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Action! is a game and screen recording software used by gamers, streamers, and content creators around the world on Windows. It provides high-FPS gameplay recording, hardware-accelerated encoding, webcam overlay, multi-channel audio capture, live streaming, performance benchmarking, and remote desktop recording, all within a focused and efficient interface designed to minimize impact on system performance during active use. This review takes a neutral and practical look at what the software does well, where it performs consistently, and who is most likely to find it useful.

For users who record gameplay or other performance-intensive screen activity, keeping the recorder’s impact on frame rates and CPU load as low as possible is a practical priority. Action! is designed with this in mind, using hardware-accelerated encoding to offload the majority of the recording workload to the GPU rather than the CPU, allowing the system to maintain game performance while capturing high-quality footage simultaneously.

The software is developed by Mirillis and has built a following among PC gamers and content creators who want a capable, lightweight recorder without the broader feature set of a full streaming suite. This review covers its core features, real-world performance, pricing, and the types of users most likely to benefit from it.

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What Is Action!

Action! is a Windows-based screen and game recording software that uses hardware-accelerated encoding to capture high-definition video with a reduced impact on system performance compared to software-based recording approaches. It is designed primarily for users who record gameplay or other visually demanding screen content and need the recording process to run in the background without noticeably affecting the performance of the application being captured.

The software supports recording at high frame rates and resolutions, including 4K, and uses GPU encoding through NVIDIA NVENC, AMD VCE, and Intel Quick Sync where available. This encoding approach produces high-quality output files while keeping CPU usage during recording low, which is the primary technical advantage the software offers over recorders that rely on software encoding.

In addition to local recording, Action! supports live streaming to platforms such as Twitch and YouTube, webcam overlay for simultaneous camera capture, and a performance benchmarking overlay that displays real-time frame rate and hardware metrics during gameplay. It is available through a one-time purchase license.

Key Features

High-FPS Gameplay Recording Action! captures gameplay and screen activity at high frame rates, supporting recording up to 120 frames per second at standard resolutions. This makes it suitable for capturing fast-paced games where smooth motion reproduction in the recorded video is important for both review and content creation purposes.

Hardware-Accelerated Encoding The software uses GPU-based encoding through supported hardware from NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel to handle video compression during recording. This reduces CPU load compared to software encoding, allowing the system to dedicate more processing resources to the running application rather than the recorder.

Webcam Overlay Action! supports capturing a webcam feed simultaneously with the screen recording, displaying it as an overlay in the output video. The position, size, and shape of the webcam window can be adjusted, and the overlay is embedded in the recorded file rather than requiring separate compositing after capture.

Multi-Channel Audio Capture The software records system audio and microphone input simultaneously, with independent volume controls for each source. This allows users to balance game audio and voiceover levels without additional audio editing after recording.

Live Streaming Action! includes a streaming mode that transmits the screen or gameplay feed to platforms such as Twitch and YouTube. Streaming and local recording can run simultaneously, providing both a live broadcast and a saved local copy from the same session.

Performance Benchmarking Overlay The software can display a real-time overlay during gameplay showing frame rate, GPU and CPU usage, and other hardware metrics. This is useful for users who want to monitor system performance while playing or recording without switching out of the game to check external monitoring tools.

Remote Desktop Recording Action! supports recording of remote desktop sessions, extending its capture capability to users who need to document activity on a connected remote machine rather than only the local screen.

Performance Review

Recording Impact on Game Performance In tested scenarios, Action! maintained stable frame rates in the recorded game with hardware-accelerated encoding active, with the performance difference between recording and not recording remaining within a small margin on systems with a compatible GPU. The reduction in CPU load compared to software encoding was measurable, making the hardware acceleration option meaningful for users on systems where CPU headroom during gaming is limited.

Output Quality at High Frame Rates In tested scenarios, recordings at 60 and 120 frames per second produced smooth playback with motion reproduced cleanly in the output file. Fast-moving scenes in gameplay footage retained detail without significant blocking or motion blur artifacts at standard bitrate settings, and output quality scaled appropriately when bitrate was increased for archival or high-quality upload purposes.

Webcam Overlay Stability The webcam overlay remained synchronized with the screen recording throughout extended sessions in tested scenarios. The overlay maintained its configured position and size without drift, and the combined output reflected both sources accurately in the exported file.

Streaming Reliability In tested scenarios, live streaming to Twitch at standard broadcast settings maintained a consistent output bitrate without stream interruptions during extended gaming sessions. Running local recording and streaming simultaneously did not produce notable additional performance impact beyond what recording alone required.

Pricing & Plans

Action! is available through a one-time purchase license that covers the full feature set without a recurring subscription. The license is perpetual for the purchased version. A free trial is available that adds a watermark to recorded output, allowing users to evaluate the recording quality and performance impact before purchasing.

Current pricing is listed on the official Mirillis website. The one-time purchase model makes it a straightforward long-term investment for users who record regularly.

Use Cases

PC Gamers Recording Gameplay Footage Users who record gaming sessions for personal review, highlight compilation, or content creation benefit from Action!’s hardware-accelerated encoding, which keeps recording impact on in-game performance low while producing high-quality output.

Content Creators Uploading to YouTube or Streaming to Twitch Those who produce gaming content for online platforms can use Action!’s simultaneous recording and streaming capability to maintain both a local archive and a live broadcast from a single session without additional software.

Users Needing High Frame Rate Recording Gamers who play fast-paced titles and want smooth motion reproduction in their recorded footage will find Action!’s support for high-FPS capture relevant to their use case, particularly for games where 60fps or higher recording makes a visible difference in playback quality.

Users Seeking a Lightweight Alternative to Full Streaming Suites Those who want reliable game recording and basic streaming without the overhead of a full scene-based production application will find Action!’s focused feature set and low system impact a practical alternative.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Hardware-accelerated encoding reduces CPU load during recording, keeping game performance impact low on compatible systems
  • Supports high frame rate recording up to 120fps, suited to fast-paced gameplay capture
  • Simultaneous local recording and live streaming from a single session
  • One-time purchase pricing avoids ongoing subscription costs
  • Performance benchmarking overlay provides real-time hardware metrics without leaving the game

Cons

  • Windows only, with no Mac support
  • Hardware acceleration benefits depend on having a compatible NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel GPU; older hardware may not support the most efficient encoding paths
  • No scene management or multi-source mixing for users who need production-style switching during capture
  • Built-in editing tools are minimal; post-production requires a separate video editing application
  • Free trial exports with a watermark, limiting evaluation without a purchase

Who Should Consider This Software

Action! is a practical choice for Windows-based PC gamers and content creators who need a reliable, low-impact gameplay recorder with support for high frame rates and simultaneous streaming. It is particularly well suited for users who prioritize keeping recording overhead minimal during intensive gaming sessions and want a fixed-cost tool for long-term use.

Users who record gameplay regularly for YouTube uploads, streaming, or personal review will find the hardware-accelerated encoding and high-FPS support directly relevant to their workflow. The one-time purchase model adds further appeal for users who want a capable recorder without an ongoing subscription.

Those who need advanced scene management, overlay design, or production switching during their broadcasts will find Action!’s feature set more limited than a full streaming suite such as OBS or Streamlabs, and should consider whether a more comprehensive tool better fits their production needs.

Final Verdict

Action! delivers a focused and reliable game recording experience that performs consistently in its primary use case: capturing high-quality, high-FPS gameplay footage with minimal impact on system performance. Its hardware-accelerated encoding, simultaneous recording and streaming, and performance overlay make it a capable and well-targeted tool for PC gamers and content creators who need an efficient recorder without the complexity of a full production suite.

The one-time purchase model and low system footprint make it a practical long-term choice for regular use. For Windows-based gamers looking for a dependable, lightweight gameplay recorder with straightforward streaming support, Action! is a solid and established option.

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