The PlayStation 5 is the perfect home for first-person shooters. Shooters encompass a large portion of the best PS5 games due to the satisfying nature of nailing that perfect shot on your opponent. While not all shooters are multiplayer games, they tend to be the ones that draw the biggest crowds, especially the best free PS5 games. Because there are so many of them, with plenty of upcoming PS5 games to look forward to as well, deciding which one you want to sink your teeth into can be a daunting task. We’ve set our sights on all the best FPS games for PS5 you should be playing.
Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0
67%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter, Tactical
Developer
Infinity Ward
Publisher
Activision
Release
November 16, 2022
It would be impossible to make a list of the best FPS games without putting a Call of Duty game on there, so we figured we might as well get it out of the way first. Love it or hate it, the Call of Duty franchise consistently has the bestselling game year after year, and it’s easy to see why. Over the years, the various teams behind this franchise have fine-tuned their gunplay to an almost surgical level. Aiming is responsive, the sound design is unmatched, and the visual feedback is designed to be addicting. It doesn’t matter if the guns are old, modern, or sci-fi-inspired, they know how to make shooting feel good, and that’s all most people want out of an FPS. Warzone 2.0 translates all that polish into an evolving battle royale that is arguably more fun than the core game’s multiplayer.
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Metro Exodus
83%
4/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
4A Games
Publisher
Deep Silver
Release
February 15, 2019
Based on the Polish novel series, Metro Exodus is technically the third game in the Metro series following last generation’s Metro 2033 and Metro Last Light. Each game has managed to achieve gameplay and visual performance leaps and bounds above its prior entry, and Metro Exodus is the current peak of this team’s efforts. It originally launched in 2019 but was given a full next-generation upgrade with amazing 4K visuals, ray tracing, and a boost to a locked 60 fps. Naturally, a higher frame rate would improve any FPS, but the graphical and lighting improvements really shine (get it?) in this game where the environments are essentially characters unto themselves. If you never played a Metro game before, just know that they’re slower-paced games. The entire game can be summed up as bleak and desperate. You play in the post-apocalyptic world of Russia where mutated creatures and desperate survivors roam the irradiated landscape just trying to survive. You play as Artyom, a survivor who lived in the metro for his entire life, scrounging just to survive, but now venturing out into the world after discovering and taking control of a train. You lead a band of characters trying to find any survivors outside of Moscow. Between sneaking by and shooting mutants and humans, you can explore and scavenge materials to modify your improvised and hand-crafted weapons. If you enjoy survival horror, this game offers the best of that in a tight FPS.
Valorant
74%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Genre
Shooter, Tactical
Developer
Riot Games
Publisher
Riot Games
Release
June 02, 2020
Competitive gaming has taken the world by storm over the past decade, and few games showcase the high risk/reward of this style of play like Valorant. This free-to-play hero shooter is frenetic but strategic in ways that few other games are, being both incredibly difficult to master and instantly engaging to new players, creating some of the most dedicated fans in any current online shooter. Though it looks and plays a little bit like Counter-Strike, there’s a lot that differs with this title thanks to its ability-based gameplay that rewards players for learning how best to use their characters’ unique movesets. This was originally a PC exclusive but has now hit consoles and is arguably even better on controller.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
73%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Genre
Adventure
Developer
Massive Entertainment
Publisher
Ubisoft Entertainment
Release
December 07, 2023
There are plenty of Ubisoft-style open-world shooters on PS5, but odds are you are already burned out on the Far Cry series. Instead, you can turn to Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora for an interesting spin on the formula. Yes, you will have plenty of outposts to clear and a map full of icons to check off, but the world of Pandora and the way you interact with it gives the entire thing a fresh feeling. You’re more incentivized to focus on stealth and the light survival aspects of gathering materials and hunting in this immersive world all feel more appropriate than in typical games featuring the same mechanics. Plus, if you love the world of the movies, this is the best way to live in it more deeply.
Cyberpunk 2077
82%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
CD Projekt RED
Publisher
CD Projekt
Release
December 09, 2020
Yes, it is finally safe to play Cyberpunk 2077 on your PS5. Now that the game has hit 2.0 and received its Phantom Liberty DLC, the game has been fully rehabilitated. Set in Night City, this is just as much an RPG as a shooter, but those abilities only serve to make the gunplay, and your approach to each encounter, more interesting. The near-future setting also gives you a nice variety of weapons that feel grounded without going full sci-fi. Between the main campaign, DLC, and all the open-world quests and activities, this is a game you can live in for dozens of hours before even considering a second playthrough and making different choices.
Metal: Hellsinger
78%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One
Genre
Shooter, Music, Adventure
Developer
The Outsiders
Publisher
Level Infinite, Funcom
Release
September 15, 2022
There are a lot of weird games in the FPS genre, but most folks wouldn’t expect to play a rhythm-based shooter featuring music from some of the biggest singers and musicians from the world of heavy metal. Still, that’s exactly what Metal: Hellsinger brings to the table in a glorious homage to both Doom and the beloved metal genre. Players are tasked with slaying various demonic enemies by syncing their shots with songs performed by the likes of Serj Tankian of System of a Down and Matt Heafy of Trivium, among various others you’re likely to recognize if you’re a metal fan. It’s all downright absurd in the best possible way, so if you love blasting demons and banging your head at the same time, we’d strongly recommend checking this one out.
The Finals
79%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Fighting, Shooter, Platform, Tactical
Developer
Embark Studios
Publisher
Embark Studios
Release
December 07, 2023
Framed as a fictional game show, The Finals is a pure multiplayer shooter that is laser-focused on creating exciting moments every match. You will pick your class and build to join your team in objective-based game modes set on maps where everything is destructible. Other games, including one we will talk about later, include destructibility, but not to the level this game does. You can blow the floor out from under the objective you’re protecting to move it to a more defensible position or blow open a wall to provide a sightline. It’s chaotic and fun, but best of all, free.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
78%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter, Indie, Arcade
Developer
Auroch Digital
Publisher
Focus Entertainment
Release
May 23, 2023
The new Doom games are great evolutions of the originals, but certainly have a different feel than the classic “boomer shooters.” Warhammer 40K: Boltgun brings you back to the days of maze-like levels, tons of secrets, and sprinting around enemies while unloading your entire arsenal with very little downtime. While it is based on Warhammer, you don’t need to know anything about the lore except that you’re a Space Marine sent to slaughter as many aliens as possible. The visuals are a great blend of pixels and modern touches, it controls great, and is the perfect game to pick up and play over a weekend and have a great time.
Destiny 2
74%
3.5/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Tactical, Adventure
Developer
Bungie
Publisher
Activision
Release
September 06, 2017
Former Halo fans may not be able to play Halo Infinite on the PS5, but the original creators at Bungie have brought their mastery of FPS gameplay into their new creation. Destiny 2 has come a long way over many updates, expansions, and patches to where it is today. One thing that hasn’t changed much, and never had a need to, was the gunplay. Without the smooth, satisfying, and addictive feeling the entire arsenal found in Destiny 2 has, let alone how good even just moving through the world is, this shared-world looter shooter wouldn’t be half the success it is. Thankfully, we don’t have to imagine what that world would be, and instead, get to enjoy all the improvements the PS5 version gives us. Not settling for just 60 fps, the PS5 can push all the way up to 120 fps, plus 4K visuals. The story of Destiny 2 has gone through a lot of changes and is constantly evolving with each new expansion. Knowing Bungie, and how deep they went with the lore of the Halo franchise, rest assured that if you’re looking for a deep story, you can dig one out here. If you just need an excuse to shoot aliens, then there’s more than enough motivation on the surface, too. Add on the powers and classes to the shooting, plus a range of activities to play either solo, cooperatively, or competitively, and there’s almost too much content for new players without even touching on the loot aspects. Being free to play is just the icing on the cake.
Borderlands 3
78%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Shooter
Developer
Gearbox Software
Publisher
2K Games
Release
September 13, 2019
If you took Destiny 2, stripped out the shared world aspects, gave it a cel-shaded art style, and rewrote the story to be full of memes, parodies, and puns, then you’d have something close to Borderlands 3. This series was kind of the inspiration for what Destiny would become when it first came out. It paved the way for FPS games to start having more robust RPG elements like leveling up, skills, and classes, but also the idea of tons of loot. Seriously, this series markets itself on the sheer number of guns it has. If you get that little tickle of pleasure when you kill a boss and a fountain of colored guns explode out all over the ground for you to sift through, look no further than Borderlands 3. Whether the humor of Borderlands 3 lands with you or not, the gameplay on PS5 certainly will. Once again, we get the amazing 120 fps that was almost never seen on consoles, plus the haptic feedback and also four-player local coop. You can of course play with your friends online as well, but it is always great to see the option for couch coop in a game that is just so much more enjoyable with friends. And just because this isn’t an ongoing service game like Destiny 2 doesn’t mean you’ll run out of content any time soon. The base game is meaty enough, but there have also been multiple expansions and DLC packs added that keep the good times rolling.
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
81%
3.5/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Shooter, Tactical
Developer
Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher
Ubisoft Entertainment
Release
December 01, 2015
For all of you hardcore multiplayer FPS fans who have top-of-the-line headsets so good you can tell what type of boot an enemy is wearing just by the sound of their footsteps, Rainbow Six Siege has soldiered on to PS5 as the premier squad-based tactical FPS. Whether you’ve been there since the game’s rough launch or are just considering getting into it, Rainbow Six Siege has earned its dedicated fanbase. The PS5 offers two different settings for its version of the game: Performance mode and Resolution mode. Performance mode targets 120 fos with a 4K dynamic resolution scaling system, while Resolution mode sticks to 4K visuals and a lower 60 fps target. If you’re looking to compete at the top levels, that Performance mode will be the one to go for, but more options are always appreciated. There’s no story in this entry of Rainbow Six, so unless you’re dedicated to learning the multiplayer, this FPS won’t be for you. If you do dedicate your time and attention to learning this incredibly deep, dynamic, and tense game, then you’ll be rewarded with one of the most satisfying experiences on the console. There are tons of operators to learn, each with gadgets and abilities to make every match unique. When you add in the insane levels of destruction, even a map you play hundreds of times can surprise you when a wall gets blown open or you find a new angle you can shoot a hole through to peak at enemies. Considering how long this game’s been going, the upgrades it got for PS5 only suggest it will stick around for a long time yet.
DOOM Eternal
84%
4.5/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Shooter
Developer
id Software
Publisher
Bethesda Softworks
Release
March 20, 2020
Coming back full circle to the series that kicked off the FPS craze in the early ’90s, it isn’t out of obligation that we believe Doom Eternal is one of the best FPS games on the market today. Even removing the legacy of this series, which we imagine a lot of modern gamers don’t even know about firsthand, this game is pure, unfiltered, ultra-violent fun with a gun. This was another title that first hit on last-gen consoles but was given a quick upgrade to the PS5. You can choose between either the silky 120 fps mode or turn on ray tracing to get a better look at your grinning reflection in the pools of demon blood you’ll be spilling. This may be the last Doom game PS5 owners get, so don’t pass on it. The Doom games go back decades now, but you don’t even really have to have played the 2016 reboot to jump in on Doom Eternal. All you really need to know is that demons have invaded Earth and you’re the one-man army dedicated to killing every single one of them, from the smallest imp to the towering titans. You have an arsenal of guns, plasma weapons, explosives, and even your bare fists to brutalize the demonic forces with. Each enemy has a weakness you can exploit, and how you kill will determine whether you restore your health, armor, or ammo. It’s a little more complex than your typical shooter, but at the same time, it moves at a breakneck pace, leading to heart-pounding encounters where you skirt death a dozen times before emerging victorious.
Quake
90%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Nightdive Studios
Publisher
Bethesda Softworks, Limited Run Games
Release
August 19, 2021
Another throwback, though not quite as far as Doom, is the title that essentially invented the multiplayer FPS arena shooter genre. Quake will instantly appeal to those old-school gamers, but even if you have no nostalgia for the blocky graphics and bunny-hopping, you’ll still find an incredibly satisfying FPS game here. The PS5 version upscales the visuals, provides options for local and online multiplayer, and even adds in some new content like a horde mode. This is a great game to jump in and out of when you feel the need for some fast, brutal gameplay.
Immortals of Aveum
70%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Ascendant Studios
Publisher
Electronic Arts
Release
August 22, 2023
When you think of a shooter, guns are what will naturally come to mind. That can be historical weaponry or sci-fi ones, but what about fantasy? Immortals of Aveum asks the question of what a magical FPS would look and feel like, and the result is a familiar but fun experience. You play as Jak, a special mage capable of wielding all three colors of magic in that universe. That translates to three different “weapon” types, with dozens of permutations within each. The plot is a bit out there and uninspired, but it feels great to blast enemies with your magical blasts, solve puzzles, explore open zones, and level up. It is a shorter experience, too, but very focused and has little to no fat.
Apex Legends
78%
4/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter
Developer
Respawn Entertainment
Publisher
Electronic Arts
Release
February 04, 2019
When talking about FPS games, we can’t ignore the most popular game mode on the market. Battle royale games come in all types, but in the FPS crowd, there are a few standout titles. Apex Legends launched without any warning and took elements from Titan Fall, hero shooters, and other battle royale hits to make one of the most unique takes on the genre. You and two friends can squad up, each selecting a character with their own distinct abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, to try and come out on top. Movement and gunplay are sublime, allowing for a level of control while pulling off crazy stunts that no other battle royale can quite match. Apex Legends is still getting its PS5 upgrades, with the all-important frame-rate boost still to come, but they have confirmed that they’re looking to lock down a 120 fps target. In the meantime, your PS5 can still take advantage of higher resolutions, now hitting 1440p and much faster loading times. The game already looks great, thanks to a vibrant art style, so that extra visual bump only makes it shine even more. With over 10 seasons of content, including plenty of new Legends, guns, and map changes, this free-to-play FPS will only get better with time on your PS5.
Deathloop
84%
3.5/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Arkane Studios
Publisher
Bethesda Softworks
Release
September 14, 2021
Deathloop is a strange game for a lot of reasons. Most notably, it was developed by Arkane, which was purchased by Microsoft after agreeing to make it a timed PlayStation exclusive. It will eventually be on Xbox consoles as well but started out as a PS5- and PC-only game. The other reason Deathloop is a bit of a unique case is for how it’s structured. Think of the game like a Hitman title, but with the level design and progression of a Dishonored. You have one goal: To kill all the Visionaries in one day, but each death resets the day. You need to figure out how to line up all the pieces to make that perfect day happen, getting new abilities, weapons, and gadgets as you progress. It isn’t quite as dynamic as either Dishonored, but the amount of interactions you can do is still impressive, and the loop (pardon the pun) is downright addicting.
Overwatch 2
65%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter
Developer
Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher
Blizzard Entertainment
Release
October 04, 2022
Our last pick isn’t so much for the improvements, since Blizzard hasn’t really dedicated many resources to making Overwatch 2 run considerably better on PS5. Instead, it’s just due to the fact that this hero shooter is still the king when it comes to the genre. With over six years of additional content under its belt, Overwatch 2 released with even more maps, and it now has over 30 characters to pick from, plus an addictive progression system. It is one of those games that’s easy to jump into, thanks to the cartoonish aesthetic and intuitive controls, but it’s also deep enough for a professional league to spawn with top teams competing for crazy prize pools. The PS5 really does the heavy lifting when playing this game. Load times are better, and even some technical glitches are removed just by running on stronger hardware. When things get hectic on the battlefield, which is a common occurrence when multiple heroes chain their ultimate abilities, for example, the PS5 never stutters for a second. Other visual issues, like heroes appearing with low textures when selecting them, are also gone. The sequel has also gone free-to-play, so there’s no reason not to give it a shot.
