Microsoft’s successor to the popular Xbox 360, the Xbox One represents the third video game console Microsoft has released. Part of the eighth generation of gaming, the Xbox One competed against Sony’s PlayStation 4 along with the Nintendo Wii U and later the Nintendo Switch.

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A major leap in processing power over the Xbox 360, the Xbox One also became Microsoft’s first opportunity to market a console as a full home “entertainment system,” thanks to a variety of non-video game-centric apps available, like Netflix, Hulu, and more.

Still, at its core, this is a console made for gaming, and that shows through a standout selection of games like first-person shooter titles. 

Let’s dive into some of the best!

What is a First-Person Shooter? 

A genre that has undoubtedly helped video games grow into the giant industry it is today, they remain a staple of console releases, regardless of the console name.

A first-person shooter is essentially a game that puts you in the “shoes” of the main character, as everything is seen from their eyes. When your character or main protagonist looks left, you only see what’s in their field of view. The same goes when you look right, up, or down. The only thing you can see on the character’s body is their arms and hands, which is typically holding a weapon or two. 

Was the Xbox One Known for First-Person Shooter Games?

While the best-selling game of the Xbox One era is a Halo title that sold over ten million copies, the console isn’t well known for any one genre.

Microsoft, with its Xbox consoles, had deliberately made their consoles a home to all types of games, first-person shooters included, but no one genre stands out more than another. That said, the Xbox One is definitely home to some great FPS games that are well worth a playthrough, even to this day. 

#7: emBattlefield 1/em

Don’t let the name fool you, as emBattlefield 1/em is actually the tenth game in the Battlefield series.

Released in 2016, the game is set during World War I with the single-player campaign crisscrossing around six different “War Stories.” Each of these stories takes place in various geographic regions that saw real conflict during the WWI era. Throughout the single-player campaign, you’ll play as a different main character in each of the six different levels, each of which offer a unique gameplay perspective, and it works really well. 

What’s really engaging about emBattlefield 1/em is that when you die during any level (and you will not survive every battle), instead of going back to a checkpoint, you restart as another character on the battlefield. That means you can take up the position as a rifleman, gunner, or medic at any point during the campaign. 

Multiplayer is another highlight and a staple of all Battlefield titles, with various game modes including Conquest, Domination, Team Deathmatch, and Frontlines. With support for up to 64 players in a single match, multiplayer helped drive emBattlefield 1/em to an 87 Metascore. 

#6: emDOOM/em

Seeing emDOOM/em appear on any best-of list for first-person shooters is hardly a surprise, and the Xbox One is no exception.

  • The DOOM Slayers Collection takes players through more than two decades of demon slayingWield an arsenal of powerful weapons as you battle demon hordes on Mars, on Earth, and across Hell in four critically acclaimed games: DOOM, DOOM II, DOOM 3, and DOOM (2016)Download required. Box contains keycode to download DOOM, DOOM II, and DOOM 3. Bethesda.net account and persistent broadband internet connection required for use of online functionality

Earning an 87 Metascore and a strong 8.5 out of 10 user score, this is every bit the emDOOM/em you know and love, with a twist. You see, this isn’t the emDOOM/em you remember, but a reboot of the series that adds modern-day flair to the 1990s original. 

Your character arrives with the best name ever, as Doomslayer is called upon to battle demonic forces that have risen up to destroy life on Mars in something of an alternate Earth timeline. Unlike a Call of Duty game where you use the world around you for cover, emDOOM/em asks you to run and gun without stopping. Doomslayer can jump extra high and run faster than the average person to ensure he can reach higher ledges and jump over enemies who stand in his way. 

The single-player campaign works out to be at least 13 hours long and includes everyone’s favorite emDOOM/em weapon, the chainsaw. The multiplayer game adds plenty of replay value for up to 12 players across a variety of fun game types like a deathmatch best known as “Soul Harvest.” That name is so very much emDOOM/em personified. 

#5: emWolfenstein II: The New Colossus/em

Another historical classic entry on the list of best Xbox One shooters is another non-surprise. The name Wolfenstein conjures up ideas about one of the first popular first-person shooter games. Thankfully, emWolfenstein II: The New Colossus/em is much so more fun than the 1981 pixelated, but still awesome, original Wolfenstein. 

  • America, 1961. Your assassination of Nazi General Deathshead was a short-lived victory. Despite the setback, the Nazis maintain their stranglehold on the world. You are BJ Blazkowicz, aka…

Even as it lacks a multiplayer component, the single-player campaign more than makes up for it with a storyline that captures you right from the start. Imagine if America lost the second World War and is now fully ruled by the Axis powers. Now, picture a resistance hero willing to stand up for their homeland and go as far as it takes to free their country.

Of course, gaining freedom means gunfights, and a lot of them. Thankfully, you’ll find a whole lot of weapons at your disposal. Goodbye, bad guys, you are about to meet Terror-Billy, a resistance fighter and all-out guns-blazing hero. 

The roughly ten-hour runtime was something of a disappointment as this game could and should have gone on for much longer. Still, emWolfenstein II: The New Colossus/em did more than enough with its single-player campaign to earn its 88 Metascore. 

#4: emApex Legends/em

The Xbox One era is filled with battle royale titles, including games like Fortnite and PUBG. Thankfully, the Xbox One also includes support for emApex Legends/em, which takes the battle royale style of play and makes it even better.

  • Bloodhound Edition Includes:Legendary “The Intimidator” Bloodhound skin and “Wrath Bringer” Prowler weapon skin.Exclusive “Feeling Impish” banner.Exclusive “Tormentor” badge.1,000 Apex Coins

A surprise release in 2019, emApex Legends/em has amassed more than 100 million players worldwide through cross-console availability. 

In this online multiplayer battle royale game, you jump right into the game as a “Legend” on a squad of three, competing with 19 other three-player squads. Before going into a match, you can select which character you want to play based on their strengths, personality, and playstyles. Like most battle royale games, once you are airdropped into an arena, you initially scrounge for weapons and loot before tracking down your opponents. 

The gameplay is outrageously fun and you can quickly see why emApex Legends/em not only holds an 88 Metascore but is also considered one of the most-played games around the world. Play with friends, family, or strangers — it really doesn’t matter — just be the last team standing. 

#3: ememDOOM/em Eternal/em

Surprise, another DOOM game makes the list of best Xbox One first-person shooters! The sequel to the “new” DOOM arrived in 2020 as the sixth game in the DOOM series. Taking place a little after the events of its predecessor, Doomslayer remains the main protagonist and he’s now on a mission to rid Earth of any demonic presence in DOOM Eternal. 

  • Gain access to the latest demon-killing Tech with the DOOM Slayer’s advanced praetor suit, including a shoulder-mounted flamethrower and the retractable wrist-mounted DOOM BladeUpgraded guns and mods, such as the Super shotgun’s new distance-closing meat hook attachment, and abilities like the double Dash make you faster, stronger, and more versatile than everYou can’t Kill demons when you’re Dead, and you can’t stay alive without resources. These tools are the key to your survival and becoming the ultimate demon-slayerA new class of (destructible) demonBattle mode is the new 2 versus 1 multiplayer experience built from the ground up at id software

Going into battle means you need weapons and they are plentiful. Doomslayer will have his choice among a variety of weapons, including the beloved chainsaw to help with your run-and-gun (or run-and-chop) approach. Like its predecessor, ememDOOM/em Eternal/em asks you to keep moving and mowing down your enemies. Stopping to look for cover is a great way to find yourself back at the last checkpoint. 

Even with an outstanding single-player campaign that offers excellent graphics and music, multiplayer mode helped boost ememDOOM/em Eternal/em to its 88 Metascore. Up to three different players can compete in a small number of different game modes and choose from a few different characters, including demons. You’ve never really played DOOM until you’ve played as the demons.  

#2: emCall of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered/em

Call of Duty has long been a beacon of the first-person shooter world and among the popular names in gaming. It makes absolute sense that “Soap” and Captain John Price would be remastered in beautiful high-definition and make their way to the Xbox One remaster of the 2014 classic. All of your favorite missions from consoles past are here, including “Mile High Club” and “All Ghillied Up,” and if you are just experiencing emCall of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered/em for the first time, you’re in for a real treat. 

  • One of the most critically-acclaimed games in history, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is back

Everything about this game really speaks to the “remastered” aspect of its title. Graphic enhancements are plentiful as are enhanced animations and improved sound effects, all without touching the gameplay that made it so popular. 

The single-player campaign bounces back and forth between the two main characters as well as a few other surprises throughout a chaotic but easy-to-follow storyline that takes you around the world. Multiplayer is just as wonderful as the single-player aspect with its own updates to further improve gameplay without touching any of the original game modes, weapons, or killstreaks. emCall of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered/em has more than earned its 89 Metascore. 

#1: emOverwatch/em

The highest-rated first-person shooter on the Xbox One is also the only game to achieve a greater than 90 Metascore. Arriving with a 91 Meta score, emOverwatch/em is a standout multiplayer game from the wizards at Blizzard Entertainment.

  • Experience the extraordinaryPlay as heroes, not classesFight for the future togetherThe world is your battlefieldOverwatch legendary edition includes 5 Epic and 5 legendary skins; Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Blood, violence, use of tobacco

Players are assigned to two teams of six where you can choose from a variety of characters, each with their own special powers and abilities. What makes emOverwatch/em so engaging is that it’s easy to pick up and jump right into the game. 

Playing through 28 different maps, each map forces you to think outside the first-person shooter arena every now and then. MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) fans will find the combination of this gameplay plus FPS makes for a complete game overall. The game is so popular that there are dedicated esports competitions as teams around the world battle for the crown of the best emOverwatch/em team worldwide. 

emOverwatch/em is often considered one of the best games of 2016 and even one of the best games ever made. That’s saying a lot when you consider competition like Halo, Mario, DOOM, and so many other console greats. 

Final Thoughts

We know your first question before you even have a chance to ask, and that is: why is Halo not on this list?

The answer is actually quite simple as these rankings are based on Metacritic.com Metascore, and Halo doesn’t score greater than the titles on this list. Instead, games like Overwatch and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered rank as the best first-person shooters for the Xbox One.