Summary
- Looter shooters combine FPS style with RPG grinding for rewards and customization.
- Big and small teams alike have produced Looter Shooters of note over the years.
- Games like Zero Sievert and Gaunt Valkyr offer unique twists on the genre.
- Shell Runner stands out with isometric permadeath gameplay and lifelike body customization.
Although they come in many forms, looter shooters have always been popular. It's a genre that mixes the fast and frantic style of modern First Person Shooter games with RPG grinding for rewards and upgrades to encourage continued gameplay, and it always works.
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PostsWho can argue that there’s nothing better than taking down a particularly tough Skagg in Borderlands or Raid Boss in Destiny 2, only to then see it drop a big pile of loot that's an exotic or legendary class? Plus, being able to mix and match weaponry, armor, and play styles across a wide variety of characters is what sells these games to a lot of people. They offer a massive amount of personalization that lets you feel like your character is your own. It’s a subtle touch that really immerses you and draws you into the world. With that in mind, here are some of the best looter shooter games out now.
Updated April 2, 2025 By Matthew Mckeown: If you like a game that’s good at hitting that dopamine button then you can never go wrong with a looter shooter. Usually fast-paced, and filled with high risk for high reward gameplay, this genre is always popular for the right reasons.
Whether that’s blasting hordes with friends, or taking a solo run at a dungeon filled with all sorts of nasty critters, the variety in getting your gun off ensures you’re never short of a good time. If you’re looking for something to let loose in, then here’s an updated look at our best looter shooter games out now.
Schism
Simple This Game Is Not
Don’t let the super minimalist looking style of Schism fool you, this game from Fami is as deep as an ocean when it comes to its mechanics. On the surface it’s a highly challenging roguelike dungeon crawling game, but once you scratch through those first few layers you’ll see the big beast within.
Hundreds of weapons await and all of them can be modified, there’s a gigantic amount of build variability, a deity worship system, skill upgrades, hidden weapon synergies and more. Throw on top of that the huge bosses and the constantly evolving gameplay as you go through and you’ve got a great looter shooter experience that will keep you occupied for hours. If you like indie games you can really tinker with, then check out Schism.
Blood Running
Bringing Back Gear To Your Super Future Base
A slick and stylish cyberpunk themed extraction shooter from Dead Unicorn, Blood Running features a neon lit wasteland filled with all sorts of high-tech hardware wearing bandits and other beasts. After years of war ruined the planet, raids into the wasteland known as Blood Runs began.
You pick things up as one of these runners and in this procedurally generated world you’ll never know what threats you’ll run into. To keep you safe there’s a large collection of fully moddable weapons that all can be tweaked on the fly to counter any issue. With quests to complete and an outpost to restore to full working order, Blood Running has some great incentives to keep going out into those wastelands.
Cold Warms Us
Surviving The Day Is Just The Start Of Your Problems
If you enjoy bizarre indie games, then Cold Warms Us from Temmkainc will definitely catch your eye. The concept is simple, but it’s the execution that warrants the most attention. You have to find 13 expedition members lost after a plane crash in a snowy wasteland whilst scavenging for resources during the day. At night though, things turn very violent.
Hazardous creatures come running out of the dark, strange beasts burst from the ground, rocks rain from above, and it’s a rough time for all. Upgrading your character with strange modifications will give you a fighting chance, but you’ll end up looking pretty weird. It’s a unique experience with a lot of secrets worth uncovering, and it’s highly recommended for its simple yet odd experience.
Astronomics
Mining Rocks For Space Bucks
It’s a tough life as a miner in outer space, and in Astronomics from Numizmatic perfectly captures the unexpected anarchy of the great unknown. Everything can go wrong, and there’s a lot of moving parts to memorize, but when it all clicks it works really well.
You’ll be travelling to planetoids and asteroids floating in the void that you’ll strip mine for resources and upgrades. But each little ball of rock is bursting at the brim with space bugs and more. It’s a chaotic mix of minor base building, tower defense and bullet hell looter shooter at times, and it blends together really well. Despite being in Early Access, Astronomics is one worth trying out, or wishlisting at least.
Reality Core
Cartoon Chaos Across The Multiverse
A game where you’ll never be taking your finger off the trigger, Reality Core from WubsGames is an anarchic blend of Enter The Gungeon, Binding of Isaac and Rick and Morty. Set in a far off galaxy, your goal is to explore dungeon after dungeon in a never ending sci-fi multiverse.
Horrible aliens, massive mutants and more lurk in each new area, and the deeper you go the more dangerous it becomes. But there’s a lot of rewards for sticking to your guns as the arsenal of weaponry you can collect is almost unending. A fun distraction for a few hours, Reality Core is worth checking out. Plus, it’s super cheap.
Bioweaver
Building Up The Perfect Body
A looter shooter RPG with a difference, Bioweaver from Emprom and Wild Kid Games is one worth checking out. Instead of crafting guns, here you’re building organic weapons and other beneficial organs through gene editing and collecting DNA.
From simple passives, to deeply crafted and programmed attributes, Bioweaver is a fun blend of action and character customisation that you don’t see often. Your goal is to escape the labs you’re trapped in, but in your way is a huge host of mutated abominations looking to add you to the lunch menu. All you need to do is build the best organs to beat them, but it’s easier said than done.
Vampire Hunters
Filling Your Screen With Monsters And Guns
A very odd game on the surface, but if you stick with Vampire Hunters from Gamecraft Studios it will definitely surprise you. It’s a roguelite looter shooter survival game that has you hunting down Dracula, but in your way is a huge horde of monsters. And we can’t underline enough how massive that army of monsters is.
However, you can also fill your screen with multiple arms that each carry a different kind of weapon. So you can shred those hordes in seconds with the right combo. It’s absolute mayhem right from the start and if you’re looking for something that scratches that itch then you can’t go wrong with Vampire Hunters, it’s pretty bonkers and surprisingly stable.
Synthetik 2
Overthrowing Your Machine Overlords
In a future where self-learning computers helped shape civilization, things are not doing well. The world has been overrun by a seemingly unstoppable machine legion and it’s up to you to fight back for humanity in this Early Access action game from Flow Fire Games.
Whilst your firepower might be underpowered in the beginning, over time you can scavenge and upgrade your gear and yourself. It’s an exciting shooter that’s good on your own, but really excels with a group of friends. If you like cyberpunk dystopias, then you’ll feel right at home with Synthetik 2.
Sulfur
Culling Goblins With A Glock
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Like Follow FollowedSULFUR
FPS Roguelike Systems Released October 28, 2024 ESRB RT - Rating Pending Developer(s) Perfect Random Publisher(s) Perfect Random PC Release Date October 28, 2024 Platform(s) Steam Powered by Expand CollapseTake on an old-school fantasy adventure with modern weaponry in Sulfur from Perfect Random. This unique dungeon crawler has all the hallmarks of fantasy roguelikes, but with a spicy dollop of looter shooter shoved into its core.
Find answers to what happened to the world to blend it in such a way, customize your weapons in fine detail, and partake in quests for massive rewards. Overall its a simple concept that’s executed brilliantly and with a low asking price for entry, Sulfur is a looter shooter you don’t want to sleep on.
Zero Sievert
Top-Down STALKER Vibes
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Like Follow FollowedZERO Sievert
Top-down Shooter Extraction Systems Released November 15, 2022 Developer(s) CABO Studio Publisher(s) Modern Wolf Engine GameMaker Steam Deck Compatibility VerifiedWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALAn extraction shooter with a difference, Zero Sievert is a solo experience of stress, scavenging, and avoiding radioactive anomalies. In a procedurally generated wasteland filled with loot, you can be king. You just have to make it home first with all your treasures.
The local wildlife is twisted beyond recognition, hostile raiders roam the land and with a bevy of customization options for your gear, guns, and more at your fingertips there’s a lot to get lost in. Every wander in that wasteland is different and it’s very easy to get wiped out if you’re not paying attention. An enjoyable game with a relatively high skill ceiling, Zero Sievert is worth sneaking onto your wishlist.
