Best games
Best Action games of 2015
The 105 best Action games released in 2015, ranked from 36,259 critic and player ratings.
The best Action game of 2015 is Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, with a critic score of 96/100 — 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: 2015.
- 50 games are listed on this page, carrying 36,259 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 50
01
S
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is the sequel to Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes and a prequel to the original Metal Gear. The game has a complex story with long cut-scene sequences, but there are fewer and they are shorter compared to earlier Metal Gear Solid titles. Most of the gameplay mechanics introduced in Ground Zeroes are carried over: it is still an action game and stealth oriented but replaces the linear corridor design from most earlier titles with large open world environments that offer the player unrestricted freedom for the approach. The world has now a real-time day and night cycle and various weather effects that influence enemy behaviour, visibility and sound. Sabotaging or destroying certain structures can also influence other parts of the map.
96
/100
02
A
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an open-world action role-playing game developed by CD Projekt Red. Set in a dark fantasy world, the game follows Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter searching for his adopted daughter, Ciri, while navigating political conflicts and supernatural threats. Gameplay features exploration, combat, character progression, and branching narratives shaped by player choices. Widely acclaimed for its writing, world-building, and depth, it is considered one of the most influential RPGs of its generation.
92
/100
03
Alto's Adventure
Join Alto and his friends as they embark on an endless snowboarding odyssey. Journey across the beautiful alpine hills of their native wilderness, through neighbouring villages, ancient woodlands, and long-abandoned ruins. Along the way you'll rescue runaway llamas, grind rooftops, leap over terrifying chasms and outwit the mountain elders – all while braving the ever changing elements and passage of time upon the mountain.
92
/100
S
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is the sequel to Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes and a prequel to the original Metal Gear. The game has a complex story with long cut-scene sequences, but there are fewer and they are shorter compared to earlier Metal Gear Solid titles. Most of the gameplay mechanics introduced in Ground Zeroes are carried over: it is still an action game and stealth oriented but replaces the linear corridor design from most earlier titles with large open world environments that offer the player unrestricted freedom for the approach. The world has now a real-time day and night cycle and various weather effects that influence enemy behaviour, visibility and sound. Sabotaging or destroying certain structures can also influence other parts of the map.
96
/100
02
A
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an open-world action role-playing game developed by CD Projekt Red. Set in a dark fantasy world, the game follows Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter searching for his adopted daughter, Ciri, while navigating political conflicts and supernatural threats. Gameplay features exploration, combat, character progression, and branching narratives shaped by player choices. Widely acclaimed for its writing, world-building, and depth, it is considered one of the most influential RPGs of its generation.
92
/100
03
Alto's Adventure
Join Alto and his friends as they embark on an endless snowboarding odyssey. Journey across the beautiful alpine hills of their native wilderness, through neighbouring villages, ancient woodlands, and long-abandoned ruins. Along the way you'll rescue runaway llamas, grind rooftops, leap over terrifying chasms and outwit the mountain elders – all while braving the ever changing elements and passage of time upon the mountain.
92
/100
04
B
Batman: Arkham Knight
Batman: Arkham Knight is an action-adventure game developed by Rocksteady Studios, released in 2015. It is the final installment in the Arkham series. Players control Batman as he faces Scarecrow, who unites Gotham's criminals to destroy the Dark Knight. The mysterious Arkham Knight, a new adversary, aids Scarecrow in his plan. The game features open-world exploration, stealth, combat, and puzzle-solving. A key addition is the Batmobile, used for traversal and combat. The story explores Batman’s psychological struggles and the collapse of his alliances as Gotham spirals into chaos.
92
/100
05
S
Bloodborne
An action RPG in which the player embodies a Hunter who, after being transfused with the mysterious blood local to the city of Yharnam, sets off into a "night of the Hunt", an extended night in which Hunters may phase in and out of dream and reality in order to thin the outbreak of abominable beasts that plague the land and, for the more resilient and insightful Hunters, uncover the answers to the Hunt's many mysteries.
91
/100
06
N++ (NPLUSPLUS)
90
/100
07
Crypt of the NecroDancer
Crypt of the NecroDancer is a hardcore roguelike rhythm game. Can you survive this deadly dungeon of dance, slay the NecroDancer, and recapture your still beating heart? Or will you be a slave to the rhythm for all eternity?
88
/100
08
SteamWorld Heist
Join Captain Piper Faraday, smuggler and occasional pirate, as she recruits a rag-tag team of steam-driven robots and sets out on a daring adventure. With your hearty crew you’ll board, loot and shoot your way through enemy spaceships. Overcome the challenges of the vast frontier by upgrading your robots with unique abilities, weapons – and even stylish hats!
88
/100
09
S
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Join Lara Croft on her first great tomb raiding expedition as she seeks to discover the secret of immortality. Featuring high-octane action set in the most beautiful and hostile environments on earth, Rise of the Tomb Raider delivers cinematic survival action-adventure.
87
/100
10
S
Dying Light: The Following - Enhanced Edition
87
/100
11
Yakuza 0
86
/100
12
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection
85
/100
13
Mega Man Legacy Collection / ロックマン クラシックス コレクション
85
/100
14
Apotheon
84
/100
15
D
Fallout 4
84
/100
16
B
SOMA
84
/100
17
Halo 5: Guardians
84
/100
18
Nuclear Throne
84
/100
19
Axiom Verge
84
/100
20
Broforce
83
/100
21
SMITE
83
/100
22
HELLDIVERS
83
/100
23
Resident Evil HD Remaster
82
/100
24
OlliOlli2: Welcome to Olliwood
82
/100
25
S
God of War III Remastered
81
/100
26
Downwell
81
/100
27
Tearaway Unfolded
81
/100
28
World of Warships
81
/100
29
Splatoon
81
/100
30
Gear Up
80
/100
31
Volume
80
/100
32
S
Dishonored: Definitive Edition
80
/100
33
D
Until Dawn
79
/100
34
S
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin
79
/100
35
Jotun: Valhalla Edition
79
/100
36
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: Final Cut
79
/100
37
BADLAND: Game of the Year Edition
79
/100
38
EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 4.1 The Shadow of New Despair
79
/100
39
Heroes of the Storm
79
/100
40
Hand of Fate
78
/100
41
State of Decay YOSE - Day One Edition
78
/100
42
Westerado: Double Barreled
78
/100
43
GALAK-Z
78
/100
44
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition
78
/100
45
The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited
77
/100
46
Evolve Stage 2
77
/100
47
Wolfenstein: The Old Blood
76
/100
48
S
Mortal Kombat X
76
/100
49
Evolve
76
/100
50
Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition
76
/100
B
Batman: Arkham Knight
Batman: Arkham Knight is an action-adventure game developed by Rocksteady Studios, released in 2015. It is the final installment in the Arkham series. Players control Batman as he faces Scarecrow, who unites Gotham's criminals to destroy the Dark Knight. The mysterious Arkham Knight, a new adversary, aids Scarecrow in his plan. The game features open-world exploration, stealth, combat, and puzzle-solving. A key addition is the Batmobile, used for traversal and combat. The story explores Batman’s psychological struggles and the collapse of his alliances as Gotham spirals into chaos.
92
/100
05
S
Bloodborne
An action RPG in which the player embodies a Hunter who, after being transfused with the mysterious blood local to the city of Yharnam, sets off into a "night of the Hunt", an extended night in which Hunters may phase in and out of dream and reality in order to thin the outbreak of abominable beasts that plague the land and, for the more resilient and insightful Hunters, uncover the answers to the Hunt's many mysteries.
91
/100
06
N++ (NPLUSPLUS)
90
/100
07
Crypt of the NecroDancer
Crypt of the NecroDancer is a hardcore roguelike rhythm game. Can you survive this deadly dungeon of dance, slay the NecroDancer, and recapture your still beating heart? Or will you be a slave to the rhythm for all eternity?
88
/100
08
SteamWorld Heist
Join Captain Piper Faraday, smuggler and occasional pirate, as she recruits a rag-tag team of steam-driven robots and sets out on a daring adventure. With your hearty crew you’ll board, loot and shoot your way through enemy spaceships. Overcome the challenges of the vast frontier by upgrading your robots with unique abilities, weapons – and even stylish hats!
88
/100
09
S
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Join Lara Croft on her first great tomb raiding expedition as she seeks to discover the secret of immortality. Featuring high-octane action set in the most beautiful and hostile environments on earth, Rise of the Tomb Raider delivers cinematic survival action-adventure.
87
/100
10
S
Dying Light: The Following - Enhanced Edition
87
/100
11
Yakuza 0
86
/100
12
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection
85
/100
13
Mega Man Legacy Collection / ロックマン クラシックス コレクション
85
/100
14
Apotheon
84
/100
15
D
Fallout 4
84
/100
16
B
SOMA
84
/100
17
Halo 5: Guardians
84
/100
18
Nuclear Throne
84
/100
19
Axiom Verge
84
/100
20
Broforce
83
/100
21
SMITE
83
/100
22
HELLDIVERS
83
/100
23
Resident Evil HD Remaster
82
/100
24
OlliOlli2: Welcome to Olliwood
82
/100
25
S
God of War III Remastered
81
/100
26
Downwell
81
/100
27
Tearaway Unfolded
81
/100
28
World of Warships
81
/100
29
Splatoon
81
/100
30
Gear Up
80
/100
31
Volume
80
/100
32
S
Dishonored: Definitive Edition
80
/100
33
D
Until Dawn
79
/100
34
S
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin
79
/100
35
Jotun: Valhalla Edition
79
/100
36
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: Final Cut
79
/100
37
BADLAND: Game of the Year Edition
79
/100
38
EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 4.1 The Shadow of New Despair
79
/100
39
Heroes of the Storm
79
/100
40
Hand of Fate
78
/100
41
State of Decay YOSE - Day One Edition
78
/100
42
Westerado: Double Barreled
78
/100
43
GALAK-Z
78
/100
44
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition
78
/100
45
The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited
77
/100
46
Evolve Stage 2
77
/100
47
Wolfenstein: The Old Blood
76
/100
48
S
Mortal Kombat X
76
/100
49
Evolve
76
/100
50
Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition
76
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Action game of 2015?
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain currently tops the ranking with a score of 96/100 across 1,143 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.