First-person shooter (FPS) games have consistently been a favorite among players. Popular shooters emerged as early as the 1990s, with titles like Wolfenstein 3D, Goldeneye 007, Quake, and DOOM gaining worldwide recognition. The late 90s continued to deliver hits like Half-Life, Counter-Strike, and Medal of Honor, which significantly shaped the future of the FPS genre.
The first decade of the 2000s was a fantastic time for first-person shooter (FPS) games. Many popular and critically acclaimed titles were released, including both sequels to established franchises and entirely new series that quickly became hits. Each year brought a new standout FPS game.
2000 — The Operative: No One Lives Forever
One Of The Best Spy Games Ever
Despite being a highly-rated first-person shooter when it came out in 2000 – even competing with games like the original Counter-Strike – The Operative: No One Lives Forever doesn’t get much attention these days. Its removal from digital stores is making it even more forgotten.
If you were a fan of the classic GoldenEye 007 or James Bond games, you’ll probably enjoy The Operative: No One Lives Forever. It’s a first-person shooter centered around espionage, where you’ll use stealth and shooting to complete missions. Like most spy games, it features a variety of weapons and gadgets, and it boasts a memorable story with a fantastic lead character, Cate Archer.
Honorable Mentions: Other Great FPS Games Released In 2000
- Counter-Strike
- Deus Ex
- Perfect Dark
- Soldier of Fortune
- Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion
2001 — Halo: Combat Evolved
The Most Important Console FPS Game Of All Time
In the early 2000s, Halo and Call of Duty were the two biggest names in first-person shooter games. While Call of Duty is still incredibly popular, Halo’s popularity has decreased a bit over time. The original Halo: Combat Evolved , released in 2001, was a massive hit – so much so that many people bought an Xbox console just to experience it. This success established Halo as one of the most iconic series in gaming history.
Players take on the role of Master Chief, a powerful soldier, and fight through waves of enemies – primarily the alien Covenant and the parasitic Flood – to achieve their missions. The game offers a wide range of weapons and vehicles, including a particularly iconic starting weapon, creating a dynamic and varied combat experience. It’s especially fun with a friend, thanks to its excellent local split-screen co-op.
Honorable Mentions: Other Great FPS Games Released In 2001
- Aliens Versus Predator 2
- Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis
- Return to Castle Wolfenstein
- Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon
2002 — Medal Of Honor: Allied Assault
The Foundation Of The Modern Multiplayer Shooter
While Call of Duty is now the more popular first-person shooter franchise, particularly for games based on real wars, the Medal of Honor series actually came first and paved the way for Call of Duty’s success.
Released during the height of World War II games, Medal of Honor: Allied Assault is still considered one of the best. The game takes place across multiple missions in Europe and features a wide array of weapons, typical for a first-person shooter. Players can also compete online in four different game modes focused on achieving the highest score. The Omaha Beach mission stands out for its incredible immersion, which was groundbreaking for its time. Many consider Allied Assault to have set the standard for modern military shooter games.
Honorable Mentions: Other Great FPS Games Released In 2002
- 007: Nightfire
- Battlefield 1942
- Metroid Prime
- No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.’s Way
- Red Faction 2
- Serious Sam: The Second Encounter
- Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
- TimeSplitters 2
- Unreal Tournament 2003
2003 — Call Of Duty
The Biggest FPS Franchise Makes Its Debut
For about twenty years, the Call of Duty series has been incredibly popular, though many remember the later Modern Warfare games more vividly than the first. Similar to Medal of Honor, the original game focused on quick action, dramatic scenes, and a smooth flow of gameplay, helping it stand out. Players could choose from a variety of weapons and use sights to aim, a feature that Call of Duty helped make common in shooting games.
The original Call of Duty game feels quite distinct from its sequels. It doesn’t feature health that automatically regenerates, and it strives for a realistic and gritty atmosphere. The single-player campaign tells stories from multiple perspectives of World War II – focusing on the American, Soviet, and British forces. The British campaign, in particular, became a hallmark of the Call of Duty series, especially in later games like Modern Warfare.
Honorable Mentions: Other Great FPS Games Released In 2003
- Day of Defeat
- PlanetSide
- Postal 2
- Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield
- XIII
2004 — Half-Life 2
The Best FPS Game Ever?
First-person shooter (FPS) games have consistently pushed the boundaries of video game innovation. A prime example is the original Half-Life, which gained widespread recognition upon its release in 1998. Its follow-up, Half-Life 2, further cemented the popularity of both the FPS genre, the Half-Life series, and the game developer Valve.
As a huge fan, I remember being completely blown away by Half-Life 2! It picks up right after the first game and throws you into a fight against this terrifying alien empire called the Combine, playing as Gordon Freeman. Like the original, it’s packed with weapons, but the Gravity Gun was seriously game-changing – I spent hours just messing around with it! The story was so well-done and intriguing, it really raised the bar for all other games. It created such high expectations that any sequel would have to be perfect, and honestly, the wait for Half-Life 3 feels endless. Thankfully, Valve has given us some extra content over the years, but it’s just not the same!
Honorable Mentions: Other Great FPS Games Released In 2004
- Counter-Strike: Source
- Doom 3
- Halo 2
- Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
- Painkiller
- Star Wars: Battlefront
- The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
- Unreal Tournament 2004
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2005 — F.E.A.R.
One Of The Greatest Horror-FPS Game Of All Time
Released in 2005, F.E.A.R. was a groundbreaking game and remains impressive today. It featured remarkably intelligent enemy AI – opponents would flank, use cover fire, and react realistically, setting a new standard for the industry. Even now, in 2026, many modern first-person shooters haven’t matched its AI, and F.E.A.R. offers much more than just smart enemies.
F.E.A.R. successfully combines the fast-paced action of first-person shooters with genuine horror, unlike many games that simply add monsters or guns to one genre or the other. It masterfully mixes intense gunfights with psychological scares, a spooky story, and unsettling atmosphere. Though some elements aren’t groundbreaking today, the game’s core gameplay, particularly its bullet-time effect, still holds up well.
Honorable Mentions: Other Great FPS Games Released In 2005
- Battlefield 2
- Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30
- Call of Duty 2
- Darkwatch
- King Kong
- Star Wars: Battlefront II
- SWAT 4
- Quake 4
2006 — Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
A Technical Showcase With A Brilliant New-Future Setting
Unlike many fast-paced, action-packed first-person shooters, the original Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter focuses more on careful planning and strategy. Players will complete typical FPS missions – eliminating enemies, rescuing teammates, and destroying targets – but GRAW distinguishes itself through its emphasis on cautious gameplay. Because characters are vulnerable to just a few shots, players need to think through their actions carefully. The game offers a variety of weapons and vehicles, and you can also give orders to your allied teammates to help you achieve your goals.
With Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter on the Xbox 360, players got one of the first truly high-definition console experiences, showcasing what next-generation gaming could be. Despite being set in a futuristic 2013 and taking place in cities, the game remained a genuine military shooter, emphasizing realistic weapons and strategic gameplay.
Honorable Mentions: Other Great FPS Games Released In 2006
- Battlefield 2142
- Call of Duty 3
- Resistance: Fall of Man
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas
2007 — BioShock
An Undeniable FPS Video Game Masterpiece
2007 was a landmark year for first-person shooter games, with many hugely popular titles being released. Even with so much competition, BioShock stood out as a clear favorite. While there were plenty of good shooters that year, there was only one BioShock.
BioShock lets you play stealthily, or go in guns blazing with all the weapons and special abilities you find. The game world is full of things you can mess with to make it feel more real. You’ll encounter plenty of enemies, including the famous Big Daddies, but BioShock is best known for its amazing story – it’s considered one of the best story-focused first-person shooters ever made.
Honorable Mentions: Other Great FPS Games Released In 2007
- Crysis
- Halo 3
- Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
- Portal
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
- Team Fortress 2
- The Darkness
- Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2
- Unreal Tournament 3
2008 — Left 4 Dead
Overshadowed By Its Sequel, But Still A Massive Co-Op FPS Game
The first Left 4 Dead is a bit of an odd case. It’s definitely one of the most important and highly-regarded first-person shooter games ever made, but Left 4 Dead 2 came out only a year later and quickly overshadowed it. While the original game still has an online community, it’s much smaller than the sequel’s, and some might see it as simply a precursor to the better-known Left 4 Dead 2.
Okay, let’s rewind to 2008, before all the copycats came out. When Left 4 Dead first hit, it was seriously a game-changer. As a co-op shooter, it was just non-stop action, and the AI Director was revolutionary – it really felt like the game was adapting to us. It basically set the standard for a ton of ‘horde’ shooters that followed. And honestly? Even now, in 2026, the shooting still feels fantastic. It’s a blast to pick up and play.
Honorable Mentions: Other Great FPS Games Released In 2008
- Battlefield: Bad Company
- Fallout 3
- Far Cry 2
- Resistance 2
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas 2
2009 — Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
The Peak Of The Blockbuster FPS Movement
Call of Duty was known for its fast-paced, action-packed gameplay, but Modern Warfare took things to a whole new level. Modern Warfare 2, with its over-the-top explosions, weapons, and exciting moments, was the game that really made the Call of Duty series a huge success.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 built on the success of the original Modern Warfare, offering even more weapons, a deeper multiplayer experience, a gripping single-player campaign, and the new Spec Ops mode. Many fans consider it the best game in the entire Call of Duty series, and it’s easy to understand why – it took everything people loved about the first game and made it even better. It’s no wonder that this installment, along with its predecessor and the first two Black Ops titles, are consistently ranked among the very best in the franchise.
Honorable Mentions: Other Great FPS Games Released In 2009
- Arma 2
- Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
- Killzone 2
- Left 4 Dead 2
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2026-02-26 19:10