Best games
Best Action games of 2017
The 120 best Action games released in 2017, ranked from 31,358 critic and player ratings.
The best Action game of 2017 is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, with a critic score of 98/100 — 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: 2017.
- 50 games are listed on this page, carrying 31,358 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 29 September 2026.
Top 50
01
S
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the first 3D open-world game in the Zelda series. Link can travel anywhere and be equipped with weapons and armor found throughout the world to grant him various bonuses. Unlike many games in the series, Breath of the Wild does not impose a specific order in which quests or dungeons must be completed. While the game still has environmental obstacles such as weather effects, inhospitable lands, or powerful enemies, many of them can be overcome using the right method. A lot of critics ranked Breath of the Wild as one of the best video games of all time.
98
/100
02
OKAMI HD
92
/100
03
SteamWorld Dig 2
SteamWorld Dig 2 takes you on a platform mining adventure forged in Metroidvania flames. When an old trading town is struck by mysterious earthquakes, it’s up to a lone steambot and her unlikely companion to uncover what trembling terrors lie beneath. Dig your way underground and explore vivid worlds riddled with treasure, secrets and traps. Combat dangerous enemies at every turn of the underworld’s twisted paths, including shadowy creatures and the haunted remains of an ancient electrical threat. Upgrade your gear to forge deeper into the earth and take on bigger challenges. Swing across large chasms with your Hookshot and fly through caves with the Jet Engine! And finally, learn the truth about your long lost friend…
89
/100
S
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the first 3D open-world game in the Zelda series. Link can travel anywhere and be equipped with weapons and armor found throughout the world to grant him various bonuses. Unlike many games in the series, Breath of the Wild does not impose a specific order in which quests or dungeons must be completed. While the game still has environmental obstacles such as weather effects, inhospitable lands, or powerful enemies, many of them can be overcome using the right method. A lot of critics ranked Breath of the Wild as one of the best video games of all time.
98
/100
02
OKAMI HD
92
/100
03
SteamWorld Dig 2
SteamWorld Dig 2 takes you on a platform mining adventure forged in Metroidvania flames. When an old trading town is struck by mysterious earthquakes, it’s up to a lone steambot and her unlikely companion to uncover what trembling terrors lie beneath. Dig your way underground and explore vivid worlds riddled with treasure, secrets and traps. Combat dangerous enemies at every turn of the underworld’s twisted paths, including shadowy creatures and the haunted remains of an ancient electrical threat. Upgrade your gear to forge deeper into the earth and take on bigger challenges. Swing across large chasms with your Hookshot and fly through caves with the Jet Engine! And finally, learn the truth about your long lost friend…
89
/100
04
Nex Machina
From the collaboration between Housemarque (Resogun, Alienation, Matterfall), and Robotron and Smash TV legendary creator Eugene Jarvis comes Nex Machina, an explosive arcade experience created with competition in mind.
89
/100
05
B
Horizon Zero Dawn
Welcome to a vibrant world rich with the beauty of nature – but inhabited by awe-inspiring, highly advanced machines. As a young machine hunter named Aloy, you must unravel the mysteries of this world and find your own destiny.
89
/100
06
Figment
89
/100
07
A
Hollow Knight
A 2D metroidvania with an emphasis on close combat and exploration in which the player enters the once-prosperous now-bleak insect kingdom of Hallownest, travels through its various districts, meets friendly inhabitants, fights hostile ones and uncovers the kingdom's history while improving their combat abilities and movement arsenal by fighting bosses and accessing out-of-the-way areas.
88
/100
08
Nioh
In Nioh, players will traverse war-torn Japan as William, a blonde-haired swordsman whose background as a fierce warrior and seasoned knowledge of the blade allows him to survive in the demon-plagued land of the samurai. Known as Yokai, these demons inhabit a number of dangerous locations and lie in wait in the shadows to ambush unsuspecting victims. Players will also face off with other samurai in supernatural sword battles and intense, multi-target engagements offering a level of difficulty that will truly test even the most hardened samurai’s skills, patience, and strategy. Offering a deep and original storyline that takes place during the Warring States Period of Japanese history alongside strategic sword-fighting action, Nioh will challenge players in a way that makes every mission and accomplishment feel earned and worthwhile.
88
/100
09
Diablo III: Eternal Collection
88
/100
10
Metroid: Samus Returns
Metroid: Samus Returns is a remake of Metroid 2: Return of Samus. It uses a 3D graphic style with a side view camera that zooms in and changes for cutscenes. It also has new mechanics, items, and abilities. "Brave the hostile terrain of an alien planet teeming with vicious life forms as legendary bounty hunter Samus Aran. Her mission? Terminate the Metroid menace in this masterful reimagining of her 1991 Game Boy adventure. Samus Aran’s arsenal has been enhanced with new moves and abilities that are sure to help her face the deadly surprises that await. This intense, side-scrolling action platformer is a great entry point into the Metroid franchise and perfect for returning fans as well, and it’s available only on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems."
88
/100
11
B
Cuphead
87
/100
12
S
NieR:Automata
86
/100
13
A
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
86
/100
14
Total War: WARHAMMER II
86
/100
15
KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 +2.5 ReMIX
86
/100
16
NieR: Automata
86
/100
17
Yakuza Kiwami 2
85
/100
18
B
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
85
/100
19
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
85
/100
20
Sonic Mania
85
/100
21
Tekken 7
85
/100
22
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
84
/100
23
Splatoon 2
84
/100
24
Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition
84
/100
25
Nioh: Complete Edition
84
/100
26
Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Future Tone
84
/100
27
Middle-earth: Shadow of War
84
/100
28
Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment
83
/100
29
Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds
83
/100
30
Dark Souls III: The Ringed City
83
/100
31
The End Is Nigh
83
/100
32
Cat Quest
83
/100
33
Destiny 2
82
/100
34
Tooth and Tail
82
/100
35
Dishonored: Death of the Outsider
82
/100
36
Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap
81
/100
37
The Evil Within 2
81
/100
38
Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy
81
/100
39
F
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
81
/100
40
Hand of Fate 2
81
/100
41
Rising Storm 2: VIETNAM
81
/100
42
Battle Chef Brigade
81
/100
43
Gravity Rush 2
80
/100
44
EVERSPACE
80
/100
45
Nidhogg 2
80
/100
46
A Hat in Time
80
/100
47
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue
79
/100
48
Heat Signature
79
/100
49
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
78
/100
50
Pit People
78
/100
Nex Machina
From the collaboration between Housemarque (Resogun, Alienation, Matterfall), and Robotron and Smash TV legendary creator Eugene Jarvis comes Nex Machina, an explosive arcade experience created with competition in mind.
89
/100
05
B
Horizon Zero Dawn
Welcome to a vibrant world rich with the beauty of nature – but inhabited by awe-inspiring, highly advanced machines. As a young machine hunter named Aloy, you must unravel the mysteries of this world and find your own destiny.
89
/100
06
Figment
89
/100
07
A
Hollow Knight
A 2D metroidvania with an emphasis on close combat and exploration in which the player enters the once-prosperous now-bleak insect kingdom of Hallownest, travels through its various districts, meets friendly inhabitants, fights hostile ones and uncovers the kingdom's history while improving their combat abilities and movement arsenal by fighting bosses and accessing out-of-the-way areas.
88
/100
08
Nioh
In Nioh, players will traverse war-torn Japan as William, a blonde-haired swordsman whose background as a fierce warrior and seasoned knowledge of the blade allows him to survive in the demon-plagued land of the samurai. Known as Yokai, these demons inhabit a number of dangerous locations and lie in wait in the shadows to ambush unsuspecting victims. Players will also face off with other samurai in supernatural sword battles and intense, multi-target engagements offering a level of difficulty that will truly test even the most hardened samurai’s skills, patience, and strategy. Offering a deep and original storyline that takes place during the Warring States Period of Japanese history alongside strategic sword-fighting action, Nioh will challenge players in a way that makes every mission and accomplishment feel earned and worthwhile.
88
/100
09
Diablo III: Eternal Collection
88
/100
10
Metroid: Samus Returns
Metroid: Samus Returns is a remake of Metroid 2: Return of Samus. It uses a 3D graphic style with a side view camera that zooms in and changes for cutscenes. It also has new mechanics, items, and abilities. "Brave the hostile terrain of an alien planet teeming with vicious life forms as legendary bounty hunter Samus Aran. Her mission? Terminate the Metroid menace in this masterful reimagining of her 1991 Game Boy adventure. Samus Aran’s arsenal has been enhanced with new moves and abilities that are sure to help her face the deadly surprises that await. This intense, side-scrolling action platformer is a great entry point into the Metroid franchise and perfect for returning fans as well, and it’s available only on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems."
88
/100
11
B
Cuphead
87
/100
12
S
NieR:Automata
86
/100
13
A
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
86
/100
14
Total War: WARHAMMER II
86
/100
15
KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 +2.5 ReMIX
86
/100
16
NieR: Automata
86
/100
17
Yakuza Kiwami 2
85
/100
18
B
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
85
/100
19
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
85
/100
20
Sonic Mania
85
/100
21
Tekken 7
85
/100
22
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
84
/100
23
Splatoon 2
84
/100
24
Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition
84
/100
25
Nioh: Complete Edition
84
/100
26
Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Future Tone
84
/100
27
Middle-earth: Shadow of War
84
/100
28
Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment
83
/100
29
Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds
83
/100
30
Dark Souls III: The Ringed City
83
/100
31
The End Is Nigh
83
/100
32
Cat Quest
83
/100
33
Destiny 2
82
/100
34
Tooth and Tail
82
/100
35
Dishonored: Death of the Outsider
82
/100
36
Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap
81
/100
37
The Evil Within 2
81
/100
38
Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy
81
/100
39
F
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
81
/100
40
Hand of Fate 2
81
/100
41
Rising Storm 2: VIETNAM
81
/100
42
Battle Chef Brigade
81
/100
43
Gravity Rush 2
80
/100
44
EVERSPACE
80
/100
45
Nidhogg 2
80
/100
46
A Hat in Time
80
/100
47
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue
79
/100
48
Heat Signature
79
/100
49
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
78
/100
50
Pit People
78
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Action game of 2017?
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild currently tops the ranking with a score of 98/100 across 2,839 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.