26 Must-Play Third-Person Shooters for Every Gamer

The third-person shooter genre has long been a cornerstone of the video game industry. It offers players thrilling, action-packed gameplay and immersive narratives. Over the past few years, the success of most TPS games has increased rapidly as developers constantly push boundaries for graphics, gameplay mechanics, and overall design.

Third-person shooter games are characterized by their distinctive camera perspective. In such titles, players are given a view directly behind and above the character they control. This perspective provides a holistic view of the character and his surroundings, thus promoting situational awareness and planning. Now, let's take a close look at what makes third-person shooters so popular and alluring.

1. Camera Perspective. TPS games use an over-the-shoulder or top-down view, letting players see their character and the immediate environment. This wider field of view compared to first-person shooters helps players better understand enemy positions and environmental hazards.
2. Gameplay Mechanics. These games combine shooting, exploration, and often detailed storylines. The primary mechanic involves shooting enemies with various weapons. Many third-person shooters incorporate robust cover systems that let players hide behind objects and strategically plan their attacks. Melee combat is also common, giving players a broader range of options.
3. Exploration. Players often navigate expansive environments, discovering hidden paths and secret items and completing side quests. The surroundings in TPS are frequently interactive, enabling players to climb, jump, and use objects to their advantage.

Many TPS titles offer competitive multiplayer modes, where players can compete against each other in various match types. This competitive aspect ensures that players return to the game, enhancing its longevity and community engagement.

Some third-person video games feature co-op modes, allowing friends to team up and tackle missions together. This encourages teamwork and enhances the social aspect of gaming.

ARC Raiders is one of those third-person shooter games that emphasizes teamwork and survival. Set on a planet besieged by a constant robotic invasion, players must band with their fellow raiders to combat the relentless threat of destruction. Collaboration is key, as players utilize an arsenal of weapons and gadgets, including traversal tools like jetpacks and grenade launchers, to take on the menacing robotic foes.

The game features an advanced physics system, allowing players to strategically use the environment to their advantage. Beyond combat, players can explore the expansive world, gathering loot and artifacts to aid in their fight. The success of your raiding team hinges on your ability to work together and withstand the robotic menace. Each mission requires precise coordination and tactical execution, with players often needing to adapt to rapidly changing scenarios. The immersive world of ARC Raiders is rich with dynamic elements that challenge players to think on their feet and leverage every available resource to survive.

Ashfall is an upcoming post-apocalyptic looter shooter developed by NetEase Games and scheduled for release in 2024. The game is available on PlayStation 5, Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X, and Series S.

In Ashfall, players are thrust into a world where AI has risen and launched a nuclear war against humanity, reducing civilization to ruins. As ashes descend upon the devastated landscape, players leave the safety of their vaults to find the key to saving the world. Armed and ready, they must navigate this dangerous post-apocalyptic environment to reclaim what once belonged to humanity.

It features a deep storyline and looter shooter mechanics providing players with engaging and immersive gameplay. Players will face hostile AI and mutated creatures as they scavenge for resources, weapons, and equipment. The gameplay will comprise exploration, combat, and survival facets, whereby one is challenged to devise adaptational strategies to the post-apocalyptic ruthless world.

Ashfall promises to be incredibly atmospheric, taking full advantage of the capabilities offered by modern gaming platforms. With its cross-platform availability, players can enjoy the game on high-end consoles and mobile devices, ensuring a wide-reaching and inclusive gaming experience.

Dead Fury is an exhilarating action-adventure game set in post-apocalyptic New Zealand, where a Martian virus has set off a catastrophic zombie apocalypse. A native blossom becomes the final chance for humanity to survive in this video game. Players can experience two distinct game modes: Story Mode and Horde Mode.

In Story Mode, players follow the protagonist, Jaxon, through a linear, narrative-driven journey as he survives the chaos instigated by his gang camp leader, Daylin. This mode emphasizes storytelling and character development, immersing players in a rich, detailed plot.

Horde Mode takes players on a frenetic wave-based survival arcade experience with aggressive zombies. This mode throws one challenging, high-octane action after another at the player to test their endurance and combat skills.

Dead Fury features realistic weapons and upgrades, immersive gameplay, unlockable levels, and the thrill of battling massive hordes. Each day in the game could be your last, demanding players to prepare for a descent into chaos and fight fiercely for their survival. With its compelling mix of narrative depth and relentless action, Dead Fury promises an engaging and challenging experience that keeps players on the edge of their seats.

E.E.R.I.E 2 is a tactical shooting game released on June 16, 2024. In this modern world of Gensokyo, players take on the role of the fairy Luna, who uses various modern light weapons and tactical equipment in a war that will determine the fate of Gensokyo. The game is known for its realistic depiction of firearms, featuring detailed models and animations based on real-life counterparts, including new additions like under-barrel grenade launchers and disposable rocket launchers.

The game offers diverse combat environments, from wide-open suburban fields to confined spaces like libraries. Players will face different enemies and behaviors, with the added challenge of heavy weapons such as armored vehicles. This variety ensures that each combat scenario is unique and requires strategic thinking.

E.E.R.I.E 2 also features an open-world setting combined with realistic game mechanics. This allows players to use their creativity to complete tasks and advance the storyline. By offering a rich, immersive experience, the game promises to captivate players with its blend of action and strategy, making it a highly anticipated release for fans of tactical shooters.

Foamstars is the next third-person shooter video game developed by Toylogic to be released for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 in 2024. This game, powered by Unreal Engine 4, provides a new, engaging experience in multiplayer. Published by Square Enix, Foamstars offers 4v4 online battles where players use a distinctive foam gun.

In Foamstars, players use foam to build terrain, creating slippery surfaces that allow them to surf around the arena at high speed. This innovative mechanic facilitates quick movement and provides defensive capabilities, enabling players to shield themselves from enemy attacks. Its foam-based dynamics bring some strategic depth to the battle, forcing players to balance their defensive and offensive moves at all times while traversing the battlefield.

All these elements make all the arenas in Foamstars dynamic, vigorous, and full of life and encourage fluid and quick playing, making every single match exciting. The deployment of foam as both a tool and weapon puts the game into motion, dissolving it of any now-conventional shooter features that could bog it down. Foamstars is poised to present an exciting and unique experience for fans of shooters through its approach as a team-based strategy title with innovative mechanics.

Helldivers 2 is a 2024 cooperative third-person shooter developed by Arrowhead Game Studios and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The game was released on February 8, 2024, for PlayStation 5 and Windows. This critical favorite is the fastest-selling title in the history of PlayStation and the most successful Windows game in the Sony portfolio.

Transitioning from a top-down shooter to a third-person perspective, Helldivers 2 retains the core gameplay feature of 'stratagems,' such as cluster bombs, sentry guns, shield generators, and supply pods with special weaponry. The game supports up to four players in cooperative multiplayer, with friendly fire always enabled, enhancing the strategic challenge. While the original game featured shared-screen co-op, Helldivers 2 offers a robust online cooperative experience, with cross-play between PlayStation 5 and Windows.

Helldivers 2 introduces a persistent battle pass system and various in-game currencies earned through mission completions and objectives. Players can unlock new weapons and Stratagems as they progress, contributing to the collective "liberation" or defense of planets displayed on the Galactic Map. Set a century after "Super Earth's" victory over the Cyborgs, Bugs, and Illuminate; the game explores new threats from the Terminids and the Automatons, blending intense action with rich environmental storytelling.

With its innovative gameplay and engaging narrative, Helldivers 2 stands out as a significant advancement in the cooperative shooter genre.

Knights Within is a newly released game developed and published by Indecision Labs, officially launched on May 15, 2024. This innovative 1-4-player game blends third-person shooter mechanics with melee hack-and-slash action, enhanced by roguelite elements, to deliver a unique and challenging experience. Players can design custom load-outs, navigate procedurally generated levels, and utilize random power-ups in their quest for humanity's survival.

The game is set within a dystopian future in which knights of a technologically advanced nature fight to protect the tattered remains of humanity from being dominated by wraiths. The game focuses on strategic combat and class customization, where players can design their classes by equipping different gear mods for weapons and armor.

Knights Within features procedurally generated missions with randomized modifiers for players and enemies, ensuring that every playthrough is fresh and unpredictable. As players progress through missions, they encounter increasingly powerful modifiers, enhancing their abilities and the challenges they face.

In 2024, Redemption Road will release Kingmakers, an action/strategy sandbox video game that takes players on a bloody trip back to a time in history rife with turmoil from warfare. The twist? Players get all the modern firepower as they rewrite history and save the future. Play Kingmakers for a unique experience in strategic kingdom-building combined with intense combat—historical and futuristic—all in one.

In Kingmakers, you can build and expand your kingdom using traditional medieval tactics and modern military tech. The game features massive real-time battles where you can lead armies of thousands, either solo or with friends. This mix of strategy and action ensures a dynamic and engaging experience.

The game's sandbox nature lets you customize and create strategies, giving you the freedom to shape your path and influence historical events. Whether you're building fortifications, managing resources, or engaging in large-scale warfare, Kingmakers promises an immersive world where every decision matters.

Marvel Rivals is a high-octane Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter launched in December 2024, bringing explosive battles and endless possibilities to the Marvel universe. Built for fans of action-packed gameplay, it’s your chance to lead legendary squads into fast-paced 6v6 skirmishes where teamwork, strategy, and raw power collide.

In Marvel Rivals, you’ll assemble a dream team from a deep roster of iconic superheroes and villains, including favorites like Iron Man, Hulk, Rocket Raccoon, and Wolverine. Each character comes with signature abilities that combine to create game-changing Team-Up Skills. Imagine Hulk smashing through enemy lines while supercharging Iron Man’s suit for devastating damage or Rocket teaming up with Groot for high-speed havoc. These dynamic combinations add layers of strategy, letting you experiment and surprise your opponents with every match.

The action occurs on destructible, ever-changing battlegrounds that push your tactical skills to the limit. Smash through walls in Asgard, dodge debris in Tokyo 2099, or reshape the battlefield to create cover or launch surprise attacks. The terrain isn’t just your playground—it’s your weapon. With each match throwing fresh challenges your way, no two battles are ever the same.

Every move counts in Marvel Rivals. Whether you perfect your hero synergy, tear through the environment, or execute last-minute strategies to turn the tide, the gameplay is built to keep you on edge. As the Marvel Multiverse expands with seasonal updates, you’ll unlock new characters, maps, and content, ensuring there’s always something fresh to master.

Mecha BREAK is an exciting new multiplayer mech game set to launch in 2024, developed by Amazing Seasun and Seasun Games. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox Series X and Series S. Mecha BREAK promises an intense and immersive experience for fans of mech combat games.

In Mecha BREAK, players can choose from a wide variety of mechs, each with unique abilities and customization options. This allows you to personalize your mech's look and performance to fit your style and strategy. The game's dynamic combat system puts you up against colossal war machines on challenging terrains, offering intense tactical battles.

Whether you prefer rapid attacks, close-quarters brawls, or powerful ranged assaults, Mecha BREAK has something for everyone. The diverse environments and strategic depth make each match unique, requiring you to adapt and think on your feet to outsmart your opponents.

With its emphasis on customization, strategic gameplay, and high-octane mech battles, Mecha BREAK is poised to deliver an exhilarating experience for players looking for action-packed multiplayer mech combat. As the release date approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be a standout title in the genre.

METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER is a highly anticipated addition to the iconic METAL GEAR series, developed by Virtuos and Konami Digital Entertainment using Unreal Engine 5. Set to release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and Microsoft Windows, the game explores the origin story of the legendary military operative Snake, offering a sophisticated and thrilling narrative in the METAL GEAR saga.

Set against the backdrop of the 1960s Cold War, players are plunged into a nuclear crisis. As an elite soldier, your mission is to infiltrate enemy lines deep within dense jungles to thwart a weapon of mass destruction and prevent a global catastrophe. While the mission structure may feel similar, its Cold War backdrop is rich in historical depth and tense geopolitical uneasiness that provides a greater threat to contextualize the ideological struggles of the era.

The gameplay focuses on survival and stealth, requiring players to outsmart their enemies through a variety of tactics. You can use camouflage, engage in close-quarters combat, stalk and interrogate foes, climb obstacles, hunt for food, and treat your injuries. The jungle setting adds another layer of complexity. Some traps can catch enemies and prey, threats lurking in the shadows, and environmental sounds that can alert predators. Every move you make tests your instincts and strategy.

METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER celebrates the METAL GEAR series while bringing innovation to a franchise dedicated to pushing gaming technology and wrapping you in one of the most beloved sequels. It provides fans with a fun saga that still has players doing the craziest things

Off The Grid is a cyberpunk Battle Royale 2.0 game co-developed with Neill Blomkamp. Set on a dystopian tropical island, players dive into a secret corporate war, taking on assassination and sabotage missions to boost their faction's market share. Built with Unreal Engine 5, the game combines PvP battles with PvE storyline missions, all happening in real time on the same map.

The game shakes up the Battle Royale genre by marrying dynamic missions with a more immersive world. The tasks that everyone will perform make the interactions much more exciting and difficult for the players to face on the battlefield. The unique concept of combining PvP and PvE aspects in one game will provide endless recurrent gameplay experiences for players, while sophisticated, tactical elements are still on another level that genuine fans appreciate.

Releasing in 2024, Off The Grid promises an action-packed, thrilling experience. Get ready for the intense battles ahead and gear up for the launch.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is an exhilarating online looter shooter game developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros. Games. Set five years after the events of Batman: Arkham Knight, the game features the Suicide Squad as the main protagonist. Players control a team of super-criminals, including Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, Harley Quinn, and King Shark, assembled by Amanda Waller and tasked with stopping the alien invader Brainiac while saving the brainwashed members of the Justice League.

The game is set in an expansive open-world Metropolis, allowing players to take on the role of different characters solo, with AI handling the rest. It is a dynamic gameplay that merges genre-defining action-adventure elements with cooperative multiplayer modes to offer a well-rounded experience.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League was released on February 2, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. With its unique blend of narrative depth, character-switching mechanics, and cooperative multiplayer gameplay, this game has quickly become a standout title in the action-adventure genre.

The First Descendant is an upcoming third-person looter shooter developed by NEXON Games Co., Ltd., set to release on July 2, 2024. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the game immerses players in the role of a "Descendant," tasked with fighting for humanity's survival and protecting the Ingris continent. Players can embark on this journey solo or team up with up to three other players in cooperative missions.

As players progress through The First Descendant, they will engage in a rich narrative filled with various missions that enhance their abilities and reveal their lineage's secrets. The game's stunning environments blend reality and science fiction seamlessly. Featuring a diverse cast with unique abilities and combat styles, the gameplay allows for extensive customization. Players can personalize characters with different skins and gear, and the dynamic combat system includes various skills, firearms, and grappling hooks, letting players develop their combat strategies.

The First Descendant also features intense battles against giant boss monsters, which can be tackled through 4-player cooperative play. These boss encounters require strategic teamplay, targeting specific parts of the bosses to exploit their weaknesses. With varying difficulties, these battles will challenge players' competitive spirits and coordination, offering a thrilling cooperative gameplay experience.

The Killing Antidote is a third-person shooter (TPS) game that combines various gameplay elements such as shooting, melee combat, puzzle solving, and dress-up. Set in a future where a special germ causes humans to be constantly infected and mutated, players follow the protagonist, Jodi, a brave journalist on a dangerous quest to find the legendary antidote.

The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its apocalyptic setting, filled with scary zombie encounters and clever puzzle elements. Players will navigate through different types of zombies, each with unique characteristics, and face innovative random item mechanics and challenging battle modes. The variety of gameplay features ensures a dynamic and engaging experience.

The Killing Antidote aims to deliver a comprehensive and thrilling TPS experience, combining visually appealing elements with immersive gameplay. As Jodi, players will need to use their wits and combat skills to survive and uncover the secrets of the antidote.

Ubisoft is currently working on a remake of the original Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell game, as announced by creative director Chris Auty in a video celebrating the franchise’s 20th anniversary. While the game is still in its early stages, the development team has teased new features and concept art.

The team plans to improve certain aspects of the original game that may not have aged well while maintaining its core story and experience. Technical director Christian Carriere highlighted the advancements in AI that will simulate various behaviors and reactions from enemies, while senior game designer Andy Schmoll stated that the cat-and-mouse gameplay between Sam and enemies will be improved.

Additionally, audiovisual updates such as ray-traced global illumination will create more detailed settings with more realistic lighting effects and better audio simulations. Although the game is still in the early stages of production, these improvements show a lot of promise for the future of the series.

Envoidant Studios has recently unveiled a new trailer for its upcoming third-person cyberpunk shooter, Vigilancer 2099. Set within a government-closed mega-building, players step into the shoes of a bounty hunter with a large price on their heads. To reclaim their life, players must quickly collect the necessary bounty by hunting down other criminals throughout the vast structure.

The developers promise an advanced mission generator that creates unique hunts, a meticulously hand-crafted mega-building that tells stories through detailed environments, and extensive character customization options. Drawing inspiration from iconic sources like Blade Runner and the prototype Prey 2, Vigilancer 2099 is built using Unreal Engine 5. Although no release date has been announced, raising concerns about potential delays akin to those experienced by Prey 2, the game's concept and development progress make it a title worth monitoring for cyberpunk and third-person shooter fans.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding its release, Vigilancer 2099 holds promise as a standout entry in the genre, with its innovative mission system and richly detailed world offering a fresh take on the cyberpunk aesthetic. Enthusiasts of the genre should keep a close watch on further developments from Envoidant Studios.

Fans of Warhammer 40K: Space Marine have long awaited a sequel to the beloved game. Warhammer Space Marine 2 is set to release on September 9, 2024, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC. However, it will not be released on previous generation consoles or the Nintendo Switch.

While official details remain sparse, anticipation for Warhammer Space Marine 2 is high. Players can look forward to returning to the brutal, superpowered soldier gameplay that made the original game so popular. This sequel promises to expand on the intense action and deep lore of the Warhammer 40K universe.

Keep an eye out for further updates as the release date approaches, and get ready to dive back into the epic battles of Warhammer Space Marine 2.

Third-person shooters are leveling up, diving into new dimensions of immersive gameplay, and keeping players glued to their screens. These games aren’t just about running and gunning anymore—they’re about redefining how players experience the action. Here’s how the genre is shaking things up:

1. Stepping into the Future with VR/AR. Imagine blasting enemies from the comfort of your living room, but it feels like you're in the thick of battle. That’s the power of VR and AR in TPS. 3rd person shooter games like Resident Evil 4 VR let you wield weapons with your own hands while dodging enemies in 360-degree environments. AR tech, meanwhile, hints at mixing your real-world surroundings with game elements, turning your coffee table into cover or your backyard into a battlefield. It’s no longer just playing the game—it’s being in it.
2. Smarter NPCs Are Changing the Game. No more boring enemy grunts. Recent third-person shooters have upped their AI game — they make NPCs smarter, deadlier, and more fun to battle. Consider The Last of Us Part II—enemy soldiers call out your position, flank your position, and lament over their fallen compatriots. AI does not only apply to foes, however. Friendly AI is also on the rise, giving you squadmates who function more like actual members of your team and less like ball and chain. These NPCs study your moves and counter in ways that make each encounter feel fresh and tactical.
3. Multiplayer and Co-op Modes are Raising the Stakes. Third-person video games such as Remnant II are rewriting the rules of co-op gameplay, allowing you to strategize with friends against monstrous bosses while offering the thrill of exploration. PvPvE configurations, as seen in Division 2’s Dark Zones, are turning the tables on that — blending chaos between players with high-stakes environmental challenges. Throw in cross-platform play, and you will have multiplayer mayhem that is more connected and competitive than ever.
4. Graphics and Animation: Next-Level Realism. With engines like Unreal Engine 5 at the forefront, titles such as Control 2 and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II are pushing the visual fidelity envelope to breathtaking new heights. From super-fine details on textures to real-time ray tracing that makes every shadow and every reflection jaw-droppingly real, these titles play like touchable cinema. And it’s not just aesthetic—animations are slicer than ever, with every reload, dodge, or melee attack feeling reel and satisfying.
5. Unreal Engine 5: The Game Changer. Speaking of Unreal Engine 5, this tech is the MVP behind some of the genre’s biggest leaps forward. Features like Nanite tech allow for insanely detailed environments without tanking your frame rate, while Lumen’s dynamic lighting transforms every scene into a cinematic masterpiece. Titles like Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater are flexing these tools, combining hyper-realistic visuals with deeply immersive gameplay. Developers also harness procedural generation through these engines to build worlds that feel alive and where no two playthroughs are identical.

Third-person shooters are evolving into something bigger than the sum of their mechanics. They’re not just about the thrill of the shot anymore—they’re about delivering unforgettable gaming experiences. With VR and AR pulling you into new dimensions, smarter NPCs making every firefight personal, and co-op modes building stronger communities, the genre is only improving. Add in jaw-dropping visuals and cutting-edge tech, and it’s clear that the TPS games of tomorrow are shaping up to be epic. Gear up because the future of third-person video games is locked, loaded, and ready to blow your mind.

2024 has proven to be an exciting year for fans of third-person shooters on PC. With several highly anticipated titles like Warhammer Space Marine 2, Alan Wake 2, and Vigilancer 2099 now available or soon to be released, gamers have many options to explore. Each game offers unique gameplay mechanics, engaging storylines, and immersive worlds, providing diverse experiences.

Mentioned third-person shooter games distinguish themselves with a well-refined mix of distinct features, best-selling points of the genre, and captivating content. Some of the highlighted titles have already racked up glowing scores from players and critics alike, while others are gearing up to prove their worth in the leaderboard showdown soon.

Don't miss the chance to showcase your 3rd person shooter games to the world—let Argentics help you! Contact Argentics today, and together, we'll make your game the next big hit in the third-person shooter genre!