Some of the best modern games take a while to get started. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Persona 5 are two good examples of games that need to set up their plots before letting players into the game. Other games have minimal story options, which is to be preferred for action hungry gamers out there.
In-game stories used to be a secondary feature in Nintendo games, like in the NES and SNES days. For all types of gamers who want to play a modern action game with those old school sensibilities, these titles are purely action-focused. They either have no direct story or very little of it to get in the way of gameplay.
Hyper Light Drifter
Cyberpunk Fantasy Zelda
Hyper Light Drifter is an indie tribute to Zelda series, a top-notch action game set in a dystopian fantasy cyberpunk world. It's a mix of genres, but it works thanks to the pure pixel art aesthetic and bright colors.
The funny thing about the story is that no English text is ever spoken. Instead, players must interpret what NPCs or vendors are saying, and part of the fun is definitely piecing together that (completely optional) knowledge by partially learning to read another language. But if that doesn't seem interesting, chopping down monsters in stylish battles all day is certainly an option.
Tunic
If Link was a fox
Tunic is another indie tribute to the top-down Zelda old games. It also uses 3D models in a toy-like way, and the star is a fox. Another similarity is the language mechanic, which players can find in the form of lost pages in ruins around the map.
Through context clues and expanding the user manual in a fourth brick-breaking move, players can learn to decipher the language and unlock new paths. This confusing language may be more than what players want, so if they just want action, the standard game should suffice as this meta-narrative can be ignored.
Graduate
Kick, Punch, It's All In The Mind
Graduate is a martial arts game with soul-like elements, like being dropped into a mysterious world with virtually no background information to go by. Players will encounter masked fighters on their journey who are skilled and want to show off their fighting skills.
However, this is not a simple beat 'em up from the good old arcade days, as players must watch the enemy's movements and counter them in order to progress in any fight. Defeating enemies can reward players with new combat moves, which can then be worked into their go-to combos. If they're lucky, they might even run into an ally online, which is just as exciting as meeting a stranger in Trip.
Warriors: Abyss
Top-Down Musou
For anyone who likes the chaotic action of Musou games like Dynasty Warriorsbut don't enjoy the cutscenes or mid-mission dialogue, they should check it out Warriors: Abyss. It's a top-down version of the Musou formula mixed with a roguelike, only with much less text. Instead, this game prioritizes action.
Players can earn money on each run to unlock new heroes, who all play differently thanks to their unique weapons and moves. From swords to spears to whips to guns, there's a lot to try out. Koei Tecmo has provided plenty of fun updates in 2025 by adding cameo characters like Ryu from Ninja Gaiden, ensure Warriors: Abyss has kept its gameplay fresh long after its launch date.
Broforce
The USA of action heroes
Broforce is a modernized Versus featuring parody heroes based on the greatest action characters of all time. There are explosive characters like MacBrover, melee characters like The Brode and various specialists like Brommando.
Each level is short and randomizes the hero players use, with new unlocks once the hostages have been rescued. Every unlock will be fun to laugh at, but these characters are also fun to control. Beyond saving America from terrorists, there's no story to get in the way of blowing things up; just the way the brothers like it.
Rollerdrome
Tony Hawk with guns
Rollerdrome takes place in a dystopian future where blood sports rule the airwaves like the best 80s movies. The titular Rollerdrome is a tournament where players must skate and shoot at the same time, or die trying.
Doing sick tricks like in an extreme sports game not only looks cool, but is necessary to earn some time for reloading. The visual style is colorful and gritty, and the action is relentless. Even after the hundredth death, players will want to get up and have another go.
Primal Planet
The Jetsons meets The Flintstones
Primal Planet is a survival-themed Metroidvania set in prehistoric times, or at least that's how it seems. The cover art and title screen give away that there are some sci-fi aspects to the game, but the less players know before going in, the better.
Playing as cavemen, there is no speech, but the main family communicates through gestures and actions. Collected materials can be used to craft things like torches and food, while killing dinosaurs and other enemies gives players EXP and gives them skill points. It's one of the most challenging Metroidvanias in recent memory thanks to the survival elements, but it's hard to put down regardless.
Catanaut
Deep Space Samurai
Catanaut has a few words to say at the beginning and between runs, and even when text appears it's more like set dressing than the set-up for an engaging plot. All players need to know is that they are Naut, a space samurai who gets stuck in a space colony that is suddenly overrun by mutants that come out of void.
It's like Aliens meets Samurai Jackcomplete with chaotic action on every run. Players can gain power-ups like skills and new weapons, along with currency to permanently upgrade Naut. Most of this is standard for the roguelike genre, though Catanaut still differ with their approach, just like Primal Planet.
