The genre offirst-person shootersgoes back to 1992 whenWolfenstein 3Dmade its way to the DOS. At the time, it was one of the most innovative games in terms of graphics and gameplay, as most other titles onNintendoand DOS were either 2D platformers, role-playing games, or puzzle games.
However, things have changed over time, as the genre ofFPSis currently one of the most saturated ones in the market. From theCall Of Dutyseries toValorant, every major multiplayer game isseemingly a first-person shooter. Hence, it’s shocking that there are so many greatunderrated FPS games on Steam.
To be considered for this list, older games need to have 3,000 reviews or fewer, while newer games can have no more than 500.
Updated June 28, 2025, by Gerardo Molina:Many of the FPS games available on Steam are severely underrated and have not managed to develop a massive player base to date. This is not because they’re not good enough to have a following, but rather because many of them are not known by most players, especially those who prefer AAA titles.There are many AA and Indie studios out there that have crafted incredibly entertaining FPS games that every player should try at least once. While the following list does not contain every single one of them, it tries to do justice to some of the most interesting of the lot.
Metal: Hellsingerfocuses on the story of a lost soul who is simply referred to as “The Unknown”. Throughout the game, players will have to use the various weapons at their disposal in combination with the song that’s playing in the background.
The better players manage to sync their shots with the rhythm they’re listening to, the more effective their bullets will be and the higher their score. This makes for a very entertainingDOOM-like experience that, when combined with the amazing songs available, creates an atmosphere that’s hard not to praise.
16STRAFTAT
An Indie Game With A Lot Of Heart
STRAFTATis very fun to play, even when its graphics aren’t the best. This game features an aesthetic that is reminiscent ofCounter-Strike Global Offensive, with fast-paced action and a ton of variety.
Throughout their journey, players will be able to take advantage of various weapons and use them against their enemies in the 70 arenas available. All in all,STRAFTATis one of those Indie games that, despite not having the most sophisticated game mechanics or graphics, still manages to deliver an unforgettable experience.
A game that channels the elements of an immersive sim while keeping action gameplay as a major focus,E.Y.E.: Divine Cybermancyis a unique FPS title that more people need to check out. The story is a fever dream that players will decipher only after multiple playthroughs.
The game’s unique mechanics make it a blast to play through despite a bit of jank. Fans of unique FPS titles who don’t mind playing through a classic gem will have a ton of fun withE.Y.E: Divine Cybermancy.
NecroVisionis a World War 1 FPS that ends up adding a ton of fantasy elements to the mix. This ends up making the game way more interesting and unique after a pretty strong introduction, with the gameplay encouraging combos and frenetic shooting.
The game may have its fair share of issues, but the sheer heart that went into this game more than makes it worth checking out.NecroVisionmay not be a polished FPS, but the combat is extremely engaging and more than makes up for any bugs or odd design choices.
13Receiver
Reloading Is Very Tricky
Receiverisa hardcore FPS that turns reloading into a complicated mechanicthat players must master to get through the game unscathed. This is easier said than done since this roguelike game punishes players for wasting shots and taking too much time to reload.
Players who manage to understand the reloading mechanic and load up their vehicle in record time will feel a unique sense of euphoria in every way.Receiver’s concept may be simple, but it’s the brilliance of this game’s execution that makes it so worthwhile.
12Cruelty Squad
The Game Has An Interesting Art Style
Cruelty Squadis one of the most unique underrated games on Steam, with the title featuring an abstract art style and mind-bending visuals that make the title pretty engaging indeed. Players can either employ stealth or go all-out with their weapons to complete the many stages inCruelty Squad.
The gameplay is pretty tactical and players without a plan will be annihilated in record time. The bizarre nature of this game is the biggest reason whyCruelty Squadis worth checking out for fans of FPS titles.
11Fashion Police Squad
Giving People Makeovers, One Citizen At A Time
Channeling the energy of a retro FPS,Fashion Police Squadis one of the mostnon-lethal FPS gameson Steam. Instead of killing foes outright,Fashion Police Squadtasks players with hunting down poorly-dressed enemies and giving them a much-needed makeover.
The premise of this title is pretty ridiculous but it’s the dedicationFashion Police Squadhas to this concept that makes it such a fun title. Fans looking for a light-hearted FPS will get a ton of mileage out of this game.
10ADACA
Surviving And Uncovering Secrets Is Key
ADACAis a relativelynew first-person shooter that came out in July2022. It’s an old-school game where the main character is stuck on a bizarre planet namedADACA.In this game, players must survive, uncover secrets and explore the massive open world full of details.
The game offers a lot of weapons and a story-driven campaign as it is strictly an action-adventure single-player title. A few things that make this one stand apart are the in-game abilities, such as the “GRAVITY-MANIPULATING arm,” which lets players pick up objects in the environment and use them to their advantage.
9Animalistic
Psychedelic Art And Tons Of Gore
Animalisticis a Steamearly access first-person shooter somewhat similar to the popularFEARtitles in gunplay. The game offers a lot of blood and gore, which pops out due to its unique psychedelic art style that is hard to find in FPS games nowadays.
Steam info describes the game as “a fast-paced, ultraviolent, and stylish indie FPS game where you brutally clear room after room of creepy humanoid animals.“Animalistichas a few qualities that make it a worthwhile title, such as 13 handcrafted levels, custom soundtracks, and other details.
8Nighthunt
Stealth And Survival Tactics Are Critical
On the surface,Nighthuntlooks like a knock-off ofPropnight, as both of the games offer online PvP and have horror elements. However, the similarities between the two games end with the two details mentioned before.Nighthuntis an FPS game that is more about action and 3v3 stealth-based gameplay than about hiding from a monster.
In this game, players will have to collaborate to defeat their opponents and use unique weapons available at their disposal. The best thing aboutNighthuntis its general concept: one team defends the base while the other tries to infiltrate and steal the radio antenna.
