On paper, 2023 perhaps wasn’t a landmark year for action games, at least of a more traditional hardcore variety. That said, if you really look at this past year’s release calendar, you’ll find a diverse array of action games both big and small, including the much-anticipated The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, big-budget superhero sequel Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and scrappy underdogs like Hi-Fi Rush. Limber up and get ready to battle through Wccftech’s Best Action Games of 2023!
Note: For the purposes of Wccftech’s Best Of lists, any game that requires combat in order to progress is filed under action. There are three exceptions — games that put a particularly heavy emphasis on roleplaying (beyond the standard action-adventure skill trees) will be reserved for our Best RPGs of 2022 list, games that aim to scare you are saved for Best Horror Games of 2022, and games that require more serious shooting skills are reserved for, you guessed it, Best Shooters of 2022. So, if you feel there’s something missing here, there’s a good chance it’s simply on another one of our lists.
Also in Wccftech’s Best Games of 2023 lists: Shooter, Fighting, and RPG
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (8.5)
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 may not have reinvented the open-world superhero wheel, but it didn’t need to. Insomniac took their winning formula and polished it to the nth degree, delivering a spectacle comparable to the biggest Hollywood blockbusters. Wccftech’s Alessio Palumbo found the game to be a great evolution if just a bit on the safe side…
“Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 feels like the perfect, albeit safe, evolution of the formula first introduced with the 2018 game. With a highly emotional story, much-improved traversal, great visuals and performance, and industry-leading accessibility, this sequel is very likely to win over most fans of the original. However, a bigger shake-up may be needed for the inevitable Spider-Man 3.”
Hi-Fi Rush (9)
In the past, numerous games have attempted to mix action with rhythm game mechanics, but few have done it with as much style and verve as Hi-Fi Rush. Coming from Tango Gameworks, a studio best known for dark horror-tinged games like The Evil Within and Ghostwire Tokyo, Hi-Fi Rush is a great argument for letting developers leave their comfy boxes and stretch their creative legs a bit. Wccftech’s Ule Lopez found the game to be an approachable yet challenging blast in his full review…
“Hi-Fi Rush is a fantastic game that combines two very popular genres and makes a wonderful and innovative game with a low skill floor but a high skill ceiling. The game is both accessible to newcomers to rhythm games and very challenging for veterans looking to be tested in several other areas that don’t necessarily have to do with just rhythm games. The combat is varied, the combos you learn are great to execute, and the music is a joy to listen to. Overall, a great success.”
Pikmin 4 (9)
Wait, Pikmin 4 on the Best Action list? While some may argue the game should fall under the real-time strategy banner, the last two games in the series have largely deemphasized strategy in favor of a more exploratory action-adventure approach. And really, in terms of pure frantic action, nothing tops some of Pikmin 4’s more intense boss battles. While I initially found Pikmin 4 a bit overwhelming, I was ultimately fully conquered by its charms…
“Pikmin 4 adds or reintroduces a lot to the series’ formula, including caves, nighttime missions, and an adorable doggy sidekick, to the point the game starts to feel a bit busy and unfocused. Fortunately, like a well-managed Pikmin squad, the game comes together in charming, effective fashion by the end. While the franchise may have bloomed slightly brighter in the past, Pikmin 4 will still provide a bountiful harvest of fun for longtime fans.”
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon (9)
Easily one of the most overlooked games of the year, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon may initially seem like a relatively lowkey spinoff, but stick with it, and you’ll find a game that stands up to PlatinumGames’ highest standards. The game delivers unique mechanics, a surprisingly satisfying story, and action that gradually builds up to proper Platinum levels of amped-up craziness in its later stages. I strongly urged everyone to give this one the benefit of the doubt in my full review…
“Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon’s restrained tone and quirky dual-character mechanics won’t immediately connect with everyone, but you owe it to yourself to give the game a chance. Bayonetta Origins eventually comes into its own in a big way, delivering escalating action, compelling character development, and expertly-executed fan-pleasing moments en route to a satisfying finale. This tale of friendship is the perfect companion for Bayonetta 3 and may even win over those who haven’t been bewitched by the franchise in the past.”
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (9)
After many years of development and several delays, the most anticipated game in recent memory, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, finally arrived this year. Did it fully live up to the hype? Maybe not quite, but make no mistake, it’s still a very good game that adds new depth to Breath of the Wild’s groundbreaking version of Hyrule and a ton of new tools for Link to play with. I was full of praise for Link’s latest in my full review…
“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom sticks closely to the blueprint established by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, but it’s a richer, more rewarding game in most ways that count, offering a more intricate world, versatile suite of abilities, epic story, and satisfying dungeons. The familiarity of this Hyrule and a handful of frustrating sections keep Tears of the Kingdom from feeling quite as surprising and magical as its predecessor, but make no mistake, the wait has been worth it. While it probably behooves Nintendo to carve out an entirely new Legend next, Link’s latest should fill most fans’ heart meters nicely in the meantime.”
Honorable Mentions
Two notable games just narrowly missed landing in this year’s top 5 action games: FromSoftware’s Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon and the new lightsaber slash ‘em up Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Other worthy contenders included the surprisingly solid Assassin’s Creed Mirage, historical brawler Like a Dragon: Ishin!, and the Koei Tecmo duo of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty and Wild Hearts.
So yeah, 2023 was actually a pretty kickass year for kicking ass. Any good action games I missed? Don’t agree with Wccftech’s top five picks this year? Hit the comments and hash out your own action favorites.
