First Person Shooters (FPS) represent one of the biggest genres in gaming, whether it was in the 90s or 2024. Many FPS titles are solely focused on battle royale or other multiplayer elements. Here we go over the best single-player FPS games for you to play in 2024. Some of these games may include multiplayer modes, but the focus is squarely on providing a stellar FPS experience in the single-player campaign.
FYI: Only interested in a solid story? Try the top 10 compelling story-driven games to play in 2024.
1. Metro Exodus
Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, macOS, Linux
Sub-genres: Survival horror, Story-driven
Price: $30
Metro Exodus has earned a guaranteed spot on every “best FPS” list, thanks to a delectable cocktail of top-tier FPS action, strong weapon customization and crafting, and an atmospheric post-apocalyptic setting. The single-player campaign is filled with brilliant characters, painstaking world-building, and some of the best survival horror moments you’ll ever encounter.
The Enhanced Edition (included by default with next-gen and PC purchases) boasts truly gorgeous graphics with full ray tracing, and is also one of the best Mac games in 2024. If a brilliant story and immersive world are prerequisites for you, this FPS experience is a must-play, especially for fans of the best, free horror games on Steam.
2. DOOM Eternal
Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch
Sub-genres: Arena Shooter, Movement shooter
Price: $40
DOOM Eternal is the sequel to the already phenomenal DOOM from 2016. The brutal, fast-paced, arena shooter is much more difficult this time around, but is intensely rewarding once you master weapon switching and quick weak point targeting. There are multiple great set pieces and plenty of visual variety, due to the galaxy-spanning narrative.
With consistent post-launch support through Master Levels, DLCs, and various smaller content updates, DOOM Eternal has stayed fresh, even for players who’ve sunk hundreds of hours into it. It also has ray tracing and DLSS now. But more than the insane visuals, the game shines due to its sheer intensity that stands unparalleled by anything else.
3. Titanfall 2
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Sub-genres: Arena shooter, Movement shooter
Price: $30
Just like Metro Exodus and DOOM Eternal, omitting Titanfall 2 from this list would be a crime. This movement shooter puts you in a mech (or Titan) with deadlier abilities and weapons than those in the original game. The single-player campaign is surprisingly satisfying, and there’s a lot of depth to the story and the connection between you and your Titan.
The traversal in Titanfall 2 will surprise and excite you at the same time, if you haven’t played anything like this before. With its focus on grappling hooks, wall-running, air-strafing, bunny-hopping, and more, there is much fun to be had in the multiple maps you have access to. Adrenaline-fueled gunplay doesn’t get any better than this.
4. AMID EVIL
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
Sub-genres: Arena shooter, Boomer shooter
Price: $20
You may have heard of Dusk and Ultrakill. AMID EVIL comes from the same publisher and is a high fantasy spin on the classic Unreal/Quake formula. It has all the movement shenanigans you’d expect from this genre. What it also has is exceptional enemy variety, a great soundtrack, and a unique retro aesthetic.
If you’ve been looking for a DOOM-like game set in a fantasy world, with equally enjoyable weapons and equally challenging gameplay, AMID EVIL is likely to impress you.
5. Cyberpunk 2077
Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
Sub-genres: Open-world RPG, Story-driven, Sci-fi
Price: $60
Yes, Cyberpunk 2077. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last three years, you’ve probably tried your hand at this game. But in case you haven’t, this futuristic, action-adventure, open-world RPG is better than ever. With the Phantom Liberty story DLC and the 2.1 update, Night City is brimming with content that you can get lost in.
Strictly talking about the FPS combat, there is a varied collection of weapons to wreak havoc with. Based on your preferences, you can create a build unique to your playing style, based around gunplay, melee, netrunning, fast movement, and more. Besides, the expansive story, brilliant world-building, and unique cyberpunk abilities, are more than enough reasons to jump into the game if you’re still on the fence.
FYI: need more cyberpunk in your life? Try the best PC games that are similar to Cyberpunk 2077.
6. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Sub-genre: Action-adventure, Story-driven
Price: $40
I will forever be grateful to Machine Games and Bethesda for reinvigorating the Wolfenstein franchise with Wolfenstein: The New Order. But the sequel, Wolfenstein: The New Colossus, is arguably better than the first game. It amplifies the new direction introduced by the former and gives players bigger setpieces, more explosive weapons, and an equally good narrative.
Even after B.J. Blazkowicz’s victory at the end of the first game, the Nazis and their cruelty are alive and well in this alternative history. I was spellbound by the incredible level design and the sheer breadth of ideas the game deals with. The combat is faster than ever, the stakes higher than ever, and killing Nazis enjoyable as ever.
7. SUPERHOT
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch
Sub-genres: Bullet time, Puzzle
Price: $25
SUPERHOT is just one of those games that you have to play to know what the hype is about. Featuring a very innovative gameplay, built around bullet time mechanics, the game feels like nothing else on this list. Time moves when you move. This neat trick allows you to chain together the most epic kill streaks, using guns, knives, katanas, bottles, and anything else you can pick up.
SUPERHOT also has a sequel, but I enjoyed the first outing more, probably because it was all new. There is a story (sort of) that gives some meaning to why you’re doing what you’re doing, but mostly, the gameplay is the highlight here.
8. DEATHLOOP
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series S/X
Sub-genres: Stealth, Puzzle
Price: $60
Another first-person shooter messing around with time, DEATHLOOP traps you in a time loop on an island, surviving a fellow assassin and trying to kill eight targets before the day resets. The mix of frenetic action, stealth survival, and puzzle-solving blends together into a unique roguelite experience.
The idea here is to learn as much as you can about your targets and environments, to be able to craft a path in the next run, that will allow you to eliminate them all as fast as possible. Meanwhile, if the rival assassin corners you, you need to make an escape; otherwise, you start afresh.
9. F.E.A.R.
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Sub-genres: Horror, Bullet time
Price: $55
It might be the oldest title on this list, but F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Assault Recon) is a game that was a revelation when it was first introduced. Its unique horror FPS gameplay was defined by one of the most intelligent enemies AI has seen in any game to date. Plus, the bullet-time gunfights and general creepiness sticking to your skin the entire time make this one of the most singular experiences you’ll ever have.
F.E.A.R. had two major sequels that ended up deviating from what made the original so good. If you’re looking for an atmospheric FPS horror game sprinkled with some genuine scares, grab this one. The only downside is that you need to buy an entire bundle to get access to it.
10. Prey
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Sub-genres: Sci-fi, Stealth, Story-driven
Price: $30
According to some gamers, Prey is the best FPS they’ve played since Half-Life 2. Prey achieves a similar atmosphere with its futuristic, aliens-on-space-station setting. Arkane Studios set out to create a spiritual successor to System Shock (1994), and honestly, they managed to do many things right.
At its heart, Prey is a Sci-Fi sim with a strong focus on problem-solving. But it also features enough gunplay to keep FPS fans engaged. Your quest to figure out what went wrong on the space station brings you face to face with other worldly features, but thanks to your arsenal of weapons and some superpowers, you always have a way out.
11. Far Cry 3
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3
Sub-genres: Open-world, Action-adventure, Story-driven
Price: $20
Before Far Cry became all about toppling military dictators, Far Cry 3 seemed like the perfection of the formula: a mysterious and deadly island, a tantalizing villain, and a hero’s journey, that isn’t what it seems on the surface. All the elements of the game came perfectly together to fuel your revenge rampage against an insane antagonist.
Having some of the most satisfying combat (both gunplay and hand-to-hand), exploration and visuals (at the time) I’ve ever seen, Far Cry 3 is the peak of the series for me, with the fourth installment a close second.
12. Crysis 2 Remastered
Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
Sub-genres: Sci-fi, Story-driven, Sandbox
Price: $30
Beyond the “Can it run Crysis” meme, the Crysis trilogy has left a lasting impact on the FPS genre. Crysis 2 is, in my opinion, the best of the series. And I’m not even talking about the insane visuals when it was first introduced (now improved in the remastered version). Some of the gameplay ideas, gun variety, combat ideas, and level design still rival the best in the business.
With the abilities of the Nanosuit, you have superhuman armor, speed, and invisibility at your disposal. But perhaps the most satisfaction I got was from the gunplay and weapons customization. If you like Sci-Fi shooters, aliens, and a great story, the Crysis Remastered Trilogy could be worth the money.
If you’re after a more relaxed play-through than my picks for the best single-player FPS games, the best indie games would be the perfect place to start. I’ve also put together the best Linux games.
Image credit. Steam
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