This year has been fantastic for shooting games, with a lot of exciting titles offering intense combat and impressive weapons. Many of these games tried new things with their gameplay, stories, and overall ideas, though some were more successful than others in making it all feel meaningful.
Honestly, some of these games really stood out more than others. Picking a favorite was actually easier than I thought it would be, which was a nice surprise! Want to know which one really grabbed my attention in this crowded field? Let’s run through the contenders, starting from the bottom and working our way up to my top pick.
Let’s jump right in! The nominees for the best shooter of 2025 are:
1. Escape From Tarkov
This game is fantastic! It really puts you in the shoes of a seasoned mercenary, and with its smooth movement and diverse weapons, it’s a great choice for online multiplayer fans. The story gives you a good reason to be doing what you’re doing, and the graphics really pull you into the world.
As far as shooters go, Escape From Tarkov is definitely up there with the best ones of 2025.
2. Arc Raiders
Okay, so Arc Raiders is seriously cool. It’s a new take on the extraction shooter genre, and it’s really grabbed me. The world is totally wrecked, and you’re always looking over your shoulder because you can’t trust anyone. But when you do find a teammate you can rely on? That’s awesome. We’ve been setting up some crazy ambushes on other players, and it’s been a blast. It’s definitely creating some moments I won’t forget.
The game is incredibly fast-moving and puts you firmly in control, making it really addictive and something we’ll want to play again and again.
3. Battlefield 6
After the disappointing launch of Battlefield 2042, Battlefield 6 faced high expectations. Fortunately, the game has delivered, even though its single-player story wasn’t well-received. It boasts impressive graphics and a new movement system that greatly enhances the gameplay experience.
This new Portal game is a significant improvement. With better weapons, environments you can destroy, and a generally more refined experience, it’s definitely worth buying.
4. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl (PS5)
The PS5 version of STALKER 2 is the best way to play, as it includes all updates from the past year and takes advantage of the DualSense controller’s features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, thanks to improvements from the game developers, GSC.
Exploring The Zone on PS5 is a truly immersive experience. The updated A-Life system and enhanced stealth mechanics keep you constantly on edge, even while you’re skillfully tracking down enemies. The story is compelling, and the world feels unpredictable and full of possibilities.
5. DOOM: The Dark Ages
The latest installment in the Slayer series delivers the fast-paced action fans expect from first-person shooters. This time, id Software has introduced new gameplay elements and a backstory that delves into the Slayer’s initial conflicts, creating a relentlessly intense experience set within stunningly detailed environments.
The game features challenging enemies and a great arsenal of weapons for players to use, making it incredibly fun from beginning to end. If you’re looking for a new shooter, you can’t go wrong with DOOM: The Dark Ages.
6. Sniper Elite: Resistance
Rebellion’s recent games in the Sniper Elite series have been fun, and it’s been especially enjoyable to see Harry Hawker battle advanced German weaponry. A key reason for this is the gameplay, which gives players a lot of freedom to choose how they complete their missions.
The X-ray view of enemy takedowns, along with plenty of extra features, makes this game ideal for players who prefer long-range combat.
7. The Outer Worlds 2
I’m so excited for The Outer Worlds 2! It’s a sequel to the 2019 game, and from what I’ve seen, it’s going to be a really fun RPG. I can already tell I’ll be smiling a lot while battling tough enemies and exploring this detailed world. It sounds like your choices really matter, affecting how you interact with the different groups and how the story unfolds. It’s not just fun and games though – apparently there’s a lot at stake, which is awesome!
This game is highly customizable and offers great replayability, meaning you could easily lose hours of your time enjoying it.
8. Escape From Duckov
Team Soda’s game offers a fresh take on the extraction shooter genre, combining cute characters with intense, thrilling gameplay. Its overhead perspective enhances the game’s mechanics, and the art style and story create a comfortably paced and enjoyable experience.
Escape from Duckov is a unique single-player game where you try to survive and escape with loot. The gameplay seems easy at first, but quickly becomes challenging when you get into combat. It’s a game worth trying!
9. Alien: Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition
While the main story felt a bit brief, navigating the facility overrun with Xenomorphs was genuinely exciting. These creatures are incredibly aggressive and attack from all directions, forcing you to quickly find cover and fight back.
Honestly, the story really grabbed me, and I found myself totally hooked on finding all the little bits of backstory scattered throughout the game’s beautiful world. I’m just really impatient for the next part of the story to come out!
10. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a fantastic game that’s incredibly addictive, keeping players up late into the night. The combat is excellent, and the psychic powers offer a lot of creative options for taking on enemies.
This game is a fantastic addition to the Switch 2’s collection, delivering everything you’d want in a good shooting game.
11. Metal Eden
If you enjoy fast-paced shooting games, check out Metal Eden. You’ll have plenty of ways to move quickly, powerful weapons, and a fantastic bullet time feature, all of which will help Aska defeat the android enemies blocking her path to the Cores.
While the game’s balance and weapon upgrades could be improved, it remains a fantastic shooting experience.
12. Borderlands 4
The Vault Hunters are back in a vibrant and exciting action RPG. While the game doesn’t always aim for complete seriousness, it delivers a fantastic story and engaging gameplay. Plus, the game’s distinctive art style still looks great alongside today’s modern titles.
This game features a huge, engaging world filled with interesting activities, and its familiar style will draw you in. Be warned – you might easily lose hours playing, so keep an eye on the time if you need to!
13. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition
Sneakybox’s updated version of the 2011 adventure game remains an excellent Warhammer 40k experience. Although the story occasionally feels exaggerated, the blend of close-quarters and long-range fighting is satisfying, especially with the diverse range of weapons and the way it tells the story of the Ultramarines.
This game perfectly captures the feel of Warhammer and remains enjoyable even today, making it well worth playing.
14. Ready or Not (PS5/Xbox Series X | S)
This game nearly won our award for the best shooter of 2025. It creates a really tense and exciting experience thanks to its excellent presentation. The core gameplay is simple to learn, but surprisingly challenging to truly master due to its unpredictable nature.
I’m a huge fan of Ready or Not. It’s an incredible game, but it’s definitely not for everyone. You can be a really skilled player, carefully planning everything out, and one little slip-up in a tense shootout can ruin it all! It’s a masterpiece, but the game deals with some pretty serious and sensitive stuff, so it’s not going to appeal to all players.
15. Gears of War: Reloaded
Markus Fenix makes a fantastic return on the PS5! This updated version of the original Gears of War looks incredible, and the story remains just as thrilling as it always was. It’s a testament to how well this franchise elevates the shooter genre.
Gears of War: Reloaded is a fantastic shooter, offering both a strong sense of nostalgia and satisfying gameplay with its weapons and mechanics. The game remains popular online, thanks to the enduring success of the Gears of War series.
We’ve made our recommendations, and now the difficult part begins: choosing a winner. The competition was very strong, and it wasn’t an easy decision.
The winner of the best shooter of 2025 is…
Arc Raiders
This game stands out with its potential for exciting, player-created moments, quickly setting it apart from other extraction shooters. It offers a fresh experience where the unpredictable interactions between players create constant tension and thrilling gameplay. You’ll find yourself forging alliances and rivalries with other players – they’ll be both your closest allies and fiercest competitors.
I’ve really enjoyed playing all the best shooting games of 2025. Here’s hoping we get even more great ones in 2026!
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2026-01-01 15:14