The year 2024 was impressive for shooter games with titles like Helldivers 2, Space Marine 2, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, and Marvel Rivals making waves. However, 2025 might just have surpassed it, boasting a diverse array of innovative, skill-demanding experiences that have elevated the genre in unprecedented ways. From medieval demon slaying to post-apocalyptic PvPvE, the shooter landscape has redefined itself with thrilling gameplay and technical brilliance.
DOOM: The Dark Ages
id Software’s DOOM: The Dark Ages transports players to the techno-medieval world of Argent D’Nur, offering a fresh take on the Slayer’s saga. With a renewed focus on methodical combat, the game introduces shield mechanics that demand tactical precision. Players can utilize the Shield Saw for parrying and countering demon attacks, all while maintaining the series’ hallmark of constant motion. The melee system was revamped, introducing devastating new attacks and encouraging tactical choices for ammunition recovery. Additionally, mech segments and dragon-riding scenes add a new layer of epicness to the gameplay.
Battlefield 6
Battlefield 6 marks a return to the franchise’s roots, focusing on player-driven destruction and large-scale environmental storytelling. The game refines gunplay mechanics, offering satisfying weapon handling paired with the immersive features of the DualSense controller. Tactical Destruction adds a strategic layer to gameplay, enabling players to manipulate the environment for tactical advantage. The game’s success is evident, surpassing Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 in popularity in 2026 with over 23.8 million players.
ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders emerged as a standout in the extraction shooter subgenre. Initially slated as a free-to-play PvE experience, it transformed into a premium PvPvE game. The shift proved successful, with ARC Raiders balancing cooperative play and the unpredictable challenges of PvP. Players can solo or team up in squads, engaging in dynamic encounters with machine invaders that demand strategic collaboration. This compelling mix of elements helped ARC Raiders dominate Steam’s best-selling chart and become the most searched game in 2025.
Borderlands 4
Gearbox’s Borderlands 4 revitalizes the series with improved movement mechanics and a comprehensive traversal toolkit, enhancing both exploration and combat. The Licensed Parts System offers a refreshing take on weapon customization, allowing players to hunt for specific part combinations. While launch performance issues on PC dampened initial sales, ongoing patches have improved the game’s reception. The game’s engaging multiplayer options and dynamic difficulty scaling make it a must-play for fans of the series.
Metal Eden, from Reikon Games, showcases that a smaller budget doesn’t limit creativity. Featuring a unique Core Ripping mechanic and diverse movement options, the game offers a thrilling and tactical experience. The art direction complements the engaging gameplay, delivering a visually captivating world. Metal Eden’s concise runtime is offset by its engaging mechanics and boss encounters, making it a standout title in the shooter genre.
Honorable Mentions
We could only pick five shooter games for the shortlist, but we do recommend checking out the following games, too, if you’re a fan of the genre.