15 – Bioshock Remastered
The Bioshock franchise is a modern classic, and Bioshock Remastered is a visually enhanced version of the critically acclaimed FPS game that transports players to the atmospheric and inhospitable underwater city of Rapture. This once-thriving underwater utopia (for a time, but no spoilers here), is now plagued by chaos and decay. As a first-person shooter, Bioshock isn’t anything to write home about. It’s all about soaking in the atmosphere and enjoying the story and the multiple layers of symbolism behind every little detail. Enemies are twisted husks of the humans they once were, corrupted by the dark secrets of the city’s enigmatic founder, Andrew Ryan.
In Bioshock Remastered the shooting is as important as the tactics employed to beat every foe they encounter. From gunning them down with a Thompson machinegun to shocking and burning them with genetic enhancements, known as plasmids. This is also a game that usually goes for pennies on the dollar at Steam sales, so make sure to get this classic and enjoy this richly detailed world filled with moral ambiguity and philosophical themes.
Oh, and also, Bioshock Infinite isn’t remastered, but it’s great nevertheless.
14 – Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, released in 2007, marked a significant departure for the franchise, shifting away from its traditional World War II setting to a contemporary backdrop of modern warfare. This move would change the gaming landscape and first-person shooter trends forever. As an FPS game, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare redefined the genre by introducing players to a gripping (if rather on-rails) narrative that unfolded across intense, cinematic missions set in various global hotspots, during the intense years of America’s war on terror. Players assumed the roles of multiple characters, from elite soldiers to undercover operatives, as they navigated through the web of international terrorism, confronting threats ranging from rogue states to extremist factions.
At its core, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare epitomized the modern shooter experience, blending fast-paced action with a gritty, realistic portrayal of combat. Maybe even more recognizable than its All Ghillied Up mission is the game’s multiplayer component that set new standards for competitive online gaming. With customizable load-outs, killstreak rewards, and a progression system that kept players coming back for more, “Modern Warfare” fostered a vibrant community of players that lives to this very day. Nowadays you might find better online experiences, but its impressive campaign still remains unmatched in spectacle in 2026.
13 – DUSK
DUSK is the first game I remember being a real attempt at recreating the essence of classic FPS games (retro shooter) while infusing it with modern controls and some quality-of-life improvements, paired up with a distinctively dark, and cult-like atmosphere. As a first-person shooter, it immediately throws players into a surreal world of occult horror and relentless fast-paced action. Right from the first moment, you’re in a room with two cultists. In DUSK, the levels are labyrinthine filled with grotesque enemies, sinister traps and a bucketload of secrets to discover (probably too many). It’s a game that doesn’t hide where it’s drawing its inspiration from: it’s Quake and Doom mixed together, with massive maps to strife around. DUSK manages to be the perfect balance between delivering a nostalgic experience and refreshing the retro First-Person Shooter mechanics just enough to keep it refreshing and appealing.
12 – Counter-Strike 2
Counter-Strike 2 is the most recent iteration of the legendary first-person shooter known for highly competitive gameplay and skill-ceiling. This pioneer in the FPS genre pits teams of terrorists and counter-terrorists against each other in a series of 2-minute rounds. With its emphasis on teamwork, communication, and skilful gunplay, Counter-Strike 2 has become synonymous with competitive gaming and esports.
Counter-Strike evolutions always put players on edge, but the transition from Global Offensive to Counter-Strike 2 went relatively smoothly. The game with a wide array of weapons and equipment mostly remained the same, with its biggest innovation being the implementation of dynamic smokes. It’s impressive how when games have really high-level gameplay, small changes like this can the game in major ways, with players developing new strategies and min-maxing every little detail then can to gain an advantage.
Counter-Strike 2 is just another great entry in a series of timeless classics in the FPS genre and a staple of competitive gaming, and it’s going to keep this way for decades to come.
11 – Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition
Remember the memorable Bulletstom “Duty Calls” demo that playfully pokes fun at the gaming industry, specifically targeting Activision, one of the leading publishers at the time? What a genius marketing ploy. One that immediately got Bulletstrom’s DNA across Bulletstorm is a first-person shooter that injects over-the-top action and irreverent humour, always poking fun at the seriousness of Modern-Military Shooters. It’s set in a futuristic world overrun by mutants and mercenaries, and the game follows the story of a group of ragtag mercenaries as they battle their way through chaotic and explosive encounters. Bulletstrom has two defining features that culminate in creative kills: its whip and its enemy-kicking mechanics. Bulletstrom elevates silliness to new levels by rewarding players for dispatching enemies in creative and stylish ways.
The game was remastered in 2017 and titled Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition.
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