FEATURED / 01Martial-arts action · Short
Sifu
A demanding combat study where better technique changes how far a life can take you. The ageing system gives cleaner execution a consequence beyond the result of the current fight.
Read the reviewIndependent game reviews · 2026 selection
Every move.
Every margin.
Action games ranked by the decisions, execution and encounters that make them worth mastering.
Find your next main event
12 games. Five criteria. Clear trade-offs.
FEATURED / 01
FEATURED / 02Action adventure · Long
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition
A demanding action game whose posture system makes deflection, pressure and enemy knowledge more important than collecting better equipment. Posture pressure rewards staying engaged with an opponent instead of relying on a larger equipment collection.
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FEATURED / 03Roguelike · Medium
Hades
Choose Hades for fast action runs, varied builds and a story that continues between attempts.
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The action scoreboard
Updated 4 November 2026 · 12 games · 5 scoring criteria
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition
A demanding action game whose posture system makes deflection, pressure and enemy knowledge more important than collecting better equipment. Posture pressure rewards staying engaged with an opponent instead of relying on a larger equipment collection.
9.6/10Main event
Hades
Choose Hades for fast action runs, varied builds and a story that continues between attempts.
9.4/10Main event
Celeste
Choose Celeste for precise climbing and dash challenges, a focused story and extensive optional platforming tests. Choose this when precise movement, rather than combat, is the skill you want to develop.
9.2/10Main event
Hollow Knight
Choose Hollow Knight for interconnected exploration and demanding platform combat, provided you enjoy finding your own route.
9.1/10Main event
Furi
A concentrated sequence of duels for players who want to understand a fight and execute it better. Its duel-led structure is the most direct option here for concentrating on an individual opponent.
9.0/10Main event
Dead Cells
Choose Dead Cells for fast platform combat, weapon experimentation and branching runs with permanent unlocks.
8.9/10Strong contender
Hades II
A substantial action sequel that builds meaningful variation around witchcraft and repeated attempts.
8.8/10Strong contender
Nine Sols
A precise deflection-led adventure with a distinctive meeting of science fiction and Taoist imagery. Deflection is the central commitment here, making it a strong pick for players who enjoy learning defensive timing.
8.7/10Strong contender
Sifu
A demanding combat study where better technique changes how far a life can take you. The ageing system gives cleaner execution a consequence beyond the result of the current fight.
8.6/10Strong contender
Hyper Light Drifter
A visually forceful adventure for players comfortable with demanding fights and unexplained discoveries. Fast movement and limited explanation make this a good match for players comfortable learning through observation.
8.5/10Strong contender
Cuphead
Choose Cuphead for distinctive hand-drawn animation and demanding boss encounters that reward repeated practice. Boss patterns are the main curriculum, so choose it when repeated practice is the attraction.
8.3/10Strong contender
Blasphemous
A severe gothic adventure with an unusually coherent visual identity and demanding encounters. Measured positioning and a connected map give its combat a different rhythm from a pure boss rush.
8.2/10Strong contender
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OPTIONS THAT MATTER
Assist & accessibility
Check the control scheme and settings on the official game page before choosing your setup.
Check the control scheme and settings on the official game page before choosing your setup.
Check the control scheme and settings on the official game page before choosing your setup.
THE SHAPE OF THE JOURNEY
How long is it?
Editorial length bands describe the scope of a game. Optional goals and your own pace can change the journey.