The market is constantly changing regarding which shooters are currently recommended. Some games have dominated the scene for years and will also be represented in the top lists at the end of 2024 / beginning of 2025. We show you the currently best shooters for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, and Switch.
What kind of games are these? MyMMO editor Dariusz Müller has looked at the current market and evaluated, based on his experience in many different shooters and thousands of hours of gameplay, which ones he believes are currently the best.
In this regard, he considered various factors such as the game’s performance, the gameplay loop, player counts, and the current state of the games. Nevertheless, the list is a personal assessment of the author, and it may be that a game is missing or that a present one is rated lower by you.
The best shooters where you can play PvP
Apex Legends
What makes the game special? Apex Legends is a battle royale shooter that stands out due to its fast and variable movement, differentiating it from competitors like PUBG and Fortnite.
Moreover, Apex Legends is a hero shooter. Before the start of a round, you choose a legend that you control during the round and cannot switch in between. Each legend also brings its own abilities.
Who is the game interesting for? Apex Legends is aimed at fans of battle royale shooters but also at players who enjoy fast movement and, for example, like to slide. If you find PUBG too calm or slow, you should take a look at Apex Legends.
Due to the different legends you can play and which bring their own play styles, Apex Legends has more gameplay depth and variety than other battle royales. This means: If you want to be among the top players, you need to invest a lot of time and practice.
BattleBit Remastered
What makes the game special? BattleBit Remastered is a PvP shooter that garnered attention in summer 2023 as the Low-Poly Battlefield, where you engage in large-scale and chaotic battles with up to 254 players.
On the battlefield, you can fight either on foot or with various vehicles. Of course, you also have access to well-known weapons such as an M4 or a UMP, which you can additionally customize with different attachments.
Who is the game interesting for? BattleBit Remastered is primarily aimed at fans of Battlefield, as the battles in both games are similarly large, chaotic, and offer infantry and vehicle combat.
However, it is important that you do not place a high value on beautiful graphics, as you will not find that in BattleBit. Instead, the game features a very minimalist appearance due to its low-poly graphics, which allows solid performance even on lower-end PCs.
The gunplay is simple and innovatively learnable, strategic approaches are not necessarily required, and you also do not need extra hands or cat-like reflexes for movement. BattleBit plays very simply and is therefore also suitable for casual players and newcomers to shooters.
Battlefield (Franchise)
What makes the game special? Battlefield is primarily known for its large, action-packed battles. You fight with numerous players on large maps, trying to capture or defend flags, among other objectives.
You have access to various weapons and equipment. You can also access a fleet of vehicles, including tanks, helicopters, transport vehicles, and airplanes.
The classic Battlefield experience includes classes such as the Medic or Engineer, who take on various roles on the battlefield. The latest installment, Battlefield 2042, has taken a slightly different direction and also offers various playable characters with unique abilities and gadgets.
Who is the game interesting for? Battlefield is primarily interesting for players who enjoy large battles filled with chaos and explosions. Within the franchise, you can experience various settings like World War I or II with corresponding weapons.
However, if you prefer small battles with a maximum of 10-12 players, Battlefield is probably not the best choice for you. The same applies if you have an aversion to fighting against tanks or helicopters and prefer pure infantry battles.
In general, Battlefield is much more beginner-friendly than tactical shooters like Valorant or Rainbow: Six Siege and caters to players who can only play a few hours per week.
Call of Duty (Franchise)
Model: Multiplayer: Buy-to-play / Warzone: Free-to-play | Platforms: PC, Console | Subgenre: Arena Shooter, Battle Royale | Mode: PvP, Zombie: PvE | Perspective: First-Person |
What makes the franchise stand out? Call of Duty is THE mainstream shooter. If you are a shooter fan, it is very likely that you have played a CoD game – whether it be the arena modes of a current multiplayer title, a zombie mode, or Warzone.
The CoD franchise offers a variety of different game modes, maps, and weapons, consistently has enough players to fill a lobby, and the latest installment is continuously updated with new content.
Who is the franchise interesting for? Theoretically, for most shooter fans, as CoD really offers many different modes. The weapons are easy to control and with aim assist, the game is also suitable for casual players on consoles.
In practice, especially tryhards and regular players are often dissatisfied with CoD and express much criticism. Matchmaking is often criticized, and aim assist for controller players is a hotly debated topic.
Furthermore, the franchise may not be interesting for you if you have little money available or are very stingy, as Activision regularly releases new CoD titles at full price, and support for the predecessor is then reduced or even discontinued.
Counter-Strike 2
What makes the game stand out? Counter-Strike 2 replaced CS:GO in September 2023 and modernized the graphics and engine of the tactical shooter. However, the gameplay of this successful title remains the same.
- Two teams of 5 players each – the terrorists and a counter-terrorism unit – compete against each other
- The teams must attempt to plant a bomb, prevent the bomb from being planted, or defuse the planted bomb.
- Both teams must play in both defense and offense.
A distinctive feature of CS2 is the extremely low precision when shooting while moving. Therefore, you cannot eliminate your opponents as accurately while moving as you can in CoD or Battlefield. Additionally, using a scope is only possible with certain weapons.
Furthermore, Counter-Strike is known for the astronomical prices for skins, as these can be traded between players. A special skin with a rare color pattern in good condition can be worth hundreds to thousands of euros. Therefore, many players spend enormous amounts of money purchasing keys to open crates with random contents.
Who is the game interesting for? CS2, as a tactical shooter, is less suitable for casual gamers. You should not rush into every battle thoughtlessly but rather take tactically sensible positions. Teamplay and communication are also extremely important.
If you want to dash from kill to kill, listen to dubstep, and not communicate with others, then CS2 is probably not suitable for you – unless you are interested in skin trading. Alternatively, you might try your luck opening crates, but we can’t recommend that.
Escape from Tarkov
What makes the game special? Escape from Tarkov is perhaps the most prominent extraction shooter on the market and experiences a significant hype on Twitch about every six months – whenever there has been a wipe in the shooter.
You start your raid with your gear, collect loot, and complete missions from traders. The game takes place in the fictional Russian city of Tarkov. On the different maps, you encounter both enemy players and NPCs. If your character dies before you can extract, you lose all your loot.
Escape from Tarkov is known not only for its extraction mechanics but also for its challenging gameplay. Alongside a realistic recoil system and minimal HUD, injuries can occur which your character can suffer, leading to death if untreated.
Who is EFT interesting for? Escape from Tarkov is not suitable for players looking for an easy and intuitively learnable game. You must thoroughly learn and understand EFT and all its mechanics.
EFT does not explain much and is also very challenging due to its hardcore gameplay. Moreover, caution and communication in co-op is essential – otherwise, your teammate might get caught quickly because you thought he was an enemy. You must also be aware that you will die a lot – a lot.
If you enjoy hardcore shooters and realistic gameplay mechanics and don’t mind extraction shooters and plenty of deaths, then EFT is essential for you.
Fortnite
What kind of game is this? Fortnite is a colorful Battle Royale game played from a third-person perspective and is available on all major platforms.
Fortnite was once primarily known for its approach of combining shooter gameplay with building and crafting elements from a survival game. Instead of just seeking cover or a higher vantage point, you can quickly construct a barricade, a tower, or anything else.
However, Fortnite now offers a variety of other modes. You can experience the “Battle Royale” action entirely without building. Or you can skip the shooter aspect and create your own LEGO village in the Survival mode LEGO Fortnite.
Overall, Fortnite regularly features exciting events and numerous collaborations that expand the game with new content – always in a vibrant and colorful style. Yet, if you want to have your favorite skin, you usually have to pay well for it.
Who is the game interesting for? Even though Fortnite is often said to target younger players due to its graphic style, it also offers enough appeal for players who grew up in the 90s or early 2000s with its many collaborations. Who wouldn’t feel nostalgic with skins from Dragon Ball, the Ninja Turtles, or Naruto?
Nonetheless, you should obviously have no problems with the colorful visuals and third-person perspective, and generally be a fan of Battle Royale.
Hunt: Showdown
What kind of game is this? Hunt: Showdown is an extraction shooter with horror elements, where the entire map is inhabited by numerous different monsters.
You must hunt and kill at least one of up to two boss enemies, then collect and extract a trophy dropped by the boss. To know the location of a boss, you need to gather clues or encounter him randomly. There are four different monsters that can appear on the map.
The weapons of the shooter are rather old-fashioned and rustic. There are single-shot guns and revolvers. The character designs also reflect more of the Wild West than that of soldiers.
Who is the game interesting for? Hunt: Showdown is interesting for players who want to play a somewhat different extraction shooter and have no problem with monsters.
However, if you want modern weapons, cool colorful abilities, and fast movement, you are in the wrong shooter. Instead, Hunt: Showdown excels with its sound design and overwhelming atmosphere.
Overwatch 2
What kind of game is this? Overwatch 2 combines the gameplay of a first-person shooter with that of a MOBA like LoL or DOTA. There are a number of heroes who can use different abilities in 5v5 battles, and they all play differently.
Due to their roles in the matches, the individual heroes are assigned to different roles. There are the Support characters, who can heal their teammates or provide a damage boost, and the DPS, who aim to deal as much damage as possible and create chaos. The third and final role is the Tanks, who have a lot of health and are essential with their abilities to achieve the objective of the respective mode.
In one mode, your task is to push the payload, which is a moving object, as far as possible – further than your opponents. In another mode, you must capture and hold specific points. Teamwork is required for each mode.
Who is the game interesting for? Overwatch 2 is interesting for you if you want to play a slightly different shooter. Instead of running in circles in a TDM, looking for one gunfight after another or planting a bomb at a specific spot, you need to utilize your different abilities and work as a team to achieve the common goal.
However, if you are looking for realistic weapons such as an AK or an M4, you will be out of place in Overwatch. There are futuristic guns, supernatural abilities, and of course Winston – a giant, talking gorilla in clothing. Overall, the entire game has a comic-like graphic style.
PUBG: Battlegrounds
What kind of game is this? PUBG: Battlegrounds, or simply PUBG, is one of the first and most successful Battle Royales. It features a significantly more realistic graphic style than, for example, Fortnite and Apex Legends and also provides weapons and equipment known from the real world.
The shooter can be played in both First-Person and Third-Person perspective. However, you can also look through the scope in Third-Person – just like in First-Person.
In addition to a variety of weapons and equipment, you will find various vehicles in PUBG such as cars and motorcycles, which you can use to move faster to the zone.
Who is the game interesting for? PUBG is interesting for fans of Battle Royale who are not interested in the bright colors of Fortnite or the different characters and their abilities of Apex Legends.
PUBG plays slower than many other representatives of the genre, but puts more emphasis on realism – even though it is not a simulation or a hardcore shooter. It is therefore perfect for casually playing a few rounds, even if you prefer a realistic setting.
Rainbow Six: Siege
What kind of game is this? Rainbow Six: Siege is a tactical shooter from Ubisoft in which you play 5v5. Your goal is to defuse a bomb or rescue a hostage, for example. You access various members of counter-terrorism units such as GSG-9 or SAS, each with unique abilities.
In addition to the different characters and their gadgets, there is a whole range of weapons and secondary gadgets like grenades, breaching charges, or C4 explosives. You can use these to tactically alter the maps – the destructibility of floors and walls plays a significant role.
You can, for example, blow a hole in the floor or shoot through with a shotgun to then look down at a door through which your opponents may enter the building.
Who is this game interesting for? Rainbow Six: Siege is a tactical shooter, so you should definitely have an interest in strategic approach and coordination within a team. Additionally, a certain curiosity and creativity are advantageous if you want to make the most of the map’s destructibility without delving into professional strategies.
Generally, the game involves a lot of practice. If you have no interest in learning the maps or the abilities of different characters, you are likely to be unsuccessful in Rainbow Six: Siege.
Splatoon 3
What kind of game is this? Splatoon is not exactly what many genre fans would call a shooter. You play as small colorful Inklings trying to color an arena in vibrant colors. Inklings are a mix of humans and octopuses.
There are five different PvP modes in Splatoon 3, a short campaign that introduces you to the principles of the game, and a PvE mode where you must fend off waves of enemies. The primary PvP mode is called “Turf War”.
In Turf War, you play 4v4. The team whose color is most represented in the arena wins. You shoot this color with various “weapons”. The core aspect of the gameplay is therefore based on shooting and spreading color. For this, there is a variety of different weapons and special abilities.
You can also shoot at your opponents, although you shouldn’t expect any blood or similar from this kid-friendly shooter.
Who is the game interesting for? Splatoon is not only aimed at various age groups and can also be played with younger players; it is also interesting for fans of tactical shooters. Especially the positioning of individual team members has a noticeable impact on the outcome of a match.
Additionally, Splatoon offers a low time-to-kill and fast movement. Especially in octopus form, you move quickly when you dive into your team’s color pools. However, since Splatoon does not have aim assist, this kid-friendly shooter might be too challenging for CoD veterans.
In contrast to other tactical shooters, Splatoon also has the advantage of being very beginner-friendly, and there is also a rank mode for solo players. You are not completely out of luck if you don’t have a fixed team.
Team Fortress 2
What kind of game is this? Team Fortress 2 is a hero shooter that was released back in 2007 and still counts among the most popular games on Steam. The setting is colorful, the nine playable characters are quirky, and there are a number of well-known modes like Capture the Flag and Team Deathmatch.
The heroes all have different abilities and weapons that can be played in various ways. The matches are action-packed.
Who is the game interesting for? If you enjoy hero shooters like Overwatch 2, there is really no reason not to try out Team Fortress 2. However, you should be aware that you are playing a game from 2007.
The graphics and effects are old, and modern shooters have a completely different movement system. But if that doesn’t bother you, you’ll find Team Fortress 2 to be a shooter that is still actively played on Steam.
The Finals
What makes the game special? The Finals is a PvP shooter that lets you compete in teams of three for victory in a game show within a virtual arena. Your goal is to collect more money than your opponents.
Accordingly, various weapons, abilities, and gadgets such as sledgehammers, grappling hooks, grenades, and mines are available, from which you can create your loadout based on your class.
However, the biggest feature of the shooter is the massive destruction you can cause throughout the map. For example, it is possible to demolish entire buildings or blow up the ground beneath safes. Both the abilities and gadgets, as well as the destruction, have a tactical benefit.
Who is the game interesting for? The Finals is interesting for players who enjoy more casual gameplay. While there is skill-based matchmaking and a ranked mode in the shooter, the game mechanics are not as competitive as in Counter-Strike or Valorant.
Overall, the shooter is beginner-friendly and appeals to players who enjoy CoD or Battlefield, thanks to the rather fast movement and simple gunplay.
If you are also interested in being able to destroy large parts of the map, including entire houses, The Finals offers a nearly unparalleled experience.
Titanfall 2
Was ist das für ein Spiel? In Titanfall dreht sich alles um Mechs, den sogenannten Titans. Das sind große, schwer bewaffnete Kampfmaschinen auf zwei Beinen, die von menschlichen Piloten im Inneren gesteuert werden.
Passend dazu führt ihr den Großteil dieser Kämpfe mit den verschiedenen Titans aus. Ein Mech hat in etwa eine riesige Minigun, ein anderer einen Flammenwerfer. Dann gibt es noch einen Titan mit einer Art Scharfschützengewehr für Kämpfe auf lange Distanz sowie einen Titan mit einer Schrotflinte und einem Schwert für kurze Distanz. Für jeden Spielstil gibt es einen passenden Titan.
Außerhalb der Titans brilliert der Shooter vor allem mit dem Movement, das sehr schnell ist und flexible Bewegungen sowie Wallruns ermöglicht. Ergänzt wird das Movement zudem durch eine Grappling-Hook, die ihr allerdings gezielt bei eurem Piloten ausrüsten müsst. Dieser besitzt obendrein eine Reihe verschiedener Waffen, darunter beispielsweise Sturmgewehre, Maschinenpistolen und Schrotflinten.
Neben dem PvP-Modus besitzt Titanfall 2 auch eine Kampagne, die ihr innerhalb von 10 Stunden durchspielen könnt. Das ist zwar recht kurz, doch viele Fans des Genres sagen ihr bis heute eine hervorragende Qualität nach – nicht zuletzt, weil sie euch die fürs PvP benötigten Grundlagen vermittelt.
Für wen ist das Spiel interessant? Wenn ihr richtig Bock auf einen Shooter habt, der ein schnelles und variables Movement bietet, dann solltet ihr euch Titanfall 2 auf jeden Fall anschauen. Es macht sogar Spaß, einfach nur an den Wänden entlangzulaufen. Dennoch könnt ihr auch sliden oder hüpfen, das Movement ist wirklich ein grundlegendes Feature des Shooters.
Das andere grundlegende Feature sind natürlich die Titans selbst. Wenn ihr Kampfroboter cool findet und euch vorstellen könnt, damit gegen andere Spieler zu kämpfen, habt ihr in Titanfall 2 die Chance dazu.
Solltet ihr es in erster Linie auf Infanterie-Gefechte abgesehen haben und Vehikel-Kämpfe möglichst meiden wollen, dann könnte euch Titanfall 2 enttäuschen. Die Auseinandersetzungen zwischen den verschiedenen Mechs sind ein fester Bestandteil jeder Runde.
Valorant
What kind of game is this? Valorant is a tactical shooter by Riot Games, where you play 5v5. One team must plant the so-called Spike – a type of bomb – in one of up to three spots. The other team must prevent this by eliminating all players from the attacking team or stalling long enough until the round timer expires.
In the fight for the rounds, you have access to various weapons that you must buy at the start of a round, similar to Counter-Strike, from a buy menu. You can use these weapons until you die and lose them – or until the sides switch. You can also pick up weapons from dead teammates or opponents. Managing your money is an important strategic component.
In addition to the various weapons, Valorant offers a range of different agents with unique abilities and tactical options. The agents and their abilities are a significant unique selling point of the shooter compared to similar titles.
Who is the game interesting for? Valorant is primarily aimed at players who enjoy classic tactical shooters like Counter-Strike – meaning with a buy menu and planting/disarming a bomb. So, if you’re looking for fast shooters where you don’t have to communicate or think much, Valorant is not for you.
The major difference to CS2 lies in the agents, their abilities, and the colorful setting. Instead of smoke grenades that create gray clouds, for example, there are green or purple smokes to restrict your opponents’ vision. So, you should bring a tolerance for vibrant colors and an animated style.
These were the 15 best shooters in which PvP is played. On page 2, we will continue with the best PvE shooters.
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