Action games

An action game is built around physical skill: reflexes, timing, accuracy and reacting to what is in front of you. Success comes from how well you play in the moment, not from planning ahead or from numbers on a character sheet.

It is the broadest category in gaming, and many other genres sit inside it — shooters, fighting games and platformers are all action games with a more specific focus.

What defines one

Real-time. The game does not wait for you. Hesitate and you are hit.

Direct control. You control the character moment to moment rather than issuing orders.

Skill-based progress. You get better by learning enemy patterns and improving your own execution.

Clear feedback. A hit lands or it does not, and you know immediately.

What are examples of action games?

Pure action games tend to emphasise combat above everything: character-action titles like Devil May Cry and Bayonetta, and the combat-focused parts of series such as God of War.

Broaden the definition and it covers most of what people play: Call of Duty as an action shooter, Street Fighter as an action fighting game, Super Mario as an action platformer.

Who they suit

Action games suit people who want to be engaged rather than contemplative. They tend to be readable quickly — you understand the basics in minutes — while taking a long time to master.

They are also usually easier to play in short sessions than a strategy game or a long RPG, because you can pick up where you left off without remembering a plan.

Difficulty

Varies enormously. Many modern action games include difficulty settings and accessibility options that let you enjoy the story without mastering the combat. Others — see soulslike games — treat difficulty as the point.

If you are buying for someone new to games, check whether difficulty is adjustable. It is the single most useful thing to know about an action game before giving it to a beginner.