Best Squad-Based Shooters

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Summary

  • Team-based shooters trade lone-hero fantasy for squad tactics, orders, and co-op camaraderie.
  • Squad AI, voice commands, and gadgets deepen tactics—from WW2 to sci-fi and modern military shooters.
  • Classic squad shooters (Gears, Spec Ops, Republic Commando) reward replays—remasters bring them back.

I’ve gotten pretty used to playing shooters where it’s all on me – you know, being like a lone action hero from the 80s and 90s, like Arnold or Stallone. A lot of games like *Battlefield* and *Call of Duty* are like that, where you’re basically a one-man army. But then you get games that really emphasize teamwork and playing *with* others, and that’s a totally different experience.

Squad-based shooters focus on teamwork, where players complete objectives together. Some games let you give commands, switch between characters, and build relationships with your teammates, even when you’re not on a mission. These games offer a more strategic experience than typical first- or third-person shooters, moving away from the idea of a single player doing everything. While they can be difficult to find and play now, these standout squad-based shooters are definitely worth revisiting.

Gears Of War

Getting Past E-Day

The *Gears of War* series is known for its tough, masculine vibe. It’s a good example of this because the updated version, *Gears of War: Reloaded*, recently came out and is now available on PlayStation for the first time.

Players take on the role of Marcus Fenix and battle hordes of alien Locusts through various levels, either alone or with friends in co-op mode. While playing with others is more enjoyable, the game’s AI teammates are helpful, providing cover fire and suggesting tactics like flanking maneuvers.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine

Become As Gods

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine played a lot like Gears of War, even letting you take down enemies with a chainsaw. While the Warhammer universe had been around longer and already had a strong following, this Gears-inspired style of shooting actually fit well within the broader Warhammer storyline as a spin-off title.

In the game, you play as Captain Titus, leading a team of three Ultramarines into combat. You’re seen as a powerful figure by regular soldiers, who are terrified of the Tyranids. While your squadmates act independently, they’re valuable allies in fighting off the invading Ork forces.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2

Gadgets Make An Army Solid

For players seeking realistic military gameplay, Ubisoft offers several options within the *Tom Clancy* franchise. *Tom Clancy’s The Division* and *Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands* are excellent choices for cooperative, team-based action. If you prefer a more focused, individual experience, *Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2* is a solid pick, and it’s still playable on Xbox consoles.

At the beginning of most missions, players get to pick their team and weapons. During gameplay, they directly command their squad and can use helpful tools like drones to scout for enemies, giving them the feeling of leading a high-tech military unit.

Binary Domain

Terminated

I really loved the idea behind Binary Domain – it’s such a cool concept, and it’s a shame it didn’t get the recognition it deserved, because I would have loved to see a sequel! The game was made by the same team behind the Yakuza series, and it’s set in a future where robots have gone rogue. Seriously, these robots are *scary* – they look like the ones from Terminator, and when their fake skin burns off, they’re even more terrifying!

Players select their team for each mission, and how well those team members perform affects their opinion of the player. This system aims to create a closer bond with the squad and motivate players to succeed.

Star Wars: Republic Commando

Begun, The Clone Wars Have

Star Wars: Republic Commando is a standout game in the Star Wars franchise. Set during the Clone Wars, it lets you play as an elite Republic Commando rather than a Jedi or a Wookiee.

Players take control of a skilled squad of Clone Troopers and battle the droid army of the Separatists. Each trooper has special abilities, and you’ll direct them during combat. While the story isn’t the most dramatic *Star Wars* tale, it’s a very enjoyable shooting game set in that galaxy far, far away.

Spec Ops: The Line

The Harsh Realities Of War

Spec Ops: The Line is a particularly realistic and intense shooter set in the Middle East. While many players remember its surprising ending and the voice acting by Nolan North – known for his work in the Uncharted games – the game’s core strength lies in its well-executed squad-based combat, which is consistently solid throughout the experience.

You’ll have two teammates helping you, and you can tell them who to focus on. They’re generally very effective and can even use the surroundings to eliminate threats. Since the game emphasizes story, you’ll likely become invested in all three characters fighting in Dubai, and the narrative will stay with you even after you finish playing.

Brothers In Arms: Hell’s Highway

Back To WW2

Before the popular game *Borderlands*, Gearbox was known for the *Brothers in Arms* series. If you enjoy Troy Baker’s work, you might like these games – he famously voices Sgt. Baker in several of them, including *Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway*.

Taking place during World War II, the game lets you experience classic missions in both peaceful villages and cities destroyed by war. Each mission puts you in charge of a squad, and while they aren’t the most sophisticated AI compared to newer games, they’re reliable and get the job done.

SOCOM 2: U.S. Navy SEALs

Voiced Commandos

The SOCOM games on PlayStation 2 were a huge hit for Sony. A key feature was the ability to give orders to a team of Navy SEALs using a headset and voice commands. While the first game had some success with this, SOCOM 2: U.S. Navy SEALs really perfected the system and took the series to the next level.

The improved voice controls and more diverse levels made commands feel meaningful and gave players more options for how to utilize each team member. It’s unfortunate that these games never received a remake and the series has been absent since *SOCOM 4*.

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2025-09-28 03:39