Summary
- Bayonetta mixes stylish combat with a surprisingly intricate plot involving ancient rivalries and celestial threats.
- Max Payne 3 offers a brutal, emotionally charged journey into a man's life filled with guilt, redemption, and violent confrontations.
- Uncharted 4 balances exploration with a story about family and sacrifice, creating a blend of cinematic storytelling and exhilarating action.
Action games are usually more about high-octane combat and adrenaline-pumping sequences than complex narratives. But some of them break that mold, blending gripping stories with gameplay that keeps players on the edge of their seats.
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These games are the best of this lot, and they are primarily action-focused, so don’t expect RPGs or sprawling open-world epics that just happen to include action. Instead, these are games where combat takes center stage, but the story is just as memorable.
8 Bayonetta
Style, Sass, And A Story That Doesn't Slow Down
Bayonetta
- Released
- October 29, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Platinum Games
- Genre(s)
- Action
If over-the-top action could be distilled into a single character, Bayonetta would be it. This gun-wielding, hair-controlling witch is the epitome of stylish combat, but underneath the flashy moves and witty banter lies a surprisingly intricate plot involving ancient rivalries, celestial threats, and a quest to uncover her past. Bayonetta doesn’t concern itself with being subtle. Instead, it revels in its absurdity, throwing angelic warriors and demonic monstrosities at the player while Bayonetta quips her way through the chaos.
The story’s charm lies in how it embraces its madness, with plot twists that feel both convoluted and perfectly fitting for a world where angels explode into golden halos. It’s an action game that knows it’s over-the-top and leans into it with grace—if you can call suplexing a god “graceful.”
7 Max Payne 3
Pain, Pills, And A Past That Won't Die
Max Payne 3
- Released
- May 15, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
When Rockstar decided to pick up the story of Max Payne nearly a decade after Max Payne 2, fans weren’t sure what to expect. What they got was a brutal, emotionally charged journey into the depths of a man who has lost everything but still can’t stop fighting. Set in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Max Payne 3 trades the snow-covered noir aesthetic for a sun-drenched, decaying paradise where Max works as a bodyguard for a wealthy family. But things go south fast, and Max’s knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time resurfaces with a vengeance.
What makes Max Payne 3 remarkable is how it humanizes its protagonist while still leaning into his broken, self-destructive tendencies. The story’s relentless pace doesn’t just propel Max forward but drags him, kicking and screaming, into one violent confrontation after another. Through grim monologues and a narrative drenched in regret, the game delivers a story of guilt and redemption that feels both raw and poetic. It’s not often that an action game can make players feel this much sympathy for a man who’s basically a walking disaster.
6 Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
One Last Adventure
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
- Released
- May 10, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Naughty Dog
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Adventure
It’s hard to imagine Nathan Drake settling down, but Uncharted 4 starts with exactly that—a semi-retired treasure hunter trying to live a normal life. Of course, it doesn’t last. When his long-lost brother Sam shows up with stories of a lost pirate utopia and a debt that could get them both killed, Drake is pulled back into a world of danger and discovery.
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What sets Uncharted 4 apart from previous entries is how it balances the thrill of exploration with a deeply personal story about family and sacrifice. Nathan’s journey isn’t just about finding the treasure but figuring out who he is without the thrill of the chase. The dynamic between Nate and Sam adds depth, while his relationship with Elena grounds the story with a sense of real-world consequence. The seamless blend of cinematic storytelling with exhilarating action makes Uncharted 4 feel like the ultimate swan song for a beloved hero.
5 Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
A Journey Through Darkness
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
- Released
- August 16, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Ninja Theory
- Platform(s)
- PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch, PC
Some stories feel like they cut deeper than others, and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is one of those rare games that pulls no punches. Following Senua, a Pict warrior on a journey to save her lover’s soul from Helheim, the game is as much about battling inner demons as it is about confronting external threats. What really sets it apart is how it handles psychosis, depicting Senua’s struggles with auditory hallucinations and delusions in a way that’s both harrowing and deeply respectful.
The game’s minimalist HUD, intimate combat, and use of binaural audio create an immersive experience that blurs the line between reality and delusion. Despite its relatively short length, the game’s narrative impact is profound, leaving players with a haunting sense of empathy for a character fighting both real and imagined battles.
4 Metal Gear Rising
Slicing Through Philosophy
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
- Released
- February 19, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Platinum Games
- Genre(s)
- Action
There’s something oddly poetic about a cyborg ninja cutting a giant mech in half while debating the morality of war. That’s Metal Gear Rising in a nutshell. Set after the events of Metal Gear Solid 4, the game follows Raiden as he battles rogue PMC operatives and contemplates the cost of his own transformation. The story is unapologetically wild, blending political intrigue with bombastic swordplay in a way only PlatinumGames could pull off.
What makes the story compelling is how it doesn’t shy away from questioning Raiden’s violent path while simultaneously letting him unleash a flurry of blade-dancing destruction. The bosses are as philosophically inclined as they are lethal, each one challenging not just Raiden’s skills but his beliefs. It’s an action game that manages to be both introspective and outrageously entertaining.
3 Yakuza 0
A Tale Of Brotherhood And Betrayal
Yakuza 0
- Released
- January 24, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Set in the neon-lit streets of 1980s Japan, Yakuza 0 follows two protagonists, Kiryu and Majima, as they navigate the brutal, honor-bound world of organized crime. The story hits hard because it’s more than just a tale of violence—it’s about loyalty, sacrifice, and the weight of living by a code. The intertwining stories of Kiryu and Majima explore the complexities of duty and friendship, making every twist feel earned.
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Combat is brutal and satisfying, with each punch feeling weighty, but it’s the quieter moments that resonate most. Whether it’s helping a stranger or running a cabaret club, the game mixes absurd humor with moments of gut-wrenching emotion, giving players a story that’s as multifaceted as its protagonists.
2 God Of War (2018)
Fatherhood And Fury
God of War
- Released
- April 20, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Santa Monica Studio
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4
Kratos, the god-killing Spartan, found a new role in God of War—fatherhood. Set years after the original trilogy, the story follows Kratos and his son Atreus on a journey to scatter the ashes of Atreus’ mother. What unfolds is a story about legacy, loss, and redemption. The dynamic between Kratos and Atreus is the heart of the game, with their evolving relationship mirroring Kratos’ struggle to control his rage.
The combat is visceral, with Leviathan Axe throws feeling as satisfying as ever. But it’s the storytelling that elevates God of War beyond its predecessors. The layered writing and complex characterization make Kratos more human than ever, even as he’s pummeling Norse deities.
1 Devil May Cry 5
Family Matters, Demon Style
Devil May Cry 5
- Released
- March 8, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PS4, Xbox One, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Action
When Nero, Dante, and V find themselves battling demonic hordes, it’s clear this is Devil May Cry at its peak. Stylish combat and absurd one-liners are still the norm, but the story digs deeper, exploring family ties and the legacy of Sparda. It’s a wild, fast-paced ride that never loses its emotional core.
The stylish combat mechanics keep things fresh, but it’s the character dynamics that shine. Each protagonist brings something unique, both in terms of gameplay and narrative depth. For all its chaotic energy, Devil May Cry 5 is surprisingly heartfelt, reminding players that family bonds can survive even a demonic apocalypse.
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