With a combination of RPG looting and fast-paced gunplay, Looter Shooters are currently one of the more popular subgenres of FPS games.
Shooters have been one of the more popular genres in gaming ever since their inception in the early 90s. But nowadays they’ve been split up into many subgenres, each with their own unique gameplay loops. Looters shooters are very self-descriptive, you shoot things and then you gather up their juicy loot in order to upgrade your equipment. But depending on your preferences, there is a wide variety of games, each with its unique spins on the subgenre. If choosing the right one to fit your tastes might prove troublesome, here is some info on some of the best looter shooters you can try out right now.
Deep Rock Galactic
Release Date: February 28, 2018
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Deep Rock Galactic has got you covered if you’ve ever dreamed about mining on alien planets to your heart’s content. Set in a science-fiction universe where Dwarves are exploring the stars, you and a team of three AI or player-controlled characters will have a single mission. And that mission is to gather as many resources as possible while fighting off native species. As you progress into the game, new equipment and abilities will become available for each class. Enemies will also become stronger, forcing you to speed things up if you want to make it out alive. Deep Rock Galactic is best enjoyed with friends since it focuses on correctly combining abilities to achieve success.
Warframe
Release Date: March 25, 2013
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
What started as a small indie project quickly turned into a huge success, with an enormous player base nowadays. Warframe is set in a distant future where the Tenno, an ancient race of warriors awaken on Earth with no memory of their past. With other factions vying for control of the Solar System, it will be up to you to stop them. In order to do this, you can choose between tens of different Warframes, biomechanical exosuits that offer you incredible physical prowess and special abilities. Each of these exosuits offers its own strengths and weaknesses, which can complement each other when in a party. Combat is fast and fierce, with a good mix of melee and ranged combat. If you’re looking for nonstop action, Warframe is definitely one of the best looter shooters out there.
Borderlands 3
Release Date: September 13, 2019
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
The third game in the renowned series, Borderlands 3 pushed the envelope for the entire series further. With the same tongue-in-cheek humor we’ve come to expect from the series, there are vast areas to explore and loot. Guns have the same Diablo-like statistics; this time, there is a virtually infinite number of guns. And to spice things up you also have some of the classic goofy types, like guns that fire other guns and so forth. Each of the four unique classes has its own abilities and skill trees, giving you plenty of freedom in how you want to level your character. And like many of the games on this list, the true Borderlands 3 experience is best shared with a friend.
The Division 2
Release Date: March 15, 2019
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Set in the same near-future post-apocalyptic setting like the first game, The Division 2 expands on a lot of the concepts that made The Division popular. After the genetically engineered virus known as “Green Poison” was released, it’s up to you as an agent of the Strategic Homeland Division to rebuild Washington D.C. You will have to deal with various gangs of outlaws as well as more organized terrorist factions. To help you out you have a vast array of modern firearms, which include SMGs, shotguns, assault rifles, and explosives. To spice things up, the open world also features three Dark Zones, PvP focused areas where up to 12 players can duke it out for some valuable loot. If cover-based shooters are your thing, then The Division 2 should definitely be on your list.
PayDay 2
Release Date: August 13, 2013
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Another game set in Washington D.C., PayDay 2 will let you unleash your inner criminal as you take on various heists. Like most looter shooter games, PayDay 2 features co-op play. And it’s somewhat enforced that you play the game with a group of friends, since coordination is very important, especially on higher difficulties. You can still enjoy the game with randoms on the internet, but it only takes one troll to ruin your heist. And most of the jobs that you take on don’t require you to go in guns blazing. Most can be finished by relying on stealth and a well-coordinated team. As you acquire money and experience, you’ll be able to upgrade your arsenal and unlock new skills that give you various bonuses. If a life of crime sounds enticing, PayDay 2 has got you covered.
Destiny 2
Release Date: September 6, 2017
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Currently considered one of the best looter shooters out there, Destiny 2 has a lot of content to explore. While grinding for gear and XP can be done throughout the main campaign missions, co-op raids offer the best loot. But don’t be fooled, these raids require a lot of know-how and a well-coordinated team to pull off successfully. Players can choose between three classes, each with their own sub-classes that are constantly updated when new content patches come out. And when you grow tired of grinding PvE, you can try out some of the PvP game modes that let you test your power against other players.
While there are plenty of other looter shooters out there, these are some of the best ones that still attract a huge crowd of people on a daily basis. If you’re a fan of all types of shooters, you might be interested in checking out our best extraction shooters and our best battle royale games lists as well.
