Having a good time with Halo Infinite? Chances are you’re a fan of arena shooters. There’s a reason this cult genre is still popular, despite action games evolving into deeper and richer subsets. Arena shooters offer a joyride of fast-paced movement that give you full 1:1 control. That’s coupled with small-scaled maps packed with strategic spaces. And best of all: you’re never too far from where the action is. If that’s the kind of quick and gratifying action you’re looking for, here are some of our recommendations.
Doom Eternal
Let’s get the most obvious one out of the way first. Doom Eternal has pushed the envelope when it comes to killing your enemies in the most brutal and satisfying ways. With additions like the grappling hook, getting in and out of the action has gotten faster than ever. That, paired with connecting kills to ammo and health resources, is pure genius. As mindless as killing hell-spawn with big weapons is, Doom Eternal end up being the most cerebral game in the genre.
Available on Steam; free on Game Pass for PC
Split Gate
What happens with you put Halo-like armoured warriors in a world with portal guns? That’s exactly the question that Split Gate answers. Armed with a portal gun (apart from your regular guns), you can either play all-guns-blazing or strategically jump on unsuspecting foes by portalling above them. Yes, it’s as fun as it sounds.
Available for free on Steam
Diabotical
It’s Quake 3 Arena with you playing as a… ball-shaped robot. Well, the concept is weird but don’t let that come in the way of how hardcore this shooter is. Old-school levels demanding constant movement, some incredibly satisfying gunplay, and an arsenal that includes rocket launchers, railguns and shotguns – it’s all there.
Available free on Epic Games Store
Quake Champions
Speaking of Quake, here’s where the original series now: a free-to-play multiplayer arena shooter with minimum frills focused completely on high-speed gunplay. It may not have garnered the popularity of its predecessors, but it’s still a great game with a surprisingly loyal following.
Available for free on Steam
Ziggurat 2
If you’re a fan of fantasy, Ziggurat 2 could be your chalice of tea. Though it leans a bit towards a roguelite, the action and pacing in the game is undoubtedly arena shooter-inspired. Play a wizard and explore procedurally generated dungeons for epic loot and hordes of enemies that protect it.
Available on Steam
Ultrakill
If you prefer blazing framerates over high-visual quality, this is the zero-frills, high-splatter arena shooter to go for. But despite its simplistic visuals, Ultrakill is pure indulgence for shooter fans. Geared as a heavily armoured super-soldier who regains health by bathing in demon blood, there’s no leap too high, or combo too complex for you to execute here… in style!
Available on Steam
Prodeus
It’s Doom from the 1990s re-imagined with today’s complexities, while keeping the pixel art intact. Sounds complex? Take one look at the game and you get to see the genius in visual design that Prodeus boasts. Claimed to be a ‘boomer shooter,’ Prodeus does not hold back on gibs and carnage, while keeping everything on screen hypnotically beautiful.
Available on Steam
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