Top Multiplayer First Person Shooters

By
Michael Klappenbach
Writer
Former Lifewire writer Michael Klappenbach is an IT professional and an expert on games and gaming equipment.
our editorial process
Michael Klappenbach
Updated July 01, 2019
Call of Duty: Black Ops II gameplay

Activision

First person shooters are far and away the most popular genre in PC gaming with most including both a single player story campaign and a variety of multiplayer game modes. In ranking first-person shooters, many lists out there take into account both the single and multiplayer game modes. This list of Top Multiplayer First Person Shooters is dedicated to those games that excel as a multiplayer first-person shooter only. It does not take into account the single player storyline/campaign whatsoever, no matter how good or bad. My list of top multiplayer first-person shooters includes some of the best, most highly regarded shooters as well as some of my personal favorites.

11
of 11

Quake Live

Quake Live
Quake Live. © id Software
What We Like

  • Amazing online experience.

  • Tier system to indicate the average skill level of players in the game.

  • Action-packed FPS and smooth gameplay.

  • Custom maps.

What We Don't Like

  • Much smaller player base than with other games.

  • No longer free to play.

  • Player achievements/stats deleted during the switch from free to paid status.

  • Too similar to previous Quake games.

Release Date: Aug 6, 2010
Genre: Action, First Person Shooter
Theme: Modern Military
Game Modes: Single player, multi-player
Game Series: Quake

Quake Live is a multiplayer first-person shooter developed by id Software, and it is an update to the classic multiplayer shooter Quake III Arena. The game was released in 2010 and has been updated a number of times since then. The multiplayer aspect of Quake Live is similar to most others, and it contains more than a dozen different game modes such as Free For All, Team Deathmatch and Capture the Flag just to name a few. Quake Live has seen a decline in popularity over the past few years due to the release and update of many of the other games on this list, but it still has a strong following and player base that should provide some fun for both novice and experienced multiplayer fps gamers.

10
of 11

Arma 3

Arma 3 gameplay

Bohemia Interactive
What We Like

  • Massive open-world terrain.

  • Competitive and co-operative multiplayer modes.

  • Lots of customization options.

What We Don't Like

  • Steep learning curve.

  • Inconsistent graphical performance.

  • Realistic war graphics unsuitable for young players.

Release Date: Sep 12, 2013
Genre: Action, First Person Shooter
Theme: Modern Military
Game Modes: Single player, multi-player
Game Series: Arma

Arma 3 is a military tactical first-person shooter that has a great multiplayer component that includes both a competitive multiplayer and a co-operative game mode. The competitive multiplayer modes include support for up to 120 players in a single match (60 vs, 60). The Arma series including Arma 3 has become popular through community mods which enhance the existing game or completely change it into a new first-person shooter. One such popular mod is the Arma2 DayZ mod, a zombie apocalypse survival game which is freely available to download and play for those who own Arma 3. Arma 3 also has the distinction of having the capability to be played in the third-person point of view. The game is also known for its attention to detail and realism with physics and ballistics.

09
of 11

PlanetSide 2

PlanetSide 2 gameplay

Sony Computer Entertainment
What We Like

  • Epic-scale sci-fi warfare.

  • Battles that easily contain hundreds of players.

  • Safe introductory area for newcomers to the game.

What We Don't Like

  • Difficult to learn and few tutorials.

  • Overall progress is slow.

  • Weapons are unreasonably expensive.

Release Date: Nov 20, 2012
Genre: Action, First Person Shooter
Theme: Sci-Fi
Game Modes: Multi-player
Game Series: Planetside

PlanetSide 2 is a free-to-play massively multiplayer first-person shooter released in 2012 as a re-imaging of the original PlanetSide. What sets PlanetSide 2 apart from the other multiplayer first-person shooters in this list is that the game supports thousands of players online in a single large-scale continuous battle. The game features all the hallmarks of a first-person shooter with typical controls and in-game features such as sprinting, jumping and more. Factions, for control of various territories and gaining control, provide bonuses to the faction fighting battles in adjacent. The game features different character classes, each with unique abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. There are a total of three factions and five continents where players battle. PlanetSide 2 is a very fast paced, action-packed game but has limitations due to the fact there is just one game mode to play.

08
of 11

Survarium

Survarium gameplay

Vostok Games
What We Like

  • Detailed environments that are fun and atmospheric.

  • Stunning maps.

  • Similar to post-apocalyptic world of STALKER.

What We Don't Like

  • Relatively small game player pool.

  • Long wait time depending on the server.

  • Graphics and physics need work.

Release Date: Jan 5, 2015 (open Beta)
Genre: Action, First Person Shooter
Theme: Post-Apocalyptic
Game Modes: Multi-player

Survarium is an exciting new multiplayer first-person shooter that combines elements of classic shooters with that of survival and role-playing games. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world that is loosely based on the sci-fi novel Roadside Picnic in which much of the environment has been made uninhabitable.

In the game, players choose a faction to join and then attempt to access supplies and resources needed for their survival. The game includes a Player vs Player mode in which players fight for their faction against other factions. This is the traditional multiplayer first-person shooter element and includes game modes such as Team Deathmatch, Last Stand, Research, and Battery.

In addition to PvP, there is also co-operative and free play modes. With the co-operative model, players must work together in a squad as they try to uncover the cause of the apocalypse. In Free play, players enter a map and have the ability to explore the map, collect supplies and either work together or fight against others. In free play, mode players can also collect items which are saved for use in other modes as long as they are able to exit the map without being killed.

07
of 11

Tribes: Ascend

Tribes: Ascend gameplay

Hi-Rez Studios
What We Like

  • Speed-driven mechanics.

  • Jetpacks and skiing add an interesting new twist.

  • Great resurrection of a classic game series.

What We Don't Like

  • No-voice communications

  • Experience accrues slowly.

  • Needs more teamwork tools.

Release Date: Apr 12, 2012
Genre: Action, First Person Shooter
Theme: Sci-Fi
Game Modes: Multi-player
Game Series: Tribes

Tribes: Ascend, a free-to-play multiplayer first-person shooter, is the latest entry in the Tribes franchise and was released in 2012. Like many other multiplayer shooters, Tribes: Ascend includes a class-based system that has specific weapons and equipment load outs for each class. It also includes special equipment not found in other multiplayer shooters such as skis, jetpacks and more. Tribes: Ascend includes five game modes - Arena, Capture & Hold, Capture the Flag, Team Deathmatch, and Rabbit and a wide variety of maps both large open environments and more close quarters, urban style environments. The game was updated significantly in a patch that was released December 2015 introducing a number of changes to the game-play, graphics and more. This has brought some new life into the multiplayer shooter for many who thought developer Hi-Rez had moved on to other games/projects entirely. In addition, Hi-Rez has also made all of the Tribes game available for free including Tribes, Tribes 2, Tribes: Vengeance and Tribes: Aerial Assault.

06
of 11

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive gameplay

Valve Corporation
What We Like

  • Looks and feels familiar to previous games in the series.

  • Demanding, skills-based game.

  • Sharp new user interface.

What We Don't Like

  • Tough learning curve.

  • Killed players don't respawn until the next game.

Release Date: Aug 21, 2012
Genre: Action, First Person Shooter
Theme: Modern Military
Game Modes: Multi-player
Game Series: Counter-Strike

My number five multiplayer first-person shooter is Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. It is the quintessential multiplayer first-person shooter that is highly regarded by players and critics alike. It is the fourth overall title in the Counter-Strike franchise released in 2012 for Windows, OS X, Linux, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. Cross-platform compatibility exists across Windows, OS X, and Linux platforms. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive includes many of classic Counter-Strike maps from the early days of when it was a Half-Life mod that helped me it popular as well as maps from subsequent releases and all new maps. Players are placed on one of two teams the Terrorists or Counter-Terrorists as each team tries to complete the objectives based on the game mode. At the end of each game, players are awarded in-game cash based on performance which can then be used to purchase new and better weaponry. Counter-Strike includes six different game modes including classic, Bomb, Hostage, Arms Race, Demolition and Deathmatch. There is also offline gameplay available against computer bots in each of the game modes previously listed and a tutorial.

05
of 11

Team Fortress 2

Team Fortress 2 Screenshot
Team Fortress 2 Screenshot. © Valve Corporation
What We Like

  • Several ways to get free weapons.

  • Fast-paced, furious action.

  • Options to turn off blood and social elements.

What We Don't Like

  • Cartoonish visual style not for everyone.

  • Ultra-violent game.

  • Huge download size.

Release Date: Oct 9, 2007
Genre: Action, First Person Shooter
Theme: Modern Military
Game Modes: Multi-player

Team Fortress 2 is the oldest game on my list of top multiplayer first-person shooters, but it is far from dated, in fact, it is more popular than ever since it is continually being updated and was made Free-to-Play back in 2011. The game is a team focused multiplayer first-person shooter. Players have the ability to choose from nine different character classes and fight against each other in a wide array of game modes. The game's premise has a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor with its cartoonish look and over the top size of some of the weapons and characters. The game was originally part of the 2007 Orange Box release that included Half-Life 2 and a number of other game modifications. TF2 is active in the competitive multiplayer arena with leagues worldwide offering prizes in the thousands of dollars for winning teams. The game can be downloaded via Steam and is completely free to play. It contains micro-transitions, which allows players to purchase different weapons and clothing for their characters.

04
of 11

Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2 gameplay

Valve Corporation
What We Like

  • Great four-player action.

  • Hitting zombies with a baseball bat is downright fun.

  • Excellent replay value.

What We Don't Like

  • Difficult game for newbie players.

  • Needs more weapons.

  • Frustrating AI teammates.

Date: Nov 17, 2009

Genre: Action, First Person Shooter

Theme: Survival Horror

Game Modes: Multi-player

Game Series: Left 4 Dead

Left 4 Dead 2 was one of the most highly anticipated games of 2009 and it lived up to lofty expectations fans put on it after the positive reception of the first Left 4 Dead game. Left 4 Dead 2 is also arguably the best co-operative based first person shooter with addictive gameplay that never seems to get old or repetitive. The gameplay pits two teams of four players against each other. One takes on the roles of survivors of a zombie apocalypse and the other takes on the role of a special zombie. The objective of Left 4 Dead 2 is simple – for the zombie team, defeat the survivors before they make it to the safe zone/extraction point. For survivors, fight off hordes of relentless zombies as you make your way through various environments to a safe zone. A full match consists of three to five rounds with each team having a chance to play as survivors or zombies. The game includes a variety of weapons – most for close quarters fighting – that include both firearms and melee weapons.

03
of 11

Call of Duty Black Ops II

Call of Duty Black Ops II Zombies gameplay

Activision
What We Like

  • Awesome competitive online game.

  • Great campaign plot that allows player modifications.

  • New tricks keep gameplay fresh.

What We Don't Like

  • Harder than its predecessors to play.

  • Zombie mode still needs some work.

Release Date: Nov 12, 2012
Genre: Action, First Person Shooter
Theme: Modern Military
Game Modes: Single player, multi-player
Game Series: Call of Duty

The Call of Duty franchise has been putting out blockbluster titles on an annual basis for the past half dozen years or so. The latest installments have received mixed reviews at best in terms of the multiplayer modes, seeming re-hashed from previous releases. Of all the Call of Duty games that have been released since 2003, Call of Duty: Black Ops II stands apart as having the best multiplayer component of the series and is arguably one of the best multiplayer first-person shooter of all time. The game includes the familiar class-based system that allows players to customize a soldiers weapon loadouts as well as appearance. It also includes more than thirty different multiplayer maps and more than 10 game modes and three different levels of play, standard, hardcore, and multi-team. In addition to the competitive multiplayer mode Call of Duty: Black Ops II also includes a story based multiplayer Zombies mode which is a game unto itself and the primary reason for many to purchase the game. Each DLC that has been released expanded upon not only the standard multiplayer but also the Zombies! mode as well.

02
of 11

Battlefield 4

Battlefield 4 gameplay

Electronic Arts
What We Like

  • Impressive and imaginative map design.

  • Spectacular Levolution feature.

  • Extremely violent game aimed at adult players.

What We Don't Like

  • Lackluster campaign storytelling.

  • Not suitable for young players.

Release Date: Oct 29, 2013
Genre: Action, First Person Shooter
Theme: Modern Military
Game Modes: Single player, multi-player
Game Series: Battlefield

Coming in as my top multiplayer first-person shooter is Battlefield 4, released in October 2013. It was quickly praised for its excellent multiplayer component, which includes 13 different game modes which include the very popular conquest, deathmatch, domination and rush game modes that can be found in many other shooters. The game features a class-based system that allows players to choose and develop characters to their liking, create custom loadout weapon kits and more. The game also continues the tradition started in Battlefield: 1942 with a wide array of weaponry and driveable vehicles that take part in combat. The game includes support for up to 64 players in a single match.

01
of 11

Honorable Mentions

While it's impossible to come up with a definitive or absolute list of the best multiplayer shooters, there will always be one or two games left off and not to slight fans of any of the games I thought I would post a few "honorable mentions" that is games that sport a fun multiplayer but may not be in my top tier.