As a dedicated FPS player, 2025 has been an absolute whirlwind of gunfire, demons, and explosive action. It's a year where titans returned to form, classics got a new coat of paint, and indie gems carved out their own space in the genre. Looking back, it's hard to pinpoint a single defining moment, but rather a collection of experiences that reaffirmed why I love first-person shooters. The pure, unadulterated chaos of sprawling battles, the tense, heart-pounding moments of survival, and the satisfying click of a perfect headshot—it's all been here this year. Let me take you through the games that defined my 2025, from the colossal mainstream hits to the brilliant niche titles that deserve more attention.
For me, the crown jewel of pure, large-scale FPS chaos has undoubtedly been Battlefield 6. This feels like a true return to form for the series, recapturing the magic that made me fall in love with it years ago. The scale, the destruction, and the sheer pandemonium of 128-player matches are unmatched. It's the highest-selling game of the year for a reason! 🤯 The new leadership under Vince Zampella has steered it toward a solid live-service model with rolling seasonal content, which feels much more modern than the old expansion pack system. While it did split the community a bit—with some veterans preferring the older, larger maps—the fast-paced action on slightly smaller battlegrounds has been incredibly addictive for me. The fact that it comes with free-to-play modes like the RedSec battle royale and the Gauntlet objective mode is just the cherry on top. Battlefield 6 has cemented itself as my go-to game for when I just want to dive into absolute mayhem.
However, 2025 wasn't just about the new. It was a fantastic year for revisiting and revitalizing the classics. The System Shock 2 Remaster was a personal highlight. Playing the definitive version of this genre-defining masterpiece on modern hardware, without any modding hassle, was a dream come true. Yes, it's still as clunky and unforgiving as it was in the last century, but that's part of its charm! The oppressive atmosphere, the brilliant sound design, and the deep RPG systems layered onto the FPS foundation are as potent as ever. It's a powerful reminder of where so many of our favorite modern games got their ideas.
Speaking of classics with a twist, Doom: The Dark Ages was another massive win. As a prequel to the 2016 reboot and Doom Eternal, it took the formula in a slightly different, more medieval direction. I loved the increased weapon freedom and the new parrying mechanic, which added a fresh layer of depth to my demon-slaying routine. While it might not quite reach the sublime heights of Doom Eternal (Mick Gordon's soundtrack is a tough act to follow!), it's an absolutely stellar shooter in its own right. The fact that it's on Game Pass made it an instant download and an easy recommendation to all my friends.
Let's talk about some of the brilliant titles that flew a bit under the radar this year. Metal Eden from Reikon Games is a stylish, fast-paced sci-fi shooter that deserves so much more praise. It looks visually stunning, plays like a dream with its slick, Doom-inspired gunplay, and it's a perfectly concise experience. In a year packed with endless live-service games, having a polished, in-and-out campaign was a genuine blessing. My colleague perfectly described it as a mix of Doom and Ghostrunner, and that's exactly the adrenaline rush it delivers.
Then there's Wizordum, a fantastic indie gem from Emberheart Games. This little game masterfully fuses the spirit of classic '90s boomer shooters with modern sensibilities. Blasting through its maps with an arsenal of creative spells instead of guns was an absolute joy. The pixel-art style and chiptune music are incredible, and hunting for secrets in the world of Terrabruma felt both nostalgic and completely new. It's proof that innovative ideas are still thriving in the FPS space.
Of course, the year had its heavy hitters and talking points. The long-awaited Escape From Tarkov 1.0 finally arrived after nearly a decade. While its launch was somewhat overshadowed, finally reaching a "full release" with a new overarching story and the literal ability to "escape from Tarkov" was a milestone for extraction shooters. The new guns, attachments, and map were a welcome addition for us hardened veterans.
The Call of Duty machine rolled on with Black Ops 7 (or Blops 7, as it's unfortunately called). Its multiplayer has been widely praised as the best in years, especially after Treyarch removed skill-based matchmaking—a move the community seems to universally love. The camo grind remains as compulsive as ever. 😅 However, the campaign... well, let's just say it's become the punchline of many jokes. Fighting a giant head and causing machetes to rain from the sky might be fun in a chaotic way, but it's a far cry from the narrative heights of the original Black Ops. It feels like the series has prioritized scale over coherent innovation in its single-player offering.
Similarly, Borderlands 4 was a lesson in potential hampered by technical issues. For those who could run it, the upgraded UI, movement, and gunplay made it feel like a proper modern sequel. But for many, including myself initially, performance problems, crashes, and save-wiping bugs made it a frustrating experience. It's a reminder that a great core game can be severely let down by its technical execution.
My 2025 FPS Standouts at a Glance
| Game | Category | My Take |
|---|---|---|
| Battlefield 6 🏆 | Mainstream Titan | The king of large-scale chaos. A triumphant return to form. |
| Doom: The Dark Ages 🔥 | AAA Powerhouse | Brutal, fast, and innovative. A must-play for action fans. |
| System Shock 2 Remaster 🧠 | Classic Revived | The definitive way to experience a genre-defining masterpiece. |
| Metal Eden ⚡ | Underrated Gem | A slick, gorgeous, and satisfying sci-fi thrill ride. |
| Wizordum ✨ | Indie Darling | Pure, spell-slinging fun that oozes retro charm and creativity. |
| Black Ops 7 🎯 | Mixed Bag | Top-tier multiplayer let down by a nonsensical campaign. |
| Escape From Tarkov 1.0 🎒 | Genre Pillar | A landmark full release for the extraction shooter pioneer. |
| Borderlands 4 ⚠️ | Flawed Sequel | Great shooter mechanics buried under a mountain of technical problems. |
Reflecting on the year, what stands out is the incredible diversity within the genre. We had:
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The Blockbuster Chaos of Battlefield 6.
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The Polished AAA Demon-Slaying of Doom: The Dark Ages.
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The Tense Extraction of Escape From Tarkov.
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The Retro Revival of System Shock 2 and Wizordum.
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The Stylish Indie Experience of Metal Eden.
It's this variety that keeps the genre exciting. While the live-service model dominates the mainstream conversation, there's still immense value and success in shorter, focused experiences and lovingly crafted remasters. 2025 proved that the FPS genre is not a monolith; it's a vibrant ecosystem catering to every type of player, from the battle-hardened veteran to the newcomer looking for a quick, satisfying blast. As I look ahead, I'm excited to see where Battlefield 6's live service goes, what new indies will surprise us, and how the lessons of this year will shape the shooters of 2026. For now, I've got some more demons to slay and flags to capture. See you on the battlefield! 💥