EA’s Most Explosive Ranged Combat Games Ranked—#1 Will Blow Your Mind

Summary

EA’s shooter games offer versatile and exhilarating ranged combat experiences with unique weapons and abilities.
Games like Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2, Crysis 2, and Titanfall 2 highlight the depth and excitement of long-range combat.
Ranged combat in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Apex Legends brings innovation, mechanical depth, and a balance of melee and ranged tactics.

Fighting at a distance is one of the oldest sources of excitement in video games, and Electronic Arts (EA) has been responsible for some of the most polished, intense, and imaginative approaches to this concept throughout the years. From perfectly timed headshots delivered using advanced optics to wild bursts of energy generated by plant-based weaponry, EA’s collection of shooter and action games has continually expanded the experience of distant combat.

These games demonstrate the variety and gratification possible in ranged combat, whether you’re battling necromorphs in tight passageways with a self-loading rifle, traversing walls while firing, or using Force-powered lightsaber throws.

8. Plants Vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2

Sunflowers Packing Heat Was Not On The 2020 Bingo Card

Initially, when the first “Garden Warfare” was launched, few anticipated that a lighthearted spin-off based on tower defense games would transform into a highly popular multiplayer shooter beloved by many. However, “Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2” took this unexpected concept, nurtured it, provided it with the right conditions, and witnessed its evolution into one of the most eccentric yet meticulously crafted class-based shooters available today.

Each figure, whether it’s the two-Uzi-carrying Z7-Mech zombie (a nod to Titanfall) or the hyperactive Kernel Corn with his rapid-fire butter blasters, possesses a unique arsenal. In contrast to the original game, this sequel offers an equal amount of campaign content for both plants and zombies, allowing players to switch between them in either single or multiplayer mode. This feature brings necessary equilibrium and variety to the gameplay.

The shooting scenes may appear playful, yet they conceal a remarkable level of complexity beneath their surface. Accurate bullet trajectories, distinctive hit zones, and versatile movement features such as teleportation and jetpacks contribute to an exhilarating, competitive gameplay experience. Plants vs. Zombies 2, contrary to popular belief, isn’t merely for children; it represents a truly innovative third-person shooter with some of the most imaginative ranged weapon designs that Electronic Arts has ever approved.

7. Crysis 2

They Call It The Nanosuit For A Reason

Instead of asking, “Can it run Crysis?”, one could also phrase it as: “Does it have what it takes to handle Crysis 2?” This sequel moved away from being primarily a benchmark test and focused more on its gunplay mechanics. Taking place in a New York City devastated by a nanovirus, this installment abandoned the expansive island setting for vertical battlefields characterized by collapsed structures and alien hunters.

The thrill of ranged combat lies not only in the powerful impact of weapons such as the SCAR rifle or the K-Volt’s explosions, but also in the adaptability offered by the Nanosuit 2.0. Players can swiftly transition between stealth camouflage and armor enhancements, creating a rhythm of ambush, retreat, and dominance in shootouts. This gaming experience combines elements of a tactical shooter with a superhero fantasy, all while maintaining an impressive visual appeal due to CryEngine’s superior lighting effects and destructible surroundings.

Despite not being as expansive as its predecessor, Crysis 2 still managed to provide some of the series’ most thrilling moments and intense urban battles. Engaging in combat against Ceph invaders from a rooftop while operating a mounted cannon, with the nanosuit alerting you that it’s running low on power, is the epitome of sci-fi action drama.

6. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Nothing Like Hurling A Lightsaber And Shooting Blasters In Mid-Air

In the thrilling world of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, they didn’t merely let Cal Kestis grow a beard; they allowed him to tap into a powerful action-hero spirit with an incredibly stylish lightsaber-blaster fusion that leaves trails of awe across the galaxy, second only to the grandeur of Coruscant itself. Unlike its forerunner, this sequel brings fresh, exhilarating changes to Cal’s arsenal, offering ranged combat options beyond the familiar Force pulls and droid hacking.

In the game “Jedi: Survivor“, players can acquire a unique stance for Cal’s blaster that syncs well with his lightsaber, enhancing precision with pistol shots. This feature isn’t merely a tribute to fans; it offers genuine tactical complexity in ranged combat. The interplay between blaster charges triggered by saber strikes generates a dynamic combat system where both melee and ranged attacks are essential, not just for style but for survival strategy.

Additionally, the boss battles have been significantly enhanced, making Cal face off against both human and alien adversaries who challenge him to employ his full range of weapons. Towards the end, encounters with bounty hunters can escalate into intense firefights, as players weave in and out of cover, deflect rockets, and aim blaster shots while airborne. This game offers a thrilling power fantasy experience that somehow manages to maintain its emotional depth.

5. Apex Legends

The Slide Might As Well Be Its Own Weapon

In an unusual turn for free-to-play shooters, Apex Legends imbues each bullet with significance, making every shot a conscious decision. The game emphasizes movement, and its ranged combat is meticulously crafted to complement this focus. Each weapon, whether it’s the precise Wingman revolver or the destructive Kraber sniper, has unique characteristics such as recoil, reload feel, and situational advantages.

The standout feature of Apex is its unique attachment system. Modifications such as scopes, stocks, and barrels significantly impact a weapon’s performance, leading players to frequently adapt their equipment according to the game’s evolving circumstances. This balance—between gathering resources and staying alive—makes even initial encounters gripping.

In terms of mobility, nothing beats the thrill of gliding downhill into combat while firing off rounds with a Peacekeeper shotgun – pure Apex action! Add characters like Vantage with her long-range recon sniper or Fuse with his explosive grenade skills, and Apex Legends transforms into a battle royale game that consistently rewards strategic, flexible ranged combat in every single match.

4. Mass Effect 2

Shotguns In Space And Fireballs On Mars

In Shepard’s second adventure, there was a shift from dice rolls and cool-down periods to something more instantaneous: gunfire. Compared to the original Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2 showcased cover-based shooting prominently, and with it, a heightened sense of intensity in every battle scene, as each shot felt significantly impactful.

In a more conversational style, The M-96 Mattock and Revenant light machine gun pack a punch and have a solid feel to them. Each class is designed differently for long-range combat situations. Sniper roles such as the Widow are methodical and precise, whereas Vanguards employ shotguns and biotic charges for close-quarter mayhem.

These loyalty missions demonstrate the diversity in combat encounters. For instance, Garrus’ rooftop defense mission and Thane’s stealth assassination sequence demand players to adjust their weaponry and strategies. Moreover, the thermal clip system has eliminated the bothersome overheating issue from the previous game, which was effectively sent into oblivion.

3. Battlefield 1

Sniping From Horseback Has No Business Feeling This Good

Shooting a bolt-action rifle amidst a war zone shrouded in fog is strikingly beautiful in its raw simplicity. Battlefield 1 dared to revisit World War I, and it was worth it as it delivered some of the most authentic and gratifying shooting experiences in the series.

In the game “Battlefield 1”, each shot from weapons such as Gewehr 98 to M1907 SL is more calculated, not rapid and haphazard like a spray-and-pray. Instead, it encourages players to learn the recoil patterns and bullet drop, and those who do will be rewarded. When everything comes together, particularly in Operations mode, it creates an experience that feels like controlled chaos on a grand cinematic scale.

Incorporating gadgets such as flare guns or rifle grenades brought additional complexity to long-distance gameplay, while elite characters like Tank Hunters made every life a potential extended killing spree. When combined with DICE’s Frostbite engine and the series’ signature destructible settings, there are few experiences as raw and intense as shooting someone through a crumbling church wall.

2. Dead Space (2023)

Limbs Are Ammo

Dead Space didn’t follow the typical pattern of a shooter game, but this unique aspect made its ranged combat particularly memorable. Rather than focusing on headshots, players were taught to amputate limbs with remarkable accuracy instead. The 2023 remake doesn’t alter this formula; instead, it refines and enhances it.

Each weapon, ranging from the Line Gun to the Force Gun, performs a precise role. The Plasma Cutter stands out as the star player, not due to its flashiness, but because it allows for swift and gruesome dismemberment with precision. The alternate firing modes aren’t just extra features—they frequently are the only thing that keeps Isaac from an unfortunate demise.

The updated version incorporates a contemporary feel: enhanced weapon systems that offer multiple advancement options, improved response to hits, and dynamic difficulty adjustments through the Intensity Director. And when Isaac acquires the Contact Beam and reduces Necromorphs into smoky debris? It’s horror, but with a stylish flair.

1. Titanfall 2

If They Start Wallrunning, You’ve Already Lost

In a more casual and engaging manner, we could say: “The second Titanfall didn’t merely polish Electronic Arts’ top shooter; it crafted one of the most outstanding first-person shooter (FPS) campaigns of the past decade. Discussing ranged combat without mentioning movement is like talking about music without drums – Titanfall 2 seamlessly combined the two, resulting in a rhythm of speed and accuracy that’s hard to forget.

Players aren’t just sprinting and shooting—they’re linking wall-runs, slides, grappling hooks, and double jumps as they take down enemies from mid-air. The Alternator and R-201 Carbine are designed for quick hip-fires while moving, and the smart pistols lock onto targets in a way that feels advanced yet balanced.

Beyond the Titans lie the Ronin, Northstar, and Legion classes, each offering distinct long-range tactics, from accurate railgun fire to shotgun blasts from afar. It isn’t about who wields the larger mech; it’s about who is quicker, more cunning, and more lethal at a distance. Even after years have passed, Titanfall 2‘s multiplayer mode remains popular, demonstrating that exceptional long-range combat can be both elegant and intense.

2025-05-11 06:07