The Best FPS Games If You Don’t Have Much Time To Play

The FPS genre has always been widely populated with a variety of competitive multiplayer titles and unforgettable single-player cinematic masterpieces. Sometimes it’s nice to be able to hop into a game and be done with the session in under an hour on those days where time is not plentiful.

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Thankfully, there is no shortage of action-packed, gun-based mayhem to explore, whether it’s living out a fantasy as a super-charged soldier or exploring an unknown world with horrors and delights around every corner. These FPS games make their mark not through expansive player investment, but by providing short and sweet gameplay sessions for gamers with a lot on their plates.

10

Overwatch 2

Team-Based Non-Stop Action

Released

October 4, 2022

ESRB

T

• 5v5 hero shooter
• Ranked and unranked maps and game modes
• Expanding roster of unique and original characters

Blizzard and amazing games go hand-in-hand and Overwatch 2 continues the trend with great success. A revamping of several systems from the original game, updated with new heroes, maps, modes, and more, means players can expect to enjoy endless fun in party-style event modes and cut-throat competitive brawls.

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Games in the competitive and Quick Play pools tend to last under 20 minutes, which is more than enough time for all hell to break loose. Ults flying, terrain transforming, and a heck load of bullets transform peaceful internationally-inspired landscapes into war zones in a matter of seconds.

9

Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6

The Staple Genre Classic That Keeps On Giving

Released

October 25, 2024

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Suggestive Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs

• Rotating mode and map playlists
• Weapon customization
• Round-based zombies with exfil

It’s nearly impossible to mention an FPS game without bringing up Call Of Duty. A household name in the gaming world, each new installment brings its own unique twist on the name and, with virtually no barriers to entry, it’s the perfect title for a quick shootout session.

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Black Ops 6 reintroduces all-time classic maps like Nuketown and keeps the same tried and true CoD formula, with an added omnidirectional movement twist. If multiplayer isn’t the draw, the campaign is excellent, full of memorable explosive moments, and, of course, zombies makes a return, breaking new ground on island bases and medieval fortresses.

8

Dead Rock Galactic

Team-Based Co-Op Mining And Extraction Excitement

Released

May 13, 2020

ESRB

T for Teen due to Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence

• PvE mining mechanics
• Character progression and customization
• Solo and Multiplayer options

Rock and stone is the name of the game, mining into the dark depths of creature-invested planets in search of loot and glory. In Deep Rock Galactic (the actual name of the game), players take on class-based roles that affect the weaponry and skills they have access to, some supportive and some with heavy firepower which is needed to take down the giant bug-like beasts below.

The missions provide a unique set of challenges each time and the difficulty can be adjusted to suit each player. Even if there is only time for one or two expeditions into the Earth, the dwarves will come back stronger with new skills, upgrades, and machinery to keep pressing on to harder and harder encounters.

7

Team Fortress 2

The Gold Standard For Class-Based Multiplayer

Released

October 10, 2007

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence

• Nine-class PvP combat
• Community mode and map support
• Simplistic combat with surprising depth

Nine completely different classes, signature gameplay mechanics like rocket jumping, and game modes that have defined entire games in the FPS genre for decades, Team Fortress 2 is truly the respected grandfather of class-based shooters The multiplayer combat is deserving of it’s own global tournament league and the PvE missions take all the best aspects of the classes and pit them against doppelganger robots looking to take down the company.

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Little to no complex progression and an entirely free-to-play model make jumping into a map or class as simple as pressing a button. The combat is first-class and highly skill-based, but there’s plenty of opportunity for new players to enjoy the battles by placing sentries or spamming choke points with a volley of grenades. The server library gives players access to a slew of community-run maps and modes like prop hunt, which is great for anyone looking for a more party-oriented experience.

6

Doom Eternal

The Boomer Shooter Titan At Its Best

Released

March 20, 2020

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence

DOOM constantly pushes the boundaries of what action in a game means. DOOM Eternal takes that mission statement and knocks it out of the park, quite literally, as the slayer rampages through armies of horrifying demons in gruesome and satisfying fashion.

Each mission introduces a new weapon to take on enemy forces, ranging from shotguns to shoulder-mounted missiles, adding so much variety to the combat, whether against an NPC foe or a juiced-up demon in the game’s PvP battles.

5

Half-Life 2

Genre Defining And Mind-Bending

Released

November 16, 2004

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence

• Intense, immersive campaign
• Classic video game weaponry and characters
• Physics interactions with enemies

When it comes to single-player masterpieces in the FPS category, look no further than Half-Life 2. Gordan Freeman is back for answers and, through teleportation, tight gunplay, and anxiety-inducing encounters, players are surely in for a treat.

The game works great on Steam Deck as well, allowing players to take down head crabs and journey across the city while they’re on the go. If there’s only a short while to spare, saves can be made at any point, so there is no pressure to sit down for hours on end, with the game being enjoyable at any pace.

4

Resident Evil Village

The Second Resident Evil FPS Leans Into The Action

Survival Horror

Survival

Horror

Released

May 7, 2021

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

• Survival horror leaning into action
• Linear weapon upgrade system
• Intense boss fights and group encounters

For horror fans, the Resident Evil franchise is perfect for those trying to scratch the shooter itch whilst being scared half to death. Resident Evil Village follows the same trend as RE7 and keeps the gameplay in first person, adding a level of immersion and fear that was missing in some of the previous series entries.

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That being said, Village puts heavy emphasis on the action and gunplay, with Ethan Winters playing more like an unstoppable mercenary than a defenseless civilian. There are plenty of unique puzzles and settings to explore, with a runtime that is reasonable and well-paced.

3

Neon White

Killer Gameplay With A Killer Soundtrack

Released

June 16, 2022

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco

• Fluid movement and gunplay
• Speed-running emphasis
• Time trials

There really is no other game like Neon White. It’s a fast movement-based shooter with a unique and beautiful art style and a dating sim-lite all bundled into one. By picking up different weapon cards, players will traverse through levels with great pace and precision, constantly making choices between using ammunition for shooting or mobility.

Levels are incredibly quick overall, spare for a few longer boss stages, with each one providing a unique puzzle to solve in terms of spending cards in the most efficient manner. The narrative is both compelling and comedic, with each character providing new story beats and interactions that intersperse the intense level traversals.

2

Apex Legends

Drop-In And Prepare For Action

Battle Royale

First-Person Shooter

Released

February 4, 2019

ESRB

T for Teen: Blood, Violence

• Battle Royale and deathmatch modes
• Characters with varied movement and utility
• Tiered loot system

Sometimes, beating a few players in a match isn’t enough, so how about 60? Apex Legends finds a unique spot in the Battle Royale genre, adding character classes to spice up the gameplay, all the while maintaining the core essence of the genre. Movement plays a big role in combat as while searching buildings for resources, players have to be ready to use all the wall jumps, hooks, and teleports at their disposal to survive.

Each drop is different and loot is scattered across the wasteland, forcing players to take strategic fights while searching for higher-grade weaponry and armor. Aggressive players can take down a whole server in under half an hour and even safer playstyles can be rewarded as the zone continues to shrink towards the ever-looming final battle.

1

Counter-Strike 2

The Sequel To One Of Gaming’s Greatest Competitive Shooters

Systems

Released

September 27, 2023

ESRB

m

• 6v6 matchmaking
• Half-switching and monetary weapon system
• Tactical gunplay

Valve simply doesn’t miss when it comes to FPS titles. Counter-Strike 2 offers the pinnacle tactical shooter experience and has some of the most satisfying head-clicks in the genre. Swapping between sides, players fight to defend or take control of various bomb sites or hostage locations, being rewarded for good plays with an injection of cash.

Games can be over quickly if a team is really on their game, or can be pushed into overtime in competitive matches for a real test of skill. For those looking to practice their skills, deathmatch and community maps offer a departure from the nerve-racking site defense mode and speed up the gameplay in distinct and creative ways.

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