First-person shooters can be really tough, especially for those new to the genre. Shooting while moving and aiming at the same time can be hard to master. The genre has evolved with various new mechanics and improved weapon feedback, making it even more challenging.

While many FPS games seem to follow the footsteps of Halo or Call of Duty, there are still plenty of challenging titles that will push even experienced gamers to their limits.

From competitive multiplayer games to single-player campaigns with limited lives, the toughest FPS games offer a wide range of gameplay loops alongside the shooting action players expect. These games can be pretty tough, but those who master them will find a sense of accomplishment in overcoming these daunting challenges.

Updated on December 28, 2023 by Ritwik Mitra: First-person shooting has been a staple of gaming for a long time. These games provide an intense challenge, requiring players to be swift and accurate as they face waves of enemies. There are many challenging FPS games out there, offering a satisfying experience for those who conquer them.

29 Crysis

All-Out Battles Without The Use Of Stealth Can Be Pretty Challenging, Even On Normal Difficulty

Crysis can be quite a tough experience, especially on the highest difficulty. Enemies become more aggressive and smarter, requiring perfect reflexes to survive the game's massive levels.

28 Titanfall 2

Lack Of Reflexes Will Lead To Many Deaths

Titanfall 2 offers an amazing experience, becoming quite challenging in multiplayer. Players must make the most of the game's movement suite and wide array of firearms to overpower their opposition.

27 Apex Legends

Heroes Take A While To Master Before Players Get Into The Flow Of The Game

Apex Legends is an FPS hero shooter offering a balanced experience and deep systems, making it a scintillating FPS game. Players need to be attuned to the game and its mechanics to come out victorious.

26 Blood: Fresh Supply

Personifies The Difficulty That Pervaded Most Retro Shooters

Blood: Fresh Supply is by no means an easy title, but players who love its atmosphere and humor will have many excuses to power through this nostalgic gem of a game.

25 DOOM

Demons Don't Stop Inflicting Pain Every Step Of The Way

The reboot of DOOM has struck a perfect balance between classic FPS gameplay and modern gaming nuances, making for a tough and rich first-person shooting experience.

24 F.E.A.R

Challenging AI Coupled With An Oppressive Atmosphere

F.E.A.R. is considered one of the hardest FPS games ever made, with unforgiving gameplay and smart enemy AI that keeps players on edge.

23 Metal: Hellsinger

Timing Shots To The Rhythm Of The Beat Amidst All The Chaos Is Easier Said Than Done

Metal: Hellsinger combines rhythm games with gunslinging action, providing a challenging and entertaining experience for players.

22 Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus

Non-stop Action And A Health Handicap Near The Start Of The Game

Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus is easily the hardest game out of all the titles in the series, offering non-stop action and numerous challenges.

21 Valorant

Twitch Reflexes That Need To Be Combined With The Knowledge Of Agent Abilities

Valorant offers a struggle to tactically manage encounters while making the most of each agent's abilities, making it one of the hardest FPS games around.

20 Bulletstorm

Combining Stylish Kills With Health Management Is Challenging But Stylish

Bulletstorm offers stylish kills and health management, providing a challenging and stylish experience for players.

19 Devil Daggers

Demands Mastery Of Simple Gameplay Systems

Devil Daggers is incredibly difficult due to its simplicity, requiring speed, accuracy, and critical thinking to survive the ever-increasing onslaught of demons.

18 Deus Ex

Reliance On RPG Systems And Scarce Resources

Deus Ex offers a tough and complex experience, with reliance on RPG systems and scarce resources making it a challenging game for players.

17 Prey

A Brutal Early-Game And Challenging Immersive Sim Elements

Prey offers a brutal experience for newcomers, with complex levels and tough enemies testing players right from the start.

16 Ultrakill

Fast-Paced Gameplay With A Lot Of Opportunity To Make Mistakes

Ultrakill offers a fast-paced and challenging experience, with a single mistake having dire consequences for the player.

15 Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 (Terrorist Hunt)

Terrorist Hunt On Realistic Difficulty Has Brutal AI

Terrorist Hunt on realistic difficulty is a brutal challenge in Rainbow Six: Vegas 2, testing player's skills against enemies with perfect accuracy.

14 S.T.A.L.K.E.R. — Shadow Of Chernobyl

Unforgiving Mechanics Where A Single Misstep Is Deadly

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. — Shadow Of Chernobyl is a punishing game with dangers lurking around every corner, making it difficult for many players to get their bearings.

13 Serious Sam: The Second Encounter

Brutal Combat Encounters

Serious Sam: The Second Encounter offers challenging combat encounters, with enemies having much more health and the player being much more susceptible to damage.

12 Doom Eternal

Demands Absolute Mastery Of Gameplay Mechanics

Doom Eternal demands absolute mastery of gameplay mechanics, making a single mistake a game-ending risk for players.

11 Hunt: Showdown

Lack Of Cooperation Will Lead To Players Being Overwhelmed By Foes In No Time At All

Hunt: Showdown offers a challenging and cooperative PvE experience, with players needing effective teamwork to tackle enemies and bosses in this tough game.

10 ARMA 3

A Realistic Military Simulation Game That Takes No Prisoners

ARMA 3 offers a realistic and unforgiving military simulation, making it a tough game for players to get into.