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 constantly evolved, remaining a gaming mainstay. This article revisits 30 groundbreaking shooters that redefined video games.

Selection Criteria:

Our selection considered several key factors:

• Industry Influence: Games that set lasting standards for developers.
• Gameplay and Mechanics: The player experience and innovative features.
• Popularity and Legacy: Titles that continue to inspire modern games.
• Atmosphere: Visuals, style, and overall gameplay feel.

The Games:

Escape from Tarkov

Image: gamerjournalist.com

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

A hardcore survival shooter emphasizing realism, tactics, and high-stakes combat in a devastated city. Permanent gear loss upon death adds intense tension to every encounter.

Ultrakill

Image: dreadcentral.com

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

Non-stop, frenetic action inspired by 90s classics, featuring modern mechanics and breakneck speed. A combo system and unique health restoration mechanics make each encounter memorable.

Rainbow Six Siege

Image: playstation.com

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

A tactical shooter prioritizing strategy, communication, and adaptability. Diverse operators with unique gadgets create constantly evolving tactical scenarios.

Fortnite

Image: insider.razer.com

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

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

Payday 2

Image: itl.cat

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

A heist simulator offering players freedom of choice in planning and executing daring robberies, from stealth to all-out chaos.

Prey (2017)

Image: reddit.com

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

An immersive sim challenging players with environmental puzzles and offering freedom in how to approach threats within a detailed space station setting.

Duke Nukem 3D

Image: middleofnowheregaming.com

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

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

Counter-Strike 2

Image: ensigame.com

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

A reimagining of the classic tactical FPS, updated with modern technology and the Source 2 engine while retaining its core gameplay.

DOOM (1993)

Image: brainbaking.com

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

A foundational FPS title establishing the "run-and-gun" formula and pioneering network multiplayer.

Bulletstorm

Image: mixed-news.com

• Metascore: 84
• Developer: People Can Fly
• Release Date: April 7, 2017
• Download: Steam

A unique shooter rewarding creative enemy elimination methods, combined with dark humor and memorable characters.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

Image: switchplayer.net

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

A visceral and emotional resistance story set in an alternate Nazi-occupied America, blending classic shooter mechanics with a compelling narrative.

Max Payne 3

Image: shacknews.com

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

A dark and gritty story of redemption, featuring iconic "bullet time" mechanics and cinematic action sequences.

Far Cry 3

Image: gamingbible.com

• Metascore: 88
• Developer: Ubisoft
• Release Date: November 29, 2012
• Download: Steam

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

F.E.A.R.

Image: relyonhorror.com

• Metascore: 88
• Developer: Monolith Productions
• Release Date: October 17, 2005
• Download: Steam

A thrilling blend of tactical action and horror, featuring supernatural elements and a tense atmosphere.

DOOM Eternal

Image: nintendo.com

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

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

Borderlands 2

Image: epicgames.com

• Metascore: 89
• Developer: Gearbox Software
• Release Date: September 21, 2012
• Download: Steam

A blend of shooter and RPG featuring a vast world, diverse characters, and countless weapons.

Titanfall 2

Image: metro.co.uk

• 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

Image: gameplayscassi.com.br

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

A co-op shooter pitting four survivors against hordes of zombies in procedurally generated levels.

Overwatch (2016)

Image: reddit.com

• Metascore: 91
• Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
• Release Date: May 24, 2016

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

Battlefield 2

Image: beztabaka.by

• Metascore: 91
• Developer: DICE
• Release Date: June 21, 2005

A military shooter expanding the scale of battles and emphasizing squad-based tactics.

Crysis

Image: archive.org

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

A technically groundbreaking shooter setting a new standard for visual fidelity in video games.

Team Fortress 2

Image: gamedeveloper.com

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

A team-based shooter with a unique art style, emphasizing class-based teamwork and player customization.

Unreal Tournament 2004

Image: portforward.com

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

A fast-paced arena shooter perfecting the formula with refined mechanics, new maps, and vehicles.

Quake III Arena

Image: reddit.com

• Metascore: 93
• Developer: id Software
• Release Date: December 5, 1999
• Download: Steam

A pure arena shooter prioritizing speed, reflexes, and precise aiming in intense, fast-paced combat.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Image: mehm.net

• Metascore: 94
• Developer: Infinity Ward
• Release Date: November 12, 2007
• Download: Steam

A military shooter shifting the setting to modern warfare, featuring a cinematic campaign and influential multiplayer mechanics.

GoldenEye 007 (1997)

Image: cnet.com

• Metascore: 96
• Developer: Rare
• Release Date: August 23, 1997

A console FPS setting new standards for controls, level design, and multiplayer, based on the James Bond franchise.

Half-Life

Image: youtube.com

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

A revolutionary FPS prioritizing immersive storytelling, seamlessly integrating narrative into gameplay.

BioShock

Image: inverse.com

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

A story-driven FPS set in the atmospheric underwater city of Rapture, exploring themes of philosophy and morality.

Perfect Dark (2000)

Image: altarofgaming.com

• Metascore: 97
• Developer: Rare
• Release Date: May 22, 2000

A futuristic espionage shooter expanding upon the success of GoldenEye 007 with a compelling plot and diverse gameplay.

Halo: Combat Evolved

Image: wallpapercat.com

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

A landmark console shooter establishing a beloved sci-fi universe and introducing iconic gameplay mechanics.

These games, each influential in its own right, collectively shaped the shooter genre into what it is today. Their impact on the industry is undeniable.