First-Person shooter games are so popular, they can even define a gaming platform single-handedly. Does this console support the latest Halo game? For many, a First-Person Shooter can make or break a platform (take Titanfall for example).
First-Person shooters (FPS) are poster boys and the Mac unfairly suffers in that department. Everyone just assumes that the Mac gaming platform is lacking because it doesn’t support the latest Call of Duty or Battlefield. But the Mac still has many great First-Person Shooters to offer, including some of the very best.
A few weeks ago I gave you the best MMORPGs for Mac. Today I give you the best FPS for Mac. As always, my ultimate “Mac FPS” list will include only the best games out there. No web-based fremium stuff here. Sorry!
You may think that First-Person Shooters are not for you, but believe me, they are all so different, one could be just perfect for you. In no particular order, these are the Mac’s best First-Person Shooters:
You cannot make a best First-person shooter list and not mention Team Fortress 2. The fact that it’s free certainly helps, but the game could cost 50$ and I would still buy it.
TF2 is a team-based First-Person Shooter developed by Valve. The game gives you have the choice among nine character classes. After choosing a character, you then join one of two teams and battle in a variety of game modes including capture the flag and king of the hill.
People love it for its art direction, gameplay, humor, and strong community. And as with any other game from Valve, you can expect the same high-quality as always. Being free, this game is not only one of the best Mac FPS, but also one of the Mac’s best free games.
A Good Match for: Folks who prefer community above anything else. Close to 10 years after it’s release (in 2007, as part of the Orange Box), Team Fortress 2’s community is stronger than ever.
Get it from Valve
2013’s Mac Game of the year, BioShock Infinite is a hell of an experience.
Brought to the Mac by Aspyr, BioShock Infinite is a single-player game driven by an amazing story. The story takes place in an unforgettable universe (the flying city of Columbia) that could only be matched by the original BioShock’s city of Rapture. I won’t spoil the story for you, but I can tell you the ending alone is one of the best I’ve seen.
While the story alone could put BioShock Infinite in any Top 10 list out there, the game’s gameplay and graphics are almost as good as the story, and that says a lot. The shooting mechanics are solid and the graphics are nothing short of impressive. At some points I had to stop and just absorb the breathtaking vistas Columbia had to offer.
A Good Match for: Everyone. That single-player story is worth your time, no doubt.
Get it from the Mac App Store:
BioShock Infinite
by Aspyr Media, Inc.
Rating
Premiere
2013-08-29
Genre
Games
$29.99
Platform
Mac OS X
Version
1.3.2 ⋅ 38.4 GB
Additional
Info ⋅ Gallery
BioShock Infinite
• • • PLEASE NOTE: Bioshock Infinite is a LARGE game. Please expect long download times and contact our Aspyr Support with any problems • • •
• Complete your BioShock experience with the thrilling new Burial at Sea - Episode 2 available via in-app purchase
BioShock Infinite puts players in the shoes of U.S. Cavalry veteran turned hired gun Booker DeWitt. Indebted to the wrong people and with his life on the line, DeWitt has only one opportunity to wipe his slate clean. He must rescue Elizabeth, a mysterious girl imprisoned since childhood and locked up in the flying city of Columbia. Forced to trust one another, Booker and Elizabeth form a powerful bond during their daring escape. Together, they learn to harness an expanding arsenal of weapons and abilities as they fight on zeppelins in the clouds, along high-speed Sky-Lines, and down in the streets of Columbia, all while surviving the threats of the air-city and uncovering its dark secret.
• Additional information about BioShock Infinite •
If you encounter problems playing the game, please visit support.aspyr.com. Our Customer Support team is happy and eager to help. Your feedback helps us make better games.
In order to run the game with satisfactory performance, your Mac must meet these minimum system requirements: 2.2 GHz CPU Speed | 4 GB RAM | 30 GB free disk space | (ATI): Radeon HD 3870; (NVidia): GeForce 640M | 512 MB VRam
Supported Video cards:
NVIDIA GeForce 640M, 650M, 660M, 675MX, 680MX, 750M, 755M, 775M, 780M
ATI Radeon HD 3870, HD 4850, HD 5670, HD 5750, HD 5770, HD 5870, HD 6750, HD 6770, HD 6970, FirePro D300, D500, D700
Intel HD Graphics 4000, 5000, Iris, Iris Pro
If you are unsure about your system specs, head over to GameAgent.com and let the MacMatch feature do it for you!
GAMEPAD SUPPORT: BioShock Infinite supports the Microsoft Xbox 360 wired gamepad AND the PlayStation 3 Dualshock 3 Wireless Controller
NOTICE: Bioshock Infinite does not utilize Steam for encryption and will not work with Steam Bioshock Infinite DLC.
NOTICE: The following video chipsets are unsupported for Bioshock Infinite:
ATI RADEON HD 2000 series, HD4670, HD 6490M, HD 6630M, HD 7950
NVIDIA 9000 series, 320M, 330M.
Intel HD 3000, Integrated GMA 950, Integrated x3100.
NOTICE: This game is not supported on volumes formatted as Mac OS Extended (CaseSensitive)
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©2002 – 2014 Take-Two interactive Software, Inc. Developed by Irrational Games. BioShock, BioShock Infinite, BioShock Infinite: Industrial Revolution, Irrational Games, 2K Games and their respective logos are all trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. All rights reserved.
When it was first released back in 2011, Human Revolution offered a refreshing approach compared to what we were used to back then. Something different than what the Call of Duties kept forcing on us: Choice.
Developed by Eidos Montreal and brought to the Mac by Feral Interactive, Human Revolution is a cyberpunk first-person shooter that can focus on stealth and/or action. The game gives you the choice to tackle a given situation in different ways. You can be stealthy and sneak up on enemy soldiers, worrying about noise and hiding bodies. Or you can just run and gun if that was your cup of tea, a la Call of Warfare: Modern Battlefield 4.
While Deus Ex: Human Revolution will be mostly remembered by the different strategies it allowed (and encouraged), it should also be remembered by the top-notch story it tells. Without a doubt, the game’s single-player campaign will keep you hooked from the beginning to the end.
A Good Match for: Fans of stealth games and everyone that’s tired of the Call of Duty formula.
Get it from the Mac App Store:
Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Ultimate Edition
by Feral Interactive Ltd
Rating
Premiere
2012-04-26
Genre
Games
$19.99
Platform
Mac OS X
Version
1.0.1 ⋅ 15.5 GB
Additional
Info ⋅ Gallery
Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Ultimate Edition
Chosen as Game of the Year in the "Mac App Store Best of 2012" selection.
At the edge of humanity, there’s nothing to stop you falling.
Before you buy, expand this description to check the system requirements below.
When former SWAT commander Adam Jensen is forced to undergo cybernetic augmentation, he discovers that the boundary between man and machine is a point of no return. Uncover the truth behind a global conspiracy in a first-person role-playing game where you must combine combat, stealth, hacking and social interaction to determine the course of human evolution.
In a world where amoral corporations market biomechanical modifications and those who protest against them are silenced, only those who adapt survive. Discover the true potential of your augmentations and manipulate Adam’s body into your perfect machine.
Key Features:
• Discover what led to the events of the groundbreaking Deus Ex in this visionary prequel, set 25 years before the original game.
• Experience truly open-ended gameplay in a world where your every choice has a lasting consequence.
• Unlock and upgrade augmentations to Adam’s limbs, eyes, brain, skin and lungs as you develop his body to suit your playing style.
• Wield the power of robotic limbs to perform brutal takedowns on your foes.
• Become invisible, move silently and see through walls as you use stealth upgrades to sneak past deadly troops and penetrate forbidden zones.
• Hack into security systems to read e-mails, disable surveillance cameras and unlock doors to hidden areas.
• Make friends and influence people! Become a master of persuasion and convince intriguing characters to give you information and behave as you want them to.
• Immerse yourself in strikingly inventive futuristic visions of Detroit and Shanghai, where cyberpunk sensibility meets Renaissance aesthetic. Explore every corner of these cities to uncover hundreds of secrets.
• Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Ultimate Edition contains The Missing Link DLC and the Explosive Mission and Tactical Enhancement expansion packs.
• The game also contains a 44-minute "making-of" documentary, a 40-page book of design and concept art, motion comic, a soundtrack composed by Michael McCann and three trailers.
Important information regarding Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Ultimate Edition:
• Please note that we cannot reply to comments or questions left in Mac App Store reviews. If you require assistance, please contact our support team at support@feralinteractive.com
• Minimum System Requirements: Processor: 2.0 GHz, RAM: 4GB, Graphics: 256MB, Free Space: 17GB.
• The following graphics cards are not supported: ATI X1xxx series, ATI HD2xxx series, NVIDIA 9400, NVIDIA 7xxx series, NVIDIA 320M, Intel HD3000, Intel HD4000 and Intel GMA series.
• You can find out more about the game on the Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Ultimate Edition mini-site at feralinteractive.com/deusexhr
• This game is not currently supported on volumes formatted as Mac OS Extended (Case Sensitive).
The Metro series was infamous for its beautiful graphics and punishing performance on even Mid-range computers. In fact, Metro: Last Light was so demanding, it was often used to benchmark gaming machines. Since, the game was enhanced and improved for next generation consoles. Reborn as Metro Last Light Redux, the game looks even better.
Developed by Ukrainian developer 4A Games, Last Light is a single player shooter that puts you in the middle of a post-apocalyptic Moscow. As the name of the game suggests, most of the story takes place inside the metro system, with occasional missions above ground. Besides the desolated setting, Last Light stands out because of it’s stealth and Horror elements.
If you want to take a break from the fast-paced Multiplayer shooters that dominate the market, Metro Last Light is just what you need.
A Good Match for: Fans of post-apocalyptic games.
Get the Redux version from Steam or the original version from the Mac App Store:
Metro: Last Light
by Deep Silver
Rating
Premiere
2013-10-17
Genre
Games
$19.99
Platform
Mac OS X
Version
1.3 ⋅ 7.9 GB
Additional
Info ⋅ Gallery
Metro: Last Light
It is the year 2034.
Beneath the ruins of post-apocalyptic Moscow, in the tunnels of the Metro, the remnants of mankind are besieged by deadly threats from outside – and within.
Mutants stalk the catacombs beneath the desolate surface, and hunt amidst the poisoned skies above.
But rather than stand united, the station-cities of the Metro are locked in a struggle for the military vaults of D6 - a gigantic bunker complex rumored to contain food, medicine, weapons... and maybe more. A civil war is stirring that could wipe humanity from the face of the earth forever.
As Artyom, burdened by guilt but driven by hope, you hold the key to our survival – the last light in our darkest hour…
Based on the internationally bestselling novel METRO 2033 by Dmitry Glukhovsky
System requirements:
Minimum:
OS: 10.8.4 (Mountain Lion)
Processor: 2.7 Ghz Intel Core i5
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M 512 MB
Hard Drive: 10 GB available space
Recommended:
OS: 10.8.4 (Mountain Lion)
Processor: 3.2 GHz quad core Intel Core i5
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: NVidia Geforce GTX 680MX with 1GB
Hard Drive: 10 GB available space
Languages available in game:
English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Polish, Czech, Russian and Dutch.
It’s no secret that I love Borderlands 2. In fact it’s the game that turned me a Mac gamer for good. But why isn’t it on this list at all? Because Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel did everything a Borderlands fan would expect: It improved upon the previous Bordelands in every way.
Brought to the Mac by Aspyr, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel kept the winning-formula of mixing First-Person Shooter with Role-Playing elements. Here, you will kill and loot and gain experience points and skills. Yet Borderlands: The Pre-sequel added features like new gear, low-gravity mechanics and new skill trees.
A Good Match for: Folks who love open-ended universes and role playing games.
Get it from the Mac App Store:
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel!
by Aspyr Media, Inc.
Rating
Premiere
2014-10-14
Genre
Games
$59.99
Platform
Mac OS X
Version
1.0.5 ⋅ 11.6 GB
Additional
Info ⋅ Gallery
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel!
• Vault Hunters! If you get a "Damaged" prompt from the game after updating, DO NOT uninstall the game from your Launch Pad. It will remove all of your save data. You should delete the game from Applications and then re-download or contact our support to walk you through the process.
Shoot 'n' Loot your way to the Moon!
Discover the story behind Borderlands 2 villain, Handsome Jack, and his rise to power. Taking place between the original Borderlands and Borderlands 2, the Pre-Sequel gives you a whole lotta new gameplay featuring the genre blending fusion of shooter and RPG mechanics that players have come to love.
Float through the air with each low gravity jump while taking enemies down from above using new ice and laser weapons. Catch-a-ride and explore the lunar landscape with new vehicles allowing for more levels of destructive mayhem.
• Additional information about Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel •
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Shift codes do not work in the App Store version of Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel for the App Store allows for co-op play with GameCenter friends only. Steam and Mac App Store versions are incompatible for cross-platform play.
If you encounter problems playing the game, please visit support.aspyr.com. Our Customer Support team is happy and eager to help. Your feedback helps us make better games.
In order to run the game with satisfactory performance, your Mac must meet these minimum system requirements: 2.4 GHz CPU Speed | 4 GB RAM | 13 GB free disk space | (ATI): Radeon HD 2600; (NVidia): GeForce 8800 | (Intel): HD 4000 | 256 MB VRam
• If you are unsure about your system specs, head over to GameAgent.com and let the MacMatch feature do it for you! •
NOTICE: The following video chipsets are unsupported for Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
•NVIDIA 8600m, 9400 and older
•Intel Integrated GMA 950
•Intel Integrated x3100
NOTICE: This game is not supported on volumes formatted as Mac OS Extended (CaseSensitive)
© 2015 IPerion LLC. Published and distributed by 2K. Gearbox and Borderlands, and the Gearbox Software and Borderlands logos, are registered trademarks and used courtesy of Gearbox Software, LLC. 2K and the 2K logo are trademarks of 2K in the US and/or other countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Published and distributed by Aspyr Media, Inc. “Aspyr” and the Aspyr “star” logo are federally registered trademarks of Aspyr Media, Inc. Mac and the Mac logo are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. The ratings icon is a trademark of the Entertainment Software Association. All other marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Portal 2 was a tough pick. Not because it lacks quality, but because it isn’t technically a First-person “shooter”. Bottom line: This first-person game is so good, it deserves a spot on this list.
Also developed by Valve, Portal 2 is a first-person puzzle-platform game and as you can imagine, it doesn’t focus on guns and shooting baddies. Instead, it revolves around solving mind-bending puzzles. Portal 2 retains all the elements that made the first Portal so unique, and at the same time, it includes enough to make it surpass it’s predecessor (including a co-op campaign).
By it’s own rights, Portal 2 is one of Valve’s best games to date and that means a lot.
A Good Match for: Folks who want to shoot less and think more.
Get it from Steam
People love to hate Call of Duty, but there’s a reason Call of Duty breaks sales records every time. Call of Duties are as mainstream as it gets, but they do offer great graphics, over-the-top stories and competitive Multiplayer.
From all the Call of Duty games available on Mac, Modern Warfare 3 is the only one that made it to our Top 10. Why? Mainly because it’s the latest one available on Mac, which means that it’s better looking and featured-packed of the bunch. It also helps that Modern Warfare 3, unlike Black Ops, offers cross-platform Multiplayer between Windows and Mac OS X gamers on Steam.
Modern Warfare 3 is truly a complete package. It offers a big-budget story, a nice cooperative mode you can play with a friend and the fast-paced Multiplayer most people buy the game in the first place for.
A Good Match for: Gamers who enjoy the fast-paced Call of Duty formula.
Get it from Steam
Left 4 Dead 2 is yet another game from Valve, and the sequel of the fan-favorite Left 4 Dead. One could argue that too many Valve games made it to this list, but truth is, they all bring something completely different to the table.
Left 4 Dead 2 is no exception. The game puts you and 3 other friends in a world full of zombies and forces you to work as a team. Each level will ask you to cross zombie-infested areas in order to reach a safe zone while doing your best to survive the hundreds of hideous creatures the game will throw at you.
Left 4 Dead 2 is the perfect example of a successful sequel. Whereas the original L4D felt like a weird side project, Left 4 Dead 2 feels accomplished.
A Good Match for: Gamers wanting to do some co-op, as L4D 2 is perhaps the best co-op first-person shooter you can play today.
Get it from Steam
Counter Strike: Global Offensive is another great game from Valve. And just like Team Fortress 2, CS: GO is also free. Which means that you have no excuse not to go play it right now.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is an online tactical first-person shooter developed by Valve and Hidden Path Entertainment, and the fourth game in the franchise. CS: GO features classic content from the original Counter Strike, such as revamped versions of classic maps, as well as brand new maps, characters and game modes.
The game offers the most competitive online Multiplayer out there. This was true with the original CS and CS:GO doesn’t disappoint. CS:GO also features cross-platform Multiplayer between Windows and Mac OS X.
A Good Match for: Gamers wanting a challenge. CS:GO’s Multiplayer is ruthless and requires much practice to master.
Get it from Steam
If you’re much younger than me, this could be the very first time you hear about this game. This one is a special dedication to fans of old-school and retro games. But other than being a monument to gaming (it was revolutionary when it was first released in 1994), the game is genuinely fun and one of the best free games you can get for your Mac.
Marathon is a science fiction First-Person shooter from Bungie, the creators of the legendary Halo franchise. The game takes place several centuries into the future and puts you in the shoes of a security officer attempting to defeat an alien invasion aboard a colony ship named the Marathon.
Marathon is a perfect break from all those online First-Person Shooters that have saturated the market. The Marathon Trilogy includes the original Marathon, Marathon 2 and Marathon Infinity.
A Good Match for: Folks who love old-school gaming, fans of the Halo series, and overall, gamers willing to discover an important piece of Mac gaming’s history.
Get it from their Official Website
Your turn
Looks like you don’t have an excuse not to try a First-Person shooter on your Mac anymore. With so many options ranging from fast-paced games to platformers, the Mac has something for everyone.
In fact, many other FPS didn’t make it to the list, but are still great games: Rage, Doom 3, Quake 4, Outlast, The Darkness 2, Shadow Warrior, and many more.
So what is your favorite FPS? Are you currently playing some on your Mac? Let us know in the comments section, perhaps you’ll even find fellow Mac users to play with!
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