Tactical shooters have long been a popular sub-genre of FPS gaming, with many players preferring the intensity and high-stakes gameplay to regular competitive shooters. Some games take things one step further, and go the extra mile to add layers of authenticity to their games to make them more realistic. Whether it's with slower movement speed, longer respawn times or gameplay mechanics that put an emphasis on teamwork and tactics, there are many ways in which developers seek to refine the genre to make it appealing to both hardcore players, while not becoming insurmountably difficult to new players.
The Best Tactical Shooters Of All Time, Ranked
Tactical shooters are different from your run-of-the-mill FPS. These titles stand out as the best the genre has to offer.
While most tactical shooters are set in the modern era, it is certainly worth mentioning some games set in historical periods such as World War 2 and the American Civil War. While gameplay can be comparatively simple compared to a modern setting, the immersion these titles can provide is almost entirely unmatched within the multiplayer space. As the genre continues to grow in popularity, players can expect to see more titles emerging with a focus on realism.
8 Operation Flashpoint (Series)
Early Pioneer In The Genre With A Nice Balance Of Realism And Fun
Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis
- Platform(s)
- PC , Xbox (Original)
- Released
- August 30, 2001
- Developer(s)
- Bohemia Interactive Studio
- Genre(s)
- Tactical , Shooter
Originally developed by Bohemia Interactive and later Codemasters, the Operation Flashpoint series features a number of tactical shooters dating back to 2001. Generally, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising is considered to be the best, but unfortunately, the series has ground to a halt with only one release since 2009.
The games provide a nice balance of military simulation with fast-paced gun play, and also feature vehicles heavily as players are often required to travel across large, open maps. A series of disputes between the developers have somewhat killed the series, but it seems likely that many fans would welcome a comeback entry into the series.
7 Hell Let Loose
Popular Multiplayer Shooter With Realistic Gunplay And Environments
Hell Let Loose
- Platform(s)
- PS5 , PC , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- July 27, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Black Matter
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
Team 7's Hell Let Loose may not quite reach the same levels of tactical authenticity as some others, but it certainly has many positive elements. Visually, it is one of the best WW2 shooters around, and gameplay is very intense no matter which role players are taking on.
14 Mistakes Everyone Makes While Playing Hell Let Loose
Hell Let Loose isn't an easy game, and newer players are prone to some common errors. Here's how to avoid them.
A variety of large maps and servers of up to 100 players lead to enormous battles, and players will need to use teamwork and intelligence to survive. While Hell Let Loose does not have quite so many vehicles as Squad or ARMA, there are still plenty of tanks, trucks and artillery weapons for players to utilize.
6 Squad 44 (Post Scriptum)
Newly Rebranded Multiplayer Shooter With A Focus On WW2 Action
Post Scriptum, which has since been renamed Squad 44, is a tactical shooter set during WW2 which largely centers around squad-based team play and strategy. Players can take on a variety of roles from Commander right the way down to logistical operations like supplies and fortifications.
Combat is intense and consequential, with lengthy respawn times ensuring that every kill genuinely sets the opposition's progress back. Much like Squad, the game is home to a very welcoming and enthusiastic community online, making it very accessible for newcomers.
5 ARMA (Series)
One Of The Best-Known Series In The Genre, Huge Variety Of Content, Missions And Mods
Arma 3
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Released
- September 12, 2013
- Developer(s)
- Bohemia Interactive
- Genre(s)
- FPS , Tactical
For a long time, very few games were able to compete with ARMA when it came to the authenticity of both tactics and scale. With open-world settings the size of entire countries and tense, realistic missions, ARMA can really be considered one of the first true military simulation video games.
Arma 3: 8 Things That Hold Up About The Game
Arma 3 is one of the most beloved military simulators on the market. Even after all these years, the game is still worth playing.
A variety of technical issues have held the series back somewhat, but it still retains a large community of dedicated followers, and multiplayer battles can be absolutely epic when servers are able to remain free of connectivity issues. The single player campaigns of each game still have plenty to offer, along with a plethora of mods and custom mission scenarios.
4 Escape From Tarkov
Brutal Online Shooter With A Strong Incentive Not To Get Killed
Escape from Tarkov
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Released
- July 27, 2017
- Developer(s)
- Battlestate Games
- Genre(s)
- Shooter , Survival
Escape From Tarkov is notorious for being one of the most punishing and difficult battle royale multiplayer shooters around. What makes Escape From Tarkov a unique PvP experience is the high stakes of every game. Players are required to complete tasks and extract from areas while surviving against other players, and dying means that all equipped gear is lost forever.
While this formula can be quite unforgiving, particularly to newer players who are playing solo, it only makes success all the more satisfying when it is truly earned. Developers Battlestate Games have worked tirelessly to bring updates to the game and address player's criticism since its beta release in 2017.
3 Squad
Popular PvP Shooter Using Real-World Tactics And Technology
Arguably one of the most popular PvP shooters of recent years, Squad provides modern and realistic gameplay which requires good teamwork in order to be successful. Even three years after its full release, the game is continually receiving content updates and even entire new factions being added for free.
The Best Immersive & Historical First-Person Shooters
Those whole love solid FPS gameplay and enjoy rich, historical settings, will find endless fun in these immersive shooters.
With tonnes of different roles from Marksmen to Anti-Tank specialists, there is certainly something for everyone in this game, and it has rightfully received a lot of credit for providing and experience that is both tactical and realistic while still being accessible to newer players.
2 Ready or Not
Play As A SWAT Team Dealing With A Variety Of Realistic Situations
Since the days of the SWAT series, many players have been hoping for an intense police-based tactical shooter with realistic scenarios rather than all-out-chaos. Ready Or Not delivers on many fronts by delivery a series of interesting missions which can be played online or with AI teammates.
The game's story and individual missions are realistic, as is the vast majority of gameplay which is focussed on room clearance and CQB tactics. One criticism some players have had of the game is the focus of the developers, who abandoned the game temporarily to work on a new project before returning to it despite some issues and promises remaining unresolved.
1 War of Rights
Highly Realistic Multiplayer Shooter Set In The American Civil War
War of Rights is a highly unique shooter set during the American Civil War of 1861-65. Much like Squad and Post Scriptum (Squad 44), there is a heavy emphasis on teamwork, staying in formation and following orders from commanders.
Realistic Civil War Reenactment Game War of Rights Adds Working Artillery
Civil War reenactments may not be possible in 2020, but the thematically accurate game War of Rights is bringing American history to life.
Fortunately, the multiplayer community in War of Rights are extremely friendly and keen to help new players. The game also features a very realistic suppression system, which promotes the use of firing in volleys to disorient and pin down opposing players.
