Instead of constantly hearing about large video games packed with numerous hours of additional content, those that manage to bypass all that and get right to the action deserve recognition. These are the games that don’t waste time on unnecessary pretense or extensive explanations, offering uninterrupted entertainment for several hours. Here are our 15 recommendations for these “all action, no fluff” titles.
Red Dead Redemption 2 stands out due to its immersive nature; stepping into the vast wild west landscape is a delight, and much of that credit goes to its meticulous detail. Rockstar Games appears to have spared no thought, and the game undeniably thrives on these tiny details. Here are twenty examples, though this aspect could easily list hundreds more.
Back in November 2013, I stepped into the world of Path of Exile for the first time, following its open beta launch. Grinding Gear Games, with an ode to Diablo 2 and a vision to craft a worthy successor, unveiled their free-to-play action RPG. Unlike many others, however, I wasn’t taken aback by surprise – it was more like a warm, familiar embrace that instantly felt right.
These days, Ubisoft isn’t particularly popular, but looking back to 2015, the situation wasn’t drastically different. Following criticism after the releases of Watch Dogs and Assassin’s Creed Unity in 2014, the company began the new year with a desire to demonstrate their capabilities. Despite any opinions about Ubisoft, they were open to innovation and experimentation, as demonstrated by the release of For Honor that year.
Stardew Valley continues to captivate players eight years since its debut, sparking curiosity about what developer Eric Barone (alias Concerned Ape) might create next. Predominantly, he’s been dedicating time to additional free updates for Stardew Valley, but his other venture, Haunted Chocolatier, hasn’t been forgotten by gamers. First mentioned in 2021, this project has garnered less attention due to the monumental 1.6 update and related projects of Stardew Valley. However, with the recent console and PC release of the 1.6 update, Barone is ready to dive back into Haunted Chocolatier once more.
In issue #2 of “Absolute Superman,” writer Jason Aaron carries on his daring reimagining of the Superman tale in DC’s fresh “Absolute” universe. The previous issue concluded with Superman being attacked by the Lazarus Corporation and their Peacemakers unit, under the command of Agent Lois Lane. Remaining true to her character, Agent Lane decided to scoop an exclusive by cuffing Kal-El!