The 10 Best Historical First-Person Shooter (FPS) Games You Must Play In 2025

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The Best Historical First-Person Shooters

Among all game genres, first-person shooters (FPS) have undeniably had the most significant impact on my gaming journey, beginning with Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, Rainbow Six, and the original Call of Duty (2003). These games, in a way, served as digital time machines for me. While FPS games typically offer pulse-pounding action, some stand out by transporting players to the heart of history’s most crucial battles. I found this aspect fascinating, and it was achieved through placing you in the same perspective as real individuals, allowing you to see events from their ground-level viewpoint. The best historical shooters transcend being mere games; they create immersive experiences that seamlessly blend captivating gameplay with a strong sense of authenticity, enabling us to step into the shoes of soldiers from past eras. From the grim battlefields of the American Civil War and World War I, the perilous shores of Normandy on D-Day, and many other periods, these titles don’t just narrate history; they immerse you within it. In this compilation, I’ve handpicked the top 10 games that offer an opportunity to live and witness history firsthand.

10 – Medal of Honor: Allied Assault – War Chest

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Before Call of Duty gained its current popularity and ruled over the first-person shooter genre, particularly in World War II games, Medal of Honor: Allied Assault stood as the top choice. Released in 2002, this game offered an unmatched cinematic adventure that was revolutionary for PC gaming at the time. The iconic Warchest edition bundles together the original game, along with its expansions Spearhead and Breakthrough, offering a complete and captivating journey through various European and North African battlefields. Although the game is no longer new, it’s worth noting that at its release, Medal of Honor: Allied Assault was an unprecedented PC gaming experience.

The iconic scene depicting the tumultuous D-Day invasion at Omaha Beach, a remarkable feat of gaming design, raised the bar for the entire genre and left an indelible impact on many subsequent games. This gripping portrayal was modeled after Saving Private Ryan, and, interestingly, Steven Spielberg played a part in the game’s creation as well.

Going beyond its standout campaign, Allied Assault, along with its expansions, offers players a deeply engaging experience with missions grounded in historical events. These span from clandestine sabotage missions to significant battles like the Battle of the Bulge and Monte Cassino. The game was commended for its meticulous attention to detail, showcasing an extensive and authentic collection of World War II weapons, such as the M1 Garand and Thompson submachine gun. Each weapon is designed with realistic sounds that further enhance immersion. If you’ve yet to play this game, it represents a crucial milestone in first-person shooter (FPS) history and offers an exceptional historical gaming experience as well.

9 – ARMA Reforger

As a unique and independent exploration of the franchise’s future, ARMA Reforger is a military simulation game that distinctively centers around the Cold War era of 1989. The game’s backdrop could be the fictional islands of Everon and Arland, echoing the original Operation Flashpoint, but it has minimal fictional elements. ARMA Reforger functions as a military playground where players can design and participate in their own scenarios, ranging from strategic large-scale battles for territory control to intense close-quarter combat, all driven by the series’ emphasis on authentic ballistics, sophisticated vehicle dynamics, and strategic communication.

ARMA Reforger stands out among historical shooters due to its precise portrayal of Cold War-era elements, and it’s no surprise that the creative modding community has further enhanced the game to simulate a wide variety of conflicts.

8 – Battlefield 1

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As a devoted admirer, I’m still blown away by the extraordinary way DICE’s Battlefield 1 manages to portray the raw, chaotic, and technologically advancing essence of World War I. This game stands out as a breathtaking historical shooter even with its arcade-style gameplay. The single-player “War Stories” campaigns offer a heartfelt and diverse perspective of the Great War, putting me in the boots of soldiers hailing from different corners of the world – an ANZAC runner in Gallipoli, a British tank driver on the Western Front, an American fighter pilot, and an Italian soldier from the Royal Italian Army’s Arditi regiment.

While the game takes certain creative liberties with historical timelines and weapon availability for the sake of enjoyable gameplay, it delivers one of the most respectful and emotional narratives I’ve ever experienced in a video game. It sheds light on the triumphs, personal hardships, and sacrifices that characterized the era, making for a truly memorable gaming experience.

The opening scene of this game is now famously recognized within gaming communities as one of the greatest game introductions ever made. In just a few minutes, players are confronted with the harsh reality of World War 1, displaying its cold, brutal, and indifferent nature towards the young soldiers who fought it. Here’s a link to watch the prologue: [Game Prologue Video]

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2025-08-19 18:45