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Video games are the ultimate power fantasy, as they regularly provide a brief escape into other worlds where the rules of reality don’t apply. Action games starring chivalrous knights fighting the good fight, comic book adaptations set in the heart of the Big Apple, and horror-fueled efforts to survive unspeakable monstrosities are far more appealing than being stuck behind your desk at your 9-5, and 2023 has seen dozens of terrific action games released.
So which games were the best when it came to delivering exciting adventures in fantasy realms, real-world adjacent cities, and dark futures? According to our sister site Metacritic and the data gathered from dozens of outlets, this year saw a balanced mix of original games, remakes, remasters, and sequels all shine in the action genre. Several of these games were a fusion of action and other genres like horror, but if you were looking for a white-knuckle ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you were in for a good time this year. While some of the games below were obvious inclusions, there were a few welcome surprises as well that you can discover in the list below.