Best of the Generation: The Top 10 FPS Games on the PS4 and Xbox One
Over the years, gamers have had no shortage of FPS games on the Xbox One and PS4. The Call of Duty franchise alone, for example, has launched more than half a dozen different games during this console generation. With the upcoming release of the PS5 and Xbox Series X, and the beginning of a new generation, we are looking back to identify the best games of the generation. We recently took a look at the best RPGs of the generation, and today, we’re turning our focus on the best FPS games.
For the purpose of this listing, it’s important to note that we’re not including every game that’s available on the Xbox One and PS4. Rather, we’re looking only at games which originally launched during this console generation. (i.e. we’re not including older games which were ported to the current-generation, remastered, or made available through backwards compatibility.) So with that out of the way, here’s our pick for the best FPS games on the PS4/Xbox One!
The Best FPS Games on PS4 and Xbox One
#10 – Halo 5: Guardians
With the exception of remastered releases of older games, Halo 5: Guardians is the only Halo game to have launched on the current console generation. Halo Infinite, the next game in the franchise, is due to release later this year. However, it is expected to be a launch title for the Xbox Series X. Although the reaction among reviewers and fans to Halo 5 was somewhat mixed compared to previous Halo installments, Guardians nonetheless ranks higher than many other shooters from other franchises; ensuring that Halo remains among the most popular FPS games in modern gaming.
#9 – Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus
The sequel to MachineGames’ 2014’s Wolfenstein: The New Order; The New Colossus launched for the PS4 and Xbox One back in October of 2017. While the original Wolfenstein remake was highly-praised by fans and reviewers alike, the sequel received an even better reception. The game went on to win “Best Action Game” at the 2017 Game Awards, while IGN’s Best of E3 2017 awards named it “Best Shooter”. Unfortunately, the 2019 spin-off Wolfenstein: Youngblood had a much more lukewarm reception. Criticism tended to focus on its story and campaign missions rather than its gunplay, however, which was little changed from The New Colossus.
#8 – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
The 2019 remake and reboot of the Modern Warfare series, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare has become the most successful Call of Duty game on the current console generation. While review scores for the game are mostly favourable, Activision has revealed that gamers are spending more time on average playing it than they spent playing any other Call of Duty on the Xbox One and PS4; thus suggesting that it’s doing an excellent job of keeping players engaged over time. The game’s aggressive and consistent content release schedule is likely to be the primary reason for this. Indeed, the game’s second post-launch Season is due to begin in just a few days’ time.
#7 – Metro Exodus
Despite pre-launch criticism from certain fans prior to the game’s release, as a result of the decision by publisher Deep Silver to make Metro Exodus a one-year timed PC exclusive on the Epic Games Store, the game went on to become the best-selling game in the franchise’s history. Exodus sold more than 50% more copies than Metro: Last Light and received mostly positive reviews. The game’s weapon customisation system and realistic gunplay in particular more than earn Exodus a spot as one of the best shooters of this generation. Although it was nominated for Best Action Game at the 2019 Game Awards, it lost out to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. (The game which also won Game of the Year.)
#6 – Doom
Id Software’s 2016 remake (and reboot) of one of the most classic games of all time, Doom received near-critical acclaim from both gamers and reviewers. Indeed, it easily won “Best Action Game” at the 2016 Game Awards. Focusing heavily on its single-player campaign over multiplayer, Doom was able to revive a style of gameplay which was considered mostly outdated at the time of release; the same style which had made the original game so enduringly beloved. A sequel, Doom Eternal, is due to release in March of this year. However, it remains to be seen whether it will be as well-received as the 2016 title.
#5 – Destiny 2
One of the most enduringly successful triple-A releases of the latter half of the current console generation; Destiny 2 brought a number of notable improvements over the original. Featuring a better story, a clear villain, and new mechanics, Destiny 2 was the second highest-grossing game of 2017. (Only falling behind Call of Duty: WWII.) However, what makes it the #5 Best FPS game on our list is the amount of support and improvements that have gone into the game post-launch. After all, it’s no coincidence that Destiny 2 won “Best Community Support” at the 2019 Game Awards. Bungie has consistently catered to their enormous fanbase since launch, both with ongoing content updates and major expansions.
#4 – Battlefield 1
One of the most commercially successful games in the Battlefield franchise, Battlefield 1 launched on consoles in October 2016. The decision to take the game back to World War I, a time period which has generally been avoided by historical shooters in favour of WWII, also helped the game to stand out. It received very favourable reviews in most quarters and even won “Best Action Game” in the Game Critics Awards 2016. The game’s single-player “War Stories” campaign also received significant praise from reviewers. Indeed, it established a format which DICE would go on to replicate in Battlefield 5.
#3 – Apex Legends
Winner of “Best Multiplayer Game” at the 2019 Game Awards; Apex Legends has seen both incredible highs and lows since its launch in early 2019. The game’s release, devoid of any real marketing, resulted in explosive interest; the game attracted over 50 million players in its first month alone! However, just a few months later, that total had dropped to barely 8 million. Despite the slump, Respawn has consistently brought new content and improvements to both multiplayer and Ranked Play. This hard work has certainly paid off, with the game attracting around 70 million players per week as of October 2019. With the recent launch of Season 4, the game’s success seems likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
#2 – Overwatch
Very few FPS games receive what can be accurately described as “critical acclaim,” when they launch. Of course, the FPS audience tends to be highly critical and often polarised. Moreover, the FPS formula can sometimes feel unoriginal in the eyes of reviewers. However, Overwatch enjoyed both commercial and critical success when it launched in 2016. It swept the 2016 Game Awards, winning Game of the Year, Best Multiplayer, and more. In fact, it won the Best eSports Game award in 2016, 2017, and 2018! Moreover, the game’s popularity has been incredibly resilient; even in November 2019 the game was still attracting around 50 million players. Of late, interest has shifted towards other newer releases like Apex Legends and Modern Warfare; as to be expected for any older title. However, gamers should expect a big resurgence for the franchise with the release of Overwatch 2.
#1 – Titanfall 2
Perhaps unusually, our #1 pick for the Best FPS game on the PS4 and Xbox One is a game which, commercially, was inarguably a failure. Largely due to EA’s disastrous decision to launch Titanfall 2 alongside both Battlefield 1 and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare; the game’s sales fell far short of targets and it went largely unnoticed by many gamers. However, the game received very positive reviews, with praise focusing especially on its single-player campaign, mobility, and gunplay. (Indeed, the game’s movement and gunplay mechanics would go on to heavily influence Apex Legends.)
If there’s one FPS title which gamers should play before the launch of the next generation of consoles, it is, without a doubt, Titanfall 2. First-person shooters these days do not tend to be associated with strong, single-player narratives. Rather, they tend to focus more on competitive multiplayer and battle royale modes. However, with the success of major triple-A narrative games like God of War, Marvel’s Spider-Man, and Respawn’s own Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, perhaps a Titanfall 3 project might finally get the chance it deserves on the next-generation of consoles.