We saw huge AAA drops like Battlefield 6 and Black Ops 7, plus unexpected hits like Embark Studios' ARC Raiders in the extraction shooter space. A few really shone, while others got left behind.
So, here's a rundown of some of the top shooter games from 2025.
ARC Raiders
You can't skip ARC Raiders when talking 2025 shooters. Embark Studios' latest got extraction shooter fans hyped, challenging the grip Escape from Tarkov had on the genre. While others stuck to realistic tactical play, ARC Raiders went hard on a futuristic post-apocalyptic setting.
Players dug the new ideas, nailed with solid AI enemies. PvP got equal focus for a balance like no other. It's fresh, creative, tough, and great for playing with others, landing it among 2025's best shooters.
Battlefield 6
Battlefield 6 ruled the realistic mil-sim world. It delivered the gritty, tactical action fans had wanted forever. You get a campaign, multiplayer, and Redsec, the free-to-play battle royale mode.
The BF6 Portal lets you jump into or build unlimited custom modes. It's just plain fun and gave fans exactly what they asked for. BF6 won big by actually listening.
DOOM: The Dark Ages
A new DOOM in 2025 thrilled the series' fans. DOOM: The Dark Ages stands out as a key entry. Tear through monsters with crazy weapons like the Sawblade Shield and cause chaos in hell.
The campaign's a real treat, with the Doom Slayer going full force against hell's armies. It's one of the franchise's top shooters, boosted by a story that pulls you right in.
Sniper Elite: Resistance
Sniper Elite: Resistance often flies under the radar in 2025 best-of lists. It launched in January and quickly won over players and critics. The campaign hooks you, emphasizing stealth and top-notch sniper mechanics.
As a third-person shooter, it gets buried by FPS giants like BF6. But its replayability can't be beat, and the mission design tops anything else that year.
Borderlands 4
Borderlands 4 sparked plenty of debate. It shipped glitchy and poorly optimized, and Randy Pitchford's public pushback on fan gripes didn't help its rep.
Still, it's a solid shooter at heart. Explore the world of Kairos as Vault Hunters, take on monsters, bosses, and enemies through tons of quests and story beats. It brings back the cel-shaded art style, amps up gameplay with cool features, and delivers sharp gunplay. Look past the tech woes, and it's easily one of 2025's best.
Splitgate: Arena Reloaded
Splitgate 2 got a meh response, leading to this re-release as Splitgate: Arena Reloaded. It blends the strongest parts of both games into a straight-up arena shooter—no abilities or factions.
Portals create wild, fast-paced gunplay. With varied modes and maps, it never gets stale. Despite the rocky start, the core idea and mechanics earn it a spot on the 2025 best shooters list.
Black Ops 7
Black Ops 7 might be the most debated on this list. The campaign fell flat and didn't grab anyone. But the sheer amount of content carries it to top-shooter status.
Black Ops 7 Zombies refreshes old character stories with killer gameplay. Multiplayer and Warzone hold strong, offering endless shooting action.
These are some of 2025's standout shooter games. They vary in style and buzz, but they're all solid plays worth your time.
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