Best Tactical Shooters Of All Time, Ranked

The tactical shooter subgenre contains progressive gameplay that is continually developing. The genre often involves using multiple gadgets, breaching doors with a squad, or planning the attack method before a match starts. Routinely found in online tactical-based games is a need for communication.

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Regardless of a player's experience level with tactical shooter games, it's never too late to delve into one of these hit games. It can be quite challenging to get into these titles (especially if players are too used to FPS titles where individual skill is more important than teamwork), but patient players who take their time to learn how the game works will be more than pleased with what these games have to offer when everything finally clicks into place.

Updated on November 26, 2024, by Mehrdad Khayyat: Playing tactical games reminds players why they are playing in a team and why it is important to communicate with each other. In tactical games, there are barely any superheroes who can do everything on their own. Games can be won much easier with good team coordination.

When communication comes into play, the joy of earning a victory or completing objectives surges significantly. Players work with each other closely to earn what they deserve, and in the end, it is a joy for every member, as every single contribution matters.

22 Gray Zone Warfare

New Blood In Veins Of Extraction Shooter Genre

Still in Early Access, Gray Zone Warfare is a promising extraction shooter that encourages team-play and a tactical approach without forcing players into PvP. The game offers a massive unified map with a set of multiple objectives to complete.

So, while players will need to deal with AI-controlled units to tackle the missions, they may also run into other player groups before extracting. So, it's important to have support players who watch the entries while other teammates try to infiltrate the outposts. The only shortcoming of Gray Zone Warfare at the moment is the performance struggle.

21 Six Days In Fallujah

Recreating The Horrors Of An Urban Battle

Developed by getting consultancy from veterans who have been in the war against terrorists of Al-Qaeda in Iraq, Six Days In Fallujah offers an intense, unforgiving experience about fighting against ruthless terrorists in a location that they know far better than the player!

An urban battle can always be tough due to all the hiding corners and complex tunnels that can be used by defenders to hide or flank the attacking units. This one, however, is based on real events, and that's why Six Days In Fallujah is only suggested to the dedicated shooter fans.

The game only offers PvE, which can be played either solo or with friends within a squad.

20 Valorant

Hero-Based Competitive Shooter With An Abundance Of Strategies

Of course, Valorant never gives players the feeling of being in a war or a realistic battle, as it is a hero shooter with most characters featuring otherworldly abilities. That being said, the game still excels at delivering that tactical experience, where each player will have to communicate with their teammates if they want to win.

There are so many different strategies to try out in Valorant based on the map and the combination of heroes in each team, and that gives every match a different flavor. Valorant also features a Counter-Strike-style gunplay, which makes it even more popular among shooter fans.

19 Escape From Tarkov

Hardcore Extraction Shooter Featuring PvP And PvE

It's worth noting that Escape from Tarkov isn't widely available. It uses a unique launcher explicitly made for the game, along the lines of Fortnite. However, for those who can do so, it's worth trying out.

The inventory management of Escape from Tarkov is one of its highlights. While the game is tactical-based, it has an inventory system similar to survival games like PUBG and Z1 Battle Royale. The game is still in its beta stage, which has been active since July 2017.

18 Hunt: Showdown 1896

An Extraction Shooter Set In Zombie-Torn Wild West

Similar to Escape From Tarkov, Hunt: Showdown 1896 is also an extraction shooter featuring PvPvE maps, where players need to kill bosses, get the bounty tokens, and extract the map before other hunters reach them. Or, they can do it the other way! Wait for other players to kill the bosses and then raid the tokens from the players.

While Escape From Tarkov excels at recreating modern weapons, Hunt: Showdown 1896 does the same with the old weapons that belong to the 19th century. The game recently received a visual upgrade which makes the experience even more pleasing.

17 Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis

Lead Operation Squad In A Variety Of Tactical Missions

Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis was developed by Bohemia Interactive Studio and was first released in 2001 before being re-released in 2011 under the name ARMA: Cold War Assault. Bohemia Interactive Studio's tactical shooter was the first in the Operation Flashpoint series and was considered to be a spiritual successor to Suma's 1995 release Gravon: Real Virtuality, which was ported to PC by Bohemia Interactive.

Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis stood out in 2001 with its team-based gameplay, an abundance of drivable vehicles, and Real Time Tactics mechanics. It's a shame that Bohemia Interactive and Codemasters ended up in legal battles over this IP, leading to the series slowly becoming less and less relevant over time as other better tactical shooters came to take its place.

16 Project I.G.I.: I'm Going In

Infiltrate The Facilities And Wipe Targets As A Lone Wolf

A unique tactical shooter that promotes stealth more than outright combat, Project I.G.I. Is a game where a covert approach and sneaking into bases make for a tense time as players try not to mess up while using the wealth of tools in their arsenal. It's a unique title that more people need to check out if they like tactical shooters and don't mind something that feels more retro.

A single mistake can lead to catastrophic results, and full-on combat should be left for desperate situations and the like. It'll take a few failures for players to get into the groove of the game, but Project I.G.I. Can captivate tactical shooter fans in no time.

15 Hidden & Dangerous 2: Courage Under Fire

Recreating Real-Life Operations Of World War 2

Most tactical shooters let players approach enemies from the shadows instead of going all out with the shooting, which is why Hidden & Dangerous 2 is a gem that more players need to check out. Serving as an operative behind enemy lines is as tense as they come, and a single mistake can have horrid consequences for the player.

It's important to be as covert as possible and not attract any unwanted attention. With the extensive suite of options, players have to accomplish their objectives, it's easy to see why fans of tactical shooters will love what Hidden & Dangerous 2 brings to the table.

14 Insurgency Series

Multiplayer-Based Hardcore PvP Shooter In Mid-Size Maps

One of the most engaging tactical shooters around that will feel right at home for fans of Counter-Strike, the Insurgency series lets players join one of two groups and complete an objective while taking out the opposing squad. This makes for a great time as players coordinate their assault to ensure that the second team never even gets a chance.

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Rounds are short and tense, forcing players to really hone their placement, shooting skills, and teamwork if they want to string together a bunch of wins. Trying to be a solo hero in the Insurgency series is strongly discouraged and will end a player's winning streak in no time.

13 Star Wars: Republic Commando

Leading A Special Ops Squad In Clone Wars

When Star Wars: Republic Commando was released back in 2005, it was considered ahead of its time. Fast-forward to now, and the game is beginning to show age. This tactical-based first-person shooter deserves a remaster or remake from the ground up.

Players take on the role of a Republic commando, the leader of his elite squad. They can control party members to tactfully annihilate enemies. Despite its age, S tar Wars: Republic Commando is an exceptionally unique Star Wars game worth playing for tactical-based game fanatics.