Top 10 Modern Boomer Shooters: A Definitive Ranking

Highlights

Boomer shooters, influenced by iconic games like Doom and Quake, are making a comeback, offering fast-paced combat, simple art styles, and tons of enemies to gun down.

Prodeus, Metal Hellsinger, Project Warlock, Amid Evil, Ion Fury, and Dusk exemplify the spirit of boomer shooters with their exhilarating gameplay and nostalgic visuals. These games offer a pure sense of escapism and are ideal for fans of traditional shooters, delivering thrilling combat, unforgettable level design, and an intense soundtrack.

The realm of FPS shooters houses a remarkable generation that holds a significant position in gaming history. Wolfenstein, Quake, and Doom, among others, revolutionized the genre and took it to new heights. For a specific age group, these games often served as the gateway into the world of gaming itself.

In recent years, there has been a surge in developers creating games that draw heavy inspiration from these iconic originals. These games, known as "Boomer Shooters," authentically recapture the exhilarating chaos that the originals executed so brilliantly. With their elements of swift movement, straightforward art style, frantic combat, and hordes of adversaries to vanquish, boomer shooters epitomize adrenaline-fueled gaming at its finest.

10. Prodeus

Prodeus

Platform(s) PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series SReleased September 23, 2022Developer Bounding Box SoftwareSteam User Rating 93% (October 25, 2023)

Drawing heavy influence from Doom and cranking the blood and gore factor to the max, Prodeus proves to be a strong contender in the sub-genre, catering to the cravings of avid boomer shooter enthusiasts. Despite the issue of levels seamlessly blending together, the game delivers all the beloved elements characteristic of nostalgic FPS games.

Boasting a thrilling soundtrack, an abundance of demonic foes to obliterate, and an exhilarating pace, Prodeus excels in each of these aspects and distinguishes itself by incorporating contemporary particle techniques that elevate the pixelated style beyond a mere '90s aesthetic.

9. Metal Hellsinger

Metal: Hellsinger

Platform(s) PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|SReleased September 15, 2022Developer The OutsidersSteam User Rating 97% (October 25, 2023)

Metal Hellsinger takes the intense metal soundtrack from classic shooters and elevates it to a new level of interactivity. This exhilarating rhythmic shooter combines the fast-paced action of Doom-style gameplay with a unique metal soundtrack, allowing players to deal greater damage to enemies by syncing their kills with the beat of the music.

Naturally, Metal Hellsinger caters to the metalhead community, which may discourage fans of other genres. However, the game offers a enjoyable, straightforward gameplay loop that proves to be highly effective. With the incorporation of rhythm mechanics, Metal Hellsinger becomes a noteworthy and unforgettable addition to the genre.

8. Project Warlock

Project Warlock

Platform(s) PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox OneReleased October 17, 2018Developer Buckshot SoftwareSteam User Rating 88% (October 25, 2023)

Project Warlock draws inspiration from games like Quake and Hexen, but goes far beyond. It eliminates quick save options and checkpoints, forcing players to restart the level upon death.

In terms of design, Project Warlock is characterized by its vibrant and engaging pixel art style, reminiscent of comic books. Each chapter presents a unique setting, ensuring that the level design remains fresh and exciting. The gameplay itself is seamless and highly enjoyable, making it a must-play for fans of the boomer shooter genre.

7. Amid Evil

Amid Evil

Platform(s) PCReleased June 20, 2019Developer IndefatigableSteam User Rating 94% (October 25, 2023)

Amid Evil is an innovative dark fantasy FPS that draws inspiration from cult shooter classics like Hexen and Heretic. Instead of typical firearms, the game introduces magical swords and staffs, making it a standout title among the recent surge of boomer shooter games.

With its seven distinct worlds, Amid Evil presents a diverse range of styles and vibrant colors. The weapons featured in the game deliver substantial destructive capabilities, immersing players in a thrilling and empowering experience. Offering a refreshing departure from the often-seen sci-fi backdrop, Amid Evil provides a delightful dose of fantasy gaming nostalgia.

6. Ion Fury

Ion Fury

Platform(s) PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox OneReleased August 15, 2019Developer VoidpointSteam User Rating 94% (October 25, 2023)

Ion Fury is a game that proudly displays its influences, particularly Duke Nukem 3D. Expect a thrilling cyber-punk setting filled with nods to pop culture and accompanied by clever one-liners.

Not only does the game deliver an exceptional gameplay experience, but it also provides a diverse array of weapons. These weapons come equipped with alternative shooting modes, allowing players to swiftly and effectively eliminate a wide range of adversaries. Ion Fury has played a vital role in the surging popularity of boomer shooters in recent years. Additionally, it boasts an outstanding expansion known as Ion Fury: Aftershock.

5. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun

Platform(s) PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series SReleased May 23, 2023Developer(s) Auroch DigitalSteam User Rating 91% (October 25, 2023)

The world of Warhammer 40k provides an ideal setting for a game like this. With its demonic hordes and unstoppable space marine protagonist, Boltgun embraces the brutality players unleash upon the infernal creatures of the warp.

Boltgun isn't limited to fans of 40k; its gratifying combat and fast-paced gameplay make it a fantastic contribution to the genre while remaining faithful to the original material. Though the late game may suffer from repetitive enemy types, the exceptional combat ensures that players will relish in cleansing chaos time and time again.

4. Ultrakill

Ultrakill

Platform(s) PCReleased September 3, 2020Developer(s) Arsi "Hakita" PatalaSteam User Rating 98% (October 25, 2023)

Ultrakill is a highly enjoyable old-school FPS game that draws inspiration from various classic games of the past. While it may lack in narrative depth, it compensates with intense action. The core focus of these games is to provide a pure sense of escapism, and Ultrakill excels at achieving this objective.

This boomer shooter has been crafted with great affection. While it may not offer groundbreaking originality, it excels at what it sets out to do and serves as a superb addition to any gaming collection.

3. Cultic

Cultic

Platform(s) PCReleased October 13, 2022Developer Jasozz GamesSteam User Rating 98% (October 25, 2023)

Combining the eerie horror atmosphere of Amnesia: Dark Descent with the high-speed intensity of classical shooters, Cultic immerses players in a gritty and blood-soaked experience. With a selection of weathered weaponry, players will navigate through a world that fuses the 2D aesthetics of retro games with contemporary development techniques. This results in a distinctive and unforgettable game that stands apart from its typically futuristic counterparts.

2. Turbo Overkill

Turbo Overkill

Platform(s) PCReleased August 11, 2023Developer(s) Trigger Happy InteractiveSteam User Rating 96% (October 25, 2023)

Turbo Overkill delivers exactly what gamers anticipate. Its title succinctly captures the essence of the gameplay. Players will experience high-speed movement and engage in rapid enemy elimination.

Turbo Overkill immerses players in an exhilarating shooter set in a futuristic environment that maintains its intense pace throughout. It even includes a satisfying sliding function enhanced by a leg-mounted chainsaw. Additionally, the game offers an upgrade system, granting players the freedom to enhance their weaponry and further add to the chaos. This game stands out among the new wave of shooters inspired by classic, old-school gameplay.

1. Dusk

DUSK

Platform(s) PC, SwitchReleased December 10, 2018Developer David SzymanskiSteam User Rating 97% (October 25, 2023)

When it comes to the recent surge of Boomer Shooters, Dusk is always brought up for a good reason. This fast-paced action adventure game prioritizes gameplay over its storyline. Drawing inspiration from classics like Quake, Dusk manages to establish its own unique identity and offers a fantastic gaming experience. With its responsive and fluid mechanics, taking down the various enemy cultists is incredibly satisfying. It's clear that Dusk paved the way for the boomer shooters that followed.