Ever since the ‘90s and its classics like “Doom,” “Quake,” and “Half-Life,” the FPS genre of games has dominantly ruled the PC market. Nowadays, some twenty-odd years later, things are pretty much the same — first-person shooters are still all the rage.
But what makes them so special? Well, it’s simple. The view of the world inside the game is immersive. The only genre that can beat FPS games in this is VR. And to be honest, it’s pretty much the same thing, just repacked and costs more to enjoy.
Without further ado, let’s find out what are the most played 2021 FPS games among PC enthusiasts, shall we?
Titanfall 2
Although it’s been five years since the release date of “Titanfall 2”, Respawn’s epic shooter is still one of the most popular games out there. But to maintain such popularity long after its initial release isn’t an easy task by any means. It requires the title to be one step ahead of its rivals in the video presentation and to have a fun multiplayer mode. Luckily for Respawn, “Titanfall 2” has both gorgeous graphics and balanced and exciting multiplayer.
When it comes to the single-player campaign, it’s also more than satisfactory. There’s a fun story, memorable characters, epic set pieces, yet nothing to overshadow the game’s mechanics. In other words, there are not many more satisfying moments in gaming than running up a wall and blasting a group of enemy NPCs with a shotgun. And ever since Respawn added a co-op mode, the game’s popularity keeps growing, with no end in sight.
Overwatch
What do you get when you mix “League of Legends” and “Team Fortress?” Well,’ you get a fun-to-play teamwork FPS that’s one of the most played games of 2021. Of course, while “Overwatch” differs from the mentioned two titles, they share just enough similarities, so they have the same popularity and mass appeal. It’s a perfect combo.
On the flip side, there’s something that keeps PC gamers debating about “Overwatch.” Namely, some argue it takes months and months to figure out what characters suit you best. But if you ask us, that gives the game the replayability value that most titles lack.
As we’ve said, “Overwatch” is all about teamwork. It’s not that important who gunned down the most enemies or how many headshots they’ve managed while at it. You’ll get more praise if you revive a sniper at a capture point playing as Mercy or if you push the payload using Reinhart’s shield.
Apex Legends
It’s safe to say that when “Apex Legends” first dropped, it was a massive hit among PC games. And not much has changed since then. This EA title is still one of the most popular games today. In fact, the number of players enjoying it is on the rise. “Apex Legends” is smashing record after record, and it seems like nothing can stop it.
But what makes this game so popular? Well, “Apex Legends” is way more fun to play than other battle royal titles. The gameplay is smooth and easy, making it more than enjoyable even for the least experienced gamers out there. From strategy to movement and gunplay, “Apex Legends” is currently one of a kind.
CS:GO
For almost two decades now, the FPS multiplayer phenomenon of “Counter-Strike” has been ruling the free-to-play PC scene. Originally, it was a mod for another classic, “Half-Life,” and Valve saw potential in it and remade it into something more modern — “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.” Using the “Source” engine, “CS:GO” requires the barest of minimums when it comes to hardware. Therefore, it’s easy to understand why so many of us enjoy it.
Nevertheless, it’s not just about it being a low-requirement title. “CS:GO” is as fun to play as its original predecessor was. Even if you’re new to it, becoming better while playing it will be a unique reward. Sure, seasoned pros that play it night and day will find you easy prey, but the game’s not complex, so you’ll soon advance into a more serious challenger.
Call of Duty: Warzone
What began in 2003 as a WWII-themed single-player game in Activision’s original “Call of Duty” is now a global multiplayer phenomenon. The chances are that every other person in your vicinity is playing “Call of Duty: Warzone.” And for a good reason. This is a free-to-play mode from “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare,” and it’s yet another record-breaking PC FPS these days. It even made an appearance in “Saturday Night Live!”
Although it requires better hardware than “CS:GO,” “Call of Duty: Warzone” isn’t a behemoth when it comes to resources. It runs okay on most budget PCs and gaming laptops, making it easily accessible for most people. The game is about teamwork as much as it is about shooting people with awesome-looking guns. It’s not just a run-of-the-mill first-person shooter like most are.
PUBG: Battlegrounds
Originally titled just “PUBG,” this FPS is yet another popular PC game that both kids, teens, and adults are raving about. “PUBG: Battlegrounds” has a battle royal mode that makes it so appealing to gamers around the world. It’s fast and aggressive, and it’s quite addictive. Of course, not in a bad way.
“PUBG: Battlegrounds” has a simple concept. Alongside a hundred players, you parachute from a plane to an island. Once on the ground, you immediately speed up and loot, so you can equip yourself better than the rest before the shooting starts. But over time, the playable area of the island begins to shrink, forcing you and others into combat.
Valorant
Similar to “CS:GO” and “Overwatch,” Riot’s FPS “Valorant” is the last entry on our list. Although it shares similarities with the mentioned titles, that’s not a bad thing in our eyes. How so? Well, it shares the positives, including it being fun to play, fast-paced, team-oriented, and most importantly, free.
But unlike, let’s say, “Counter-Strike,” playing “Valorant” doesn’t mean that you’ll be up against thirty-something concurrent players who’ve played the game’s maps more than half of their life. This is important because there’s no unfair advantage when it comes to game familiarity. Nevertheless, if you’re bad at aiming or slow, well, you’ll be in for a rough one.
