Summary
First-person shooters come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from tight and satisfying single-player experiences to over-the-top multiplayer action that can take hundreds of hours to master. Both areas have their fans, andthe best first-person shootersknow how to integrate both sides of the coin to make for a deep and rewarding title that is jam-packed with content.
It’s no secret why the most popular games in this genre retain their relevance for years, rewarding long-time players with additional content that’s a joy to experience. Players who want to check out a long-term FPS that can keep them busy for months will be spoiled for choice in this department.
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siegeis one of the most popular multiplayer games players can get their hands on.Every Operator is unique to controland squads must maintain a balance to attain victory across the many maps that players can participate in.
Most beginners will have a hard time getting into this game, especially since most long-time players are up-to-date with the most optimal way to approach each level. Learning the basics and reaching a high level of skill inSiegecan take months, but it’s well worth the effort for the satisfaction players experience after racking up several wins in a row.
A looter shooter that set the bar for what players can expect from this genre, it’s a shame that Bungie is facing problems despite the immense success ofDestiny 2. The first game disappointed many fans, but the sequel is a massive improvement in every department and is loaded with a ton of content.
Players will love teaming up with their buddies and slowly building up their character, starting from nothing before eventually acquiring high-level gear that can help them tackle some of the game’s toughest raids. It’s a tantalizing gameplay loop held up with several DLCs that add even more stuff for players to enjoy for months on end.
Counter-Strike 2was shadow-dropped and surprised everyone, with fans relishing a new entry in the series after a long time. While the game may have had a rough launch period, fans agree that updates and patches have helped this title live up to the legacy of this series that boasts some of the greatest tactical-shooter gameplay of all time.
Playing as a Terrorist or Counter-Terrorist is a riveting gameplay loop that hasn’t aged ever since the first game won over the hearts of most fans. Teaming up with friends and figuring out the optimal approach for each level never gets old and is a huge reason why players can enjoy this game’s content for months without a single complaint.
Hero shooters can be some of the most rewarding experiences players can expose themselves to if these games nail the landing, andApex Legends' successful launch played a huge role in ensuring that fans could clock in hundreds of hours in this game, especially with its regular updates and balancing fixes.
In recent times, some fans have turned on this title for the way that EA has handled this lucrative hero shooter, but that should take nothing away from the excellence of this title. Fans ofTitanfall 2who want to enjoy the same movement mechanics in an active multiplayer title will have a great timeplayingApex Legendsfor an inordinately long time.
Combining the core tenets of hero shooters and tactical FPS games was a match made in heaven, and most people agree thatValorantnailed this combination. It’s one of the most popular multiplayer shooters around that will require a lot of hours before players understand the best way to handle each hero in the game.
There’s a reason whyValorantmade a huge splash when it launched and continues to wow the masses. The shooting is satisfying, the hero abilities are satisfying to pull off, and the game boasts enough content to keep players busy for months.
Despite a rocky launch,fans have warmed toThe Master Chief Collectionfor serving as the definitive way to check out the history of theHaloseries. Each single-player title in this game is a joy to explore and lets players understand why the Master Chief has such an esteemed legacy as one of the greatest heroes in video game history.
The single-player content is meaty enough as is, and fans who want to enjoy more will be pleased by the multiplayer modes that they can mess around in. The classic gameplay ofHalohas aged like a fine wine and ensures that players will have a great time taking out other players in these competitive modes that can take ages to master.
For a series that has faced several complaints about sticking to tried-and-tested gameplay loops,Black Ops 6surprised everyone withnew movement mechanicsthat made traversal just as action-packed as its shooting. It’s a massive achievement and proves once again whyCall of Dutyis one of the most popular and beloved IPs of all time.
Along with a suite of excellent multiplayer modes, players will also be surprised by the quality of the campaign, serving up a tantalizing story that fans of theBlack Opsseries will lap up in no time. Even if the single-player content may not be all that lengthy, most players will easily play this title for months on end because of the incredible multiplayer game modes that fans can get invested in.
Left 4 Deadis one of the most revolutionary co-op FPS titles of all time, and the sequel serves as the best to enjoy this formula. It’s easy to see why Valve initially didn’t feel the need to release a sequel to this title, given that there wasn’t a lot they could do to improve a formula that was already perfect.
Left 4 Dead 2’s gunplay is crunchy and satisfying, with each level boasting an oppressive atmosphere as players attempt to head from one safe zone to the next while gunning down the undead hostiles standing in their way. If playing as a survivor gets boring after some time, then one can always choose to control the special zombies instead as they try to stop these survivors from living another day.
