I’m someone who used to play a lot of Counter-Strike but nowadays I’m not into online gaming much. I also prefer games that aren’t set in futuristic or fantasy worlds. What I’m really after is a single-player first-person shooter that allows me to use the aiming and shooting skills I’ve built up over the years. I enjoy games like Escape from Tarkov and Stalker Anomaly mods, which combine gear collection, exploration, and intense gunfights. I’ve tried PvE Rust but it didn’t click, plus it runs poorly on my system. Ready or Not is cool but the AI seems to do most of the work so I don’t get much shooting in. I’m looking for something with challenging, realistic gunplay, no forced storylines, and more freedom in gameplay. I’ve played a ton of Arma and DayZ back in the day, so those are out. Metro didn’t feel open enough, and Far Cry got too quirky past the second game.
4 Answers
Generation Zero might be something to look into. It’s a co-op survival shooter but has a PvE focus and relatively grounded firearms. Performance can vary depending on your setup though. Also consider Insurgency: Sandstorm’s PvE mode; it offers realistic gunplay and tactical elements without the chaos of multiplayer competition.
Since you like looter shooters and realistic gunplay without too much fantasy, the Borderlands games might be partially a hit, especially if you can overlook the cartoony style. Destiny also fits that looter shooter mold but with more fantasy elements. If you want something strictly grounded, Sniper Elite 4 offers a lot of emergent tactical gameplay with destructible environments and realistic ballistics. Another under-the-radar option is Easy Red 2, a WW2 single-player game with unscripted battles and full destructibility — it might scratch that exploration plus tactical shooting itch.
If you crave tactical shooters, Ready or Not is pretty much the go-to but since you mentioned the bots handle most of the shooting, you could try setting up private multiplayer lobbies where you control all engagements yourself. Also, 6 Days in Fallujah could be worth checking out for a gritty single-player tactical shooter experience. Sniper Elite 4 might appeal too with its emphasis on realistic shooting and stealth. The Stalker series, especially mods like Anomaly, clearly is your style based on what you said—so staying in that vein is a solid idea.
You might want to check out Ultrakill. It’s like a modern take on Doom with really tight mechanics and a fresh arsenal. It’s more fast-paced and arcade-style, though, so maybe a bit different from what you described but definitely fun if you’re looking for solid gunplay.
