Sony’s PlayStation Plus tier service gives subscribers to the Extra and Premium levels access to hundreds of games, although the latter has a considerably bigger collection than the former. This library covers nearly every genre someone could want, be it RPGs, platformers, horror, or hack and slash. Unsurprisingly, PS Plus Premium and Extra also have their share of first-person shooters from across PlayStation’s history.
As with most genres, shooters come in various shapes and sizes. Some focus on split-second reactions, while others are tactical. Certain FPS games expect players to run and gun, while others encourage them to hide behind cover. What are the best PS Plus FPS games? Which shooters can Premium subscribers play? Let’s take a look at this genre’s standout titles on Sony’s service.
Updated October 22, 2024: PS Plus Extra and Premium’s lineup for October included one FPS game that warrants a mention; however, this addition prioritizes melee over ranged combat.
The upcoming games are all part of PS Plus Premium, but the same cannot be said for the Extra tier. Each entry states whether the game is part of both tiers.
1 TimeSplitters 2 & Future Perfect
PS2 Classics That Are Still As Awesome As The Day They Were Released
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TimeSplitters 2 TimeSplitters: Future Perfect PS Plus Availability Premium Premium Platform(s) PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox (Original), GameCube, PlayStation 2 PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox (Original), GameCube, PlayStation 2 Released 2002-10-08 2005-03-21 Developer(s) Free Radical Design Free Radical Design How Long To Beat 9 Hours 7 Hours
PlayStation Plus Extra might have ignored FPS fans for August 2024, but the same certainly could not be said for the Premium tier. In a long-awaited move, all three TimeSplitters games were added to the service, giving subscribers access to Free Radical Design’s masterful PS2 trilogy. Regardless of whether someone is new to the franchise or remembers playing them during the 2000s, they should consider booting two of these games up on the PS5 or PS4 as they hold up pretty darn well, as long as realistic expectations are kept.
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Although a good console shooter for its era, the original TimeSplitters does feel like a proof of concept nowadays, and there is little reason to play it when the sequels are available. That said, its campaign can be completed in about two hours, so it is worth a quick playthrough just for the context.
Comparatively, TimeSplitters 2 and Future Perfect are far more complete packages that improve upon everything that made their predecessor stand out from the crowd. Both games feature gloriously over-the-top campaigns that take players on trips through time, and they tell stories that are silly but effective. Most importantly, the gunplay is still rock-solid in both entries, feeling weighty and responsive. TimeSplitters also has a robust selection of co-op and multiplayer options, with all three campaigns supporting two players.
2 Doom Eternal
High-Octane Run N’ Gun Shooter
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Released
- March 20, 2020
- How Long To Beat
- 15 Hours
PlayStation Plus has Doom well covered. Id Software’s 2016 reboot revamped the legendary FPS franchise in a big way, and that game is available on Sony’s service for anyone who feels like tearing their way through hordes of demons. A convincing argument could be made for that entry representing the license at its peak, but Doom Eternal also deserves a mention. Taking a few more risks than its predecessor, the sequel maintains Doom‘s pitch-perfect gunplay while expanding the slayer’s movement options and adding new abilities like the grappling hook.
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Although not that significant on paper, Doom Eternal‘s changes give it a different rhythm to the 2016 game, which could be off-putting to die-hard fans of the latter. Regardless of which modern entry someone prefers, they are both polished, aggressive, and satisfying shooters that rank among the genre’s best projects of the last decade.
3 Killing Floor 2
Great Co-Op FPS Mayhem
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Released
- November 18, 2016
- How Long To Beat
- 14 Hours
Blasting wave after wave of Zeds never gets old. Killing Floor 2 is a fairly straightforward co-op shooter that pits players against seemingly endless hordes of deadly zombies in a campaign set across Europe. The premise lends itself to over-the-top chaos, embracing the inherent joy of mowing down a sea of enemies using an impressive assortment of weaponry. If this was all it offered, Killing Floor 2 would be a fun time, but the game also throws in a surprisingly creative progression system via perks.
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Players upgrade their abilities by actively utilizing weapons, and they can mix and match guns to create unique builds. This concept greatly enhances Killing Floor 2‘s replayability since it encourages teams to play around with their setups in search of optimal configurations. Even beyond that, the core gunplay is punchy and satisfying, so even people who are just looking for a way to kill a few hours should have a good time. Although possible, Killing Floor 2 is not really a great option for solo players, and there are better FPS games on PS Plus for that type of experience.
4 Pistol Whip
VR Rail-Shooting Awesomeoness
- PS Plus Availability
- Premium
- Released
- November 7, 2019
- Developer(s)
- Cloudhead Games
As a PS VR2 title, Pistol Whip is only available to a relatively small percentage of PS Plus subscribers, which limits its appeal to an extent. However, any Premium tier members who own the headset would be doing themselves a disservice if they do not try this project out, especially if they also enjoy rhythm games. Taking inspiration from games like Beat Saber, Pistol Whip is a shooter that rewards players who sync their shots with the beat, with each stage coming with a different song. While not extremely long, the levels are quite diverse and replayable, making this game a great option to just leave installed whenever an itch for a fast-paced shooter comes along.
Pistol Whip can be played as a rhythm game or a traditional first-person shooter, albeit one that limits movement and flows like an on-rails title from yesteryear. Essentially, Cloudhead created a modern VR version of arcade classics, capturing the score-based thrills of those masterpieces.
5 Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition
Unapologetically Over-The-Top FPS
- PS Plus Availability
- Premium
- Released
- February 22, 2011
- How Long To Beat
- 8 Hours
Bulletstorm is an over-the-top action romp about a space pirate with a whip that can tear enemies in half. It is awesome. A throwback to classic run and gun shooters without the back-breaking difficulty, this FPS originally came out in 2011 to a decent reception, and the Full Clip Edition provides a fresh coat of paint to ensure that the game delivers beautiful mayhem.
Utilizing a skill system reminiscent of hack and slash games like Devil May Cry, Bulletstorm wants players to experiment with all the tools available to them, and that extends to the environments. This is one of the most fun FPS games on PS Plus Premium, and fans of the genre who skipped out on this project should give the title a try while it is on Sony’s service.
6 F.E.A.R.
A Genuinely Terrifying FPS Horror Game
F.E.A.R.
- PS Plus Availability
- Premium
- Released
- October 18, 2005
- Developer(s)
- Monolith Productions
- How Long To Beat
- 8 Hours
Although it was released back in 2005, F.E.A.R. still holds up exceedingly well in 2021 thanks to its impressive visuals for the time. Although F.E.A.R. was originally marketed as a “horror-themed FPS,” it gained a bit of a cult following thanks to its entertaining gameplay elements.
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The time-slowing effect is similar to a first-person Max Payne and the movement is pretty fluid. That said, there are still a lot of tense moments to be found sprinkled throughout the release. Players looking for chaotic gameplay will love F.E.A.R. but it should also appeal to those looking for something “scary” too.
7 Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus
Epic Story, Bloody Action
Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Released
- October 27, 2017
- How Long To Beat
- 10 Hours
The April 2023 PS Plus Extra and Premium games greatly enhanced the service’s FPS roster. The month introduced both Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus and The Old Blood, two games that are arguably superior to the very good The New Order, which was already on PS Plus. The Old Blood is a tight expansion without any fluff, and it can easily be completed in one or two explosive sessions. Conversely, The New Colossus is a full-length sequel to The New Order.
The 2017 release is a contender for the best Wolfenstein game of all time. MachineGames’ gunplay is nothing short of fantastic, and the levels are designed to promote different playstyles. While it is certainly possible to power through encounters similar to Doom, The New Colossus encourages players to use all the tools at their disposal, including a satisfying stealth mechanic. The pulp story is silly but also fairly awesome, and it features one of the most detestable villains in gaming.
8 Far Cry 5
Flawed Sequel But Still Solid Open-World FPS Option
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Released
- March 27, 2018
- How Long To Beat
- 18 Hours
PS Plus Extra has quite a few Far Cry games, so subscribers can mostly pick their poison. Far Cry 6, the most recent release, is the only PS5 native option and has the best-feeling gunplay; however, it is one of the most polarizing entries in the franchise. Far Cry 3 is generally regarded as the best game in the series, but it is quite dated in this day and age. Far Cry 4 has a great setting and a fun antagonist, and the same can mostly be said for its immediate successor.
Ultimately, Far Cry 5 is mostly acting as a representative for Ubisoft’s franchise, although it is a pretty decent entry point. Set in Hope County, the campaign casts players as a deputy sheriff who is trying to pull control away from the Seed family, cultists who have put the locals under the spell. While the setting can get a touch repetitive at times, the gameplay is rock-solid throughout, ensuring that it never gets dull killing Peggies.
9 Prodeus
Fun Old-School Shooter
Prodeus
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Released
- September 23, 2022
- Developer(s)
- Bounding Box Software
- How Long To Beat
- 7 Hours
Retro-style first-person shooters are fairly common nowadays, but not too many of them are on PS Plus Extra. Prodeus should help scratch that nostalgic itch for many folks, all the while delivering an experience that has its own identity. Focusing on fast-paced run and gun action, the campaign is split into fairly lengthy stages that blend corridors with some Metroidvania elements.
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Offering an impressive selection of weapons and unlockable upgrades, Prodeus excels in its progression since it always feels like players are getting actively stronger; furthermore, roughly halfway through a playthrough, an ability is unlocked that significantly changes the gameplay. Visually, Prodeus uses pixel graphics, and they are charming in a low-res type of way.
10 Shadow Warrior 2
Intense Gameplay, Along With An Uneven Loot System
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Released
- October 13, 2016
- How Long To Beat
- 8 Hours
PS Plus Extra and Premium have Shadow Warrior 2, a run-and-gun shooter with fun melee combat. While the gunplay is quite typical for the genre, the game mixes things up with a robust loot system and a plethora of secondary content to complement the main storyline.
Shadow Warrior 2 is simply fun, nothing more and nothing less. While nothing to write home about, the story serves its purpose of guiding players from one level to the next so they can slaughter hundreds of demons along the way.
11 The Darkness
Fantastic Story & Empowering Gameplay (Especially Sequel)
- PS Plus Availability
- Premium
- Released
- June 25, 2007
- How Long To Beat
- 9 Hours
Superhero and comic fans will find a lot to love about The Darkness, an FPS that first dropped back in 2007. The Venom-like storyline follows an individual named Jackie Estacado who is “infected” by a powerful demonic entity known as “The Darkness,” which has been present within his family’s bloodline for generations.
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The hook gives players access to some amazing gameplay highlighted by shooting elements and engaging “darkness powers” that make Jackie feel like a one-man army at times. It’s a blast to play through even in 2021, and newcomers to the series should also make sure to play The Darkness 2. The sequel is also one of the best shooters on PS Plus Premium.
12 Resistance 3
A Fine End To A Great Trilogy
- PS Plus Availability
- Premium
- Released
- September 6, 2011
- How Long To Beat
- 8 Hours
Only the final entry of Insomniac’s Resistance PS3 trilogy is available on PS Plus Premium, which is a shame as all three games have something to offer. Newcomers might feel a touch lost jumping directly into Resistance 3, but the 2011 game holds up well in terms of its action and atmosphere.
Unlike its predecessors which play out more like military shooters, Resistance 3 adopts a horror tone, adding elements of survival along the way. Unfortunately, the game’s multiplayer is no longer available, however, the single-player is robust, visually pleasing, and captivating.
13 Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
A Well-Rounded Package
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Released
- August 23, 2016
The sequel to 2011’s beloved Human Revolution, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided offers a very similar experience, albeit with a more polarizing narrative, a tweaked control scheme, and larger levels. While its predecessor is probably more universally liked, the sequel is still very good in its own right, and the gameplay is generally solid. Now, Mankind Divided is an action RPG with FPS gameplay, and the latter regularly takes a backseat in favor of exploration, investigation, and stealth. Consequently, if someone is specifically seeking a non-stop shooter fest, they might be disappointed by Mankind Divided‘s slower pace.
Deus Ex is famous for the freedom it provides players, offering them the opportunity to take on missions in a variety of ways. The 2000 original is still the most impressive entry in this area, but Mankind Divided comes in at a somewhat distant second. The game does a good job of balancing out the validity of different play styles, and it does not punish players for preferring a guns-blazing approach.
14 Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
Tactical Multiplayer FPS Staple
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Released
- December 1, 2015
Unlike the publisher’s other first-person shooters on the service, this 2015 title does not take place in a vast open-world nor is it single-player. Rainbow Six Siege is an online shooter that pits two teams against each other in a terrorist situation, and the game blends tactical awareness with reasonably fast-paced gunplay for the Tom Clancy moniker.
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Rainbow Six Siege has cemented itself as one of the most popular FPS on the market, but the game’s longevity translates to a steep hill that newcomers will need to climb. Teamwork is the heart of Siege, and matches tend to be highly competitive.
Blast To The Rhythm
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Released
- September 15, 2022
- Developer(s)
- The Outsiders
- How Long To Beat
- 5 Hours
Slaying demons to the sound of metal music, Metal: Hellsinger is all about running and gunning to the beat. Similar to Hi-Fi Rush, The Outsiders’ release rewards players for synchronizing their actions with the soundtrack, granting bonuses in damage and performance. It is a neat concept that blends well with old-school FPS action, as the game otherwise takes plenty of inspiration from projects such as Doom.
Metal: Hellsinger is short and sweet. The game delivers non-stop frantic action in arenas, with the intensity of the gunplay ramping up alongside the music. While the combat is fairly typical for the genre, the rhythm element makes Hellsinger feel fresh in execution.
16 Serious Sam Collection
Respectable Compilation For Run And Gun Fans
Serious Sam Collection
- PS Plus Availability
- Premium
- Released
- November 17, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Croteam
- How Long To Beat
- 30 Hours
Serious Sam is a straightforward run and gun shooter series that generally knows exactly what it wants to be. As the titular hero, players mow down huge hordes of monsters in reasonably large areas. At its best, the franchise’s gunplay is simplistic but satisfying, and this collection captures Serious Sam at the peak of its powers.
All three games are fun, and there are just enough differences between them to keep things fresh. Serious Sam 3 is the most modern entry in the compilation, but its shift to a more linear level design might not hit home quite as much as the earlier games’ open zones.
17 The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition
Play It For The RPG Elements Rather Than The FPS Gunplay
The Outer Worlds Spacer’s Choice Edition
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Released
- March 7, 2023
- How Long To Beat
- 16 Hours
Obsidian’s The Outer Worlds is a great sci-fi RPG, but the Spacer’s Choice Edition garnered a mixed reception due to launching in a less-than-ideal state. Nowadays, the PS5 version is generally fine, even if some elements might still be better in the original iteration. Still, if a PS Plus subscriber is craving a well-written RPG with first-person shooter gameplay, they cannot do much better than this package.
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Laced with humor, The Outer Worlds is an addictive romp through space overflowing with personality and memorable NPCs. As the Stranger, players are tasked with traveling through the cosmos in the hope of turning the tide and seizing control away from the many mega-corporations that run everything in this version of the future. Obsidian knows a thing or two about crafting player-driven adventures, a talent showcased through The Outer Worlds‘ inspired character creator and dialogue options.
In terms of gunplay, this sci-fi shooter is not going to win any awards, but the combat is generally serviceable. The game has enough weapon variety to keep things interesting for the 20 hours or so that the campaign should last.
18 Payday 2: Crimewave Edition
Pull Off Heists With Friends
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Released
- August 13, 2013
- How Long To Beat
- 25 Hours
Fans of Grand Theft Auto 5‘s heisting mechanics will find a lot to love in Payday 2. The first-person release has everything players could want in a bank-robbing, heist “simulator.” Some missions can be completed in a variety of ways, with stealth and loud mechanics available.
There are skill trees with unique abilities to unlock, a variety of weapons to try, and some of the best multiplayer gameplay under the sun. Payday 2 is a blast to play and is still very relevant with fans in 2021 thanks to a multitude of updates from developers.
19 Prey
Gunplay Is Just Fine, But Everything Else Is Incredible
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Released
- May 5, 2017
- How Long To Beat
- 16 Hours
Dishonored shares several similarities with Deathloop, particularly its unlockable abilities, and is arguably Arkane’s most beloved game. That said, Prey might be even better, and that’s a statement that is not made lightly.
Set in a splendidly designed space station, Prey is an atmospheric Metroidvania that also incorporates RPG and horror elements. While not the sole focus of Prey, the game’s gunplay is precise and impactful, and a few abilities are even acquired along the way. Prey‘s open-world is immaculately designed and detailed, one of the best in the FPS genre.
20 The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Chapters 1 & 2
Two Trips Through Zombie VR Hell
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The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution System PC, PlayStation PC, PlayStation Platform(s) PS5, PS4, PC Meta Quest, PlayStation VR2, PS5, PC Released 2020-01-23 2023-03-21 Developer(s) Skydance Interactive Skydance Interactive How Long To Beat 10 Hours 15 Hours OpenCritic Page https://opencritic.com/game/8778/the-walking-dead-saints-sinners https://opencritic.com/game/14116/the-walking-dead-saints-sinners-chapter-2-retribution Top Critic Rating 83 77 Critics Recommend % 90 71
In June 2024, Sony threw out a surprise by adding PS VR2 games to PS Plus Premium, a first for the subscription service. While these releases do not (obviously) cater to everyone, they are nevertheless exciting and should help emphasize the virtual headset as a prominent part of the PlayStation ecosystem. As first-person games are natural fits for VR, it was not surprising that the first lineup would include one proper shooter; in fact, Premium’s July 2024 selection included two pretty great options.
Do not be confused by their titles, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapters 1 & 2 are both full releases that should be able to keep someone busy for quite a long time. While set in the same universe and (mostly) featuring similar mechanics, the two chapters have different priorities, with the first entry emphasizing survival horror while the sequel shifting more towards traditional action. Either way, both games represent VR at its best.