top shooters

Anticipated shooters coming out in 2025 that will refresh the genre

Home » blog » Anticipated shooters coming out in 2025 that will refresh the genre

In 2025, the world of video games is expecting a real storm of cool new products. The best studios are targeting ambitious projects that promise incredible gameplay and new dimensions of immersion. In this article, we will tell you about the most hotly anticipated shooters of the coming year, which simply cannot go unnoticed.

Mouse: P.I. For Hire – when a mouse takes aim at enemies

Mouse: P.I. For Hire takes the participant into the criminal world, where a cute but dangerous mouse detective unravels dark cases. The gameplay is a mixture of stealth, open firefights and puzzles, creating a unique pace and atmosphere. Players get full control over a mouse character who uses agility and cunning to bypass guards, find evidence and eliminate opponents. Slowing down time, which helps to aim more accurately or stealthily pass by dangerous areas. The developers also added a “truth serum” system, with the help of which the mouse forces the villains to share information.

Graphics and visual style

The graphics are striking in their cartoonish detail. The visual style resembles a mixture of film noir and Disney – it feels like you are watching a living comic book. The character animation is top-notch, which adds depth to each scene. The game also surprises with its lighting – beams of light coming through the windows of an old warehouse make the atmosphere more immersive and realistic. The shadow system emphasizes the stealth elements, and each texture looks carefully designed.

Borderlands 4 – a continuation of the epic story in a crazy universe

Borderlands 4, one of the expected shooters of 2025, promises to send users to the desert lands of Pandora, where events unfold after the fall of the Hyperion corporation. The story continues the story of the surviving Vault Hunters, who now find themselves in the center of a new intrigue – the search for an ancient artifact that can control consciousness. The plot is full of signature humor: sarcastic dialogues, unexpected jokes and eccentric characters. The wayward robot Claptrap returns again to delight everyone with his endless chatter and jokes on the verge of absurdity.

Gameplay and features

The classic gameplay of the series has remained unchanged: players are immersed in a world of chaos, full of an insane amount of weapons and various enemies. But Borderlands 4 has some innovations – participants can combine weapons, create unique hybrids that combine different properties. For example, a rifle that shoots acid charges and turns into a flamethrower at close range. A new cooperative mode for four participants has also been added, where they carry out joint missions and make tactical decisions.

Atomfall — a nuclear post-apocalypse in the style of cyberpunk

Atomfall takes users to a post-apocalyptic world where technology is mixed with radioactive wastelands. Players explore a huge open world, which is divided into several regions – from megacities to destroyed factories. Expected innovations in the shooter gameplay include the ability to hack opponents and the environment to gain an advantage. The city ruins are inhabited by bandits, cyborgs and mutants, and every corner of the world hides its own history.

Multiplayer mode

Atomfall offers a rich online mode, where the active heroes can fight with other users or team up to complete missions. In co-op, participants can distribute roles – one takes on tactics, another hacks systems, and the third goes into a frontal attack. A special feature of the multiplayer is the ability to create temporary alliances with other groups to confront particularly powerful enemies.

Weapons and gadgets

The weapons arsenal is impressive: flamethrowers, electric guns and even radioactive grenades. Gadgets complement the characters’ capabilities – you can use reconnaissance drones, install turrets or use exoskeletons that increase strength. Weapons can be modified, add elements of cyber technology to increase their effectiveness in combat.

Gears of War: E-Day — the starting point of the story

Gears of War: E-Day offers an immersion into the events preceding the beginning of the entire saga. The review of the new game tells how the Locusts rose to the surface and began a massive offensive in the shooter. The campaign is an emotional journey through the chaos of the first days of the war, where players see how humanity is faced with a new threat. Characters lose loved ones, fight for survival and do everything possible to stop the invasion.

Gameplay and tactics

Gears of War: E-Day gameplay is focused on tactical elements – participants are constantly looking for cover, using grenades to clear paths and coordinating with allies. The developers added a new mechanic – the use of drones to reconnoiter the territory and find the best routes of movement. There was also a system of “combat orders” that allows you to give instructions to partners.

Levels and locations

The game’s locations surprise with their diversity: from ruined cities to underground Locust caves. Each level contains many shelters, interactive elements and hidden routes that can be used for a tactical advantage. Creative location design helps maintain the dynamics of battles and involves participants in each battle.

Doom: The Dark Ages – a battle for the Middle Ages

First-person shooters in a medieval setting are extremely rare, but Doom: The Dark Ages, expected in 2025, decided to take a risk. Now the familiar world of Doom moves the action to an alternative past, where demons captured medieval Europe. The heroes make their way through dark forests, ancient castles and dungeons stuffed with traps. The influence of time is felt in everything – from weapons to the architecture of the locations.

Weapons – from a sword to a crossbow

The weapons in Doom: The Dark Ages are truly surprising. Instead of the usual plasma rifles, players get crossbows, swords, and even alchemical grenades. Each weapon has its own characteristics – crossbows can pierce armor, and swords allow you to perform powerful attacks with a swing. Modifications that add fire or ice effects are also available, which helps diversify combat tactics.

Max Payne is back: a remake of the first and second parts

Max Payne is back in action, and the remake of the first two parts retains the signature style of “bullet time”. Users feel complete immersion when they slow down time to dodge bullets and respond with accurate shots. The gameplay has become smoother thanks to modern technology, and the controls have been improved for maximum comfort.

Plot and atmosphere

The developers have retained the gloomy atmosphere of the original – the story is still full of pain, revenge, and melancholy. Max is forced to look for answers again, and the path to the truth turns out to be full of dangers. The atmosphere conveys the hopelessness of a big city, where every corner hides its secrets. Improved cutscenes help to reveal deeper storylines and emotions of characters.

Visual and audio improvements

The graphics of the remake are striking in their realism: lighting, textures and effects are made in such a way that the game feels like a modern action movie. The soundtrack has also changed – now every shot, step and Max’s line sounds more voluminous, adding depth to perception.

What awaits us in 2025

2025 promises to be an outstanding year for fans of the genre. Studios have prepared powerful projects, each of which brings something unique and fresh. The expected shooters can not only entertain, but also set new standards of quality and innovation.

Related posts

A free-to-play shooter from Astrum Entertainment has already attracted the attention of gamers at the announcement stage. The project promises to be a dynamic PvPvE action game with elements of tactical interaction and a high-paced combat system. Given the active interest in the game, the developers have launched a beta test of the NCORE shooter to test the mechanics, balance, and server-side aspects of the concept before its official release.

NCORE Shooter Alpha Test: First Impressions and Goals

The alpha testing of the NCORE shooter started with limited access, and only registered users on the official website received invitations. The main goal was to test the class balance, server performance, and identify possible errors in the battle mechanics.

Astrum Entertainment immediately announced that player feedback would be taken into account during the final development of the gameplay elements. Therefore, testers were encouraged to not only participate in battles but also fill out feedback forms on the key mechanics of the project.

The alpha test featured three main game modes:

  1. Classic PvP (5v5) – team battles in limited arenas with the ability to choose different classes.
  2. PvPvE mode is a mix of player-to-player battles and battles against AI-controlled opponents.
  3. Point control is a mode that involves capturing and holding key positions on the map.

NCORE Gameplay: Dynamics, Mechanics, and Weapons

The project combines the mechanics of dynamic arena shooters with a tactical approach. Character classes play an important role, with differences in movement speed, defense, and weapons. Users have praised the responsive shooting experience and the realistic weapon ballistics. The combat arsenal includes:

  1. Assault rifles are a versatile option for medium-range combat.
  2. Sniper rifles are effective at long distances, but require precise aiming.
  3. SMGs and shotguns are the best choice for fighting in confined spaces.
  4. Tactical gadgets include reconnaissance drones, smoke grenades, and mines.

All weapons can be upgraded by installing scopes, silencers, and additional accessories.

Features of combat mechanics:

  1. Rolling and sprinting for mobility in firefights.
  2. Interaction with the environment (cover, destructible objects).
  3. Dynamic weather changes that affect the visibility and behavior of AI opponents.

In PvPvE mode, players have to fight not only against each other, but also against enemies controlled by artificial intelligence. AI demonstrates advanced tactics, such as surrounding opponents, using grenades, and taking advantageous positions.

Optimization and technical state of the game during the alpha test

The developers provided the test participants with the technical specifications of the NCORE shooter game. The optimization at an early stage left a good impression — even on average systems, the product produced a stable 60 frames per second with average graphics settings.

Minimum system requirements for NCORE :

  1. OS: Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit).
  2. Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600.
  3. RAM: 8 GB.
  4. Video card: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD RX 580 (6 GB VRAM).
  5. Storage: 50 GB SSD.

Recommended NCORE system Requirements:

  1. Processor: Intel Core i7-9700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X.
  2. RAM: 16 GB.
  3. Video card: NVIDIA RTX 3060 / AMD RX 6700 XT (8 GB VRAM).
  4. Storage: 100 GB SSD.

What flaws were identified during the testing of the NCORE shooter?

Despite the positive feedback from the NCORE shooter testers, the alpha version of the project did not come without a number of technical issues and gameplay imbalances. Astrum Entertainment developers actively collected feedback from players to address the shortcomings by the time of release.

FPS drawdowns and technical problems

One of the main complaints from users was the unpredictable drops in FPS during large-scale gunfights. This issue was particularly prevalent in PvPvE mode, where a large number of enemies appeared on the screen. For example, on densely populated maps, the frame rate could drop from 90 FPS to 45 FPS, causing discomfort during intense gunfights.

Reasons:

  1. High CPU usage due to advanced AI enemy control.
  2. Server limitations — there were occasional synchronization delays, which affected the smoothness of character movements.
  3. Lighting optimization — in some locations, the video card was overloaded due to excessive use of dynamic lighting.

The developers have confirmed that future updates will include additional server infrastructure optimizations and effects rendering improvements to enhance FPS stability.

Unbalanced weapons and shooting mechanics

During the alpha testing of the NCORE shooter, some weapons proved to be too effective, leading to an imbalance in PvP battles. Players noted that certain assault rifle models dealt excessive damage even at long distances, while submachine guns and shotguns were virtually useless.

Examples:

  1. High-rate weapons had extremely low recoil, making them easy to control.
  2. Armor-piercing bullets were not working properly — some types of armor completely ignored damage, while light armor took more damage than expected.
  3. The rapid reloading of sniper rifles made them overly dominant in team fights.

Astrum Entertainment has already confirmed that rebalancing weapon stats will be one of the key objectives before the open beta test.

When will the release date of NCORE be announced?

After the successful alpha testing of the NCORE shooter, the release date has been officially confirmed by the developers. The final release of the game is scheduled for the second quarter of 2025. Prior to this, an open beta test is expected, which will allow players to test the updated mechanics and fixed bugs. According to preliminary information, the open beta test will begin 2-3 months before the release, providing players with an opportunity to experience the improved version of the game.

Conclusion

The project has proven to be a promising arena shooter with dynamic gameplay and tactical options. The successful combination of PvP and PvPvE modes makes the game interesting for both competitive players and those who enjoy cooperative battles. Testing has confirmed that the NCORE shooter has good optimization, responsive controls, and engaging mechanics. The developers are actively working on balancing and addressing any identified issues. Therefore, the game’s release is highly anticipated.

The video game industry is rapidly evolving, offering more and more genres and mechanics. The selection of the best shooters is always relevant. FPS-games give you a sense of the tension of battle, tactics and dynamics of shootouts. In recent years, the genre has changed a lot. Modern projects impress with special effects, realistic physics and intelligent AI enemies. Some shooters require tactics, others rely on speed, and others offer a deep plot and cinematography.

Choosing the perfect shooter depends on a variety of factors. It is important to consider the game style, platform and interest in multiplayer battles or story campaigns. The selection of the best shooters includes classic hits, modern blockbusters and promising new products. Let’s take a look at the top shooters worth trying in 2025.

How to choose the perfect shooter

The gameplay of combat action games can vary greatly. Some games require tactics, realistic physics and discipline. Others, on the contrary, offer chaos and high dynamics.

Counter-Strike 2 is a classic example of a competitive tactical shooter, where every move must be calibrated and reaction must be lightning fast. Different styles of combat can be cautious or aggressive. It is important to understand weapon mechanics, map features and strategy. In the game you need to aim quickly, use grenades correctly, keep an eye on the economics of the round and work as a team.

A completely opposite approach is taken by Bulletstorm, an action game that relies on spectacle and creativity. Here, the standard methods of combat are relegated to the background, giving way to style kills, acrobatic techniques and destruction of the environment. The use of the whip to pull up enemies, combo system and various kills makes the game special among classic FPS.

The movement dynamics also have a strong impact on gameplay. Serious Sam: The First Encounter offers arcade mechanics where the player is forced to constantly move, manoeuvre and shoot back waves of enemies with no time to respawn.

In contrast, PUBG: Battlegrounds (Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds) is based on realism: shooting requires precise calculation of the trajectory of the bullet, taking into account ballistics and gravity. It is important to shoot accurately and choose the right position, take into account the shelter and plan the route of movement.

Understanding these differences will help you choose an option among the selection of the best shooters, focusing on personal preferences in gameplay.

Network battles or single-player adventure

The choice between PvP and single-player campaign directly affects the perception of a shooter. While in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege team play and planning are important, inMetro Exodusthe emphasis is on atmosphere, story and character development. Kane & Lynch: Dead Men combines both aspects, offering co-operative gameplay and a grim crime story. The selection of the best shooters includes single-player and multiplayer projects so that everyone can choose the best option.

Shooter legends: iconic games not to be missed

Explosive action and tactics: a selection of the best shooters for PC, consoles and smartphonesTitanfall 2 proved that vertical gameplay can make firefights more interesting. The use of mechs, parkour and instant change of tactics make it a benchmark of dynamic FPS.

Hunt: Showdown combines PvP and PvE in one format. Players fight each other and hunt monsters. Stealth and sounds of the surrounding world play an important role.

It’s hard to imagine a modern FPS without Half-Life 2. Its revolutionary physics puzzles, then cutting-edge graphics and non-linear narrative made it a legend.

Max Payne 3 brought a cinematic feel, making shooters look like Hollywood action films. These projects are an integral part of the top shooters that still impress with their depth.

Novelties that cannot be missed

The market of FPS-games is constantly replenished with fresh projects that can change the usual standards of the genre. In 2024 several shooters were released, which surprise with original mechanics and atmosphere.

RoboCop: Rogue City captures the spirit of classic films, offering players to experience the role of a legendary cyber cop. Gameplay combines tense shootouts, investigative elements and authentic 80’s style.

Neon White is a unique blend of dynamic shooter and card mechanics. Here players must make quick decisions using a special deck to move and attack. This makes every battle unpredictable and spectacular.

Metal Hellsinger turns shooting into a rhythmic process, synchronising shots with heavy music. The more accurately the player hits the beat, the more powerful attacks and spectacular special effects that create a unique atmosphere of hardcore action film.

These novelties are worthy of a place in the selection of the best shooters. Each of them offers a fresh take on the genre and combines classic elements with innovative ideas.

Genre classics worth returning to

Some games stay in gamers’ hearts for decades. Quake laid the foundations for multiplayer FPSs, Doom Eternal developed the idea of continuous action. Wolfenstein: The New Order showed how an old brand can be intelligently relaunched. These games are always worth revisiting. They are widely regarded as some of the best shooters of all time.

Co-operative and competitive shooters

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege requires co-operative play and precise execution of strategies. Borderlands 2, on the other hand, combines co-operative gameplay with role-playing elements. These projects bring players together, forcing them to interact and coordinate. A selection of the best shooters includes them as a benchmark of co-operative experience.

Conclusion

New products not to be missedThe variety of FPS games allows everyone to find a project to their liking. Tactical, story-based, co-operative and PvP-oriented shooters offer an extraordinary experience. The selection of the best shooters combines time-tested hits and promising novelties. They give you the opportunity to choose a game for an exciting gameplay. Modern technology and new mechanics make this genre more exciting. The top shooters continue to expand, and every year brings new masterpieces worthy of attention.