FPS games all have one thing in common: guns. It doesn't matter if it's a sci-fi adventure or a more grounded PvP experience; the weapons players use are always front and center and a big deciding factor in how fun the gameplay actually is. Oftentimes, a game can have a mostly satisfying gameplay loop, but without a good set of armaments to wield, things can get tiring pretty quickly.
However, some FPS games manage to nail the guns in just about every way possible, letting players pick up everything from plasma rifles to beefy revolvers, with every single one feeling just as rewarding as the last. This also means that not only do different playstyles all work just as well, but that there is so much choice on offer that, no matter what, there will always be another gun for players to enjoy.
Deadzone: Rogue
Fast Fights Right From The Get-Go
- Roguelike loop with meaningful upgrades.
- Weapons offer unique buffs and synergies.
Deadzone: Rogue is a very different kind of FPS game. Players enter a series of runs across an overrun spaceship, all in the hopes of uncovering the truth. From the moment a run starts, players are thrown straight into the action, with enough movement and power to easily cut through early rooms, but things only get harder from there.
As they pick up and upgrade their arsenal, it is very clear that weapon classes and types can all function just as well, with some having clear strengths over others in various scenarios. Snipers can be a great way of slowly picking off enemies from afar, while even melee-focused loadouts can find success, ensuring that no matter what weapon hits the ground, it can always be useful.
Titanfall 2
Movement At The Heart Of Every Gunfight
- Precise shooting even at high speeds.
- Huge emphasis on momentum.
Few shooters balance movement and weapon feel as well as Titanfall 2. The game’s fast parkour mechanics create a combat rhythm where weapons must feel responsive while players move at high speeds. Fortunately, nearly every gun in the game delivers a satisfying feel that extends from the gameplay to the audio feedback from every bullet fired.
Even the simplest rifles feel great thanks to tight hit detection and sharp animations, and the variety of weapons also complements the game’s movement system, letting players adapt their playstyle depending on the map and situation. On top of all that, players can access a range of different Titans, all of which come with strengths and weaknesses, adding even more range and depth to an already deep pool of arms.
Borderlands 4
Literally Billions Of Weapons To Find
- Distinct weapon types and perks.
- Constant swapping to higher-powered arms.
Borderlands 4 is an unapologetic looter shooter that raised the bar by letting players find and discover over a billion different gun combinations, all within a single playthrough. Because of how progression works, players will often find themselves picking up and swapping to stronger guns in the middle of a fight, and regardless of what they end up with, they will always feel satisfied and ready for another battle.
The biggest thing about guns in Borderlands 4 is the manufacturers, who each offer a different bonus regardless of the weapon class. Some let players charge up their shots and unload them all at once, while others, like the fan-favorite Jakobs guns, make bullets ricochet to nearby enemies, transforming how virtually any weapon functions solely due to random drop chances.
Team Fortress 2
Satisfying Beyond Belief
- Weighty primary and side-grade weapons.
- Range of utility and gimmick guns.
Team Fortress 2 is well-known for many things, but one of the most underrated parts of the game is the guns. Across all nine classes, it is hard to find a single useless weapon, both in the default and unlockable lists. When it comes to the power level of each set, players will soon realize that the standard guns are often the go-tos, while many of the additional ones offer utility or playstyle changes rather than direct upgrades.
Snipers may be tired of getting backstabbed, so they can equip a shield, but the trade-off means losing their SMG. Soldiers might want lower rocket jump damage, swapping out the shotgun for more mobility. In each of these cases, it doesn't feel like the weapon is a direct replacement, just an optional playstyle that players can choose to adopt or not, with all of them being equally enjoyable, as well as equally strong.
Gunfire Reborn
Creating Synergies Over Time
- Elemental combos are built throughout a run.
- Unique mechanics within weapon classes.
Gunfire Reborn combines roguelike progression with surprisingly polished gunplay that ensures players can feel satisfied with their guns over the course of an entire run. Every weapon type feels distinct, from rapid-fire SMGs to explosive launchers, and despite some clear winners in the DPS department, any gun can work well for the player.
The game shines through its synergy system, where character abilities and elemental interactions combine to create builds where a simple gun can become incredibly powerful by the end of a run. Because of that flexibility, players are encouraged to experiment constantly rather than stick to a single weapon archetype. That constant swapping of styles means that even after dozens of runs, there is still so much more to see and experience.
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This article originally appeared on GameRant and is republished here with permission.
