The tactical-based shooter subgenre contains progressive gameplay that is continually developing. Casual gamers might struggle with a tactical-based shooter due to a steep learning curve. The game type might involve using multiple gadgets, breaching doors with a squad, or planning the attack method before a match starts. Routinely found in tactical-based games is a need for patience and communication.

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The subgenre is arguably more competitive than it's ever been. Thankfully, ranking systems that gamers play with closely matched skill levels. Regardless of a player's experience level with tactical-based shooters, it's never too late to delve into one of these hit games.

Updated June 24, 2021, by Jack Pursey: For many years, the shooter genre was known for simply offering enjoyable, mindless entertainment that players could just switch off and play. Gamers knew that all they needed to do was kill every enemy on screen, which was usually any person or thing other than the player character. However, to survive the test of time, shooting games eventually needed to evolve and branch off into different subgenres.

The tactical shooter subgenre has provided an engrossing alternative to more action-heavy shooters for many decades now. These games challenge players to use their heads as well as their guns. To show appreciation to the beloved subgenre, we've expanded this list by five entries to highlight some more of its key releases.

15 SWAT 4

Available Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Mac OS, Game Boy Color, Dreamcast

SWAT 4 released in April 2005 by Vivendi Universal Games, who were still known as Sierra Entertainment at the time. The game was developed by first-person shooter experts Irrational Games (also known as 2K Boston), who are responsible for some of the most critically acclaimed shooters of all time, like System Shock 2 and BioShock.

As the name suggests, SWAT 4 puts the player in control of a SWAT team. They must complete tricky objectives such as rescuing a hostage, while only using lethal force when absolutely necessary.

14 Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30

Available Platforms: Xbox, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2

Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 initially released in 2005. It was the first entry in the Brothers in Arms series, which would get a further ten entries within the next ten years.

Road to Hill 30 takes place during World War II and, like SWAT 4, puts the player in control of a team. Players control either one or two small teams that are either classed as Fire Team or Assault Team. Fire Team specializes in suppressive fire, while the Assault Team is best used for flanking the enemy.

13 Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon (2001)

Available Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Xbox, PlayStation 2, GameCube

Much like Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon is the first entry in a well-known tactical shooter IP that would receive numerous releases throughout the 2000s. Unlike Brothers in Arms, the Ghost Recon series is still going strong today. There have been two releases in the last five years, though the latest entry struggled to impress and received Metascores as low as 56.

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For those who want to relive the series' glory days, the first entry is a great starting point. It doesn't have the visuals or gameplay depth of some of the latest entries; however, its tactical gameplay is extremely well-balanced, which made the game a pioneer of the subgenre.

12 SOCOM II

Available Platforms: PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2 exclusive SOCOM II initially released in November 2003, from Sony Computer Entertainment. The game was developed by Zipper Interactive, who were best known at the time for developing the previous SOCOM game, as well as MechWarrior 3 and Crimson Skies. 

Along with its excellent tactical gameplay, players remember SOCOM II for its impressive amount of content for the time. The game featured 13 campaign missions with multiple objectives, as well as an online mode. The latter was shut down in 2012 but got revived thanks to a dedicated group of fans, many of who still play the game today.

11 Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six (1998)

Available Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Mac OS, Game Boy Color, Dreamcast

The Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six series has been a cornerstone of the tactical shooter genre since its first release. The franchise has provided gamers with memorable entries like Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2. To this day it is still a driving force behind the genre's current success with the hugely popular Rainbow Six Siege.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six (1998) was the original entry in the series. It impressed gamers due to its excellent tactical gameplay mechanics, which were ahead of their time and, like Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon, made the game a pioneer of the subgenre.

10 Insurgency

Available Platforms: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux

The tactical-based first-person shooter game Insurgency lets players engage in street battles or find themselves caught in close-quarter action. It takes a great deal of tactics to achieve objectives like securing strongholds.

Insurgency boasts an abundance of weapons to choose from, and 16 playable maps with day and night options for each. The developer has committed to adding content, so there hasn't been a better time to hop into the action.

9 Payday 2

Available Platforms: Windows, Linux, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

For players who enjoyed Grand Theft Auto V's heist content and would like to play new heists over and over, Payday 2 fits the description. This game released in 2013, and can be purchased for a bargain on the Steam Store. The gameplay has hardly aged, so there's little reason to not get into this four-player cooperative game.

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Players step into the shoes of the original crew from the first Payday, using tactics to achieve unlawful objectives. Expect to visit Washington DC on a crime spree unlike any other game.

8 Star Wars: Republic Commando

Available Platforms: Xbox, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4

When Star Wars: Republic Commando released back in 2005, it was considered ahead of its time. Fast-forward to now, the game is beginning to show age. This tactical-based first-person shooter deserves a remaster or remake from the ground-up.

Players take on the role of a Republic commando, the leader of his elite squad. They can control party members to tactfully annihilate enemies. Star Wars: Republic Commando is an exceptionally unique Star Wars game worth playing for tactical-based game fanatics.

7 ARMA 3

Available Platforms: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux

ARMA 3 takes place in a vast military sandbox. It contains over 20 vehicles and 40 weapons, providing a wealth of opportunities on how to approach the game.

Using tactical-based combat is highly recommended in ARMA 3, although it can be played in single-player or multiplayer. The military tactics used in ARMA 3 are among the best of its class.

6 Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3

Available Platforms: Windows, Mac OS X, Mobile Phone

The tactical-based gameplay of this game was years ahead of its time. Before Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, the third Rainbow Six was the go-to tactical-based first-person shooter.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3 released on multiple platforms, including PC, PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox. The Sega Dreamcast introduced online gaming before it was trendy, but Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six was one of the first online games to attain popularity.

5 Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands

Available Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia

Although the bulk of the game's content takes place an open world, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands contains a significant tactical component. The player's objective is to prevent the rise of the Santa Blanca Cartel, which seeks to create a Narco-State.

For those who merely want strategic gameplay, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands contains online 4v4 tactical fights called Ghost War. The close-quarters of Ghost War's maps are ideal for using tactics.

4 Escape From Tarkov

Available Platforms: Microsoft Windows

It's worth noting that Escape from Tarkov isn't widely available. It uses a unique launcher explicitly made for the game, along the lines of Fortnite. However, for those who can do so, it's worth trying out.

The inventory management of Escape from Tarkov is one of its highlights. While the game is tactical-based, it has an inventory system similar to survival games like PUBG and Z1 Battle Royale. The game is still in its beta stage, which has been active since July 2017.

3 Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2

Available Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Xbox One

In the world of tactical first-person shooters, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 stands out as one of the best games of all time. The game places players in a squad leader's shoes who must prevent a terrorist organization from taking over Sin City.

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The gameplay of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 was a significant step up over its predecessor. Merely rushing to a firefight is ill-advised. Using the game's groundbreaking tactical-based combat is recommended.

2 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Available Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

The tactical shooter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is part of a series recognized for team cooperation; it encourages players to communicate. Although the graphics don't hold up compared to more recent shooters, the gameplay has only improved since launch.

Developer Valve Corporation doesn't do a great job of keeping up from a visual art design perspective. However, Counter-Strike Global Offensive's tactical-based gameplay is nearly perfect.

1 Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege

Available Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

When it comes to tactical-based shooting games, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege takes the cake. It's a smart blend of tactical and first-person shooting. In Rainbow Six Siege, players can use a host of gadgets to achieve objectives, usually involving defusing bombs or rescuing hostages.

Rainbow Six Siege is one of those games players can't put down. A PS5 upgrade edition is out that improves the game's graphics. This game is currently played competitively and will continue to be after its sequel, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Quarantine, which is slated to release in 2021.

NEXT: Reasons Counter-Strike Is The Best Tactical FPS (& Reasons Why It's Rainbow Six)