Best games
Best Action games of 2009
The 72 best Action games released in 2009, ranked from 25,241 critic and player ratings.
The best Action game of 2009 is Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, with a critic score of 95/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 2009.
- 50 games are listed on this page, carrying 25,241 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 50
01
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
In the sequel to Drake's Fortune, Nathan Drake comes across a map that showcases the location of Marco Polo's missing ships. It takes him on a journey to find the infamous Cintamani Stone, and uncover the truth behind it.
95
/100
02
Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition
91
/100
03
Street Fighter IV
Street Fighter IV brings the legendary fighting series back to its roots by taking the beloved fighting moves and techniques of the original Street Fighter II, and infusing them with Capcom’s latest advancements in next generation technology to create a truly extraordinary experience that will re-introduce the world to the time-honored art of virtual martial arts. Newcomers: - Abel - C.Viper - Rufus - El Fuerte - Gouken
91
/100
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
In the sequel to Drake's Fortune, Nathan Drake comes across a map that showcases the location of Marco Polo's missing ships. It takes him on a journey to find the infamous Cintamani Stone, and uncover the truth behind it.
95
/100
02
Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition
91
/100
03
Street Fighter IV
Street Fighter IV brings the legendary fighting series back to its roots by taking the beloved fighting moves and techniques of the original Street Fighter II, and infusing them with Capcom’s latest advancements in next generation technology to create a truly extraordinary experience that will re-introduce the world to the time-honored art of virtual martial arts. Newcomers: - Abel - C.Viper - Rufus - El Fuerte - Gouken
91
/100
04
Killzone 2
Killzone 2 is the third game in the Killzone franchise and continues the story two years after the events of the first two games. The gameplay consists of what the developers describe as Hollywood Realism, focusing on scripted, cinematic gameplay. The game is played entirely from the first-person perspective, except for the portions with vehicular combat with a tank and an exoskeleton. Next to the single-player campaign, there is squad-based multiplayer called Warzone with five different kinds of missions (Assassination, Search & Retrieve, Search & Destroy, Bodycount and Capture & Hold) based on seven kinds of classes. There is support for up to 32 players, with the addition of bots to fill the remaining spots.
91
/100
05
Bayonetta
A member of an ancient witch clan and possessing powers beyond the comprehension of mere mortals, Bayonetta faces-off against countless angelic enemies, many reaching epic proportions, in a game of 100% pure, unadulterated all-out action. Outlandish finishing moves are performed with balletic grace as Bayonetta flows from one fight to another. With magnificent over-the-top action taking place in stages that are a veritable theme park of exciting attractions, Bayonetta pushes the limits of the action genre, bringing to life its fast-paced, dynamic climax combat.
90
/100
06
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. With the use of the DS touch screen, players navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise.
90
/100
07
A
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Batman: Arkham Asylum is an action-adventure game developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Released in 2009, it follows Batman as he battles the Joker, who seizes control of Arkham Asylum and frees its inmates. The game features stealth, combat, and detective elements, with players using Batman's gadgets and skills to subdue enemies and solve puzzles. Set in a dark, immersive version of Gotham, the story explores Batman’s psychological battle with his foes, including Harley Quinn, Bane, and Scarecrow. The game received critical acclaim for its gameplay, atmosphere, and storytelling, becoming a defining title in superhero video games.
89
/100
08
S
Left 4 Dead 2
Left 4 Dead 2 is a cooperative first-person shooter video game, the sequel to Valve Corporation's Left 4 Dead. The Game builds upon cooperatively focused gameplay and Valve's proprietary Source engine, the same game engine used in the original Left 4 Dead. Set during the aftermath of an apocalyptic pandemic, Left 4 Dead 2 focuses on four new Survivors, fighting against hordes of the Infected, who develop severe psychosis and exhibit zombie-like tendencies. The Survivors must fight their way through five campaigns, interspersed with safe houses that act as checkpoints, with the goal of escape at each campaign's finale.
89
/100
09
Demon's Souls
A third-person action RPG with cooperative and competitive multiplayer elements in which the player enters the kingdom of Boletaria as it is being ravaged by a fog that spawns murderous demons. The player has to hunt down the arch demons situated in five disparate areas within the kingdom and partake in punishing combat to reach the Old One, the vengeful being that brought the fog to Boletaria.
88
/100
10
Shadow Complex
Shadow Complex is a side-scrolling action-adventure game presented in a 2.5D style, where the world is rendered in three dimensions but movement stays on a two-dimensional plane. Drawing heavily on the Metroidvania tradition, players explore a large, interconnected underground complex, fighting enemies and gradually gaining new weapons and abilities that open up previously unreachable areas. An experience system lets the character grow stronger over time, rewarding exploration and combat with upgrades that carry forward into new playthroughs.
88
/100
11
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
87
/100
12
Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time
87
/100
13
inFamous
85
/100
14
League of Legends
84
/100
15
Battlefield 1943
84
/100
16
Torchlight
83
/100
17
S
Minecraft
83
/100
18
Red Faction: Guerrilla
82
/100
19
Borderlands
81
/100
20
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2
81
/100
21
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
81
/100
22
Fallout 3: Broken Steel
81
/100
23
Risen
80
/100
24
Trine Enchanted Edition
80
/100
25
Angry Birds
80
/100
26
Worms 2: Armageddon
80
/100
27
BIT.TRIP BEAT
80
/100
28
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
79
/100
29
Overlord II
79
/100
30
Yakuza 3
79
/100
31
Fallout 3: Point Lookout
79
/100
32
B
Resident Evil 5
78
/100
33
S
Prototype
78
/100
34
Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
78
/100
35
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
78
/100
36
Zuma's Revenge!
78
/100
37
Penumbra: Black Plague Gold Edition
78
/100
38
A
Halo 3: ODST
78
/100
39
ArmA II
77
/100
40
Zeno Clash
77
/100
41
Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising
76
/100
42
Fallout 3: The Pitt
76
/100
43
God of War
75
/100
44
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
75
/100
45
And Yet It Moves
75
/100
46
LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues
75
/100
47
Killing Floor
72
/100
48
Wolfenstein
72
/100
49
A
SPORE Galactic Adventures
70
/100
50
WET
70
/100
Killzone 2
Killzone 2 is the third game in the Killzone franchise and continues the story two years after the events of the first two games. The gameplay consists of what the developers describe as Hollywood Realism, focusing on scripted, cinematic gameplay. The game is played entirely from the first-person perspective, except for the portions with vehicular combat with a tank and an exoskeleton. Next to the single-player campaign, there is squad-based multiplayer called Warzone with five different kinds of missions (Assassination, Search & Retrieve, Search & Destroy, Bodycount and Capture & Hold) based on seven kinds of classes. There is support for up to 32 players, with the addition of bots to fill the remaining spots.
91
/100
05
Bayonetta
A member of an ancient witch clan and possessing powers beyond the comprehension of mere mortals, Bayonetta faces-off against countless angelic enemies, many reaching epic proportions, in a game of 100% pure, unadulterated all-out action. Outlandish finishing moves are performed with balletic grace as Bayonetta flows from one fight to another. With magnificent over-the-top action taking place in stages that are a veritable theme park of exciting attractions, Bayonetta pushes the limits of the action genre, bringing to life its fast-paced, dynamic climax combat.
90
/100
06
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. With the use of the DS touch screen, players navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise.
90
/100
07
A
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Batman: Arkham Asylum is an action-adventure game developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Released in 2009, it follows Batman as he battles the Joker, who seizes control of Arkham Asylum and frees its inmates. The game features stealth, combat, and detective elements, with players using Batman's gadgets and skills to subdue enemies and solve puzzles. Set in a dark, immersive version of Gotham, the story explores Batman’s psychological battle with his foes, including Harley Quinn, Bane, and Scarecrow. The game received critical acclaim for its gameplay, atmosphere, and storytelling, becoming a defining title in superhero video games.
89
/100
08
S
Left 4 Dead 2
Left 4 Dead 2 is a cooperative first-person shooter video game, the sequel to Valve Corporation's Left 4 Dead. The Game builds upon cooperatively focused gameplay and Valve's proprietary Source engine, the same game engine used in the original Left 4 Dead. Set during the aftermath of an apocalyptic pandemic, Left 4 Dead 2 focuses on four new Survivors, fighting against hordes of the Infected, who develop severe psychosis and exhibit zombie-like tendencies. The Survivors must fight their way through five campaigns, interspersed with safe houses that act as checkpoints, with the goal of escape at each campaign's finale.
89
/100
09
Demon's Souls
A third-person action RPG with cooperative and competitive multiplayer elements in which the player enters the kingdom of Boletaria as it is being ravaged by a fog that spawns murderous demons. The player has to hunt down the arch demons situated in five disparate areas within the kingdom and partake in punishing combat to reach the Old One, the vengeful being that brought the fog to Boletaria.
88
/100
10
Shadow Complex
Shadow Complex is a side-scrolling action-adventure game presented in a 2.5D style, where the world is rendered in three dimensions but movement stays on a two-dimensional plane. Drawing heavily on the Metroidvania tradition, players explore a large, interconnected underground complex, fighting enemies and gradually gaining new weapons and abilities that open up previously unreachable areas. An experience system lets the character grow stronger over time, rewarding exploration and combat with upgrades that carry forward into new playthroughs.
88
/100
11
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
87
/100
12
Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time
87
/100
13
inFamous
85
/100
14
League of Legends
84
/100
15
Battlefield 1943
84
/100
16
Torchlight
83
/100
17
S
Minecraft
83
/100
18
Red Faction: Guerrilla
82
/100
19
Borderlands
81
/100
20
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2
81
/100
21
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
81
/100
22
Fallout 3: Broken Steel
81
/100
23
Risen
80
/100
24
Trine Enchanted Edition
80
/100
25
Angry Birds
80
/100
26
Worms 2: Armageddon
80
/100
27
BIT.TRIP BEAT
80
/100
28
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
79
/100
29
Overlord II
79
/100
30
Yakuza 3
79
/100
31
Fallout 3: Point Lookout
79
/100
32
B
Resident Evil 5
78
/100
33
S
Prototype
78
/100
34
Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
78
/100
35
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
78
/100
36
Zuma's Revenge!
78
/100
37
Penumbra: Black Plague Gold Edition
78
/100
38
A
Halo 3: ODST
78
/100
39
ArmA II
77
/100
40
Zeno Clash
77
/100
41
Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising
76
/100
42
Fallout 3: The Pitt
76
/100
43
God of War
75
/100
44
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
75
/100
45
And Yet It Moves
75
/100
46
LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues
75
/100
47
Killing Floor
72
/100
48
Wolfenstein
72
/100
49
A
SPORE Galactic Adventures
70
/100
50
WET
70
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Action game of 2009?
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves currently tops the ranking with a score of 95/100 across 2,177 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.