The Best FPS Games on Steam

First-person shooters are still incredibly popular on Steam, offering everything from realistic military games to quick, action-packed battles. These games put you right in the middle of the action with a first-person view, letting you play with others online or experience a compelling story on your own. Steam has both legendary classics and brand new games that showcase the latest technology with amazing graphics and physics. This list features twenty of the best and most important first-person shooters you can find on Steam.

‘Counter-Strike 2’ (2023)

This game, created by Valve, is the next generation of the popular ‘Counter-Strike: Global Offensive’. It features a new game engine, Source 2, which allows for realistic smoke effects that react to light and bullets, significantly impacting how players approach combat. The game is played in rounds where teams either try to plant a bomb or defend key locations. It keeps the accurate shooting and strategic economy system that made the series a cornerstone of competitive gaming.

‘Half-Life 2’ (2004)

This groundbreaking first-person shooter, created by Valve, is famous for how it realistically simulates physics within the game. Players take on the role of Gordon Freeman, a scientist battling an alien invasion called the Combine in the grim city of City 17. A key feature is the Gravity Gun, which lets players move objects around to overcome challenges and fight enemies. It’s still incredibly popular on Steam, praised for its compelling story and innovative level design.

‘Doom Eternal’ (2020)

Developed by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks, this game continues the story that began with the 2016 reboot. It’s fast-paced and requires players to carefully manage their resources. To stay alive and keep fighting, you’ll need to perform brutal finishing moves called “glory kills” and use a chainsaw. As the Doom Slayer, you’ll have a wider range of weapons and tools to fight off the demons invading Earth. The combat is designed to be rewarding for players who are aggressive and think strategically.

‘Left 4 Dead 2’ (2009)

This cooperative shooting game, created by Valve, puts players in the shoes of four survivors battling waves of zombies across the Southern United States. What makes it unique is its AI Director 2.0, which changes the game’s difficulty and resources based on how well the players are doing. Players will face not only common zombies, but also powerful ‘Special Infected’ that demand teamwork to defeat. It’s still incredibly popular on Steam thanks to its engaging co-op gameplay and the huge number of mods created by its community.

‘Titanfall 2’ (2016)

This fast-paced shooter, created by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts, offers both a compelling story mode and exciting online multiplayer. Players can move quickly and creatively using wall-running, double jumps, and slides to traverse complex levels. The game uniquely lets you switch between playing as a nimble Pilot on foot and piloting a powerful, towering mech called a Titan. The story follows Jack Cooper, a Pilot, and his Titan, BT-7274, as they fight against the Interstellar Manufacturing Corporation.

‘Apex Legends’ (2019)

Apex Legends is a free-to-play battle royale game created by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts. It takes place in the world of the ‘Titanfall’ series. Players select from a diverse cast of characters called “Legends,” each with special abilities designed to work well with teammates. The game is known for its fast-paced movement and its innovative “Ping System,” which lets players communicate important information without needing to use voice chat. Players form teams of three and fight to be the last team alive as the safe area on the map gets smaller and smaller.

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

Rainbow Six Siege is a tactical shooting game created and published by Ubisoft. It’s all about intense, close-up fights and the ability to destroy parts of the environment to your advantage. Players choose from Operators – special forces members from around the world – each with unique tools for attacking or defending locations. You can shoot through walls, floors, and ceilings, changing the battlefield on the fly. Winning relies on working well with your team, knowing the maps, and using gadgets like drones and cameras to gather information.

‘Team Fortress 2’ (2007)

This popular team-based shooter, created by Valve, stands out with its unique look and variety of character classes. Players choose to fight as either the RED or BLU team, selecting from nine different classes like the Medic, Scout, and Engineer – each with a specific role in battle. The game offers several objective-based modes, such as Capture the Flag, King of the Hill, and Payload. It’s well-known for its huge range of cosmetic items and ongoing support from community-created content.

‘Deep Rock Galactic’ (2020)

Deep Rock Galactic, created by Ghost Ship Games and published by Coffee Stain Publishing, is a cooperative shooter where players team up to mine valuable resources on the dangerous planet Hoxxes IV. Players choose one of four unique dwarf classes – the Driller, Engineer, Gunner, or Scout – and work together to complete missions within caves that are randomly generated and completely destructible. Gameplay focuses on fighting off swarms of alien bugs while gathering resources and finding your way through the caves. Success depends heavily on teamwork, as each class offers essential tools like ziplines, turrets, and flares to help the entire group survive.

‘Metro Exodus’ (2019)

Developed by 4A Games and published by Deep Silver, this game is the third in the ‘Metro’ series, inspired by Dmitry Glukhovsky’s novels. Unlike previous games, it takes place outside the tight tunnels of Moscow, offering larger, more open environments in the Russian countryside. Players need to carefully manage supplies like ammo and gas mask filters while using both stealth and direct combat. The game follows Artyom and a team of Rangers as they journey east on a train called the Aurora, hoping to find a better future.

‘Borderlands 2’ (2012)

Borderlands, created by Gearbox Software and published by 2K, is a fast-paced action game that blends shooting with role-playing. Players pick a character and journey across the planet Pandora to take down the villain Handsome Jack. A key feature is its huge variety of guns – the game creates millions of unique weapons with different abilities. You can play alone or team up with up to three other players online, all while enjoying the game’s unique cartoon-like visual style.

‘Destiny 2’ (2017)

Destiny is a first-person shooter created by Bungie that combines fast-paced action with the persistent world and social aspects of massively multiplayer online games. Players become Guardians, defending humanity’s final city on Earth using powerful abilities called Light and Darkness. The game features both team-based missions like Strikes and Raids, and competitive player-versus-player combat. Bungie regularly adds new adventures, areas to explore, and equipment through expansions and seasonal updates to keep the game fresh and exciting.

‘Insurgency: Sandstorm’ (2018)

This realistic tactical shooter, created by New World Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment, puts players in intense, close-range battles. It prioritizes realism with limited on-screen information and authentic bullet behavior, meaning strong teamwork and clear communication are essential to win. Players can team up with others to complete objectives or fight against difficult AI opponents. The game’s sound design is particularly impressive, creating an immersive experience that helps you pinpoint the location and intensity of nearby combat.

‘Arma 3’ (2013)

Bohemia Interactive created this incredibly detailed military game, offering a realistic and expansive open-world experience. It focuses on authentic vehicle handling, weapon mechanics, and military command, making it ideal for players who enjoy challenging simulations. A powerful mission editor and strong modding community allow for endless customization and have led to the creation of many different ways to play. Players can participate in everything from small team battles to large-scale operations using a variety of land, air, and sea vehicles.

‘Ultrakill’ (2020)

Developed by Arsi “Hakita” Patala and published by New Blood Interactive, this fast-paced game is a throwback to classic “boomer shooters.” Players move quickly through levels set in different layers of Hell, facing challenging bosses. What sets it apart is its unusual health system – you heal by bathing in enemy blood! The game also takes cues from action games, giving you points for skillful combat like pulling off tricky weapon combos and well-timed blocks.

‘Squad’ (2020)

Offworld Industries created this tactical shooter where large-scale battles – 50 players on each side – are central to the experience. Effective communication is key, as players team up in squads with designated leaders who coordinate strategy, build defenses, and capture objectives. The game offers a balance between fast-paced arcade shooting and realistic military simulations, focusing on things like supply lines and keeping opponents pinned down. Winning isn’t about individual skill; it requires the whole team to work together.

‘Ready or Not’ (2023)

Ready or Not, created by VOID Interactive, is a realistic tactical shooter where you play as a SWAT officer responding to dangerous hostage situations and standoffs. The game stresses following proper procedures and using non-lethal methods whenever possible, and players are penalized for using excessive force or harming civilians. You’ll have access to a wide range of specialized equipment – like inspection mirrors, bulletproof shields, and breaching tools – to carefully and safely clear rooms. Success depends on slow, deliberate movements and working closely with your team to avoid unnecessary risks in tense, unpredictable situations.

‘Battlefield 1’ (2016)

This installment in the popular series, created by DICE and published by Electronic Arts, takes players back to the battlefields of World War I on a grand scale. The game is known for its huge, destructible maps and authentic weapons and vehicles from the era, like tanks, biplanes, and armored trains. A standout feature is the “Operations” mode, which lets players fight through linked battles across multiple maps, recreating the feel of a large military campaign. The game also boasts impressive graphics and sound design, bringing the chaos and intensity of World War I to life.

‘BioShock Infinite’ (2013)

BioShock Infinite, created by Irrational Games and published by 2K, is a story-focused shooter taking place in the floating city of Columbia in 1912. You play as Booker DeWitt, a former detective sent to rescue a woman named Elizabeth. The game blends gunplay with unique powers called “Vigors,” letting you use things like electricity and fire to defeat enemies. The game’s story dives into ideas about American identity and quantum physics, all leading to a complicated plot that finishes the original BioShock story arc.

Share your favorite Steam first-person shooter memories in the comments.

2026-02-17 03:25