First-person shooters have been a staple of the gaming industry since the early 90s, when Wolfenstein and Doom set the early standard for the genre. Since then, FPS has become one of the dominant genres of gaming, challenging players worldwide with single-player games and online multiplayer titles.

The PS5 has taken Sony’s gaming platform to the next level, offering smoother gaming experiences online and off. FPS is a big part of the Playstation world, with the online store offering titles old and new for the PS5. Contemporary boomer shooters, huge online battle royales, and cult classics are all available through the platform. While difficulty in video games is subjective, many of these titles offer tough gaming experiences that will challenge any seasoned pro.

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10 Quake

Tough Enemies & Fast-Paced Action

Quake was a groundbreaking moment in FPS history that took players to a Lovecraftian-inspired universe that started a franchise. In 2021, the remastered version of Quake introduced a whole new audience to all the fun, fast-paced action of the classic shooter for current-gen consoles.

Quake is an unrelenting and chaotic game, with various difficulty modes to test the player’s skill. The hardest mode is Nightmare, where the player’s health is topped at 50 and enemies hit harder and faster. Quake is a classic shooter with tough enemies and fun gameplay that will appeal to all genre fans.

9 Ion Fury

Unrelenting Enemies, Fast Action, & Quick Deaths

Ion Fury is a retro shooter that offers players a fun challenge filled with fast gunplay and pop-culture references. Highly influenced by games such as Duke Nukem, this cyberpunk shooter follows Shelly "Bombshell" Harrison, as she takes on the hordes of cybernetically enhanced enemies, created by arch-villain Dr. Jadus Heskel.

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The game offers various difficulty modes for seasoned FPS players. However, even on normal difficulties, Ion Fury supplies a tough challenge for the average gamer. The varied weaponry offers alternative firing modes for different situations, while the assortment of enemies can quickly overwhelm players. Ion Fury is all about the fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously. The game will appeal to fans of classic shooters looking for a new challenge.

8 Necromunda: Hired Gun

Overwhelming Enemies & Multiple Mechanics to Learn

• Platforms: Playstation 5, Playstation 4, GeForce Now, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
• Released: 2021
• Developers: Streum On Studio
• Genre: Action, First-Person Shooter

This challenging single-player FPS game is set in the Warhammer 40k universe and is based on the popular tabletop skirmish game Necromunda. Players take on the role of a mercenary, working for some of the most dangerous gangs in the city. The game is fast, gritty, and a lot of fun.

While the game is short on plot, the combat is satisfying and fast. The difficulty increases as more enemies appear, meaner and tougher. Players must learn all the skills available in the game to survive. This includes using the character’s trusted dog to take down troublesome enemies. There are a lot of mechanics to learn, along with light RPG elements, which include upgrading weapons and armor. While Hired Gun never reaches its full potential, the game is an engaging first-person shooter that will challenge even experienced FPS players.

7 Doom Eternal

Take On Bloodthirsty Demons In Fast-Paced, Aggressive Gameplay

While the narrative of Doom has grown with each release, at its core, this classic series is about killing demons with big guns to heavy metal music. Doom Eternal continues this tradition, pitting the legendary Doom Slayer against the monsters looking to destroy the Earth and humanity.

While the game is all about destructive mayhem, there is still a significant challenge to Doom Eternal. Staying still for even a moment can mean death, and health and ammo all come from killing enemies. This creates an aggressive style of gameplay where one wrong move will mean restarting.

6 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl

Tough Enemies, Stealth, & Survival Elements

S.T.A.L.K.E.R brings players to the bleak and atmospheric world of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Set in an alternate reality, the zone has become a strange and mysterious place where dangerous creatures lurk in the darkness. The game follows an amnesiac known as the Marked One, who is searching for a man named Strelok in the zone.

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S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl is renowned for its difficulty, as enemies can take a lot of damage before dying. Headshots are a must, and learning the mechanics takes time and patience. The light RPG mechanics allow for upgrading, while combat is best approached through stealth. Shadow of Chernobyl is a bona fide cult classic, and with its recent re-release on the PS5, a new generation of gamers can experience this influential game.

5 Project Warlock

No Quicksaves Or Checkpoints

Another so-called boomer shooter, Project Warlock, takes the difficulty of roguelikes and places it in a retro shooter. The game has no quick-save option. Dying in a level means you must start it again from the beginning, and with multiple enemies attacking at once, this will most likely happen often. Project Warlock offers a vibrant game world, influenced by classic fantasy shooters such as Heretic.

The game follows the lead character, known only as Warlock. Players use a mixture of standard weaponry, such as guns and axes, and an assortment of spells. Players can upgrade their weaponry and spells in the workshop area between levels. Project Warlock will appeal to fans of retro shooters thanks to its additcive gameplay, fun environments, and a great soundtrack.

4 Call of Duty: Warzone (Battle Royale)

Face Skilled Opponents in Fast-Paced Action

Like many online multiplayer battle royale games, Warzone can be challenging if matched against skilled players. While there are multiple ways to be brought back by teammates, Warzone remains one of the hardest games to win on the Playstation.

Warzone offers four different modes for battle royale; Quads, Trios, Duos, and Solos, as well as a variety of different game modes to try. The game is fast, unrelenting, and can be frustrating. The map is filled with various perks, guns, and special items to collect, which can often help against tough players. However, winning the game comes down to who is the fastest and most accurate at shooting.

3 Apex Legends

Fight Skilled Opponents on a Single Life

Apex Legends is a challenging online multiplayer game, where teams of players compete to be the last ones standing. Played across a large and diverse map, the game is set in the same science fiction universe as the classic Titanfall series. Apex Legends allows players to pick from a variety of characters, each with different special abilities, such as healing, stealth, or grappling hooks.

As with most online battle royales, the difficulty of Apex often comes down to the skill of others. The game has a steep learning curve and various mechanics to master, requiring significant play time to improve. While Apex Legends may not appeal to fans of single-player games, it has become one of the most popular online games on the Playstation.

2 Hunt: Showdown

Hunt Monsters and Other People On a Steep Tactical Learning Curve

In this unique online multiplayer shooter, players take on the role of a bounty hunter, who tracks and defeats mythical monsters. The game incorporates both PvP and PvE elements over two game modes; Bounty Hunter and Soul Survivor. The latter is the battle royale game mode.

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Like with all PvP games, the odds are stacked firmly against players. With multiple teams all playing for the same goals, getting good takes patience and practice. A big element of the game is stealth and learning the difference in terrain. Players must learn how to deal with the AI, as well as other players. While Hunt: Showdown is one of the tougher games on the Playstation, its immersive and atmospheric world elevates the game above the average shooter.

1 Hell Let Loose

Large-Scale Battles Where It's Hard to See Enemies

Hell Let Loose is a tactical multiplayer shooter, where players can engage in large-scale battles with 50 players on each side. The game attempts to recreate the urgency and tactics of a WW2 battle. Players take on different roles, from commanders or riflemen to tank operators.

The main objective of Hell Let Loose is to capture and hold certain areas of the map. However, success requires strong communication and patience. This isn’t a fast-paced shooter. Players must use tactical thinking, pushing slowly forward to take an area. This immersive game is renowned for its difficulty, but few titles can match the feeling of a chaotic battlefield like Hell Let Loose.

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