First-person shooter (FPS) games have been a staple of PlayStation consoles ever since the original PlayStation. From genre-defining classics like DOOM and Quake to more modern blockbuster franchises such as Call of Duty and Battlefield, FPS fans have always had plenty of outstanding games to enjoy.
With the power of the PlayStation 5, developers have pushed the FPS genre further than ever before with stunning graphics, advanced AI, large-scale multiplayer battles, and incredibly immersive gameplay. While it‘s still early in the PS5 lifecycle, quite a few outstanding FPS games have already been released that take full advantage of the new capabilities.
Here are our picks for the absolute best FPS games you can play right now on PlayStation 5. These games were selected based on revolutionary graphics and gameplay, quality and depth of weapons and combat, replay value and lasting influence on the genre, and overall fun factor.
#10: Call of Duty: Vanguard
Call of Duty: Vanguard brings World War 2 combat to a global scale with fast-paced gameplay set across multiple fronts. The single-player campaign features an engaging story while online multiplayer offers a huge variety of modes, maps, and gameplay options to keep the action fresh.
Signature Call of Duty weapons and tight FPS gameplay mechanics remain satisfying and intense. Vanguard offers Battlefield-sized maps with lots of combat variety, from close quarters battles to long-range sniper duels. Graphics are excellent, continuing the high bar set by previous CoD titles. Integrating Vanguard with Warzone also adds appeal.
#9: Deep Rock Galactic
Deep Rock Galactic throws a creative twist on the co-op PvE FPS formula. As a team of badass space dwarf miners, up to four players work together to gather precious resources while battling spider-like alien hives on a hostile planet.
Levels are procedurally-generated, ensuring endless replayability. Each dwarf class has unique weapons and abilities to contribute, like the gunner‘s zipline launcher or driller‘s flamethrower. The addictive upgrade/progression loop will keep you playing to unlock new gear and weapon mods. Visuals perfectly capture the gritty, underground mining setting. Overall, Deep Rock Galactic stands out with some of the most enjoyable co-op FPS gameplay around.
#8: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Treyarch takes the Call of Duty series back to the Cold War era with Black Ops Cold War. The setting provides an intriguing backdrop full of conspiracy and paranoia. Playing as CIA operative Russell Adler, the campaign mixes stealth and action for a globe-trotting adventure.
The Security tagline Multiplayer offers the wide variety of innovative modes Call of Duty is known for, along with access to a huge arsenal of real-world Cold War weapons and gadgets. Visuals and audio fully commit to an authentic 1980‘s aesthetic. Continued seasonal content updates and narrative connections with Call of Duty: Warzone help Cold War claim a spot among the PS5‘s best online FPS games.
#7: Borderlands 3
Borderlands 3 takes the zany looter shooter franchise to new heights with its engaging storyline, addictive RPG/FPS hybrid formula, and bazillion procedurally-generated guns. The non-stop action is heightened by excellent next-gen visuals and features like advanced physics and destructible environments.
Picking one of the four unique vault hunter classes is key, each with multiple skill trees and action skills to customize your playstyle. Borderlands 3 perfects the core gameplay loop – blast enemies, collect insane amounts of loot, purchase upgrades, then blast way more enemies with your upgraded legendary arsenal. With excellent replay value and four-player co-op, Borderlands 3 checks all the boxes for PS5 FPS greatness.
#6: Far Cry 6
Ubisoft‘s open-world first-person shooter lets you join the revolution to take down a tyrannical dictator on the tropical island paradise turned warzone called Yara. Playing as local Yaran Dani Rojas, you engage in classic Far Cry guerilla tactics across jungles, beaches, and cities.
The arsenal of Resolver DIY weapons crafted from random junk perfectly fits the guerilla revolution theme. RPG elements let you customize Dani‘s skills to improve stealth, weapon handling, healing, and more. Visuals showcase the natural beauty of the islands mixed with the scars of war for a juxtaposition that heightens the game‘s intensity. Overall, Far Cry 6 delivers a thrilling and unique FPS experience.
#5: Quake
The original Quake revolutionized gaming with the first fully 3D FPS worlds and pioneering online multiplayer. Now Quake returns to next-gen with a PS5 edition that makes it feel brand new. Running at 60fps and 4k resolution with improved graphics, Quake on PS5 rekindles the fast-paced, gory fun that made it an instant classic in 1996.
All the iconic weird weapons return alongside hordes of menacing monsters to blast through across distinctive locales like gothic castles and lava-filled caverns. The Quake experience now enhanced by PS5 power proves why it remains one of the most influential FPS games ever created. Challenge modes, local split-screen, and online deathmatches round out the package for old and new fans alike to enjoy.
#4: Deathloop
Deathloop‘s inventive premise has rival assassins Colt and Julianna trapped in a time loop, forced to repeat a single chaotic day across the island of Blackreef. Playing as Colt, your objective is to take out eight targets before midnight to break the loop. Every death resets your progress, infusing every run with added tension.
Arkane Studios packs their signature Dishonored DNA into Deathloop with open-ended mission designs that let you experiment with various paths and approaches combining guns blazing action, stealth, hacking tools, and supernatural abilities. Visuals perfectly capture the retro 60‘s atmosphere complete with flashy clothes and psychedelic imagery. Overall, Deathloop brings refreshing new ideas to the FPS genre with plenty of style.
#3: Destiny 2
As one of the premier looter shooter franchises, Destiny 2 continues to thrive thanks to extremely tight first-person gunplay and RPG progression. The wide array of exotic sci-fi weapons feel fantastic to use against Destiny‘s distinctive mix of alien threats.
Playing as a powerful Guardian, you protect humanity‘s last safe city as you venture across our solar system taking on story campaigns, co-op strikes, and raids packed with epic boss battles. Competitive Crucible multiplayer also shines, enhanced by dedicated servers and excellent map design. With frequent content expansions and a friendly community, Destiny 2 has cemented itself as a premier social FPS gaming experience of this generation.
#2: Metro Exodus
Metro Exodus blends pulse-pounding action with a gripping post-apocalyptic narrative across a haunting Russian wasteland brimming with personality. After spending his whole life underground, main character Artyom finally journeys to explore the surface world in search of a new life.
Exodus masters atmosphere through expert use of lighting, dynamic weather, and environmental storytelling to generate constant tension. The wide array of make-shift weapons built from scavenged scraps adds to the desperate survival mood. Exodus balances thrilling firefights against mutant horrors and human enemies with slower pace exploration of the surface world. With incredible attention to detail, Metro Exodus stands at the pinnacle of story-driven first-person shooters on PlayStation 5.
#1: DOOM Eternal
When it comes to pure FPS gameplay, nothing beats the adrenaline-pumping thrill ride that is DOOM Eternal. It‘s FPS distilled to its core DNA – moving fast and annihilating demons with a vicious arsenal of outlandish weapons in a heavy metal album come to life.
Eternal cranks DOOM 2016‘s proven formula to new heights with twice as many enemy types to slaughter, more environmental hazards to utilize to your advantage, additional mobility options like the meat hook grapple, all set across vastly more expansive levels compared to previous games.
The PS5 edition adds silky smooth 60fps/4k visuals, 3D audio for immersive demon destruction, and DualSense enhancements like haptic feedback that accentuate every shotgun blast which altogether help DOOM Eternal claim its rightful spot at #1.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best shooter on PS5?
DOOM Eternal is unambiguously the best first-person shooter on PlayStation 5 thanks to its ultra-fast paced rhythmic combat, diverse demons to rip and tear, wide array of creative weapons, fully unshackled level of graphic violence, and flawless gameplay flow aided by PS5 power.
What is the highest FPS PS5?
Many competitive PS5 FPS games like Call of Duty: Vanguard and Destiny 2 offer 120fps for super responsive, high frame rate gameplay. Other shooters reduce resolution to prioritize higher frame rates, showing how FPS games are leading the way to take advantage of PS5 potential.
Do PS4 and PS5 games have the same graphics?
PS5 games showcase much more advanced graphics and visuals compared to PS4 thanks to the significant hardware upgrade. Ray tracing enabled realistic lighting, higher resolutions, better textures and more environmental detail give PS5 games a clear edge.
Is a PS5 Pro coming?
While rumors have suggested a more powerful PS5 Pro model could release in 2023/2024, nothing official has been announced yet. Given the continued supply issues around the base PS5 console, a mid-generation upgrade seems unlikely in the short term.
Does PS5 run PS4 games better?
The PS5 offers backward compatibility to play almost all PS4 games with enhancements like faster load times, improved framerates for smoother performance, and sometimes higher resolution. So PS4 games get a nice boost when played on next-gen PS5 hardware.
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