Some FPS games are remembered for their stories, while others changed how shooting mechanics and multiplayer battles work. Over the years, the genre has produced countless great games, but a few have left a lasting mark.
From fast-paced demon hunting to tactical multiplayer and unforgettable science fiction adventures, these are 10 FPS games everyone should play at least once. Each has something that makes it worth returning to, even years after its original release.
Team Fortress 2
Metacritic: 92/100
Team Fortress 2 has maintained its unique place among team-based FPS games even after all these years. With nine different classes, your objective is to capture control points, steal intelligence, or push a cart carrying explosives to its destination. But winning isn’t just about shooting your opponents. Soldier’s rocket jumps, Spy’s disguises, and Medic’s ÜberCharge ability allow you to use completely different tactics in the same match.
The combination of fast movement, precise aiming, and team coordination makes every encounter feel different. Behind its cartoonish visuals lies a highly competitive game, and Team Fortress 2 remains one of the best starting points for discovering class-based FPS games.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Metacritic: 87/100
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus follows the fight to liberate America from Nazi occupation. Following the events of the previous game, B.J. Blazkowicz attempts to unite different resistance groups and launch a nationwide uprising. As you travel through places like Roswell and New Orleans, you’ll face heavily armored soldiers and advanced war machines.
During combat, you can wield two different weapons at once, charge directly at enemies, or take a stealthier approach through certain sections. Weapon upgrades and special abilities also influence your fighting style. However, what makes The New Colossus memorable is how it balances chaotic firefights with its characters and emotional moments. It’s a strong choice for anyone who enjoys intense action backed by a meaningful story.
DOOM Eternal
Metacritic: 88/100
DOOM Eternal is all about surviving through constant aggression rather than hiding. With Earth overrun by demons, you take control of the Doom Slayer and fight against the armies of Hell. But how you defeat enemies matters just as much as defeating them. Glory Kills restore health, the chainsaw provides ammunition, and setting enemies on fire allows you to collect armor.
Double jumps, dashes, and the Super Shotgun’s Meat Hook keep you moving throughout combat. Different demons also have specific weaknesses, making weapon selection an important part of every encounter. By combining fast reflexes, resource management, and relentless action, DOOM Eternal shows just how demanding and satisfying FPS combat can become.
Half-Life 2
Metacritic: 96/100
Half-Life 2 takes place approximately 20 years after the Black Mesa disaster. When Gordon Freeman is awakened by the mysterious G-Man, Earth is under the control of an alien force known as the Combine. Starting in City 17, you join Alyx Vance and the resistance in their fight against the occupation.
One of the game’s most memorable features is the Gravity Gun, which lets you pick up objects, launch them at enemies, and solve physics-based puzzles. Ravenholm’s zombie-filled streets, airboat chases, and battles against Combine soldiers bring plenty of variety to the campaign. Rather than relying on lengthy cutscenes, Half-Life 2 tells much of its story through gameplay and the world around you.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Metacritic: 94/100
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare marked a turning point for military FPS games. As conflicts in the Middle East and Russia threaten global stability, you take part in dangerous operations through British SAS soldier Soap MacTavish and U.S. Marine Paul Jackson.
Alongside Captain Price’s team, you’ll raid a ship at night, sneak past enemy patrols in Pripyat, and support ground troops from an AC-130 gunship. The multiplayer was just as influential as the cinematic campaign. Customizable weapons, perks, and killstreak rewards helped establish a progression system that shaped countless shooters afterward. The original 2007 Modern Warfare remains worth playing to understand how the modern military FPS genre developed.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Metacritic: 86/100
A mysterious message from his wife, who has been missing for three years, leads Ethan Winters to an isolated property in the Louisiana swamps. In Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, you search for Mia while uncovering the Baker family’s horrifying secrets. Jack Baker’s relentless pursuit through the house turns a simple investigation into a desperate fight for survival.
Played from a first-person perspective, the game gives you limited ammunition and healing supplies. Sometimes hiding or running away is safer than fighting every enemy. Unlocking rooms, solving puzzles, and exploring new areas are also essential to your progress. By combining gunfights with a constant feeling of vulnerability, Resident Evil 7 makes first-person horror especially effective.
Borderlands 2
Metacritic: 89/100
Borderlands 2 follows the Vault Hunters as they fight against the Hyperion corporation and its ruthless leader, Handsome Jack, on the planet Pandora. You choose from four original character classes, complete missions, defeat enemies, and work to stop Jack’s plans.
What makes the game different is how closely combat is connected to collecting loot and developing your character. Weapons come with different attributes, elemental damage types, and unusual effects, meaning a new gun can completely change your approach to combat. Skill trees provide additional abilities, and you can complete missions with up to three friends. With its comic-book visuals, absurd humor, and enormous variety of weapons, Borderlands 2 remains one of the most entertaining combinations of FPS combat and RPG progression.
BioShock
Metacritic: 96/100
BioShock begins with Jack surviving a plane crash and discovering Rapture, a city hidden deep beneath the ocean. Once built around ideals of scientific progress and personal freedom, Rapture has become a dangerous ruin. Guided by a mysterious man named Atlas, you attempt to escape while uncovering the city’s dark history.
One of the game’s most interesting mechanics is combining conventional weapons with special powers called Plasmids. You can stun enemies with electricity, set them on fire, or use telekinesis to throw objects. Encounters with powerful Big Daddies also demand careful preparation and resource management. With its creative combat and environmental storytelling, BioShock remains one of the FPS genre’s most memorable single-player adventures.
Halo: Combat Evolved
Metacritic: 97/100
Halo: Combat Evolved follows Master Chief during humanity’s war against an alien alliance known as the Covenant. After the fall of Reach, the Pillar of Autumn arrives at a massive ring-shaped structure called Halo. Alongside his AI companion Cortana, Master Chief attempts to rescue surviving soldiers while uncovering the installation’s dangerous secrets.
During combat, managing your rechargeable energy shields, choosing weapons based on enemy types, and using the environment are essential. Large battlefields allow you to fight Covenant forces using Warthog vehicles, while later missions introduce a far more terrifying enemy. Its combination of vehicle combat, tactical firefights, and science fiction storytelling helped establish Halo as one of the most influential console FPS series.
Counter-Strike 2
Metacritic: 82/100
Counter-Strike 2 continues one of the most recognizable competitive series in FPS history. Beginning as a Half-Life mod in 1999, Counter-Strike reached millions of players through versions such as 1.6 and Global Offensive. In Counter-Strike 2, every decision matters during five-on-five matches. Planting or defusing the bomb requires coordination, while the money earned between rounds determines which weapons and equipment your team can afford.
Map knowledge, recoil control, positioning, and using smoke grenades at the right moment can completely change a round. There are no powerful character abilities to compensate for poor decisions. Success depends on individual skill, communication, and teamwork, which is exactly why Counter-Strike has remained such an important name in competitive FPS gaming.
Which FPS Game Should You Play First?
If you’re interested in story-driven shooters, Half-Life 2, BioShock, and Halo: Combat Evolved are excellent starting points. Each combines memorable environments with gameplay ideas that influenced the genre.
For intense action, DOOM Eternal and Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus are difficult to overlook. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard takes a different approach, using limited supplies and frightening encounters to keep you on edge.
Multiplayer fans can turn to Team Fortress 2 or Counter-Strike 2, while Borderlands 2 is particularly enjoyable with friends. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is another essential choice for its campaign and influence on military shooters.
These ten games represent different sides of the FPS genre, from competitive teamwork to single-player adventures that are still worth discovering.
Watch Our 10 FPS Games Everyone Should Play Video
We’ve also covered all ten games in our YouTube video, featuring gameplay footage from each title. It’s a useful way to see their combat systems, environments, and different styles of FPS action before deciding what to play.
