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Best Shooter games of 2021

The 10 best Shooter games released in 2021, ranked from 2,135 critic and player ratings.

The best Shooter game of 2021 is Returnal, with a critic score of 90/100 — updated November 2026.

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: 2021.
  • 10 games are listed on this page, carrying 2,135 ratings between them.
  • Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 13 November 2026.

Top 10

Played them? Give your tier with the + next to each game. No account needed to try — create one to keep your tiers.

01 Returnal Returnal 2021 · 193 ratings · finished by 18% Returnal is a 2021 roguelike third-person shooter video game developed by Housemarque and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It follows Selene Vassos, an astronaut who lands on the planet Atropos in search of the mysterious "White Shadow" signal and finds herself trapped in a time loop. After crash-landing on a shape-shifting alien planet, Selene finds herself fighting tooth and nail for survival. Every time she’s defeated, the player is forced to restart the journey. 90 /100
02 Deathloop Deathloop 2021 · 266 ratings Deathloop transports players to the lawless island of Blackreef in an eternal struggle between two extraordinary assassins. Explore stunning environments and meticulously designed levels in an immersive gameplay experience that lets you approach every situation any way you like. Hunt down targets all over the island in an effort to put an end to the cycle once and for all, and remember, if at first you don’t succeed… die, die again. 90 /100
03 Deathloop D Deathloop 2021 · 554 ratings · 1 Tier vote · finished by 13% 88 /100
04 Halo Infinite A Halo Infinite 2021 · 306 ratings · 1 Tier vote Halo Infinite is a first-person shooter and the sixth mainline entry in the Halo series. The game features a semi-open world campaign set on the Forerunner ringworld Zeta Halo, where players control the supersoldier Master Chief in combat against the Banished, a mercenary faction of aliens and humans. Players traverse the environment on foot and in vehicles, capturing forward operating bases, rescuing Marines, and completing story missions that advance the narrative. Equipment such as the Grappleshot adds traversal and combat options. The multiplayer component is free-to-play and includes various competitive modes in 4v4 and 12v12 formats. 88 /100
05 Far Cry 6 B Far Cry 6 2021 · 256 ratings · 2 Tier votes · finished by 26% Dive into the gritty world of a modern-day guerrilla revolution to liberate a nation from its oppressive dictators. Welcome to Yara, a tropical paradise frozen in time. Far Cry 6 thrusts players into a modern-day guerrilla revolution. As dictator of Yara, Anton Castillo is intent on restoring his nation back to its former glory by any means, with his son, Diego, following in his bloody footsteps. Become a guerrilla fighter and liberate Yara. 82 /100
06 Back 4 Blood Back 4 Blood 2021 · 122 ratings · finished by 6% Back 4 Blood is a thrilling cooperative first-person shooter from the creators of the critically acclaimed Left 4 Dead franchise. You are at the center of a war against the Ridden. These once-human hosts of a deadly parasite have turned into terrifying creatures bent on devouring what remains of civilization. With humanity’s extinction on the line, it’s up to you and your friends to take the fight to the enemy, eradicate the Ridden, and reclaim the world. 79 /100
07 Outriders Outriders 2021 · 87 ratings · finished by 8% Outriders is a 1-3 player co-op RPG shooter set in an original, dark and desperate sci-fi universe. As mankind bleeds out in the trenches of Enoch, you’ll create your own Outrider and embark on a journey across the hostile planet. With rich storytelling spanning a diverse world, you’ll leave behind the slums and shanty towns of the First City and traverse forests, mountains and desert in the pursuit of a mysterious signal. Combining intense gunplay with violent powers and an arsenal of increasingly twisted weaponry and gear-sets, Outriders offers countless hours of gameplay. 78 /100
08 Call of Duty: Vanguard Call of Duty: Vanguard 2021 · 114 ratings This is WWII combat like never before. Witness the origins of Special Forces as you play a pivotal role and change the face of history, forming Task Force One in a gripping Campaign across four major theaters of war. Become an original Special Forces Operator in an online Multiplayer rich in innovation with 20 maps available at launch. Prepare for a franchise-first, universe-expanding Zombies crossover. Immerse yourself in a fully integrated Call of Duty: Warzone experience featuring a new and massive map. This is the most connected Call of Duty ever, all powered by the next generation Call of Duty engine introduced in Modern Warfare. This is Call of Duty: Vanguard. 75 /100
09 The Ascent The Ascent 2021 · 90 ratings · finished by 4% The Ascent is a solo and co-op action RPG set in a cyberpunk world. The mega corporation that owns you and everyone, The Ascent Group, has just collapsed. Confusion and chaos ensue, security and order are in disarray, and without protection, everyone is left to fend for themselves. Stop gangs and hostile corporations from taking over and discover what really happened. 71 /100
10 Battlefield 2042 B Battlefield 2042 2021 · 147 ratings · 1 Tier vote Battlefield 2042 marks the return to the iconic all-out warfare of the franchise. Adapt and overcome dynamically-changing battlegrounds with the help of your squad and a cutting-edge arsenal. With support for 128 players, prepare for unprecedented scale on vast environments. Take on massive experiences, from updated multiplayer modes like Conquest and Breakthrough to the all-new Hazard Zone. 69 /100
Browse all Shooter games

Other years

Best Shooter games of 2025Best Shooter games of 2024Best Shooter games of 2023Best Shooter games of 2022Best Shooter games of 2020Best Shooter games of 2019Best Shooter games of 2018Best Shooter games of 2017Best Shooter games of 2016Best Shooter games of 2015Best Shooter games of 2014Best Shooter games of 2013

Same year, other platforms

Best PC games of 2021Best PlayStation 5 games of 2021Best Xbox Series X|S games of 2021Best Xbox One games of 2021Best PlayStation 4 games of 2021Best Nintendo Switch games of 2021Best Linux games of 2021Best Android games of 2021Best Mac games of 2021Best iOS games of 2021

Nearby rankings

Best Shooter games of 2020Best Shooter games of 2022Best Platformer games of 2021Best RPG games of 2021Best Simulation games of 2021

Catalog statistics

Most abandoned gamesMost completed games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Shooter game of 2021?

Returnal currently tops the ranking with a score of 90/100 across 193 ratings. Ranking updated November 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.