Halo: Combat Evolved was the first game in the Halo series, which was released alongside the original Xbox in 2001. It redefined shooter experiences on consoles so much that various companies tried to make “Halo killers” because they wanted to be THE next redefining shooter experience. The legacy of Halo is untouched decades later, and to celebrate its first anniversary, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary was released in 2011 as a remaster.
Ranking The 8 Best FPS Games For Feeling Like A God
Many shooters focus on surviving through waves of enemies, yet these games prove it is just as entertaining to feel extremely godlike in shooters.
Now, twenty-five years later, Microsoft is producing Halo: Campaign Evolved, a full remake of the game. The wildest part is that it will come to PlayStation consoles in 2026 when it launches. To get prepared, these futuristic first-person shooters are likewise some of the best shooter experiences around that Halo fans would appreciate.
Halo: Reach
The Prequel That Started It All
Halo: Reach
- Released
- September 14, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Halo: Reach is the most important Halo game players can engage with before the new remake comes out. It’s a prequel that sets up the first game, which isn’t necessary, but it fits thematically. Plus, it will get new players accustomed to Halo’s controls, which haven’t changed that much since the early days on the original Xbox. Instead of Master Chief, this game follows other Spartans in their fight to save the planet Reach from an unexpected Covenant invasion, and it’s one epic fight after the other.
Destiny 2
Free To Fun
Destiny 2
- Released
- August 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For TEEN for Blood, Language, and Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Halo: Reach was Bungie’s last Halo game before they moved on to their next big shooter project, Destiny. Currently, Destiny 2 is the hub that everyone plays, which keeps getting updates and big expansions to keep it alive past its original 2017 debut. Bungie revolutionized shooter controls for console games with the first Halo, and Destiny 2 is without question their freshest shooter to date. Between all of the classes and guns, everything has great tactile feedback, and nothing ever feels loose when shooting down aliens for that sweet, sweet loot.
Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare
Just Add Troy Baker
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
- Released
- November 4, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- FPS
There are a few Call of Duty games with future tech, including one that went to space, but the relatively low-fi angle of the tech in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is what makes it stick out years later. Players will fight massive armies boosted by exoskeletons that give them various powers, from jump boosts to speed boosts.
7 Best Horror Games For First-Person Combat, Ranked
From vampire westerns to underwater fantasies, these games have some of the best first-person combat seen in the horror genre.
The shooting feels immaculate, and the campaign is another mile-a-minute intense rush that will grip players from beginning to end. The only thing missing from this package today is the multiplayer support since most players have moved on, but the campaign alone is well worth the price of admission, regardless.
Titanfall 2
A Mechanized Assault
Titanfall 2
- Released
- October 28, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Titanfall 2 is an underrated shooter that puts players on the ground as a futuristic soldier and in the cockpit of a mech. The campaign is a sight to see with plenty of action, set pieces, and surprises that are not worth spoiling here. Between the human and mech shooting, everything still feels modern, even though this is a 2016 game. Like Bungie, Respawn Entertainment knows how to make good shooters since most of the developers came from Call of Duty projects.
Killzone: Shadow Fall
The Halo Killer At Its Peak
Killzone: Shadow Fall
- Released
- November 15, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Game Experience May Change During Online Play, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Killzone: Shadow Fall was a launch game for the PS4 and the final main game in the Killzone series. Even though it is the fourth main title, players don’t need to play the others to get into this one. The levels are more open-ended in this entry, featuring plenty of ways to take down the glowing, orange-eyed Helghast soldiers.
From stealth kills with a knife to a blast from a rifle, there are a lot of futuristic weapons to gather. The story may not do anything for players, but the action set pieces sure will, and Halo fans should definitely check out Sony’s once-touted “Halo Killer” franchise.
Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection
Two Games In One
Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection
- Released
- March 14, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Violence
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection collects the first two Battlefront games that originally appeared on systems like the PS2 and original Xbox. Both games feature campaigns set in both the original and new trilogy, and players can engage in first-person or third-person shooting.
8 Best Open-World Games For First-Person Combat, Ranked
Open-world game enthusiasts looking for satisfying first-person combat should look no further than the following games.
They can fight as many different factions from Clone Troopers to the Rebel Alliance, plus, key characters can be controlled for limited excursions like Darth Vader. Halo and other sci-fi shooters would not be anywhere without Star Wars, and this collection can still prove to be a good time.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
A Retro-Style Shooter
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
- Released
- May 23, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is one of seemingly hundreds of Warhammer games out there, but this example is a retro throwback to 90s shooters like DOOM and Wolfenstein 3D. The backgrounds are well-realized, but the enemies appear as big sprites, giving the game a distinct visual style.
While it looks like a retro shooter, it doesn’t play like one, as the gameplay is much more refined and bloody even in pixel form. From magic guns that shoot lasers to the good old chainsaw sword, players will kill their enemies with ease. Master Chief owes a lot to these legendary Space Marines, which is a major reason why Halo fans will enjoy it.
BioShock
Atmospheric Horror
BioShock
- Released
- August 21, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- FPS
BioShock doesn’t fit the space theme of most of the aforementioned shooters, but it does suck players into a bold, well-realised sci-fi world, much like the original Halo. It brought atmospheric horror to the Xbox 360 as a spiritual successor to System Shock. Trapped below the surface in the city of Rapture, players had to find their way out of this fallen undersea utopia.
With supernatural powers, Tommy guns, wild citizens off their rocker, and giant drill-toting divers looking to kill intruders, BioShock quickly became a hit, and is a must-play for any fans of the Halo franchise who have the luxury of getting to play it blind for the first time.
Best Action Games With Ridiculous Gameplay
These outrageous and over-the-top action games deliver unforgettable, ridiculous gameplay experiences, pushing the boundaries of the genre.