First- and third-person shooters have often been the biggest--and most bankable--genre in gaming for years now. But in 2023? They've taken a backseat to several essential games from other genres that debuted this year. That's not to say that shooters are declining, as there were many games this year where the emphasis was on filling your hand with iron and slinging some lead at any enemies on the screen.

According to GameSpot's sister site, Metacritic, 2023 saw explosive spellcasting, remasters of classic FPS games, and intense virtual reality experiences rise to the top, all bringing with them a unique sense of action and style. We've crunched the numbers for the best shooters of 2023 according to various outlets on Metacritic, and you can read below to see which games in that action-packed genre made the cut this year.

For a closer look at other highlights of 2023, you can check out GameSpot's roundups of the 10 best games of 2023 and the best PC games of the year.

Turbo Overkill

Turbo Overkill wastes no time in introducing you to its world, as within a minute, you're effortlessly gunning down enemies and turning them into giblets with your chainsaw-powered slide-attacks. It's a boomer-shooter in the same vein as classic Doom and Quake, but Turbo Overkill dials up the action constantly as you paint the town red with pixelated blood. It is a masterclass in ultraviolence--a wonderful blend of the past with the present--and it has an ultra-cool attitude that's hard to beat.

Metacritic: 91

Quake 2: Enhanced Edition

We've seen some terrific action games pay homage to the past with retro visuals and old-school action, but sometimes, you just can't beat the original inspiration behind those titles. Nightdive's remaster of Quake 2 is a prime example of this, a stunning display of first-person shooter ferocity that has aged like the finest of wines. With a firm foundation in place, Nightdive has given Id Software's fast-paced sequel a glorious makeover alongside thoughtful tweaks, additional content, and graphical upgrades that elevate the experience.

Metacritic: 90

Remnant 2

While the original Remnant was interesting but flawed, its sequel stands out as a tighter and more confident dive into a post-apocalyptic world full of danger and mystery. Remnant 2 excels at providing an unpredictable experience, flexible gameplay, and good old-fashioned fun. Ignore the forgettable story and focus on the gunplay, and you'll find a game that feels constantly rewarding thanks to its rock-solid combat and skills systems. It's comfort food that feels just right when you switch your brain off and enjoy the spectacle.

Metacritic: 85 | Read our Remnant 2 review

Counter-Strike 2

It can be a hard sell to shift over to a sequel when you've got years of time and effort invested in the original game, but for Counter-Strike 2, Valve succeeded at making the transition as seamless as possible. For veterans, the option to make a smooth hop over to the improved Counter-Strike 2 with all of their personal history intact was a no-brainer. More of a visual improvement anchored by several new gameplay elements, Counter-Strike 2 is a gorgeous upgrade that sets the FPS for a whole new decade of action. Veterans can hit the ground running, newcomers can try out a polished competitive shooter, and the future looks bright for the next chapter of Counter-Strike.

Metacritic: 82

Everspace 2

A vast galaxy to explore, spaceships to collect, and pirates to fend off with a barrage of laser-beams? It's not Starfield you're thinking of, but Everspace 2. Finally out of early access this year, Everspace 2 might have RPG elements that encourage you to explore the cosmos and gather resources to boost your standing in the civilized systems, but at its core, it is an immensely satisfying spaceborne shooter in a criminally underrepresented genre. If you're looking for a sci-fi game that excels at action, spaceship customization, and flashy graphics, Everspace 2 is an easy recommendation.

Metacritic: 81

Otxo

What happens when you combine the top-down action of Hotline Miami with the cool factor of John Wick? You get Otxo, a dark and fast-paced roguelite that is fueled by pure "just one more run" energy. The gun-wielding protagonist faces off against hordes of cannon-fodder foes looking to cut him down to size, and Otxo rises to the challenge with its slick choreographed action, creative carnage, and a killer soundtrack.

Metacritic: 81

Ray'z Arcade Chronology

While it might be a niche genre, there's an enduring charm to vertical shoot-'em-ups, especially when you're looking for a game that gives your thumbs a bullet-hell workout. This compilation of Taito's arcade classics--RayStorm, RayCrisis, and RayForce--is a treat for the eyes and an instant appointment with your local optometrist because you won't want to blink when you're up to your neck in orbs, enemies, and titanic bosses. It's pure high-speed eye candy that has stood the test of time, and alongside HD versions of RayStorm and RayCrisis, it's a feature-packed compilation that fans of the genre won't want to miss out on.

Metacritic: 81

Trepang2

Its monsters might feel like an afterthought, its stealth sections feel entirely optional, and its main character is generic, but none of that matters when you lose yourself in the bliss of Trepang2's superb gunplay. Where Trepang2 excels is the action department, and with a creeping injection of unsettling horror, rich weapon customization, and a few supersoldier abilities added to the mix, it's a fun blast of ballistic power all wrapped up in a short and sweet package of over-the-top violence.

Metacritic: 78

Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition

Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition lives up to its name, as this remaster of the classic DOS game looks sharp and is packed with an absurd amount of content. It's still charmingly silly, but with a goodie bag of optional extras, classic cheat codes, restored content, multiple soundtracks, and so much more, this is the definitive edition of a classic first-person shooter. Just remember to watch out for all those monks before things get too ludicrous.

Metacritic: 78

El Paso, Elsewhere

Wonderfully weird and refreshingly simple, El Paso, Elsewhere manages to delight and surprise with its vampire-hunting love story. It's a game that is clearly inspired by third-person action games like Max Payne and Stranglehold, but it's not chained to the past either. Expertly balancing its run-and-gun gameplay with a constant sense of challenge, El Paso, Elsewhere is a thrill to play and heartbreaking to watch as its delicate narrative of lost love at the end of the world unfolds.

Metacritic: 78 | Read our El Paso, Elsewhere review

System Shock

What's old is new again, as System Shock made a splash earlier this year. While the gameplay mostly remains the same in Nightdive's remake, technical tweaks beneath the surface of the Citadel space station strike a fine balance between the charm of retro-inspired gameplay and modern conveniences. System Shock remains as iconic as ever, as the chase to stop SHODAN--while dodging the malevolent AI's abominations--feels as nerve-racking in 2023 as it did in 1994. It's a cyberpunk thriller for veterans and newcomers alike, cementing System Shock's status as a cult-classic for a new generation.

Metacritic: 78

Synapse

If your PlayStation VR2 headset has been gathering dust since you bought it, Synapse is the game to check out on that hardware. It's a roguelike rush of power as you run through gauntlets of enemies, but fret not, because you won't be wielding a rich selection of military-grade weapons against the waves of enemies gunning for you. Telekinetic skills will make you feel like a gun-toting Darth Vader in this imaginative game. The next generation of VR on PS5 still has a long way to go, but for now, Synapse is a standout title on that system.

Metacritic: 77

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora might look like Far Cry with an exceptionally tall protagonist, but Ubisoft's exploration of an alien planet makes for a game that feels worlds apart from that franchise. While the open-world elements, optional sidequests, and acrobatic action feel familiar, Frontiers of Pandora distinguishes itself with a sense of wonder and awe, stunning visuals, and a surprising amount of freedom as you're left to your own devices inside of this exotic toybox.

Metacritic: 77 | Read our Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora review

Sprawl

Sprawl makes you feel like a pinball when all of its gears mesh together, as this first-person shooter gives you a bag of tricks to make use of in the heat of combat. Wallrunning, slides, and bullet-time might not be novel ideas on their own, but in Sprawl's gun-toting hands, these acrobatic abilities can be combined to form a unique offense that fuses perfectly well with its polished gameplay. It's not the next evolution in the FPS genre, but when you've got engaging gameplay that succeeds in making you feel like a powerhouse, games like Sprawl are a tasty treat to devour.

Metacritic: 76

Meet Your Maker

From Behaviour Interactive, the creators of Dead by Daylight, Meet Your Maker is a fascinating community-focused game. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, it's a game of two parts as you assume the role of either a builder who cobbles together deathtraps or a raider who attempts to survive being locked in a trap-filled dungeon that would make Jigsaw green with envy. Combined, these two portions make for a game that feels fresh and original, and months after launch, it continues to evolve into a wonderfully devious build-and-raid experience.

Metacritic: 76

Raiden III x Mikado Maniax

If the Ray'Z Arcade Chronology didn't quench your thirst for pure shmup action, then Raiden III x Mikado Maniax should satiate your need with its high-speed spaceship warfare. It's an arcade classic given a new lease on life, and it looks better than ever thanks to several visual updates in this version. It also feels even more feature-packed when you play around with its customizable modes, double your firepower with two ships, and enlist a friend to help you survive the bullet hell that awaits you in this exciting entry in the classic arcade series.

Metacritic: 76

Immortals of Aveum

Who needs a boomstick when you have a fistful of arcane artillery waiting to be unleashed in the direction of several nearby enemies? In Immortals of Aveum, firepower takes on a new meaning.a. There's a learning curve to its magic that flows beautifully once you master it, its lore is fascinating, and it has a strong single-player campaign that is highly replayable thanks to all of the secrets lurking in the shadows.

Metacritic: 76 | Read our Immortals of Aveum review

Atomic Heart

BioShock with a doomed Soviet flavor, Atomic Heart has some terrific ideas and exciting gunplay that'll keep you entertained for hours. It also has aggravating dialogue--please, no more mentions of crispy critters--and an annoying leading man mixed in with several other flaws, but if you can overlook them, Atomic Heart shines when you get down and dirty with its superb weapons, imaginative powers, and beautifully designed world.

Metacritic: 75 | Read our Atomic Heart review

RoboCop: Rogue City

There's no denying that RoboCop: Rogue City is a slow-paced slog through Old Detroit streets, but when the action kicks off, it's a rush of power fueled by the best hardware that OCP money can buy. Developer Teyon's adaptation of RoboCop is a love-letter to the '80s cinematic icon, a passionate examination of the man behind the Kevlar-laminated titanium shell. Sure, it looks like a PS3-era game, but when you find your groove with brain-splattering ricochets and piston-powered punches, the game is a treat for fans of the beloved film franchise.

Metacritic: 75 | Read our RoboCop: Rogue City review

Zombieland VR: Headshot Fever Reloaded

Cartoonishly violent, Zombieland: Headshot Fever is a fun adaptation of the fan-favorite films and full of undead shamblers just waiting for you to double-tap them in the noggin. It's a simple on-rails shooter for PlayStation VR2, but it uses that hardware to deliver a surprisingly cathartic sense of firepower.

Metacritic: 75 | Read our review

Arizona Sunshine 2

Just like the Zombieland entry above, Arizona Sunshine 2 is a superb example of using VR hardware to deliver a rush of adrenaline as you gun down hordes of the undead. You're spewing one-liners, you have your best canine pal by your side, and there's a fun balance between turning zombies into giblets and exploring seemingly abandoned locations to discover new weapons. It's a high-stakes blast of fun as you attempt to keep track of your ammo and the escalating threat around you, but Arizona Sunshine 2 still feels like a rewarding vacation in the zombie apocalypse wasteland.

Metacritic: 75 | Read our Arizona Sunshine 2 review