Summary
- Third-person shooters combine intense action with fast-paced traversal mechanics, including dashes and jumps, for a dynamic gameplay experience.
- Popular live-service shooters like Helldivers 2, Fortnite, and Warframe are celebrated for their high-octane and ever-evolving gameplay.
- Single-player shooters such as Control, Returnal, and Armored Core 6 elevate the genre with intense, engaging combat and innovative mechanics.
Third-person shooters remain one of the most popular action game genres, blending the high intensity of a shooter with fast-paced traversal mechanics like rapid dashes or jumps. This combination delivers a thrilling mix of adrenaline-pumping action and unforgettable gameplay moments. Many of today’s third-person shooters feature exciting multiplayer modes or are designed entirely around co-op PvE or PvP gameplay. However, fans of fast-paced, single-player experiences still have plenty of excellent titles to enjoy.
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Over the past year, several new third-person shooters with high-energy gameplay have launched to varying degrees of success. These include Helldivers 2, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, The First Descendant, and Marvel Rivals (though the latter isn’t exclusively a shooter). To help fans of the genre discover standout titles, let’s spotlight some of the most notable third-person shooters from recent years, renowned for their intense, fast-paced action and dynamic gameplay.
7
Outriders
An Underappreciated High-Octane Looter Shooter With Explosive Gameplay
- Released
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April 1, 2021
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Fair
Outriders is a somewhat underappreciated looter-shooter gem, offering unparalleled dynamics and fast-paced gameplay. While its premise leans towards generic sci-fi, and its story isn’t particularly memorable, the gameplay more than compensates, delivering an adrenaline-filled shooter experience infused with supernatural abilities. Its arsenal of weapons is equally impressive, featuring a rich variety of guns, each packed with unique and powerful combat perks. Once players master the game’s mechanics, they can craft devastating loadouts that turn every battlefield encounter into a chaotic symphony of destruction — complete with bursts of blood, exploding heads, elemental effects, and awe-inspiring abilities.
What makes Outriders stand out is its flexibility; players can tackle the entire game solo or team up with friends in co-op for an even more electrifying experience. Moreover, the game was never intended as a live-service project, ensuring a wealth of content is available right from the start. This robust offering is further expanded by the sizable Worldslayer expansion, making Outriders a must-play for fans of fast-paced, high-octane action.
6
Warframe
A Decade-Long Evolution That Shows No Signs Of Slowing Down
- Released
-
March 25, 2013
- OpenCritic Rating
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Fair
It’s hard to find gamers who haven’t at least heard of Warframe, a staple of third-person action shooters for over a decade. While some aspects of the game show their age, the constant stream of meaningful updates, including the recent 1999 expansion, ensures that Warframe remains fresh and relevant, and promises to stay with us for many years to come.
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Blending high-energy shooter mechanics with fluid melee combat and unique abilities, Warframe is one of the fastest-paced third-person games available today. With a staggering amount of content, it can keep players entertained for months on end. Being entirely free-to-play, it’s as easy as ever to dive in and decide if the game suits their taste. However, as is often the case with long-running live-service titles, Warframe can feel overwhelming for newcomers trying to navigate its vast, complex systems, but there are plenty of tutorials out there and some extremely helpful community members to guide newcomers along.
5
Control
The Pinnacle Of Remedy’s Signature High-Octane Action Gameplay
Action
Third-Person Shooter
Supernatural
- Released
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August 27, 2019
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Ever since Max Payne, Remedy Entertainment has been synonymous with some of the best third-person single-player shooters, a reputation further cemented by Quantum Break and its innovative time-manipulation combat. With Control, the studio reached new heights, delivering fast-paced action gameplay that masterfully blends rapid movement, supernatural abilities like telekinesis, and satisfying gunplay into a truly unique experience.
Featuring standout, highly dynamic gameplay brimming with physics-based destruction, Control is a must-play for fans of third-person shooters. Beyond its exhilarating combat, the game’s fascinating and mysterious universe, which serves as the foundation of the Remedy Connected Universe, offers an intriguing narrative steeped in paranormal intrigue. This makes Control a worthwhile endeavor even for players who don’t typically gravitate toward intense shootouts.
4
Returnal
The Fastest And Most Dynamic PlayStation Game Of The Generation
Returnal is arguably the most dynamic PlayStation shooter of this generation, delivering a thrilling blend of satisfying weaponry, exhilarating traversal, and engaging enemy encounters — all wrapped in the innovative time-loop mechanics of the roguelike genre. Even for players who typically shy away from games where progress can be lost on death, Returnal is worth playing for its fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled combat alone.
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From the outset, Returnal offers intense action encounters, but these pale in comparison to the game’s later stages. As players master the jetpack traversal mechanics and refine their favorite loadouts, the game ramps up the challenge with waves of aggressive, fast-moving enemies. At times, Returnal transforms into a full-on bullet hell experience, demanding precise maneuvering through a storm of projectiles while landing calculated strikes to survive another grueling minute.
3
Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon
Raising Third-Person Shooter Intensity To A Whole New Level
- Released
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August 25, 2023
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Breaking away from the soulslike formula that has defined FromSoftware for over a decade, the studio delivered one of the most fast-paced and intense third-person shooters ever creaed. Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is a standout action title that exemplifies the philosophy of “gameplay comes first,” featuring dynamic, omni-directional battles set in massive open arenas filled with enemy mechs and towering, powerful bosses.
A defining feature of Armored Core 6 is its exceptional mech mobility, both on land and in the air, which sets it apart even among other fast-paced shooters, drawing comparisons to Vanquish. Coupled with deep customization options, players can tailor their mechs to fit their personal combat preferences, adding layers of strategy to the breakneck action. Even for those who aren’t typically fans of the mecha genre, Armored Core 6 is a must-try for its flawless action and pure gameplay enjoyment.
2
Helldivers 2
2024’s Star Of The Co-Operative Shooter Genre Still Has Loads Of Potential
Few anticipated Helldivers 2 would become a breakout hit, but it has quickly cemented itself as one of the most popular and talked-about action games of 2024 — and deservedly so. With its refined shooting mechanics and stunning visuals, the game consistently delivers fast-paced, memorable, and cinematic moments that feel uniquely personal to each player. Moreover, Helldivers 2 stands as a rare example of a successful live-service launch, complete with exciting post-launch support, even if not every decision by Arrowhead and Sony resonates perfectly with the fanbase.
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Filling the void in the cooperative action genre, Helldivers 2 proves there’s still a strong demand for simple, explosive fun — especially when it involves blasting waves of nasty bugs and robots. With a steady stream of content updates introducing new features, enemies, weapons, and even vehicles, the game seems poised to remain relevant well into 2025 and beyond. It’s easily one of the best third-person shooters in recent memory and a strong contender for Game of the Year.
1
Fortnite
The Unshaken King Of Fast-Paced Live-Service Shooters
- Released
-
July 25, 2017
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Alongside Warframe, Fortnite needs little introduction — not just for action-shooter fans, but for gamers worldwide. Far surpassing its origins as a Battle Royale game, Fortnite has evolved into an ever-expanding entertainment platform, celebrated for its high-profile collaborations with major gaming and movie franchises, as well as unforgettable live events featuring world-renowned celebrities. As the reigning king of live-service games, Fortnite includes a variety of game modules with third-person and first-person perspectives, continuing to evolve in ways that most companies can only dream of, maintaining an unparalleled level of popularity.
At its core, however, Fortnite remains a polished, fast-paced third-person shooter with immense esports appeal, offering a game that’s as thrilling to play as it is to watch. The competitive scene is as vibrant as ever, with top players like Peterbot, Pollo, Swizzy, Merstach, and others showcasing the heights of skill and creativity possible in Fortnite in 2024.
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