The Best FPS Games on Steam

First-person shooters remain one of the most prominent genres on the Steam platform, offering a diverse array of experiences ranging from tactical military simulations to fast-paced arena combat. These titles utilize the first-person perspective to immerse players in various environments, whether through competitive multiplayer matches or narrative-driven single-player campaigns. The platform’s library includes established classics that defined the genre as well as modern entries that push technical boundaries with advanced physics and lighting. This selection highlights twenty of the highest-rated and most influential first-person shooters currently available to Steam users.

‘Counter-Strike 2’ (2023)

Developed and published by Valve, this game serves as the technical successor to the long-running ‘Counter-Strike: Global Offensive’. It utilizes the Source 2 engine to introduce volumetric smoke grenades that interact with lighting and gunfire, fundamentally changing tactical engagements. Players compete in objective-based rounds where one team attempts to plant a bomb while the other defends specific sites. The title maintains the precision-based gunplay and economy management that established the series as a staple in the competitive esports scene.

‘Half-Life 2’ (2004)

This seminal first-person shooter was developed and published by Valve and is widely recognized for its revolutionary use of physics-based gameplay. Players control Gordon Freeman, a scientist fighting against an alien occupation known as the Combine in the dystopian City 17. The game introduced the Gravity Gun, a tool that allows players to manipulate environmental objects to solve puzzles or defeat enemies in combat. It remains one of the highest-rated games on Steam due to its seamless narrative integration and influential level design.

‘Doom Eternal’ (2020)

Published by Bethesda Softworks and developed by id Software, this title serves as a direct sequel to the 2016 franchise reboot. The gameplay emphasizes high-speed movement and resource management, requiring players to perform specific “glory kills” and chainsaw executions to replenish health and ammunition. Players take on the role of the Doom Slayer, utilizing an expanded arsenal of weapons and gadgets to repel a demonic invasion of Earth. The game features a complex “push-forward” combat loop designed to reward aggressive and tactical play styles.

‘Left 4 Dead 2’ (2009)

Developed and published by Valve, this cooperative shooter focuses on four survivors fighting through hordes of infected in various campaigns across the Southern United States. The game utilizes the AI Director 2.0, a system that dynamically adjusts the pacing, enemy spawns, and item placement based on the players’ performance. In addition to the standard infected, players must deal with unique “Special Infected” that require team coordination to overcome. It remains a popular title on Steam for its replayable co-op mechanics and extensive community-created modding support.

‘Titanfall 2’ (2016)

This first-person shooter was developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts, featuring both a single-player campaign and a robust multiplayer component. The game is known for its fluid movement system, which includes wall-running, double-jumping, and sliding to navigate vertical environments. Players alternate between controlling agile Pilots on foot and commanding massive bipedal combat mechs known as Titans. The single-player story focuses on the bond between Pilot Jack Cooper and the Vanguard-class Titan BT-7274 during a war against the Interstellar Manufacturing Corporation.

‘Apex Legends’ (2019)

Developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts, this free-to-play battle royale is set in the same universe as the ‘Titanfall’ series. Players choose from a roster of “Legends,” each possessing unique tactical, passive, and ultimate abilities that encourage squad-based synergy. The game emphasizes high mobility and introduced the influential “Ping System,” allowing teammates to communicate efficiently without voice chat. Teams of three compete on large-scale maps to be the last squad standing as the playable area progressively shrinks over time.

‘Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege’ (2015)

Developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft, this tactical shooter focuses on close-quarters combat and environmental destruction. Players assume the roles of different Operators from international special forces units, each equipped with specialized gadgets for breaching or defending fortified positions. The game features a high degree of destructibility, allowing players to shoot through walls, floors, and ceilings to gain tactical advantages. Success depends heavily on team coordination, map knowledge, and the strategic use of surveillance tools like drones and cameras.

‘Team Fortress 2’ (2007)

This class-based multiplayer shooter was developed and published by Valve and is distinguished by its distinct art style and diverse character roles. Players join either the RED or BLU team and choose from nine unique classes, such as the Medic, Scout, or Engineer, each filling a specific niche on the battlefield. The game features various objective-based modes, including Capture the Flag, King of the Hill, and Payload. Over the years, it has become famous for its extensive cosmetic system and long-term post-launch support through community updates.

‘Deep Rock Galactic’ (2020)

Developed by Ghost Ship Games and published by Coffee Stain Publishing, this cooperative shooter tasks players with mining resources on the hostile planet Hoxxes IV. Players choose from four distinct dwarf classes—Driller, Engineer, Gunner, and Scout—to complete missions in fully destructible, procedurally generated cave systems. The gameplay revolves around fighting off waves of alien arachnids while balancing resource collection and navigation. Teamwork is essential for survival, as each class provides critical tools like ziplines, turrets, and flares to aid the group.

‘Metro Exodus’ (2019)

This narrative-driven shooter was developed by 4A Games and published by Deep Silver, serving as the third installment in the ‘Metro’ series based on Dmitry Glukhovsky’s novels. The game moves away from the claustrophobic tunnels of Moscow to expansive, semi-open levels across the Russian wilderness. Players manage limited resources like ammunition, filters, and gas mask durability while engaging in both stealth and open combat. The story follows Artyom and a group of Spartan Rangers as they travel eastward on a locomotive called the Aurora in search of a new life.

‘Borderlands 2’ (2012)

Developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K, this “looter-shooter” combines first-person combat with role-playing game elements like skill trees and experience levels. Players choose one of several Vault Hunters to explore the planet Pandora and defeat the tyrannical Handsome Jack. The game is notable for its procedurally generated weapon system, which provides millions of potential gun variations with different stats and elemental effects. It supports both solo play and four-player online cooperative modes, featuring a distinct cel-shaded art style.

‘Destiny 2’ (2017)

Bungie developed and published this “shared-world” shooter, which blends traditional FPS mechanics with MMO-style progression and social spaces. Players take on the role of Guardians, protectors of Earth’s last safe city, wielding elemental powers known as “Light” and “Darkness.” The game offers a mix of cooperative activities like Strikes and Raids alongside competitive multiplayer in the Crucible. Regular expansions and seasonal content updates introduce new storylines, locations, and gear to keep the player base engaged.

‘Insurgency: Sandstorm’ (2018)

This tactical shooter was developed by New World Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment, emphasizing realism and lethal close-quarters combat. The game features a minimal heads-up display and realistic ballistics, where teamwork and communication are necessary for mission success. Players can participate in objective-based multiplayer matches or cooperative modes against challenging artificial intelligence. The sound design is a core feature, providing immersive audio cues that reflect the intensity and direction of nearby firefights.

‘Arma 3’ (2013)

Developed and published by Bohemia Interactive, this military sandbox offers a large-scale tactical experience set across massive open-world islands. The game provides a high level of realism regarding vehicle physics, weapon handling, and command structures, catering to a hardcore simulation audience. It features a robust mission editor and extensive modding support, which has birthed numerous popular sub-genres and total conversions. Players can engage in everything from small squad skirmishes to massive combined-arms operations involving land, air, and sea assets.

‘Ultrakill’ (2020)

This retro-inspired “boomer shooter” was developed by Arsi “Hakita” Patala and published by New Blood Interactive. The game features high-speed movement and a unique health system where players must shower in the blood of enemies to heal themselves. It draws inspiration from character action games, rewarding players with “style points” for performing complex weapon combos and parries. The levels are set within various layers of Hell, each featuring distinct themes and increasingly difficult boss encounters.

‘Squad’ (2020)

Developed and published by Offworld Industries, this tactical shooter focuses on 50-versus-50 large-scale combat where communication is the primary mechanic. Players are divided into squads led by a leader who coordinates with other units to build fortifications and secure objectives. The game bridges the gap between arcade shooters and hardcore military simulations by emphasizing realistic logistics and suppression mechanics. Success in a match depends on the collective effort of the entire team rather than the individual performance of a single player.

‘Ready or Not’ (2023)

Developed and published by VOID Interactive, this tactical shooter places players in the role of a SWAT police officer navigating high-stakes hostage and barricaded suspect situations. The game emphasizes rules of engagement and non-lethal options, penalizing players for unnecessary force or civilian casualties. It features a detailed equipment system, allowing squads to utilize mirrorsnaps, ballistic shields, and various breaching tools to clear rooms safely. The focus is on slow, methodical movement and precise team coordination to minimize risks in volatile environments.

‘Battlefield 1’ (2016)

This entry in the long-running series was developed by DICE and published by Electronic Arts, shifting the focus to the global scale of World War I. The game features massive maps with destructible environments and a wide array of period-accurate weaponry and vehicles, including tanks, biplanes, and armored trains. The “Operations” mode allows players to participate in a series of interconnected battles across different maps, simulating the progression of a major military campaign. It is noted for its high-fidelity graphics and immersive sound design that captures the chaotic atmosphere of the Great War.

‘BioShock Infinite’ (2013)

Developed by Irrational Games and published by 2K, this narrative-driven shooter is set in the airborne city of Columbia in the year 1912. Players control Booker DeWitt, a former Pinkerton agent tasked with rescuing a mysterious woman named Elizabeth from the flying metropolis. The gameplay combines traditional firearms with “Vigors,” special abilities that allow players to use environmental elements like electricity and fire against foes. The story explores themes of American exceptionalism and quantum physics, culminating in a complex plot that concluded the original trilogy.

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