In an era where video games are constantly pushing the boundaries of realism and complexity, a nostalgic wave is bringing back the simplicity and raw excitement of the past. This surge, known as the “boomer shooter” movement, revives the fast-paced, action-packed essence of classic 90s first-person shooters. These games, characterized by their high-speed gameplay, straightforward objectives, and pixelated graphics, have seen a remarkable resurgence, captivating both veterans who grew up blasting through hordes of pixelated enemies and a new generation seeking an unfiltered gaming experience.
The term “boomer shooter” might sound humorous at first, coined partly in jest and partly in homage, but it represents a serious and growing interest in the roots of the first-person shooter genre. This revival is not just about reliving the past; it’s a celebration of a gameplay style that values speed, skill, and simplicity over the narrative depth or photorealistic graphics that dominate modern gaming. It’s a return to the basics, to what made us fall in love with gaming in the first place.
Steam now even has a specific tag for Boomer Shooters! With over 154 games listed.
In this article, we delve into the top boomer shooters that have not only captured the essence of this trend but have also helped define it. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to the genre, these games are guaranteed to provide a thrilling ride through gaming history, reminding us why these early shooters captivated so many and continue to influence game design today.
1. Prodeus
Prodeus redefines the classic first-person shooter genre, blending traditional gameplay with contemporary rendering and technology. It delivers the sophistication of a modern AAA title, yet remains true to the vintage style and gameplay reminiscent of the technological constraints of earlier gaming systems.
This game offers a meticulously designed campaign created by seasoned professionals in the FPS industry. It includes both cooperative and competitive multiplayer options, inspired by iconic modes*, along with a comprehensive level editor. Additionally, Prodeus features an in-game community map browser, providing immediate access to a vast array of levels for endless entertainment.
2. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
Immerse yourself in a dynamic first-person shooter that masterfully combines the intense universe of a renowned sci-fi franchise with the electrifying energy of classic 90s shooters. Play as a battle-hardened warrior on a dangerous journey through the stars, engaging in ferocious combat against formidable space adversaries and otherworldly foes.
Embrace the spirit of old-school shooters as you unleash a powerful arsenal, navigating through sprawling levels brimming with vivid sprite animations, pixelated visuals, and visceral action. Sprint, leap, and barrel through expansive environments to obliterate, eviscerate, and vanquish the galaxy’s most notorious renegades.
3. Turbo Overkill
“Turbo Overkill” is a brutal first-person shooter game by Apogee, drawing inspiration from classics like Doom, Quake, and Duke Nukem 3D, and boasts stunning cyberpunk aesthetics. Players control Johnny Turbo, a half-metal, half-human character equipped with unique augmentations like hidden arm rockets and a chainsaw in his leg, used for a deadly slide-slice attack. Set in a dystopian world reminiscent of Blade Runner and DOOM, Johnny returns to his hometown, Paradise, now overrun by a rogue AI named Syn and its army of augmented minions. Johnny’s mission is to destroy this formidable AI, while rival bounty hunters also vie for the prize in a city where danger lurks at every corner.
The game elevates action to extreme levels with features like Turbo Time, a unique slow-motion mechanic, wall-running, dashing, and grappling hooks. Players can engage in high-octane combat, including chainsaw sliding and car-surfing on flying vehicles. The arsenal includes Twin Magnums, a Boomer Shotgun, and the Telefragger sniper rifle. Gamers navigate through two dozen stages filled with secrets and combat puzzles, collecting game-changing items that unlock modifiers and enhance abilities. Comments from Sam Prebble of Trigger Happy Interactive and Scott Miller, a pioneer in the FPS genre, highlight the game’s exhilarating pace and inventive gameplay, likening it to a fusion of favorite classic and modern shooters.
4. Cultic
“CULTIC: Chapter One” invites players to engage in an intense battle against a sinister cult, navigating through 10 maps laden with danger and adversaries. The game’s old-school shooter style demands strategic movement and smart use of the environment to survive. Players can further test their skills in the Survival Mode, and the game also teases the upcoming Chapter Two with an Interlude story map, promising to continue the gripping narrative as paid DLC.
The gameplay of “CULTIC” offers varied combat styles, allowing players to either engage in aggressive, fast-paced action or adopt a more cautious approach by setting traps and utilizing cover. The game features a range of mid-century firearms and explosives, essential for tackling the quick and lethal combat situations. Designed to evoke nostalgia for classic shooters, “CULTIC” combines retro aesthetics with modern game engine capabilities, offering an immersive experience with advanced physics, lighting, and a fully 3D world.
5. Ultrakill
“ULTRAKILL” is a dynamic and intensely violent first-person shooter that combines elements from classic titles like “Quake” with the modern gameplay of “Doom (2016)”, and the stylish action of “Devil May Cry”. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans are extinct and blood-fueled machines dominate the earth, these machines embark on a desperate journey to Hell in search of more blood as their surface supplies dwindle.
Players must utilize a variety of movement skills to dodge attacks from the undead, demons, and rival machines. A powerful and diverse arsenal of weapons, each with different variations, is available to destroy enemies. Players can recover health by bathing in the blood of their adversaries. The game emphasizes fast, stylish combat to build combos and earn points for weapon upgrades. Additionally, players can master levels for higher ranks and engage in unique challenges, while exploring campaign environments inspired by Dante’s Inferno, filled with hidden secrets.
6. Dusk
“DUSK” is a video game that revives the essence of 90s shooters, drawing inspiration from classics like Doom, Quake, and Half-Life. It’s set in a brutal world where survival hinges on mastering combat and overcoming various enemies. The game’s atmosphere is enhanced by a heavy metal soundtrack composed by Andrew Hulshult, encapsulating the game’s intense and dark theme.
The game offers three distinct episodes, each meticulously designed to reflect a 90s aesthetic. Players navigate through hordes of mystical cultists and demonic forces, uncovering dark secrets hidden beneath the Earth. With a diverse array of weapons ranging from sickles to grenade launchers, “DUSK” promises relentless action. Beyond the main story, players can test their skills in an Endless Survival Mode and compete against others in DUSKWorld, a multiplayer arena that adds a competitive edge to the game’s dark, retro-inspired world.
7. Ion Fury
In “Ion Fury,” protagonist Shelly “Bombshell” Harrison, once a bomb defuser for the Global Defense Force, finds herself in the throes of a new kind of battle in Neo DC. Dr. Jadus Heskel, a transhumanist villain, has unleashed his cybernetic cult on the city, prompting Shelly to shift her skills from defusing bombs to creating explosive chaos. Her violent journey to defeat Heskel is marked by large, intricately designed levels teeming with fierce enemies, hidden areas, and non-stop action, challenging players to adopt an aggressive playstyle without the safety net of regenerating health.
This game is a modern homage to classic ’90s first-person shooters like Duke Nukem 3D and Shadow Warrior, enhanced with contemporary features. Players navigate through seven detailed zones with multiple levels, utilizing a vast array of weapons, including a signature tri-barreled revolver and a grenade launcher with buckshot capabilities. “Ion Fury” combines old-school elements like non-linear gameplay and sprite-based graphics with modern advancements such as locational damage, widescreen support, and integrated physics. The game also boasts a handcrafted world, a dynamic soundtrack in FastTracker 2 format, and user-friendly access to development tools, ensuring a blend of nostalgia and innovation.
8. HROT
“HROT” is a single-player, retro first-person shooter set in a dystopian version of Czechoslovakia, a socialist state adjacent to the Soviet Union, following a mysterious disaster in 1986. The game embodies the dark and ominous atmosphere of that era. Players assume the role of a character who begins their journey in a civil defense shelter beneath a Prague Metro station. Equipped with a non-functional gas mask and a vz. 52 pistol, the player’s mission is to uphold their duty as a military readiness badge holder and defend their socialist homeland against bizarre intruders.
The game is reminiscent of classic 1990s shooters, featuring a nostalgic brown retro aesthetic and traditional gameplay. Players can access a range of weapons, including a shotgun, a vz. 13 SMG, a rocket launcher, and a unique Soviet experimental battery-powered weapon. In emergencies, even a hammer and sickle may be used as weapons. “HROT” is notable for its meticulously crafted levels, which are inspired by actual locations and filled with historical details and socialist-era memorabilia. The game also includes unique elements such as flushable toilets, destructible light bulbs, and horses wearing gas masks, reflecting conservative values. The game’s graphics are powered by a custom engine designed in Pascal, emulating the software-style rendering of the 1990s with unfiltered textures and polygon jitter.
9. Forgive Me Father and Forgive Me Father 2
View Forgive Me Father on Steam
View Forgive Me Father 2 on Steam
“Forgive Me Father 1” is a first-person shooter (FPS) game set in a world inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s horror themes, with a unique retro comic book style. Players embark on a quest to uncover mysteries and maintain their sanity, battling against evil forces. The game features a dynamic madness level that affects gameplay and power, and allows players to tailor their combat style with various skills and weapons. Environments are rich in hidden areas and secrets, contributing to an immersive, Lovecraftian atmosphere. The game’s design combines classic FPS elements from the 90s, such as non-reloading weapons and life points, with modern touches like hand-drawn graphics and a comic book presentation.
“Forgive Me Father 2” continues the story, focusing on the Priest character from the first game. It deepens the Lovecraftian horror experience with improved visuals, maintaining its distinctive dark comic book style. Players face an array of Lovecraftian creatures that evolve into more terrifying forms, requiring a strategic approach to combat and weapon choice. Madness plays a key role, offering both challenges and unique powers as players teeter on the brink of sanity. The sequel also features a compelling soundtrack with electric guitar riffs and energetic drums, enhancing the game’s intense and dark atmosphere.
10. Amid Evil
The producers of “DUSK” and the team behind “Return of the Triad” are launching a new FPS game that promises a unique and thrilling experience. This game features seven unique episodes, each with its own distinct environment and set of enemies. Players can expect an arsenal of magical weapons that grow more powerful with the souls of defeated foes. The game is designed to challenge players with endless waves of evil creatures and a smart, relentless enemy AI that pursues the player across different terrains, including land, sea, and air.
The game boasts expansive, non-linear levels that are rich in secrets and lore, enhancing the exploration aspect. It includes a wide range of in-game options and cheat codes, nodding to the golden age of PC gaming. The experience is further enriched by an epic, original soundtrack composed by Andrew Hulshult. Developed using Unreal Engine 4, the game offers state-of-the-art visuals that maintain a retro charm, and it supports advanced features like Ray Tracing and DLSS 2.0.
11. Project Warlock
In this fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled first-person shooter game, you embody a Warlock on a perilous quest to annihilate evil. Armed and ready, you’ll traverse time and space, engaging in intense battles reminiscent of the golden era of shooters. The game promises to captivate players with hours of thrilling, action-packed gameplay, inviting you to unleash mayhem and excitement in a world of chaos.
The game offers a vast playground for destruction with 60 expansive levels across five diverse environments, ranging from icy Antarctic bases to Egyptian sands and medieval castles. As players navigate through these settings, they’ll encounter a variety of challenges including finding keys, unlocking secret areas, and battling formidable enemies. The game’s arsenal is equally impressive, featuring 38 types of weapons and 8 spells, which players can master and upgrade. With customizable character development, the game ensures a unique experience for every player, adapting to their preferred combat style and strategy.
12. Postal: Brain Damaged
Experience the POSTAL series like never before with “POSTAL: Brain Damaged,” a boomer-shooter spin-off developed by Running With Scissors. This new addition to the franchise offers a unique journey into the twisted mind of the POSTAL DUDE, departing from the setting of Paradise and introducing a retro-modern, action-packed, and skill-focused gameplay. HYPERSTRANGE has successfully crafted an experience that retains the essence of POSTAL but with an innovative twist, promising a wild adventure that fits perfectly into the series’ established tone and humor.
“POSTAL: Brain Damaged” stands out with its fast, challenging gameplay and quake-like movement, set in diverse, meticulously designed environments. Players will explore a hand-crafted world filled with surprises, navigate through the bizarre landscapes of POSTAL DUDE’S psyche, and engage in combat with a range of insane weapons against some of the most eccentric enemies. The game features an original storyline that adds to the POSTAL-VERSE, enhanced by the return of Corey Cruise as the voice of POSTAL DUDE, along with other familiar voices. Embodying the series’ trademark dark humor and fantasy violence, this title from the creators of ELDERBORN and Blood West is a perfect fit for fans of the genre looking for an intense and humorously twisted experience.
OG Boomer Shooters You Can Play in 2024
1. Quake and Quake II
View Quake on Steam
View Quake II on Steam
Quake, developed by id Software, is a pioneering dark fantasy first-person shooter that has influenced many modern retro-style FPS games. The enhanced version, Quake (Enhanced), offers up to 4K and widescreen resolution, improved models, dynamic lighting, and the original soundtrack by Trent Reznor. Players take on the role of Ranger, battling through infested bases, castles, and cathedrals to collect magic runes and confront an ancient evil. This version includes the original expansion packs, “The Scourge of Armagon” and “Dissolution of Eternity,” along with new expansions from MachineGames, such as “Dimension of the Machine.” It features a new Horde Mode, online and local multiplayer, co-op modes, crossplay across various platforms, and access to both the original and enhanced versions of the game.
Quake II, another creation of id Software, is a critically acclaimed sci-fi first-person shooter with an enhanced version offering 4K resolution, improved animations, AI behaviors, and a soundtrack by Sonic Mayhem. The game sets players against the Strogg, an alien race, in a military sci-fi campaign. It includes original mission packs, “The Reckoning” and “Ground Zero,” and a new expansion, “Call of the Machine,” by MachineGames. Quake II 64 is also available, adding 19 campaign levels and 10 multiplayer maps. The game supports online and local multiplayer, co-op, crossplay, and offers both the original and enhanced versions, catering to different preferences. The enhanced version features additional campaign content, improved multiplayer, and controller support.
2. Marathon
In the year 2794, you find yourself as a security officer on the UESC Marathon, a space colony vessel constructed from the Martian moon Deimos, en route to the Tau Ceti IV colony. The ship faces a dire situation when it is ambushed by extraterrestrial beings known as the Pfhor. Amidst this chaos, it’s uncovered that one of the ship’s AIs has become unstable and is betraying the crew by aiding the Pfhor for its own mysterious purposes.
Originally launched for the Macintosh, Marathon gained popularity and was later released for the Apple/Bandai Pippin console as part of a dual-game pack with Durandal, named Super Marathon. The franchise saw a revival in 1997 with the release of the Marathon Trilogy Box Set. Following Bungie’s acquisition by Microsoft, the Marathon series was made open-source and freely distributable, sparking a wave of fan-driven ports and enhancements. Additionally, fans created “Marathon Resurrection,” a remake developed as a mod for Unreal Tournament.
Conclusion
As we conclude our journey through the explosive world of boomer shooters in 2024, it’s evident that the allure of these high-octane, nostalgia-inducing games has only grown stronger. From the intricately designed levels of “Prodeus” to the Lovecraftian horrors of “Forgive Me Father” and “Forgive Me Father 2,” each game on this list has uniquely contributed to the revival and evolution of the genre.
The blend of retro aesthetics and modern gameplay mechanics in titles like “Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun” and “Turbo Overkill” showcases the genre’s ability to adapt and thrive in the contemporary gaming landscape. Meanwhile, games like “Cultic” and “Ultrakill” remind us of the raw, unadulterated fun that defined the early days of first-person shooters.
“Dusk” and “Ion Fury” pay homage to the classics while carving out their own identity, proving that there’s still a place for pure, adrenaline-fueled action in today’s gaming world. “HROT” and the “Forgive Me Father” series, with their unique settings and storytelling, add depth and diversity to the genre. “Amid Evil,” “Project Warlock,” and “Postal: Brain Damaged” each offer a distinct flavor, ensuring that every type of gamer finds something to enjoy in this rich and varied category.
Furthermore, the inclusion of legendary titles like “Quake” and “Marathon” in the modern gaming library highlights the timeless appeal of these foundational games. They not only paved the way for the current resurgence of boomer shooters but continue to inspire developers and players alike.
In 2024, the boomer shooter genre stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of fast-paced, skill-based gameplay. It’s a celebration of the roots of first-person shooters, a nod to the past, and a thrilling glimpse into the future of gaming. As we eagerly await what the next wave of boomer shooters will bring, one thing is certain: the spirit of the ’90s FPS is alive and well, evolving and captivating new generations of gamers.
