Best games
Best Action games of 2021
The 99 best Action games released in 2021, ranked from 9,867 critic and player ratings.
The best Action game of 2021 is Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, with a critic score of 91/100 — updated August 2026.
01
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Go dimension-hopping with Ratchet and Clank as they take on an evil emperor from another reality. Jump between action-packed worlds and beyond at mind-blowing speeds, complete with dazzling visuals and an insane arsenal.
91
/100
02
Valheim
Valheim is a brutal exploration and survival game for 1-10 players set in a procedurally-generated world inspired by Norse mythology. Craft powerful weapons, construct longhouses, and slay mighty foes to prove yourself to Odin!
90
/100
03
Tails of Iron
Tails of Iron is an Adventure RPG-lite game set in a charming and brutal world. Playing as Redgi the Rat, you are heir to the throne when your kingdom is raided by the Iron Frog. Players face challenging, tactical and stunning combat encounters in order to rebuild the Rat Kingdom.
90
/100
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Go dimension-hopping with Ratchet and Clank as they take on an evil emperor from another reality. Jump between action-packed worlds and beyond at mind-blowing speeds, complete with dazzling visuals and an insane arsenal.
91
/100
02
Valheim
Valheim is a brutal exploration and survival game for 1-10 players set in a procedurally-generated world inspired by Norse mythology. Craft powerful weapons, construct longhouses, and slay mighty foes to prove yourself to Odin!
90
/100
03
Tails of Iron
Tails of Iron is an Adventure RPG-lite game set in a charming and brutal world. Playing as Redgi the Rat, you are heir to the throne when your kingdom is raided by the Iron Frog. Players face challenging, tactical and stunning combat encounters in order to rebuild the Rat Kingdom.
90
/100
04
Returnal
Returnal is a 2021 roguelike third-person shooter video game developed by Housemarque and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It follows Selene Vassos, an astronaut who lands on the planet Atropos in search of the mysterious "White Shadow" signal and finds herself trapped in a time loop. After crash-landing on a shape-shifting alien planet, Selene finds herself fighting tooth and nail for survival. Every time she’s defeated, the player is forced to restart the journey.
90
/100
05
Deathloop
Deathloop transports players to the lawless island of Blackreef in an eternal struggle between two extraordinary assassins. Explore stunning environments and meticulously designed levels in an immersive gameplay experience that lets you approach every situation any way you like. Hunt down targets all over the island in an effort to put an end to the cycle once and for all, and remember, if at first you don’t succeed… die, die again.
90
/100
06
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
89
/100
07
B
It Takes Two
Embark on the craziest journey of your life in It Takes Two, a genre-bending platform adventure created purely for co-op. Invite a friend to join for free with Friend’s Pass and work together across a huge variety of gleefully disruptive gameplay challenges. Play as the clashing couple Cody and May, two humans turned into dolls by a magic spell. Together, trapped in a fantastical world where the unpredictable hides around every corner, they are reluctantly challenged with saving their fractured relationship.
88
/100
08
Deathloop
88
/100
09
Tales of Arise
On the planet Dahna, reverence has always been given to Rena--the planet in the sky--as a land of the righteous and divine. Stories handed down for generations became truth and masked reality for the people of Dahna. For 300 years, Rena has ruled over Dahna, pillaging the planet of its resources and stripping people of their dignity and freedom. Our tale begins with two people, born on different worlds, each looking to change their fate and create a new future. Featuring a diverse cast of characters, intuitive and rewarding combat system, and a captivating story set in a lush world worth fighting for, Tales of Arise delivers a first-class JRPG experience.
87
/100
10
Psychonauts 2
Psychonauts 2 is a platform-adventure game developed by Double Fine Productions and released in 2021. It continues the story of Razputin “Raz” Aquato, a young psychic who joins the international psychic espionage agency known as the Psychonauts. Gameplay combines platforming, exploration, and combat with psychic abilities such as telekinesis, pyrokinesis, and mental connection. Players journey through imaginative levels set inside characters’ minds, each reflecting their personalities and struggles.
87
/100
11
Mass Effect Legendary Edition
87
/100
12
Monster Hunter Rise
87
/100
13
Death's Door
87
/100
14
Chivalry 2
86
/100
15
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
86
/100
16
Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition
86
/100
17
Guilty Gear -Strive
85
/100
18
Unsighted
85
/100
19
Life is Strange: True Colors
84
/100
20
Curse of the Dead Gods
84
/100
21
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Anniversary Edition
84
/100
22
Metroid Dread
84
/100
23
Resident Evil: Village
83
/100
24
Hitman 3
83
/100
25
Road 96
83
/100
26
Dysmantle
83
/100
27
Shin Megami Tensei V
82
/100
28
Little Nightmares II
82
/100
29
A
NieR Replicant v1.22474487139...
82
/100
30
Knockout City
82
/100
31
Everhood
82
/100
32
Tormented Souls
82
/100
33
Alan Wake Remastered
82
/100
34
A
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD
81
/100
35
Skul: The Hero Slayer
81
/100
36
Diablo II: Resurrected
80
/100
37
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
80
/100
38
The Artful Escape
80
/100
39
Cyber Shadow
80
/100
40
Heavenly Bodies
80
/100
41
Scarlet Nexus
79
/100
42
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game - Complete Edition
79
/100
43
Rain on Your Parade
78
/100
44
Solar Ash
78
/100
45
Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth
78
/100
46
Eldest Souls
78
/100
47
Olija
78
/100
48
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox
78
/100
49
Lost in Random
77
/100
50
Riders Republic
77
/100
Returnal
Returnal is a 2021 roguelike third-person shooter video game developed by Housemarque and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It follows Selene Vassos, an astronaut who lands on the planet Atropos in search of the mysterious "White Shadow" signal and finds herself trapped in a time loop. After crash-landing on a shape-shifting alien planet, Selene finds herself fighting tooth and nail for survival. Every time she’s defeated, the player is forced to restart the journey.
90
/100
05
Deathloop
Deathloop transports players to the lawless island of Blackreef in an eternal struggle between two extraordinary assassins. Explore stunning environments and meticulously designed levels in an immersive gameplay experience that lets you approach every situation any way you like. Hunt down targets all over the island in an effort to put an end to the cycle once and for all, and remember, if at first you don’t succeed… die, die again.
90
/100
06
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
89
/100
07
B
It Takes Two
Embark on the craziest journey of your life in It Takes Two, a genre-bending platform adventure created purely for co-op. Invite a friend to join for free with Friend’s Pass and work together across a huge variety of gleefully disruptive gameplay challenges. Play as the clashing couple Cody and May, two humans turned into dolls by a magic spell. Together, trapped in a fantastical world where the unpredictable hides around every corner, they are reluctantly challenged with saving their fractured relationship.
88
/100
08
Deathloop
88
/100
09
Tales of Arise
On the planet Dahna, reverence has always been given to Rena--the planet in the sky--as a land of the righteous and divine. Stories handed down for generations became truth and masked reality for the people of Dahna. For 300 years, Rena has ruled over Dahna, pillaging the planet of its resources and stripping people of their dignity and freedom. Our tale begins with two people, born on different worlds, each looking to change their fate and create a new future. Featuring a diverse cast of characters, intuitive and rewarding combat system, and a captivating story set in a lush world worth fighting for, Tales of Arise delivers a first-class JRPG experience.
87
/100
10
Psychonauts 2
Psychonauts 2 is a platform-adventure game developed by Double Fine Productions and released in 2021. It continues the story of Razputin “Raz” Aquato, a young psychic who joins the international psychic espionage agency known as the Psychonauts. Gameplay combines platforming, exploration, and combat with psychic abilities such as telekinesis, pyrokinesis, and mental connection. Players journey through imaginative levels set inside characters’ minds, each reflecting their personalities and struggles.
87
/100
11
Mass Effect Legendary Edition
87
/100
12
Monster Hunter Rise
87
/100
13
Death's Door
87
/100
14
Chivalry 2
86
/100
15
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
86
/100
16
Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition
86
/100
17
Guilty Gear -Strive
85
/100
18
Unsighted
85
/100
19
Life is Strange: True Colors
84
/100
20
Curse of the Dead Gods
84
/100
21
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Anniversary Edition
84
/100
22
Metroid Dread
84
/100
23
Resident Evil: Village
83
/100
24
Hitman 3
83
/100
25
Road 96
83
/100
26
Dysmantle
83
/100
27
Shin Megami Tensei V
82
/100
28
Little Nightmares II
82
/100
29
A
NieR Replicant v1.22474487139...
82
/100
30
Knockout City
82
/100
31
Everhood
82
/100
32
Tormented Souls
82
/100
33
Alan Wake Remastered
82
/100
34
A
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD
81
/100
35
Skul: The Hero Slayer
81
/100
36
Diablo II: Resurrected
80
/100
37
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
80
/100
38
The Artful Escape
80
/100
39
Cyber Shadow
80
/100
40
Heavenly Bodies
80
/100
41
Scarlet Nexus
79
/100
42
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game - Complete Edition
79
/100
43
Rain on Your Parade
78
/100
44
Solar Ash
78
/100
45
Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth
78
/100
46
Eldest Souls
78
/100
47
Olija
78
/100
48
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox
78
/100
49
Lost in Random
77
/100
50
Riders Republic
77
/100
FAQ
What is the best Action game of 2021?
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart currently tops the ranking with a score of 91/100 across 297 ratings. Ranking updated August 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.