PC games come in a variety of entertaining forms. For example, strategy games—both turn-based and real-time—challenge your tactical prowess. Puzzle games scratch a similar itch, but typically with twitchy, block-dropping, or item-shifting challenges. The shooter, on the other hand, is an incredibly popular genre that tests your ability to keep blasting until you see your enemies reduced to pulp.
Shooters typically come in two forms: first-person or third-person. First-person shooters are often more immersive gaming experiences, as the game you play unfolds from your perspective. The demon-slaying Doom (2016) and its sequel, Doom Eternal, are standouts in that sub-genre. Third-person shooters simply look cooler, because you can see your on-screen avatar's full body as it navigates the battlefield. PlatinumGames' Vanquish is a perfect example of this, as you can witness Sam Gideon jetting across the warzone in ability-enhancing power armor.
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How Do Shooters Fare on Steam Deck?
Valve’s Steam Deck gives you access to the enormous Steam library on a capable, portable, and surprisingly convenient device. Purists may argue that shooters are best experienced with a keyboard and mouse, not a controller (or the Steam Deck's touchpads). Fortunately, you can use those input devices if you have a Steam Deck Dock.
There are thousands of Steam Deck Verified and Playable games, so you are bound to find quality shooters to play on the Linux-powered handled. Verified games feature a green checkmark on the store page, meaning the game is assured to run well on the Deck. Playable is denoted with a yellow button, meaning it needs some light tweaking to get it running smoothly. Note that games requiring an online connection aren’t ideal for on-the-go play, unless you have a dedicated Wi-Fi-signal in the vicinity.
Are you ready to start blasting? Here are some of our favorite first- and third-person shooters.
Why You Should Game on a PCPlay Non-Shooter Games