21 Best Character Action Game

Some action games don’t require you to know much about the characters you play as. But these 14 games rock because you are invested in the characters as you play them.

#21 Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty

Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: September 26, 2023

Steam | PlayStation | Xbox

Are you ready to go back to Night City? If so, get ready because Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is here and is ready to make up for the misadventures you likely had when the original title came out in 2020.

That’s right. CD Projekt Red has been working for three years to not only fix their past mistakes but give players an expansion that they could truly be proud of. In the DLC, you’ll go to the mysterious section of Night City called Dogtown. You’re tasked with saving the President after their convoy crash-landed there.

Doing so many ensure your future. Or it could get you killed.

#20 Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

Platform: PC PS4 PS5 Xbox One XSX|S
Release Date: August 25, 2023

Steam | PlayStation | Xbox

If we were to tell you that there’s a mech game out there that will let you have the time of your life while making the mech of your dreams, you’d be interested, right?

Good! Because Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is here, and it’ll give you the mech action you’ve likely been dreaming about. The game features omnidirectional battles that’ll have you on your toes from start to finish. You’ll want to outfit yourself perfectly to take on threats while also learning more about the world around you as you go through the campaign.

So what are you waiting for? Your mech awaits!

#19 Red Dead Redemption

Platform: PS4 Switch – August 17, 2023
Release Date: Xbox 360 PS3 – May 18, 2010

PlayStation | Xbox | Nintendo

When it comes to Rockstar Games titles, you know there will be plenty of action for you to participate in. The only question is, how much fun will you have along the way?

Red Dead Redemption offers action on numerous fronts as you’re thrown into the age of the Wild West and tasked to take down a group of outlaws. The twist is that these outlaws were your friends; taking them down is the only way you’ll have piece.

In the recent rerelease of the game, you’ll also get access to the “Undead Nightmare” storyline, where you’ll get to face off against zombies! As we all know, there are plenty of things to do and shoot when zombies roam around.

#18 Hi-Fi Rush

Platform: PC XSX|S
Release Date: January 25, 2023

Steam | Xbox

If you haven’t heard about Hi-Fi Rush by now, you’re seriously living under a rock. This was the game from Tango Gameworks that shadow-dropped earlier in the year and amazed everyone with its vibrant world, clever combat, and unique setting.

The game puts you as Chai, a guy who goes in for an experiment and accidentally has his heart replaced with a music player! Oops.

Now, alongside some fellow misfits, you’ll need to take on the corporation that wronged you and defeat them while mashing buttons to the beat!

Yep, it’s a rhythm action title, and you’ll want to be right on cue so you can deliver the most damage.

#17 Street Fighter 6

Platform: PC PS4 PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: June 02, 2023

Steam | PlayStation | Xbox

When Street Fighter 6 was announced, there were many expectations and hopes among the fanbase. But one thing that no one would have guessed was that the title would be getting a character creation mode that would act like an RPG just as much as a fighting game.

In the story mode, you’ll make your own “World Warrior” from top to bottom. Make them look like you, or make them look however you want! Then, you’ll travel the world, meet up with the various Street Fighters to learn their moves, and create a special moveset all your own!

How will you build your fighter? Get into the game and find out!

#16 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S
Releease Date: April 28, 2023

Steam | Playstation | Xbox

The story of Cal Kestis is about to continue! Set five years after the events of the first game, Star Wars Jedi Survivor sees Cal trying to do all he can to defeat the Empire and prove they’re not invincible. But new events will make him question his place in the galaxy and reunite him with old friends along the way.

Enjoy the classic style of lightsaber battles from before, mixed in with some new techniques, Force powers, and more. The galaxy far, far away has never looked more beautiful and has never been this expansive. So wander around and see what it has to offer you!

#15 Hogwarts Legacy 

Release Date: 10 Feb 2023 | Platform: PC PS5 Xbox Series X|S
(PS4 Xbox One April 4, 2023) Switch (July 25, 2023)
Camera: Third Person
Multiplayer: No
Co-op: (Local: No | Online: No)
Genre: Open World, RPG, Fantasy, Action RPG

Steam | PlayStation | Xbox

When you think about the wizarding world that Harry Potter was in, the characters were just as important as any magical duels or epic creatures they met. If you didn’t care about the characters, you wouldn’t want to be a part of the world.

In Hogwarts Legacy, you’ll finally get to “live the unwritten” and make your story through your character. You’ll customize your character’s looks, then guide them through Hogwarts to shape their lives as witches and wizards.

What characters will they interact with? What spells will they choose to learn? What house will they be in? All these are yours to choose from, so write your unique story!

#14 Astral Chain

You’re going to see a lot of PlatinumGames titles on this list, trust us. We’ll start with one where your character may not be the most talkative, but you’re invested in them and the world they’re in.

In Astral Chain, you play as a member of a special task force trying to protect what remains of the world from a threat that comes from another dimension. You soon discover that you can control these monsters and turn the tide of battle.

Now you must fight for the remaining populace and uncover a conspiracy trying to take advantage of the chaos. An intense action and RPG romp await!

#13 God Hand

This title is a bit older than many on this list, but if you can find it, you might enjoy it.

In the game, you play as Gene, a drifter who tries to do good and loses an arm. When you awaken from your plight, you are given a new arm via the God Hand. But there’s a catch. Because you now wield the arm, you’ll have to deal with legions of demons coming after it.

The unique action system is part of the game’s fun where you can learn new techniques and string them together in combos to take down foes.

#12 Ultrakill

If you want an action game that won’t mind you cutting loose and having a ball blasting things to bits, then get Ultrakill.

In this traumatic future, humankind has gone extinct. So what exists in their place? That would be robots, ones that are powered by blood. But there lies the problem. The surface world is out of blood, so they’re going to the underworld!

You’ll raid the underworld with various weapons to get more blood for yourself. Think fast, shoot everything in sight, and get what you need to survive. Or just do it all because it’s fun. Either option is valid here.

#11 Ninja Gaiden Black

The Ninja Gaiden franchise is known for action regardless of whether it was the 2D or 3D styling. Ninja Gaiden Black redoes the original 3D title and gives it modern enhancements and a quality-of-life boost.

You’ll play Ryu Hyabusa in a mission he was born to complete. The crux of the game is to tie it further into the world of Dead or Alive and show how Ryu came to be in that tournament.

No matter what, you’ll enjoy the game for its fast hard-hitting style. Ryu has many weapons and techniques at his disposal. Use them wisely to wipe out enemies and complete your mission. How good of a ninja will you be?

#10 Vanquish

Vanquish may not be well-known to many, but it was one of the titles that helped put PlatinumGames on the map, thanks to how they handled the action gameplay.

You play Sam Gideon, a special operative with an equally special suit that he must use to defeat a robot horde trying to take over. Use a mix of weapons and martial arts to take them down as they pop up.

Your moveset will change based on the weapons and abilities you’ve attached, so be ready to let loose and take your foes down in spectacular fashion. Everything moves quickly in the game. Think you can keep up?

#9 Devil May Cry 5

The beloved Capcom series returned in a big way with Devil May Cry 5, and it delivered the action that it promised.

When a city becomes overrun with demons, a trio of heroes will have to rise to defeat them and send them back to whence they came. You’ll play as Nero, Dante, and the mysterious V throughout the game. Each character has unique styles in combat, so be sure to get a handle on them as you go.

Stunning visuals, a killer soundtrack, and tight controls anchor the game and ensure you will blast as you wipe out demons left and right.

#8 Darksiders Series

Here’s an action series that turned a lot of heads and was able to get out several titles before it faded away.

The Darksiders Series put you in the role of the horseman of the apocalypse. The first game had you trying to stop the end of the world from happening, and the second had you trying to avenge the brother that had been wronged.

Each game had a different playstyle, thanks to the horseman you played as. Exploring the deep and dark world was also a thrill that many enjoyed. So if you’ve never had a chance to play as War, Death, or the others, now is your time.

#7 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

The PlatinumGames trip continues with Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance! While many of Platinum’s titles are insane, this was the game that pushed it over the top, and it’s now become a classic title and will easily fill up your meme jar.

You’ll play as Raiden, the fan-hated turned fan-favorite character that showcases his cyborg powers in every battle he’s in. Wield the high-frequency blade and chop through foes like they’re cardboard. You can even slow down time to ensure you get a clean cut in.

Be the world’s hero and save the planet from those who want to plunge the world into war for their own benefit.

#6 God of War Series

Here is another series that has had many forms over the years. The God of War Series started with the PS2 games that were brutal action games with an action-focused perspective.

Then, when it had a “reboot” on the PS4, they made it a more personalized action experience and melded it with a deeper story. You’ll play as Kratos throughout the games and wield incredible weapons to fight the gods and monsters of myth and legend.

Earn your title as God of War by ripping them to shreds and making them suffer for the pain they’ve caused you over the years. Even death can’t stop Kratos.

#5 Marvel’s Spider-Man

When Insomniac announced they were making Marvel’s Spider-Man, many were curious about how well it would play. To the surprise of many, it became one of the best superhero titles ever.

You play as the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man as he tries to protect New York from regular and superpowered threats. The thrill of the action comes from the free-flow combat system. You’ll use your webs, martial arts skills, spider-sense, and gadgets to take on foes and leave them lying.

Plus, you’ll have a blast flying through New York and swinging from building to building. With classic villains and twists on Spider-Man lore awaiting you, you have no reason not to play!

#4 Nier: Automata

Yep, we’re not done with PlatinumGames titles yet! Nier: Automata is easily one of the best games the company has ever created. It’s also the title that saved them from the brink.

In a post-apocalyptic world, humanity has been pushed out by robots. To try and get the planet back, they have built androids that serve them. 2B, 9S, and others are sent to Earth to fight off the robot menace and bring peace back to the land.

But not everything is what it appears. Between the intense action sequences, you’ll learn more about the world and the androids and see that things weren’t what you were told they were. So fight for the future and to learn the truth!

#3 Hades

Here’s a game that just had a sequel revealed, and when that announcement came, fans went nuts. Hades is an intense action title where you play as Zagreus, the son of Hades. To escape the underworld once and for all, he’ll have to take on the beings and monsters that dwell in his father’s realm.

The action skyrockets in intensity when you add in the weapons and boons that Zagreus has access to, as they make each run of the game different as you adjust and fine-tune your tactics so you can blast through enemies. Do you think you can make it out of the underworld?

#2 Bayonetta Series

Our final set of titles from PlatinumGames is appropriate because they just released the third game in the franchise and then later announced a spinoff title!

The Bayonetta Series is arguably one of the best action franchises out there. The games are chock-full of action setpieces scattered throughout wonderful levels that are tied to an insane story.

You play predominantly as Bayonetta, an Umbra Witch who is in charge of keeping the world safe from the supernatural threats that sometimes plague it. Whether it be the Angels from above, the Demons from below, or something made by mankind, she’ll use her foot pistols, demon summons, and other weapons to put them down.

#1 Batman Arkham Series

The Batman Arkham Series is easily one of the best superhero sagas ever, and a big part of that was due to the action.

Rocksteady made sure you could feel like the Caped Crusader as you fought villains, thugs, and monsters. The free-flow combat was an inspiration for many titles that came afterward, including the game with Spider-Man we mentioned earlier.

Plus, the stealth gameplay was just as impactful and fun. So whether you were sneaking around the level picking off goons one by one or having a battle with someone like Bane or Killer Croc, you were always having an action-packed time.