Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Activision’s flagship shooter returns with a campaign that plunges players into the early 1990s, a volatile era of political upheaval and covert operations. Black Ops 6 introduces a new “omnimovement” system, allowing players to sprint, slide, and dive in any direction, which fundamentally changes the game’s flow and makes firefights feel faster and more dynamic than previous entries. The multiplayer suite has been rebuilt around this agility, with new maps that reward aggressive play and high-risk flanking routes. Meanwhile, the beloved round-based Zombies mode makes a triumphant comeback, offering a sprawling, secrets-packed experience that will keep squads grinding through winter nights. For holiday gatherings, the game also delivers split-screen support and flexible party-up features, making it the quintessential couch co-op title for friends who love competitive chaos. Whether you’re a veteran of the series or a newcomer looking for a polished, content-rich shooter, Black Ops 6 delivers a holiday package that’s easy to pick up but hard to put down. With seasonal events and live updates already scheduled, this title is clearly designed to keep players engaged well beyond the New Year, cementing its place as the default shooter of the season.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

After years of delays, the long-awaited sequel to the cult classic survival shooter finally arrives just in time for the holiday season. Set in a hauntingly beautiful radioactive Zone, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 drops players into an open world where danger lurks behind every shifting anomaly, including hostile mutants, rival stalkers, and the unpredictable environment itself. The game’s signature A-Life simulation system generates emergent encounters that ensure no two expeditions feel alike — you might stumble upon a faction war, rescue a lone scavenger, or get ambushed by a bloodsucker while crossing a warehouse. Combat is tense and unforgiving, requiring meticulous management of weapons, stamina, radiation, and ammo. Quest design is non-linear, with branching storylines that react to your choices and reputation across multiple factions. This is not a casual holiday shooter; it’s an atmospheric, slow-burn horror where every expedition into the Zone tests your nerve. For players who crave immersion and consequence rather than twitchy arcade action, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 offers one of the most compelling solo campaigns of the year. Even amid its rough edges, the game’s uncompromising vision makes it a standout title worth watching under the Christmas tree.

Delta Force: Hawk Ops

Team Jade’s free-to-play tactical shooter revives the legendary Delta Force name with a modern, multi-mode design that aims to capture both huge battlefield skirmishes and tight, tense extractions. The core experience is built around large-scale combined-arms combat, where infantry, vehicles, and helicopters clash across expansive maps. Meanwhile, the Hazard Operations mode offers a high-stakes loot-and-escape loop that has become a genre staple — squad up, complete objectives, and fight your way out while other human players hunt you down. What sets Delta Force: Hawk Ops apart is its surprising depth for a free title: weapon customization is robust, ballistics feel weighty, and the game offers a respectable number of maps and operators at launch. Cross-play support and a seamless progression system let you invite friends regardless of platform, making it an easy choice for holiday gaming sessions. The game’s constant infusion of new seasonal content means that players will always have a reason to return, from cosmetic operator skins to limited-time game modes. If you’re looking for a no-cost alternative to premium shooters without sacrificing quality, Delta Force: Hawk Ops is undoubtedly one of the most exciting free FPS drops this holiday season, proving that accessible can still be deep.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

This unexpected spin on the first-person genre puts players in the fedora and leather jacket of the iconic archaeologist, blending exploration, puzzle-solving, and gunplay into a deeply cinematic adventure. Although it’s not a traditional run-and-gun shooter, The Great Circle leans into its first-person perspective to make every revolver shot, whip crack, and fistfight feel intimate and tactile. Set between the events of Raiders and The Last Crusade, the game sends Indiana Jones on a globe-trotting quest to uncover a secret tied to an ancient planetary alignment. The Vatican, the pyramids of Egypt, and Himalayan ruins are among the beautifully detailed sandbox zones where players must outsmart Nazis, solve environmental riddles, and occasionally silence an armed guard with whatever is lying around. Combat encourages improvisation — you can knock enemies out using frying pans, or use the whip to disarm and disarm them from a distance. The shooting mechanics are satisfyingly punchy, but ammunition is scarce, forcing players to weigh every shot. With a story that feels like a lost film script and holiday-friendly linear pacing, The Great Circle offers a refreshing alternative to hardcore competitive shooters. It’s a perfect pick for families who want an engaging, story-rich adventure that still delivers on the first-person action front.