Do you crave intense, adrenaline-fueled video game experiences that test your reflexes and problem-solving abilities? If so, PlayStation 5 delivers an astonishing array of thrilling action titles that push the limits of what‘s possible on a home console.
From shooters to skateboarding games and beyond, these PS5 greats feature jaw-dropping visuals, innovative gameplay mechanics, and gripping stories that will keep you glued to the edge of your seat. Read on for our definitive ranking of the platform‘s 10 all-time best action extravaganzas.
#10. OlliOlli World: VOID Riders
The latest expansion to the critically-acclaimed OlliOlli World skating series transports players to a wacky sci-fi universe filled with menacing aliens looking to abduct humans. As a skater, you‘ll grind rails and pull off tricks while dodging pesky UFOs that also threaten the very terrain you‘re shredding on.
VOID Riders introduces the wild Grabby Beam mechanic that enables seemingly gravity-defying moves. Coupled with the expansion‘s hilarious B-movie narrative and demanding skill-based platforming, it delivers hours of outrageous fun.
#9. Kombinera
At first glance, Kombinera looks like any other cute and casual puzzle game. But behind its family-friendly facade lies mind-meltingly difficult conundrums that will push your mental faculties to their breaking point.
The key lies in simultaneously maneuvering multiple balls of various colors across precariously designed levels. Since each shade possesses unique properties, keeping track of everyone‘s strengths and weaknesses quickly becomes a herculean test of logic, concentration, and hand-eye coordination.
Even after hundreds of attempts, Kombinera never fails to charm thanks to its vibrant audiovisual presentation and ever-escalating challenges. Just be prepared to scratch your head plenty in the process!
#8. Them‘s Fightin‘ Herds
Developed by the creators of the cult classic fighting franchise Skullgirls, Them‘s Fightin‘ Herds transports the refined 2D brawling action to a bright and adorable fantasy world filled with sapient hoofed mammals.
After predator animals break out from captivity, these herbivorous "ungulates" must battle it out in order to determine who faces off against the predators‘ ferocious champion. With six distinct fighters to choose from, robust combo systems to master, and a surprisingly fleshed-out story campaign, this indie darling has quickly kicked its way into the pantheon of great traditional fighters.
#7 OlliOlli World
The long-running OlliOlli skateboarding series has garnered heaps of critical acclaim over the past decade, but OlliOlli World marks an ambitious reinvention that realizes the franchise‘s true potential.
Set within the magical land of Radlandia, players perform ollies, kicks, grinds, and other stunts across vibrantly stylized levels, chaining tricks together to rack up points and unlock rad new cosmetic gear. It strikes the perfect balance between friendly pick-up-and-play accessibility and hardcore combo mastery.
OlliOlli World‘s triumph was recognized at this year‘s D.I.C.E. Awards, with developer Roll7 nabbing the Sports Game of the Year trophy. This exquisite extreme sports platformer stands atop the mountain as perhaps the greatest skating sim ever made.
#6. OlliOlli World: Finding the Flow Zone
Roll7‘s very first expansion for their award-winning skateboarding epic launches players skyward for a gravity-defying adventure through whimsical cloud cities on the way to the mythical realm of Radlantis.
While grinding on floating rails and pulling off sick methods, you‘ll need to watch out for unpredictable wind gusts that threaten to blow you off course. Finding the Flow Zone also introduces branching level paths that cater to both casual kickflippers and hardcore combo creators.
From its outrageous premise to inventive new mechanics, this DLC adds thrilling fresh air to one of the PS5‘s most surprising gems. Cowabunga indeed!
#5. Deep Rock Galactic
In the cooperative shoot ‘em up Deep Rock Galactic, teams of up to four players take on various classes with complementary abilities and delve into an endless maze of procedural caverns riddled with valuable minerals – and even more vicious extraterrestrial monstrosities.
There‘s no fancy equipment or armor provided either, so making the most of your teammates‘ respective gadgets and weapons is key to maximizing efficiency during each run. Slaying swarms of giant alien spiders has never been so dependably fun and frantic. Let‘s rock and stone!
#4. Destiny 2: The Witch Queen
The latest expansion for Bungie‘s massively influential loot shooter Destiny 2 makes some bold strides for the long-running franchise, introducing weapon crafting, transformative new gear, and an exceptionally memorable campaign centered on the enigmatic Savathûn, Hive God of Cunning.
Alongside refreshed PvP and co-op modes, The Witch Queen stands out via its Legendary difficulty option, which ratchets encounters up to pulse-pounding extremes compared to the standard experience – albeit with suitably greater rewards. This is Destiny 2 firing on all cylinders, perfect for both veterans and curious newcomers.
#3. Neon White
What do you get when you mash up blisteringly fast first-person parkour platforming in the vein of Mirror‘s Edge with demon-slaying card-based shooting? The utterly wild Neon White from Ben Esposito, lead designer of the acclaimed perfect-hit adventure Donut County.
As an recently ascended assassin competing with other lost souls to earn entry into Heaven by speed-running missions in order to banish invading devils back to Hell, every stage demands equal parts twitch reaction sharpness, strategic card usage, and route optimization. Minimalist yet deceivingly deep, Neon White is a lean mean angel-blasting machine.
#2. Rez Infinite
An all-time rhythm gaming great, Rez Infinite combines electronic dance music with on-rails shooting galleries to result in one of the most synergistic fusions of sight and sound ever experienced. Even nearly 20 years after its original release, this remake‘s exhilarating audiovisual assault has lost none of its capacity to overwhelm the senses.
With five unique stages – including the brand new Area X with its cascading particle effects and transcendent visualizations – Rez Infinite thrives based wholly on players entering a trance-like flow state dictated by flashing lights and thumping beats. This remaster stands the test of time as the definitive iteration of a bonafide auteurist classic.
#1. Pistol Whip
Cloudhead Games ingeniously brings the heart-stopping action of iconic Hollywood gun ballets like The Matrix and John Wick to virtual reality with their award-winning creation Pistol Whip. As enemies stream toward you in time with the soundtrack‘s throbbing pulse, unleashing deadly furious fusilladesforces your body into constant rhythmic motion.
With five difficulty grades, tons of weapons and modifiers, multiple scoring systems, and a seemingly endless supply of hard-hitting electronic music propelling the action, Pistol Whip offers perhaps the most intense passive cardio workout available in gaming today. It‘s the rare kind of experience that could only exist in VR, and we desperately need more excuses to dodge bullets like Keanu.
Conclusion
We hope our picks have illuminated the range of innovatively designed, unforgettably thrilling experiences exclusive to PlayStation 5. These represent the cutting edge of possibility for high stakes interactive excitement across various genres.
If forced to highlight just #1, it would have to be Pistol Whip for realizing such an ingeniously euphoric marriage of gameplay and soundtrack only achievable through a medium like VR. But ultimately one can‘t go wrong with any of these action-packed gems perfectly calibrated for showcasing the PS5’s awesome graphical prowess and ultra-responsive controls. So strap in and get ready for one wild ride after another!
The featured image is ©Hurst Photo/Shutterstock.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an action video game?
Action video games emphasize physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction-time. Genres include fighting games, shooter games, platformers, and action-adventure games. Gameplay is often fast-paced and intense.
What capabilities make the PlayStation 5 well-suited for action games?
The PS5 features a fast SSD and powerful GPU optimized for high framerates. This enables smooth, fluid gameplay critical for reacting quickly in action titles. The DualSense controller‘s advanced haptics and triggers also heighten immersion.
Why are action games fun and exciting to play?
The thrilling gameplay keeps players engaged through constant split-second decision making and mastery of mechanics. There is also great satisfaction from overcoming difficult obstacles and defeating enemies through skill.
How do PS5 action games differ from PS4 ones?
PS5 games boast higher resolution assets and effects alongside better loading times. Ray tracing enables more realistic lighting and reflections. Higher stable framerates make action more responsive. The DualSense controller adds more immersive feedback.
Is the PS5 a worthwhile upgrade for fans of action games?
Absolutely! The PS5‘s impressive hardware allows developers to realize more ambitious vision without technical restraints. This leads to new innovations in action genres perfect for seasoned gaming enthusiasts.
What does the future hold for PlayStation 5 action games?
As developers gain more mastery of the PS5 hardware, we will continue seeing technical boundaries pushed with regards to visual quality, physics simulations, AI behavior and environmental interactivity. Action gaming still has so much untapped potential!
