What makes a good shooter? Immediate answers might include punchy phrases/words like “gun feel” or “kit customization.” Even so, it’s hard to define the gratification that comes with securing that coveted victory in ranked multiplayer or surviving a seemingly never-ending onslaught in single-player horde mode. A good shooter tends to contain a smorgasbord of enticing components – gripping atmosphere, weapon/ability balancing, enjoyable arenas, etc. Regardless of style (e.g., FPS, third-person, top-down), the aforementioned features tend to mesh well with polished gameplay, sweeping narratives, and new or improved mechanics. If you feel at home sprinting through multilayered environments, mowing down adversaries with precision and cunning, then the ten games on this list are definitely worth your time and attention.
Halo Infinite
Halo Infinite represents a return to form for one of the genre's biggest names. The game gets back to the basics of what made classic Halo work in terms of gameplay and storytelling, but ups the ante with a reinvented campaign. The beautiful ringworld of Zeta Halo offers a semi-open playground that gives players the freedom to capture Banished-controlled outposts, hunt bounties, pilot vehicles, and swing around using a nifty new grapple hook. Multiplayer is the most fun it's been in years, stripping away disliked features from recent titles and giving Halo fans the competitive experience that won them over in the first place. 343 Industries has positioned Halo Infinite as the template for the franchise going into the next decade. If so, then the future looks brighter than ever. | Our Review
Splitgate
Splitgate flew under the radar for a long time until it gained traction following a record-shattering 10 million open beta downloads. The energized Halo-Portal hybrid is a true Cinderella story. Developer 1047 Games began its gradual rise to prominence in the relative safety of a Stanford University dorm room. We spoke and played with CEO Ian Proulx back in 2019, who voiced his goal of creating an accessible game that was hard to master. Three years later, Splitgate’s nuanced mechanics and arcade aesthetic have piqued the interest of casual gamers and professional esports athletes alike. Season 0 was just announced at Gamescom in light of 1047’s prior decision to indefinitely extend Splitgate’s open beta period. Once the backend is sorted, expect the game’s full launch to follow. | Our Impressions
Returnal
As our very own Dan Tack marvelously put it, “Returnal is a relentless nightmare that’s a dream to play.” A sci-fi horror roguelike, Housemarque’s first third-person shooter drips with eerie tension. The stormy, hallucinogenic planet of Atropos houses serpentine foliage, ancient architecture, and malformed species. You are Selene, an intergalactic explorer marooned in a dangerous world. With a bevy of weapons and discoverable abilities checkered through Atropos’ myriad environments, you’ll trek through unforgiving forests and wastelands to discover the true meaning behind Selene’s reappearing farmstead and the astronaut that haunts her innermost thoughts. In Returnal, death is rebirth. What will you do with each new life? | Our Review