Best FPS Games With Great Progression Systems

Halo: Combat Evolved is remembered as one of the best first-person shooter games ever made, largely because it improved the quality of shooters on consoles. Despite its greatness, the game lacks a system for players to improve or upgrade their character or weapons—a feature that became common in later FPS games. Most modern shooters now include some form of progression, letting players customize skills or gear, but Halo didn’t have that.

Generally, role-playing games played from a first-person perspective, such as The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, offer the most detailed character development. However, some first-person shooters also include RPG features. This ranking won’t consider online multiplayer games like Call of Duty, which also have leveling systems. Instead, we’ll focus on the best first-person shooters and rate them based on how much players can customize their experience.

Although how good a game is is important, we’re primarily focusing on how well its progression system works and how smoothly it’s integrated into the gameplay.

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10. Far Cry 6

Getting Stronger In The Revolution

Unlike past Far Cry games, Far Cry 6 doesn’t use a skill tree. Instead, you improve by ranking up and getting better gear – things like weapons, armor, and backpacks. This gear makes liberating the island easier, as you naturally become more powerful. Backpacks offer unique abilities, such as launching rockets. You can also team up with animal companions like panthers, and heavily customize a wide range of weapons to help overthrow the oppressive government.

9. Dishonored 2

Two Characters, Many Builds

In Dishonored 2, you can play as either Corvo, the protagonist from the first game, or Emily, the former Empress’s daughter. Each character has unique supernatural powers that can be improved as you play. For instance, Corvo’s Blink lets him teleport short distances, and this range can be increased. Emily’s Dark Vision helps her see in the dark. The game’s missions are designed to be completed in many different ways, and your powers give you options for a stealthy or aggressive approach.

8. Immortals Of Aveum

Magic: The Gunning

In Immortals of Aveum, players can customize their abilities using a skill tree called Talents, which is broken down into three main areas: Blue, Red, and Green. The game’s magic system revolves around Sigils – essentially magical weapons that function like guns, ranging from rapid-fire machine guns to powerful rocket launchers, each with a unique element and color. Investing in a specific Talent core, like the Red core which focuses on short-range, powerful weapons, will boost the effectiveness of all Sigils of that color. Players can also modify these Sigils to create a truly powerful and personalized magical weapon collection.

7. Destiny 2

The Guardian’s Journey

In Destiny 2, you begin by designing your character and selecting one of three races. While race only changes how your character looks, your choice of class – Titan, Hunter, or Warlock – impacts how you explore the game world, the skills you can learn, and the unique abilities you’ll have.

The Hunter class starts with a strong revolver that fires powerful, charged shots. Early versions of the game didn’t have much variety after you finished upgrading your skills, but that’s been improved. Focusing on getting better gear – like armor and weapons – is more impactful than simply leveling up your character.

6. Fallout 4

Waste Not, Want Not

At the start of Fallout 4, players customize their character by assigning points to the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stats, which can be improved throughout the game, though it’s more challenging than other ways to progress. Stats like Strength impact things like melee damage and carrying capacity. As players level up, they unlock Perks that give them advantages – for example, Pickpocket makes stealing easier, and Bloody Mess adds explosive effects to combat. Players can also build and customize weapons. Overall, Fallout 4 offers a deeper, more rewarding experience for fans of both RPGs and first-person shooters.

5. Starfield

A More Thriving Bethesda RPG

Starfield, the latest game from the creators of Fallout, offers players a bit more freedom when creating their character. As you progress, you can improve skills in categories like Physical, Social, Combat, Science, and Tech – for example, boosting your health. The game features a wide variety of weapons that can be customized, but what really sets Starfield apart is the deep level of spaceship customization, surpassing even popular space RPGs like Mass Effect.

4. Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Open-Ended Stealth

In Deus Ex: Human Revolution, players have a lot of freedom in how they complete missions, even more so than in Dishonored 2. The game is set in a futuristic cyberpunk world where you customize your character, Adam, with cybernetic enhancements. These upgrades let you specialize in skills like hacking – speeding up access to cameras and turrets – or improving stealth, such as moving silently and seeing enemy sightlines. As a role-playing game, you can also talk to characters and influence them, and the chances of success can be adjusted. While Deus Ex: Human Revolution is primarily a first-person stealth game, you can absolutely play it as a fast-paced shooter if that’s your preference.

3. Borderlands 4

Four Classes, Three Branching Trees

Borderlands 4 offers players a lot of customization options, starting with their choice of Vault Hunter class. There are four classes available: Siren, Exo-Soldier, Forgeknight, and Gravitar. Each class then branches into three different builds, effectively giving players twelve unique ways to play the game.

Take Vex, the Siren, for example. Depending on how you build her, she can either summon animal companions or create copies of herself that look like ghosts. Plus, there’s a huge variety of guns to find – millions, in fact! Figuring out the best combination of weapons and skills can be tricky, but it’s really rewarding. This game is packed with action, just like the other Borderlands titles.

2. Cyberpunk 2077

Leave Humanity Behind

Cyberpunk 2077 shares similarities with Deus Ex: Human Revolution, particularly its cyberpunk setting and the ability to enhance your character with cybernetic modifications. However, Cyberpunk 2077 allows players to customize their character’s appearance, choosing a male or female V. These cybernetics aren’t just cosmetic; they offer practical benefits like increased damage against certain enemies or faster ability recharge rates. While you can tackle missions in various ways, the game emphasizes gunplay, featuring futuristic weapons that can target specific areas on enemies.

1. The Outer Worlds 2

Your Flaws Are Great

Obsidian Entertainment delivers a fantastic blend of classic role-playing and engaging first-person shooting with The Outer Worlds 2. Players have extensive options for customizing their character from the start, and further refine them as they progress. Your character’s background and skills truly matter, impacting both conversations and how you explore the world – ensuring each playthrough feels unique. You can often solve problems in multiple ways, like repairing a broken door with engineering or simply forcing it open. While the gunplay isn’t quite as polished as Destiny 2, it’s still solid and enjoyable, and weapons can be customized to fit your playstyle.

2026-02-12 11:35