Action-heavy video games with high-octane combat and amazing set-pieces have become the norm in the industry. Most of the biggest and best-selling games around manage to become so popular mainly because of their loud and in-your-face gameplay, which has become the norm with the evolution of the gaming industry.
So, at this point, it almost feels like most action games have a contest with each other for which titles can have the most jaw-dropping set-pieces and eye-popping explosions. The following games are known for their adrenaline-pumping gameplay that will see them trigger a bunch of explosions over and over again to great effect - time to get out your sunglasses and look in the opposite direction.
7 Just Cause 3
The Just Cause series is known for its wild, action-packed gameplay that is full to the brim with destructive environments and tools to explore. The third game in the series was so notorious for its explosions that most consoles even started stuttering if too many explosions happened at once!
The game is truly one of the most enjoyable experiences any fan of action games can check out. The options outside of combat might be limiting, but most people who only want an excuse to shoot and blow enemies up won't really mind.
6 Mercenaries 2: World In Flames
It's a shame that more people don't talk about Mercenaries 2: World in Flames. The game might not be the most memorable title around, but the sheer destruction that players could enjoy in this title is still fun to this day.
Sure, the game has problems when it comes to a forgettable story, poor AI, and boring visual design. However, most players forget these issues after destroying environments with an array of explosive weapons.
5 Grand Theft Auto 5
A series known for the rampant chaos players can cause in the open world, Grand Theft Auto 5 shows how far the series and Rockstar Games have come from the release of the first title in this legendary series. It's one of the greatest games ever made, with GTA Online showing just how malleable and enjoyable this formula is to this day.
The fact that this game is barely showing its age after almost a decade since launch shows just how ahead of its time Grand Theft Auto 5 really was. Controlling the three protagonists and wreaking havoc in and around Los Santos makes for a great time indeed.
4 Fallout 4
Bethesda's takeover of the Fallout series has divided fans down the line. While most people love the deep roleplaying mechanics of the first two Fallout games and New Vegas, others love how the gameplay has improved in titles like Fallout 4.
As a result, there's no denying that the combat in Fallout 4 is way more enjoyable than any other game in the series. It might not be the deepest and most nuanced Fallout game around, but the action-heavy gameplay means that players will be using many grenades and Fat Man nukes throughout their journey.
3 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Breath of the Wild isn't really a game known for its immense action. However, the amazing game engine allows for items in the world to interact with each either in a manner that is truly creative yet logical at the same time.
From dropping explosive barrels into Bokoblin hideouts to triggering chain explosions and firing bomb arrows - there are many ways that players can have extremely explosive combat encounters in the game. The sheer number of ways players can tackle a given combat situation in Breath of the Wild makes it a pretty engaging game indeed.
2 Red Faction: Guerrilla
Red Faction: Guerrilla was the first game to use the GeoMod 2.0 system. While the terrain itself was still exempt from destruction, pretty much everything else in the game could be destroyed with enough bullets and explosives.
This led to the game having some of the best destructive mechanics for its time. Players who went through the game without utilizing the whole host of explosives they had access to were missing out on something truly special in Red Faction: Guerrilla.
1 Saints Row 4
It seems that Volition Games has a knack for crafting titles that are extremely destructive. The fact that both Red Faction and Saints Row appear on this list shows just how much the developers love explosive and chaotic gameplay.
Saints Row 4 becomes even more over-the-top with explosions, which turns the title into an absolute cakewalk without it being a bad thing. After all, some games are known for being a challenge, while others are known for making players feel really cool. Saints Row 4 definitely falls in the latter category and is all the more successful for it.