Shooter games are incredibly popular worldwide, including both first-person and third-person perspectives, and range from completely new ideas to games built on existing franchises.
First popularized by games like Wolfenstein 3D, shooting games have been incredibly successful in the gaming world. They consistently top sales charts, thanks to engaging single-player stories and competitive multiplayer modes.
Lots of new shooting games come out every year, but most don’t keep players engaged for very long unless they’re focused on competitive gaming or have a really strong story.
Despite the many shooting games released over the years, a lot of them remain highly enjoyable thanks to features like different game modes, alternative ways to complete the story, and extensive options for playing with friends both in person and online.
10. Titanfall 2
Jack and BT’s Incredible Journey
Titanfall 2, created by Respawn Entertainment, is a truly exceptional first-person shooter that often gets overlooked. It stands out not only for its unique blend of giant mech battles and traditional military gameplay, but also for its surprisingly compelling single-player story.
While the first Titanfall didn’t have a story campaign, Titanfall 2 delivers an amazing one. It follows Jack Cooper, a new pilot, and his Titan, BT-7274, as they team up, become a powerful force, and fight to survive on the alien world of Typhon.
I keep coming back to Titanfall 2 because it’s so much fun to play. The story of Jack and BT is still unfinished, which is a shame, but the gameplay is incredible – it’s famous for its fluid movement, like wall-running, and the thrill of jumping into and controlling giant Titans in massive battles.
Even now, Titanfall 2 remains unique, offering incredible replayability thanks to its engaging story, fast-paced gameplay, and the vast options players have to customize their Titans and pilots.
9. Doom
The Doom Slayer’s Epic Return
As a huge fan, I’ll always remember the Doom series as one of the best first-person shooters ever made – it really set the standard for the genre! But honestly, for a while there in the 2000s and 2010s, I thought the series was finished. Then, in 2016, the Doom Slayer came roaring back in Doom, and it was amazing!
The 2016 release of Doom successfully revitalized the series after Doom 3 (2004). It modernized the fast-paced, violent gameplay that Doom is known for, and many consider it the best game in the franchise.
The game’s success comes down to several things: a fantastic metal soundtrack by Mick Gordon, the addition of exciting Glory Kills, truly terrifying demon designs, and fast-paced, fluid gameplay. This allowed players to quickly defeat demons using a wide range of powerful weapons.
Although the 2016 version of Doom isn’t as long or diverse as some other games, it’s incredibly fun to play again and again. Players especially enjoy challenging themselves to complete it as quickly as possible, even on the extremely difficult Ultra Nightmare setting.
8. Borderlands 2
Pandora’s Wacky World
The Borderlands series from Gearbox Software became hugely popular during the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 era, expanding into numerous sequels, prequels, spin-offs, and even a movie – though not all were successful. However, I believe Borderlands 2 remains the most enjoyable game in the series to revisit.
Borderlands 2 is an action RPG shooter that builds on the success of the first game in almost every way. It features six new playable characters, each with special skills, a huge cast of wild enemies, and an enormous number of guns to discover and equip.
Many fans consider Borderlands 2 the best in the series because it strikes a great balance. The gameplay is still exciting, the world is fun to explore, and the humor remains funny without being over the top or awkward.
Beyond its diverse characters and massive weapon selection, Borderlands 2 is highly replayable because it’s so enjoyable to play with friends – either locally with two players on a split screen, or online with up to four people.
7. Far Cry 3
The Definition of Insanity
Ubisoft’s Far Cry 3 is widely considered the best game in the Far Cry series, and for good reason. It boasts a truly captivating story and additional downloadable content.
In Far Cry 3, you play as Jason Brody, a tourist who gets captured by pirates while on vacation in the East Asia Rook Islands. To save his friends, Brody must learn to fight with the same brutality as his captors.
Far Cry 3 is incredibly enjoyable to play, offering fluid first-person shooting and a unique bow-and-arrow system. You can explore and hunt both on land and by sea, and the Blood Dragon DLC adds a vibrant, over-the-top experience inspired by 1980s action movies.
Many fans consider the story of the original Far Cry to be the strongest in the series. Its multiple endings encourage players to replay the game and discover how their choices impact both the character of Jack Carver and the fate of the Rook Islands.
6. Halo 3
Halo At Its Peak
The Halo series, created by Bungie and 343 Industries, is considered one of the greatest first-person shooter franchises of all time and played a huge role in making the Xbox popular. Despite many Halo games being released, Halo 3 remains incredibly fun to play again and again.
While many Halo games are excellent, Halo 3 really stands out. It perfectly combines a captivating story, exciting gameplay, and a fantastic multiplayer experience – all of which remain enjoyable even after 18 years.
I replay the campaign of Halo 3 by myself or with friends at least once a year, and it’s always incredibly fun. Even after many playthroughs as Master Chief, the Arbiter, and the Covenant leaders at the end of the war, it still feels fantastic, particularly when playing with four people in co-op.
Even now, the multiplayer in Halo 3 is fantastic. I still have a lot of fun with classic moments like driving the Elephant vehicle on the Sandtrap map in Capture the Flag, battling with Banshees on Valhalla, and using the gravity hammer on Guardian.
5. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
The Proper Return of Black Ops
Treyarch’s first two Call of Duty: Black Ops games are considered classics in the series. They stand out for their intriguing stories following CIA agents Alex Mason and Frank Woods, fantastic Zombies modes, and a multiplayer experience that was both engaging and balanced.
As a long-time Call of Duty player, I felt like the Black Ops series lost its way for a bit. Black Ops 3 jumped way into the future and didn’t really feel connected to the earlier games I loved, and then Black Ops 4 completely skipped having a campaign mode altogether. It was a weird time for the series, honestly.
After a two-year absence, Treyarch revived the original Black Ops experience with Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. The game featured a new campaign with returning characters Mason and Woods, and it also included dialogue choices and branching storylines with multiple endings – a feature last seen in Call of Duty: Black Ops II.
By revisiting its roots while adding new elements, Cold War is the most replayable Call of Duty game in the last ten years. It also features a compelling spy story with memorable characters like Bell and Russell Adler.
4. Left 4 Dead 2
The Greatest Co-Op Zombie Game Ever Made
Valve created some truly groundbreaking video games in the 2000s and 2010s, including classics like Half-Life 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2. However, I think Left 4 Dead 2 is their most consistently fun and replayable first-person shooter.
Both Left 4 Dead 2 and the original Left 4 Dead from 2008 were hugely influential in shaping modern zombie games. They introduced dangerous, unique infected enemies that many other games have since imitated. But it’s how these special infected change each game session that makes L4D2 so enjoyable to play again and again.
During a playthrough of Dark Carnival, you might face a scenario where a Smoker and Hunter quickly separate your team. Alternatively, a Jockey could drag a player into acid, leaving the team to helplessly witness their teammate’s demise. These are just examples of the unpredictable challenges the campaign can throw at you.
Left 4 Dead 2 is a chaotic and fun cooperative zombie shooter where no two games are ever quite the same. Random zombie appearances and the unpredictable nature of playing with others create constantly changing challenges and force you to work together – or make tough decisions about who to save.
3. BioShock
Rapture’s Haunting Beauty
The Xbox 360 had a lot of great first-person shooter games when it first came out, including the popular Halo 3. However, BioShock, released in 2007, stands out as having a better story and more reasons to play it again and again.
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BioShock, inspired by the classic game System Shock 2, takes place in 1960. The story begins with a man named Jack unexpectedly finding himself in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. He soon discovers Rapture, a stunning but decaying city underwater, and encounters its terrifying creatures.
While the first BioShock doesn’t have multiplayer, its single-player experience is incredibly replayable. Players are drawn back by the immersive world of Rapture, a captivating story with memorable twists, and multiple ways the game can end.
Each time someone plays BioShock, they uncover fresh details about the city of Rapture and how it crumbled – it’s widely considered one of the best video game environments ever created.
2. Star Wars: Battlefront II
Prime Star Wars
The original Xbox had a lot of fantastic games, including exclusives like Halo 2 and games based on movies such as Shrek 2. But for me, the game I kept coming back to again and again was Star Wars: Battlefront II by Pandemic Studios.
Released in 2005 alongside Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Pandemic’s Battlefront II was a sequel to the 2004 game Star Wars: Battlefront. It’s important not to confuse it with the Star Wars Battlefront II released by DICE in 2017; Pandemic’s version is considered one of the last truly great Star Wars games.
Star Wars: Battlefront II is a truly exceptional first- and third-person shooter. Players can experience battles from all six original Star Wars films, taking on the roles of both regular soldiers and famous characters. Plus, you can pilot legendary vehicles in exciting land and space combat.
I’ve put in hundreds of hours playing Battlefront II, experiencing its emotional campaign as a Clone Trooper from the start of the Clone Wars, through the tragic events of Order 66, and even fighting in the Battle of Hoth. I also really enjoyed playing against friends in Instant Action and having fun in the crazy Hero Assault mode on Mos Eisley.
1. Fallout: New Vegas
The Courier’s Infinite Impact on the Mojave
Image Via Obsidian
For a truly replayable first- and third-person shooter, you can’t beat Fallout: New Vegas by Obsidian Entertainment.
In the action RPG New Vegas, you play as The Courier, a character left for dead and robbed in the Mojave Wasteland of the late 23rd century. Seeking revenge, you quickly become entangled in a large-scale conflict involving the New California Republic, Caesar’s Legion, and the enigmatic Mr. House.
You can jump right into the main story of New Vegas, but the Mojave Desert is packed with interesting side missions, people, groups, and places. Many players find they can spend days exploring the desert without ever needing to visit New Vegas itself.
Because New Vegas features a wide variety of factions, players can experience the game in many different ways. For example, you can choose to side with the Powder Gangers in one playthrough and then defend Goodsprings in another, significantly altering your impact on the Mojave Wasteland.
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2026-01-01 21:42