There are literally millions of different video games out there for you to try, and even more are being added every single day, so it can be hard to pick out the best from the crowd, let alone from a specific genre. For FPS games in particular, because of all the sequels and live-service nightmares, finding the true "must-plays" is more than a challenge, but that doesn't mean it is impossible.

There are plenty of genuine 10/10 FPS games that will continue to set the bar high for years to come, and these should for sure be on everyone's "to play" list if they haven't already been ticked off. Whether you're interested in PvP or drawn-out stories, by the time you have experienced all these games at least once, you will have a greater appreciation for what a good FPS game should be and will almost certainly come back for seconds.

Test your knowledge.

Team Fortress 2

Leading The Hero-Shooter Charge

  • Established a blueprint for class-based shooters.
  • Classic gameplay that holds up today..

Team Fortress 2 is hardly a modern-day FPS titan, but it represents the peak of a subgenre that has continued to lose its footing time and time again. Outside of a few hits like Overwatch and Marvel Rivals, which have had their fair share of difficulties, there really are no great class/hero shooters around, except for Valve's troubled child that they have basically left to fend for itself.

Despite receiving no major updates in years, the game continues to flourish, drawing in millions of players every month for its fast and fluid gameplay that perfectly combines mobility and precision into one adrenaline-filled ride. The 2007 release date may turn a lot of players off, but I can assure you that you won't find a more satisfying and addictive PvP shooter than TF2.

Counter-Strike 2

Tactics That Continue To Expand

  • The premier tactical shooter.
  • Refined to the point of perfection.

It doesn't matter whether you were around before CS:GO or are now here for the Counter-Strike 2 era; the impact the game has had on the tactical shooter genre can never be understated. The core gameplay of attack and defend has remained identical for the better part of two decades, and aside from an engine change, map additions, and a couple of minor weapon adjustments, the game now stands at a point where balance changes are more of a myth than a regular occurrence.

The reason why I and so many others have continued to come back time and time again is due to the simplicity of the game coupled with the insane skill-ceiling built on top of it. While other games like Valorant may bring something new to the space, you will always find yourself drawn back to CS, no matter how many matches you have in your history.

DOOM Eternal

The King Of Boomer Shooters

  • Set a new high bar for the iconic franchise.
  • Constant sense of momentum throughout.

DOOM Eternal came out just a few years after the franchise was revived back in 2016, and it was clear right from the start that this game was something truly special. Like any great boomer shooter, it's all about guns and mobility, and you have all the freedom you need to glide around stages, annihilating demons at high speed and only stopping when a cutscene forces you to.

The standout for me is the way the weapons interact with one another and with enemies. You can't just run around with the shotgun for 20 hours; you actually have to switch between arms to take out larger foes and rotate your ammo supply, adding even more rhythm to an already electric experience that is still yet to be topped.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Survival Horror At Its Best

  • Revived a franchise with a single game.
  • A horror-first approach.

Resident Evil 7 was a dramatic shift for one of horror's oldest series, moving away from action-heavy sequences to a first-person perspective that brought the scares and monsters closer than ever before. You step into the shoes of a brand-new protagonist, Ethan Winters, so there is no need to worry about going all the way back to the start of the series.

On top of introducing a different playable character, the game also completely reinvented the franchise going forward. The intensity level is so high that you will find yourself struggling for air at times, and even in the quietest moments, the tension never really fades to nothing. Not only is it among the best in the Resident Evil series, but I would go as far as to say that if there is one horror game you should play above the rest, then make it this one.

Half-Life 2

The World Is Your Weapon

  • A masterclass in FPS storytelling.
  • Integrates every cutscene and moment directly into the gameplay.

Half-Life 2 is one of those games that a lot of people know about and appreciate its acclaim, but a much smaller number of the younger generation have actually played it. It's hard to imagine how a game with this much interactivity, ambition, and narrative excellence could have launched all the way back in 2004, yet somehow, it was brought into existence and still holds up today.

You can really feel the effort put into every element, from the Gravity Gun to the characters, and it really does feel as though you are playing through the best the genre has to offer, if purely from a storytelling perspective. Obviously, you don't get any of that crazy movement or mechanical complexity from later titles, but what you do have is a complete package that nails every quality you would want from an FPS and still manages to go further.

Portal

Puzzling Players For Years To Come

  • Top-notch puzzle and environmental design.
  • Referenced and remembered by players of all kinds.

Portal is a remarkable puzzle game that ties an introspective and thought-provoking story into a mechanically engaging gameplay loop that is still impressive by today's standards. The concept of portals and puzzles on a blank canvas of a lab could not be any simpler, yet there is so much complexity possible with just a few components that you will very quickly see there is much more to the game than meets the eye.

It also has one of gaming's most iconic villains, GLaDOS, who has become more relevant than ever thanks to the rampant production of AI in the real world. Whether you come for the universe or the portal mechanics, there is something for everyone and more than enough reasons to give Portal a try.

Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

A Story That Changed A Franchise Forever

  • The standard for cinematic FPS campaigns.
  • Some of the most memorable missions in the genre.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was the moment the series truly became a global FPS phenomenon. Moving away from World War 2 gave Infinity Ward the freedom to create a modern military campaign filled with blockbuster set pieces, but the game was far more than explosions and spectacle, giving you genuinely mind-blowing missions that would be remembered by genre veterans years on.

It also remains essential because so much of the modern military shooter genre followed its lead. The campaign, progression, and multiplayer structure influenced an entire generation of FPS games, and even after countless sequels. Most other players and I would still consider Call of Duty 4 to be the best game the franchise has ever produced.

Halo: Combat Evolved

Kickstarting The Console Shooter Revolution

  • Established a blueprint for console shooters.
  • Iconic elements, from the weapons to the vehicles.

It is safe to say that the Halo franchise has fallen far from its glory days, and that is exactly why playing the original is so important for those who want to experience the birth of an entire genre. This game solved the problem of making first-person shooting feel natural on a controller, creating a control scheme and combat formula that would become foundational within a few years.

When it comes to the actual gameplay, you have regenerating shields, weighty and rewarding weapons, and carefully balanced enemy encounters that make every fight feel immediately satisfying, and that is without even considering the multiplayer mode, which may have single-handedly birthed modern PvP FPS games as we know them. The phrase "adventure of a lifetime" gets thrown around a lot, but this is one of the rare cases where I would say that term is more than justified for the ride Halo takes you on.

Borderlands 2

The Ultimate Looter Shooter

  • Insane variety of weapons and builds.
  • FPS combat and RPG progression.

Borderlands 2 remains the game to play for anyone wanting to understand why the looter shooter became such a major FPS subgenre. Rather than overcomplicating things with excessive mechanics, you are instead presented with countless absurd weapons that all feel amazing to use, and the goal is to simply go out, blast some enemies, and hunt down even more impressive gear.

The game also has far more personality than most shooters, sending you to a universe filled with bizarre characters, memorable locations, and the timeless villain, Handsome Jack, who is still the best antagonist in the series. Its humor will not appeal to everyone, but the sheer amount of content and consistently rewarding combat have kept it the premier looter shooter, even amid a sea of sequels and spin-offs.

BioShock

Among The Greatest Gaming Worlds

  • Incredible atmosphere and worldbuilding.
  • Environmental storytelling unlike anything else.

BioShock is about as close as it gets to a perfectly-made gaming universe, and may very well have one of the most incredible FPS stories ever told. Rapture as a setting is both stunning and haunting, and you'll be immediately captivated and wanting to learn more about the individuals behind it all, even if that means getting your hands a little dirty.

On top of the alluring setting, you are also given access to an intriguing arsenal of guns and abilities, ranging from traps to damaging spells that fundamentally alter how you engage with enemies of all shapes and sizes. Most importantly, it is a prime example that a first-person shooter can achieve exceptional combat while still delivering world-class atmosphere and world-building from start to finish.