First-person shooters or FPS games are amongst some of the most popular in the gaming world. Whether competitive FPS games are your thing or you just prefer your shooter action to be up close and personal, there are a ton of great free-to-play FPS titles to try out right now. In this list, we’re looking at ten of the best free FPS games you can jump into today if you’re craving a bit of high-intensity shooter action.
#11 Enlisted
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
A shooter that’s squad-based and set against the backdrop of World War 2, Enlisted has four main gameplay modes that put players in charge of small numbers of infantry. Each soldier in the player-controlled team has a specific role, with the player becoming one of the soldiers and providing orders to the other AI-controlled squad members. Five main campaigns feature in the game’s matches; the Battle of Moscow, the Invasion of Normandy, the Battle of Tunisia, the Battle of Berlin, and the Battle of Stalingrad. In their squads, players will face off as either members of the Allied or Axis forces in hyper-realistic gameplay battlegrounds that emulate the brutality of Second World War combat. This is an interesting take on an FPS game which will be a hit with those who enjoy WW2-themed shooters in particular.
#10 Warface
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Warface provides an engaging mix of PvP and PvE action in its gameplay. A militaristic shooter in style, it gives players access to a huge arsenal of weaponry in its realistic style of combat. Players can try out more than 10 different multiplayer modes in this game for a highly-focused PvP experience. Alternatively, Warface allows players to go it alone on PvE missions and raids if multiplayer shooter action isn’t quite their thing. There are five different playable classes to master in Warface, which is great if you’re looking for a military-style FPS game to get into with a team of friends. Give this one a try if you’re after a new kind of soldier-style shooter.
#9 Overwatch 2
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S, NS
Overwatch was one of the most popular games in the last decade. When it came out, it set the world on fire (in a good way!) and created a new genre for people to play.
Fast forward to now, and Overwatch 2 is here to improve upon much of what the original game did. That includes refining the gameplay, adding new things to do and get, and of course, adding new heroes.
Plus, the game is free-to-play! You can unlock everything over time, and you’ll never have to pay unless you want to get a head start via the battle pass.
#8 PUBG: Battlegrounds
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, Stadia, iOS, Android
PUBG: Battlegrounds is one of the longest-standing FPS games in the battle royale genre and as such has a pretty huge following to this day. In this classic shooter, players will parachute onto an island, 100 at a time and proceed to survive, loot and shoot until they’re the last one left standing. It’s a classic formula, but it works effortlessly to this day, making PUBG: Battlegrounds perhaps one of the easier titles on this list to drop into and try out. Players are able to use their in-game currency from taking part in matches to purchase a number of wacky and weird cosmetic items, which also adds to the somewhat chaotic feel of PUBG: Battlegrounds. If you’re new to shooters and don’t mind getting killed a lot on your learning curve then give PUBG: Battlegrounds a try.
#7 Call Of Duty: Warzone
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
As the free-to-play version of one of gaming’s most successful shooter franchises, Call of Duty: Warzone supports cross-platform online multiplayer combat for up to 150 players. The action takes place on a number of different maps and operates in the main as a battle royale style of gameplay. However, there are also the game’s Plunder and Resurgence modes, alongside a number of event-based and limited-time gameplay modes that are often added into Call of Duty: Warzone to keep things interesting. If you’re never played one of the main Call of Duty games then Warzone is a great way to get into the highly popular FPS action without the hefty price tag being attached.
#6 Apex Legends
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Apex Legends is one of the most iconic free-to-play shooters currently available, having held its own against other battle royale-style games since its launch in 2019. Players can master a number of different “Legends” during the intense squad-based matches, which take place across a number of rounds on an island. As with other battle royale games, the gameplay area shrinks with each round, forcing players into tightly-packed, close-up combat in first-person mode. Apex Legends is another game that’s been successful on the esports scene and continues to dominate the FPS genre with ongoing high player counts into the hundreds of millions. Jump in and see what all the fuss is about for yourself.
#5 Splitgate
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
A fairly new FPS with strong sci-fi leanings, Splitgate makes use of player-controlled portals to give the combat a heightened sense of world traversal. The action takes place across more than 20 maps and with over 15 different game modes, so there’s plenty of different kinds of PvP action to get stuck into. With settings that include space stations, volcano-based research facilities and beachside oases, there’s no telling where the portal-hopping action might take players whilst they’re evading enemies or hunting down their targets. Splitgate is a great FPS game to get into on a casual basis but it also has a ranked system for those who wish to make things more competitive.
#4 PlanetSide 2
Platforms: PS4, PC
PlanetSide 2 puts the massive into massively multiplayer, allowing up to 2,000 players to do battle on the same map. This is a free-to-play FPS game that takes combat to an entirely new scale, giving players control of a number of vehicles, including aircraft and seafaring vessels alongside the six different infantry classes available. The variety of options with which players can choose to fight with is matched by the open-world vastness of the environments and battleground maps. PlanetSide 2 makes use of different continents on the new planet the game is set on, in an ongoing campaign of warfare that players can jump into at any time. This is a game that also offers character progression through Battle Ranks that carry on up to 100 levels. Basically, there’s plenty to do in this game with lots of intense multiplayer battling to enjoy.
#3 Paladins
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
A game that proves not all FPS titles have to be militaristic, Paladins adds some fantasy and sci-fi elements into the mix with its colourful roster of champions to master. Players can jump into a number of different quick matches across the game’s various objective-based team gameplay modes. These include Siege, a 5v5 capture-point match that involves pushing the payload to win. Other playable modes include Onslaught, Team Deathmatch and Ranked mode. Paladins is a fun and often compelling game that’s now pretty popular on the esports scene thanks to its fast-paced combat and uniquely skilled champion roster. Definitely, one to try out with friends if you’re looking for something that’s FPS but not too battle-like.
#2 Hawken
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
In an FPS game that’s all about controlling giant mechs, players will find themselves in charge of some heavy-duty war machines in Hawken. Set in a dystopian future world where players must fight for their survival and see off others in a ferocious battle for resources, Hawken is fast-paced and highly enjoyable. This is due in large part to the different mechs players can control, which provide different combat and movement mechanics for players to experiment with. Hawken has a number of different playable maps and features three main gameplay modes in the form of Team Deathmatch, Deathmatch, and Co-op Team Deathmatch. If you’re looking for a break from the action, you can also take your mech for a wander around in the game’s Exploration mode, although this part of the game is non-combat. Hawken provides a different spin on traditional competitive FPS games and is well worth trying out if you’re looking for some multiplayer action with a high-tech twist.
#1 Destiny 2
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, Google Stadia
Destiny 2 takes place in a futuristic world that evolves constantly to keep up with the game’s continuing story. This is an interesting style of FPS game as it combines classic shooter action with a multiplayer-based world that shares aspects of role-playing games with its core action-based premise. Players can choose to go it alone and work through the game’s epic story content, take on missions in co-op mode or head straight to high-intensity sci-fi combat action in PvP mode. The scale of Destiny 2 is pretty gigantic and it’s one of those games that has something to offer everyone. If you’re looking for a free FPS game that isn’t strictly limited to battle royale gameplay, then this is definitely one to check out.
