In the realm of gaming, few genres evoke the adrenaline-fueled rush quite like the first-person shooter (FPS). From the pixelated pioneers of retro shooters to the modern-day graphical marvels, the evolution of FPS games has been a journey marked by innovation, intensity, controversy, unforgettable and indelible memories.
Join me and embark on a riveting exploration of what I consider to be the FPS experiences ever crafted, and the ones you should be playing today, right now. From iconic classics to the latest releases, let’s delve together into the heart-pounding action, and pulse-pounding excitement of some of the titles that define the FPS landscape in 2024.
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran seeking to relive the glory days or a newcomer eager to dive into the immersive world of FPS gaming, this comprehensive FPS list has something for every enthusiast. Just remember this is my list, if you believe some other games should be here, let me know in the comments!
The Best First-Person Shooters To Play In 2024
21. Black
You weren’t expecting this one, were you? Well, if you have a Playstation 2 hanging around, Black is the game you should be playing right now. Black is one of the original “modern first-person shooters”. One that delivers in one department, and one department only: intense shootouts, explosive action and visceral gunplay. It’s The Matrix if it was directed by Michael Bay. As an FPS game, it places players in the boots of a skilled operative tasked with completing a series of high-stakes missions in a variety of urban and industrial environments. With its emphasis on fast-paced combat and amazing weapon impact, Black offers the best first-person shooter experience players can find on the old but trusty Playstation2.
It’s a short game, with around 8 hours of playtime, but what it lacks in longevity, it has in excitement, explosions, and amazingly crafted weapon animations! It was way ahead of its time indeed.
20. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
One of my non-strategy favourites of last year, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a retro shooter set in the grimdark universe of Warhammer 40,000, known for its dystopian future, massive battles, and iconic lore. As an FPS game, it plunges players into the boots of a Space Marine- iconic genetically enhanced warriors clad in power armour- wielding powerful weaponry as they combat the Chaos Daemons and Chaos Space Marines, and even some minor heretical factions across the galaxy (and in one particular mission: dimensions). Boltgun delivers a visceral experience that captures the essence of the weapon it gets its name. It’s a fast-paced
The game’s retro aesthetic pays homage to classic FPS titles while incorporating elements unique to the Warhammer 40,000 universe, such as iconic weapons like the bolter and chainsword, and atmospheric environments. Boltgun is exactly what you remember from playing a first-person shooter in the late 90s and early 2000s -nostalgic yet thrilling and brutal.
19. Titanfall 2
The Titanfall franchise never got the recognition it deserves. Titanfall 2 builds upon the foundation laid by its mech-heavy predecessor, offering an enhanced futuristic first-person shooter experience that captivates players with its fast-paced vertical gameplay and gripping multiplayer scuffles. As an FPS game, it seamlessly blends exceptional infantry combat with heart-pounding titan (or exoskeleton, I never quite figured it out) warfare. Titanfall 2 is set in an intriguing (but poorly explored) industrial sci-fi universe where pilots and titans clash in epic battles across stunning landscapes.
Titanfall 2 introduces new titan classes and customization options, allowing players to tailor their titan load-outs to suit their playstyle. With its refined movement mechanics, expanded arsenal, and dynamic level design, Titanfall 2 is a significant upgrade when compared to 2014’s entry. Fortunately, everything ended up well for the team that worked on Titanfall 2, with the later launch of the extremely successful Apex Legends.
18. Rainbow Six: Siege
Rainbow Six: Siege is a disappointing game that turned out a fantastic multiplayer experience. It’s a semi-futuristic multiplayer shooter that emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and precision in its gameplay and shooting mechanics (one-shot headshots, anyone?). As a first-person shooter, it places players in the roles of elite counter-terrorism operatives from around the world (Portugal!). It’s a great game that always manages to offer a dynamic and intensive multiplayer experience, all the while challenging players to always get better at it, and adapt to ever-changing situations with its destruction mechanics.
It’s always on discount, and I’m pretty sure the game was free for a while, but don’t quote me on that. Still, with the game being out for so long, it has a wealth of content, including a variety of maps, game modes, and operator options.
17. Doom (1993)
Doom, released all the way back in 1993, is a (or THE) seminal title in the world of gaming, regarded by most as the archetype of the retro shooter genre. This pioneer of first-person shooter (FPS) games thrust you into a visceral and relentless battle against hordes of demonic creatures on Mars. The game’s premise was simple: You’re a space marine stationed on a Martian moon base. Experience goes wrong. The portal to Hell is now open. Time to rip and tear across the labyrinthine levels, armed with an arsenal of now iconic weapons, in an attempt to thwart the invasion of the hellish hordes.
At its core, Doom is an adrenaline-fueled experience characterized by fast-paced action and immersive gameplay that holds up very well, 31 years after its original debut. The game’s non-linear level design encouraged exploration, rewarding players with hidden weapons, power-ups, and pathways to uncover.
Doom captivated players with its revolutionary graphics and weapon design, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in gaming at the time. With its iconic pixelated visuals and pulse-pounding soundtrack, the game created an atmosphere of tension and excitement that kept players on the edge of their seats, banging their heads as they destroyed demons by the dozen. Its impact reverberated throughout the gaming industry, influencing countless titles and establishing the FPS genre as the dominant force in gaming culture for years to come, with some of its design decisions being resuscitated later for what would be known as the “Boomer Shooter”.
16. Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, released in 2002 by Electronic Arts, is an underrated FPS game set during World War II. It places the players in the boots of Lieutenant Mike Powell, an OSS operative tasked with carrying out a series of daring missions behind enemy lines. As a first-person shooter, the game does its best to immerse players in the harrowing and heroic experiences of Allied soldiers as they battle against the Axis forces across various theatres of war.
To me, personally, the most memorable mission in the game is the Omaha Beach landing, which recreates the infamous D-Day assault with stunning realism and intensity, unseen at the time. 11-year-old me was storming the heavily fortified shores of Normandy alongside fellow soldiers, facing a relentless barrage of enemy fire as they struggled to secure a foothold on the beach. The game had such an impression on me that I dedicated my following years to the study of History and World War 2.
15. Bioshock Remastered
The Bioshock franchise is a modern classic, and Bioshock Remastered is a visually enhanced version of the critically acclaimed FPS game that transports players to the atmospheric and inhospitable underwater city of Rapture. This once-thriving underwater utopia (for a time, but no spoilers here), is now plagued by chaos and decay. As a first-person shooter, Bioshock isn’t anything to write home about. It’s all about soaking in the atmosphere and enjoying the story and the multiple layers of symbolism behind every little detail. Enemies are twisted husks of the humans they once were, corrupted by the dark secrets of the city’s enigmatic founder, Andrew Ryan.
In Bioshock Remastered the shooting is as important as the tactics employed to beat every foe they encounter. From gunning them down with a Thompson machinegun to shocking and burning them with genetic enhancements, known as plasmids. This is also a game that usually goes for pennies on the dollar at Steam sales, so make sure to get this classic and enjoy this richly detailed world filled with moral ambiguity and philosophical themes.
Oh, and also, Bioshock Infinite isn’t remastered, but it’s great nevertheless.
14. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, released in 2007, marked a significant departure for the franchise, shifting away from its traditional World War II setting to a contemporary backdrop of modern warfare. This move would change the gaming landscape and first-person shooter trends forever. As an FPS game, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare redefined the genre by introducing players to a gripping (if rather on-rails) narrative that unfolded across intense, cinematic missions set in various global hotspots, during the intense years of America’s war on terror. Players assumed the roles of multiple characters, from elite soldiers to undercover operatives, as they navigated through the web of international terrorism, confronting threats ranging from rogue states to extremist factions.
At its core, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare epitomized the modern shooter experience, blending fast-paced action with a gritty, realistic portrayal of combat. Maybe even more recognizable than its All Ghillied Up mission is the game’s multiplayer component that set new standards for competitive online gaming. With customizable load-outs, killstreak rewards, and a progression system that kept players coming back for more, “Modern Warfare” fostered a vibrant community of players that lives to this very day. Nowadays you might find better online experiences, but its impressive campaign still remains unmatched in spectacle in 2024.
13. DUSK
DUSK is the first game I remember being a real attempt at recreating the essence of classic FPS games (retro shooter) while infusing it with modern controls and some quality-of-life improvements, paired up with a distinctively dark, and cult-like atmosphere. As a first-person shooter, it immediately throws players into a surreal world of occult horror and relentless fast-paced action. Right from the first moment, you’re in a room with two cultists. In DUSK, the levels are labyrinthine filled with grotesque enemies, sinister traps and a bucketload of secrets to discover (probably too many). It’s a game that doesn’t hide where it’s drawing its inspiration from: it’s Quake and Doom mixed together, with massive maps to strife around. DUSK manages to be the perfect balance between delivering a nostalgic experience and refreshing the retro First-Person Shooter mechanics just enough to keep it refreshing and appealing.
12. Counter-Strike 2
Counter-Strike 2 is the most recent iteration of the legendary first-person shooter known for highly competitive gameplay and skill-ceiling. This pioneer in the FPS genre pits teams of terrorists and counter-terrorists against each other in a series of 2-minute rounds. With its emphasis on teamwork, communication, and skilful gunplay, Counter-Strike 2 has become synonymous with competitive gaming and esports.
Counter-Strike evolutions always put players on edge, but the transition from Global Offensive to Counter-Strike 2 went relatively smoothly. The game with a wide array of weapons and equipment mostly remained the same, with its biggest innovation being the implementation of dynamic smokes. It’s impressive how when games have really high-level gameplay, small changes like this can the game in major ways, with players developing new strategies and min-maxing every little detail then can to gain an advantage.
Counter-Strike 2 is just another great entry in a series of timeless classics in the FPS genre and a staple of competitive gaming, and it’s going to keep this way for decades to come.
11. Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition
Remember the memorable Bulletstom “Duty Calls” demo that playfully pokes fun at the gaming industry, specifically targeting Activision, one of the leading publishers at the time? What a genius marketing ploy. One that immediately got Bulletstrom’s DNA across Bulletstorm is a first-person shooter that injects over-the-top action and irreverent humour, always poking fun at the seriousness of Modern-Military Shooters. It’s set in a futuristic world overrun by mutants and mercenaries, and the game follows the story of a group of ragtag mercenaries as they battle their way through chaotic and explosive encounters. Bulletstrom has two defining features that culminate in creative kills: its whip and its enemy-kicking mechanics. Bulletstrom elevates silliness to new levels by rewarding players for dispatching enemies in creative and stylish ways.
The game was remastered in 2017 and titled Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition.
Strategy Games | Strategy and Wargaming 
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