First-person shooters come in all varieties now, but for the most part, they are linear experiences when it comes to campaigns. Multiplayer is a different story, as players can change their loadout or even choose classes. Some standouts from 2025 include Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Battlefield 6.
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Multiplayer games are all well and good, but they aren’t for everyone who is into first-person shooters. So, for players who like more open-ended systems that are RPGs or more RPG-like, these first-person shooters offer them something unique. They can craft guns, their skills, or maybe even their character. Across a wide variety of specific genres and platforms, these are the ten that stand out the most.
Cyberpunk 2077
Build It Your Way
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Cyberpunk 2077 is perhaps the best example of a modern FPS game with full customization options. Players can create their character and then perform mods throughout the game to various organs and parts of the body to enhance abilities, from sight to strength.
Weapons also offer customization options, including swapping out parts and loading different ammo magazines. In general, missions are open-ended, allowing players to tackle them how they see fit, from stealthy approaches to going in loud.
Fallout 4
From Junk To Weapons
Fallout 4
- Released
- November 10, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Fallout 4 starts strong, allowing players to create a husband and wife couple before they must choose who to main. On their adventure, players can level up stats and gain Perks to build their character how they want, from gaining bonuses in lockpicking to being a better conversationalist.
Compared to other Fallout entries, Fallout 4 has a great weapon modding system, allowing players to swap out or build nearly every part of a gun or melee weapon. The variety is outstanding, too, from energy weapons that can vaporize enemies into literal dust piles to a gun that can fire junk.
Borderlands 4
Many Trees, Even More Guns
Borderlands 4
- Released
- September 12, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Borderlands 4 literally has thousands, if not millions, of guns in it as they all randomly generate from base models. Based on classic Borderlands manufacturers, players know somewhat what they are in for.
For example, a Torgue weapon usually has some sort of explosive shot, while Tediore weapons can be thrown for extra damage instead of being reloaded. For characters, players can choose between four of them, and each one has three skill trees they can mix and match between. So between guns and powers, players are pretty well-armed.
The Outer Worlds 2
Putting Skills To Use
The Outer Worlds 2
- Released
- October 29, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
The Outer Worlds 2 is an RPG heaven for anyone who looks for a good FPS but also deep stat progression. Players can fully customize their character and stats as they go along, going so far as to also take on Flaws, which have both positive and negative impacts on gameplay.
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Guns and melee weapons can have a bit of randomization as players loot around corpses or chests. Weapons can be enhanced as well if players like a particular rifle and want to keep it around long after the normal damage amount has run its course of usefulness. Like Cyberpunk 2077, there are many situations in The Outer Worlds 2 with open-ended solutions, combat scenarios, to how to open or get past a locked door.
Destiny 2
A Gun For Every Occasion
Destiny 2
- Released
- August 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For TEEN for Blood, Language, and Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Destiny 2 lets players choose a class, race, and then they can customize their character. Loot is everything in this game, as it’s practically Diablo with guns. While players can’t do anything too interesting with expanding class skills for an RPG, their weapon loadouts are fun to toy with.
Arming a character with a variety of guns, like shotguns and sniper rifles, can prepare them for different situations. Altogether, the shooting in Destiny 2 is nearly unmatched, making it an ongoing experience worth checking out at least once.
Dishonored 2
Two Characters, Two Play Styles
Dishonored 2
- Released
- November 11, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
The original Dishonored had open-ended gameplay as a stealth game, but Dishonored 2 added another layer of choice. Besides the original hero, Corvo, players can now also play as Emily. Both characters gain different weapons and supernatural skills to use on their assassination missions.
For example, Corvo can use Blink to warp between short distances while Emily can use Mesmerize to lull enemies to sleep. Players can buy gear and enhancements at shops, and gain skill points to buy or enhance powers. It’s more of a stealth game with cool melee and power attacks than it is a shooter, but cool all the same.
Far Cry 6
For The Revolution
Far Cry 6
- Released
- October 6, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
Far Cry 6 is the shooter experience for anyone who wants a bit more destruction in their experiences. Players can gain a range of weapons, with mods, and skills to enhance their takeover of the island they’re sworn to liberate.
This includes various backpacks with abilities, like a rocket launcher, and pets that can aid players in battle, from a panther to a crocodile. Stealth can be an option as well when invading camps, but Far Cry 6 is more of a shooter than a stealth game.
Immortals Of Aveum
Magic Is My Gun
Immortals of Aveum
- Released
- August 22, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS
In Immortals of Aveum, magic is used like high-grade military weapons. By equipping special armaments, players can summon the equivalent of rifles and rocket launchers in the game, all of which can be enhanced. The game has a loot system, so players will definitely be going through gear and finding the best of the litter in a constant loop.
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Players can erect shields as well to block incoming attacks, which is something more shooters should have. Players cannot approach situations differently, like using magic to stun or lull enemies to sleep, but the magic-based weapons sure are flashy and are fun to use in battle.
BioShock 2
A Two-Handed Approach
BioShock 2
- Released
- February 9, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- 2K, Irrational Games
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
BioShock 2 may be the middle child in the BioShock series, but it definitely upgraded the combat in a big way. Instead of switching between weapons and Plasmids, players could dual-wield in battle. Plasmids are this game’s version of supernatural powers, all of which could be purchased or upgraded at certain machines, and weapons have a limited amount of upgrade potential, too.
Firing with a Tommy Gun and then blasting an enemy with electricity was a combo that never got old. As a Big Daddy prototype, players could even use melee attacks like drills.
Roboquest
A Robo Roguelike
Roboquest
- Released
- November 7, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Roguelite, FPS
Roboquest is a roguelike starring a big, hulking robot who can fall in battle, but is rebuilt to perfection upon the next run. The amount of guns is staggering, from freezing rays to guns that can deteriorate metal, and each run will give players something new to try.
Through limited resources, players can earn on runs; they can permanently beef up their robo hero to withstand a few more attacks in the next round, for example. Plus, the game does feature co-op, which can make the monotony of repetitive runs easier.
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