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Best first-person shooter (FPS) games you can play in 2025

Aim, fire, reload! First-person shooters put you in the heart of the battlefield with adrenaline-pumping gameplay you’ll keep coming back to. From Halo to Call of Duty, here are some of the best first-person shooter (FPS) games you can play today

By Virgin Media Edit

Published
20 June 2025

What to expect from first person shooter (FPS) games

In First-person shooter (FPS) games, you see the world through the eyes of the character you’re playing. That means the camera shows what your character would see, as if you were there and most of the time, you can see your character’s hands holding a weapon, like a gun.

Whether you're playing alone or with friends, FPS games put you right in the middle of the action and test your aim, speed, and strategy. Expect to be running through battlefields, sneaking through enemy bases, or fighting off waves of monsters.

Most FPS games have a story mode and then a multiplayer mode where you can play online with your friends or people from around the world. Whether you're playing alone or with friends, FPS games put you right in the middle of the action and test your aim, speed, and strategy.


What makes a good FPS game?

A great first-person shooter is fun to play, feels good to control, and offers new challenges every time you pick it up. The controls should be smooth and responsive, and aiming and shooting should be simple enough to pick up but intricate enough so they’re hard to master. The weapons should also be fun to use too, and each one should play differently, with its own power and style so play differently.

Apart from the gameplay itself, FPS games need great maps and environments to play on. You should have plenty of places to hide (but not camp!), explore, and surprise your enemies, so whether you're playing alone or with others, each time you play feels unique and exciting. Oh, and there should be plenty of chance to level up, upgrade and unlock too. There’s no point in playing if you don’t get anything back for playing well!


Best first-person shooter (FPS) games in 2025

You're spoilt for choice with FPS games in 2025, with there being so many fun and action-packed games out there and new ones releasing every month. Here’s a snapshot of just some of the best FPS games you can play today:

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Genre: Realistic survival tactical FPS
Available on: PC, Xbox Series X/S

Stalker 2 places you in a post-apocalyptic version of Chernobyl, where survival matters as much as sharpshooting. You’ll manage hunger, radiation, and crafting gear while roaming a huge, open world filled with mutants and hostile factions. The game’s standout A-Life AI system makes the environment feel truly alive – you may stumble on both human and mutant threats at any time, and every decision counts. Though it launched with some technical glitches, fans praise its moody visuals, deep story missions, and tense atmosphere that demands careful planning and resourcefulness.

Doom: The Dark Ages

Genre: Arena-style action FPS with medieval twist
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Returning to its gore-filled roots, Doom: The Dark Ages takes you into a dark, gothic world full of demons, castles, and blood – lots of blood. You’re still the Doom Slayer, but instead of just shotguns and chainsaws, you’ve now got flails, a shield-saw (yes, a shield that’s also a chainsaw), and a giant hammer that sends enemies flying. It’s brutal, fast-paced and ridiculously fun. Some levels have you jumping into a massive mech or riding a dragon that shoots fireballs – because why not? The game dials everything up to eleven, and while it’s a bit slower than previous DOOM games, the added melee focus makes every fight feel weighty and satisfying.

Splitgate 2

Genre: Portal-based arena shooter
Platforms: PC, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S

Imagine Halo mixed with Portal – that’s Splitgate 2 in a nutshell. You’re zipping through the air, shooting enemies, then disappearing through a portal before they can even react. The combat is super slick, with fast movement, tight aiming, and some seriously creative plays once you get used to portal mechanics – think outmaneuvering entire teams and pulling off highlight-worthy kills through portals. There are loads of different game modes to choose from on Splitgate 2, from classic deathmatch to battle royale, and now even classes with special abilities. It’s one of the most fun competitive shooters out there if you like speed and clever tactics.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Genre: Military shooter with campaign, multiplayer & zombies 
Platforms: PC, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S

Black Ops 6 is classic Call of Duty but with a bit more weight and exciting gameplay than some of the recent games in the series (I won't name any names)! The campaign’s got all the usual blockbuster action – car chases, dramatic slow-mo moments, and big twists – but it also gives you choices that affect how things play out. Multiplayer feels faster and smoother than ever, with a new movement system that lets you sprint, dive and vault in all directions. Loadouts are super customisable, and the maps are well-designed for both casual play and sweaty 1v1s. Zombies mode is back too, with proper round-based survival and loads of secrets to find. It’s a full package for fans of all things COD.

Atomfall

Genre: Survival, open-world FPS
Platforms: PC, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S

Atomfall kicks off with you waking in a bunker, dazed and amnesiac, with a hazy memory of the Windscale nuclear disaster. You soon emerge into a surprisingly lush (yet lethal) version of the Lake District, dotted with red phone boxes and quaint villages masking cults, militarised outposts, and irradiated mutants.  Gameplay is a careful dance between stealth and survival. You’ll sneak through tall grass, pick off stragglers with bows or silenced pistols, and choose whether a fight’s worth the ammo. Engaging head-on can drain your scarce resources, and combat feels weighty and tense, not twitchy . The leads system replaces clear mission markers with cryptic clues, so you have to pick up scraps of info, chat with locals, follow breadcrumbs… or get lost and figure it out yourself.

Halo Infinite

Genre: Sci-fi shooter with campaign & arena multiplayer
Platforms: PC, Xbox One/Series X/S

Halo Infinite sticks close to what made the franchise legendary but throws in enough fresh ideas to keep gameplay exciting. In the campaign, you’ve got a grappling hook that changes everything – you can zip up cliffs, grab weapons, or launch into enemies. The world is big and open, filled with outposts to capture and bosses to fight. Multiplayer feels like old-school Halo – fair starts, power weapons on the map, and tight team play. Modes like Slayer and Capture the Flag are still a blast, and the movement feels clean and responsive. The gunplay is super tight too, and every weapon has its own rhythm and feel, from the classic Battle Rifle to newer gadgets like the Ravager. If you’re into big sci-fi fights with a bit of strategy, Infinite is still one of the best FPS games out there.

Oh and don't forget Halo Infinite is available at no extra cost on the Xbox Game Pass, so be sure to give it a go if you've already got a subscription!

Borderlands 3

Genre: Loot-filled open-world shooter
Platforms: PC, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, Switch

The original shooter-looter, Borderlands returns with Borderlands 3 to bring mayhem-fueled adventure into massive, story-driven world. You’ve got bazillions of guns to choose from this time, each with random stats and wild effects that make them unique. Some shoot rockets, others bounce around or turn into turrets. You pick from four characters, each with their own crazy abilities – like calling in a mech or going invisible to sneak up on enemies. The missions are packed with silly jokes, weird characters, and explosive action. You can play solo or co-op, and the game scales to keep things challenging. It’s perfect for players who love grinding for loot, blowing stuff up, and laughing at how ridiculous things can get.

Killing Floor 3

Genre: Co-op zombie survival shooter
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

If you like mowing down waves of monsters with your mates, Killing Floor 3 is the game for you. The game’s all about co-op chaos – six players fighting off increasingly nasty hordes of mutants called Zeds. You pick a class, upgrade your weapons between rounds, and try not to get eaten. Combat is loud, fast, and really, really gory – enemies explode, limbs fly, and bosses are massive bullet sponges that demand teamwork. There’s loads of room for strategy too – you can lay traps, weld doors, and mix classes to cover all your bases.

High on Life

Genre: Funny single-player shooter
Platforms: PC, Xbox One/Series X/S, PS4/5, Switch

High on Life is bizarre in the best way possible. You’re a regular person thrown into a galaxy where aliens want to use humans as drugs. Your guns are alive and talk to you constantly – they joke, complain, and even help you solve puzzles. The shooting is simple but fun, and there’s a ton of personality in every level. Enemies are goofy, boss fights are bizarre, and there’s a proper story behind all the jokes. It’s not for everyone – especially if you’re not into Rick and Morty-style humor – but if you want something incredibly unique and creative with its gameplay, this is a great pick.


Things to consider before playing FPS games

Before jumping into FPS games, there are a few important things to think about so you can have a smooth and fun experience.

First, think about the type of FPS game you want to play. Not all FPS games are made the same, and some are fast-paced and focused on quick reflexes, like Call of Duty or Splitgate, while others are slower and more tactical, like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 or Rainbow Six Siege. If you prefer solo adventures, look for games with a campaign mode, but if you like teamwork or competition, go for multiplayer games with co-op or online matches.

Also, check if your device can handle the game. FPS games often need good graphics and performance to run smoothly, but you’ll sneed extra-good frame rates and clear visuals help you spot enemies and react faster.  You can play some FPS games on the cloud if you don’t have a powerful gaming device, but you’ll need a fast-enough internet connection to be able to game on the cloud without issues.

Soaking of internet speed – It's especially important to think about your internet speed when you’ll playing first person shooters. Many FPS games are played online, where fast reactions and quick decisions are key. If your internet is slow or unstable, you might experience lag – where your actions are delayed or the game skips around. This can make it hard to aim, move, or keep up with other players.

To make to most out of FPS games, you’ll need  fast and stable gaming broadband to help you play better and enjoy the game without internet issues.


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