The Best First-Person Shooters of the 2020s So Far

First-person shooter titles have served as a cornerstone of the industry since the 1990s, and the 2020s have been no exception. As we move closer to the 2030s, it is worth looking back at the shooters that have defined the current decade through innovation, popularity, and critical reception.

The Titans of Competitive and Tactical Play

Riot Games made a massive impact in 2020 with the launch of Valorant. Inspired by Counter-Strike, this free-to-play tactical hero shooter has become a global phenomenon. It currently stands as the eighth most-watched competitive game according to Esports Charts, backed by millions of daily players and several Best Esports Game of the Year awards.

On the tactical front, Ready or Not (2023) from Void Interactive overcame a rocky road—including a failed deal with Team17 and a brief delisting on Steam—to become a top-tier tactical shooter. It captures the spirit of old-school Rainbow Six and SWAT games, offering a serious, high-stakes experience for players.

Campaigns and Cooperative Experiences

For those seeking a narrative-driven experience, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024) stands out as a high point for the franchise. Developed by Treyarch and Raven Software, the game is remembered for a campaign that tackled the complex era between the Cold War and the War on Terror, despite the inevitable influx of cosmetic multiplayer skins.

Co-op fans found a home in Deep Rock Galactic (2020). Ghost Ship Games successfully combined mining with space exploration and heavy weaponry, avoiding common 'friendslop' pitfalls while fostering one of the most welcoming communities in the genre.

Remakes and Modern Homages

The 2020s have also been a decade of looking back. Black Mesa (2020) by Crowbar Collective stands as one of the most impressive remakes ever, porting the original Half-Life story to the Source engine. While the original is worth playing for context, Black Mesa objectively improves upon the classic in almost every metric.

Meanwhile, new titles like Mullet Madjack (2024) and Turbo Overkill (2023) have leaned into 90s aesthetics. Mullet Madjack blends Doom-style speed with the grit of Akira and Ghost in the Shell. Turbo Overkill, developed by Trigger Happy Interactive, acts as a spiritual successor to the Duke Nukem series, casting players as a cyborg bounty hunter fighting an AI overlord.

High-Profile Entries

The list of defining shooters of the 2020s is rounded out by heavy hitters. Doom: The Dark Ages (2025) offers a refined demon-slaying experience that makes the player feel like an artist with a canvas of enemies. Halo Infinite (2021) overcame a difficult development cycle under 343 Industries to provide a solid multiplayer and campaign foundation. Finally, Deathloop (2021) from Arkane Studios proved that high-concept, risky design can pay off, offering a unique gameplay loop that rewards experimentation and mastery.