Best First-Person Shooters

FPS is one of the best game genres when you need to blow off some steam after a tough day. In this list, we've gathered the most exciting first-person shooters — from single-player story-driven titles to online games.

The early DOOM games deserve attention not only for their impact on the development of FPS games, but also for their still incredibly fun gameplay. If you’re choosing between the classic entries, go with DOOM 2: the sequel features more weapons, enemy types, and more interesting level design.

Still one of the most atmospheric FPS games out there. The first Quake is not just a fast and brutal shooter, but also a dark adventure steeped in Lovecraftian horror. The oppressive tone is further enhanced by a soundtrack from Nine Inch Nails.

A perfect excuse to hit up a LAN party with your friends (assuming there are still any local gaming cafes open in your area). Quake 3: Arena is all about insane speed, where everything comes down to reflexes — not character abilities or perks.

A textbook example of how to pace a shooter. Half-Life 2 constantly works to surprise the player, never letting the experience feel repetitive. Just about every mission throws something new into the mix — from buggy driving to surviving in a zombie-infested town.

A rather unusual blend of horror and high-octane action. F.E.A.R. frequently shifts tone — one moment it terrifies with ghost girl sequences, the next it turns into a tense firefight against highly intelligent AI-controlled soldiers.

Sure, the first S.T.A.L.K.E.R. isn't the most “polished” title out there, but it’s incredibly atmospheric, realistic, and hardcore. Funny enough, it can still outshine its recent sequel in some ways — for instance, the old game simulates a virtual ecosystem more convincingly.

If you're looking for a first-person shooter with a truly gripping story, you can't go wrong with BioShock. The tragic tale of the underwater city of Rapture and its deranged inhabitants pulls you in from the very beginning and doesn't let go until the credits roll.

It's hard to find fault with this Valve masterpiece. Team Fortress 2 is a near-perfect multiplayer game: timeless visual style, balanced classes, straightforward objectives, and thrilling shootouts.

The most important entry in the Call of Duty franchise. The creators of the original Modern Warfare made a bold move by shifting away from World War II to a fictional modern conflict — and it paid off. Cinematic and intense, Modern Warfare kicked off a new era of military shooters, though none of its imitators managed to surpass this unique masterpiece.

There are plenty of co-op games with a similar concept to Left 4 Dead 2 today, but there's something magical about this Valve shooter that keeps people coming back. Maybe the secret lies in its simplicity: no perks, no XP, no unlocks. And since there's no pressure from progression systems, it never feels like work when you launch the game.

Battlefield fans can argue endlessly about which game in the series is the best, but most will agree: Bad Company 2 strikes a flawless balance between arcade-style action and tactical depth. It’s easy to pick up, but surprisingly strategic if you play it seriously and as a team.

A gory shooter with flashy visuals, beefy guns, and a combat system that rewards creativity. In Bulletstorm, you can launch enemies into the air, stick a mine to them mid-flight, and then kick them into a crowd of goons for a spectacular finish.

A popular co-op action game that’s best described as “Diablo meets FPS.” Borderlands 2 is all about looting better guns to farm faster, so you can loot even more guns. A loop that’s as addicting as it is satisfying.

Before its release, Far Cry 3 was oddly called “Skyrim with guns” — but the two games have little in common. What connects them is an open world and commercial success: Far Cry 3 became so popular that the entire franchise still leans on its legacy. Plenty of sequels followed, but story-wise, Far Cry 3 remains the most iconic entry in the series.

Instead of recommending just one Halo game, let’s go straight to the full package — The Master Chief Collection. If you're into sci-fi adventures and prefer playing first-person shooters with a gamepad, any classic Halo is a solid pick.

A reboot of the iconic franchise. Wolfenstein: The New Order may not be mentioned as often as something like Half-Life 2 when it comes to legendary story-driven FPS games, but it holds its own. With an excellent plot, a memorable setting, smart level design, a fun arsenal, and touches of stealth gameplay, it ticks all the right boxes.

The ability to make fast decisions and instantly coordinate with teammates is key in Rainbow Six Siege. This hardcore tactical shooter rarely goes according to plan, and you’ll need to adapt on the fly to survive its ever-shifting scenarios.

One of the most unconventional games on the list. Superhot isn’t just an FPS — it’s also a puzzle game. Time only moves when you do, turning every firefight into a tactical puzzle that rewards careful planning and precision.

Many of the original Modern Warfare developers worked on Titanfall 2, and it shows in the game’s quality. While it’s built around chaotic parkour and mech combat, the experience is incredibly smooth and responsive. It’s easy to get into Titanfall 2’s fast-paced rhythm — something that’s hard to say about many other online shooters.

Before the release of Battlefield 1, the very idea of a large-scale multiplayer shooter set in World War I stirred up both hype and skepticism. Many players worried the WWI setting would limit weapon variety. In reality, the devs didn’t aim for perfect historical accuracy — and that worked in the game’s favor. Today, Battlefield 1 is remembered fondly for good reason: its sheer spectacle more than made up for any minor shortcomings.

On one hand, Destiny 2 draws you in with typical MMO-shooter hooks — events, loot farming, and character progression. On the other, even without all that, the game remains fun thanks to its core mechanics. Gunplay in Destiny 2 is polished to near perfection, making it a joy to play at any level.

Arguably the most successful game of the survival sim boom. Rust delivers a full spectrum of emotions — it can be hilarious and chaotic or brutally tense. Especially when you're defending your base against a raid from rival players hungry for your loot.

A rare example of a truly terrifying multiplayer shooter. Hunt: Showdown 1896 qualifies as a full-blown horror game — not only because of its haunting supernatural setting, but also due to its high stakes. If you die on a mission, you lose that character permanently.

A hardcore shooter about surviving in a brutal post-nuclear world. Like its predecessors, Metro Exodus emphasizes realism and detail to boost immersion. But unlike the linear games that came before, this one gives you room to explore large, semi-open environments and approach missions more freely.

Among all the battle royale titles out there, Apex Legends arguably offers the smoothest gameplay. That’s thanks to its core mechanics — including gunplay and parkour — which were lifted straight from the excellent Titanfall 2.

The most intense and brutal game of "rock-paper-scissors" you’ll ever play. In DOOM Eternal, you’ll need to memorize which weapons are most effective against specific demon types — and then learn to juggle your arsenal mid-combat to eliminate hellspawn as efficiently as possible.

A charming co-op shooter about space dwarves who mine precious resources and fight off giant bugs. Deep Rock Galactic avoids many of the pitfalls that plague live service games — no aggressive monetization, and the battle pass is free.

We didn’t include the original Half-Life in this list on purpose — because today, the best way to experience the classic is to play the remake, Black Mesa. It’s an upgrade in every way: improved visuals, audio, and reworked combat encounters that bring new life to a timeless legend.

Many of the rough edges that plagued Warhammer 40,000: Darktide at launch have already been smoothed out. Today, it’s one of the best co-op action games — and one of the finest Warhammer 40K adaptations. Fatshark’s project delivers atmosphere, mission variety, a huge arsenal of weapons, and one of the best first-person melee combat systems ever made.

Formerly known as CS:GO, [game=70651]Counter-Strike 2 remains one of the most-played games on Steam — and for good reason. People launch it every day for its simple yet high-stakes gameplay. In CS2, personal skill and tight teamwork are equally vital to victory.

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What other first-person shooters would you like to see in this list? Tell us in the comments!