Are you ready to go on a mission? Get into it for the final days with the best shooting video games out there right now.
It’s hard for us to watch video games that put violence front and center without being reminded of the tragic events of the past. There has been a discussion about the relationship between violent video games and the real world and it is to our benefit that it continues. The more we understand and the appeal of these types of games, maybe this type of video will not be so difficult. Those of us who enjoy shooting games should not feel guilty about playing such games, as not everyone twists fantasy into a universal paradigm, and a game can provide unity and community, regardless of genre. The best of the brands are not just focused on shooting, there are issues to navigate and decisions to be made along the way. There are consequences to your choices in the game, which of course should be taken into account. With that view in mind, here is a list of the best shooting games available today.
When you think about it, when you play a video game, you are playing a part, like in a movie. As an actor, your work is based on your motivation and your emotions. Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) is a movie style video game game that puts you full-on in your career in a game reminiscent of the old ‘shoot ’em up’ westerns.
RDR2 is played from a first or third-person perspective with you as Arthur Morgan, a member of Van der Linde’s legendary gang. RDR2 is a game of choice with different outcomes depending on the path you choose to take. Weapons are as you would expect in the era the game is set in and there is a reasonable realism to whatever gun you choose to call your own. Shooting in RDR2 makes every effort realistic, and sometimes maybe a little too much. But here, shooting is just one thing, and not necessarily the main thing of this shooter. You will find yourself playing your part in a compelling story enhanced by a vast wild west set full of authenticity and feel. Your performance in RDR2 will make you feel like a gamer playing the role of a lifetime.
You can’t help but become a part of the world of RDR2, the sets, characters, and story is the first to lose yourself. Of course, there is shooting and a lot of it, but what is important here is the style and the story. Red Dead Redemption 2 may be the best on the list of the best video game shooters.
As with any video game, especially shooters, there should be strong characters. Simply pointing and shooting without proper context or context can be boring. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is one of those shooters that doesn’t skimp on character development making it an amazing shooter to play.
The Wolfenstein franchise imagines that the Axis powers won World War II and the Nazis control the United States. Wolfenstein II continues the story with violence and meaningful (good or bad) characters that drive the story. The protagonist is BJ Blazkowicz who is part of the anti-Nazi movement. At the beginning of the game, you are introduced to the terrible events that shaped who Blazkowicz became, the warrior. The ‘why?’ for her character is expressed as her desire to be pregnant. And that is the basis of Wolfenstein II, showing the joy and pain of opposition on the faces and emotions of the game’s players. That Wolfenstein II doesn’t make deliberate management, the choices you make as a player only add color. Most of the weapons will have in Wolfenstein II for your loud and violent resistance fighting fun. The perfect setting for portraying a world under Nazi totalitarianism is characterized by water play, and uh… violence.
Wolfenstein II is kind of a revelation as a video game. You will find yourself drawn into loving or hating the characters because they are so well designed in the game. For an unforgettable experience, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is one of the best video game shooters.
Sometimes when you play a video game, especially a shooter, you want to feel superhuman, that you can do things in the game that no one can do in the real world. Of course it’s all fantasy, but it’s something completely different when a game immerses you in a character that’s too creative to believe. Titanfall 2 is simply a game that feels like it’s on top of it all. And the most important thing about this game is that it becomes more than you are in more ways than one.
The FPS, Titanfall 2 sequel has a pretty straightforward story, a campaign to stop an evil mega-corporation hellbent on causing all kinds of violence. That’s how you go about making a good campaign about the game. In the new to the series’ single-player campaign, you play as military gunman Jack Cooper who pilots a large and heavily armed mech-style robot known as the Titan. In the gameplay, you control either Jack alone or Jack the Titan. As Jack you have skills that put any Parkour champion to shame with sliding, wall running, double jumping, grappling hooks, and more. And if the slickness of the pilot’s refined movement isn’t enough, you take the campaign to a whole other level when you enter the Titan. In mech, Titanfall 2 has a lot of shooting feel about it with thousands of weapons and abilities. Multiplayer builds on the original with different modes to help you build your team. Add in complex and interactive environments, you have an immersive shooting experience that is very interesting.
Playing Titanfall 2 is a fun ride to speed your super mover in and out of your Titan. The gameplay where you learn to use both makes it immersive and constantly changing. The two-level gameplay makes Titanfall 2 one of the best shooters out there today.
Whenever you see a list of the greatest shooter video games of all time, it’s a good bet that one of the Halo titles will be on it. The shooters call it “Halo killer”, a nod to the influence the series has had on shooters. Halo Infinite raises the already high bar as the quintessential video game shooter.
Halo Infinite is an FPS that is the sixth version in the mainline, respected series. Where Infinite excels is that it gets down to the basics to make it an even more interesting story and gameplay. Infinite focuses on the Master Chief, the relationship with his AI, and the fight against a formidable army of aliens. The boss has a new AI called The Weapon as he tries to uncover what happened to Cortana. The Master Chief/AI relationship is interesting as it delves into the Chief’s psyche. A new enemy named Outcasts is an interesting addition that adds some new life to the series. Combat features a single Halo that is satisfying and responsive gun mechanics with some added features like Grappleshot that can draw weapons and enemies to you, traverse the open world, and escape danger. Although the linear story is still there, Infini has a lush and beautiful open world that cries out to be explored. What’s great about Infinite is that players don’t need to have intimate knowledge of previous versions or stories to enjoy the game.
Infinity isn’t just a shot of new blood to the series, it’s a reflection of the greatness that is Halo. Strong story-telling, excellent gameplay mechanics, and the added perk of open-world gameplay make Halo Infini one of the best video game shooters.
Most of the time, dying in a video game means you miraculously respawn right when you kicked the bucket. Not much of a ‘living in death’ lesson there, is there? Of course, we are talking about video games here, so being far-ed in a game is not a bad thing. Returnal shooters make “returning” fun and playful.
A third-person shooter, Returnal casts you as Selene Vassos who has been sent to (and crashed into) a mysterious world to investigate a mysterious White Shadow sign emanating from it. To disrupt your progress, there are all kinds of bad guys coming out to finish your mission, once and for all. And, that’s where Returnal takes a different approach, if you die, you start over from where you started, the crash site. This is the “rogue-like” (or Groundhog Day-like) element that makes Returnal so special. Relapse means that you lose a lot of what you have accumulated during your past life. However, thanks to randomly generated environments your new life will not be the same as before. There are a variety of weapons that grow in ability as you progress through the levels. Another horror game, the enigmatic story adds to the atmosphere of tension and fear while playing the game. Great visuals and awesome combat only add to the game-play experience.
Sure, video games aren’t real, but Returnal adds an element of finality that gives you a sense of determination while playing. As a game with elements of robbery and great gameplay, Returnal is one of the top lists of the best shooting video games.
Many shooters are going in the direction of open-world gameplay and this is a very good thing if done right. An open world is great, but to be really good, you as a player have to want to explore the game areas either through competition or curiosity, not just shooting things. Adding in a sense of purpose to play or a thought provoking exploration of the shooter is what Borderlands 3 does so well.
Borderlands 3 is an open-world shooter. The story is similar to the Borderlands franchise where you play as one of four vault hunters on a quest to find large vaults while fighting the plague of evil corporations and the threat of a duo of megalomaniacs and their psychotic followers. However, unlike previous iterations, the Borderlands realm is a vast area with some amazing planets to explore. Worlds are made more interesting with attractive Gearbox stylized art. Besides the loot, the amazing variety of weapons is another interesting part of the game. Weapons and finding them together with thieves encourage you as a player to explore the vast worlds of Borderlands 3. The size and weapons are only supported by the occasional psychotic character in the game. Borderlands 3 is one heck of a ride.
Borderlands 3 may just be another take on the same theme, but this time around it does what it does in a wider, more space-filled environment. Shooting things has never been so much fun in the open world. Borderlands 3 is a well-filled title on the list of the best shooting video games.
Nothing kills the fun of a new version of a game needed only to present itself as a rehash of the same old thing. When it comes to shooters, it’s easy to fall into formulaic boredom. After a few misses in the long run, Far Cry 6 pays off by being a fresh shooter sequel and a return to form.
Set in the beautiful, open world of a Caribbean island called Yara, Far Cry 6 is an FPS in which you take on the role of terrorist fighter Dani Rojas (male or female) who wants to defeat the fascist regime of the great villain El Presidente. , Anton Castillo. The single-player or multi-player gameplay features a wide variety of creative and groovy weapons that make you choose to fight directly rather than lurking in the shadows. What makes Far Cry 6 as fun as a shooter is the role-playing game (RPG) elements in the game such as side quests and leveling up. Improving the shooting experience is a strong point. Along with Rojas, there’s the action-stealing El Presidente, his rebellious son, and a whole bunch of menacing characters, evil corporate types, and colorful rebels.
Far Cry 6 takes some of the best elements of the series and weaves them into a compelling story with amazing characters thus making it the most entertaining shooter ever. The beautiful large and dangerous island nation of Yara sets the best background for the shooting pleasure to exist. Far Cry 6 is a great addition to the list of best shooters.
Zombies! Need I say more? If ever there was an under-developed genre of shooting video games, it’s zombies (Thanks, George Romero). While shooting zombies can be tiring for some, Return 4 Blood is one of those zombie shooters that will not only keep you busy but entertained as well.
Return 4 Blood is a co-op, FPS video game that puts you in a team of four called the Cleaners charged with defending Fort Hope from a zombie horde called the Ridden. You can play in single-player mode (with AI bots creating the other three team members), but this game must be played with other people. Much more than zombie shoot ’em up, Return 4 Blood includes a card design system where players collect cards to modify the game such as the player’s health, strength, and damage, among others. Weapons are upgraded thanks to the attachment system to make your choice of zombie eliminator even more effective. Add the card design system on top of each White’s unique personality, and you have a shooter that’s full of character and zombie-defeating spunk. The gameplay is smooth and challenging thanks to the AI that can spawn enemies, change the environment, and make the zombie horde more threatening as you go.
What’s also special about Back 4 Blood is that it doesn’t take too much to add in smart-ass banter from the characters. With all that Back 4 Blood has to offer you will find yourself coming back again and again to eliminate the zombie menace. Back 4 Blood is a solid addition to the list of the best video game shooters.
Video game shooters are constantly changing with new weapons, better stories, and players who keep playing, but what about these so-called ‘old’ titles? What made the game so popular years ago still holds up today. Alan Wake is a video game shooter that answers that question with an emphatic ‘yes!’
Alan Wake is a third-person shooter made up of six episodes and two DLCs in which our protagonist is fighting against a sinister darkness as he tries to find his missing wife. His is the author and what makes the story interesting is that it is made up of strange events from his latest book, which he doesn’t remember writing. The most effective weapon is the trusty flashlight that Wake uses to reveal and harm the evil darkness. Once released, Wake can finish them off with a fairly reliable rifle or shotgun. Exploration and combat mechanics are excellent additions to the terrifying and spooky story driven by the world of Alan Wake. The fact that this memory has improved displays and effects testifies to the longevity of the original. If it ain’t broke, just polish it.
Developer Remedy describes Alan Wake as “a psychological thriller” and “a physical action movie game” put together. The combination worked brilliantly when the game was first released and it only gets better as it is repeated. Alan Wake is a fun addition to the list of the best video game shooters. Just don’t forget to change your flashlight batteries, your life depends on it.
You know a video game is good when you feel physically and emotionally drained after playing it. The games in the Doom series are known for their sweaty combat and terrifying horror. And if you think that there is not much more that can be done in the series, maybe here comes Doom Forever to strengthen the horror.
Doom Eternal is an FPS with the ever-unnamed “Doom Guy” out to save people from the forces of Hell that have conquered the world. There is something appealing about a main protagonist without a name, it gives a sense of ownership to the players. The gameplay is fast and loud with lots of violence and destruction. Weapons remain Doom-centric with guns always present and some creating chaos. The top-level character of Doom Forever isn’t set to just blast away, you have to strategize and manage resources to defeat thousands of demons from Hell. And this is a game where you can’t avoid the monsters because you have to catch the creatures of Hell to get life-saving resources. That’s the perfect thing for a video game filled with conflict. Although the increased focus on the story from Doom 2016 is still there, combat is the main thing in Doom Forever. The beautifully macabre and disturbing arena and slowly dangerously terrifying friends of Hell take you on a terrifying and unforgettable shooter roller-coaster ride.
Doom Eternal is more than a rehash of the classic shooter story. This game encourages and rewards blistering performance. Doom Eternal is a game that you have to prepare yourself to play as if you were about to enter the battlefield yourself. Doom Eternal is an awesome and loud member of the best video shooter club.
Wikipedia defines a shooter video game as “…a category of action video games where the focus is on the defeat of one’s enemies using the weapons provided to the player.” That’s the simplest definition but not the all-encompassing one. There is so much more to a good shooter video game that the actual “shooting” can seem to take a back seat to the story. Offering more than just “point and shoot” good shooting is made up of good story, good colors, good pictures, etc. The best shooting video games take these elements and combine them to create something really fun.
Let’s take a look at the types of shooters out there. Of all the sub-genres of shooters, there is one thing they all do… dispatch enemies by shooting them. The same job that can be done with any type of weapon is limited only by imagination. So, without further ado, let’s take a shot (pun intended) at defining the race.
There are a ton of little features within the space shooter, but for general purposes, the focus here will be on the player’s perspective while playing the game, some different characters only take on one thing. The most popular sub-genre is the first person shooter or FPS. FPS video games provide an in-game perspective of the character being played. As a player, you control the movement (and shooting) of a character while seeing this from his point of view. FPS is probably the most direct sub-genre for getting you into the game. Examples here include the Doom franchise, Half-Life, and others.
Next, there is the third-person shooter (TPS) which is all about the camera perspective. In TPS games you get a full view of the player as well as the surrounding area. Think of TPS games as a kind of puppet show with you playing the puppet. Examples here include the Tomb Raider and Grand Theft Auto titles.
Within FPS and TPS video games, there are sub-genres. While the game is still FPS or TPS there are elements of the game that each player installs. Included here can be the Arena shooter, the Hero shooter, Tactical shooter, and Looter shooter.
Fortunately, shooter video games have evolved to de-emphasize story, characters, and even environments into a more immersive experience that isn’t interrupted by constant pulling strings or popping grenades. If you look at what is said to be a good shot, this quality will be the star of the show as a blast to those who are trying to hurt you. So, now that we know what a shooting video game is, let’s take a look at the best ones out there to play. Please note that many titles are available on multiple platforms.
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Sterling JA
(27 Articles Published)
