Best New Action Games of 2016

2017 is nearly upon us and it’s getting about that time to look back at 2016 and all the great video game titles it bestowed upon us. When it comes to the action or action-adventure genre, it can be difficult to pinpoint a specific category of video games. Really, there is plenty of sub-genres that can be linked to the action video games category.

Regardless, we opted to take a look at some of our favorite action video games that released in 2016. There were plenty of video game titles to choose from and each offered its own right to be on this list. From the addictive nonstop action gameplay to the incredible narrative story, there’s practically a game for everyone on this list.

As always, we would like to know what your favorite action video games of 2016 were. Let us know by leaving a comment down below.

Without further ado, here is our picks for the top best new action games that released in 2016!

Shadow Warrior 2

Developer: Flying Wild Hog
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1
Metacritic: 79/100

Shadow Warrior 2 takes place five years after the events of Shadow Warrior. Players once again take the role of modern ninja warrior Lo Wang where, I’m sure you guessed it, will once again fight off a slew of demons. However, this time around, the demons under Zilla’s command, have invaded the world through a dimension rip.

There’s plenty to like about Shadow Warrior 2, the humor, intense action, along with a slew of abilities and customization for your weapons. Shadow Warrior 2 went out to receive favorable reviews from both critics and fans alike. We even reviewed the video game title here at Gameranx. You can check out that review right here.

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Overwatch

Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1
Metacritic: 91/100

You’re likely fully aware of Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch. This is a team-based multiplayer first-person shooter that puts two teams of six against each other. Though the key selling point to Overwatch is the vast character selection players have at their disposal.

Overwatch is a hero-based shooter where the cast of characters has unique abilities that can tie-in really well with your team. Working together as a team is a vital component when it comes to melding these hero characters into an effective weapon against the opposing force.

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Battlefield 1

Developer: EA DICE
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1
Metacritic: 88/100

Battlefield 1 gained widespread attention when it was first revealed by EA DICE. The video game would turn away from modern and futuristic time periods that Battlefield along with the Call of Duty franchise had been turning towards. Instead, Battlefield 1 takes place during the First World War.

While keeping up with the same elements and mechanics that fans of the Battlefield franchise have been used to, Battlefield 1 showcases period-accurate weapons and vehicles. Players will use bolt-action rifles, artillery, mustard gas, along with tanks, horses, zeppelins, and more.

Outside of the multiplayer component of Battlefield 1, there is a campaign that will feature six different characters each with their own war story, told through the eyes of separate soldier nationalities.

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Hitman

Developer: IO Interactive
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1
Metacritic: 80/100

Hitman, from developers IO Interactive, is the sixth entry in the Hitman series, and outside of the prologue, the video game takes place seven years after the events of Hitman: Absolution. Furthermore, this is an episodic video game title that holds a total of six episodes, with the first season containing all of the episodes is set to launch at the end of January of 2017.

Much like previous installments, players will be taking on the role of Agent 47, a genetically enhanced assassin, as he travels to international locations to eliminate specific targets. Each episode is more of an open-world sandbox environment where players will have to explore, infiltrate, eliminate a target,and leave without being noticed or killed.

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Watch Dogs 2

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1
Metacritic: 84/100

Watch Dogs 2, much like the first installment of the Watch Dogs franchise, is set in an open-world environment. Players take on the role of Marcus Holloway, a hacker that is affiliated with the infamous hacking group DedSec.

Set in San Francisco, the city starts to roll out the Central Operating System, otherwise known as ctOS, which allows everyone and everything to be connected. After Marcus Hollow is framed for a crime and ctOS recognizing him as a suspect, Marcus opts to work with DedSec to take down the system while also freeing innocent citizens of being ruled by the privacy invading city security system.

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Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

Developer: Eidos Montreal, Feral Interactive
Publisher: Square Enix, Feral Interactive
Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1
Metacritic: 84/100

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided takes place in 2029, exactly two years after the events of Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Players will once again step into the shoes of Adam Jensen as he seeks out the Illuminati, a group that was responsible for the Aug Incident of Deus Ex: Human Revolution.

As noted, Deus Ex: Human Revolution presented gamers with the Aug Incident, an event where augmented humans became uncontrollable and lethally violent. This was due to a hacker group is known as Illuminati who implanted technology that would allow the ability to control these affected humans.

Adam Jensen is an augmented former private security officer that is now working with a special Interpol unit known as Task Force 29. This task force seeks to capture terrorist groups that use augmentations against the innocent. However, Jensen is also working in secrecy with a hacking group known as Juggernaut Collective that is currently seeking members of the Illuminati.

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Dark Souls 3

Developer: FromSoftware
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment, FromSoftware
Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1
Metacritic: 89/100

The fourth overall entry to the Souls series, Dark Souls III was marked as publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment’s fastest selling game, with a whopping three million copies sold worldwide in just two months after release.

If you enjoyed the previous installments of the Souls series then you won’t want to miss out on picking up Dark Souls III. Without getting too in-depth with the story, the game opens up with the Kingdom of Lothric. Players learn that the First Flame is dying out, which if extinguished, the Age of Dark would be upon the world leaving undead and cursed beings to rise.

The Age of Fire could be prolonged with the linking of the fires, which previously cost heroes to sacrifice their souls to kindle the First Flame. However, Prince Lothric has chosen to watch the flame die off.

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Uncharted 4

Developer: NaughtyDog
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platforms: PlayStation 4
Metacritic: 93/100

The Uncharted franchise has been immensely popular with Sony gamers with the fourth main installment, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End was set to be the conclusion to the Uncharted series starring Nathan Drake.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End takes place several years after the events of Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, where Nathan Drake has been retired from fortune hunting. That is until he is reunited with his older brother Sam and partner Sully where the trio must search for clues to the location of Captain Henry Avery’s long-lost treasure in order to save Sam’s life.

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Titanfall 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXwdWuSuiYA

Developer: Respawn Entertainment
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1
Metacritic: 89/100

From development studio, Reswpawn Entertainment comes Titanfall 2. Players will still have the competitive online multiplayer component that Titanfall originally only featured for gamers who purchased the title. However, this time around, outside of the multiplayer component, Titanfall 2 will also include a full single-player narrative campaign.

The campaign alone is a major addition to the Titanfall franchise. Players will be taking on the role of Jack Cooper, a Militia pilot that earned his Titan after the mech’s driver was killed-in-action. Players will work in and out of the mech to reach their way back from behind enemy lines.

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Dishonored 2

Developer: Arkane Studios
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1
Metacritic: 90/100

Dishonored 2 is an action-adventure stealth video game title that takes place fifteen years after the events of Dishonored.

Within Dishonored 2, Empress Emily Kaldwin is deposed by an otherworldly usurper. Players at the start of the video game will have the option to go through the video game as either Emily Kaldwin or her father and bodyguard Corvo Attano.

Both characters will have abilities which can be forfeited as the game story will offer a wide variety of ways to progress through the game. Players can opt to go with a more stealth or action-filled approach as they attempt to reclaim the throne to its rightful owner, Emily Kaldwin.

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LawBreakers

Developer: Boss Key Productions
Publisher: Nexon
Platforms: PC
Set on a post-post-apocalyptic Earth after a severely damaged Moon throws off the balance of our way of life, LawBreakers’ levels take place in some of the most iconic landmarks of the United States. It’s a world scarred by the Armageddon, and two sides: the Law and the Breakers, fight for supremacy in the gravity-torn landscapes that once served as popular tourist attractions.

LawBreakers offers a variety of modes designed around both teamwork and player skill. Gamers familiar with fast-paced shooters like Unreal Tournament will feel right at home with LawBreakers, which marries the visceral and high-speed combat of classic arena shooters with the modern sensibilities of class-based gameplay and team makeup.

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DOOM

Developer: id Software
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1
Metacritic: 87/100

The infamous first-person shooter franchise, Doom, received a proper reboot from development team id Software this year. Just as the franchise is known for, Doom delivers gamers nonstop action and violent combat as players battle through a variety of demons to save world from total destruction.

Gamers take on the role of an unnamed marine as he battles against demonic forces both outside and inside Hell after the Union Aerospace Corporation sought to extract energy from Hell to solve the energy crisis on Earth. However, after one of the scientists within the corporation made a pact with the demons in Hell, she opened a portal allowing the demonic invasion, leaving the unnamed marine the last stand against the end of humanity.