The Best Shooter Games on Steam

Steam offers a huge collection of shooting games, covering everything from realistic military simulations to quick, action-packed battles. It’s home to many of the most important and popular games in the genre, and this list showcases the best and most long-lasting shooting experiences for PC gamers.

‘Battlefield 1’ (2016)

Battlefield 1, created by DICE and published by Electronic Arts, immerses players in the world of World War I. It offers large-scale battles with up to 64 players across diverse locations in Europe and the Middle East. Players get to use weapons and vehicles from the era – like tanks and biplanes – and truly affect the outcome of battles. The game is well-known for its realistic sound and how it brings history to life within a competitive online experience.

‘Ready or Not’ (2023)

I’ve been playing ‘Ready or Not,’ and it’s seriously intense! You’re basically a SWAT officer dealing with things like hostage situations and bombs. It’s not your typical run-and-gun shooter; you really have to think things through and plan your approach. The game is super realistic, and you have to follow strict rules about when you can use force, even deciding between non-lethal options. Plus, the way bullets fly and all the gear feels really authentic – they clearly tried to make it feel like a real law enforcement operation.

‘Warframe’ (2013)

Warframe is a free-to-play online action game where you team up with other players. You play as a member of the Tenno, a powerful race of warriors equipped with special suits of armor called Warframes. The game offers a lot to unlock, including hundreds of weapons and abilities, as you explore different planets. It’s known for its fast-paced action, letting you move quickly and seamlessly switch between close-combat and ranged attacks.

‘The Finals’ (2023)

‘The Finals’ is a team-based shooting game created by Embark Studios, which is part of Nexon. It’s set in a virtual game show where everything can be destroyed – players can demolish buildings and other structures to help them win. Teams of three compete to collect and deposit cash while battling each other using gadgets and weapons. The game is known for its fast pace, unpredictable action, and realistic physics.

‘Destiny 2’ (2017)

Destiny 2 is an action-packed video game where you shoot and collect loot, created and published by Bungie after they became independent from Activision. You play as a Guardian, defending the last city on Earth from alien enemies. The game offers a variety of experiences, including story-driven missions, team-based challenges, and competitive battles. Over the years, Bungie has consistently updated and expanded the game with new features and story details.

‘Metro Exodus’ (2019)

‘Metro Exodus,’ created by 4A Games and published by Deep Silver, is the third game in a series inspired by Dmitry Glukhovsky’s novels. The game puts you in the role of Artyom, leading a group of people across a ruined Russia on a heavily modified train. Unlike previous games, ‘Metro Exodus’ moves the action from underground tunnels to wide-open environments with changing weather and day-night cycles. Players need to find supplies to make ammunition and keep their gear in working order to survive.

‘Apex Legends’ (2019)

Apex Legends is a free battle royale game created by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts. Players choose from a variety of characters, called Legends, who each have special abilities and playstyles. The game takes place in the same world as the Titanfall series and focuses on team-based action and fast-paced movement. Respawn regularly adds new content like characters, maps, and seasonal updates to keep the game fair and engaging for its large community.

‘Borderlands 2’ (2012)

‘Borderlands 2’, created by Gearbox Software and published by 2K Games, is a hugely influential game in the ‘looter-shooter’ style. Players take on the role of one of several characters, called Vault Hunters, and battle the villainous Handsome Jack on the planet Pandora. A key feature of the game is its massive variety of weapons – the game randomly generates millions of different combinations for players to find. It’s known for its unique cartoon-like graphics and can be played with up to four friends in a cooperative campaign.

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

I’m a huge fan of Rainbow Six Siege! It’s a tactical shooter made by Ubisoft where you’re either attacking a building or defending it. The cool thing is, you can actually destroy parts of the environment to create new angles or block off pathways. It’s all about working with your team and choosing the right Operator – each one has unique abilities and gadgets that really change how you play. It’s become a big deal in esports because it takes a lot of skill and strategy to master, and every match feels different.

‘Left 4 Dead 2’ (2009)

As a huge fan, let me tell you about ‘Left 4 Dead 2’! It’s a cooperative horror shooter made by Valve where you and up to three friends play as survivors trying to escape hordes of zombies in the American South. What’s really cool is the game’s ‘AI Director 2.0’ – it basically changes things on the fly based on how well you’re doing, adjusting the pace, where items appear, and how many enemies you face. Plus, there are these really unique special infected and a ton of melee weapons, which keeps the gameplay fresh and frantic when you’re playing with friends.

‘Deep Rock Galactic’ (2020)

Deep Rock Galactic is a cooperative video game where you play as space dwarves. Created by Ghost Ship Games and published by Coffee Stain Publishing, it challenges players to team up and mine resources in randomly generated caves on a dangerous planet. These caves are completely destructible, and you’ll face hordes of alien bugs! The game has four different classes, each with unique tools and weapons. Working together is key to surviving and completing missions before escaping to safety. It’s a popular and well-regarded indie game.

‘Titanfall 2’ (2016)

Titanfall 2, created by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts, is famous for how smoothly characters move and the exciting connection between pilots and their Titans. The story centers on the relationship between soldier Jack Cooper and his Titan, BT-7274. Online, players experience quick, action-packed battles with features like wall-running and jumping, and can call in giant mechs. Praised for its refined gameplay and imaginative levels, the game has gained a dedicated fanbase and positive reviews.

‘Team Fortress 2’ (2007)

I’ve been playing ‘Team Fortress 2’ for ages, and it’s still one of my go-to games. It’s a team-based shooter where you pick from nine different classes – like the speedy Scout, the life-saving Medic, or the sneaky Spy – and each one plays totally differently. What I really love is how colorful and funny the game is, and it’s been a Steam favorite for over ten years now! Plus, there’s a huge amount of stuff you can collect to customize your character and weapons, which is awesome.

‘BioShock Infinite’ (2013)

‘BioShock Infinite,’ created by Irrational Games and published by 2K Games, is a story-focused shooting game that takes place in the floating city of Columbia. Players take on the role of Booker DeWitt, tasked with rescuing a young woman named Elizabeth amidst a growing conflict. The game blends gunplay with special powers called Vigors, which are powered by Salts. It’s celebrated for its thought-provoking story, detailed world, and the strong connection between Booker and Elizabeth.

‘DOOM Eternal’ (2020)

DOOM Eternal is a high-speed, action-packed first-person shooter created by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks. As a direct continuation of the 2016 DOOM, the game puts you in the role of the Doom Slayer, battling to protect Earth from a demonic invasion. Combat is all about staying aggressive – constantly engaging enemies is key to regaining health, armor, and ammo. The game also features new moves like dashing and the Meat Hook, making battles faster and more dynamic.

‘Counter-Strike 2’ (2023)

Counter-Strike 2, created by Valve, is the next version of the popular game Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. It uses a new and improved engine called Source 2, resulting in better graphics and more realistic smoke effects. The game still focuses on the classic team-based gameplay where Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists battle it out on well-known maps like Dust II. It’s a major competitive esports game with a ranking system and a large community that trades and collects weapon skins.

‘Ultrakill’ (2020)

Ultrakill is a fast-paced, retro-style shooter created by Arsi “Hakita” Patala and published by New Blood Interactive. It takes inspiration from action games like ‘Devil May Cry’ with its focus on scoring and stylish combat. Players control a machine fighting through Hell, using enemy blood to recover health and pull off impressive weapon combos. Thanks to its exciting gameplay and unique low-poly art style, it’s become a highly-rated shooter on Steam.

‘Half-Life: Alyx’ (2020)

‘Half-Life: Alyx’ is a groundbreaking virtual reality shooting game created by Valve, taking place between the stories of ‘Half-Life’ and ‘Half-Life 2’. You play as Alyx Vance, battling the Combine’s control of Earth with the help of special gravity gloves and found weapons. Built from the ground up for VR, the game boasts incredibly realistic physics and challenging puzzles. Many consider it the most immersive and technologically impressive VR game ever made.

‘Half-Life 2’ (2004)

‘Half-Life 2’ is a hugely influential first-person shooter game created by Valve. Players take on the role of Gordon Freeman, who fights alongside a rebel group against a powerful alien force called the Combine. When it came out, the game was groundbreaking thanks to its Source engine, which featured incredibly realistic physics and character movements. One of its most famous features was the ‘Gravity Gun,’ a tool that let players move objects around to solve challenges and fight enemies.

Tell us about your best experiences with shooter games and let us know which games you think should be included on this list! Share your thoughts in the comments below.

2026-02-18 03:46