Video games are the ultimate power fantasy, as they regularly provide a brief escape into other worlds where the rules of reality don't apply. Action games starring chivalrous knights fighting the good fight, comic book adaptations set in the heart of the Big Apple, and horror-fueled efforts to survive unspeakable monstrosities are far more appealing than being stuck behind your desk at your 9-5, and 2023 has seen dozens of terrific action games released.

So which games were the best when it came to delivering exciting adventures in fantasy realms, real-world adjacent cities, and dark futures? According to our sister site Metacritic and the data gathered from dozens of outlets, this year saw a balanced mix of original games, remakes, remasters, and sequels all shine in the action genre. Several of these games were a fusion of action and other genres like horror, but if you were looking for a white-knuckle ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you were in for a good time this year. While some of the games below were obvious inclusions, there were a few welcome surprises as well that you can discover in the list below.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

There's a creative flair in Tears of the Kingdom that makes it a joy to play when you start combining items and weapons together to create a cartoonish arsenal. Big rock on a stick? That's easy in TOTK. A sword-sword? Sure, go for it. An orbital bombardment platform that you can use to rain hellfire down on your enemies below? It's possible! And that right there is where TOTK shines, as it combines the tried-and-trusted action of Zelda games with a selection of tools limited only by your imagination. If you can dream it, you can build it in this Nintendo masterpiece.

Metacritic: 96 | Read our The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom review

Metroid Prime Remastered

Metroid Prime was a revelation when it first landed on the GameCube, and decades later, Samus Aran's journey to Tallon IV is still an exciting blast of futuristic firepower and top-notch level design. Thoughtful changes like a revamped control system, tweaked weapons, and a slick coat of HD paint helped modernize Metroid Prime, reminding fans just how massive the leap from 2D to 3D was for Nintendo's spacefaring heroine back in 2002.

Metacritic: 94

Alan Wake 2

While most action games are power fantasies, Alan Wake 2 does a superb job of making you earn every victory within the confines of its survival-horror setting. There's a feeling of fragility and human limitations on both Saga Anderson and Alan Wake, enemies can be brutally tough to deal with, and your fight-or-flight instincts will often kick in whenever these durable foes pop up, but surviving these encounters provides an a sense of satisfaction that's hard to beat once your adrenaline rush wears off.

Metacritic: 94 | Read our Alan Wake 2 review

Resident Evil 4

Most Resident Evil games are survival-horror experiences, but Resident Evil 4 is a unique survival-action adventure that expertly balances those ideas on a razor-sharp knife edge. Leon Kennedy has picked up a few black ops tricks in the years since he survived the mean zombie streets of Raccoon City, and in Capcom's incredible remake of Resident Evil 4, he's brutally efficient at keeping hordes of infected villagers at bay. Every combat encounter is an exercise in creativity and adapting to challenges on the fly, making for a satisfying attempt at controlling the chaos that constantly erupts around you.

Metacritic: 93 | Read our Resident Evil 4 review

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

The beauty of Phantom Liberty is that you're free to chart your own path forward in a manner that suits your character. You can focus on a gung-ho approach to problem-solving with a focus on heavy weapons, become a legendary Edgerunner by investing in the right cyberware, or go for the maximum cool factor by transforming yourself into a cyborg ninja. The choice is yours to make, and chances are, you'll look preem as hell once you've maxed out your abilities and make use of them to become a Night City legend.

Metacritic: 91 | Read our Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty review

The Making of Karateka

It might look quaint by today's standards, but Karateka is still a solid action game that paved the way for future games in the genre. The Making of Karateka isn't just a look behind the scenes of an iconic game, it's a celebration of groundbreaking action and storytelling.

Metacritic: 90

Marvel's Spider-Man 2

There's a sense of acrobatic improvisation in Marvel's Spider-Man 2, energetic moments of quick-thinking action that make every combat encounter feel exhilarating. A strong variety of enemies will keep you on your toes, both Spider-Men have access to unique abilities that keep them on a level playing field, and unleashing a torrent of web fluid always feels fun. Building on previous entries in Insomniac's Spider-verse, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 feels familiar and fresh with new ideas like symbiote-powered haymakers and a parry mechanic that'll leave enemies reeling before you deliver some New York City justice to their faces

Metacritic: 90 | Read our Marvel's Spider-Man 2 review

Resident Evil 4: Separate Ways

With Resident Evil 4 as its foundation, Ada Wong's story has a surprisingly different direction when compared to Leon Kennedy's ability to creatively manage carnage. All the basics are still in place, but with a new grapple system that allows Ada to zipline out of harm's way or deliver a high-speed stun, there's a feeling of dynamic grace in these scenarios as Leon's favorite frenemy stays a step ahead of the monsters around her in this essential DLC chapter.

Metacritic: 89 | Read our Resident Evil 4: Separate Ways review

Dead Space

The original Dead Space had a novel method for dealing with multi-limbed monsters, and thankfully, its remake has lost none of the gory charm of using impromptu amputation surgery to cut these monstrosities down to size. Its combat is still wonderfully gruesome, and bucks the trend of making players focus solely on headshots. There's still a grim satisfaction in using plasma cutters to strategically remove the gross organic weapons of enemies, giving you just enough space to deliver a grisly finisher that'll leave you feeling queasy.

Metacritic: 89 | Read our Dead Space review

Hi-Fi Rush

The best action games have a unique rhythm, and Hi-Fi Rush offers an entire soundtrack of combat that guides your thumbs as you deliver a six-string beatdown to anything in your way. Hi-Fi Rush has a sublime combat cadence that you'll master, a collection of attacks, tag-team smackdowns, and parries that turn you into a one-man band of anti-corporate anarchy while you tap your feet to the beat of some classic tracks.

Metacritic: 89 | Read our Hi-Fi Rush review

Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania

Dead Cells already has a high-stakes combat design that'll leave your controller coated in sweat, but it's remarkably satisfying to experience that challenge in the context of Castlevania. The Castlevania franchise has been dormant for years now, but this DLC for Dead Cells is a tantalizing look at what it could be if Konami ever decided to resurrect it. A fast-paced exploration of Dracula's castle, Dead Cells makes clever use of those classic themes and motifs to create a Castlevania-themed expansion that is both challenging and fun.

Metacritic: 88 | Read our Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania review

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon

The planet of Rubicon 3 might be a hellhole of interstellar warfare between corporations looking to suck the planet dry of its resources, but it's also a fantastic playground for some mech-on-mech action in Armored Core 6. From Software's return to this franchise isn't Dark Souls with mechs, but rather a clash of steel where the key to victory lies in preparation, the right loadout, and mastering the Skeiro-flavored combat, which rewards aggressive tactics.

Metacritic: 88 | Read our Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon review

Final Fantasy 16

Final Fantasy 16 is exhilarating when you fully master its swords and sorcery combat, as carving away at enemies while you wield the power of Eikons is an exciting combination. It's not a complete departure from the RPG roots of the franchise, but it is a fascinating fusion of those ideas with a more action-packed direction as you hack away at enemies with ruthless aggression. Its jaw-dropping boss battles are a sight to behold and the equilibrium between challenge and power fantasy thrills feels perfectly balanced.

Metacritic: 87 | Read our Final Fantasy 16 review

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge - Dimension Shellshock

Dimension Shellshock isn't just an infusion of extra content that enhances an already terrific game, as the introduction of rabbit samurai Usagi Yojimbo and lethal ninja Karai spice up the gameplay with their unique skills. This gives seasoned players new ground to explore as they master the special abilities of these two fan-favorite characters in the main campaign, co-op mode, and the new survival mode. Dimension Shellshock isn't a big expansion, but with the new additions and characters that it adds, it is an essential add-on for anyone looking for an excuse to return to Shredder's Revenge.

Metacritic: 87

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

While you have a few new tools in your arsenal in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor--like an inelegant blaster--nothing beats a killer combo of Force powers and lightsaber swordsmanship. While Fallen Order did a fine job at transforming you into a Jedi Knight, Survivor makes you feel like a Jedi Master, with more polished gameplay that focuses on timing and knowing exactly when to press the attack. Parrying attacks, creating opportunities with your Force abilities, and capitalizing on those brief windows of opportunity never gets tiresome in this confident sequel.

Metacritic: 85 | Read our Star Wars Jedi: Survivor review

Hogwarts Legacy

There's an enchanting depth to the spells that you can cast in Hogwarts Legacy, as Avalanche Software has crafted a robust system for players to experiment with. From using Accio to pull enemies closer to you, a flick of the wrist to cast a bolt of Stupify, and quickly popping an arcane bubble to absorb any magic hurled at your avatar, Hogwarts Legacy does a fine job in giving you the tools to survive the Wizarding World, as well as a few extra tricks to keep up your sleeves.

Metacritic: 85 | Read our Hogwarts Legacy review

Blasphemous 2

The first Blasphemous game was a treat for the eyes, but when it came to combat, it felt limited at best and one-dimensional at its worst. That flaw has been addressed and then some in Blasphemous 2, as there's a greater sense of versatility between multiple weapon classes, delightfully sinful abilities to unlock, and combat encounters that encourage you to swap between your tools of destruction so that you can make use of their individual strengths. Alongside an improved combat cadence, Blasphemous 2 successfully repents for the missteps of its predecessor and offers more engaging combat through your pilgrimage with it.

Metacritic: 85 | Read our Blasphemous 2 review

Lies of P

Yes, Lies of P is very much a Pinocchio adaptation given a Bloodborne makeover, but developer Neowiz puts its own spin on that formula with a few novel ideas. While the basics of high-risk and high-reward gameplay will feel familiar to anyone who has braved the streets of Yharnam, Lies of P employs a fascinating system of customizable weapons that offer a surprising amount of flexibility when dealing with homicidal puppets running amok. That mix-and-match system gives P plenty of destructive options, and with the core combat being expertly tuned to favor fast-paced aggression, Lies of P feels consistently satisfying as you continue to experiment with your evolving arsenal.

Metacritic: 84 | Read our Lies of P review