First-person shooter (FPS) games have been a staple of PlayStation consoles for over two decades. The immersive, action-packed gameplay lends itself perfectly to the living room environment. On PlayStation 5, developers are able to create FPS titles that look more realistic and play better than ever before thanks to cutting edge graphics technology and innovative features like haptics and 3D audio.
In determining the absolute best FPS games available on PS5, I weighed factors like critical reception, sales success, technical achievements, and gameplay innovations. The goal was to showcase both established blockbuster franchises that have continued their reign of dominance as well as brand new IP that has made its mark.
10. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
The Call of Duty series hardly needs an introduction at this point. Activision‘s FPS juggernaut has been a consistent force across all PlayStation platforms. Modern Warfare II represents Infinity Ward operating at the peak of its powers, delivering an engrossing single player campaign and continually updated multiplayer modes that have prompted over 25 million players to log in.
On PS5, Modern Warfare II loads significantly faster than the last-gen version and offers a higher resolution experience while maintaining smooth 60fps gameplay. The DualSense controller‘s haptic feedback deepens the immersion – you‘ll feel every recoil, explosion, and crunch in granular detail.
9. DOOM Eternal
id Software‘s reimagining of the iconic DOOM franchise was already widely praised when it hit PS4 in 2020. But playing DOOM Eternal on a PS5 unlocks the game‘s full potential thanks to flawlessly smooth 60fps visuals and drastically reduced load times.
Ripping and tearing your way through hordes of demons from hell has never felt so visceral thanks to the DualSense‘s adaptive triggers, which add palpable tension to each pull of the trigger. DOOM Eternal more than earns its spot among the PS5‘s best shooters.
8. Destiny 2
As a free-to-play looter shooter with a seemingly never-ending stream of new expansions and seasonal content, Destiny 2 has quietly become one of the PS5‘s staple games since it added native support in late 2020. Running at upscaled 4K resolution and 60fps, Destiny 2 has never looked or played better on console.
The PS5 version also takes full advantage of the DualSense controller – firing the game‘s many exotic weapons offers satisfying recoil and tactile feedback. With crossplay support, the PS5 player base continues to grow as Bungie keeps giving Guardians exciting new challenges to undertake.
7. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
2020‘s Call of Duty entry gets a next-gen boost on PS5 with faster load times, improved resolution and frame rate, and striking visual upgrades made possible by ray tracing support. Whether you‘re a multiplayer fanatic or someone who appreciates Treyarch‘s ambitious single player Cold War spy thriller campaign, playing on PS5 is the definitive experience.
Like Modern Warfare II, Cold War heightens the DualSense controller‘s immersive qualities – controlling recoil during intense firefights feels impactful thanks to adaptive triggers. This PS5 upgrade cements Cold War as an upper echelon Call of Duty installment.
6. Returnal
An original and acclaimed new IP, Returnal signaled that bullet hell style shooters have arrived on PlayStation. As an astronaut trapped in a nightmarish time loop, you‘ll die countless times exploring the shape-shifting alien planet of Atropos. But Returnal‘s addictive third-person shooting action and mysterious story make failure exciting.
From the ray traced lighting effects to the instant loading times when you respawn, Returnal is a true PS5 showcase. The DualSense controller‘s haptic feedback and adaptive trigger support evoke a tangible feeling of firing otherworldly weapons. Returnal thrives on PS5 in a way that wouldn‘t be possible on older hardware.
5. Overwatch 2
Blizzard‘s stylish hero shooter built its reputation through competitive 6v6 multiplayer matches, but with its recent free-to-play relaunch on PS5, Overwatch 2 opens up the experience to a wider audience. PS5 enhancements include native 4K resolution and smooth 60fps animations brought to life by the console‘s powerful GPU.
Vibrations from the DualSense controller reflect the differing weapons and abilities employed by the game‘s diverse roster of heroes. Overwatch 2 loads incredibly fast on PS5, getting you into matches quicker without the need for time-consuming patches – a huge upgrade.
4. Wolfenstein: Youngblood
Wolfenstein: Youngblood achieved modest critical success following its 2019 launch, but playing the co-op driven Nazi shooter on PS5 unlocks the true potential at the heart of the game. With the power to run Youngblood at 60fps and a full 4K resolution, no World War II power fantasy has ever looked as sharp on PlayStation.
Whether playing solo or cooperatively, actions like dual wielding AR-15s or unleashing blades hidden up your sleeve feel fantastically visceral thanks to the nuanced haptic feedback effects made possible by the PS5‘s capabilities. This is the definitive way to experience Youngblood‘s adrenaline fueled battles against the Nazi regime.
3. Call of Duty: Vanguard
Often lost in the mix behind Cold War and Modern Warfare II, Call of Duty: Vanguard stands on its own as a fantastic PS5 FPS centered around World War II‘s most significant battles. Gorgeous ray traced visuals breathe new life into historic scenes like the Battle of Stalingrad and Battle of Midway.
Playing Vanguard on PS5 means benefiting from the expected next-gen Call of Duty perks – 60fps performance, drastically reduced load times, and fine tuned gameplay. Firing Vanguard‘s arsenal of period specific weaponry backed by adaptive triggers completes an engaging, immersive experience competing with the FPS elite on PlayStation‘s newest console.
2. Borderlands 3
Gearbox Software‘s zany looter shooter franchise caps off an impressive trilogy with Borderlands 3, which runs best on PS5 whether you‘re looking to laugh through the campaign solo or team up to collect powerful loot. Offering 4K resolution and 60fps, Borderlands has never been this pretty or played this smoothly.
The DualSense controller adds a whole new sensation to Borderlands signature gunplay – firing a billion procedurally generated weapons backed by adaptive triggers makes for a genuinely new way to experience this legendary shooter series. Borderlands 3 marks a true next-gen evolution for the franchise.
1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
The game that kicked off Call of Duty‘s triumphant return to form in 2019 has aged remarkably well thanks to a new lease on life via the PS5. Reloading Modern Warfare today means enjoying 4K resolution, high resolution textures, improved particle effects, and 3D audio. Oh, and blisteringly fast load times, of course.
Racking the slide of a pistol or steadying your aim down an assault rifle scope backed by the DualSense controller‘s finely tuned haptic feedback instantly transports you into Modern Warfare‘s gritty, lifelike battle spaces. This PS5 upgrade takes what was already one of Call of Duty‘s best efforts and elevates it to an even higher echelon.
