With more titles showcasing groundbreaking graphics being released on the PS5, gamers are now spoiled for choice. Cooperative gameplay can now be enjoyed in high definition with friends to take gaming experiences to the next level. Although FPS games usually take the spotlight, 3rd person shooters are equally demanding in terms of skill and focus.
PS5 owners now have multiple options with their friends in the realm of 3rd person shooters, with more narrative and story-driven titles to squad-based tactical gameplay, co-op has never looked this good. Though some are also available on the PS4, the look and feel of these featured games reach another level on the PS5, allowing friends to truly immerse themselves with their next-gen consoles.
Updated August 6, 2023, by Ritwik Mitra:The PlayStation 5 has been out for quite some time now, its library of games increasing rapidly and allowing players to access a wealth of titles across numerous genres. Players are genuinely spoiled for choice. Even the realm of co-op shooter games is rife with content on this platform.
These third-person shooter titles combine action with teamwork to make for a scintillating experience. Players will love scouring these games for challenges, enemies, secrets, and more as they form a great partnership. Most of these games can be played in single-player, so people can enjoy the best of both worlds as they try out the single-player mode and switch to co-op whenever a friend's around.
13 Saints Row: The Third Remastered
Saints Row is one of the most beloved open-world franchises around, with the games being an absolute joyride from start to end. While the recent misstep of this series has been widely derided, most people still believe that Volition can turn things around and reach the heights of the series' peak once again.
Saints Row: The Third proves that Volition can develop a fun and engaging game when they put their mind to it. If players love the wackiness that this game offers, then they can share this experience with a friend as they plant the seeds of chaos in the city of Steelport.
12 Borderlands 3
The Borderlands series is known for being heavily focused on co-op shooting. Multiple players band together to take out bosses, go through dungeons, and get as much loot as possible. While the last entry in the series had its fair share of problems, no one can deny that this game isn't a blast to play through with friends when the elements click together.
The art style is timeless, and fans starved for some great Borderlands action loved what was on display here, even if there were issues that stemmed from its myriad of bugs and the dated gameplay. It's a fun game to check out with friends if players just want to spend some time messing about and shooting up creatures.
11 Remnant 2
Remnant 2 is a game that many fans were happy to see in the limelight, especially since the first game had been such a brilliant combination of both Soulslike elements and third-person shooting. From the Ashes had some innovative ideas that carried the game in the long run, and players wondered how Remnant 2 would improve on this formula. Suffice it to say, the game has been nothing short of a massive improvement on most fronts.
The roguelike elements have seen the biggest overhaul, making repeated playthroughs even more engaging than ever before. It's a welcome change from the rather experimental nature of this genre's implementations in the first game, and has been the best part of an experience that already had the foundation set when it came to tight combat, tough bosses, and co-op goodness.
10 Evil West
Evil West came out of nowhere to become one of the more compelling third-person shooters around. There's no denying that the title has its fair share of jank, but people who played the title loved the heart exhibited in this title and how fun shootouts could be with the proper weapons and skills.
The game has co-op as well, allowing players to roam a unique world. The game's setting combines the best of Western and fantasy tropes to make for a great experience. Hunting down vampires in the Wild West sounds like an odd combo, but Evil West manages to pull this concept off with great deftness and panache.
9 PUBG: Battlegrounds
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds has become one of the most popular third-person shooters around that kickstarted the battle royale craze that is going on right now. Players love the chaotic action in this title that is such a blast to get through, with each and every moment being memorable for various reasons.
PUBG is playable on the PS5 as well. Players can either team up with other players or go at it solo as they try to get that elusive chicken dinner. The title is a wild ride, and players will need to be very clever with the way they pick up weapons and items if they wish to be the last one standing. In co-op, this becomes even more important as gamers must coordinate with teammates.
8 Fortnite
Speaking of games that started the battle royale craze, another game that comes to mind is Fortnite. The title is easily one of the most popular free-to-play games right now, with its colorful palette and fun gameplay loop being an absolute blast since day one. It's also one of the best games to play with friends.
It's easy for people to hate on Fortnite given how many kids play this title, but there's a reason why this game is touted by many as one of the best battle royale titles out there. Players can either go through the classic Battle Royale mode solo or team up with others to get the ultimate prize.
7 Warframe
Released back in 2013 on various platforms, Warframe has come a long way since. Having arrived on PS5 in late 2020 and receiving an update, the game has undergone over 10+ expansions. The game virtually shows no age whatsoever and is gorgeous to behold. Mixing various video game elements, the game is a chaotic blend of RPG, stealth, and 3rd-person shooter.
Fast-paced and free-to-play, Warframe offers plenty of scenarios and variations to sink hours into. Should players wish to take a break, there’s much to deviate and attend to including fishing, dogfighting in space, and customizing one’s Tenno. The game also offers coop, allowing players to ninja themselves around a beautiful open world with refreshing sci-fi elements.
6 Outriders
A looter-shooter that received some bad reputation in its initial launch, Outriders has come quite a way since. Set on a post-apocalyptic sci-fi planet, the game allows players to assume control of an elite soldier (Outrider) who must guide mankind out of its dark age.
Though nothing extraordinary in terms of story, Outriders allows players to go at their own pace and enjoy mowing down hordes of enemies whilst collecting fine loot along the way. The game features a coop mode for up to 3 players and several classes with unique builds to choose from. Casual but at times challenging, Outriders is a solid choice for a small group of friends looking for a target to shoot.
5 Remnant: From The Ashes
Remnant: From the Ashes is an interesting title. The game is a souls-like 3rd person shooter that offers a deeply challenging experience for a party of up to 3 willing to embrace the pain. It’s an incredible game that not only delivers on its premise but has a decent story. The game takes place on Earth after a malign and eldritch entity has invaded the planet.
The enemies are interesting and refreshing to battle and combat even against regular foes can be nail-bitingly difficult (wait til players encounter boss fights). Like any souls-like game, clearing an area or defeating a boss is deeply satisfying and will only strengthen the bond between comrades. Though the game doesn’t currently allow players to get the full extent of the PS5’s features, Remnant: From the Ashes still looks great and should be played by any gamer interested in 3rd person shooters.
4 World War Z: Aftermath
A sort-of sequel to 2019s World War Z, Aftermath is both a 1st and 3rd person coop shooter where much like other titles like Left 4 Dead and Back 4 Blood, players must navigate through a zombie-infested world. The game features some improvements over its predecessor including a new melee system plus additional maps and characters.
Though technically an expansion, the updates, and additions essentially make World War Z: Aftermath a stand-alone game. The game lives up as a spiritual successor to the classic Left 4 Dead franchise and is drop-dead incredible to gawk at when playing in 4K and at 60fps.
3 Aliens: Fireteam Elite
A multiplayer cooperative shooter set after the Alien trilogy, players fill the boots of colonial marines deployed to answer distress beacons from the outer colonies. Players then choose 1 of 7 character classes and can team up with 2 friends to take on the Xeno threat. The base game itself is a solid PVE multiplayer experience that features 4 story campaigns, comprised of 3 missions each and showcasing over 20 different types of enemies.
The game offers a challenge to veterans of 3rd person shooters. Staying faithful to the franchise and hinting at several post-release DLCs, Aliens: Fireteam Elite delivers hardcore action and its visuals whilst ditching cumbersome microtransactions.
2 Evil Dead: The Game
Evil Dead: The Game is a multiplayer survival horror hack-and-slash experience that takes on a different stride. Featuring an asymmetrical coop and PVP gameplay, Evil Dead: The Game features up to 4 players banding together to take on a demon (that can be player-controlled).
The game blends various genres and mechanics such as having players scavenge for upgrades and weapons early in the game, a feature similar to battle royale games. Though not exclusively a 3rd person shooter, the game does shine when players acquire various firearms and alternate with Ash’s classic chainsaw. Twisted, intense, and wacky, the game is a solid option for a small group of friends hungry for carnage.
1 Returnal
A PS5 exclusive, Returnal is a 3rd person shooter that incorporates psychological horror and roguelike elements. The game demonstrates the beauty and capability of the PS5 and delivers on its story, action, and gameplay. Players take on the role of Selene who gets stuck in a time loop when her space vessel crashlands on a strange planet. Selene attempts to get herself out of the loop and begins to uncover the strange phenomena surrounding the planet she’s trapped on.
Visually stunning and highly immersive, players will be able to feel every movement or tumble and hear every unique sound reverberating from the environment. With the new Ascension update, players will be able to team up with a friend to complete Returnal’s campaign. It's not an easy game by any stretch of the imagination, but players who learn from their mistakes and get a wealth of permanent upgrades will find this title to be pretty manageable indeed.