Best Fast-Paced Games

While some games are best played at a slower rate, many others like first-person shooters benefit from a fast pace. Video games have the power to sadden, uplift, and surprise. That spine-tingling feeling that comes when a baddie is approaching is uncanny in a plethora of ways.

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The following games were hand-picked for those into adrenaline-inducing games. That feeling like you're about to lose or die in a video game is like none other. Here are some fast-paced games that are sure to get the blood flowing.

Updated January 6, 2024 by Mark Sammut: Looking for a fast-paced game that gets the blood pumping? Then, these upcoming titles are the perfect candidates. They also covers a wide range of genres to try and cater to as many preferences as possible.

18 Bayonetta 2

Metascore: 91

If seeking out exhilarating action titles, anything (major) released by PlatinumGames is a safe bet. Vanquish and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance fit the bill, but they lose out to Bayonetta 2 simply because the Nintendo exclusive represents Platinum at the peak of its power. Consequently, Bayonetta 2 is one of the best fast-paced games of all time, even managing to surpass its stellar predecessor.

Built upon a complex combo system reminiscent of the Devil May Cry franchise, Bayonetta 2 is all about stylishly and swiftly demolishing angels with an array of unique weapons. Quick reflexes and practice pave the road to victory, and once someone becomes accustomed to Bayonetta 2's gameplay, they will produce magic.

17 Ghostrunner

Metascore: 81

Ghostrunner is a game made for speedruns. Taking on the role of a cybernetic assassin, every decision matters in Ghostrunner as encounters are decided with a single strike. While this is most certainly a fast-paced action game, the focus is primarily on movement and positioning rather than combos.

Ghostrunner is challenging, satisfying, and unique. It's the type of game that has a way of inspiring players to always go for one last attempt after every failure, of which there will be many. Along with fast-paced action, the game demand quick reflexes and decision making from players since there is little room for error.

16 Katana Zero

Metascore: 83

Failure is only one misstep away. Katana Zero adopts the tried and tested one-hit-kill formula into a stylish 2D side-scroller starring a samurai assassin with time-themed powers. As the samurai seeks to take down his targets while avoiding hits, scenarios play out like puzzles that need to be solved; death serves as a key that will eventually lead to success.

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The action is swift and smooth, as the game presents full control of the character at all times. The one-hit-kill mechanic ensures that every step, reflex, and slash feels important.

15 Sonic Generations

Metascore: 77

A mascot known for moving at a billion miles a second, a good Sonic the Hedgehog game has to nail its sense of speed. The early Genesis games have aged pretty well and are great 2D platforms, while Sonic Mania serves as a fantastic modern interpretation of that formula. The 3D Sonic titles run the gamut in terms of quality, with some being downright terrible.

Sonic Generations provides the best of both worlds, delivering brilliantly designed 2D sections alongside thrilling 3D zones. The latter areas are particularly fast-paced, offering blockbuster visuals and a ton of replayability for those willing to master the levels. Sonic Generations is essentially a greatest hits collection, and it lacks much in the way of story depth or unique stages. That said, it does highlight Sonic the Hedgehog at its best, which is not something that can be said for every modern entry in the series.

14 Severed Steel

Metascore: 79

Steam is jam-packed with indie shooters that nail fast-paced gunplay, and Severed Steel can stand bullet-to-bullet with most of them. Split into missions, players must try to complete the objective as quickly as possible while wall-jumping, swapping weapons, and executing tricks. Style and efficiency are directly linked, as the former feed directly into the latter through mechanics such as slow-downs.

Severed Steel does not have much in the way of a story and its levels can get a touch repetitive due to a limited pool of enemies. However, the gameplay is the only thing that matters here, and it is incredibly gratifying.

13 Hades

Metascore: 93

Supergiant Games has a history of developing masterpieces and Hades might just be the studio's crowning achievement. A rogue-lite that tells an engaging story and does not reset everything after a loss, the game follows Zagreus' repeated attempts to escape the Underworld, which happens to be controlled by his father, Hades. As new weapons and abilities are unlocked, Hades' frantic combat grows into something truly special.

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While the campaign involves repeatedly fighting through the same areas and bosses, Hades' personality, gameplay, and RPG elements should stave off boredom. The game grants players quite a few customization options for repeat runs, which helps add a lot of replay value.

12 Cuphead

Metascore: 88

Outside a few short sections, Cuphead is a boss rush game that pulls very few punches in terms of difficulty. Each encounter essentially acts as its own action-oriented puzzle, and most players will need to carefully analyze the enemy's moveset to enhance their chance of survival. While perhaps not as frantically paced as some other games, Cuphead is relentlessly aggressive, to the point of venturing into bullet hell territory at times.

Although garnering a reputation for its overwhelming challenge, Cuphead is overall fair, and most deaths will be the fault of the player rather than the game throwing out an unexpected difficulty spike.

11 Post Void

Metascore: 83

Post Void is the gaming equivalent of a shot of adrenaline. On the surface, this might look like another retro-style FPS similar to Dusk or Postal: Brain Damaged, but Post Void succeeds in setting itself apart from the crowd. Players have a limited amount of time to complete a level, and the only way to extend that period is by killing enemies. Each new stage ramps up the intensity, and the game quickly gets punishingly difficult.

Post Void is also a roguelite that lets players pick and choose modifiers prior to a run. While these options do not change the experience greatly, they tweak the gunplay to better complement the user's preferred style of play.

10 Neon White

Metascore: 89

While speedrunning is usually a nice side dish, Neon White makes it the main course. This anime-style first-person shooter consists of short missions that require players to kill every enemy and reach the endpoint. Simple and easy to understand. However, a card-based action system throws a spanner into the works. Each card can be used as a weapon or an action (like double-jump), and since the deck is limited, players must carefully decide how and when to execute their stash.

Neon White is essentially a puzzle game that challenges players to find the optimum route through a level so they can complete it as quickly as possible. Depending on their time, they will be rewarded with one of four medals.

9 Pizza Tower

Metascore: 89

Platformers do not typically prioritize speed; however, exceptions do exist beyond the Blue Blur. A hilarious indie release about a constantly angry restaurant owner who must climb up a structure, Pizza Tower is a blast from beginning to end.

Boasting an eye-catching art style and tight gameplay that takes inspiration from the past without blindingly copying it, Tour de Pizza's release emphasizes momentum by permitting its protagonist to constantly sprint forward at full speed, and he is quite mobile. Pizza Tower feels specifically designed with speedrunners in mind, and the mechanics are accessible enough to not require best-in-the-world reflexes.