Epic MegaGames (now known as Epic Games, Inc.) debuted their Unreal Engine in a game titled Unreal in 1998. Since then, they have taken their software to another level by constantly adding improvements and making it more accessible than ever. In 2022, Unreal Engine 5 renders almost life-like visuals and is popular for being one of the handiest tools for game development.
Hence, various developers have been using it to create great experiences, most of which have been FPS titles. This list takes a dive into history and take a quick look at some of the best Unreal first-person shooters and what makes them great.
10 Sea of Thieves
Sea of Thieves is a Microsoft exclusive title that came from Xbox Game Studio named Rare and functions on the legendary Unreal Engine 4. It is an action survival open-world fps that came out in 2018 on Windows and Xbox One. Soon after, the game became a launch title for Xbox Series X/S.
In Sea of Thieves, players assume control of a procedurally generated avatar and explore the vast world full of salty water and scary islands. The biggest upside of the game is its multiplayer-only status, which is another reason it is one of the highest-rated Unreal games on Steam.
9 ARK: Survival Evolved
ARK: Survival Evolved is an Unreal Engine 4 game and comes from American video game developer Studio Wildcard. It’s a full-blown open-world game with elements of survival, crafting, and the flair of an MMORPG. The game originally came out in 2017 and wasn’t a big success. However, by 2022 it has become one of the most popular MMOs on various platforms.
In ARK: Survival Evolved, players can experience a massive open world with over 170 creatures. At the same time, they can survive, dominate and encounter other players while dealing with natural calamities.
8 Killing Floor 2
Killing Floor 2 is very similar to Ark, as it initially didn’t receive a good score from reviewers. However, the zombie survival horror fps has since evolved into a brand-new game and given players a chance to experience a polished co-op experience that’s not easily available in other similar titles.
Killing Floor 2 is an Unreal Engine 3 fps and comes from various developer teams such as Tripwire Interactive, Hardsuit Labs, and Saber Interactive. It’s a gore-filled co-op game with multiple modes, such as 6-player co-op and 12-player Versus Survival game mode.
7 Back 4 Blood
Back 4 Blood was supposed to be a true successor to Left 4 Dead, and in some ways, it did become that. However, various issues at launch caused it to become one of the worst-rated zombie co-op games of 2021. Fortunately, the Warner Bros Interactive game has since bounced back and is slowly winning players back.
Back 4 Blood runs on Unreal Engine 4 and nicely uses the technology. Hence, the PC Gamer critically praised the game and gave it an 88 out of 100 review score. Since the launch of recent DLCs, the game scores are quickly rising on Steam as well.
6 Insurgency: Sandstorm
Insurgency: Sandstorm is a tactical military shooter with realistic gameplay mechanics and a focus on multiplayer. The game came out in 2018 exclusively on Microsoft Windows but later made its way to current-gen and last-gen consoles such as PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and more.
Insurgency: Sandstorm is a game by Focus Home Interactive and runs on the stable Unreal Engine 4. It’s one of the latest games to showcase the engine’s capabilities with excellent finish and good quality.
5 Hell Let Loose
Hell Let Loose came out of nowhere in 2021 and instantly became one of the best World War 2 action shooters of recent times. It stunned the players with its epic 100 players battle modes and real-time strategy-style meta-game that is highly resource-based.
Hell Let Loose is another multiplayer-only game that runs on Unreal Engine 4. The game looks gorgeous and lets players feel the intensity of war through accurate gunplay mechanics and a physics system that only Unreal can produce.
4 Borderlands 3
Borderlands 3 is an action role-playing game that has confused players over the last two years. Initially, the 3rd game in the legendary Gearbox Software game series wasn’t up to the mark for most players due to bugs and other issues. However, it has since made a U-turn and become critically acclaimed on Steam and other platforms such as PlayStation 5.
Borderlands 3’s cel-shaded art style that looks comic book-like is all thanks to Unreal Engine 4. Gearbox Software, the game’s developer, has a good experience with the engine, which shows in the latest Borderlands game.
3 Robo Recall
Not many have heard of Robo Recall, and that is because it is an Oculus-exclusive title. The virtual reality fps allows players to assume control of Agent 34 and beat swarms of rogue robots in the most creative and fun way possible.
Robo Recall comes directly from Epic Games and is a highly polished Unreal Engine 4 game with truly advanced visual design and physics system. Despite releasing a few years back, it is one of the best shooters on the Oculus Quest and Oculus Rift platforms.
2 Unreal Tournament
Almost all Unreal Tournament titles are the best Unreal Engine games of their time. After all, they are the titles that made Unreal Engine so popular and brought fame to developer Epic Games. The series started way back in 1998 when the first Unreal game introduced the engine. Soon after, titles such as Unreal Tournament 2 carried the legacy and became even more famous among players.
The most recent version of Unreal Tournament came out in 2014 and is still in its pre-alpha season. However, players must expect the full game to release over time once it is all finished and done.
1 BioShock
The BioShock series may be the greatest shooter game franchise and one of the finest examples of Unreal Engine’s tech. From the first game onwards, BioShock has proven to be not just the best-looking action fps game but also the most satisfying one in terms of gameplay.
The latest game in the series, BioShock Infinite, took everything the older games did and put it on another level. Most fans are now waiting for the series’ spiritual successor Judas by Ghost Story Games (formally Irrational Games).