Here are some of the best first person shooter (FPS) games you can play on PC in 2025. We’ve split them into two groups: games for playing against others online, and games you can enjoy alone.
Top 5 Competitive FPS Games (2025)
1. Counter Strike 2
Release Date: September 27, 2023
Developer/Publisher: Valve Corporation
Platforms: Windows, Linux (macOS support discontinued)
Gameplay:
Maps categorized as Touchstone (minimal changes), Upgrades (graphical overhauls), and Overhauls (rebuilt from scratch) .
Monetization: Free-to-play with Prime Status ($14.99) granting exclusive rewards, weapon cases, and weekly drops .
Reception: Mixed player reviews due to removed features (e.g., Danger Zone mode, macOS support) and performance issues, but praised for gunplay and visual improvements .
A tactical 5v5 first-person shooter with objective-based modes like Bomb Defusal and Hostage Rescue .
Major technical upgrades from CS:GO, including the Source 2 engine, volumetric smoke physics (interacts with bullets/grenades), and sub-tick servers for improved responsiveness .
Game modes: Competitive, Premier (map-veto system), Wingman (2v2), Deathmatch, and Arms Race (added post-launch) .
2. Valorant
Release Date: June 2, 2020 (PC); June 2024 (PlayStation 5/Xbox Series X|S).
Developer/Publisher: Riot Games
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Gameplay:
Maps designed for strategic play (e.g., rotating choke points, verticality).
Monetization: Free-to-play with Valorant Points (VP) for cosmetic skins, agents, and battle passes.
Reception: Praised for precise gunplay and strategic depth but criticized for steep learning curve. Thriving esports scene (Valorant Champions Tour).
A 5v5 character-based tactical shooter with agents (26 as of 2024) possessing unique abilities (e.g., smokes, flashes, recon tools).
Core modes: Unrated (best-of-25 rounds), Competitive (ranked ladder from Iron to Radiant), Spike Rush (fast-paced 7-round matches), and Team Deathmatch (added in 2023).
Economy system: Players buy weapons/abilities using in-game currency earned per round.
3. XDefiant
Originally announced as Tom Clancy’s XDefiant, this free-to-play first-person shooter was developed by Ubisoft San Francisco and published by Ubisoft. It was designed to mix fast-paced, arcade-style shooter mechanics with elements drawn from multiple Ubisoft franchises. In essence, the game tried to offer a “Call of Duty killer” experience by inviting players to choose from various in‑universe factions—each representing characters or archetypes from titles like The Division, Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell, Watch Dogs, and Far Cry.
Gameplay and Features
- Factions and Customization:
XDefiant allowed players to pick from unique factions—each with its specific set of abilities, weapons, and gadgets—creating a hero shooter flavor. For instance, one might play as characters inspired by the militant realism of The Division or the stealthy operatives of Splinter Cell. This cross-franchise concept was intended to set it apart from other free-to-play shooters. - Match Formats and Modes:
The game offered various competitive multiplayer modes (e.g., Domination, Escort, Capture the Flag) that were familiar to fans of modern FPS titles. With fast-paced gunplay reminiscent of Call of Duty, the title also incorporated a progression system featuring XP unlocks for weapons modifications. - Technical Foundation:
Running on Ubisoft’s Snowdrop engine, XDefiant was released on May 21, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X|S. Early reports from launch described significant initial interest—reaching one million unique players within a few hours.
Development, Launch, and Lifecycle
- Initial Launch:
The game initially garnered attention and a record number of early signups due to its bold cross-franchise premise. However, while it performed well in the first moments—by some accounts, drawing over a million players within hours—it began facing challenges in retaining a broader player base. - Challenges and Business Decision:
Despite an enthusiastic start, XDefiant struggled to compete in the intensely competitive free-to-play FPS market. Issues such as server instability at launch, limited marketing efforts (a deliberate strategy to first “get the game in a better place”), and ultimately low long-term engagement led Ubisoft to reassess the title’s viability. - Sunsetting the Title:
On December 3, 2024, Ubisoft announced via an official message that new downloads and player registrations for XDefiant would cease, and refunds would be issued (for certain recent purchases such as the Ultimate Founder’s Pack). The game’s servers will remain active only until June 3, 2025, after which the service will shut down completely. Concurrent with the discontinuation of the game, Ubisoft will close its San Francisco and Osaka studios (and significantly scale down its Sydney operations), resulting in hundreds of layoffs.
Reception and Market Position
While XDefiant received mixed reviews—praising its fast, responsive gunplay and the nostalgic value of its Ubisoft-branded factions, critics also noted the game felt derivative and suffered from gameplay and balance issues. Despite a strong initial launch, the inability to maintain a solid and engaged user base ultimately sealed its fate as Ubisoft decided it was no longer worth sustaining further investment.
4. The Finals
The Finals is a free-to-play, team-based first-person shooter developed and published by Embark Studios, a Swedish company founded in 2018 by industry veterans (many formerly of EA DICE). Unlike conventional shooters, The Finals wraps competitive combat in the unique presentation of a “game show.” In this chaotic arena, players compete in dynamic matches where the environment itself is a tool—everything from furniture to entire buildings is destructible. This gameplay twist encourages creative tactics such as blowing holes in walls to change the flow of battle.
Gameplay and Features
- Game Modes and Mechanics:
- Cashout and Quick Cash: In these modes, teams vie to grab “vaults”—in-game objects with escalating monetary value—and deliver them to designated cashout stations. There is an element of risk, as teams must defend these points or risk having their accumulated funds stolen.
- Terminal Attack and Power Shift: Other modes test teams in “one-life” scenarios or require the control of shifting platforms, respectively, thereby mixing classic “King-of-the-Hill” or objective-based gameplay with the inherent destructibility of the arenas.
- Player Builds and Customization:
Players choose from three distinct character builds:- Light Build: Fast and nimble but low in health, with mobility-focused abilities (e.g., cloaking or dashing).
- Medium Build: A balanced soldier type offering both support (healing or reviving teammates) and standard combat capabilities.
- Heavy Build: Durable and equipped with powerful weapons and defensive tools, trading off mobility for survivability.
- Environmental Interactivity:
Every match features highly modifiable terrain. Not only can items be picked up and thrown, but players can also use weapons or gadgets to destroy parts of the map—changing sightlines and strategies in real time. - Technical Aspects:
The game is built on Unreal Engine 5, supporting crossplay across PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 (with a later PlayStation 4 port). Early testing phases included multiple closed betas to refine the destructible environments and player progression systems.
Reception and Positioning
The Finals has been noted for its unique take on the FPS genre through its “game show” presentation and heavy reliance on environmental destruction. While some players have pointed out performance issues or debates over the use of AI-generated voiceovers, the game has received several accolades and comparisons to classics like The Hunger Games and Gladiator in its aesthetic and thematic ambitions
5. Call of Duty: Black Ops Gulf War
Call of Duty: Black Ops Gulf War is reported to be the next chapter in the Black Ops sub‐series. Unlike recent entries that have explored modern or futuristic conflicts, this title takes players back to the early 1990s during the Gulf War. Rumors and early reports suggest that the game will blend the signature espionage, high-stakes action, and cinematic storytelling of past Black Ops games with an open-world campaign element. Some details hint at nuanced storytelling that explores lesser-known facets of the conflict, while also reintroducing popular modes such as round-based Zombies and classic multiplayer maps.
Development & Features:
Release Window: Although precise dates remain under wraps, industry sources and teaser trailers indicate a release in the fall (October–November 2024) with extensive pre-order bonuses and early access options planned by Activision Blizzard.
Development Cycle: This title is notable for having a four-year development cycle—the longest in Call of Duty history—allowing for a more polished experience and deeper narrative exploration.
Team Structure: The campaign is being led by Raven Software while the multiplayer and Zombies modes are being developed by Treyarch. Expect returning characters (like Russell Adler and other familiar Black Ops icons) along with innovative mechanics such as new movement options and vehicle-based fast travel in the campaign.
Gameplay Innovations:
The campaign may incorporate semi-open world segments, a departure from strictly linear missions.
Multiplayer is set to bring back traditional “Prestige” systems and a revamped set of killstreaks and equipment (e.g., tactical drones, sentry guns, and air support options).
The return of round-based Zombies mode has been widely anticipated by fans.
Top 5 Single Player FPS Games (2025)
1. Doom: The Dark Ages
Doom: The Dark Ages serves as a prequel to the modern Doom reboot (2016) and Doom Eternal (2020). Departing from the ultra-fast, acrobatic combat that characterized its recent predecessors, this installment shifts to a “stand and fight” approach. Set in a dark, medieval world that blends elements of high fantasy with the franchise’s trademark sci-fi brutality, the game explores the origins of the Doom Slayer’s rage in a time when ancient weaponry meets futuristic horror.
Gameplay & Innovation:
Set to launch on May 15, 2025, Doom: The Dark Ages will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC—with early access options via Xbox Game Pass.
Combat Mechanics:
Emphasis on “grounded” combat where the Doom Slayer is likened to an “iron tank” rather than a nimble fighter.
Introduction of innovative melee systems centered around the Shield Saw, which can be used both defensively (blocking and parrying) and offensively (thrown or used in combos).
New slow-motion glory kill feature that lets players maintain control while dispatching enemies, a refreshing evolution from previous fixed animations.
Additional Features:
Players will have access to new arsenal options including heavy weaponry, unique melee tools (e.g., spiked maces, electrified gauntlets). Even the ability to pilot enormous assets like a 30-story Atlan mech and ride a cybernetic dragon.
Although the game launches solely with a campaign mode, a sandbox-like exploration element. Woven through the levels, providing a rare blend of linear storytelling and emergent gameplay freedom.
2. STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a first-person shooter and survival horror hybrid set deep in the post-apocalyptic Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Celebrated for its atmospheric immersion, the game places you in a meticulously detailed, vast open world filled with anomalies, mutants, and faction-driven conflicts. This latest installment in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series revives the gritty, unpredictable atmosphere of the originals while integrating modern survival mechanics.
Gameplay Mechanics:
Despite its strong atmosphere and expansive world, technical issues and performance fluctuations have drawn mixed reviews, with multiple patches promised to improve the experience.
Survival Elements:
Players must monitor vital metrics such as hunger, sleep, and radiation exposure while scavenging for resources and repairing worn weapons and armor.
The world’s anomalies—dangerous, physics-defying phenomena—add a strategic layer to exploration.
Exploration & Story:
A branching narrative with player-driven outcomes, where decisions can have both immediate effects and broader consequences for the fate of the Zone.
A mix of combat encounters against humans, mutants, and various creatures, with robust gear customization and a detailed quest system.
Technical & Release Details:
Developed by GSC Game World using Unreal Engine 5, this title was released on November 20, 2024, and has already sold over a million copies within the first 48 hours.
3. Metro: Awakening
Metro: Awakening is a VR-exclusive spin-off from the celebrated Metro series, developed by Vertigo Games and published by Deep Silver. Set in the underground tunnels of the Moscow Metro in a post-nuclear apocalyptic Moscow. The game tells the story of Serdar. A doctor on a desperate quest to reunite with his wife and secure vital medication. Against the backdrop of haunting, claustrophobic environments.
Gameplay Experience:
Prominent focus on a bleak, mysterious ambiance, bolstered by realistic lighting and detailed environmental design that create a constant sense of dread and wonder.
VR Immersion:
Designed exclusively for virtual reality on platforms such as PlayStation VR2, Meta Quest (2 & 3), Steam VR, and Viveport, it maximizes the sensory experience with immersive audio, realistic haptic feedback, and intuitive motion controls.
Mechanics & Storytelling:
Combines exploration, stealth, and first-person shooter mechanics with narrative-driven gameplay.
Its story is rich with emotional weight—a personal journey through a decaying world where the remnants of civilization hide in the dark tunnels.
4. Borderlands 4
Borderlands 4 is set to be the next big entry in the iconic looter shooter franchise from Gearbox Software and published by 2K. Departing from the familiar realm of Pandora, this installment brings players to an all-new world known as Kairos—a planet where a catastrophic event has left a ruthless dictator, the Timekeeper, in charge. Players assume the role of legendary Vault Hunters on a quest for secret alien treasures, battling against mechanical monstrosities, bandits, and other bizarre foes.
Gameplay & Innovations:
Officially scheduled for release on September 23, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (with the possibility of next-gen Nintendo Switch support as hinted by industry rumors).
Core Mechanics:
As with previous entries, expect a frenetic mix of first-person shooter action combined with RPG elements—character progression, enormous arrays of weapons, and deep customization options.
Gearbox promises a “seamless world” for Borderlands 4 with no traditional loading screens between new areas, as well as unique mobility options such as vehicles and possibly grappling mechanics.
Tone & Style:
Emphasizes the series’ signature humor and outlandish style, with a more mature narrative tone compared to its predecessors.
5. Judas
Judas is an upcoming narrative-driven first-person shooter developed and published by Ghost Story Games. Helmed by Ken Levine—the creative mind behind BioShock—this title is a long-awaited return for the famed storyteller, promising a blend of immersive narrative and innovative gameplay mechanics. Set aboard a disintegrating spacefaring city known as Mayflower, Judas casts you in the role of its troubled namesake.
Narrative Innovation:
Employs procedural generation to combine modular narrative “blocks,” allowing for multiple endings and high replayability as choices affect the unfolding story.
Mechanics:
While grounded in classic FPS action—with tight shooting mechanics and robust level design. The game also introduces roguelite elements, meaning that death is both a setback and an opportunity for narrative alteration.
Aesthetic & Themes:
Its setting is dystopian and richly atmospheric, mixing futuristic technology with a decaying societal backdrop aboard a collapsing starship.
Themes of betrayal, survival, and the nature of alliances are central to its narrative.
Do you want to known about (Top 10 Open World Games of 2025 Must Play Adventures)
Answers to some people questions
1. What Is the Best FPS Games for PC in 2025 Right Now?
As of April 2025, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl stands out for its atmospheric open-world design and gripping survival mechanics 3. For competitive players, Valorant remains dominant with frequent updates, balanced gunplay, and a thriving esports scene.
2. What Is the Top 1 PC Game?
The #1 PC game in 2025 (by critical acclaim) is Doom Eternal, praised for its relentless action, refined mechanics, and mod support 4. However, STALKER 2 and Elden Ring: Nightreign (a co-op expansion) are strong contenders for narrative and gameplay depth.
3. What Game Runs the Highest FPS?
Optimized competitive shooters typically achieve the highest frame rates:
- Counter-Strike 2: Built for performance, offering 300+ FPS on high-end PCs.
- Valorant: Lightweight engine ensures smooth 200+ FPS even on mid-tier hardware.
- Doom Eternal: Id Tech 7 engine delivers buttery-smooth 144+ FPS in single-player.
