It would be hard to talk about some of the most legendary FPS titles of all time without mentioning Quake, a multiplayer shooter that arguably popularized the notion of arena shooters. The fast-paced gameplay of roaming around well-constructed maps and taking out hordes of enemies made for a great time that fans simply couldn't get enough of.
While Quake: Champions may be doing a decent enough job of keeping the legacy of this series alive, many fans still miss the heyday of Quake and its scintillating gameplay. Players who miss this title's frenetic action can check out some great titles that elicit the same feel with their gameplay loops.
7 Doom (2016)
Doom is one of the most iconic FPS series of all time, and fans were glad to see that this franchise would finally receive a revival, with all the gore a Doom fan could ask for. Rip and tear, until it is done, and there was plenty to be had in Doom (2016).
Thankfully, endlessly replayableDoom ended up being exactly what fans wanted. The gameplay was fast-paced and exhilarating, with the lack of reloading meaning that players could blast enemies with a wealth of weapons without having to worry about their offense being limited by a depleted ammo clip.
6 Unreal Tournament
It's only a given that Unreal Tournament would be mentioned at some point or the other when talking about arena shooters. After all, this popular series features some of the best FPS titles ever made, with the Game of the Year release in 2000 being a fan-favorite.
The idea of exploring a map and getting powerful weapons that led to players exploring in a shower of gore is a feeling that never ceases to be exciting. Despite being more than two decades old, Unreal Tournament is still one of the best FPS titles around that both new and old fans can have a great time with.
5 Wolfenstein: The New Colossus
Wolfenstein is another legendary FPS series that had remained dormant for the longest time before the release of The New Order. The gameplay of this title was fast-paced and engaging, while the story genuinely took players by surprise because of how entertaining it was.
After the success of this title, MachineGames decided to develop a sequel that would be bigger and better in every way. While The New Colossus may take its story way too seriously, the game is still a blast to play through in every way, with some events being so over-the-top that Wolfenstein fans will be sufficiently entertained.
4 Splitgate
An excellent title that combines breakneck shooting gameplay with a healthy dose of portals, Splitgate is a unique multiplayer FPS that more people need to check out. The game was so popular that the developers simply had to up the ante, announcing a sequel that would be developed on Unreal Engine 5.
However, despite the lack of updates in Splitgate, the game is still endlessly playable to this day. Using portals to catch players by surprise and mow them down is an epic moment that makes this title perfect for fans who may be missing the fast-paced action of arena shooters like Quake.
3 Team Fortress 2
Team Fortress 2 is a game made by Valve, so players can expect that quality control is going to be off the charts in this title. Featuring a litany of unique characters along with a charming art style that has aged like a fine wine, it's easy to see why this game is so popular to this day despite being almost 20 years old.
The simple and approachable gameplay makes this title extremely entertaining, with each unit having unique powers of their own that can be whipped out to make combat more dynamic and interesting. Teamwork is imperative to win in Team Fortress 2, with players having to band together to even stand a chance of defeating the enemy squad.
2 Apex Legends
Hero shooters have exploded in recent times, with Apex Legends taking things a step further by combining the trappings of this genre with tried-and-tested battle royale gameplay. This, coupled with a high level of quality for a free-to-play game, has led to the game becoming incredibly popular in every way.
Respawn Entertainment is a master of developing excellent first-person shooters, with Apex Legends being quite riveting to play through in every way. While the lack of a proper sequel to Titanfall 2 may be lamented by the fanbase, players are still happy to see this studio enjoying the success they deserve with this title.
1 Dusk
David Szymanski is a beloved developer in the indie scene who has made a name for himself by recreating the magic of retro titles with a fresh coat of modern paint to make them all the more accessible. One such title that fans of old games like Quake will adore is Dusk.
The classic FPS gameplay this title strives to emulate is mechanically sound, making the act of shooting up enemies quite satisfying. The incredible level design and Lovecraftian influences present in Dusk make it one of the best indie shooters players can check out for themselves.