Most first-person shooters are either set during historical wars or the modern era, or are based on sci-fi concepts. There are very few that are based on fantasy, as most first-person fantasy games are action RPGs or turn-based dungeon crawlers instead of shooters.
10 Best First Person Fantasy Games of All Time, Ranked
Immerse yourself in the best first-person fantasy games, with enchanting worlds, powerful magic, and exciting gameplay that's (mostly) gun-free.
This list will collect the best fantasy shooters and rank them based on how good the shooting mechanics are, how good they look, and in some cases, how well they last. Some examples include Darkwatch, Warhammer: Vermintide 2and Doom: The Dark Agesso let's move on and find out how they rank with the others.
Preview for Shooter fans
|
Game title |
Battle archetype |
Best for… |
|
Doom: The Dark Ages |
A first-person shooter with guns and some light melee |
For those looking for nonstop action in a linear game |
|
Dishonored |
A first-person shooter with guns, daggers and paranormal abilities |
A more stealth-focused game with open approaches to missions in a semi-open world |
|
Wizordum |
A first-person shooter with magic instead of guns, along with some light melee combat |
A roguelike with a diverse set of spells for those looking for a sense of progression, even after death |
Click or tap the games that match the category
Start
7
Heretic
Doom but with magic
Heretic
- Released
-
December 23, 1994
- ESRB
-
t
Heretic run on the literal Downfall engine, which is why it looks so similar. Although id Software didn't develop it, they at least published it and gave Raven Software their blessing. It lacks demons, iconic weapons like the literal BFG, and banging metal, but this game still rules the roost for anyone looking for a fun '90s experience.
Players will find a variety of guns that work equally well against monsters, from crossbows to wands. It even does some things Downfall doesn't, adding to the role-play and fantasy of the aesthetic. Players can obtain items and manage an inventory, for example, such as a potion that can upgrade weapons temporarily. It's not the most mind-blowing shooter, though Heretic lives on through ports and remasters, and that's impressive for a game from 1994.
6
Darkwatch
Vampires Of The Old West
Darkwatch is an example of a heightened part of reality with a fantasy twist. Players take on the role of Jericho Cross, who is transformed into a vampire at the start of the game and then recruited into a paranormal organization: Darkwatch. Armed with steampunk-inspired revolvers, shotguns, crossbows and more, players will beat back the armies of darkness in this dark old western tale.
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It's a linear game, but there is some choice in the form of some NPCs. Players can rescue or sacrifice them, leading to various powers for Jericho to learn, such as a blood shield. Darkwatchunfortunately, cannot be enjoyed easily, as there is no modern version to play, but for retro game hunters, keep this on the old radar.
5
Wizordum
Harry Potter as a Roguelike
Wizordum is essentially a spiritual successor to Hereticbecause it's a level-based shooter that goes back to the 90s. Instead of being a gory throwback, the developer decided to use colorful sprites, but still include gore. The dichotomy between the colorful graphics and the gore is one thing that helps Wizordum stands out, but it's also just a good magic-based shooter.
Players can find weapons in levels and switch between them on the fly, including a staff that shoots ice, an old-fashioned gun, and rings that ignite fireballs. Between levels, players can purchase upgrades, and it's a decently long campaign that also hides a lot of secrets in each level, adding to the replay value.
4
Warhammer: Vermintide 2
A Co-Op class-based shooter
The Warhammer the game series is unique in that there are two distinct universes that have fans on each side. There's the space content, and then there's the fantasy stuff, which includes Warhammer: Vermintide 2. This game supports four-player co-op, and it's basically the fantasy version of Left 4 Dead.
There are several different characters to choose from, each with unique builds, which players can upgrade with skills as they go. Gear and crafting are also a big part of the experience, so even though each mission is standalone, there are RPG elements that make players feel stronger in the next match. Whether it's swinging a sword, blasting magic, or shooting a bow, combat is fantastic, especially when all four players synchronize their team dynamics to create a memorable experience, pitfalls and all.
3
Doom: The Dark Ages
A Ripping Good Time
The Downfall Games sort of have a fantasy twist as players usually fight demons on Mars, which is connected to the gates of the underworld. As said, Doom: The Dark Ages goes even harder on the fantasy tropes as the titular Doom Guy in this game looks like a cross between a medieval knight and the Master Chief from Halo. All of the weapons are pretty standard, offering players rifles and shotguns of all kinds, but there's also a new melee twist.
Players will find and unlock a shield that is also a chainsaw, which has to be one of the coolest shields in a game since Captain America first appeared in any Marvel game. In addition to weapons and shields, players can also control a mech. So, while Doom: The Dark Ages is more sci-fi than fantasy, no one can deny the fun of shooting demons.
2
Dishonored
A sneaky approach to the paranormal
Dishonored is technically more of a first-person action-adventure game than a balls-to-the-wall shooter, but it all depends on how the fans play their cards. Set in a steampunk dystopian society, players are convicted of murdering the empress and then hunted. The goal is to assassinate the leaders of the city one at a time to hopefully get to the bottom of this conspiracy.
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Players will be armed with a knife, guns, gadgets and most importantly, supernatural powers. For example, they can teleport short distances, which can help get past guards or jump over gaps. Players can go through the game and kill everyone like a typical shooter, but that would go against the spirit of the game, plus it would attract more rats to the town. Between the open approach to missions, the world design and the cool powers, Dishonored is still an excellent experience, regardless of how fans label it.
1
Witch fire
An Early Access Darling
Witch fire has been in Early Access since 2023, only on PC, and console gamers have been dying to get their hands on it. So far, it's an incredible shooter with updates that have helped add new content, balance difficulty, and fix bugs. The game itself takes place in an alternate history where the Vatican sends out hunters to find witches. In missions, which take place in expansive maps that hide many secrets and side objectives, players will fight against hordes of witches as they try to achieve their goals, mostly in the form of undead warriors and ghosts.
The weapon lineup has a similar steampunk aesthetic Darkwatchand the game itself almost feels like a combination of that game and The Witcher universe. Although the game has not been officially released yet, as an Early Access game, Witch fire is already in a category of its own. It has cool powers, awesome weapons, solid shooting, amazing world building and so much more as a roguelike. The only downside is its PC exclusivity at the moment.
The best action fantasy games of all time
Fantasy games are fairly common, as are action games, but to see the two combined so effectively in these games is something special.
