Shooter games are one of the archetypes that defined gaming, not only for a single generation but also helped shape what gaming is across the board. Even wholesome games for children can have some form of projectile they launch at a target.
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Games don’t just need a genre, they need an aesthetic, and an aesthetic that has been applied to countless shooters is that of a sci-fi world setting. These worlds can differ vastly when compared side by side, but they all share a common factor of having technology that vastly surpasses our own.
Updated by Chad Thesen on Februrary 20, 2024:This list has been expanded to include another 5 incredible sci-fi titles that are more than worthy to be included among the great shooters of the genre. This list has also had new in-text links added to make navigation to related articles easier for readers.
15Overwatch
Plenty Of Unique Playstyle Choices
Overwatchhit the world like a ten-ton hammer of pure excitement back in 2016. From the very first reveal trailer, players were clambering to try it out. This game is a Hero Shooter, meaning players each choose a specific character that plays in their own unique way to accomplish a common goal with their teammates.
The game was harshly criticized for its use of Loot Boxes, but once it was re-branded as its own sequel, it was harshly criticized for replacing those Loot Boxes with a Battle Pass system. Regardless, the game’s incredibly fun gameplay has kept it alive for almost a decade.
14Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Play As A Heavily Augmented Human
Deus Ex: Human Revolutionis a game that involves people who use special artificially created human organs. These artificial organs are known as “Augmentations” and are the subject of a lot of controversy within the game’s world. The protagonist of the story is Adam Jensen, who works in the security department of Sarif Industries — who manufacture such Augmentation. Adam will utilize many of these Augmentations throughout the game as he delves into the story behind a secretive group that is working from the shadows.
The game lets players explore many different options for how they wish to overcome different obstacles. Changing what Augments you have access to will change how players will need to approach these obstacles — creating plenty of replayability. Plus, the manner in which you approach obstacles can lead to drastically different outcomes. If you want a choice-based RPG in a fleshed-out cyberpunk setting, look no further than Deus Ex: Human Revolution.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
13Cyberpunk 2077
Dystopian Future Setting With Plenty Of Weapons
Cyberpunk 2077is an action RPG played from the first-person perspective, and it features a lot of incredible guns. While some may argue it is not a shooter due to it having such a solid RPG foundation, it cannot be denied that the gunplay and its associated combat is a vital element to the majority of the game.
Players looking for a shooter set in a sci-fi dystopia will have all their aesthetic needs and wants not just met, but surpassed tenfold by the volume of missions and tasks available in this gem of a game.
Cyberpunk 2077
12Doom Eternal
Rip And Tear Through The Forces Of Evil
Doom: Eternalis part of the beloved Doom franchise. It is a first-person shooter set on Mars and includes an incredibly destructive arsenal for the player to make use of. This game follows the events of its predecessor — which was released 4 years prior.
The game features a “push forward” combat standard, where players will need to be aggressive and charge at their enemies rather than hiding behind cover. Doing so will allow them to stay stocked up on health and ammo.
DOOM Eternal
Space Themed Zombies Shooter
Doom Eternal may have all sorts of monstrous abominations coming your way, but it is still very action-heavy.Dead Space 2, on the other hand, is a real horror experience as it is also a member of thesurvival horror genre. Players take control of Isaac Clarke, a system engineer for the Concordance Extraction Corporation.
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Isaac traverses the space station with a plasma cutter tool facing a terrifying alien outbreak, all while slowly losing his own sanity. Players will need to solve puzzles, blast apart the Necromorph aliens, and make their way through an increasingly fear-inducing storyline.
Dead Space 2
A Terrifying Space Station Horror Story
Thisremakeof the originalDead Spacefeels like something straight out of a horror movie. Players take on the role of Isaac Clarke, an engineer exploring the USG Ishimura, a massive space ship filled with horrific necromorphs that will promptly attempt to end your life on sight. There are plenty of jump scares and terrifying encounters to be had throughout one’s playthrough.
While the game makes players feel like they are backed into a corner by horrifying and powerful foes, it does not make players feel helpless. You’ll come equipped with an arsenal of intense weaponry, each offering unique ways to dismember the hostile necromorph plague.
Dead Space Remake
Solving Puzzles With Portals & Physics
Nobody expectedPortalto be the breakaway success it was, or that it would get a sequel that would blow the first one out of the water. Portal 2 is a first-person shooter through and through, just without an ever-increasing pile of bodies.
Players use a portal gun to solve many puzzles, while also gaining new elements over the course of the game to make these puzzles even more devilish. What really makes Portal 2 shine is the narratives by an utterly outstanding writing team with a phenomenal voice cast.
8Helldivers 2
Dispatch Bugs & Bots With A Massive Arsenal
Players will take ondistinct aggressive enemies, like the insectoid Terminids and the cyborg Automatons, while playingHelldivers 2. These enemies of Democracy come at you in droves, peppered in with masive units like theBile Titansand Automaton Tanks. The aesthetics are truly amazing, from how the mercenaries of Super Earth are designed, to the surreal alien worlds you will be fighting on.
Playing in a group gives a deep sense of cameraderie, and taking down mighty foes will have friends celebrating their accomplishments together. The game will also force players to start at the easiest of difficulties, and with each successful mission, will unlock the difficulty above the one they just completed. This gives players a sense of always wanting to push into harder content as they become better at the game. Story is light, but the vibes are immaculate.
Helldivers 2
7Mass Effect Legendary Edition
A Narrative Space Opera That Is Second To None
Mass Effect Legendary Editionis arguably one of the most engrossing experiences a player can pick up. Players will discover so many interesting alien races, each with their own lore and customs. Touching down on each planet leads to a whole new sub-adventure that plays into a larger story for each game — likewise, each game plays into the overarching franchise story beautifully.
The choice of making a space opera-style game allows the franchise to constantly expand on new story elements and push into new frontiers for players to explore. Players are also able to engage in some really explosive combat, allowing you to customize your experience with the unique powers and abilities to the setting.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition
6Half-Life 2
Fight For Freedom Against Powerful Foes
Half-Life 2is heralded as one of the greatest shooters of all time, and its inclusion of super science and otherworldly lifeforms lets it tick off that “sci-fi” box.
A lot of players would argue that any game other than this taking the first place spot would be heresy, but sadly, the game does show its age after all these years and may do well to explore the thought of a full remake with modern gaming elements.
