There’s a simple joy in video games: moving forward and shooting – what some call ‘W+M1’. This straightforward approach – walking down a path and eliminating enemies – is how many shooting games began. It’s a classic and effective formula. However, like many game traditions, newer titles often blend this core gameplay with elements from other genres, like the freedom of open-world role-playing games.
Open-world shooters aren’t bad in themselves, but moving to a large, open map can sometimes diminish the feeling you get from traditional, carefully crafted shooter levels. Those older, more focused levels let strong shooting mechanics really shine. If you’re starting to feel tired of open-world games, exploring a variety of shooters – both new and old – can remind you how satisfying well-designed shooting can be.
10. Shadow Warrior (2013)
Katana in One Hand, Gun in the Other
It’s common for shooting games to include close-combat weapons, but they’re usually a last resort when you run out of ammo. Shadow Warrior, especially the 2013 version, breaks that mold. In this game, melee attacks are just as important – or even more so – than using guns.
In Shadow Warriors, you play as Lo Wang, a skilled assassin who stumbles into a supernatural world after discovering an ancient katana. This sword is your main weapon throughout the game, though you’ll also find and use various firearms like revolvers and explosive crossbows. However, the katana remains essential to everything you do.
The katana is most effective in close combat, but mastering its attacks allows you to quickly defeat even tough demons – sometimes with a single strike, while guns might take many shots. This creates a gameplay style where you’re rewarded for aggressively fighting enemies up close.
9. The Darkness II
Double Your Limbs, Double Your Fun
| Developer | Digital Extremes |
|---|---|
| Platforms | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 |
| Release Date | February 2012 |
It’s a pleasant surprise when a video game based on existing material is genuinely good, because you can appreciate it even if you’re unfamiliar with the original source. For example, I hadn’t read the Darkness comic books or played the first game, but I still had a great time playing The Darkness II.
In The Darkness II, you play as Jackie Estacado, the boss of a powerful New York crime family who’s also connected to a really old and dangerous evil. This evil appears as shadowy tendrils that Jackie can control – using them like whips or knives alongside his guns. The game takes the idea of dual-wielding to the next level, letting you fight with four things at once: two guns, one tendril attacking enemies, and another grabbing a bad guy to use as a shield.
Jackie’s powerful tendrils make him incredibly strong, but they also come with some significant drawbacks. He needs to absorb hearts to regain energy, so simply attacking everyone isn’t effective. Plus, his abilities are diminished in bright light. These unique limitations create a satisfying balance – you feel powerful, but you’re also encouraged to think strategically, especially in open combat areas.
8. Call Of Juarez: Gunslinger
Big Iron, Big Iron
When it comes to classic Wild West gunfights, you can’t get much more iconic than cowboys spinning revolvers. These gunslingers were skilled with both hats and six-shooters, and even with older weapons, the setting makes for a fantastic shooter game. Call of Juarez: Gunslinger does a great job of capturing the true feel of the Old West while remaining a really enjoyable game to play.
Gunslinger puts you in the role of a boastful bounty hunter telling tall tales in a saloon. You’ll share exaggerated stories about facing off against famous outlaws and lawmen of the Old West. The game doesn’t focus on realism – you can easily take on large groups of enemies without worrying about getting hurt. What’s unique is that whenever someone calls out your lies, the story – and the environment around you – actually changes.
Gunslinger features fast-paced, arcade-style shooting where you quickly take down enemies, either aiming normally or using slow-motion. You’ll need to dodge bullets with precise timing. Many fights end with a quickdraw duel, testing your aim, reflexes, and courage.
7. Turbo Overkill
No Such Thing as Too Many Chainsaws
Chainsaws have been a staple weapon in fast-paced shooters ever since the original Doom. But Turbo Overkill takes things to the extreme – instead of just holding one chainsaw, you’ve got them built right into your arms and legs, giving you a total of four!
Turbo Overkill is a fast-paced sci-fi shooter set in a dark, futuristic city filled with robotic enemies. You’ll fight back using a powerful collection of customizable weapons, including plasma rifles that lock onto targets and sniper rifles that can teleport. You can modify and improve every weapon to unlock small benefits and big changes, like adding new ways to fire. With some clever thinking and skillful movement, you can make almost any weapon incredibly effective.
These chainsaws are the best part of the whole setup. Attaching them to your legs lets you dash quickly, making you much faster. Beating bosses earns you new upgrades for your body, such as a grappling hook and a missile launcher built into your wrist. Honestly, who needs humanity when you can have chrome? The future is all about being chrome!
6. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
Smells Like Heresy in Here
Old-school shooter games were great because you often played as a powerful, tough character who could take a lot of damage and fight back with force. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun captures that same feeling, adding in exciting battles set in space.
Boltgun puts you in the boots of a classic Space Marine sent to a planet swarming with dangerous enemies like cultists and monsters. The plot isn’t the focus – it’s all about being a powerful warrior with devastating weapons. Expect intense, non-stop action where you’ll use your massive rifle and chainsaw to tear through hordes of enemies.
Boltgun offers a straightforward, action-packed experience with a huge range of powerful weapons and plenty of bizarre enemies to fight. Despite being heavily armed, you’re surprisingly agile, able to quickly move through tight spaces and large areas while unleashing a hail of bullets. It’s a fantastic way to eliminate the heretics!
5. Halo: Combat Evolved
No One Does it Like the Chief
Before the early 2000s, first-person shooter games were primarily played on computers. Gamepads weren’t ideal for these games, particularly before dual-analog stick controllers became standard. However, the release of the first Halo game dramatically changed that. Its campaign remains enjoyable and well-designed even today.
Halo: Combat Evolved first introduced players to the iconic Master Chief, the alien Covenant, and the ringworld known as Halo – and the war between them. It established many features that would define the series for years to come, like the ability to carry two weapons, drivable vehicles, and Master Chief’s recharging shields. While not as durable as some older shooter characters, these shields provide significant protection, keeping the fast-paced action going.
Since you can only carry two weapons at a time, you’ll find plenty of weapons dropped by defeated enemies – both human and Covenant. Human weapons are the familiar guns you’re used to, like assault rifles and shotguns. Covenant weapons use energy and require you to adapt your tactics because they fire differently.
4. Half-Life 2
The Fun and Practical Applications of Physics
Before most people played games on PCs, the Half-Life series was almost like the face of the platform. When Half-Life 2 came out in 2004, it was a massively important release – a true game-changer. While playing the original Half-Life can enhance your experience, it’s not required to enjoy the second game.
Half-Life 2 puts you in the role of Gordon Freeman, a scientist who wakes up after a long period of being frozen to find that Earth has been taken over by a powerful alien force called the Combine. Armed with just a crowbar and a pistol, he joins the human resistance and fights his way through City 17 and surrounding areas. One of the things that makes Half-Life 2 so popular is how its levels are designed. While the game generally guides you along a set path, its advanced physics engine lets you find many different ways to solve problems and progress.
The game’s physics engine is another key to its success, and it’s best experienced through the iconic Gravity Gun. Even when you’re out of bullets, you can always grab nearby objects and fling them at enemies with incredible force. It’s a clever, surprisingly realistic, and really enjoyable way to fight!
3. Left 4 Dead 2
Nothing Builds Cooperation Like a Zombie Plague
Besides Half-Life, Valve became a leader in PC shooting games with the Left 4 Dead series. Even now, Left 4 Dead 2 remains incredibly popular, over ten years after its release. Valve isn’t known for releasing games frequently, but when they do, they’re generally very successful.
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Left 4 Dead 2 is a cooperative shooting game for up to four players. Players take on the role of survivors trying to reach safety while fighting off hordes of zombies. You’ll use a variety of weapons – from pistols and shotguns to rifles and even guitars – to survive. Teamwork is crucial, because you’ll need to rely on your teammates to rescue you if you get cornered by the more dangerous infected creatures.
Okay, so everyone knows Left 4 Dead 2 is awesome with friends online, but I actually love playing it solo sometimes too. The AI teammates aren’t perfect, but they’re usually pretty good about helping you out if you get into trouble. Plus, it’s nice to be able to take things at my own speed without worrying about keeping up with other players.
2. Wolfenstein: The New Order
The Definition of One-Man Army
The original Wolfenstein 3D is often considered the game that launched the modern first-person shooter. It was a straightforward premise: you played as B.J. Blazkowicz, a lone soldier fighting his way through a Nazi base, shooting enemies and ultimately defeating a cybernetic Hitler. The 2014 reboot, Wolfenstein: The New Order, explores a similar idea of one person taking on the Nazis, but with a bit more depth.
In this alternate history, the Nazis won World War II using incredibly advanced technology. After being critically injured at the war’s end, B.J. wakes up more than ten years later to a world completely controlled by the Nazis. He then joins a secret resistance movement to liberate Europe. While the idea sounds far-fetched, the story is surprisingly serious and explores the deep trauma B.J. experienced during his time fighting in the war.
This game’s hero, B.J., isn’t as tough as he was in previous games, so you’ll need to rely on quick attacks and escapes instead of just standing your ground and shooting. Don’t be afraid to use any tactic you can – sneak around enemies, use stealth attacks, and throw grenades to get the upper hand. You’ll often feel like you’re facing overwhelming odds, but that’s part of what makes the game so thrilling.
1. Doom (2016)
Ripping and Tearing Since ‘93
No discussion of shooting games would be complete without mentioning Doom. It’s truly the defining game of the genre. While it had some difficulties in the mid-2000s, the 2016 reboot, Doom, proved that the Doom Slayer is still the best at what he does.
The Slayer returns from a long slumber, rising from his coffin on Mars to face yet another demonic invasion. He quickly arms himself and launches a brutal, one-person war against the hordes of Hell. As you play, you’ll unlock the iconic Doom weapons, updated with new designs and firing modes, all primed to obliterate the grotesque enemies in your path.
A key feature of Doom 2016 was the introduction of ‘glory kills’ – brutal finishing moves performed on weakened enemies. These not only provide a visceral thrill but also restore the player’s health, creating a constant cycle of intense combat. This allows players to aggressively charge into hordes of enemies, like Imps, without worrying much about taking damage, and it’s incredibly rewarding to do so.
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2026-01-02 22:12