Shooters continue to dominate the gaming landscape, offering adrenaline-pumping action and fast-paced thrills. Whether you’re taking down waves of enemies solo or teaming up with friends, this genre tests your reflexes, accuracy, and tactical decisions in the heat of combat.

They typically come in two perspectives: first-person and third-person. First-person shooters place you directly in the action, offering an immersive, in-your-face experience—like blasting demons in the acclaimed Doom series. Third-person shooters, on the other hand, let you see your entire character in action, adding flair and often more dynamic movement systems. Games like Vanquish showcase just how stylish and cinematic third-person combat can be.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite

If you love cooperative play and eerie sci-fi settings, Aliens: Fireteam Elite is right up your alley. You’ll step into the boots of a battle-hardened Colonial Marine sent to rescue survivors and uncover the source of a deadly xenomorph outbreak.

The missions combine fast-paced action with loot-based progression, giving you plenty of reason to replay and refine your build. Team up with two other players or go it alone with AI companions as you fight through waves of alien threats in a game that captures the essence of classic action-horror cinema.

Battlefield 4

Campaign mode might serve as a warm-up, but the real heart of Battlefield 4 is its explosive multiplayer. It’s a chaotic symphony of destruction where players leap into helicopters, man turrets, and execute daring plays on the fly.

Vehicles, destructible environments, and massive maps offer a variety of ways to approach combat. Whether repairing aircraft mid-flight or navigating collapsing buildings, the game delivers high-octane warfare like few others can.

Battlefield V

While not a massive reinvention, Battlefield V refines the series’ formula with a beautifully rendered World War II backdrop and razor-sharp gameplay.

The game includes a blend of solo and multiplayer content. From narrative-driven War Stories to large-scale Grand Operations, every mode emphasizes the signature spectacle and intensity that define the franchise. Firestorm mode adds a survival element with large player counts and ever-shrinking arenas full of destructive mayhem.

BioShock Infinite

BioShock Infinite spins a tale of ambition, ideology, and the dangers of unchecked power. Its story-driven experience is matched by robust combat that combines traditional firearms with powerful abilities.

Soaring across sky-lines and manipulating the environment with Vigors, you’ll battle through a city in the clouds that’s as haunting as it is beautiful. The game blends philosophical themes with satisfying gameplay, making it a standout narrative shooter.

Borderlands 2

Borderlands 2 injects humor into its explosive gunplay and looting systems. You play as a Vault Hunter on the chaotic planet of Pandora, battling an endless stream of bizarre enemies with an arsenal that constantly evolves.

Every mission is laced with comedy and over-the-top action. With its cartoonish art style, cooperative options, and massive variety in weapon types, Borderlands 2 is as fun to play as it is to laugh at.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

This reboot of a fan-favorite revitalizes the franchise by focusing on grounded, tactical action. The campaign explores modern warfare’s moral complexity, incorporating a system that evaluates player decisions in tense, life-or-death scenarios.

Multiplayer is fast, brutal, and well-balanced. The stripped-down, no-nonsense approach to combat keeps the action tight, while new mechanics and tech add layers of depth.

Doom (2016)

This modern reimagining of the classic shooter redefined the genre with high-speed, aggressive gameplay. You play as the Doom Slayer, tearing through demons with relentless fury and devastating weapons.

Its kinetic combat and heavy metal soundtrack are designed to keep your adrenaline maxed out from start to finish. With no cover mechanics or reloading, it’s a return to pure, frantic action.

Doom Eternal

Building on the 2016 reboot, Doom Eternal turns the chaos up even further. Now set on a demon-infested Earth, the Doom Slayer faces greater challenges and more intricate level design.

Movement is faster, weapons are deadlier, and enemies are more cunning. The game introduces expanded lore and a unique multiplayer mode, but at its core, it’s still about carving a bloody path through Hell’s legions with speed and style.

Doom: The Dark Ages

In this upcoming title, the action shifts to a medieval-inspired setting. Doom: The Dark Ages blends classic demon-slaying intensity with brutal new weapons like maces and shields.

Alongside your arsenal, you’ll mount dragons and pilot massive mechs, adding variety to the carnage. While the narrative might lean into darker storytelling, the gameplay remains gloriously over-the-top and violent.

Far Cry 4

Though it follows a familiar formula, Far Cry 4 offers an engrossing open-world filled with mayhem. Set in the Himalayas, players explore a richly detailed land teeming with wildlife, danger, and an oppressive regime.

Climbing towers, liberating outposts, and engaging in random encounters never gets old when the gameplay is this engaging. It’s a wild ride through a fictional war-torn nation with plenty of opportunities for chaos.

Gears 5

As the latest main entry in the storied franchise, Gears 5 keeps the high-stakes alien warfare going. The game continues the saga with compelling characters and a gripping story that delves deeper into the series’ mythology.

It delivers intense shoot-and-cover gameplay and eye-popping visuals. While multiplayer offerings are competent, it’s the cinematic campaign that truly shines.

Gears of War 4

Gears of War 4 introduces a new generation of heroes in a familiar world. With updated mechanics and a variety of new enemies, it reinvigorates the franchise without straying too far from its roots.

The action remains grounded in its cover-based system, with plenty of new weapons and set pieces to spice things up. The co-op experience is especially fun, offering smooth team-based tactics and brutal executions.

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition

This remaster sets the bar for visual and performance upgrades. Gears of War: Ultimate Edition brings back the gritty intensity of the original with improved resolution, smoother gameplay, and added content.

Although it retains some quirks from the first release, it stands as a great way to experience the origins of the franchise with modern enhancements.

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary

A cornerstone of shooter history, Halo: Combat Evolved redefined its genre and launched a beloved universe. The Anniversary edition upgrades the visuals while staying faithful to the groundbreaking design.

The game allows players to toggle between classic and remastered graphics, delivering both nostalgia and modern flair. As part of the Master Chief Collection, it supports high-resolution displays and other updated features, making it a must-play for fans and newcomers alike.