Best games
Best Shooter games in 2026
The 250 best Shooter games, ranked from 44,177 critic and player ratings.
The best Shooter game right now is Unreal Tournament — updated September 2026.
Also covers battle royale, first person shooter, first-person shooter, fps, third-person shooter, tps.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Each game is ranked in one genre only, the one that defines it best, so the same title never tops two different genre charts.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 1970 to 2026.
- 50 games are listed on this page, carrying 44,177 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 50
01
Unreal Tournament
Unreal Tournament is a first-person arena shooter video game developed by Epic Games and Digital Extremes. It was the second installment in the Unreal series. It is an arena first-person shooter, with head-to-head multiplayer deathmatches being the primary focus of the game. Other game modes include TDM. CTF, Assault, Domination, Last man Standing etc.
100
/100
02
Perfect Dark
Perfect Dark is an action video game developed by Rare and released for the Game Boy Color handheld console in 2000. As a prequel to its Nintendo 64 counterpart, the game follows agent Joanna Dark as she completes her training at the Carrington Institute research centre and uncovers information against rival corporation dataDyne. The gameplay revolves around shooting opponents and completing objectives such as rescuing hostages or recovering items. The game also includes a multiplayer mode where two players may compete against each other in several deathmatch modes.
97
/100
03
S
Half-Life 2
1998. HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling. NOW. By taking the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original, and adding startling new realism and responsiveness, Half-Life 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around them, from the physical environment to the behaviors even the emotions of both friends and enemies.
96
/100
Unreal Tournament
Unreal Tournament is a first-person arena shooter video game developed by Epic Games and Digital Extremes. It was the second installment in the Unreal series. It is an arena first-person shooter, with head-to-head multiplayer deathmatches being the primary focus of the game. Other game modes include TDM. CTF, Assault, Domination, Last man Standing etc.
100
/100
02
Perfect Dark
Perfect Dark is an action video game developed by Rare and released for the Game Boy Color handheld console in 2000. As a prequel to its Nintendo 64 counterpart, the game follows agent Joanna Dark as she completes her training at the Carrington Institute research centre and uncovers information against rival corporation dataDyne. The gameplay revolves around shooting opponents and completing objectives such as rescuing hostages or recovering items. The game also includes a multiplayer mode where two players may compete against each other in several deathmatch modes.
97
/100
03
S
Half-Life 2
1998. HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling. NOW. By taking the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original, and adding startling new realism and responsiveness, Half-Life 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around them, from the physical environment to the behaviors even the emotions of both friends and enemies.
96
/100
04
Half-Life
Half-Life is a 1998 first-person shooter (FPS) game developed by Valve Corporation and published by Sierra Studios for Windows. It was Valve's debut product and the first game in the Half-Life series. The player assumes the role of Gordon Freeman, a theoretical physicist who must escape from the Black Mesa Research Facility after it is overrun by aliens following a disastrous scientific experiment. Its gameplay consists of diverse combat, exploration and puzzles.
96
/100
05
GoldenEye 007 (1997)
GoldenEye 007 is a first-person shooter based on the 1995 James Bond film. The game features a single-player campaign with 20 missions across multiple difficulty levels, emphasizing stealth, varied objectives and mission-based progression. Players can use a range of weapons and gadgets while navigating diverse environments inspired by the movie. The local split-screen multiplayer mode supports up to four players and offers competitive scenarios such as deathmatch, team modes and character selection from the James Bond universe. The multiplayer component became widely recognized for its influence on console FPS design and is considered a landmark feature of the game.
96
/100
06
Half-Life 2: Update
A completely free and extensive community-developed update for Half-Life 2 featuring beautiful lighting, countless bug fixes, and a brand new Community Commentary Mode. With Half-Life 2: Update, there’s never been a better time to revisit City 17.
96
/100
07
Modern Combat 5
Step into the action as the latest installment in the best FPS series raises the bar for shooter games once more! Create a squad, add your friends and test your individual and team skills against other squads in dynamic multiplayer warfare! Is single player your thing? Then step into a world on the brink of anarchy and shoot your way out of one dire situation after another to expose a lunatic who’s trying to tear the world to shreds.
96
/100
08
S
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is the sequel to Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes and a prequel to the original Metal Gear. The game has a complex story with long cut-scene sequences, but there are fewer and they are shorter compared to earlier Metal Gear Solid titles. Most of the gameplay mechanics introduced in Ground Zeroes are carried over: it is still an action game and stealth oriented but replaces the linear corridor design from most earlier titles with large open world environments that offer the player unrestricted freedom for the approach. The world has now a real-time day and night cycle and various weather effects that influence enemy behaviour, visibility and sound. Sabotaging or destroying certain structures can also influence other parts of the map.
96
/100
09
The Last of Us Part II
The Last of Us Part II is an action-adventure game set five years after the events of The Last of Us. The player traverses post-apocalyptic environments such as buildings and forests to advance the story. They can use firearms, improvised weapons, and stealth to defend against hostile humans and cannibalistic creatures infected by a mutated strain of the Cordyceps fungus. The game intermittently switches control between Ellie and Abby, and also briefly Joel in the opening sequence. The nimble nature of the player character introduces platforming elements, allowing the player to jump and climb to traverse environments and gain advantages during combat.
95
/100
10
A
The Last Of Us Remastered
The Last of Us Remastered is an updated release of the PS3 game The Last of Us. It is identical to the PS3 version but runs at a 1080p resolution and incorporates character models with a higher resolution. There are also improved shadows and lighting, upgraded textures, 60 frames per second and other types of improvements. In addition to the base game, two map packs and the expansion The Last of Us: Left Behind are included.
95
/100
11
S
Resident Evil 4
94
/100
12
The Orange Box
94
/100
13
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
94
/100
14
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
93
/100
15
S
BioShock Infinite
93
/100
16
B
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
93
/100
17
The Last of Us Part II
93
/100
18
Half-Life: Alyx
93
/100
19
Battlefield 2
93
/100
20
S
Alan Wake 2
93
/100
21
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
92
/100
22
C
Team Fortress 2
92
/100
23
Bayonetta 2
92
/100
24
Unreal Tournament: Game of the Year Edition
92
/100
25
A
Medal of Honor (1999)
92
/100
26
D
The Last of Us
92
/100
27
Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition
92
/100
28
Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30
92
/100
29
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. G.A.M.M.A.
91
/100
30
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection
91
/100
31
A
Resident Evil 2
91
/100
32
Gears of War 3
91
/100
33
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
91
/100
34
STAR WARS Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II
91
/100
35
Killzone 2
91
/100
36
No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way
91
/100
37
A
Halo 3
91
/100
38
Beyond Good & Evil
91
/100
39
A
Resident Evil Requiem
90
/100
40
Gears of War 2
90
/100
41
Half-Life 2: Episode Two
90
/100
42
Bayonetta
90
/100
43
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
90
/100
44
A
Resident Evil 2 (1998)
90
/100
45
Ultimate Doom
90
/100
46
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
90
/100
47
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
90
/100
48
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
90
/100
49
The Orange Box
90
/100
50
Thief II: The Metal Age
90
/100
Half-Life
Half-Life is a 1998 first-person shooter (FPS) game developed by Valve Corporation and published by Sierra Studios for Windows. It was Valve's debut product and the first game in the Half-Life series. The player assumes the role of Gordon Freeman, a theoretical physicist who must escape from the Black Mesa Research Facility after it is overrun by aliens following a disastrous scientific experiment. Its gameplay consists of diverse combat, exploration and puzzles.
96
/100
05
GoldenEye 007 (1997)
GoldenEye 007 is a first-person shooter based on the 1995 James Bond film. The game features a single-player campaign with 20 missions across multiple difficulty levels, emphasizing stealth, varied objectives and mission-based progression. Players can use a range of weapons and gadgets while navigating diverse environments inspired by the movie. The local split-screen multiplayer mode supports up to four players and offers competitive scenarios such as deathmatch, team modes and character selection from the James Bond universe. The multiplayer component became widely recognized for its influence on console FPS design and is considered a landmark feature of the game.
96
/100
06
Half-Life 2: Update
A completely free and extensive community-developed update for Half-Life 2 featuring beautiful lighting, countless bug fixes, and a brand new Community Commentary Mode. With Half-Life 2: Update, there’s never been a better time to revisit City 17.
96
/100
07
Modern Combat 5
Step into the action as the latest installment in the best FPS series raises the bar for shooter games once more! Create a squad, add your friends and test your individual and team skills against other squads in dynamic multiplayer warfare! Is single player your thing? Then step into a world on the brink of anarchy and shoot your way out of one dire situation after another to expose a lunatic who’s trying to tear the world to shreds.
96
/100
08
S
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is the sequel to Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes and a prequel to the original Metal Gear. The game has a complex story with long cut-scene sequences, but there are fewer and they are shorter compared to earlier Metal Gear Solid titles. Most of the gameplay mechanics introduced in Ground Zeroes are carried over: it is still an action game and stealth oriented but replaces the linear corridor design from most earlier titles with large open world environments that offer the player unrestricted freedom for the approach. The world has now a real-time day and night cycle and various weather effects that influence enemy behaviour, visibility and sound. Sabotaging or destroying certain structures can also influence other parts of the map.
96
/100
09
The Last of Us Part II
The Last of Us Part II is an action-adventure game set five years after the events of The Last of Us. The player traverses post-apocalyptic environments such as buildings and forests to advance the story. They can use firearms, improvised weapons, and stealth to defend against hostile humans and cannibalistic creatures infected by a mutated strain of the Cordyceps fungus. The game intermittently switches control between Ellie and Abby, and also briefly Joel in the opening sequence. The nimble nature of the player character introduces platforming elements, allowing the player to jump and climb to traverse environments and gain advantages during combat.
95
/100
10
A
The Last Of Us Remastered
The Last of Us Remastered is an updated release of the PS3 game The Last of Us. It is identical to the PS3 version but runs at a 1080p resolution and incorporates character models with a higher resolution. There are also improved shadows and lighting, upgraded textures, 60 frames per second and other types of improvements. In addition to the base game, two map packs and the expansion The Last of Us: Left Behind are included.
95
/100
11
S
Resident Evil 4
94
/100
12
The Orange Box
94
/100
13
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
94
/100
14
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
93
/100
15
S
BioShock Infinite
93
/100
16
B
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
93
/100
17
The Last of Us Part II
93
/100
18
Half-Life: Alyx
93
/100
19
Battlefield 2
93
/100
20
S
Alan Wake 2
93
/100
21
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
92
/100
22
C
Team Fortress 2
92
/100
23
Bayonetta 2
92
/100
24
Unreal Tournament: Game of the Year Edition
92
/100
25
A
Medal of Honor (1999)
92
/100
26
D
The Last of Us
92
/100
27
Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition
92
/100
28
Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30
92
/100
29
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. G.A.M.M.A.
91
/100
30
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection
91
/100
31
A
Resident Evil 2
91
/100
32
Gears of War 3
91
/100
33
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
91
/100
34
STAR WARS Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II
91
/100
35
Killzone 2
91
/100
36
No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way
91
/100
37
A
Halo 3
91
/100
38
Beyond Good & Evil
91
/100
39
A
Resident Evil Requiem
90
/100
40
Gears of War 2
90
/100
41
Half-Life 2: Episode Two
90
/100
42
Bayonetta
90
/100
43
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
90
/100
44
A
Resident Evil 2 (1998)
90
/100
45
Ultimate Doom
90
/100
46
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
90
/100
47
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
90
/100
48
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
90
/100
49
The Orange Box
90
/100
50
Thief II: The Metal Age
90
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Shooter game right now?
Unreal Tournament currently tops the ranking with a score of 100/100 across 279 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.