First-person shooters make up possibly the most popular gaming genre today, meaning that picking out just 20 of the best ever made is an exceedingly difficult task. Ever since the early 90s, gamers have been enthralled with the idea of looking through the eyes of the heroes (or villains) they're controlling, and blasting down swarms of monsters, Nazis and aliens. The early days of shooters were a lot simpler than today's offerings. Back then, it was more than enough to just throw the player into an imposing environment, pumping enemy after enemy into their oncoming bullets. Twitchy reactions and quick thinking were paramount, with difficulties punishing enough to make even the most hardened gamer cry with frustration. Today, shooters tend to demand either an immersive, narrative-driven experience, or online functionality that players can lose themselves in for hundreds of hours. Thanks to the widespread popularity of these shooters, some of gaming's greatest stories have been told down the barrel of a gun. This list takes a look at 20 of the greatest first-person shooters ever made. From vintage classics to modern blockbusters that pushed gaming technology forwards, each of these games belong in any self-respecting shooter fan's library.
