Valorant has crossed over its fifth anniversary, and in that time, it has taken the FPS world by storm, demonstrating that brand-new IPs can find just as much success in the space as fan-favourite franchises. The game obviously borrows many ideas and elements from similar games in the genre, most notably Counter-Strike, yet despite the difficulty that comes with breaking into something as competitive as the FPS market, it has managed to carve out a nice place for itself within the market, drawing in millions of players and showing the world that Riot is more than just a one-trick pony.
16 Best Open-World FPS Games, Ranked
The FPS and open-world genres are two of gaming's most popular. Put them together, and you've got a serious recipe for success.
However, with all the praise the game deserves, there are still quite a few FPS games out there that manage to deliver a significantly better and more enjoyable gameplay experience overall. Many of the best games in the genre manage to bring something unique to the table, innovating in what is otherwise an incredibly crowded space, and as a result, delivering an experience that can be appreciated by players on any platform. The idea of cross-play has always been a subject thrown around in the gaming world, but it wasn't until the last few years that things have really taken huge strides in the right direction, with players from Xbox to PC being able to play with one another without any limits or restrictions, creating a much more communal experience in a single title.
Apex Legends
Larger Playing Fields With More Chances For Skill Expression
Details:
- Battle Royale formula makes matches feel fast and distinct each time
- More mechanical depth beyond just aim
Apex Legends brings speed, adrenaline, and unmatched chaos to the battle royale genre. Players can choose between a wide cast of characters, each with unique abilities that alter how they engage with the battlefield in different ways. Some unlock different movement options like a throwable teleportation device, while others focus more on information, letting players scan their surroundings for any other players that might be lurking nearby. The maps are filled with a load of different locations that play very distinctly from one another, as players can be running through a desert out in the open, then quickly find themselves surrounded by trees and huts to use as cover, adding so much depth to the world for players to unlock.
Where the gameplay really goes above and beyond Valorant's is how skillfully expressive every mechanic is. Being able to aim is one thing, and players will need to learn to use every kind of weapon from weak pistols to devastating sniper rifles, but movement also plays a key role in deciding who comes out on top in a firefight. Slide-canceling, wall hops, delayed jump, and so many more pieces of tech are available to those willing to learn them, turning high-level encounters into dances of skill that depend on several different mechanics, rather than just who landed the first headshot.
Battlefield 6
Bringing Back The Premier Modern FPS
Details:
- Intense firefights across gigantic environments
- Loadout customization for diverse playstyles
Battlefield has always led the charge for large-scale FPS battles, and the latest installment pushes things even further. Each map feels like players are being thrown into the middle of a warzone, with bullets flying from all sides and soldiers marching across the landscape to take control over any piece of territory they can. The gunplay feels so crisp, and the weapons are so responsive, giving players all the tools they need to run in and tear through the enemy backlines or sneakily pick off flankers from afar.
Best FPS Games On Xbox Game Pass
The Xbox Game Pass library is full of celebrated first-person shooter titles, and here is a look at the best FPS games available to play.
Also, the vehicle combat could not be any more satisfying, as players can easily jump into a terrifying tank and slowly make their way to the objective, blowing up anything that comes too close. Yet as impressive as the planes and tanks may be, there are still plenty of counterplay options like launchers that keep things feeling fair for players on all sides. Overall, the gameplay perfectly delivers on the FPS fantasy of being fully immersed in a battlefield full of carnage, and when working with teammates, the tactical elements can actually rival even the most complicated executes in Valorant.
The Finals
Arcadey Battles With Surprising Depth
Details:
- Vertical element allows firefights to take place across several layers
- Environmental destruction adds a layer of expression to each map
The Finals stands out as one of the most mechanically expressive shooters on the market, taking everything Valorant does well and blowing it out of the water. Instead of fixed, predictable maps, every arena in is fully destructible, with walls exploding, floors collapsing, and entire buildings crumbling before the player's eyes. This creates a level of variety that exists in very few other shooters, as players need to constantly adapt to a changing battlefield and adjust their playstyle to outplay and outmaneuver their opponents.
In terms of actual gameplay, the freedom and level of experimentation are significantly better than in Valorant. Players can choose between lighter builds that turn them into speedy assassins or heavier ones that can reshape team fights in seconds with defensive tools that can swing even losing encounters in the other team's favor. And because of how vertically oriented the maps are, there are even opportunities for players to show off their movement skills, as they leap between structures and double back on themselves to reach new locations and to have the other team running in circles.
Overwatch 2
Leading The Charge For Hero Shooters
Details:
- A diverse roster of heroes with very different styles and roles
- Bigger emphasis on teamwork and coordination than solo play
Overwatch burst onto the FPS scene and quickly became one of the biggest games on the planet just weeks after it released. Now, almost a decade later, after countless updates and even a rebrand, the game remains a mainstay in the shooter world, with content still being pushed out at an incredibly fast rate. The reason the game was and still is so popular is because of how well it blends genres into a cohesive experience. It takes elements from MOBAs and traditional FPS games and merges them into a perfect hero shooter where every character has a role to play within a team composition, and even after 1000s of games played, players will still be experiencing new tech and strategies to learn. Valorant differs in this regard, as despite there being specific roles and character types, at the end of the day, everyone is still going to end up needing to shoot one another or risk losing the round.
FPS Games That Are As Fun As Battlefield 6
For players who love Battlefield 6 but want to branch out, these games are a perfect fit.
At its core, it remains an intense team-based hero shooter that can be played by both casuals and those looking for a high-level competitive experience. But above all else, there is something for everyone, with characters that focus solely on aim, like Widowmaker and Soldier: 76, and more supportive characters that focus less on aim mechanics and more on game sense, like Reinhardt and Lucio, offering a wider range of choice than the more two-dimensional character design of Valorant. The depth is nearly endless, and players have no shortage of opportunities to test their skills against one another, whether they prefer raw FPS aim or want to show off their match-up knowledge and blow the entire lobby's minds.
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
A Tactical Masterclass
Details:
- Unique defensive and offensive options
- Insanely high skill ceiling for mechanics and knowledge
Rainbow Six Siege is the gold standard for tactical, slow-paced FPS gameplay, offering an intensity and level of decision-making that not even Valorant can compete with. Instead of running and gunning, players must carefully coordinate each movement, relying on precise teamwork, tiny sound cues, and smart utility usage to take control of small but highly detailed maps. Every wall, window, hatch, and doorway can become an entry point or potential escape route depending on how the players choose to approach the objective, and because the rooms are so malleable, there are far fewer chances to camp a specific line of sight like in Valorant.
Operators add even more depth, each bringing unique gadgets that can reinforce defenses or gather intel for the attacking team. There are specific use-cases for each character, but rather than having basic roles like Smoker or Initiator, the operators can instead be used in a variety of scenarios, having a good amount of impact no matter where they are picked. At the higher level, things really step up, as the matches turn into mind games of counter-strategies and game knowledge, whilst still relying heavily on an absurd amount of aiming prowess. Valorant may deliver a nice, accessible tactical loop, but R6 pushes every limit further to allow players to fully push themselves to their mechanical and mental limits.
Best FPS Games That Lived Up To The Hype
These FPS games were under quite a lot of pressure to live up to player hype, but they still managed to do so.