Action games are arguably the most extensive genre of video games, as they include virtually all titles that offer some sort of physical challenge. Hence, there are action-adventure games that usually combine casual combat and puzzle-solving, action RPGs that are focused on a story and character-building, and many other subgenres.
“It’s difficult to pick the best action game of 2025 because every player searches for a different experience. However, GAMIVO offers a wide range of action games, so it’s possible to highlight some trends based on gamers’ preferences,” says Andrzej Bazylczuk from GAMIVO, an online platform specialized in selling discounted video games.
A great year of action RPGs
This year has been particularly fertile for players who love when high-octane gameplay meets a compelling story and character-building. The first massive action RPG release of 2025 was Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, which premiered on February 4.
“The first Kingdom Come: Deliverance took many players by surprise, but the sequel had to face very high expectations. It not only met but surpassed them, instantly becoming a Game of the Year candidate and a GAMIVO bestseller,” states the GAMIVO.com representative.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is known for its historical setting and a high level of realism. Players who prefer fantasy worlds had to wait only a few weeks, because Monster Hunter Wilds premiered on February 28. Also, the next months brought exciting action RPGs, such as Assassin's Creed Shadows and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, the new version of the winner of multiple GOTY awards in 2006.
Action and adventures
“The line between action-adventure games and action RPGs is sometimes very thin because both subgenres can mix a compelling plot with high-octane action. There are also titles that focus on pure fan or mix action with puzzle-solving. It makes action-adventure games the most diverse and arguably the most popular type of video games, explains Andrzej Bazylczuk.
When it comes to games that put emphasis on gameplay, Donkey Kong Bananza and Split Fiction stand out.
Bananza came out only a month after the launch of Switch 2 as one of its system sellers. Hence, Nintendo did its best to deliver a fun experience for players of all ages. Split Fiction is also a wonderful game for young and old gamers alike, as it’s the It Takes Two successor. Like the surprise 2021 GOTY winner, it offers incredible co-op fun with diverse gameplay and tons of ever-changing mechanics.
Horrors and challenges
“Players who prefer more cinematic experiences also have a wide array of games to choose from. Ghost of Yotei was a worthy successor of Ghost of Tsushima, Mafia: The Old Country brought back a slightly dusty series to its glory, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater introduced the 2004 classic to a new generation of players, and The Alters turned out to be another incredible concept from 11 Bit Studios. And if we classify horror games as a type of action game, we should also add to this list Dying Light: The Beast, Cronos: The New Dawn, and Silent Hill F,” suggests Andrzej Bazylczuk.
2025 is also a particularly good year for players who love challenging gameplay. They could return to the Lands Between and explore its alternate timeline in Elden Ring Nightreign. This spin-off to the beloved Elden Ring didn’t disappoint, nor did Hades II, the long-awaited sequel to the 2020 indie masterpiece. And speaking of indie masterpieces, Hollow Knight: Silksong is arguably one of the best Metroidvanias ever released.
It’s also the year of release of new installments in some iconic franchises.
“With Battlefield 6, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Borderlands 4, and Doom: The Dark Ages on the plate, FPS fans can get a headache trying to decide which of them to buy,” jokes Andrzej from GAMIVO.com.
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Contact Person: Marta Wawrzyniak
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Country: Malta
Website: https://www.gamivo.com
