon and build variety, and a sprawling, branching world packed with secrets.
2014PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified39.99 €87 % positive
Very positive, 33,496 reviews on Steam
Fantasy setting
Build variety
Strong character progression
The second Souls entry sends you as a cursed undead through the decaying kingdom of Drangleic, offering punishing bosses, huge weapon and build variety, and a sprawling, branching world packed with secrets.
A blisteringly fast shooter that forces you to keep moving and treat every demon as a resource, carving out ammo, armor and health with the chainsaw, flame belch and glory kills. Paired with a crushing metal soundtrack, its fights play out like a violent dance through hordes of demons.
2020PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable29.99 €91 % positive
Very positive, 187,987 reviews on Steam
Shooting and gunplay
Strong soundtrack
Fast pace
A blisteringly fast shooter that forces you to keep moving and treat every demon as a resource, carving out ammo, armor and health with the chainsaw, flame belch and glory kills. Paired with a crushing metal soundtrack, its fights play out like a violent dance through hordes of demons.
2023PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified−60 %69.99 € 27.99 € 5 days left49 % positive
A fast-paced Soulslike from Team Ninja set in the collapsing Han Dynasty, where deflecting and countering define the combat rhythm. Demon-corrupted warlords and mythical beasts provide tough fights that can also be tackled in co-op.
2023PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified−60 %69.99 € 27.99 € 5 days left49 % positive
Mixed, 20,993 reviews on Steam
Loot and gear
Strong character progression
Melee combat with weapons or fists
A fast-paced Soulslike from Team Ninja set in the collapsing Han Dynasty, where deflecting and countering define the combat rhythm. Demon-corrupted warlords and mythical beasts provide tough fights that can also be tackled in co-op.
A fast, fluid 2D roguelite with Metroidvania structure, where tight, punchy combat and a huge arsenal of weapons make every run feel different. Permanent unlocks and new routes give you a real sense of progress even as you die again and again.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified24.99 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 157,452 reviews on Steam
Runs that play out differently every time
Pixel art
Melee combat with weapons or fists
A fast, fluid 2D roguelite with Metroidvania structure, where tight, punchy combat and a huge arsenal of weapons make every run feel different. Permanent unlocks and new routes give you a real sense of progress even as you die again and again.
A free-to-play reboot of the classic military shooter series, combining huge vehicle-filled PvP battles with a tense extraction mode where your loot and gear are on the line. Class-based operators with unique abilities reward coordinated teamplay.
2024PC, PlayStation, Xboxfree57 % positive
Mixed, 200,263 reviews on Steam
Shooting and gunplay
Co-op or multiplayer
Competing against other players
A free-to-play reboot of the classic military shooter series, combining huge vehicle-filled PvP battles with a tense extraction mode where your loot and gear are on the line. Class-based operators with unique abilities reward coordinated teamplay.
You track and battle colossal beasts across living ecosystems, learning their patterns and crafting ever-stronger gear from their parts. The demanding, weighty combat really shines when hunting in four-player co-op.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified29.99 €89 % positive
Very positive, 319,319 reviews on Steam
Loot and gear
Boss fights as highlights
Strong character progression
You track and battle colossal beasts across living ecosystems, learning their patterns and crafting ever-stronger gear from their parts. The demanding, weighty combat really shines when hunting in four-player co-op.
Wilds sets its hunts across seamless, shifting ecosystems where storms and weather swings change how monsters behave. Fourteen weapon types, a new Focus Mode and deep gear crafting make for more approachable yet still demanding fights, solo or in co-op.
2025PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified39.99 €53 % positive
Mixed, 204,050 reviews on Steam
Loot and gear
Playing together in co-op
Boss fights as highlights
Wilds sets its hunts across seamless, shifting ecosystems where storms and weather swings change how monsters behave. Fourteen weapon types, a new Focus Mode and deep gear crafting make for more approachable yet still demanding fights, solo or in co-op.
A blazing-fast fighting game with a striking anime-style 3D look and a heavy metal soundtrack. It welcomes newcomers while offering deep mechanics for veterans, wrapped in stylish presentation and aggressive, high-speed duels.
2021PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck playable39.99 €88 % positive
Very positive, 47,911 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
Competing against other players
Co-op or multiplayer
A blazing-fast fighting game with a striking anime-style 3D look and a heavy metal soundtrack. It welcomes newcomers while offering deep mechanics for veterans, wrapped in stylish presentation and aggressive, high-speed duels.
Game Freak's dark action RPG sends Emma and her dog Koo across a ruined, post-apocalyptic Japan. Its core is demanding, technical combat built around the two fighting as a duo.
Game Freak's dark action RPG sends Emma and her dog Koo across a ruined, post-apocalyptic Japan. Its core is demanding, technical combat built around the two fighting as a duo.
A brutal 2D fighter where each character has selectable combat variations, flashy X-Ray moves and gleefully gory Fatalities. A cinematic story mode continues the saga of Earthrealm and Outworld.
2015PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified19.99 €88 % positive
Very positive, 39,692 reviews on Steam
Competing against other players
Dark, serious atmosphere
Co-op or multiplayer
A brutal 2D fighter where each character has selectable combat variations, flashy X-Ray moves and gleefully gory Fatalities. A cinematic story mode continues the saga of Earthrealm and Outworld.
A fast, flashy hack-and-slash where Nero's Devil Bringer arm lets you yank enemies around and chain outrageous combos, with Dante returning with his switchable fighting styles. The style ranking system rewards variety and precision, giving it huge mastery depth.
2008PC, PlayStation, Xbox91 % positive
Very positive, 2,302 reviews on Steam
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Strong soundtrack
Fast pace
A fast, flashy hack-and-slash where Nero's Devil Bringer arm lets you yank enemies around and chain outrageous combos, with Dante returning with his switchable fighting styles. The style ranking system rewards variety and precision, giving it huge mastery depth.
Bungie's extraction shooter drops you as a cybernetic Runner, solo or in a crew of three, onto the mysterious world of Tau Ceti IV to grab loot and fight rival players for a successful escape. Its bold, graphic-design-driven sci-fi aesthetic sets it apart from typical military shooters.
2026PC, PlayStation, Xbox39.99 €81 % positive
Very positive, 45,520 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Co-op or multiplayer
Shooting and gunplay
Bungie's extraction shooter drops you as a cybernetic Runner, solo or in a crew of three, onto the mysterious world of Tau Ceti IV to grab loot and fight rival players for a successful escape. Its bold, graphic-design-driven sci-fi aesthetic sets it apart from typical military shooters.
Brutal medieval battles for up to 64 players where directional swings, parries and feints decide every duel. A steep skill curve meets chaotic, often hilarious battlefield mayhem.
2019PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck playable28.99 €80 % positive
Very positive, 91,653 reviews on Steam
Competing against other players
Co-op or multiplayer
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Brutal medieval battles for up to 64 players where directional swings, parries and feints decide every duel. A steep skill curve meets chaotic, often hilarious battlefield mayhem.
A first-person soulslike from the Ghostrunner team that casts you as a resurrected soldier of Napoleon's army. You fight horrifying monsters with blades, firearms and supernatural powers, in tense parry-driven combat set in a grim, twisted version of the Napoleonic era.
2026PC, PlayStation, Xbox39.99 €80 % positive
Very positive, 2,932 reviews on Steam
Dark, serious atmosphere
Dread and tension
Fantasy setting
A first-person soulslike from the Ghostrunner team that casts you as a resurrected soldier of Napoleon's army. You fight horrifying monsters with blades, firearms and supernatural powers, in tense parry-driven combat set in a grim, twisted version of the Napoleonic era.
A demanding soulslike set in a grim take on the late Ming Dynasty, where a mysterious plague twists people into monsters. Flexible weapon builds, precise parrying and a madness mechanic that trades risk for power define its combat.
A demanding soulslike set in a grim take on the late Ming Dynasty, where a mysterious plague twists people into monsters. Flexible weapon builds, precise parrying and a madness mechanic that trades risk for power define its combat.
A free-to-play 5v5 hero shooter where Shard Cards voted on before each round rewrite the rules, from giant heads to zombie teammates. Tight gunplay meets chaotic twists in a loud, comic-inspired style.
A free-to-play 5v5 hero shooter where Shard Cards voted on before each round rewrite the rules, from giant heads to zombie teammates. Tight gunplay meets chaotic twists in a loud, comic-inspired style.
A grim soulslike where you possess the bodies of fallen warriors and use them in fast, punishing fights against false gods. The sequel offers a more open, ruined world with horror undertones.
2026PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck playable−25 %49.99 € 37.49 € 4 days left80 % positive
Very positive, 20,949 reviews on Steam
Dark, serious atmosphere
Fantasy setting
Interconnected level design
A grim soulslike where you possess the bodies of fallen warriors and use them in fast, punishing fights against false gods. The sequel offers a more open, ruined world with horror undertones.
Ghostrunner II is a blisteringly fast first-person slasher where you wallrun, grapple and slice through a ruined cyberpunk world as a cyber ninja. One hit kills, so precision and reflexes are rewarded; new additions include motorbike sections and bigger boss fights.
2023PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified39.99 €80 % positive
Very positive, 8,152 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Post-apocalyptic setting
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Ghostrunner II is a blisteringly fast first-person slasher where you wallrun, grapple and slice through a ruined cyberpunk world as a cyber ninja. One hit kills, so precision and reflexes are rewarded; new additions include motorbike sections and bigger boss fights.
A brutal, gorgeously produced fighter with gory Fatalities, customizable fighter variations and a blockbuster-style time-bending story mode. Competitive online play and the Krypt keep players coming back.
2019PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified49.99 €88 % positive
Very positive, 87,546 reviews on Steam
Competing against other players
Dark, serious atmosphere
Co-op or multiplayer
A brutal, gorgeously produced fighter with gory Fatalities, customizable fighter variations and a blockbuster-style time-bending story mode. Competitive online play and the Krypt keep players coming back.
Cal Kestis returns with precise, parry-driven lightsaber combat across multiple stances and sprawling, interconnected planets packed with secrets and traversal challenges. A cinematic Star Wars tale about loss and perseverance under the Empire's shadow.
Cal Kestis returns with precise, parry-driven lightsaber combat across multiple stances and sprawling, interconnected planets packed with secrets and traversal challenges. A cinematic Star Wars tale about loss and perseverance under the Empire's shadow.
A fast, punishing soulslike where you play plague doctor Corvus, relying on precise parries and dodges and on the disease powers of plundered weapons. Combat rewards aggression over turtling, set in a grim, decaying kingdom.
2022PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck playable−75 %24.99 € 6.24 € 3 days left82 % positive
Very positive, 8,402 reviews on Steam
Dark, serious atmosphere
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Fantasy setting
A fast, punishing soulslike where you play plague doctor Corvus, relying on precise parries and dodges and on the disease powers of plundered weapons. Combat rewards aggression over turtling, set in a grim, decaying kingdom.
A free-to-play team shooter framed as a futuristic game show, where fully destructible arenas and physics-driven chaos make every round unpredictable. Creative use of builds and gadgets matters as much as aim.
A free-to-play team shooter framed as a futuristic game show, where fully destructible arenas and physics-driven chaos make every round unpredictable. Creative use of builds and gadgets matters as much as aim.
A free-to-play Smash-style platform fighter where up to eight players knock each other off stages using weapon-wielding legends from across history and myth. Easy to pick up, with surprising competitive depth and full cross-play.
2017PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified39.99 €79 % positive
Mostly positive, 415,321 reviews on Steam
Co-op or multiplayer
Competing against other players
Distinctive, stylised art style
A free-to-play Smash-style platform fighter where up to eight players knock each other off stages using weapon-wielding legends from across history and myth. Easy to pick up, with surprising competitive depth and full cross-play.
2017PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified24.99 €96 % positive
A fast platform fighter in the vein of Super Smash Bros., with pixel art visuals and animal fighters tied to the elements of fire, water, air and earth. Precise movement, timing and local multiplayer brawls are the core of the experience.
2017PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified24.99 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 33,469 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Co-op or multiplayer
Competing against other players
A fast platform fighter in the vein of Super Smash Bros., with pixel art visuals and animal fighters tied to the elements of fire, water, air and earth. Precise movement, timing and local multiplayer brawls are the core of the experience.
The shooter that brought the genre into the modern era: a short, intensely cinematic campaign with standout moments like the Pripyat sniper mission, plus a multiplayer mode whose ranks and perks shaped a whole generation of shooters.
2007PC, PlayStation, Xbox19.99 €93 % positive
Very positive, 22,309 reviews on Steam
Shooting and gunplay
Co-op or multiplayer
Competing against other players
The shooter that brought the genre into the modern era: a short, intensely cinematic campaign with standout moments like the Pripyat sniper mission, plus a multiplayer mode whose ranks and perks shaped a whole generation of shooters.
NetherRealm's hard-hitting fighter pits DC heroes and villains against each other, pairing a cinematic story campaign with a loot system that changes how fighters look and perform. The Multiverse mode and online matches keep players coming back.
2017PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified49.99 €86 % positive
Very positive, 17,582 reviews on Steam
Competing against other players
Co-op or multiplayer
Fast pace
NetherRealm's hard-hitting fighter pits DC heroes and villains against each other, pairing a cinematic story campaign with a loot system that changes how fighters look and perform. The Multiverse mode and online matches keep players coming back.
A breakneck online shooter where agile pilots wall-run and double-jump across maps, then call down hulking Titan mechs mid-fight. The interplay between nimble parkour infantry and heavy war machines makes every match frantic and spectacular.
A breakneck online shooter where agile pilots wall-run and double-jump across maps, then call down hulking Titan mechs mid-fight. The interplay between nimble parkour infantry and heavy war machines makes every match frantic and spectacular.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch59.99 €90 % positive
A blazing 3v3 tag-team fighter from Arc System Works that looks like a playable anime episode, pairing approachable controls with deep competitive play.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch59.99 €90 % positive
Very positive, 55,304 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
Competing against other players
Co-op or multiplayer
A blazing 3v3 tag-team fighter from Arc System Works that looks like a playable anime episode, pairing approachable controls with deep competitive play.
Platinum Games' blisteringly fast third-person shooter where rocket-boosted slides and slow-motion aiming turn cover shooting into a high-speed ballet against robot armies. Short, intense and packed with spectacle.
2010PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified19.99 €89 % positive
Very positive, 7,044 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Shooting and gunplay
Fast pace
Platinum Games' blisteringly fast third-person shooter where rocket-boosted slides and slow-motion aiming turn cover shooting into a high-speed ballet against robot armies. Short, intense and packed with spectacle.
Large-scale modern warfare where infantry, vehicles and destructible environments collide, rewarding squads that play their class roles together. A campaign and the Portal custom-mode toolset round out the package.
Large-scale modern warfare where infantry, vehicles and destructible environments collide, rewarding squads that play their class roles together. A campaign and the Portal custom-mode toolset round out the package.
Action games on Xbox cover a lot of ground, but the best ones share the same core: tight controls, clear feedback and fights that reward you for learning patterns and timing your inputs. Almost everything on this list is tagged as difficult, so the real question is what kind of challenge you enjoy. Soulslikes ask for patience and careful exploration, character action games reward flashy combo mastery, and shooters test aim and quick decisions.
If you want a huge world to get lost in, Elden Ring pairs demanding combat with an open map full of secrets you can tackle in almost any order. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is the pick for players who love parrying, since posture and deflecting blows decide every duel. For pure style, Devil May Cry 5 lets you switch between three very different demon hunters while chasing high style ranks, and Bayonetta offers deep combos built around Witch Time.
Think about whether you play alone or with others. Cuphead supports local co-op on the couch, while Apex Legends is built around squads of three online. Shorter, intense sessions suit Hotline Miami, where one hit kills and instant restarts keep you moving, whereas the Soulslikes are slower, longer journeys.
Frequently asked questions
What is the hardest action game on Xbox?
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Cuphead are often named among the toughest, with Sekiro demanding precise parries and Cuphead throwing relentless bosses at you. The Dark Souls games are also famously unforgiving.
Which action games on Xbox can I play in co-op?
Cuphead offers local co-op for two players, and Apex Legends is designed around online squads of three. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is team-based competitive multiplayer.
Should I start with Elden Ring or Dark Souls?
Elden Ring is more flexible because its open world lets you go elsewhere when a boss blocks your path. Dark Souls: Remastered is a great choice if you want the interconnected world of Lordran with sharper visuals and the Artorias DLC included.
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