The Best Shooter Games on Steam

Steam provides a massive library of titles that define the first-person and third-person shooter genres. From tactical simulations to fast-paced arena combat, the platform hosts some of the most influential games in the industry. This list highlights the top-rated and most enduring shooter experiences available for PC players today.

‘Battlefield 1’ (2016)

Developed by DICE and published by Electronic Arts, this entry in the long-running franchise takes players back to the era of World War I. ‘Battlefield 1’ features massive 64-player battles across various European and Middle Eastern locations. Players can utilize authentic period weaponry and vehicles, including tanks and biplanes, to impact the tide of war. The game is praised for its atmospheric sound design and its focus on historical immersion within a competitive multiplayer framework.

‘Ready or Not’ (2023)

‘Ready or Not’ is a tactical first-person shooter developed and published by VOID Interactive. The game places players in the role of a SWAT police officer navigating high-stakes situations such as hostage rescues and bomb threats. It emphasizes realism, requiring careful planning and the use of non-lethal or lethal force within strict rules of engagement. The title features a sophisticated ballistics system and tactical equipment designed to simulate actual law enforcement operations.

‘Warframe’ (2013)

‘Warframe’ is a free-to-play cooperative third-person shooter developed and published by Digital Extremes. Players control members of the Tenno, an ancient race of warriors who utilize advanced exo-armor suits called Warframes. The game features a deep progression system involving hundreds of weapons and customizable abilities across various planets. Its fast-paced movement system allows for acrobatic combat and fluid transitions between melee and ranged attacks.

‘The Finals’ (2023)

Developed and published by Embark Studios, a subsidiary of Nexon, ‘The Finals’ is a team-based shooter set within a virtual combat game show. The title is noted for its highly destructible environments, allowing players to destroy buildings and structures to gain tactical advantages. Participants compete in teams of three to collect and deposit cash while fending off opponents with a variety of gadgets and weapons. The game’s dynamic physics and fast movement create a chaotic and unpredictable competitive environment.

‘Destiny 2’ (2017)

‘Destiny 2’ is an action-oriented looter shooter developed by Bungie and currently published by the same studio following its separation from Activision. Players take on the role of Guardians who protect Earth’s last safe city from various alien threats. The game features a mix of cinematic story campaigns, cooperative strikes, and competitive multiplayer modes. Constant updates and expansions have significantly evolved the game’s mechanics and lore over several years of live-service operation.

‘Metro Exodus’ (2019)

Developed by 4A Games and published by Deep Silver, ‘Metro Exodus’ is the third installment in the series based on the novels by Dmitry Glukhovsky. The game follows Artyom as he leads a group of survivors across the post-apocalyptic Russian wilderness on a modified steam locomotive. It shifts the series’ focus from underground tunnels to large, open-ended sandbox levels with dynamic weather and day-night cycles. Players must scavenge for resources to craft ammunition and maintain their equipment in a hostile environment.

‘Apex Legends’ (2019)

‘Apex Legends’ is a free-to-play battle royale shooter developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts. The game features a roster of diverse characters called Legends, each possessing unique tactical, passive, and ultimate abilities. Set in the same universe as the ‘Titanfall’ series, it emphasizes squad-based play and high-mobility movement. The title is frequently updated with new seasons, characters, and maps to maintain a competitive balance for its massive player base.

‘Borderlands 2’ (2012)

Developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K Games, ‘Borderlands 2’ is a seminal title in the looter-shooter genre. Players choose one of several Vault Hunters to fight against the tyrannical Handsome Jack on the planet of Pandora. The game is famous for its “procedurally generated” loot system, which provides millions of potential weapon combinations for players to discover. It features a distinct cel-shaded art style and a cooperative campaign designed for up to four players to enjoy together.

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

Developed and published by Ubisoft, ‘Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege’ is a tactical shooter focused on close-quarters combat and environmental destruction. Matches involve attackers attempting to secure objectives while defenders reinforce positions with traps and barricades. The game relies heavily on teamwork and the strategic use of diverse Operators, each with specialized gadgets and roles. Since its release, it has become a staple of the professional esports scene due to its high skill ceiling and strategic depth.

‘Left 4 Dead 2’ (2009)

‘Left 4 Dead 2’ is a cooperative horror shooter developed and published by Valve. The game tasks four survivors with fighting through hordes of infected across various campaigns set in the Southern United States. It utilizes the “AI Director 2.0,” which dynamically adjusts the pacing, item spawns, and enemy density based on the current player performance. The inclusion of special infected and various melee weapons adds variety to the frantic cooperative gameplay experience.

‘Deep Rock Galactic’ (2020)

Developed by Ghost Ship Games and published by Coffee Stain Publishing, ‘Deep Rock Galactic’ is a cooperative shooter involving space dwarves. Players work together to mine resources in procedurally generated, fully destructible cave systems on a hostile planet. The game features four distinct classes, each with specialized tools and weapons to handle waves of alien insects. Teamwork is essential for survival and completing mission objectives before extracting to safety in this highly-rated indie title.

‘Titanfall 2’ (2016)

Developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts, ‘Titanfall 2’ is renowned for its fluid movement mechanics and pilot-to-Titan gameplay. The single-player campaign follows the bond between Rifleman Jack Cooper and his Vanguard-class Titan, BT-7274. In multiplayer, players engage in fast-paced combat involving wall-running, double-jumping, and summoning massive mechs to the battlefield. The game’s polished mechanics and creative level design have earned it a loyal following and critical acclaim.

‘Team Fortress 2’ (2007)

‘Team Fortress 2’ is a class-based multiplayer shooter developed and published by Valve. It features nine distinct classes, such as the Scout, Medic, and Spy, each offering unique gameplay styles and tactical roles. The game’s cartoonish art style and humorous personality have made it a long-standing favorite on the Steam platform for over a decade. It introduced a robust economy and customization system centered around cosmetic items and varied weapon loadouts for every character.

‘BioShock Infinite’ (2013)

Developed by Irrational Games and published by 2K Games, ‘BioShock Infinite’ is a narrative-driven shooter set in the airborne city of Columbia. Players control Booker DeWitt, who is sent to rescue a young woman named Elizabeth while caught in a brewing civil war. The gameplay combines traditional firearms with supernatural abilities called Vigors, which are fueled by a substance known as Salts. The game is highly regarded for its complex themes, world-building, and the dynamic partnership between its two lead characters.

‘DOOM Eternal’ (2020)

‘DOOM Eternal’ is a fast-paced first-person shooter developed by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks. The game serves as a direct sequel to the 2016 reboot, featuring the Doom Slayer as he fights to save Earth from a demonic invasion. It emphasizes “push-forward combat,” requiring players to aggressively engage enemies to replenish health, armor, and ammunition. The title introduced new movement options like the dash and the Meat Hook to increase the speed and verticality of battles.

‘Counter-Strike 2’ (2023)

Developed and published by Valve, ‘Counter-Strike 2’ is the successor to the long-running ‘Counter-Strike: Global Offensive’. The game updated the classic tactical shooter with the Source 2 engine, introducing improved graphics and responsive smoke grenades. It maintains the core objective-based gameplay of Terrorists versus Counter-Terrorists across iconic maps like Dust II. As a major esports title, it features a highly competitive ranking system and a vast community-driven marketplace for weapon skins.

‘Ultrakill’ (2020)

‘Ultrakill’ is a retro-inspired “boomer shooter” developed by Arsi “Hakita” Patala and published by New Blood Interactive. The game features fast-paced movement and a scoring system inspired by character action games like ‘Devil May Cry’. Players control a machine that travels through the layers of Hell, using the blood of enemies to heal while performing complex weapon combos. Its high-octane gameplay and stylized low-poly graphics have made it one of the highest-rated shooters on the Steam store.

‘Half-Life: Alyx’ (2020)

Developed and published by Valve, ‘Half-Life: Alyx’ is a flagship virtual reality shooter set between the events of ‘Half-Life’ and ‘Half-Life 2’. Players take the role of Alyx Vance as she fights the Combine occupation of Earth using gravity gloves and various scavenged weapons. The game is designed specifically for VR, featuring intricate physics interactions and environmental puzzles. It is widely considered the most immersive and technologically advanced virtual reality experience available to date.

‘Half-Life 2’ (2004)

‘Half-Life 2’ is a landmark first-person shooter developed and published by Valve. The game follows Gordon Freeman as he joins a resistance movement against the multidimensional empire known as the Combine. It was pioneering for its use of the Source engine, which introduced advanced physics and realistic character animations at the time of its release. The “Gravity Gun” became an iconic tool in gaming, allowing players to manipulate objects in the environment to solve puzzles and defeat enemies.

Share your favorite shooter experiences and which games you think belong on this list in the comments.