Top 10 Legendary Action Games for PC

Batman: Arkham City is an action-adventure game released in 2011, developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros. While the entire Batman: Arkham series has much to offer, Arkham City strikes the perfect balance between a vast open world and a tight, thrilling stealth game. Bruce Wayne returns as the story unfolds in Gotham, now transformed into a sprawling prison. The city's slums are overrun with violent gangs and political prisoners. But by sheer coincidence, when the game begins, Bruce Wayne finds himself trapped within the chaos, masked and unable to escape.

Based on the superhero Batman from DC Comics, Batman: Arkham City is the sequel to the 2009 video game Batman: Arkham Asylum and the second installment in the Batman: Arkham series. This game offers yet another opportunity to take down Batman's iconic villains, but with enhanced tools and on a much larger stage. Although Arkham City is larger than its predecessor, it retains the sinister atmosphere of Arkham Asylum.

You will find yourself navigating through ever-changing areas, with buildings shifting as different events unfold and various gangs take control. Batman Arkham City also made improvements to combat and stealth mechanics, providing a refined Bats Experience that doesn’t become cumbersome or turn into just another action RPG with an open-world setting.

Link: https://warnerbrosgames.com/game/batman-arkham-city

Hotline Miami is a brutal, fast-paced shooter developed by Jonatan Söderström and Dennis Wedin, collectively known as Dennaton Games. Published by Devolver Digital, it was officially released on October 23, 2012, for Microsoft Windows. The game takes place in 1989 Miami and immerses players in a mysterious antihero's role, carrying out violent assassinations against the criminal underworld, guided by a voice on an answering machine. It is renowned for its intense, gory action and tactical close combat.

In each level of Hotline Miami, players navigate a building from a top-down perspective, with the main goal being to eliminate every enemy within. Some levels also feature bosses or require players to collect vital items. Additionally, animal masks can be found, often left behind by other failed assassins who have failed missions in the past, now taken on by the character “Jacket.”

Upon release, Hotline Miami received high praise for its storytelling, music, and gameplay, quickly becoming regarded as one of the greatest games of all time. It’s considered a highly influential indie game and a major highlight in the gaming industry. The sequel, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, was released on March 10, 2015.

Link: https://hotlinemiami.com/

Devil May Cry 5 is a 2019 action-adventure game developed and published by Capcom. It is the sixth installment in the overall series and the fifth main entry. Released on March 8, 2019, for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One, the game takes place five years after the events of Devil May Cry 4. Players follow three demon hunters—Dante, Nero, and a new protagonist named V—as they attempt to stop the demon king, Urizen, from destroying the human world.

Throughout the story set in Red Grave City, players can control each of the three characters in various missions, each with unique combat styles and power-ups. As the characters grow stronger, the mystery behind V is uncovered, revealing his connection to Urizen. Directed by Hideaki Itsuno, Devil May Cry 5 was designed to be the best installment in the franchise, with inspiration drawn from the RE Engine used in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. Real actors were used for character models to create a more realistic design.

Link: https://www.devilmaycry5.com/

Monster Hunter World is an action-packed game where players take on the role of a skilled monster hunter. The game revolves around tracking massive creatures through vast, diverse landscapes, battling them with an array of weapons like swords, hammers, axes, and primitive guns. After each hunt, players harvest materials from their fallen prey—bones, teeth, and scales—to craft better gear and weapons for future expeditions. This loop of hunt, craft, and hunt again keeps the gameplay fresh as you advance through even bigger and more powerful enemies.

This entry in the series is the most expansive and impressive, transforming previously linear areas into sprawling, dense environments that allow for dynamic hunts and thrilling chases. With 14 different weapon types to choose from, Monster Hunter World offers variety and depth, keeping the gameplay exciting and encouraging mastery of different styles. The cooperative gameplay takes it to another level, making it even more enjoyable with friends for strategic takedowns and coordinated team hunts. With regular updates and new quests, this game ensures hours of engaging action that will keep players coming back.

Link: http://www.monsterhunterworld.com/us/

Vanquish might seem a bit outdated by today's standards, but it still stands as a top-tier third-person shooter on PC. Developed by the action masters at PlatinumGames, Vanquish may look like your average sci-fi shooter at first glance, but underneath that surface is a high-speed, skateboarding-like thrill ride that makes navigating its space station environments just as essential as lining up your shots.

You can play Vanquish like a standard cover-based shooter in the style of Gears of War, but that would mean missing out on the real fun. The game comes to life when you embrace its unique movement mechanics. Sliding beneath bullet fire at jet-like speeds, these beautifully executed slides give Vanquish a sense of forward momentum like no other, allowing you to chain kills from enemy to enemy like a ninja, smashing them into pieces in stunning slow-motion sequences.

Furthermore, it’s the mastery of the sliding mechanic that gives Vanquish its true challenge. Rather than relying on over-the-top weapons or game-breaking powers, Vanquish is all about interacting with its systems in ways that keep you on your toes. You may start the game cautiously, carefully picking your battles, but by the end, you’ll be a sliding master, efficiently dispatching foes with ease.

Link: http://www.vanquishgame.com/

When Capcom revived Resident Evil with a remake in 2015, it preserved much of what made the original game special. The same approach was taken when bringing Resident Evil 2 to life again in 2019, but this reimagining is far more impactful, and much better for it. Rather than sticking too closely to the old material, Capcom boldly reinvented the experience, using the game’s events as a backdrop for their own fresh take on horror.

Of course, at its core, it’s still the same game, but the 2019 Resident Evil remake is truly terrifying. Zombies, once laughable enemies, have now become monstrous, gnawing fiends that bring genuine terror. Much of this comes from the game’s new perspective. Gone are the fixed cameras of the past, replaced with a view that follows Leon and Claire, akin to Resident Evil 7.

These tighter angles now hide disturbing surprises more organically, ramping up the fear factor to a level far beyond its predecessor. The puzzles may feel like remnants of a bygone era, but when Mr. X – a towering, terrifying creature with a penchant for punching your face – is hot on your heels, they offer a much-needed reprieve. Resident Evil 2 doesn’t need to be overambitious, but its results are so impressive that Capcom is already planning to replicate this success with their upcoming Resident Evil 3 remake.

Link: https://www.residentevil2.com/

TowerFall features arrows that, when shot, travel toward their intended target with a slight curve. These arrows can bend around corners, slide under platforms, and, if missed, hit unintended targets. You can turn this feature off, but it’s an essential part of this competitive and cooperative archery game. It allows skilled players to pull off the most impressive feats of precision. You’ll perform acrobatic moves, mixing panic and calculated thinking, as your fingers guide your mind through tight moments when the timer is running out.

The battles are deeply satisfying, with enemy movements and AI providing a solid challenge. What’s fresh is how you and your friends naturally take on roles in each challenge—one handles the top of the screen, while another covers the bottom, or both stick together, watching each other’s back and avoiding friendly fire. No matter the mode, TowerFall is an action-packed experience that makes you feel accomplished, even when you're as clumsy as we are. And that alone is a remarkable feat.

Link: http://www.towerfall-game.com/

Dead Cells is the perfect action game. It delivers an immersive experience that pulls you in deeper with every moment. From its impeccably designed levels to the precise combat and aggressive enemy AI, Dead Cells invites you to replay it time and time again. Don’t be fooled by its retro aesthetics, this is a modern masterpiece made to captivate today’s audience. It’s a dynamic action game packed with variety, a challenge that continuously pushes you to improve, constantly testing your success ambitions.

Dead Cells excels in delivering a masterclass in game feel. Every button press sends your sword and arrows speeding toward enemies, offering spectacular, tense feedback. What makes it stand out on this list is its ability to shine across all types of weapons and enemies, unlike TowerFall or Hotline Miami which focus on a specific weapon or enemy type. Dead Cells nails every element. It offers perfect hacking, excellent slashing, and superb dodging sequences.

As you explore new worlds, you’ll face an ever-expanding range of enemies and bosses, all while developing your favorite strategies. You’ll find character builds you’ll want to play endlessly because nothing in the game compares to them. If you’re after a game that will excite and thrill you, offering surprises and captivating you for hours, while challenging your reflexes, awareness, and perseverance, there’s no reason not to try Dead Cells right now.

Link: https://dead-cells.com/

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an action-adventure game released in 2019 by From Software and published by Activision. While the Dark Souls series is known for its intricate design and subtle storytelling, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice takes everything to a much higher level. From the start, Sekiro adopts a more offensive approach to combat. It's a game focused on reflexes, with much of the challenge coming from learning when to block an incoming strike.

As you progress, the attacks become more unorthodox, wild, and, of course, increasingly lethal, with the larger-than-life bosses being the clearest example. The game follows the journey of a shinobi named Wolf as he seeks revenge on a samurai clan that attacked him and abducted his lord. Set in the brutal Sengoku period of late 1500s Japan, you’ll face terrifying foes in a dark and unforgiving world.

In many ways, Sekiro is a fusion of Tenchu and Dark Souls, offering a unique experience unlike anything seen before. You can sneak up on a samurai and strike from behind like a true ninja. There's also a wealth of lore to uncover, giving you hints to the many secrets hidden within. If you find the slower-paced combat of Dark Souls frustrating, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice could be the perfect game for you.

Link: https://www.sekirothegame.com/

Bayonetta was developed by Platinum Games and published by both Sega and Nintendo. The legendary witch, Bayonetta, was created by Hideki Kamiya, designed by Mari Shimazaki, and voiced by Hellena Taylor in English and Atsuko Tanaka in Japanese. Although it initially debuted on consoles, the 2018 PC release was where Bayonetta truly shone. With a smooth 60 frames per second and breathtaking 4K visuals, facing off against colossal angels and demi-gods using your own hair as weapons has never looked or felt so spectacular.

This is, without a doubt, Platinum Games' finest creation. Regardless of how you feel about Bayonetta, it's impossible to deny that weaving through enemy attacks, slowing down time, and unleashing devastating combos with megaton power is one of the most satisfying actions in gaming. Plus, there's no other game that lets you shoot bullets from your feet, fire backward, and ride a rocket into space while riding a motorcycle without it feeling completely ridiculous. Only Platinum could create such audacious and extravagant action sequences, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the wild ride.

Link: http://www.bayonetta.com/