Action games are well-suited for Valve's high-powered handheld, the Steam Deck, as they are best controlled with buttons and sticks rather than a keyboard and mouse. Since they are single-player games, there is no need to worry about anti-cheat engines that can make some competitive games unplayable on the Steam Deck. Short bursts of high-intensity gameplay are perfect for on-the-go gaming, and the Steam Deck's raw power ensures that games can run with high performance even on harder difficulty levels. While many games on this list are Steam Deck verified, it's important to check Valve's compatibility tool before making a purchase.

Here are the best PC action games that you can download right now.

Batman: Arkham City

Alrighty folks, let's talk about the middle chapter of Rocksteady's Batman: Arkham trilogy. This game does an awesome job combining intricate level design with an open-world Gotham City for the Caped Crusader to prowl. You'll come face-to-face with some of Batman's most notorious foes, like Mr. Freeze, Hugo Strange, and the League of Shadows. And let's not forget about the combat system, which is still super cool and makes it way too much fun to take down a bunch of bad guys at once.

Devil May Cry 5

Devil May Cry 5 brings the series back to its roots after the polarizing series reboot by Ninja Theory. The game features three heroes — Dante, Nero, and newcomer V — each with vastly different combat styles to master as you destroy demons. Powered by Capcom's excellent RE Engine, the infernal mayhem has never looked better. If you're a longtime fan of the franchise, you'll appreciate the steep challenges that await you.

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

Ninja Theory is skilled at creating solid combat systems. If Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice only had its intimate and tactical combat encounters to offer, we would still recommend it. However, what makes this game truly exceptional is how fighting through the ancient Celtic and Norse hellscapes serves as a poignant and powerful metaphor for the mental health issues afflicting the main character, brilliantly portrayed by Melina Juergens.

Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition

Horizon Zero Dawn is one of PlayStation 4's top exclusives, along with Bloodborne, God of War, and Marvel's Spider-Man. Now available on PC as the Complete Edition, you can enjoy open-world, robot-slaying action. This version includes the expansive base game, as well as The Frozen Wilds DLC, which offers a new area, more story content, and additional collectibles. The game's performance has improved significantly since its initial PC launch, delivering a dense and impressive post-apocalyptic adventure.

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Similar to its predecessor, PlayStation's Spider-Man spin-off has been ported to PC in a fantastic manner. As the new hero, Miles Morales, you use familiar spider powers to take on bad guys. Crawling up walls in a revamped Harlem is just as enjoyable as exploring Manhattan in the first game. Additionally, who doesn't appreciate more diversity in the superhero video game genre?

Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered

If you want to experience what it's like to be the wall-crawler, Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered is the game for you. Swinging through the open-world Manhattan feels incredibly authentic. In combat, you'll become a chatty and acrobatic trickster, using web blasts, gadgets, and punches to take down your foes. The game's epic set pieces allow you to perform superheroic feats with ease.

Nioh 2: Complete Edition

Nioh 2 is an excellent action game that combines brutal combat, stat-rich RPG elements, and gear-based character builds. It throws you into a demon-riddled, Sengoku-era war filled with thrilling combat. With a wide variety of weapons, potent magic spells, and awesome demonic abilities to employ, Nioh 2 is a fantastic action game with tremendous replay value that can hold your attention for hundreds of hours.

Resident Evil 2

If you're looking for an action-horror game that will keep you on the edge of your seat, look no further than this gem. Capcom has delivered a remake that feels modern and new, while still being endearingly faithful to the original PS1 classic.

You'll battle ferocious abominations within the Raccoon City Police Department using satisfying and powerful weapons, all while taking in the impressive visuals that breathe new life into the iconic locations. Resident Evil 2 is easily one of the best games of 2019, and a must-have title that belongs in your library.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice demonstrates that FromSoftware's signature style of brutally difficult action is still going strong. In some respects, Sekiro is even more challenging than Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, and BloodBorne. At least those games are RPGs that occasionally allow you to grind your way through a fight. In contrast, Sekiro is a pure action game that requires mastery of its intricate sword-fighting system to progress. While you can revive yourself after death, be prepared to die many more than twice.

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection is a combination of two highly acclaimed games in the Uncharted series. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End concludes Nathan Drake's story, while Uncharted: The Lost Legacy follows Chloe and Nadine on a new adventure. These games offer an immersive experience that feels like being in an interactive action movie. Now, PC players can enjoy these thrilling globetrotting games too.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

A dash of wuxia helps each action game feel a little more flashy. Wo Long is an action-RPG in the spirit of Team Ninja's popular Nioh titles, although it is set during China's romanticised Three Kingdoms era. Wo Long emphasises on parries and counters, and incorporates a new stamina gauge modelled after Sekiro's posture system. New leaping mechanics improve mobility, and the elaborate, Chinese-inspired weapon arts add to the already difficult battle. Take against famous Chinese champions, defeat ancient evil, and enjoy the high-flying, sword-clashing fantasy.