The PS5 is one of the strongest places to play shooters, with fast SSD loading, 60 fps modes and a DualSense controller whose adaptive triggers make different weapons feel distinct. The library spans boomer-style arena blasters, tactical co-op, roguelike bullet hells and cinematic third-person horror, from first-party exclusives to big multiplatform franchises.
1. Doom Eternal#
id Software released Doom Eternal in March 2020 (the PS5 version followed in 2021 as a free upgrade for PS4 owners) and turned the 2016 reboot into a frantic resource-management shooter. Every enemy is a puzzle: the Super Shotgun's Meat Hook, chainsaw fuel and glory kills keep you moving and feed ammo, health and armor back to you. The metal soundtrack and demonic set pieces are top tier, and the PS5 version runs fast and smooth. The downside is a demanding learning curve and platforming interludes that some find intrusive. If you want pure speed, this is the benchmark.
2. Returnal#
Housemarque's Returnal launched in April 2021 as a PS5 exclusive and remains one of the console's best showcases. Astronaut Selene crashes on the shifting planet Atropos and dies again and again in a roguelike loop of bullet-hell combat, dense enemy patterns and eerie psychological storytelling. The DualSense triggers switch between primary and alt fire, and 3D audio makes every attack audible. Its flaws are steep difficulty and a long stretch between save points in the early versions, so players who dislike dying should skip it.
3. Doom: The Dark Ages#
Released by id Software in May 2025, The Dark Ages is a prequel that trades Eternal's acrobatics for heavy, armored combat. The Slayer wields a shield that blocks, parries and doubles as a throwable saw, while the Atlan mech and cybernetic dragon sections add big-scale variety. Weapons feel meaty and the medieval-Hell setting looks superb on PS5. The pacing is slower and more grounded than the previous game, which suits fans of crunchy close-range fighting but may disappoint those who love Eternal's aerial movement.
4. Helldivers 2#
Arrowhead's Helldivers 2 arrived in February 2024 as a four-player co-op third-person shooter published by Sony. Friendly fire is always on, stratagems are called in with button-press codes, and outnumbered squads fight bugs and robots in a satirical propaganda universe. It creates chaotic, hilarious stories every mission and rewards teamwork more than pure aim. The drawback is that it depends on an online connection and coordination; playing solo or with random teammates is noticeably less fun than with friends.
5. Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition#
4A Games' Metro Exodus follows Artyom across post-apocalyptic Russia on a train, mixing linear tunnel sections with wide open regions. The Enhanced Edition arrived on PS5 in June 2021 with ray-traced lighting, 4K, 60 fps and DualSense support, and it is a free upgrade for owners of the PS4 version. Scavenging, crafting and stealth give the gunplay a tense, survival feel. Its story is uneven and the combat can feel clunky compared with modern arcade shooters, but the atmosphere is unmatched.
6. Deathloop#
Arkane Lyon's Deathloop was released in September 2021 and was a console exclusive on PS5 at launch. Assassin Colt is stuck in a time loop on the island of Blackreef and must kill eight targets in a single day, using stealth, shooting and supernatural powers. Stylish, looping level design and sharp gunplay make each run inventive. The weakness is that it does not feel like a full shooter campaign until you learn the loops, and the online invader mode is optional but divisive.
7. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2#
Saber Interactive released Space Marine 2 in September 2024, putting you in the armor of Lieutenant Titus against Tyranids and Chaos forces. Swarms of hundreds of enemies, satisfying chainsword melee and a cover-free third-person combat system make it a great power fantasy. The co-op operations and competitive modes add replayability. Its story is straightforward and cliche-laden, and the progression in multiplayer can be grindy, but the scale of the battles is spectacular on PS5.
8. Resident Evil 4#
Capcom's 2023 remake of Resident Evil 4 follows Leon S. Kennedy in a Spanish village overrun by Los Ganados. Over-the-shoulder shooting is tight, the knife parry adds melee tension, and encounters remain some of the best-paced in the genre. The DualSense adds weapon feedback and the graphics are superb. As a shooter, it leans on survival horror resources rather than constant action, and a few boss fights feel tamer than the original, but it is a masterclass in third-person gunplay.
9. Dead Space#
Motive Studio's January 2023 remake of the 2008 classic puts engineer Isaac Clarke on the USG Ishimura, dismembering necromorphs with a plasma cutter. Strategic dismemberment is the core idea: shoot limbs, not heads. Zero-gravity sections, the interface-free HUD and superb sound design make it frightening and cinematic on PS5. It is a horror shooter first, so players wanting constant firepower may find the pace deliberate, but it remains a perfect example of how shooting can scare.
10. Borderlands 3#
Gearbox released Borderlands 3 in September 2019, with a native PS5 version following in 2020. This looter-shooter offers a huge variety of procedurally generated guns, four vault hunters with distinct skill trees and colourful cel-shaded worlds. Co-op with friends is its big strength. The humor is hit and miss and the story is weaker than earlier entries, but the gunplay and loot chase are extremely satisfying, making it a great choice for players who enjoy long loot grinds.
11. Destiny 2#
Bungie's Destiny 2 launched in 2017 and blends first-person shooting with MMO structure, raids and seasonal content. Guns feel exceptional, and the class abilities create a unique mix of powers and gunplay. The Crucible provides competitive PvP, and the game is free to start. Its weaknesses are a complicated progression system, time-gated content and a confusing story for newcomers. Even so, few shooters on PS5 match its moment-to-moment gunplay.
12. Metal: Hellsinger#
The Outsiders released Metal: Hellsinger in September 2022, a rhythm-based first-person shooter where you must shoot on the beat to deal more damage and build your multiplier. Heavy metal tracks feature vocalists from bands like Trivium and Serj Tankian. The idea is fresh, making each kill feel like a performance. The campaign is relatively short and repetitive, and the rhythm mechanic can feel restrictive when you want to improvise, but it is an excellent pick for music fans.
13. RoboCop: Rogue City#
Teyon's RoboCop: Rogue City launched in November 2023 with Peter Weller reprising his role as the cyborg cop. You walk slowly but powerfully through Old Detroit, shooting criminals with the Auto-9 and tearing through cover. The game balances shooting with investigation and choices, and it reproduces the films' satirical tone. Animations and visuals are dated, and side content can be repetitive, yet it is a charming, old-school mid-budget shooter that fans of the films will love.
14. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun#
Auroch Digital developed Boltgun, a retro-style first-person shooter published by Focus Entertainment in May 2023. You play a Space Marine battling Chaos forces with a mighty bolter, using fast strafing and big guns in 90s-inspired levels. The pixelated look is deliberate and the heavy metal soundtrack suits the action. It is short and lacks the variety of modern shooters, but it is a brutally fun arena experience.
15. Control#
Remedy's Control, released in August 2019, sends Jesse Faden into the Federal Bureau of Control's shifting Oldest House. Her Service Weapon transforms into different forms while telekinesis powers let you hurl objects at enemies. The brutalist setting and eerie story are standouts, and the PS5 Ultimate Edition improves visuals and loading. It is more action-adventure than a pure shooter, and the map can be confusing, but the combat is stylish and unique.
16. Apex Legends#
Respawn Entertainment released Apex Legends in February 2019 (native PS5 version in March 2022), a free-to-play battle royale with hero characters, each with unique abilities. The movement system, ping communication and fast time-to-kill make it one of the best team shooters. Squads of three provide tactical depth without needing a full voice chat. Its weakness is a steep skill curve against experienced players and a live-service structure with cosmetic monetization, but it remains one of the most polished multiplayer shooters on console.