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Action games that still hold up

Brawling, fighting, and never quite standing still

390 games · page 1 of 9

God of War 2018 Why it still holds upThe combat still carries it today, with the axe thrown and called back while a second fighter works beside you, so each fight has several things going on at once.
NieR: Automata 2017 Why it still holds upIts tone and its music carry it today: the world is heavy and unusual, and its environments are lush.
Diablo II 2000 Why it still holds upThe item system keeps it worth replaying now: tiers, sockets and the Cube allow so many builds that two characters are rarely built alike.
Super Smash Bros. Melee 2001 Why it still holds upFast, physics driven fighting that is easy to pick up and frantic with four players keeps it played today.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 2002 Why it still holds upA whole city built on one decade and its music still makes every drive part of the same setting, which is the reason to play it now.
Ghost of Tsushima 2020 Why it still holds upIts sword fights still make it worth playing: each one asks you to read the enemy, pick the stance for it and break its guard.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2018 Why it still holds upCrossing the city by web is still fun before you do anything else in it, which is the reason to play it now.
Mafia 2002 Why it still holds upThe period setting is why it is worth playing now: Lost Heaven is modelled on 1930s American cities, and the missions move between chases, races and shootouts.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 2018 Why it still holds upEvery fighter from the earlier games is there and rulesets can be saved, so it still offers more than one way to play today.
God of War III 2010 Why it still holds upToday it still offers combat built on chained combos and weapon switching, on a very large scale.
God of War II 2007 Why it still holds upIt holds up now because combat, platforming and puzzles are designed as one adventure.
Cuphead 2017 Why it still holds upBoss fights built on learning patterns, in that style, are still the reason to play it today.
Bayonetta 2 2014 Why it still holds upFast combat built on dodging and combos, with varied set pieces and challenge portals, is the reason to play it now.
Tekken 3 1997 Why it still holds upWhat holds up today is smooth controls and distinct movesets.
God of War 2005 Why it still holds upFluid combat, broken up by puzzles and platforming, still keeps it worth playing today.
Demon's Souls 2020 Why it still holds upAreas whose enemies, traps and bosses stay put still reward learning each one today.
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening 2005 Why it still holds upFour combat styles and four weapons to switch between on the fly, paired with a style meter that climbs through combo ranks, still give the combat something to aim for today.
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U 2014 Why it still holds upSimple rules, flat stages on request and the controller each player prefers still let any group play together today.
Streets of Rage 2 1992 Why it still holds upCharacters differ in stats and moves, and each enemy has its own recognizable attack pattern, so learning them still pays off today in fast combat that chains jabs, strings and specials.
Devil May Cry 5 2019 Why it still holds upA style rating that rewards varied play, and three characters with different mechanics, still keep the same arenas from feeling the same today.
Duck Game 2014 Why it still holds upOne hit kills and simple controls still let a round be learned in seconds today, so it is quick to start.
Oni 2001 Why it still holds upYou still get fights that favor your fists over scarce ammunition, and each encounter is a hand to hand duel.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl 2008 Why it still holds upA damage percentage that decides who flies off, with four control schemes, still makes a match easy to start today.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 1992 Why it still holds upRings you can win back and acts built around a ride give it a pace of its own, and six hidden emeralds still give a reason to search every act.
SoulCalibur 1998 Why it still holds upEight way movement, a forgiving input buffer and Guard Impact still let you step around an opponent or turn their attack against them today.
Ikaruga 2001 Why it still holds upEven now, a single polarity switch that turns bullets from danger into ammunition makes every screen a puzzle of order and timing.
Mortal Kombat 2011 Why it still holds upA meter you build by blocking as well as attacking still makes every round a choice between spending now and saving for an X-ray.

Games that keep something coming at you. There is rarely a moment where nothing is happening, and the pleasure is in getting good enough that answering stops feeling like a decision.

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