Summary
- Looter shooters combine FPS style with RPG grinding for rewards and customization.
- Big and small teams alike have produced Looter Shooters of note over the years.
- Games like Zero Sievert and Gaunt Valkyr offer unique twists on the genre.
- Shell Runner stands out with isometric permadeath gameplay and lifelike body customization.
Although they come in many forms, looter shooters have always been popular. It’s a genre that mixes the fast and frantic style of modern First Person Shooter games with RPG grinding for rewards and upgrades to encourage continued gameplay, and it always works.
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Who can argue that there’s nothing better than taking down a particularly tough Skagg in Borderlands or Raid Boss in Destiny 2, only to then see it drop a big pile of loot that’s an exotic or legendary class? Plus, being able to mix and match weaponry, armor, and play styles across a wide variety of characters is what sells these games to a lot of people. They offer a massive amount of personalization that lets you feel like your character is your own. It’s a subtle touch that really immerses you and draws you into the world. With that in mind, here are some of the best looter shooter games out now.
Updated April 2, 2025 By Matthew Mckeown: If you like a game that’s good at hitting that dopamine button then you can never go wrong with a looter shooter. Usually fast-paced, and filled with high risk for high reward gameplay, this genre is always popular for the right reasons.
Whether that’s blasting hordes with friends, or taking a solo run at a dungeon filled with all sorts of nasty critters, the variety in getting your gun off ensures you’re never short of a good time. If you’re looking for something to let loose in, then here’s an updated look at our best looter shooter games out now.
Schism
Simple This Game Is Not
Don’t let the super minimalist looking style of Schism fool you, this game from Fami is as deep as an ocean when it comes to its mechanics. On the surface it’s a highly challenging roguelike dungeon crawling game, but once you scratch through those first few layers you’ll see the big beast within.
Hundreds of weapons await and all of them can be modified, there’s a gigantic amount of build variability, a deity worship system, skill upgrades, hidden weapon synergies and more. Throw on top of that the huge bosses and the constantly evolving gameplay as you go through and you’ve got a great looter shooter experience that will keep you occupied for hours. If you like indie games you can really tinker with, then check out Schism.
Blood Running
Bringing Back Gear To Your Super Future Base
A slick and stylish cyberpunk themed extraction shooter from Dead Unicorn, Blood Running features a neon lit wasteland filled with all sorts of high-tech hardware wearing bandits and other beasts. After years of war ruined the planet, raids into the wasteland known as Blood Runs began.
You pick things up as one of these runners and in this procedurally generated world you’ll never know what threats you’ll run into. To keep you safe there’s a large collection of fully moddable weapons that all can be tweaked on the fly to counter any issue. With quests to complete and an outpost to restore to full working order, Blood Running has some great incentives to keep going out into those wastelands.
Cold Warms Us
Surviving The Day Is Just The Start Of Your Problems
If you enjoy bizarre indie games, then Cold Warms Us from Temmkainc will definitely catch your eye. The concept is simple, but it’s the execution that warrants the most attention. You have to find 13 expedition members lost after a plane crash in a snowy wasteland whilst scavenging for resources during the day. At night though, things turn very violent.
Hazardous creatures come running out of the dark, strange beasts burst from the ground, rocks rain from above, and it’s a rough time for all. Upgrading your character with strange modifications will give you a fighting chance, but you’ll end up looking pretty weird. It’s a unique experience with a lot of secrets worth uncovering, and it’s highly recommended for its simple yet odd experience.
Astronomics
Mining Rocks For Space Bucks
It’s a tough life as a miner in outer space, and in Astronomics from Numizmatic perfectly captures the unexpected anarchy of the great unknown. Everything can go wrong, and there’s a lot of moving parts to memorize, but when it all clicks it works really well.
You’ll be travelling to planetoids and asteroids floating in the void that you’ll strip mine for resources and upgrades. But each little ball of rock is bursting at the brim with space bugs and more. It’s a chaotic mix of minor base building, tower defense and bullet hell looter shooter at times, and it blends together really well. Despite being in Early Access, Astronomics is one worth trying out, or wishlisting at least.
Reality Core
Cartoon Chaos Across The Multiverse
A game where you’ll never be taking your finger off the trigger, Reality Core from WubsGames is an anarchic blend of Enter The Gungeon, Binding of Isaac and Rick and Morty. Set in a far off galaxy, your goal is to explore dungeon after dungeon in a never ending sci-fi multiverse.
Horrible aliens, massive mutants and more lurk in each new area, and the deeper you go the more dangerous it becomes. But there’s a lot of rewards for sticking to your guns as the arsenal of weaponry you can collect is almost unending. A fun distraction for a few hours, Reality Core is worth checking out. Plus, it’s super cheap.
Bioweaver
Building Up The Perfect Body
A looter shooter RPG with a difference, Bioweaver from Emprom and Wild Kid Games is one worth checking out. Instead of crafting guns, here you’re building organic weapons and other beneficial organs through gene editing and collecting DNA.
From simple passives, to deeply crafted and programmed attributes, Bioweaver is a fun blend of action and character customisation that you don’t see often. Your goal is to escape the labs you’re trapped in, but in your way is a huge host of mutated abominations looking to add you to the lunch menu. All you need to do is build the best organs to beat them, but it’s easier said than done.
Vampire Hunters
Filling Your Screen With Monsters And Guns
A very odd game on the surface, but if you stick with Vampire Hunters from Gamecraft Studios it will definitely surprise you. It’s a roguelite looter shooter survival game that has you hunting down Dracula, but in your way is a huge horde of monsters. And we can’t underline enough how massive that army of monsters is.
However, you can also fill your screen with multiple arms that each carry a different kind of weapon. So you can shred those hordes in seconds with the right combo. It’s absolute mayhem right from the start and if you’re looking for something that scratches that itch then you can’t go wrong with Vampire Hunters, it’s pretty bonkers and surprisingly stable.
Synthetik 2
Overthrowing Your Machine Overlords
In a future where self-learning computers helped shape civilization, things are not doing well. The world has been overrun by a seemingly unstoppable machine legion and it’s up to you to fight back for humanity in this Early Access action game from Flow Fire Games.
Whilst your firepower might be underpowered in the beginning, over time you can scavenge and upgrade your gear and yourself. It’s an exciting shooter that’s good on your own, but really excels with a group of friends. If you like cyberpunk dystopias, then you’ll feel right at home with Synthetik 2.
Sulfur
Culling Goblins With A Glock
Take on an old-school fantasy adventure with modern weaponry in Sulfur from Perfect Random. This unique dungeon crawler has all the hallmarks of fantasy roguelikes, but with a spicy dollop of looter shooter shoved into its core.
Find answers to what happened to the world to blend it in such a way, customize your weapons in fine detail, and partake in quests for massive rewards. Overall its a simple concept that’s executed brilliantly and with a low asking price for entry, Sulfur is a looter shooter you don’t want to sleep on.
Zero Sievert
Top-Down STALKER Vibes
An extraction shooter with a difference, Zero Sievert is a solo experience of stress, scavenging, and avoiding radioactive anomalies. In a procedurally generated wasteland filled with loot, you can be king. You just have to make it home first with all your treasures.
The local wildlife is twisted beyond recognition, hostile raiders roam the land and with a bevy of customization options for your gear, guns, and more at your fingertips there’s a lot to get lost in. Every wander in that wasteland is different and it’s very easy to get wiped out if you’re not paying attention. An enjoyable game with a relatively high skill ceiling, Zero Sievert is worth sneaking onto your wishlist.
Combat Complex
Heavy Horde Shooter Action
A lightning-fast action RPG set in the far future, Combat Complex throws everything but the kitchen sink at you. Levels are procedurally generated in this Early Access looter shooter indie game and each one is packed to the brim with alien hordes and tasty loot to snap up.
You’ll be overwhelmed by monstrosities constantly, but thankfully there are traps and other gadgets that let you turn hostile attacks against their casters. In an experience where you’ll be relying on twitchy reflexes at all times, Combat Complex certainly puts you into the deep end of the fight. If you enjoy horde shooters that don’t take it easy on you, then check out Combat Complex.
Gaunt Valkyr
Customize Chaotic Weapons Your Way
A quirky looter shooter that has a lot of hallmarks of Nuclear Throne, Gaunt Valkyr is a free-to-pick-up indie looter shooter on Itch that’s picked up a lot of groundswell. Set in a sci-fi fantasy setting, you’re thrown to the proverbial wolves with the depth of weapons and enemy variety.
There’s over 20 levels to blow through, but each one poses a different and substantially challenging experience. But the real selling point of Gaunt Valkyr is weapon customization. There’s so much possibility on the table, from turning shotguns into sniper rifles, adding extra barrels to miniguns and much more. Tweak the chaos your way in Gaunt Valkyr.
The Forever Winter
A Scrapyard Challenge In The Far Future
An Early Access game that’s been grabbing a lot of attention, The Forever Winter is a post-apocalyptic scavenger with a very distinct concept. You play as a humble scrapper trying to make it through the war that rages on the surface above. But instead of taking part in it, you’re just here to clean up the mess.
Scattered around the various perpetually raging warzones are loot, gear, guns and more just waiting for someone to come and collect it. But, it’s not as easy as it sounds as the war is still going and it’s very easy to catch a stray shot. Keep your head down and make it back with those pockets full, because if you die you’ll lose it all.
Cybercorp
Breaking Bots In The Bleak Far Future
If you’re looking for something oozing in Cyberpunk style and is filled with arcade action then download Cybercorp. This adrenaline fuelled Early Access looter shooter from Megame is a solid game that’s one to watch.
In what the developer refers to as a “smaller scale Destiny”, Cybercorps top-down high octane approach to action is both satisfyingly violent and deep scratch for that loot goblin itch. There’s guns galore, plus your Combat Shell Synth can also be tweaked as you conquer the cities streets.
Cybercorp comes with co-op and it’s highly encouraged to try.
Ash And Adam’s Gobsmacked
Goblin Mode Engaged
An Early Access Indie game from two devs with a great sense of humor, Gobsmacked is Goblin Mode personified. You are a tiny Goblin Gladiator in a very small arena surrounded by a large crowd. Play to the audience and wreck your competitors to get paid, cause chaos, and upgrade your Gobbo.
Smash, shoot and tear apart waves of enemies, turrets and more in the procedurally generated arena. Earn cash for playing to the crowd and unlock permanent upgrades for the arena, yourself or your weapons. There’s plenty of ways to cause chaos and it’s actively encouraged anyway. Put this on your wishlist and keep and eye on it.
If you want big rewards, try to hit those Crowd Pleasure tasks as fast as possible.
Pawn Planet
Everything must go, literally.
In Pawn Planet from Gambol Games you’re the owner of an interstellar Pawnshop and the entire Universe is your Oyster. Run your store, sell your wares, and then take part in daring heists for more junk that you can turn into merchandise.
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Despite it being in Early Access, Pawn Planet shows a lot of polish and plenty of charm and potential. Its got some fun Rick and Morty vibes, but the difference is the jokes actually work. Grow your business, customize your store and remember, everything can turn a profit.
It’s worth restoring objects when you can as they can be sold for a higher profit.
Shell Runner
Isometric Permadeath
Shell Runner
- Platform(s)
-
Microsoft Windows
- Released
-
July 15, 2024
- Developer
-
Reija GmbH, Reija
- Publisher
-
Freedom! Family Alabama LLC
In 2045 life is cheap according to Shell Runner from Reija. If you’ve got the cash, Death can be shrugged off like the common cold. Unfortunately, you’re now at the bottom rung and you’ll have to battle your way back up to the top.
You do this using your Shell, a lifelike body that’s remote controlled. There’s over 20 to choose from and they all have their own quirks, but if you lose one on a mission, it’s gone for good. A surprisingly solid looter shooter with permadeath, Shell Runner is definitely for the skilled.
The developers have disclosed that the A.I hub companion uses AI generated voice lines. As unfortunate as that is, that’s as far as it goes thankfully.
Cubed And Dangerous
Everything Is Better As A Cube
If you’re looking for a charming yet still challenging looter shooter then look no further than Cubed And Dangerous from Ace High Arcade. This cutesy shooter is a chaotic mix of physic based combat and literal billions of procedurally generated weapons, perks and monsters.
Everything obeys the laws of physics, so it’s very easy to frag yourself instead of a box shaped monster. It’s an anarchic arcade blend that surprisingly works really well, plus the game is on the cheap end and regularly updated. So there’s no reason why this shouldn’t be in your library.
Ruin Dog
An Exciting Alien Arena Shooter
Rama Studio have taken things to the very far future. Humanity is in a golden era and they spend their centuries watching shows featuring live hunts of aliens. You play as a humble alien or bot sent out into the arena to fend for yourself on a put on one hell of a show.
There’s a bunch of unique monsters and bosses to blast and to survive it all you’ll need to mix, match, and upgrade your guns and gear to last to those higher levels. Nowhere is safe, but each character has their own skills and abilities to keep them alive across the various colorful, futuristic, and deadly worlds you’ll encounter.
As a bonus selling point, Ruin Dog is very cheap and has a file size of just four Gigabytes. So it’s not too chunky for your hard drive.
Ants Took My Eyeball
An Unapolagetically Gory Indie Game
A 2D platformer meets Looter Shooter from Bosmic Forge, Ants Took My Eyeball is a sleeper hit you should stick on your radar. The concept is simple, the Ants have your eye, go get it back using whatever you can find, be that gun, bat, and everything in between.
Combat is fast and filled with insects, the levels are procedural, there’s loot literally everywhere and progress is permanent as there’s pseudo-base building. Plus, if you fancy some company there’s co-op available for up to four people at once, so you can really let out some group anger on those pesky Ants.
Ants Took My Eyeball is regularly updated and drip-fed, so the game’s development is pretty healthy.