Your guide to getting started with first and third-person shooters

Some of the most popular games of all time are shooters. They throw you into the chaos of the battlefield or raise your pulse in high-stakes battle royales. Shooters are the ultimate test of your focus, precision, and reflexes.

Given the breadth of shooters on offer, as a newcomer to the genre it’s not always obvious where’s best to start exploring. We’ve compiled some of our favorites to help you navigate this action-packed genre.

True to their name, shooter games (or shooters) have you firing off weapons against foes on the battlefield. Typically shooters can be played out in first-person (played out from your perspective) or third-person (you view the action from afar), but either way expect to face off against others as a team or in a free-for-all gunfight.

Despite sharing a rather straightforward core element, shooters have a lot of variability. Different modes, objectives, maps, guns, and skill levels distinguish one game from another. It’s worth trying out different games to see which one checks the boxes for you.

Developing your own playstyle is key when playing a shooter. That may mean favoring close-range shotgun duels, or landing the perfect sniper shot from across the map. Maybe you like having to cooperate and strategize with teammates, or would rather shrug it off and play as a lone wolf. Being adaptable and knowing your skills will give you the edge you need in combat.

Don’t know what to play first? Take a gander at our hand-picked selection of shooter games to find a starting point.

One of the all-time greats in the genre, Call of Duty still hits the mark. Join up with other players in classic game modes like Team Deathmatch or Dominion, or fight to be the last one standing in Battle Royale across a variety of maps. Customize your loadout and Operator so you can slide right into the heat of battle with all of your favorite equipment.

Experience the genre-defining game that launched the battle royale craze. Drop into the battleground with 99 other players, arm yourself with gear and loot, and fight tooth and nail to be the last survivor. Keep an eye on the shrinking map zone – stepping outside the bounds means guaranteed death. Limited-time events and collaborations keep PUBG at the top of its game.

With enhanced graphics and fast-paced firefights, Free Fire Max is a battle royale shooter you need to try. You have 10 minutes to test your mettle against 49 competitors in a fight for survival. Hop into a vehicle to ride into battle, or sneak around to evade opponents – whether you prefer a direct or stealthy approach, the excitement never stops in Free Fire’s chaotic arenas.

Get ready to brawl in multiplayer battles that deliver quick bursts of fun at your convenience. Choose from a robust line-up of unique Brawlers, each with their own Star Powers, Gadgets, Hypercharges, and more – then upgrade them to ramp up their power. From Duo Showdown to Gem Grab and Heist, there’s plenty of iconic game modes to rotate through. Team up with friends, or duke it out solo in battle royale: the choice is yours.