Third-person ranged combat has improved with unprecedented realism in recent times.Playing from the third-person,you can more easily protect your character — with viewpoints covering all areas and camera angles that allow for much better situational awareness (or the ability to peek around corners without the associated risk of exposing oneself, if we’re being brutally honest). Having aneffective combat systemis critical, especially in a third-person game.

RELATED:10 Underrated First-Person Shooters From The 2000s

Playing in the third-person perspective means that you see the character from over the shoulder, behind, or even in front of the character. Looking back at third-person games, only a handful had truly spectacular ranged combat. Would you like to wield a stellar hand cannon or draw arrows silently with a longbow? Third-person ranged combat games have got you covered.

Dead Spaceis a game that meshes the science fiction and horror genres, and can easily be counted among thegreatest horror games of all time.This is a third-person game with combat inspired by games likeResident Evil 4and the movieEvent Horizon.The dark atmosphere ofDead Spaceisominous and disheartening, but the ranged combat of the game is a smart blend of heart-pounding tension that requires third-person shooting expertise.

next-gen dead space trilogy remake

8Warframe

From developer Digital Extremes,Warframeis strictly a third-person shooter and one of themost downloaded free-to-play games on Steam.The objective of the game is to build a character by collecting Warframe armor sets and weapons. One can also raise a pet, customize a personal spaceship, and join a clan that opens up a world of possibilities. The freedom of movement in this game is its strong suit. Third-person combat is seldom as smooth as it is inWarframe.

7Shadow Of The Tomb Raider

It would be an understatement to say thatShadow of the Tomb Raideris an ambitious title. In addition toengaging in third-person ranged combat,Lara must use instincts to take down jungle predators.

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warframe deimos arcana infested weapons

Shadow of the Tomb Raiderhas an abundance of weapons to choose from. PlayShadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Editionto get more content, including additional ranged weapons. Lara Croft’s journey to stop the Maya apocalypse is unforgettable and will leave you speechless.

6Horizon Zero Dawn

It was evident before its launch thatHorizon Zero Dawnwould be a hit action RPG. What stood out the most is the game’s art direction and the combat system. Putting aside its lackluster melee combat,Horizon Zero Dawn’sranged combat is intuitive and fun.One can wield bows, slings, ropecasters, and tripcasters. The sequelHorizon Forbidden Westhas the opportunity to improve on melee combat, but for now, we can appreciateHorizon Zero Dawn’s ranged combat.

5Sniper Elite 4

The fourth game to come from theSniper Eliteseries is recognized for outstanding third-person gameplay. The view quickly changes from third-person to first-person when shooting particular weapons, but it is considered a third-person game. This combat system works well throughout. After you shoot a sniper rifle, the camera follows the bullet’s exterior until it strikes the target. It’s not surprising thatSniper Elite 4was positively received by critics and theSniper Elitecommunity at large.

4Fortnite

It’s not by chance thatFortniteis one of themost-played free-to-play games out there.Developer Epic Games ensured that the third-person combat had lots of balancing to make competitive matches.

RELATED:Fortnite: The 10 Best Seasons, Ranked

Fortniteis widely available on most platforms, includingNintendo Switch,PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS, and PC. This battle royale game is strictly played in the third-person, which is fitting since enemies attack from all directions.

3Remnant: From the Ashes

It’s not very often we see a game as unique asRemnant: From the Ashes.This game’s combat was inspired byDark Souls,despite being a third-person shooter.If you’re looking for something fresh and vibrant,Remnant: From the Ashesis a smart pick. Third-person ranged combat is an integral part of defeating bosses. Whether you work in cooperative or solo, having strong ranged skills is a must.It’s a tactical shooterwith a trial and error type of gameplay.

2Gears 5

As a third-person shooting game,Gears 5sticks out like a sore thumb in the best way possible. This is a game that’s part of Xbox’s most prominent franchise. Played in the third-person,Gears 5was an instant masterpiece and a cult-classic. The enemy variety keeps players engaged, but it’s the weapon variety andstealth cover systemthat rocks the most.Gears 5has arguably the best third-person combat system on the Xbox One/Xbox Series X and S.

1Resident Evil 2 And 3

Resident Evil 2 and 3were released one after the other, bringing unparalleled gaming experiences in the third-person view. While sequel games likeResident Evil 6failed to find their footing, Capcom has hit the mark withResident Evilremakes.Resident Evil 2 and 3place players in inhospitable circumstances that practically demand ranged attacks. The knife proves to be an ineffective tool throughoutResident Evil, but the ranged weapons are praiseworthy.

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Horizon Zero Dawn gameplay

Sniper Elite 4 cover - Karl standing with the island of San Celin in the background

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Remnant: From the Ashes Co-op players

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