Top 10 BEST First Person Shooters of the 2010s

A little bit of old, a little bit of new, and a lot of greatness overall. Developed by MachineGames, “The New Order” was a deliberate effort to mesh classic Wolfenstein elements – health pickups, brutal combat, the decimation of Nazi forces – with the nuances of modern games. What resulted was a poignant tale of a world gone awry, with series hero BJ Blazkowicz returning to try and help liberate humanity from Nazi rule. The series’ patented visceral violence returns, made impressive by the astounding visuals and fun mechanics like dual wielding. Add on a branching storyline built on a powerful early-game choice and a delightfully charismatic supporting cast, and what you have is a classic in the making.

Lots and lots of guns isn’t the only draw here. “Borderlands 2” picks up five years after its predecessor, with the wild world of Pandora being taken over by the Hyperion Corporation. The game dedicates a fair amount of time developing Pandora and its populace, providing equal amounts of chuckle-worthy humour and grim drama as events unfold. The action, meanwhile, retains the original game’s blend of shooting, loot-gathering, online cooperation and light character building while offering a new lineup of playable characters, weapons, and other fresh additions. All that, and the game’s many explorable locales are colourful and varied in design.

Walking the line between fun and meaningfully provocative is a tough act, but somehow this game manages. “Far Cry 3” brings the series back to its island-based action roots, delivering on the promise of a vibrant and chaotic jungle setting. Tight shooting and plentiful strategic options when tackling objectives are married to a narrative that juggles intense combat situations with thoughtful commentary on the impact of violence on the human psyche. Every set-piece is layered with complex emotions, every brilliant explosion or gunfight given a darker edge by the game’s cast of increasingly unhinged yet effortlessly endearing characters. The definition of insanity has never been quite so enticing to explore.

As Bungie’s final installment in the “Halo” franchise, this title delivers both as a distinct work and as a powerful distillation of what came before. Chronicling the final hours of the titular human colony, “Halo: Reach” tasks players with pushing through mission after mission in defense of humanity, battling the invading Covenant army right to the bitter end. The campaign never slows down as it charges forth towards tragedy, bolstered by tweaks to the existing weapon set and the addition of reusable armour abilities. “Reach” also offers players a refined selection of multiplayer modes and the much-improved Forge map editor, catering to those seeking creative expression and the chance to craft their own experiences.

Live for the squad, die for the squad. Building on the lessons learned from 2008’s “Battlefield: Bad Company”, the sequel comes across as a tighter, more competent shooter. From the exquisitely detailed maps to the impressive freedom of equipment selection, “Bad Company 2” presents a multiplayer suite that is packed with quality content and countless options in terms of strategy. That the game also offers a splendid collection of maps – jungles, snowy forests, abandoned streets – and the chance for anarchic destruction of property thanks to its Frostbite engine is an appreciable bonus. Of course, Battlefield 1 was a prime contender for this spot, but we’re going to have to wait to see if it had the same lasting impact that BC2 did.

Though the original “Black Ops” certainly does have its strengths, the qualities of its sequel are too great to ignore. “Black Ops II” marks the first instance in the “Call of Duty” franchise where non-linear play and branching paths are part of the main campaign. Split between the 1980s and 2025, the game’s story sends players through an emotionally-wrought series of levels, touching lightly on social and political matters while delivering brutality at every step. Aside from the campaign, “Black Ops II” also offers an expanded Zombies mode – complete with its own intriguing mythos – and a robust multiplayer suite built on the brilliant Pick 10 loadout system. From start to finish, this is a tight, adrenaline-driven experience.

Bird or cage – what do you choose, and does the choice matter? This question lies at the heart of “Bioshock Infinite”, which places you in the role of ex-Pinkerton agent Booker DeWitt and tosses you into the floating city of Columbia. The subsequent experience is one rooted in constant brutal combat, blending superpower-esque Vigors with era-inspired weapons and tinged with themes of personal freedom, the nature of reality, and escape from sins. “Infinite” showcases its big ideas and creeping horrors with a deceptively cartoon-like style, made all the more vibrant yet deliberately manipulative by masterful lighting, warm colours, and top-notch sound design.

Sometimes all you need is a lean, mean, fighting machine. Case in point: “Global Offensive” opted to refine the “Counter-Strike” games’ time-honored tactical shooting and emphasis on quick play. It presents maps familiar and unique to this game, introduces new modes such as Arms Race, and brings in a handful of new weapons like the firebomb. However, the main priority of “Global Offensive” is polishing the formula; the gunplay is tighter, maps benefit from cleaner visual design, and swift reflexes and knowledge of one’s weapons remain key. Plus, there’s a certain amount of fun to be had messing around with cosmetic items and additional content courtesy of the Steam Workshop.

The start of a new franchise for Blizzard Entertainment, “Overwatch” has quickly established itself as a formidable competitor in the online shooter scene. Selecting from one of over 20 personable and unique heroes, players are then sent into frantic six-on-six matches to complete a certain goal. Every map, character model and minute detail of “Overwatch” is breathtaking, which complements the energetic firefights nicely. With obtainable skins and victory poses earned through continued play, the game also rewards player engagement over time and makes it easier to connect with the game’s unbelievably likable world.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

“Killzone 3” (2011)

“Titanfall 2” (2016)

“Destiny” (2014)

Welcome back, id software ... we missed you. “DOOM” is something of an oddity in the modern shooter scene, having the stylish and glossy presentation of today serve as the foundation for old-school combat and creature design. This soft reboot of the franchise puts you in the shoes of the fabled Doom Slayer, and sends you out to slaughter every demon in sight and close the gates of Hell. So many aspects of “DOOM” work well in unison – the excessive Glory Kills, the irreverent story angle, the blistering pace of movement, the big and deadly collection of guns. And that’s without getting into the loving nods to series continuity or the game’s SnapMap and multiplayer modes. Rip and tear away.

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