The 26 Best FPS Games in 2023

First-person shooters, or FPS games, are a highly popular subgenre of action-packed shooter video games that focus on combat involving guns and other projectile weapons from a first-person perspective. These games are enjoyed by virtually all age groups, with shooter and action-adventure games being the top two video game genres across the globe in 2022.

The FPS genre has seen a steady evolution in the past few decades, with the availability of better technology leading to an increase in complexity. Graphics, in particular, have undergone significant improvements, with more powerful graphics cards and better code contributing to increasingly polished game visuals. Many recent single-player FPS games, such as Halo Infinite, Metro Exodus, and the Far Cry series, have relied on their strong narratives and stunning graphics to captivate audiences.

FPS games have also demonstrated a diversity of sub-genres and mechanics to capture players' attention. While initial games were often run-and-gun shooters, games like Apex Legends and Valorant have introduced additional mechanics, such as hero shooter and battle royale elements. Additionally, the trend towards games-as-a-service (GaaS) has led to an increasing number of free-to-play FPS games that rely on microtransactions and in-app purchases for revenue.

When ranking the top 26 FPS games, we took into consideration several key game development elements.

• The first is the gameplay mechanics, which include the game's controls, AI, level design, and overall player experience.
• Graphics and visual quality play a significant role, as these elements can impact the game's immersion and overall aesthetic appeal.
• Story and narrative are important, as FPS games that provide a compelling and engaging story can enhance the player's emotional investment in the game.
• Finally, we took into account user reviews and ratings, as they offer valuable insights into the game's overall reception by the gaming community.

By considering these criteria, we aimed to provide a well-rounded and comprehensive list of the best FPS games 2023.

Destiny 2: Lightfall, a highly anticipated major expansion for the popular first-person shooter video game by Bungie, was released on February 28, 2023. It marks the seventh major release and sixth year of content expansion for Destiny 2, with a story that centers around Calus leading an army of Shadow Legion Cabal and Tormentors to attack a secret human city on Neptune enroute to the Last City to bring about a second Collapse. The game is available on multiple platforms, including PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One & Series X/S, and PC via Steam, Windows, and the Epic Games Store.

Destiny 2 prioritizes optimization over graphic intensity, which has resulted in a game that can run smoothly on a variety of systems. The expansion offers players an extensive range of new gameplay elements, including fresh missions, a new Player vs. Environment location, a Player vs. Player map, player gear, weaponry, and a brand-new raid, as well as two new dungeons and a reprised raid. Year 6 of the game includes four seasonal content offerings, including the Season of Defiance and the Season of the Deep in May 2023, with two unnamed seasons set to be released later in the year.

Dead Space Remake

Dead Space, the survival horror video game remake of 2008 original, was released in 2023 by Motive Studio and Electronic Arts for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. The game follows engineer Isaac Clarke and his crew on a mission to investigate the USG Ishimura, a mining ship that has gone silent above the planet Aegis VII. As they navigate the ship, they are attacked by Necromorphs, mutated human corpses, and Isaac must fight to survive while uncovering the truth behind the ship's demise. The game features improved graphics, sound design, and gameplay mechanics, including a "peeling" system and more gore. Players can explore the ship's six sections freely and access locked doors and containers through various methods. The game has received generally favorable reviews for its immersive survival horror experience.

The Finals

The Finals is an upcoming first-person shooter video game by Embark Studios, a Nexon subsidiary. The game features team-based matches on destructible maps that encourage players to utilize the dynamic environment. The gameplay takes place in a satirical future where players participate in a massive game show, engaging in battles against other squads to seize loot and deposit it at designated locations. In "Cashout," players form teams of three to complete objectives, like opening vaults and transporting them to a "cash-out" location, with the winning team being determined by the amount of money collected. Players can choose from three classes, each with unique abilities and equipment, with the game mechanics allowing for emergent gameplay. The maps include explosive objects, destructible terrain, and buildings, with temporary construction available through barriers and "Goo" weapons.

STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an upcoming survival horror first-person shooter video game developed and published by GSC Game World for Microsoft Windows and the Xbox Series X/S. The game features non-linear gameplay set in a post-apocalyptic dark science fiction world. Although the release was initially scheduled for December 8, 2022, development was put on hold due to the ongoing war in Ukraine caused by the russian invasion.

The player takes on the role of a stalker, tasked with exploring the Zone and deciding its fate. The game boasts benchmark-setting graphics powered by Unreal Engine 5 and official mod support, allowing players to expand and enrich the game universe. Immersive survival mechanics add to the gameplay, as players must search for and consume rare and valuable supplies while navigating through the branched storyline. A multiplayer mode is planned for release as a free update following the game's launch.

RoboCop: Rogue City

RoboCop: Rogue City is an upcoming first-person shooter video game developed by Teyon and published by Nacon. It is set to be released on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X in September 2023. The latest footage of the game showcases its main features, allowing players to experience the role of RoboCop, the ultimate crime-fighting machine, and engage in activities such as investigating crimes, battling criminals, and issuing parking tickets.

The gameplay offers a highly-detailed, post-apocalyptic version of Detroit, where players can explore the city as Alex Murphy and engage in thrilling detective work to track down criminals. In the preview footage, RoboCop is seen infiltrating a drug den hidden beneath an arcade, using his weapons, including his signature Auto 9 handgun and a submachine gun, to take down the opposition with fierce firepower. Players can expect a range of weapons, enemies, and environments to explore, all with the stunning graphics and fast-paced action that define the RoboCop franchise.

Hyenas

Hyenas, an upcoming competitive multiplayer shooter from Creative Assembly, promises to deliver an engaging hero shooter experience akin to Apex Legends, featuring a visually stunning design and dynamic combat mechanics that defy the laws of physics. Creative Assembly, best known for its strategy games and Alien Isolation, promises to deliver a game with a cohesive story. The game's narrative is set in a world that has been broken by the actions of billionaires who fled to Mars, leaving behind a shattered Earth that has become a drifting slum known as the "Taint."

Although gameplay footage is not yet available, Hyenas will support up to 15 players per round, with five crews of three players each, tasked with grabbing the best loot on the Plundership and making a clean escape. In addition to rival players, teams must navigate and manipulate the environment, security networks, hired goons, and competing crews, creating endless opportunities for teams to gain an edge. Hyenas is set to launch on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC, with a release date yet to be announced.

Payday 3

Payday 3, the upcoming first-person shooter game from Overkill Software and Starbreeze Studios, is set to be released in 2023 as a sequel to the acclaimed Payday 2. Following the events of Payday 2, where the heisters went their separate ways and left their lives of crime, something re-motivates the Payday Gang to continue their criminal exploits. The original crew of characters from Payday: The Heist, including "Dallas," "Chains," "Wolf," and "Hoxton", will return in Payday 3, which will primarily take place in New York.

Although the gang is jumping back into action, players can expect significant changes from Payday 2. With a decade passing since the previous game's release, the world of Payday has undergone a digital transformation. The game will incorporate software giants, cryptocurrencies, mass surveillance, and the Dark Web, offering new gadgets, challenges, and opportunities. The exact mechanics and gameplay changes are yet to be unveiled.

Dead Island 2

Dead Island 2 is a highly anticipated action role-playing game developed by Dambuster Studios and published by Deep Silver, set in an open-world Los Angeles and San Francisco, roughly a decade after the events of Dead Island. The storyline centers around the United States government and military quarantining California due to a potent zombie outbreak, leading to a full restriction zone. In terms of gameplay, Dead Island 2 introduces several new mechanics while also retaining features from its predecessor, such as the "rage" and crafting systems. Combat, in particular, is expected to have a distinct feel from its predecessors, with diverse gameplay elements that allow for an engaging and immersive experience.

The game is scheduled to release on April 21, 2023, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, making it accessible to a broad audience of gamers. Dead Island 2 promises to be a thrilling experience that combines an immersive storyline, engaging gameplay, and an open-world environment to create an unforgettable gaming experience for players.

Starfield

Bethesda Game Studios and Bethesda Softworks are preparing to launch Starfield, a new action role-playing game set in space. The game offers the option to switch between first- and third-person perspectives. It is the first new intellectual property from Bethesda in over a quarter-century and is scheduled for release on September 6, 2023, for Windows and Xbox Series X/S.

Starfield takes place in The Settled Systems, a region extending approximately 50 light-years from the Solar System. The game is set around the year 2310, 20 years after the Colony War, a major conflict between the game's two largest factions: the United Colonies and Freestar Collective. While these factions are in uneasy peace, the player, who is a member of Constellation, a group of space explorers, takes on a customizable character role.

Redfall

Redfall is an upcoming first-person shooter video game developed by Arkane Studios Austin and published by Bethesda Softworks. The game, which is set to be released for Windows and Xbox Series X/S on May 2, 2023, takes place in an open world and offers both single-player and cooperative multiplayer modes. Players can select from four distinct characters, each with their own unique backgrounds and abilities, to fight against a variety of enemies, including vampires and human collaborators.

The game's narrative is set on the eponymous island town of Redfall, Massachusetts, located in the United States. Vampires have overrun the town following a failed scientific experiment that has isolated it from the outside world. Players are trapped in Redfall and must choose one of the four playable survivors: Devinder Crousley, a cryptozoologist, and inventor; Layla Ellison, a telekinetic student; Remi de la Rosa, a combat engineer; or Jacob Boyer, a supernatural former US military special forces sniper veteran. The objective is to eliminate all the enemies, whether vampires or human collaborators.

Witchfire

Witchfire is an upcoming first-person shooter video game developed by The Astronauts exclusively for Windows. The game is set to be released in early access during early 2023, as an Epic Games Store exclusive. Witchfire also incorporates several elements commonly found in roguelike games.

During the Future Games Show Spring Showcase 2023, The Astronauts' designer Karol Krok explained the game's spell mechanics in-depth. The gameplay presentation featured the Cursed Phantom Bell, a Heavy spell that creates a bell capable of stunning all nearby minor enemies when fired upon three times. Additionally, if used correctly, the spell can also stun major enemies. Krok detailed how spells in Witchfire rely on the four fundamental elements of earth, fire, water, and air and how it gives them unique properties.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun

Prepare yourself for an explosive FPS experience like no other with the upcoming game from Auroch Digital, published by Focus Entertainment, set to release in 2023 on XONE, Switch, PS4, PS5, XS, and PC. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun meets classic, fast-paced FPS gameplay in this retro-inspired shooter. Take on the role of a Space Marine, fighting against the Chaos Space Marines and daemons of Chaos on a dangerous mission across the galaxy. With an arsenal of devastating weapons at your disposal, jump, run, and charge through vast levels, leaving a trail of destruction in your wake.

This game is an homage to retro shooters with stylish visuals and modern, fluid gameplay. The game features visceral combat, high mobility, and copious amounts of blood to reward your skills. Dominate the battlefield with the heavy metal firepower of a Space Marine's arsenal and experience the perfect blend of retro and modern FPS gameplay.

I.G.I. Origins

Antimatter Games has released the first gameplay trailer for I.G.I. Origins, a prequel to the classic 2000 tactical shooter Project I.G.I. The game features Unreal Engine 5 technology and retains the original's stealth gameplay. I.G.I. Origins is set during the Cold War and follows Michael King, a former SAS soldier recruited by MI6 for covert operations.

The game offers a choice between stealth and heavy firefights, and players can openly approach mission objectives. The trailer showcases a variety of realistic weapons from the era and highlights the importance of environmental knowledge for survival. The game's release date is yet to be announced, and it will be available exclusively on PC via Steam.

Starship Troopers: Extermination

Starship Troopers: Extermination is an upcoming co-op first-person shooter that immerses players in an all-out war against the Bugs. Players take on the role of elite Deep Space Vanguard Troopers on a mission to retake planets from the Arachnid threat. The game requires players to complete objectives, build and defend their base of operations, and fight off arachnid insectoids.

Starship Troopers: Extermination features co-op gameplay for up to 12 players, three playable classes, a class progression system, five unique bug types, and an escalating infestation level. The game is built on Unreal Engine 4 and is set to release in 2023 on Microsoft Windows. With its large-scale battles, ground war, and ping system, Starship Troopers: Extermination is sure to provide players with an intense and thrilling experience.

Spine

Spine is an action-packed, story-driven single-player game that offers intense close-quarters gunfights inspired by Gun fu movies. Developed and published by Nekki, the game allows players to become the hero of their favorite action movie, equipped with Spine augmentation and guns to fight in a cyberpunk city.

The game offers a unique experience with exceptional camera work and combat choreography set up by actual action movie specialists. Players can switch between cold weapons and firearms, shoot with both hands while jumping, block bullets with katanas, and more. The game offers a class of exciting and breathtaking scenes in-game. Spine offers a distinctive movie-like experience that action-game lovers will find unmatched. The game is available for Microsoft Windows.

Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is an action-packed, online adventure game that takes players on a journey to stop the alien invader Brainiac from taking over the world. The game, developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros. Games, is scheduled for release on May 26, 2023, on PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S.

Players take on the role of supervillains, the Suicide Squad, as they attempt to save the brainwashed members of the Justice League in Metropolis. The game offers four playable characters: Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, Harley Quinn, and King Shark. It is designed to be played solo, with players able to switch between characters at will or in four-player cooperative multiplayer mode. The game's AI controls the other characters when played solo, providing a seamless and thrilling gaming experience.

System Shock

Nightdive Studios' upcoming action-adventure game, System Shock, is a faithful remake of the original 1994 video game developed by Looking Glass Studios. The game is set to release on Windows in May 2023, with ports to Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S to follow.

The game features the synthesized voice of Terri Brosius, who reprises her role as a rogue AI tasked with eliminating humans from a space station. While still maintaining its rock-solid gameplay, System Shock has been made more accessible to modern audiences. The game's retro vibe is complemented by its modern lighting and distinct visual identity. Players must be strategic in their approach to each encounter, as death comes swiftly without proper planning. The game's visuals are enhanced by the satisfying and explosive combat, which includes swinging a pipe at mutants' faces.

Nightingale

Nightingale is an upcoming first-person, PvE, open-world survival crafting game offering a rich solo or cooperative experience. Developed and published by Inflexion Games, the game offers a unique gameplay experience where players must build, craft, fight, and explore mystical portals that lead to a variety of fantastical realms.

The game's story revolves around a protagonist who is stranded beyond our world, fighting to survive in the Fae realms following the collapse of the arcane portal network. The goal is to become a skilled Realmwalker, navigate the web of transdimensional portals, and reach the magical city of Nightingale, the last known bastion of humanity. Nightingale's stunning environments and challenging gameplay promise to keep players engaged.

The game is set to be released on PC soon, and while it doesn't currently support other platforms, the developers might add support for other platforms in the future.

ALARA Prime

ALARA Prime is a thrilling free-to-play tactical shooter that features an intense 4v4v4 gameplay format. With a variety of classes and gadgets at your disposal, victory hinges on clever tactics and smart use of your environment. The standout Transmission mode allows for new strategic choices, as teams must decide whether to focus on the objective, launch a surprise attack, or wait patiently for an opportune moment to strike. As the lead shifts back and forth, you must remain ever-vigilant against potential backstabbing. Developed by Fall Damage Studio AB and published by Level Infinite, ALARA Prime is a must-play for fans of competitive shooters on Microsoft Windows.

Meet Your Maker

Meet Your Maker, developed and published by Behaviour Interactive, is a first-person shooter that challenges players to create and raid user-generated outposts. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, players must construct their own base and infiltrate the outposts created by other players to gather "GenMat," genetic materials located at the center of each outpost. This can be done solo or with another player, using a range of weapons such as firearms, grenades, grappling hooks, and melee weapons. The game encourages players to leave words of recognition that describe their experience after raiding an outpost.

With a focus on player creativity and interaction, Meet Your Maker is available on Windows PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and Series S, providing an exciting and engaging gameplay experience for a wide range of gamers.

Outpost: Infinity Siege

Command Mobile Outpost and wield the powerful Protoslag Gun in this thrilling game that combines elements of tower defense, first-person shooter, and real-time strategy. Developed by Team Ranger and published by Lightning Games, Outpost: Infinity Siege is set to be released in Q3 of 2023.

Players will take on the role of a commander who must explore dangerous off-limit areas to gather resources and build their own outpost. The game features a unique weapon, the Protoslag Gun, which can be customized with different protoslag attributes and ammunition for diverse performance. In addition to exploring new zones and harvesting powerful outpost units, players can enjoy various difficulty levels, gameplay features, and distinctive maps in the exploration mode. The game also includes a co-op feature where players can team up with friends to survive infinite waves of monsters or join forces on Harvest Days.

XDefiant

XDefiant, developed by Ubisoft, is an upcoming free-to-play multiplayer first-person arena shooter game. It was rebranded as "A Ubisoft Original" in March 2022 and is expected to include characters from other Ubisoft franchises. The game is set in a world of factions, or "Defiants," with various groups, including the Wolves from Ghost Recon, Echelon from Splinter Cell, and the Outcasts and Cleaners from The Division. The Defiants are customizable with traits, abilities, devices, weapons, and items.

The game features 6-versus-6 linear game modes like "Domination" and "Escort" and has a distinctive punk visual art style. A pre-alpha version of the game was tested in North America in 2021, with a second test held in February 2023. The game will be available on Amazon Luna, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S platforms.

Anger Foot

Anger Foot, developed by Free Lives and published by Devolver Digital, is a high-octane first-person shooter set in the caffeine-fueled Shit City. The game features lightning-fast, hard-hitting gameplay where the player uses their deadly feet to take on a wide range of anthropomorphic enemies. The game takes place across a series of diverse and deranged city districts, each with its own unique challenges and enemies. Players can unlock new weapons and sneakers, upgrade their abilities and powers, and discover secrets that encourage replayability.

With its vibrant visuals, relentless beats, and fast-paced action, Anger Foot is a thrilling and addictive experience that is not to be missed. The game is set to be released in 2023 on Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems.

Luna Abyss

Luna Abyss is an action-packed, story-driven game that combines fluid platforming and intense bullet hell combat. In the game, you play Fawkes, a prisoner caught in a cryptic prophecy and serving a sentence in the lunar prison of Luna. As you explore the derelict megastructure beneath the surface of the moon, you must recover forgotten technology from the lost colony that the Abyss consumed. Your every move will be overseen by your artificial prison guard named Aylin. The ruins are steeped in mystery, with echoes of a once prosperous city called Greymont and its tragic fate. The Abyss is alive with strange and unsettling voices, calling to you and whispering their secrets.

The game is developed and published by Bonsai Collective and Super.com and will be available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows.

Boundary

Boundary is a thrilling multiplayer tactical space-based shooter game that immerses players into a zero-gravity experience, taking on the role of heavily armed astronauts called Astroperators as they battle fiercely in team vs. team firefights and execute low-gravity operations on orbiting space installations against enemy Astroperators and other entities.

Developed by Surgical Scalpels, Boundary is set to be released in 2023 and is published by Skystone Games and Huya. The game is powered by Unreal Engine 4, providing stunning visuals and immersive gameplay across multiple platforms, including PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Mac operating systems. Boundary offers an exciting opportunity to experience intense, realistic space battles and engage in strategic maneuvers with teams of players from around the world.

Titanfall 3

There has been speculation surrounding Respawn Entertainment's plans to develop Titanfall 3. While the studio has hinted at the possibility of a third installment in the popular series, no release date has been confirmed. Currently, Respawn Entertainment's primary focus is on the ongoing development of Apex Legends, with plans to release further updates and improvements.

Despite the popularity of Apex Legends, Respawn Entertainment has struggled to expand the Titanfall universe beyond the game's central storyline. Given these circumstances, it remains uncertain if Titanfall 3 will ever be developed. Respawn Entertainment has indicated that it is unlikely to be in the works, leaving the possibility of a future release uncertain.

As we explore the world of first-person shooter games and get ready to enjoy upcoming titles, it is important to acknowledge the titles that have captured the hearts of gamers across generations. Many FPS games have gained popularity and continue to be loved by players. Let's have a quick look at a few best shooters, in our opinion.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is a highly popular multiplayer tactical first-person shooter that was developed by Valve and Hidden Path Entertainment and released in 2012. The game has been continuously updated by Valve, receiving both smaller balancing patches and larger content additions.

CS:GO has an active esports scene and remains one of the most played games on Valve's Steam platform, with an estimated 11 million players per month. In December 2018, Valve made the game free-to-play and has since focused on generating revenue from cosmetic items. A major update with a port to Source 2, titled Counter-Strike 2, is set to release in mid-2023.

CS:GO is unique in that it features a 5v5 competitive mode with an in-game live economy, where players manage their in-game economy and can't always have the best weapons. The game's ranking system ensures players are placed in matches within their skill group, preventing them from playing against better or worse players. Unlike other games, in CS:GO, everyone has access to the same weapons, providing equality among ranks.

Valorant

Valorant, a tactical hero shooter game set in the future, has garnered immense popularity in the first-person shooter genre since its release in 2020. The game features unique characters called Agents, each with their own abilities, requiring charges and an ultimate ability that charges through kills, deaths, orbs, or objectives. The gameplay involves a 5 versus 5 team mode, where players must defend or attack. Players start with a pistol and a set number of ability charges, with other weapons and abilities available for purchase through an in-game economic system.

Valorant's success can be attributed to its intriguing story, diverse characters, and captivating gameplay. The game has also made strides in esports, further increasing its popularity among players.

Call of Duty

Call of Duty (CoD) is a first-person shooter video game franchise published by Activision since 2003. It features games set in various timelines, including World War II, the Cold War, futuristic worlds, and the modern day. The series has generated over 400 million lifetime unit sales, making it one of the bestselling video game franchises worldwide. CoD offers accessibility and satisfying long-distance sniper shots, with a high player base consisting mostly of gamers in their 30s and 40s who play daily. Its short match format, lasting a little over ten minutes, is ideal for busy players. Call of Duty is a popular shooter game that has mastered the formula for success and continues to attract a significant following.

Doom

Doom is a legendary video game series that centers around an unnamed space marine, also known as Doomguy or Doom Slayer, working under the Union Aerospace Corporation (UAC) to fight demonic forces and the undead in order to save the planet from an apocalyptic invasion. The original Doom is considered to be a pioneer in the first-person shooter genre, introducing 3D graphics, networked multiplayer gameplay, and support for player-created modifications. The franchise has sold over 10 million copies and has expanded to include sequels, novels, comic books, board games, and film adaptations. With many iterations and an active competitive scene, Doom has left a lasting legacy and continues to surprise fans.

The world of FPS gaming has evolved significantly in recent years, and with the list of 26 best FPS games in 2023, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you're a fan of classic titles or you're looking for the latest and greatest, this list has got you covered. Argentics encourages you to explore these games and have fun discovering new gaming experiences. With innovative gameplay, stunning graphics, and exciting multiplayer modes, there has never been a better time to be an FPS gamer.

So grab your controller, team up with friends, and immerse yourself in the action-packed world of FPS gaming today!