Home > News > The 30 Best Shooters in History

The 30 Best Shooters in History

Mar 03,25(9 months ago)
The 30 Best Shooters in History

Thirty Shooters That Reshaped Gaming History

From pixelated shootouts of the 90s to today's cinematic battles, the shooter genre has consistently captivated players. This article celebrates 30 influential shooters that redefined video games.

Selection Criteria:

Our selection considered several key factors: impact on the industry, gameplay innovation, lasting popularity, and atmospheric immersion.

The Games:

Escape from Tarkov

Escape from Tarkov

  • Metascore: TBD
  • Developer: Battlestate Games
  • Release Date: July 27, 2017
  • Download: Official page

A hardcore survival shooter emphasizing realism, tactics, and high stakes. Permanent gear loss upon death creates intense, strategic gameplay.

Ultrakill

Ultrakill

  • Metascore: TBD
  • Developer: New Blood Interactive
  • Release Date: September 3, 2020
  • Download: Steam

Non-stop, over-the-top action inspired by 90s classics. A fast-paced, stylish experience with unique mechanics like health restoration through melee kills.

Rainbow Six Siege

Rainbow Six Siege

  • Metascore: 73
  • Developer: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: December 1, 2015
  • Download: Steam

A tactical shooter emphasizing strategy, communication, and adaptation. Diverse operators with unique gadgets create dynamic, team-based gameplay.

Fortnite

Fortnite

  • Metascore: 78
  • Developer: Epic Games
  • Release Date: July 21, 2017
  • Download: Fortnite

A cultural phenomenon blending action and building mechanics in its battle royale mode. Constant updates and collaborations maintain its enduring popularity.

Payday 2

Payday 2

  • Metascore: 79
  • Developer: OVERKILL
  • Release Date: August 13, 2013
  • Download: Steam

A heist simulator where players plan and execute daring robberies, offering choices between stealth and all-out chaos.

Prey (2017)

Prey

  • Metascore: 79
  • Developer: Arkane Studios
  • Release Date: May 4, 2017
  • Download: Steam

An immersive sim emphasizing environmental puzzles and player choice in a dark sci-fi setting.

Duke Nukem 3D

Duke Nukem 3D

  • Metascore: 80
  • Developer: 3D Realms
  • Release Date: January 29, 1996
  • Download: Steam

A brash, iconic shooter embodying 90s pop culture, known for its over-the-top action and humor.

Counter-Strike 2

cs2

  • Metascore: 82
  • Developer: Valve
  • Release Date: August 21, 2012
  • Download: Steam

A reimagining of the classic tactical FPS, updated with modern technology while preserving its core tense gameplay.

DOOM (1993)

DOOM

  • Metascore: 82
  • Developer: id Software
  • Release Date: December 10, 1993
  • Download: Steam

A foundational FPS that established the genre's core mechanics and popularized online multiplayer.

Bulletstorm

Bulletstorm

  • Metascore: 84
  • Developer: People Can Fly
  • Release Date: February 22, 2011
  • Download: Steam

A unique shooter rewarding creative enemy takedowns with its "stylish kills" system.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

Wolfenstein 2 The New Colossus

  • Metascore: 87
  • Developer: MachineGames
  • Release Date: October 27, 2017
  • Download: Steam

A visceral and emotional story of resistance set in an alternate Nazi-occupied America.

Max Payne 3

Max Payne 3

  • Metascore: 87
  • Developer: Rockstar Games
  • Release Date: May 15, 2012
  • Download: Steam

A dark, cinematic action thriller with iconic "bullet time" mechanics.

Far Cry 3

Far Cry 3

  • Metascore: 88
  • Developer: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: December 4, 2012
  • Download: Steam

An open-world shooter setting a new standard for the genre with its vast environment and diverse gameplay options.

F.E.A.R.

FEAR

  • Metascore: 88
  • Developer: Monolith Productions
  • Release Date: October 18, 2005
  • Download: Steam

A blend of intense action and terrifying paranormal horror.

DOOM Eternal

DOOM Eternal

  • Metascore: 88
  • Developer: id Software
  • Release Date: March 20, 2020
  • Download: Steam

A fast-paced, aggressive shooter demanding constant movement and strategic combat.

Borderlands 2

Borderlands 2

  • Metascore: 89
  • Developer: Gearbox Software
  • Release Date: September 18, 2012
  • Download: Steam

A blend of shooter and RPG with a vast arsenal of weapons, memorable characters, and a huge open world.

Titanfall 2

Titanfall 2

  • Metascore: 89
  • Developer: Respawn Entertainment
  • Release Date: October 28, 2016
  • Download: Steam

A fast-paced shooter featuring parkour, giant mechs, and a surprisingly compelling single-player campaign.

Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2

  • Metascore: 89
  • Developer: Valve
  • Release Date: November 17, 2009
  • Download: Steam

A co-op shooter where teamwork and resource management are crucial for survival against hordes of zombies.

Overwatch (2016)

Overwatch

  • Metascore: 91
  • Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
  • Release Date: May 24, 2016
  • Download: Battle.net

A team-based shooter blending FPS and MOBA elements, emphasizing teamwork and diverse hero abilities.

Battlefield 2

Battlefield 2

  • Metascore: 91
  • Developer: DICE
  • Release Date: June 21, 2005
  • Download: (Various platforms, no longer officially available for purchase)

A large-scale military shooter emphasizing team coordination and the use of various vehicles and classes.

Crysis

Crysis

  • Metascore: 91
  • Developer: Crytek
  • Release Date: November 13, 2007
  • Download: Steam

A technically groundbreaking shooter setting a new standard for graphics and visual fidelity.

Team Fortress 2

Team Fortress 2

  • Metascore: 92
  • Developer: Valve
  • Release Date: October 10, 2007
  • Download: Steam

A team-based shooter with a distinctive art style, emphasizing class synergy and character customization.

Unreal Tournament 2004

Unreal Tournament 2004

  • Metascore: 93
  • Developer: Epic Games
  • Release Date: March 16, 2004
  • Download: Steam

A fast-paced arena shooter prioritizing speed, precision, and reflexes.

Quake III Arena

Quake 3 Arena

  • Metascore: 93
  • Developer: id Software
  • Release Date: December 2, 1999
  • Download: Steam

A pure arena shooter focusing on intense, fast-paced combat.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare

  • Metascore: 94
  • Developer: Infinity Ward
  • Release Date: November 5, 2007
  • Download: Steam

A revolutionary military shooter that shifted the setting to modern warfare and redefined online multiplayer.

GoldenEye 007 (1997)

GoldenEye 007

  • Metascore: 96
  • Developer: Rare
  • Release Date: August 25, 1997
  • Download: (Various platforms, no longer officially available for purchase)

A console shooter that set new standards for controls, level design, and multiplayer.

Half-Life

Half Life

  • Metascore: 96
  • Developer: Valve
  • Release Date: November 19, 1998
  • Download: Steam

A groundbreaking FPS that revolutionized storytelling in the genre through seamless narrative integration.

BioShock

BioShock

  • Metascore: 96
  • Developer: 2K Games
  • Release Date: August 21, 2007
  • Download: Steam

A philosophically rich and atmospheric shooter set in the underwater city of Rapture.

Perfect Dark (2000)

Perfect Dark

  • Metascore: 97
  • Developer: Rare
  • Release Date: May 22, 2000
  • Download: (Various platforms, no longer officially available for purchase)

A futuristic espionage shooter expanding upon the success of GoldenEye 007.

Halo: Combat Evolved

Halo Combat Evolved

  • Metascore: 97
  • Developer: Bungie
  • Release Date: November 15, 2001
  • Download: Steam

A landmark console shooter that established a lasting sci-fi universe and innovative gameplay mechanics.

These 30 games, each influential in its own right, have shaped the shooter genre into what it is today. Their legacies continue to inspire developers and captivate players.

Discover
  • What do People Say
    What do People Say
    Step into the world of knowledge and challenge your mind with the What Do People Say game. Choose from a range of unique game modes, including an exciting Word Game perfect for word wizards, ensuring endless fun. Expand your vocabulary, stimulate yo
  • Vegetables Quiz
    Vegetables Quiz
    Vegetables Quiz is an interactive educational app that helps kids discover different vegetables while learning their names and spellings. This fun game develops vocabulary and healthy eating awareness through colorful visuals and exciting challenges.
  • Solanaceae: Another Time
    Solanaceae: Another Time
    Step into the enchanting realm of Solanaceae: Another Time, a heartfelt BL romance that will capture your imagination. Follow Sal, an inquisitive satyr, as he reunites unexpectedly with Battam, a charismatic witch who claims to be his past-life love
  • What would you choose? Dilemma
    What would you choose? Dilemma
    A fun quiz game packed with hundreds of questions and dilemmas across various categories!An entertaining text-based game where you make choices and compare your answers with others–ranging from casual life picks like "Burger or pizza?" to intense mor
  • Ведомственная охрана тесты
    Ведомственная охрана тесты
    Get ready for your departmental security exams effortlessly with the Ведомственная охрана тесты app. Whether you're an armed officer or work with special equipment (unarmed), this tool provides tailored preparation. Choose from study modes like "Tra
  • BeRebel - Assicurazione Auto
    BeRebel - Assicurazione Auto
    Meet BeRebel - Assicurazione Auto, the game-changing car insurance app that introduces a unique pay-per-kilometer pricing model. With BeRebel, you can finally leave fixed monthly premiums behind and welcome personalized rates tailored to your actual