Multiplayer shooters are among the most important and popular games on the gaming market. This applies to every platform – PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. We will tell you which shooters are at the top in 2023.
So you don’t lose track of the massive selection of shooters, we will show you the 14 multiplayer shooters that belong to the most important, popular, and best on the market.
We will also briefly tell you what makes each shooter special and which type of player the respective titles want to appeal to. This way, you can better decide whether to take a closer look at the games listed here.
However, shooters have been a part of his gaming life for much longer. With Golden Eye, the N64 became a hot commodity, and his first Call of Duty has adorned his Ikea closets since 2008 (CoD: World at War).
He has at least tried all the shooters on the list and has spent considerable time playing major titles like Overwatch, Destiny, or Battlefield.
The list does not represent a ranking and is partly based on the author’s personal assessments. Three specific criteria were generally applied:
- Personal preferences
- Unique gameplay aspects
- Number of current players
For an overview of the games, take a look at the table of contents:
The following changes have been made:
– CoD: Vanguard & Warzone 1 removed
– Rainbow Six: Extraction removed
– Splitgate removed
– Warframe removed
– Call of Duty as a franchise added
– Team Fortress 2 added
– Overwatch 2 added
– Battlefield as a franchise added
Apex Legends
What makes the game special? Apex Legends is currently the fastest battle royale shooter on the market – and one of the most popular. Although the time-to-kill (TTK) is significantly higher than in comparable games, the movement is much faster.
This high tempo is also due to the many characters in the game that you can play. Similar to a hero shooter or MOBA, you choose one of many legends, each of whom enables a special playstyle with their own abilities.
What game modes are available? The core of Apex Legends is the battle royale. On huge, diverse maps, a total of 60 players fight against each other in pairs or teams of three. Loot is always randomly distributed across the map, and the playable areas of the map get smaller over time. Whoever survives last wins the match.
In addition, Apex also offers an arena mode, which represents an alternative to the battle royale. In it, Apex Legends attempts to mix arena and tactical shooter gameplay uniquely. In arenas, teams of three fight against each other in rounds.
At the beginning of each round, you must buy weapons, attachments, and equipment such as grenades or ability uses. The first team to have a 2-round lead wins the match.
Both the battle royale and the arena matches have open matchmaking and ranked matches.
Who should take a closer look at the game? Even if you’re not really into battle royale gameplay: Players who want fast-paced gameplay and significant mechanical depth in their shooters should definitely try Apex Legends.
The gunplay is also excellent, as the weapons have very different handling. They also sound fantastic and provide very satisfying feedback with each shot.
However, the game is challenging. You must invest a lot of time and patience to play at a high level. While that can be discouraging, it’s also a huge motivation factor. Additionally, regular and major updates provide enough content and variety.
Call of Duty – Multiplayer & Battle Royale
What makes the franchise special? Call of Duty has the largest shooter community in the world and has fans in all walks of life. It is the mainstream shooter and has been successfully around for over 20 years.
Call of Duty features refined gunplay, tons of gameplay challenges, and is understood today as a service game. Regularly new, free content is released for the current games, and the titles continue to evolve after release.
By now, the franchise offers almost every shooter fan a game mode – whether battle royale, extraction shooter, or combat on smaller maps. The current premium title is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
What game modes are there? There is something for almost every shooter taste here:
- Premium CoD
- 6v6 battles
- Coop content
- 32v32 battles
- Story campaign
- Free2Play Warzone
- Battle Royale
- DMZ (Extraction Shooter)
Call of Duty even offers a popular mobile version with extensive content, which, however, operates independently of the two major titles on PC and console. Additionally, Warzone: Mobile is set to be released soon, allowing you to gain progress in the other games as well.
Who should take a closer look at the game? While CoD doesn’t feature any hero abilities or classes, it does provide grounded gameplay enhanced by gadgets and killstreaks.
If you play well, you earn heavy war machines to further dominate your opponents. Many of these devices from the multiplayer mode also appear in battle royale and other modes.
If you’re looking for a straightforward shooter but don’t want to miss out on crazy gadgets as you might find in Counter-Strike, then CoD is your choice. Additionally, the Free2Play Warzone allows you to get an impression of whether the gameplay feels right for you.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO)
What makes the game special? Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (short CSGO) is the latest version of the shooter giant Counter-Strike. Not much has changed since the days it was a mod for Half-Life: The terrorists try to plant a bomb, while the special forces try to prevent this.
What is still unique about CSGO is that there are hardly any other games with the same principles: The crosshair doesn’t always show where you are shooting. Headshots are often instantly fatal, while the time-to-kill from body hits is very high. ADS (aiming down sights) is only available with certain weapons, and if you move while shooting, you hit almost nothing.
These nuances have made CSGO one of the most played games on Steam for nearly 10 years – every single day.
What game modes are available? In addition to the classic bomb mode, there are also maps where it’s all about hostages. Moreover, there are deathmatch modes and even the battle royale mode Danger Zone.
Who should take a closer look at the game? CSGO is clearly aimed at players who want to prove their mechanical shooter skills and good teamwork. Despite many weapon skins, shooter gameplay in CSGO can hardly be more straightforward:
This hardcore tactical shooter lacks frills like skills, heroes, or vehicles. In CSGO, what matters is how well you can hit the head and how well you can harmonize and communicate with your team.
On page 2, we continue with the only loot shooter on our list.
