FPS games are some of the most common games out there. There are dozens of new games in the genre every year, and many of them are even free-to-play.
This might leave you with an important question when deciding what FPS game to try or buy next. How do they stand out from the crowd?
There are plenty of ways games will do this, but one of the tried and true methods is simple yet very effective: weapon variety.
While weapon variety is great in many game genres, the FPS pioneer Wolfenstein 3D established how important and fun it can be for FPS games. It adds something new to the gameplay without being too dissimilar from what you're used to.
10 Hunt: Showdown 1896
19th-Century Arsenal
- Released
- February 22, 2018
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Crytek
- Publisher(s)
- Crytek
- Engine
- CryEngine 5.11
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Playable
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter, Extraction
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Hunt: Showdown 1896 has a very peculiar setting for an FPS game, taking place in the late 1800s. While you might assume that means a lack of weapon variety, given how simple guns were at the time, this game manages to overcome that by including some more obscure 19th-century firearms and a bit of creative liberty.
For example, you can have a belt-fed revolver or a shotgun with a hatchet blade attached to it for melee use.
Of course, given the setting, most of the weapons will be rifles, pistols, and shotguns, making the differences between them rather subtle most of the time. However, if you appreciate these differences, there is much to choose from and experiment with.
9 Fallout 4
Post-Apocalyptic Modding
- Released
- November 10, 2015
- ESRB
- M FOR MATURE: BLOOD AND GORE, INTENSE VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE, USE OF DRUGS
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Engine
- Creation
- Cross-Platform Play
- no
- Cross Save
- no
- Franchise
- Fallout
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- X|S Optimized
- No
- File Size Xbox Series
- 51 GB (December 2023)
- Metascore
- 87
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Not only does Fallout 4 have a wide range of weapons, but it also overhauled weapon modding for the series, turning nearly every weapon into a modular item. The various parts of your weapons can be changed if you find or craft a weapon mod.
The resources used to craft these mods are often scavenged from junk, like using bottles for glass, which is needed to craft scopes and other parts.
The weapon mods can completely transform the weapons they're applied to. For example, the pipe pistols that litter the beginning of the game can be overhauled into fully automatic pipe rifles as you level up your crafting skills.
These rifles may not be the best weapons in the game, but they're very strong compared to early-game weapons.
8 Gunfire Reborn
It's Like Magic
Gunfire Reborn
- Released
- November 18, 2021
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Duoyi Games
- Publisher(s)
- Duoyi Games
- Engine
- Unity
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Roguelike
- How Long To Beat
- 14 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- Metascore
- 75
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
This FPS with a roguelike twist not only has a large arsenal with 65 unique weapons, but each one also spawns with randomized inscriptions that modify it.
These inscriptions range from simple stat boosts to unique effects that work with the specific weapon's properties.
As you progress through a run, you'll find weapons with up to 5 inscriptions and of varying rarities, with rarer inscriptions typically being more powerful.
This means you'll often find yourself trading out your weapons several times to get stronger as you play.
7 Cyberpunk 2077
We Have A City To Burn
- Released
- December 10, 2020
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Engine
- REDengine 4
- Cross-Platform Play
- ps, xbox, pc
- Cross Save
- yes
- Franchise
- Cyberpunk
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- How Long To Beat
- 25 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- Metascore
- 75
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Of course, a futuristic cyberpunk game will have some wild weapons. From conventional firearms to cyberware such as the distinctive mantis blades, there's a lot to choose from, including over 100 iconic weapons that each have a unique effect.
In addition to the regular weapon classes like pistol, SMG, assault rifle, and more, Cyberpunk 2077 also breaks each gun into categories of Power, Smart, and Tech for guns and Blunt and Blade for melee weapons.
Each category has different advantages, skills, and cybernetics to enhance them. For example, power weapons have a chance of ricocheting bullets toward enemies, but implants can make that chance a guarantee.
6 Battlefield 4
Large Maps Need A Large Amount Of Guns
- Released
- October 29, 2013
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- DICE
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Engine
- Frostbite
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Battlefield
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
- Metascore
- 81
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
The Battlefield series stands out from most competitors by offering much larger battles than most other shooters while still having fast-paced combat. The large maps and up to 128-player lobbies are paired with equally large arsenals.
While all Battlefield games have a large assortment of weapons available to you, including the more recent Battlefield 2024, Battlefield 4 has the most weapons, with over 100 weapons across eight categories. That's not mentioning the equipment that is also weapons, like the many rocket launchers available.
You can even change out the weapons on most of the dozens of vehicles in the game, adding even more variety.
5 Far Cry 6
It's Not Trash, It's Treasure!
Far Cry 6
- Released
- October 6, 2021
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mild Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Engine
- Dunia 2
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Franchise
- Far Cry
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, Stadia
- How Long To Beat
- 23 Hours
- Metascore
- 73
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Far Cry 6 not only has a wide range of conventional weapons like past Far Cry games, but it also introduces Resolver weapons and Supremos to add to the variety.
Resolver weapons are unique weapons made from recycled items like a nail gun or fireworks, and each one offers a unique playstyle. Some options are a harpoon crossbow, a minigun, a poison launcher, and a shield paired with a large revolver loaded with shotgun shells.
Supremos are backpacks that provide storage for your equipment as well as an ability, and some of the abilities make them powerful weapons, like shooting a barrage of homing rockets at enemies.
4 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
We're All Gunsmiths Now
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
- Released
- October 25, 2019
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Infinity Ward
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
- Engine
- IW 8.0
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- PS4, XBOX , PC
- Cross Save
- YES
- Franchise
- Call of Duty
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- no
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
- How Long To Beat
- 6 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- yes
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Call of Duty games have always had a good amount of weapon variety, but it increased drastically once the Gunsmith mechanic was introduced.
Gunsmith allows you to change each weapon significantly, swapping out hundreds of gun parts and attachments, effectively transforming them into something new if you choose to do so. You can even turn an SMG into an LMG and everything in between if you want to.
Gunsmith has returned in every Call of Duty game since Modern Warfare, however, it has been simplified over the years, leaving 2019's entry with the most weapon variety for the series.
10 Weirdest Video Game Weapons, Ranked
Are traditional weapons not doing it for you? Then you should try these ones instead, they're the weirdest weapons in video games.
3 Mothergunship
Build Your Own Gun
- Released
- May 24, 2018
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- Grip Digital
- Publisher(s)
- Grip Digital
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, FPS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Mothergunship is a chaotic Roguelike shooter where, rather than finding new weapons as you progress through a run, you collect gold to buy weapon parts. With these weapon parts, you craft your own weapons.
This allows you to make seemingly endless different, and usually over-the-top, weapons. The crafting system is only limited by the parts you can afford and the energy used, meaning the further you go, the crazier the weapons you build can get.
Since the weapon parts you'll be able to purchase aren't always the same, you'll have unique weapons in virtually every run you do.
2 Escape From Tarkov
Don't Forget Your Magazine
- Released
- November 15, 2025
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- Battlestate Games
- Publisher(s)
- Battlestate Games
- Engine
- Unity
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Extraction Shooter, Survival
This extraction shooter not only has hundreds of guns, but they’re all completely modular, allowing you to swap out certain parts or add attachments to your guns.
Many parts will only make subtle differences, like the many dust covers you can have on your gun, but the realistic customization makes it enjoyable to play around with, even when it comes to trivial parts.
The realism in the game can also put you in unfortunate but hilarious circumstances, like forgetting to load your magazines before a raid. You might even forget to bring any magazines at all.
1 Borderlands 3
Over A Billion Guns
- Released
- September 13, 2019
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Publisher(s)
- 2K Games
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
- Cross Save
- yes
- Franchise
- Borderlands
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical or Horizontal
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter, Action, RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 25 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- yes
- Metascore
- 91
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-4 Players
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
The Borderlands series has always marketed itself on the sheer number of weapons you can find. Borderlands 3 claims to have over a billion possible guns, and it has numerous grenade mods, artifacts, and shields that can often be used as weapons as well.
Because of how absurdly large a billion is, many of the guns in Borderlands games have only subtle differences from each other, like small stat bonuses, but that doesn't mean there isn't an abundance of unique and interesting weapons.
On top of the several weapon classes providing unique playstyles, the various weapon manufacturers in the game add effects to their guns, like Atlas guns having a homing ability, and many guns have flavor text that adds unique effects.
