The Most Realistic Shooter Games of 2024 According to Metacritic Ratings
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Darryn Bonthuys
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Throughout the year, we have witnessed exciting video games that offer fresh takes on genres, but sometimes, you simply want to sit back and enjoy some action. Shooters remain a popular choice for releasing tension, and in 2024, we received a delightful mix of new first- and third-person shooter titles entering the market.
According to GameSpot’s partner site Metacritic, new IPs were abundant in this category. Certainly, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 was a given, but as per the list below, we also received several new titles such as I Am Your Beast, Rage Foot, and Youth of the Sun to inject some fast-paced gunplay into their gameplay experiences. We have compiled the highest-rated video games that incorporate shooting as a central mechanic (as of December 5) and listed them below, so you can scroll down to see which games ignited that primal urge to engage in thrilling action-packed adventures.
More Best Of 2024:
Kill Knight
Kill Knight is undoubtedly one of the purest action games of the year, a classic run-through hell that is unforgiving and exceptionally challenging to master. Its core gameplay loop is not for the weak-hearted, as it rarely slows down, unleashing hordes of demons at you as you try to reduce the underworld’s population to a mere handful. With its Brutalist art style, adrenaline-pumping soundtrack, and a variety of weapons that enhance its replay value, you can expect to have a blast.
Destiny 2: The Final Shape
The culmination of a decade’s worth of storytelling, refinement, and exploration, Destiny 2: The Final Shape allowed players to feel like apex predators as they concluded the Light and Darkness Saga. Mechanically, Destiny 2 has never felt better; its smooth gunplay is enhanced by a set of new powers and abilities that transform players into sci-fi gunslingers capable of taking down would-be gods. It’s this combination of classic first-person action with a touch of mystical power fantasy, intense showdowns, and some of the best weaponry available that made for a fitting finale to one of gaming’s longest-running narratives.
Metascore: 89 | Read our Destiny 2: The Final Shape review
Mullet Madjack
A whirlwind of corridor shootouts, robotic overlords siphoning dopamine from an entranced audience, and a countdown to chaos create an unforgettable experience in Mullet Madjack. This game is at its best when you immerse yourself in its stylish and dystopian destruction, keeping you engaged with its concept of having only a few seconds to breathe between kills and its satirical take on streaming culture.
Minishoot Adventures
What happens when you merge the 360-degree firepower of Geometry Wars with Zelda-like exploration? You get Minishoot Adventures, a captivating experience that consistently feels fulfilling to play. It may not be a complex game, but there is beauty in simplicity with this twin-stick shooter, elements that are amplified by its polished gameplay and fast-paced action.
Forgive Me Father 2
Like the best boomer-shooters, Forgive Me Father 2 offers everything that enthusiasts expect from this burgeoning genre: hordes of adversaries to eliminate with brutally satisfying gunplay, a relentless pace that will leave you drenched in focus-induced sweat, and formidable enemies that will need to be bested with strategy.
“`you to transform your strategies. A Lovecraftian horror voyage emerged at existence with a stunningly illustrated sense of style; it has undeniably garnered one of the most outstanding soundtracks of the year that you can headbang to while battling Cthulu’s minions.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Call of Duty’s shooting mechanics evolved this year, as the new omnidirectional movement system empowered every player to unleash their inner John Wick. Combined with a single-player campaign that injects Cold War-era energy into an action-packed journey, a multiplayer mode that refines the familiar elements, and a Zombies campaign that feels more exhilarating than ever, there is ample action-packed content here to keep you entertained for hours on end.
Metascore: 83: Read our Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 campaign, multiplayer, and Zombies reviews.
V Rising
There is a caveat with V Rising, as the open-world vampire game does not explicitly focus on shooting. Instead, it presents an opportunity for you to invest in a possible path that is surprisingly enjoyable if you choose it, enhancing the survival-driven gameplay as you concentrate on long-range offense. The rest of the game is equally bloody, especially if you aspire to become a legendary vampire lord now that V Rising has exited early access.
Sorry We’re Closed
Sorry We’re Closed delivers solid arcade-style shooting, but the main highlight of this adventure is its narrative. It features a charmingly nostalgic aesthetics that recalls PlayStation-era survival-horror games, a captivating storyline with multiple threads, and unsettling monsters to test some intriguing demonic weapons on.
Helldivers 2
Imagine Starship Troopers meets Warhammer 40K, and you’ll have a good idea of what to expect from Helldivers 2. One of the biggest surprises of 2024, Helldivers 2 has provided an adrenaline rush of chaotic cooperative fun and over-the-top action. Best experienced with friends, this Arrowhead-developed game has received accolades for its seamless flow of content and outrageous firepower that turns every confrontation into a highlight reel of memes and explosions.
Metascore: 82 | Read our Helldivers 2 overview
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
From the very first level, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 shows you exactly what you signed up for: relentless and satisfyingly brutal action featuring the burliest of Ultramarines as they send heretical filth back to the foul warp that spawned them. It is a game that does not attempt to rewrite the grimdark playbook on action; rather, it focuses on what made the original Space Marine game so beloved in the first place. Not only does it master the fundamentals of in-your-face combat enriched with delicious ultraviolence and indulgent finishers, it also looks fantastic and maintains a consistently satisfying gameplay experience across its robust campaign.
Metascore: 82 | Read our Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 overview
Robobeat
We have seen a variety of games combining bullets and beats, and this small gem is a perfect example of EDM: electronic dance murder. A killer soundtrack combined with a rich assortment of weaponry and a core gameplay loop offering solid gunplay makes Robobeat a rhythmic thrill, although the game can also be unforgiving until you find your groove.
Children of the Sun
Typically, sniper games involve the moment you pull a trigger and send a bullet straight into a poor soul’s head, but Children of the Sun advances that concept by turning that critical moment into a violent puzzle game. It is a stylish puzzle-shooter that delivers thrills with its supernatural themes and digestible runtime.
Metascore: 81 | Read our Children of the Sun overview
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2
It appears that Helldivers 2 is no longer the only game showcasing robust gameplay and swarms of insect-themed adversaries to pursue, as Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 presents a delightful—and quirky—new installment in the series. This spin-off represents EDF at a more user-friendly level while also reveling in its outrageous premise, offering you unique characters to embody, a bug-filled playground to explore, and an array of exciting weapons to wreak havoc.
Deadlink
The roguelike and first-person shooter genres are not unfamiliar with each other, and while numerous combinations have emerged over time, Deadlink takes a bold step in this direction. It perfectly captures the essentials of roguelike gameplay within its FPS design, emphasizing player skill amidst intense sequences, and skillfully blending that frantic pace with special abilities that enhance the Doom-inspired shooting, resulting in a thrilling experience.
Zero Sievert
Another recent mélange of genres, Zero Sievert fuses the heart-pounding tension of an extraction shooter with roguelike elements and a top-down view. Death is a constant companion in this game as you endeavor to complete quests and return home with valuable loot; don’t be surprised if this modest-looking indie title keeps you awake until the early hours, thanks to its engaging and intricate design.
Vertigo 2
The PlayStation VR 2 library has been consistently enriched with high-quality first-person shooters, and Vertigo 2 is a worthy addition. It is impressively large, the shooting mechanics are satisfying, and it features a wonderfully cheeky sense of humor. Combine this with secret-laden stages that invite you to return to sharpen your skills, and you have an outstanding VR experience to enjoy over several afternoons.
I Am Your Beast
Pace, reflexes, and on-the-fly improvisation are the core elements of I Am Your Beast, a high-octane revenge thriller from the creators of El Paso, Nowhere. This cel-shaded action game is delightfully brutal, challenging players with intricately designed gauntlets to unleash their unforgiving skills upon. Featuring one of the best soundtracks of the year, it provides a fast and rewarding experience for a single day’s play.
MechWarrior 5: Clans
Don’t confuse it with the other MechWarrior 5 game that launched several years ago; MechWarrior 5: Clans is a nostalgic return to the series’ roots. It offers a challenging single-player campaign, massive mechs to command, and an array of customization options that can keep you engaged for hours, making it a standout moment for the franchise.
Anger Foot
Delivering a brutal boot to the backside of crime, Anger Foot does not hold back as it immerses you in a world of exaggerated chaos. A mix of Hotline Miami’s tension blended with the brisk speed and first-person perspective reminiscent of Neon White, Anger Foot is punishingly difficult yet incredibly rewarding when you execute a perfect run through its thoughtfully designed stages. With a solid grasp of fundamentals and a full arsenal of weapons to master, you’ll find great enjoyment in this game.
Megaton Musashi W: Wired
Mechwarrior 5: Clans isn’t the only shooter featuring mechs, as Megaton Musashi W: Wired offers another experience filled with colossal robotic adventure. The twist? An anime-inspired design, full of flashy moves, creative mech designs, and epic boss battles. Add in some cameos from iconic mecha anime like Mazinger Z, Getter Robo, Combattler V, and Voltes V, and you’ll have an exhilarating action game to enjoy.
Splatoon 3: Side Order
A significant shift from the PvP-centric fun of Splatoon 3, Side Order is an experimental foray into roguelike territory for the franchise. While there are areas with potential for improvement, this single-player DLC is genuinely entertaining due to its creative new enemy designs and exciting abilities while you work to restore color to the Splatlands.
Metascore: 78 | Read our Splatoon 3 review
Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster
A long, long time ago, Star Wars: Dark Forces captured attention for its Doom-inspired shooting mechanics and its unique story taking you behind the scenes of the Original Trilogy. Nightdive has effectively revitalized this 1995 classic, giving it the polish it deserves, while including subtle adjustments and upgraded cutscenes alongside additional content to breathe new life into this classic Star Wars game for modern audiences.
Arizona Sunshine Remake
The original Arizona Sunshine was a compelling reason to invest in a virtual reality headset nearly a decade ago, and this remake serves as a reminder of just how enchanting the original zombie-shooting experience was. It offers the original game, upgraded with all the improvements from its sequel, along with a mix of grotesquely beautiful graphics.