The Best STALKER 2 Mods to Transform Heart of Chornobyl Gameplay

This list rounds up the most essential, high-quality mods currently available on Nexus Mods that not only enhance the experience but also stay true to the game's post-apocalyptic tone. Each section includes a direct link to the mod page, a breakdown of its best features, and tips on what to expect when you install.

From massive overhauls like Modular Hard Mode and Shay’s Living Zone, to laser-focused improvements like Ace’s Real Flashlight, these are the mods that can make your next STALKER 2: Heart Of Chornobyl run feel fresh, brutal, and unforgettable.

Modular Hard Mode

⚠️ Installation note: The installation guide is in the Posts section—be sure to follow it carefully to get the full experience!

This mod is a massive gameplay overhaul that revamps nearly every core system in STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. It introduces multi-layered balancing to make combat, progression, and resource management significantly more engaging. Expect over 100 brand-new items, including weapons, armor, consumables, and upgrades—all meticulously integrated through community mod support. The economy has been restructured, creating a more immersive, challenging, and rewarding in-game world. Nexus Mods.

You’ll find:

• A rebalanced loot and gear economy that discourages easy early-game gear and encourages riskier decisions for better rewards.

• Fresh gear paths—including new armor sets, tactical upgrades, and gear customization options—for a deeper personalization experience.

• Hundreds of new consumables that can shift the tide of survival, from stamina buffs to medical boosters, each with a place in your stash.

This mod connects seamlessly with the community’s ecosystem of mods, ensuring compatibility and expanding your gameplay options. It’s a holistic, feature-rich experience crafted for players who want more depth and challenge from every encounter.

Desolation – Global Hardcore Overhaul

Desolation is a total realism overhaul for STALKER 2 that transforms the Zone into a punishing survival sandbox. It introduces over 200 new items, an overhauled medical system, realistic loot distribution, and a shared progression curve between the player and NPCs. Nexus Mods.

Combat is more immersive—NPCs follow the same rules as players, grenade usage varies by experience, and no one has unfair advantages. Traders and the economy are redesigned for regional realism, with artifact-based bartering and faction-aware inventories.

Expect deep radiation mechanics, realistic healing, field repairs, and revamped mutant looting. Everything ties back to the mod’s core goal: to make the Zone feel alive, unpredictable, and brutally fair.

⚠️ Save backups are essential. This mod is in beta and incompatible with many inventory-related mods.

Project Itemization

Project Itemization breathes new life into exploration by addressing STALKER 2’s often unrewarding loot system. The mod adds roughly 50+ new lootable items, scattered intelligently through stashes, destructible containers, and NPC drops—so every corner of the Zone feels like it holds potential.

It offers an optional consumables overhaul, transforming instant-effect items into slower-acting buffs—some may cause sleepiness or intoxication if used recklessly, making inventory choices more meaningful. Although meshes and sound effects are still in development, this mod lays a solid foundation for richer, more realistic itemization. Nexus Mods.

LNA – Linxz’s NPC Attachments

This mod brings much-needed realism and challenge by outfitting NPCs with the same attachments available to players. Now, enemies across the Zone can wield scopes, grips, muzzles, and even night vision goggles—adding both aesthetic variety and tactical depth to encounters. Importantly, LNA is built to complement OXA – Oxide’s eXpanded Armory, ensuring enemy loadouts stay fresh with the latest gear. Nexus Mods.

Expect:

• NPCs dynamically upgrading their firearms as your own arsenal expands

• More unpredictable combat scenarios—enemies adapt their gear over time

• Seamless compatibility with other weapon-focused mods

Though the mod is archived, most issues have already been addressed in newer releases—so it remains a solid addition to any modded profile.

OXA – Oxide’s eXpanded Armory

OXA overhauls weapon customization to its core, vastly expanding your gear options. With night vision goggles, universal scope support, grips, muzzles, laser sights, and more, it transforms weapon building into a deeply engaging system. Nexus Mods.

Key features:

• Attach any scope to any rifle or SMG—no more locked-in setups

• Equip NVGs, laser modules, adjustable grips, and tactical muzzles

• OXA Prototype bridges into even more modular components and introduces a weapon repair system, ensuring long-term strategic maintenance

Pre-configured installer packages include a quick start guide—be sure you have UE4SS or Simple ModLoader installed before diving in.

Shay’s Living Zone – Modular A-Life Overhaul

This in-depth simulation mod completely reworks the Zone’s artificial life (A-Life), giving you full control over world behavior. With over 100 add‑ons, you can tailor creature spawning, NPC routines, bartering, hub interactions, mutant activity, body loot drops, and more. Choose standalone versions (v2 for all‑in‑one simplicity or v1 for add‑on flexibility) to fit your playstyle Nexus Mods.

Key features include:

• Customizable NPC & mutant spawns, letting you adjust difficulty or immersion by unlocking creature types and balancing distributions.

• Enhanced hub and trader systems—NPCs engage in trade, chat, and mission progression more naturally than vanilla.

• Optimized performance, with no meaningful FPS drops despite deep world simulation Nexus Mods.

With regular updates like the v1.1.4 patch adding body loot chances and mutant intelligence tweaks, it’s an evolving ecosystem. Whether you want a vibrant living world or a desolate struggle, this mod offers a fully customizable experience.

Instant Long‑Range Aggression Fix

Fixing broken NPC sensing, this mod adjusts hearing and vision detection ranges for more realistic engagements. NPC vision drops to around 65–70 m (vs. 95 m vanilla), and peripheral vision is carefully tuned. Threat timers and radio communication are overhauled to eliminate endless aggro chains Nexus Mods.

Highlights:

• More believable enemy behavior: stalked in cover? NPCs won’t detect you instantly from far away.

• Balanced threat system ensures players aren’t relentlessly hunted across the map by patrolling squads.

• Mutants included, with updated threat scoring for creatures, too.

This lightweight tweak subtly transforms stalking gameplay without heavy overhauls—ideal with A-Life mods like Shay’s Living Zone.

Dynamic Weather Overhaul

Transform your environmental immersion with a fully reimagined weather system. This mod delivers dramatically moody nights, balanced daylight, and unpredictable atmospheric events like bursts of intense fog, wind, or sunlight Nexus Mods.

What you gain:

• Air of unpredictability: clear skies can quickly shift into ominous gloom, changing your risk assessment.

• Visual depth: richer color palettes and dynamic lighting create more cinematic and immersive scenes.

• Vanilla compatible—requires only the base game.

Pair this with reshade tools for HDR effects, and the Zone becomes a living, breathing ecosystem of weather-driven tension.

Real Longer Days

Tired of blindingly fast day-night cycles? This simple yet powerful mod lets you choose cycle lengths: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 24 real-time hours Nexus Mods.

Why it matters:

• More atmosphere: stretch nights for tense stealth ops or longer days for meandering exploration.

• Flexible pacing: tailor the game rhythm to your style—binge gamers can speed up days; speedrunners can slow it down.

• Lightweight and easy to configure via game files.

An ideal enhancement for players who crave temporal control over their Zone experience.

NPC Combat Overhaul

This combat mod empowers NPCs with tactical intelligence, overhauling human enemy actions with behaviors like advancing, flanking, suppressing, evading, and coordinated covering fire Nexus Mods.

Improvements include:

• Conditional behaviors: NPCs adapt based on distance, damage taken, and success/fail chance.

• Realistic suppression: use fire pressure to pin them down, or they might fall back or flank.

• De-aggro logic: if you break line of sight behind cover, NPCs may stop chasing, boosting stealth utility.

Actively maintained (v1.4 as of June 25, 2025), this mod makes combat feel tactically alive, not scripted.

Ace’s Real Flashlight

Upgrade your flashlight from joke-level to survival essential. This mod revamps illumination, delivering a realistic beam with greater distance and soft falloff, without washing out the atmosphere Nexus Mods.

The great change in this mod is that your flashlight beam is far brighter and longer than vanilla, yet still moody. Perfect for dark underground zones or night-time explorations.

Top 18 Best Pirate Games for Swashbuckling Adventures in 2025

Pirate games have long captured the imaginations of gamers seeking the thrill of high-seas adventure, hidden treasure, and naval warfare. From timeless classics to modern open-world experiences, the genre offers a broad array of styles — RPGs, strategy games, narrative-driven mysteries, and action-packed simulations. Whether you're steering a schooner through a hurricane or negotiating trade routes during the Age of Sail, there’s a pirate game to suit every swashbuckler’s taste.

This curated list of the top 18 pirate games in 2025 focuses on titles rooted in the Golden Age of Piracy, emphasizing sailing, ship combat, treasure hunting, and classic nautical themes. These games have been chosen for their originality, player reception, and gameplay depth — spanning both AAA blockbusters and charming indie gems.

1. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – The Ultimate Pirate Experience

Widely regarded as one of the best pirate games ever made, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is an epic open-world adventure that seamlessly blends the stealth and combat elements of the Assassin’s Creed franchise with fully realized naval exploration. Set in 1715, you step into the boots of Edward Kenway — a charismatic privateer turned pirate navigating Caribbean waters at the height of piracy.

With stunning visuals, immersive naval combat, treasure-laden islands, and a compelling story, Black Flag delivers everything one could want from a pirate fantasy. Whether you're boarding ships in brutal sea battles or diving for treasure in sunken ruins, this game defines what a modern pirate adventure should be.

2. Sea of Thieves – Multiplayer Mayhem on the High Seas

Sea of Thieves has evolved into a must-play multiplayer pirate sandbox. Offering a vibrant, stylized world with a true sense of freedom, players can team up or go solo in search of buried treasure, fight ghost ships, explore ancient ruins, or clash with rival crews.

The unpredictable nature of its shared open world makes every voyage feel unique. Cooperative play is especially rewarding, whether you're raising sails together or launching cannonballs in heated naval clashes. Constant updates from its developers have added significant depth, introducing new factions, story-driven voyages, and supernatural threats. It’s one of the most dynamic and engaging pirate games available today.

3. Return of the Obra Dinn – A Pirate Mystery Like No Other

While not a traditional swashbuckling adventure, Return of the Obra Dinn delivers one of the most intellectually engaging experiences in the genre. Set in 1807 aboard a derelict merchant ship, players assume the role of an insurance investigator piecing together what happened to the crew using only logic and a supernatural pocket watch that reveals moments before each death.

Its monochrome visual style is unlike anything else, but it’s the deeply immersive storytelling and brilliant puzzle design that steal the show. Each deduction feels like solving a riddle at sea, offering a cerebral twist on the traditional pirate theme.

4. Sid Meier’s Pirates! – The Timeless Classic

Few games have stood the test of time quite like Sid Meier’s Pirates!. Whether you're chasing down a fleeing merchant ship, fencing with rival captains, or courting a governor's daughter, the game offers an unmatched sense of pirate freedom and role-playing.

With turn-based naval battles, real-time duels, and an evolving Caribbean world influenced by your actions, Sid Meier’s Pirates! remains the quintessential pirate simulator. Its balance of accessible mechanics and deep gameplay systems make it endlessly replayable, and it's just as fun now as when it first launched.

5. Ultimate Admiral: Age of Sail – Tactical Warfare on the High Seas

For players who enjoy historical realism and strategic depth, Ultimate Admiral: Age of Sail is a standout title. It places you in command of both naval and land forces during iconic battles from the 18th and 19th centuries. Ship design, weather conditions, crew morale, and cannon positioning all factor into a realistic simulation of maritime warfare.

Although it leans more toward historical naval combat than piracy, its attention to detail and authentic Age of Sail atmosphere earns it a spot on this list. It’s a compelling choice for fans of tactical strategy and ship-to-ship warfare.

6. Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire – CRPG Meets the Open Sea

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire takes the deep character customization and choice-driven storytelling of a classic CRPG and sets it adrift in an expansive archipelago. As the captain of your own ship, you’ll chart your course across exotic islands, engage in naval skirmishes, and navigate the political intrigue of warring factions.

The game masterfully merges high fantasy with pirate motifs, offering dynamic ship combat, seafaring exploration, and a richly layered narrative. Its strategic combat and philosophical dialogue choices provide a sophisticated experience for those who want more depth in their pirate adventures.

7. Return to Monkey Island – Point-and-Click Perfection

A delightful return to one of gaming’s most beloved franchises, Return to Monkey Island brings back the wit, charm, and clever puzzles that made the original games iconic. Players once again follow Guybrush Threepwood on a quest to uncover the fabled secret of Monkey Island, navigating a colorful world filled with eccentric characters and hilarious dialogue.

This installment respects its roots while modernizing the mechanics and visual design, making it accessible to both longtime fans and newcomers. If you’re looking for a light-hearted, story-driven pirate game, this is one of the finest.

8. Assassin’s Creed: Rogue – A Darker Pirate Perspective

Assassin’s Creed: Rogue flips the traditional narrative by casting you as Shay Cormac, a former assassin turned Templar. Set during the Seven Years' War, the game spans icy North Atlantic waters and features much of the naval exploration and combat made famous by Black Flag.

Though often overlooked, Rogue offers a grittier, morally complex take on the series. It’s especially appealing to those who enjoyed Black Flag and want a new perspective with similar gameplay mechanics. Its narrative bridges the gap between Black Flag and Unity, offering lore-rich insight into the Assassin’s Creed universe.

9. Man O’ War: Corsair – Warhammer Meets Naval Combat

For a unique fusion of fantasy and naval warfare, Man O’ War: Corsair brings the grimdark world of Warhammer to the high seas. Based on the classic tabletop game, players can command warships, battle sea monsters, and engage in brutal maritime skirmishes while exploring a richly detailed fantasy ocean.

Despite a few rough edges and a learning curve, the game is packed with atmosphere and chaotic, rewarding battles. It’s an excellent choice for fans of Warhammer and pirate-themed combat who crave a darker, more fantastical experience.

10. Risen 2: Dark Waters – Fantasy Pirate Adventure

Set in a world ravaged by titans and crawling with sea monsters, Risen 2: Dark Waters blends fantasy RPG mechanics with a classic pirate setting. As a member of the Inquisition, your mission is to reclaim control of the seas by hunting down creatures and uncovering ancient secrets across tropical islands.

The game has a gritty, aged charm, mixing traditional swordplay and firearms with voodoo magic. While the graphics and combat may feel dated, Risen 2 delivers a unique, narrative-rich pirate experience with a distinct tone and a lot of personality. It’s especially appealing for players seeking something different from the typical pirate formula.

11. Hero of the Kingdom II – Casual Adventure with Pirate Flavor

For those who prefer a more relaxed and story-driven experience, Hero of the Kingdom II offers a charming, casual adventure where you embark on a journey to rescue your kidnapped sister from a notorious pirate crew. The gameplay revolves around exploration, item collection, and helping locals with various tasks to progress through the narrative.

While it lacks combat and flashy visuals, the game's heartwarming story and satisfying loop of exploration and quest completion make it a hidden gem. Its laid-back pacing and straightforward mechanics make it ideal for players seeking a mellow pirate-themed journey.

12. Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew – Strategy Meets the Supernatural

Combining stealth tactics with supernatural storytelling, Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew offers a refreshing take on pirate strategy games. You control a crew of undead pirates, each with unique magical abilities, as you battle the Inquisition across a mystical Caribbean archipelago.

With its rich tactical depth, open-ended level design, and character-driven story, the game invites creative problem-solving and replayability. It’s a standout for fans of games like Desperados or Shadow Tactics, but with a distinct pirate twist and supernatural flavor that elevates it above the typical stealth strategy formula.

13. Port Royale 3 – Trader or Raider?

Port Royale 3 is a historical strategy game set in the 17th-century Caribbean, offering two distinct campaigns: one focused on peaceful trade, and the other on swashbuckling conquest. As a captain, you build trade routes, develop colonies, and engage in real-time naval battles.

While it leans more on economics than piracy, its combination of trading mechanics and naval strategy gives players the freedom to forge their own legacy — whether as a wealthy merchant or fearsome privateer. The pacing can be slower than action titles, but it rewards strategic planning and long-term growth.

14. Salt 2: Shores of Gold – Peaceful Pirate Survival

For those seeking a more tranquil pirate experience, Salt 2: Shores of Gold offers a procedurally generated open world filled with peaceful sailing, survival crafting, and solo exploration. Players can customize their ship, gather resources, fish, fight off bandits, and uncover the mysteries of uncharted islands.

The minimalist art style and ambient soundtrack create a calming atmosphere, while the constant discovery of new islands and secrets keeps the gameplay engaging. It’s a great option for players who prefer relaxed progression and immersive worldbuilding over high-intensity combat.

15. Cursed Crew – Roguelike Ship Management

Cursed Crew puts you in control of a haunted vessel trying to lift a supernatural curse. This roguelike strategy game focuses on crew management, resource balancing, and random events as you sail through perilous waters. Your decisions shape your journey — from who to save to which upgrades to prioritize.

Though still in Early Access, it offers a compelling gameplay loop with unique art direction reminiscent of titles like Don’t Starve. The emphasis on survival and replayability makes it an interesting entry in the pirate genre, especially for fans of strategy and base-building games.

16. Rum & Gun – Indie ARPG with Pirate Vibes

An under-the-radar gem, Rum & Gun is a pirate-themed action RPG with gameplay reminiscent of Diablo. Set across the Indian Ocean, the game follows your journey to uncover the mysteries of a drunken god while battling hordes of enemies and collecting loot.

Developed by a solo indie creator, it’s rough around the edges but packed with charm, creativity, and replayability. Its affordability and heart make it a worthy addition to any pirate fan’s library, especially for those who enjoy action-driven dungeon crawlers with a unique setting.

17. Sea Dogs – Old-School Pirate RPG

Sea Dogs is a classic open-world RPG that allows players to build their pirate legacy from humble beginnings. You’ll sail between ports, trade goods, upgrade your ship, and battle rival captains in a dynamic Caribbean setting. Its freedom of choice and depth of systems still hold up despite its age.

It’s also worth noting that Sea Dogs 2 was rebranded as Pirates of the Caribbean and became a cult favorite. Though harder to find today, both titles are treasured by fans of open-world naval adventures and richly layered pirate simulations.

18. Tempest – Arcade-Style High Seas Fun

Rounding out the list is Tempest, an action-packed pirate RPG focused on sailing, ship combat, and exploration. Players command a vessel across three large regions, battling mythical creatures like the Kraken and Leviathan while upgrading ships and plundering treasures.

The game leans more toward arcade mechanics than realism, making it accessible and fast-paced. It’s not the deepest title on the list, but for players looking for quick pirate-themed fun and eye-catching sea battles, Tempest is a solid choice — especially when on sale.

From the immersive storytelling of Black Flag to the strategic depth of Ultimate Admiral and the indie innovation of Rum & Gun, pirate games in 2025 offer something for every taste. Whether you’re looking to command a cursed crew, duel rival captains, or peacefully explore exotic islands, the variety and quality of games in this genre have never been better.

So hoist the anchor, chart your course, and dive into the high seas with one (or several) of these incredible pirate adventures. There’s a whole world of treasure, danger, and discovery waiting — all that’s missing is your ship and your courage.

8 Best Boomer Shooters: Retro FPS Games That Redefine Old-School Mayhem

Modern gamers, especially those nostalgic for the golden era of first-person shooters, are increasingly turning to a subgenre called boomer shooters. These retro-inspired FPS games bring back the speed, grit, and chaotic energy of titles from the ‘90s like Doom, Quake, and Duke Nukem 3D. While today’s AAA games often emphasize realism, monetization models, and complex matchmaking systems, boomer shooters deliver unfiltered fun, packed with fast-paced combat and creative level design. It's more than just nostalgia—it’s a revival of a gameplay philosophy built around player agency, adrenaline, and mayhem.

Here are 8 of the best.

Prodeus – Doom’s Spiritual Successor

The Prodeus Game Logo

Among the most polished and celebrated modern boomer shooters is Prodeus. It combines the DNA of early Doom with a modern aesthetic that blends pixelated gore, neon lighting, and stylized geometric level design. The gameplay is relentlessly fast, built on tight movement mechanics and a robust arsenal of guns that feel powerful with every shot. Players navigate labyrinthine levels, collecting colored keys, solving light puzzles, and laying waste to demonic foes.

What sets Prodeus apart is its built-in level editor. Players can design, share, and explore community-created campaigns, adding limitless replayability. One standout feature is the community-hosted map contests, which have spawned entire campaigns that rival the base game in quality and innovation. Whether you prefer your shooters blood-soaked, moody, or experimental, Proteus provides an arena for both players and creators to thrive.

Ultrakill – Blood, Speed, and Style

The ULTRAKILL Logo

If pure chaos is what you crave, ULTRAKILL turns the dial to eleven. Set in a hellish dimension where blood is literally your fuel, this ultra-violent shooter merges old-school speed with new-school mechanics. Think of it as a mashup between Quake, Devil May Cry, and Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!—but somehow more frenetic.

The gameplay loop is centered on momentum. You slide, double-jump, and wall-jump across arenas, racking up combos and executing trick shots that recharge your health through carnage. Players can parry bullets with punches or ricochet coins to land headshots, offering a skill ceiling as high as it is rewarding. Add in secret levels, sly references to other games, and a pulse-pounding soundtrack, and ULTRAKILL becomes one of the most thrilling boomer shooters available.

DUSK – The Catalyst of the Boomer Shooter Revival

The DUSK game logo

At first glance, DUSK might look like a low-res curiosity, but behind its pixelated exterior lies one of the most refined FPS experiences of the last decade. Inspired by titles like Quake, Blood, and Heretic, it brings tight gunplay, clever level design, and a surreal narrative together into a single unforgettable package.

What makes DUSK shine is its progression. Early levels play like standard shooter fare, but the further you get, the more it begins to twist reality—introducing gravity-defying levels, nightmarish enemies, and mind-bending architecture that evokes MC Escher. The movement system is a standout as well, encouraging flips, jumps, and air-strafing to outmaneuver increasingly complex threats. DUSK doesn’t just copy the classics—it reinvents them with precision and style.

Ion Fury – Powered by the Original Build Engine

The Ion Fury game logo

While many boomer shooters simulate retro visuals through modern engines, Ion Fury goes one step further—it’s built using the actual Build Engine from the 1990s. This is the same tech that powered Duke Nukem 3D, Blood, and Shadow Warrior. The result is an authentic aesthetic, enhanced with smart modern touches and improved design sensibilities.

Ion Fury combines run-and-gun gameplay with immersive sim elements. Environments are interactive, secrets are everywhere, and levels are sprawling. Despite the constraints of the engine, the game includes features like headshots, destructible objects, and fluid level transitions. It's a rare case where technology limitations become strengths, reinforcing a gritty atmosphere and deliberate pacing that harkens back to the roots of the genre.

Selaco – Tactical Cyberpunk Doom-Like

The Selaco game logo

In contrast to the more chaotic and arcade-style shooters, Selaco offers a tactical take on the genre without sacrificing the speed and punch fans expect. Built on GZDoom, a modernized fork of the original Doom engine, Selaco integrates environmental storytelling, destructible settings, and dynamic AI in a way that feels refreshingly new.

Set in a neon-soaked cyberpunk world, the game lets you slide, lean, and flip hospital beds over for cover—mechanics almost unheard of in retro-style shooters. Despite being developed by a small team, Selaco showcases an impressive level of polish and complexity. The demo alone has earned acclaim for its depth and pacing. It’s a promising title for anyone looking to blend classic action with modern immersion.

HROT – Slavic Jank Perfected

The HROT game logo

A darker, more eccentric entry in the boomer shooter lineup is HROT, a game drenched in post-Soviet atmosphere and inspired by the grim charm of ‘90s Eastern European games. It’s deliberately awkward, from its wonky character animations to its geometric environments and sepia-tone color palette. But that’s exactly what gives it soul.

Each level in HROT feels like a grimy maze, filled with bizarre enemies, limited ammo, and cruel surprise attacks. You’ll collect keys, dodge grenades, and battle through surreal bosses like a grotesque carousel ape that remains still until provoked. Behind its “Slav Jank” presentation is a meticulously balanced shooter, created entirely by a solo developer. It’s weird, gritty, and unforgettable.

Cultic – Blood Reimagined with Explosive Freedom

The CULTIC game logo

Few boomer shooters manage to combine sheer brutality with finesse quite like CULTIC. Drawing heavy inspiration from the cult-classic Blood (1997), it retains the genre’s obsession with dynamite, trench coats, and sinister enemies—then pushes the formula into new, explosive territory.

What sets CULTIC apart is its astonishing depth. Weapons aren't just tools—they’re toys for creative destruction. Throwing dynamite, lighting it mid-air, combining it with Molotovs, or dual-wielding while tossing explosives is just scratching the surface. The gameplay rewards experimentation, with stylish headshots and destructible environments adding to the satisfaction.

But CULTIC isn’t all action. It tells a grounded, gritty story that begins in an open mass grave. From there, players take the role of a disgraced detective unraveling a twisted mystery. Notes scattered across each level flesh out the narrative, adding layers to an already compelling journey. The game’s art direction—a mix of gritty pixel horror and modern lighting—makes it one of the most atmospheric titles in the genre.

Brutal Doom – The Mod That Started a Movement

The Brutal DOOM game logo

While not a standalone title, Brutal Doom deserves its place in any serious discussion about boomer shooters. It's an overhaul mod for the original Doom, transforming the iconic game into something bloodier, faster, and mechanically deeper. With new weapons, reloading systems, vehicles, fatalities, and smarter enemy AI, it reimagines Doom as the fever dream we all remember it being—if memory was powered by pure adrenaline.

The real magic of Brutal Doom lies in the community it’s inspired. Over the years, modders have built extensive enhancements ranging from weather effects to full-on custom campaigns and high-resolution textures. It’s a living, breathing ecosystem of retro FPS passion. Some mods, like the one compiled by YouTuber Razor, are so elaborate they almost resemble standalone games. Even though it's based on a 30-year-old title, Brutal Doom still stands as one of the most influential forces in the resurgence of retro-style shooters.

Boomer shooters aren’t just a throwback—they’re a statement. In an era where AAA titles often feel bloated or creatively stagnant, these indie gems remind us that fast, fun, and focused gameplay never goes out of style. Whether it’s the brutal artistry of Ultrakill, the puzzle-like madness of Dusk, or the inventive chaos of Cultic, each of these games brings something unique to the table.

They don’t just honor the past—they build upon it. These modern classics prove that pixelated gore, blistering speed, and smart design still have the power to captivate, challenge, and thrill. If you’re looking to reignite your love for first-person shooters, there’s no better place to start than with the best boomer shooters of today.

The 5 Best Milsim Games You Can Play Right Now

Military simulation games, commonly known as milsims, aim to replicate the intensity, strategy, and realism of real-world warfare. Whether it's the methodical pace of tactical shooters or the sprawling battlegrounds of WWII-era combat, the best milsim games provide players with an unmatched sense of immersion.

Here are the five best milsim games that are dominating the genre right now.

1. Arma Reforger – A Modern Reimagining of the Classic

The Arma Reforger Logo

Arma Reforger is Bohemia Interactive’s latest evolution of the legendary Arma franchise. Set during the Cold War, Arma Reforger strips away some of Arma 3’s notorious complexity while maintaining the franchise’s focus on realism and tactical depth. With lush countryside maps, strategic objectives, and Cold War-era gear, it delivers an immersive sandbox battlefield experience that both new and veteran players can enjoy.

What sets Arma Reforger apart is its accessibility. While older titles like Arma 3 could feel daunting due to their steep learning curves and overwhelming controls, Arma Reforger introduces quality-of-life upgrades that streamline gameplay without sacrificing authenticity. Its support for modding—on both PC and Xbox—is a game-changer, opening up custom campaigns, factions, and even Star Wars-themed servers.

It’s a perfect entry point into the world of the best milsim games, especially with the anticipation of Arma 4 on the horizon, which will build on Arma Reforger’s core systems.

2. Squad – Tactical Coordination at Its Finest

The Squad Logo

Squad is the gold standard for modern infantry-based milsims. Built as a spiritual successor to the Battlefield 2 mod Project Reality, Squad emphasizes teamwork, communication, and strategy above all else. Matches feature up to 100 players divided into squads over 2 teams, each with distinct roles and objectives.

Squad’s beauty lies in its layered complexity. From transporting supplies to building forward operating bases, every decision impacts the tide of battle. It's not a game for lone wolves—success hinges on cohesive teamwork, smart planning, and clear communication. The authentic sound design, realistic ballistics, and player-driven objectives make it one of the most immersive titles in the genre.

With a thriving modding community, Squad extends far beyond modern warfare. Mods like “Galactic Contention” transform it into a Star Wars battlefield, proving it’s not just one of the best milsim games—it's one of the most versatile.

3. Hell Let Loose – World War II Like You’ve Never Played

The Hell Let Loose Logo

Hell Let Loose takes players to the brutal and chaotic frontlines of World War II with massive 50v50 battles. Its highly detailed environments, combined with realistic weapon behavior and a dynamic frontline system, create an incredibly immersive experience. From Normandy beaches to the snowy forests of the Ardennes, Hell Let Loose feels like stepping into a documentary.

While it may not have the modding scale of Arma or Squad, Hell Let Loose makes up for it with brutal authenticity. Artillery strikes shake the ground, gunshots echo with terrifying realism, and death is swift. It’s not about your kill/death ratio—it’s about surviving and helping your team push the line forward.

The learning curve is gentle compared to more complex titles, making it a great gateway for newcomers. For players who want a visceral, historically rich shooter without the technical micromanagement, Hell Let Loose remains one of the best milsim games available today.

4. Insurgency: Sandstorm – Tactical Combat in Tight Quarters

The Insurgency: Sandstorm Logo

For players looking for a more compact but equally intense milsim experience, Insurgency: Sandstorm delivers. Unlike the sprawling maps of Arma or Hell Let Loose, Insurgency: Sandstorm’s urban firefights are intimate, fast-paced, and deadly serious. With limited HUD, realistic recoil, and time-to-kill measured in milliseconds, the game rewards patience, precision, and tactical positioning.

Despite its relatively smaller scope (maps typically accommodate 28 players), Insurgency: Sandstorm excels in capturing the tension and chaos of modern warfare. The PVE co-op mode, where squads battle AI enemies across challenging scenarios, is a standout feature and a favorite among veterans.

Insurgency: Sandstorm also offers a robust modding system, VR support, and console availability—making it one of the most accessible entries among the best milsim games today. It’s an ideal stepping stone for players transitioning from casual FPS to more hardcore simulations.

5. War Thunder – Combined Arms Warfare at its Best

A War Thunder Logo

When it comes to military simulation games that span land, air, and sea, few titles offer the sheer scope and authenticity of War Thunder. Developed by Gaijin Entertainment, War Thunder is a free-to-play combat simulator that delivers large-scale battles using meticulously recreated tanks, aircraft, and naval vessels from multiple eras—from World War II to the modern day.

Unlike many milsim titles that focus purely on infantry combat, War Thunder excels in offering a combined arms experience. Whether you're dogfighting in a MiG-21 at 30,000 feet, commanding a Leopard 2 tank through urban combat zones, or engaging in naval skirmishes with destroyers, the depth and diversity of vehicles make every match a strategic puzzle.

The game's Realistic and Simulator battle modes strip away arcade features like aim assists and HUD indicators, creating a truly immersive and challenging environment. Ballistics, armor penetration, flight physics, and even engine performance are all modeled with painstaking accuracy. This attention to detail is exactly what makes War Thunder one of the best milsim games currently available.

War Thunder’s constant updates, new vehicles, and tech trees from nations around the world keep the gameplay fresh. It also features VR support, customizable loadouts, historical missions, and a massive player base. The experience can be enjoyed solo or with a squad, but success almost always demands teamwork, situational awareness, and precision.

For players seeking a broader and more varied military experience—beyond just boots on the ground—War Thunder delivers some of the most authentic, large-scale combat available in the genre today. It's not only a standout title among the best milsim games but also a true gateway into the complexities of multi-branch warfare.

The world of milsim games is vast, nuanced, and constantly evolving. Whether you’re storming the beaches of Normandy, coordinating airstrikes with your squad, or scavenging through post-apocalyptic ruins, these titles offer something unique for every type of player. The five best milsim games highlighted here—Arma Reforger, Squad, Hell Let Loose, Insurgency: Sandstorm, and War Thunder —represent the pinnacle of military realism in gaming today.

No matter your preference—team-focused coordination, historical authenticity, or raw survival—there’s never been a better time to dive into the best milsim games and experience the virtual battlefield like never before.

All Metro Awakening Weapons | All Metro VR Weapons

There are a ton of fantastic weapons to find and use in Metro Awakening: VR, and they’re pretty unique as far as Virtual Reality shooter weapons go. Despite Metro VR having about a fifth as many weapon options as any flatscreen Metro title, there are still some very fun guns and other gadgets to use in the game.

Here I’ll show you all of the Metro Awakening weapons including the order you find them in, how they function, and what each is good at.

As a side note if you’re trying to replace a weapon you currently have with a new one (for instance a different looking variant of the Kalash rifle) then just put your current weapon in off (left) hand, pick up the new one you want in your dominant (right) hand and store it in the storage slot for that weapon (i.e. over your shoulder for a Kalash or by your right hip for a Tokarev.)

The Tokarev (Pistol)

The Tokarev Pistol in Metro Awakening: VR

The Tokarev is the one and only pistol available to you in Metro Awakening, and it is the least powerful weapon in the game. It is also the first weapon that you receive.

The Tokarev pistol is a classic World War 2 Soviet sidearm, and Metro Awakening: VR is the first Metro game to include this weapon. Though unfortunately, this comes at the expense of Metro classics such as the Revolver.

The Tokarev doesn’t do much damage per shot, and you’ll have to hit almost all of your shots to take down even weaker enemies without having to reload. This is also because the magazine only holds eight rounds.

Ammunition for the Tokarev Pistol in Metro Awakening: VR

Curiously, you can only carry 28 rounds in reserve for the Tokarev. So if you don’t use it regularly you might find yourself constantly not being able to pick up ammunition that you find for it once you have access to better and more powerful weapons.

Unlike these other weapons the Tokarev is the only one to be stored on the hip of your dominant hand, which is the right side by default. Simply press the grab button with the controller of your dominant hand while it is at your waist and that hand will grab the pistol, seemingly out of thin air.

If the Tokarev is empty press the magazine ejection button on the controller carrying it and the mag will slide out of the bottom. Grab another magazine and slide it in before gripping the slide on the top of the pistol and pull it back to load a round into the chamber.

There is also a silenced variant of the Tokarev that can be found later on in the game. It has no noticeable reduction in power or accuracy, but is quiet and can be used from stealth.

The silenced variant of the Tokarev pistol in Metro Awakening: VR

There are a few different cosmetic variants of the base Tokarev that appear throughout the game, though there are no enemies that use it.

As the only sidearm available in the game, the Tokarev is always quickly available if you run out of ammunition for one of the more powerful two handed weapons. That’s really what it is best used as, a backup that can be used to take down an already injured enemy, or a weapon that can be quickly drawn and used with one hand if you are surprised by an ambush.

The Kalash (AK)

The Kalash aka the AK in Metro Awakening: VR

The Kalash is Metro slang for an AK-74 assault rifle, commonly known as an “AK.” You will find a Kalash pretty early on in the game after you acquire the Tokarev, and it will be a reliable companion all the way until the end.

Since the invention and adoption of the AK-47 by the Soviet union, the Kalashnikov series of assault rifles have dominated the small arms market in Russia, abroad, and of course in the post apocalyptic world of the Metro games.

The AK does fairly weak damage per shot, however its strength is in its rate of fire. Being the only automatic weapon in Metro VR that you can carry with you, and having a thirty round magazine makes the Kalash powerful if you stay on target. However, it is easy to waste a lot of ammunition if you simply hold down the trigger and spray, despite the fairly low recoil the AK has even while firing fully automatic.

Ammo for the Kalash aka the AK in Metro Awakening: VR

Rounds for the AK are common throughout the game, but one of the greatest sources of them are human enemies, which predominantly carry the AK as their only weapon through most of the game.

If you’re low on ammunition for this weapon then you can get a lot more by taking down a group of human enemies stealthily, and then taking the magazines out of their guns for yourself.

The AK, like most weapons in Metro Awakening: VR, is stored over your right shoulder. If it is empty take out the old magazine by gripping it with your off hand and pulling it away from the rifle. Then take a new magazine and insert it into the magazine well right in front of the trigger guard. Once the magazine is inserted pull back the charging handle on the side of the AK to load a round into the chamber.

There are quite a few variants of the Kalash that can be found throughout the game with slightly different parts, and even a version with no stock at all. Though they are all functionally the same and have the same sights.

The Kalash is a weapon that is reliable in any situation you find yourself in in Metro Awakening, so make sure you don’t waste all of your ammo for it by shooting up a wall. Despite being fully automatic it is much more economical to fire it in bursts at any opponent that is not directly in front of you. Still, the Kalash is capable of taking down any opponent in the game very quickly if you don’t miss.

DShK (Mounted Machinegun)

The DShK aka Dushka machine gun in Metro Awakening: VR

The DShK, also known as the “Dushka”, is a stationary heavy machine gun that has made an appearance in every Metro game, and sees a lot of action in Metro Awakening.

Your first chance to use the DShK is in the Prologue of the game, and it appears periodically throughout. Unlike other weapons in Metro VR you cannot put it behind your shoulder and take it with you, and most commonly you’ll find the DShK attached to rail carts.

So the DShK makes a lot of appearances in rail chase sequences, where you use it to mow down enemies as your rail cart passes through.

Using the DShK on a rail cart

Unlike other Metro Awakening weapons, the Dushka doesn’t need to be reloaded and doesn’t have ammunition that you can find. Every DShK has seemingly infinite ammunition and will only stop firing when the heat dial on top of it goes all the way to the right. You can also tell how hot the gun is getting by the color of the barrel. To cool it down simply stop shooting.

The DShK has two handles, and you can fire it by holding down the trigger while grabbing either one. Though attempting to fire this machinegun with only a single hand will cause massive recoil, so make sure to hold it with both. Each round from the DShK is roughly as powerful as a Kalash round.

Since the DShK has infinite ammunition and makes appearances mostly in on the rails cart sections make sure to utilize it as much as possible to conserve ammunition for your portable weapons. Though it is better to fire bursts from the Dushka to prevent it rapidly overheating, and to make sure you stay on target.

The rapid rate of fire and infinite ammo makes the Dushka immensely powerful in Metro Awakening, and when you get the chance to use it make sure to abuse it as much as possible.

Grenade

The Grenade in Metro Awakening: VR

The grenade is a crude hand made explosive device that can be found fairly early on in Metro VR after you find the Kalash. It appears to be a stick of explosive with a fuse lit by a small battery once the pin is pulled.

Despite its primitive construction, however, the grenade does fantastic damage when it explodes near an enemy. Despite a fairly long fuse time of about 4 or 5 seconds, the grenade has excellent damage potential if used well.

Grenades are also fairly common throughout the game once you start to find them, usually found scattered throughout levels one at a time.

You can carry three grenades, and you can access them by taking out your backpack by grabbing over your left shoulder with your right hand, and then pulling the grenade off of the backpack with your left hand.

Pulling the pin on the Grenade in Metro Awakening: VR

To light the fuse simply pull the pin and then throw the grenade as far away from you as possible. Getting caught by your own grenade is very deadly, and can unfortunately be common when fighting mutants if you aren’t careful. This is because the grenade will still bounce around once you throw it, and a mutant that walks into the grenade may incidentally kick it back towards you.

Grenades are more useful against human opponents, since they will keep their distance and stand in one place while trying to shoot you. Though human opponents will run once they see a lit grenade next to them, so for maximum effectiveness you can “cook” a grenade by pulling the pin and waiting a few seconds before throwing it. This means the fuse won’t burn for very long before detonating on target.

Grenades can be as much a danger to you as to your enemies in Metro Awakening, but are very effective against groups of enemies or enemies without much room to maneuver. If you don’t trust yourself to be fast enough to take one out of your backpack in combat then you can always take one or two out before the fight starts and leave them on the floor, or start off the fight by throwing a grenade and taking out a group of enemies.

The Helsing

The Helsing crossbow in Metro Awakening: VR

An hour or two after you get the Kalash you’ll find yourself with the excellent Helsing, the second two handed weapon you find in Metro Awakening: VR that can be stored behind your right shoulder.

The Helsing is a Metro-made crossbow that takes inspiration from the legendary vampire hunter Van Helsing, who is famous for his use of advanced crossbows in his 2004 film.

Just like in that 2004 film the Helsing is a very impressive weapon, boasting a cylindrical magazine that can hold 6 bolts, and a fast reloading mechanism that gives it a rate of fire far greater than any historical crossbow. Though compared to other weapons in Metro Awakening the Helsing is extremely slow to reload, but very powerful for each shot. It is also completely silent, and can take down human enemies from stealth very easily, though aim for the body and head.

Bolts can be found periodically throughout the game, but are fairly rare. So make sure to hold on to what bolts you do get by pulling them out of the bodies of your defeated adversaries, or out of scenery and walls if you missed your shots. Though keep in mind that some mutants, such as spiders, are very hard to retrieve bolts from once they’ve been hit.

A bolt for the Helsing in Metro Awakening: VR

To load bolts into the Helsing hold it in your dominant hand and press the magazine release button, which will release the cylinder. Then put bolts inside each of the compartments in the cylinder. Once you’ve filled it to contentment either flick your wrist to snap the cylinder back into the crossbow, or push it back in with your off hand.

To load a bolt grab on to the lever on top of the Helsing and pull it all of the way back towards yourself. This will take at least a second, which can be a very long time in the middle of combat.

The Helsing is a very strong weapon if you hit your shots with it, so accuracy is key, and so is keeping your distance. Getting caught trying to reload this crossbow while taking fire or the claws of a mutant is a bad idea. The Helsing is best used from stealth, or when you can duck back into cover, or when you have the time to reload it before being hit in return.

Make sure to retrieve your bolts since ammunition for the Helsing is scarce.

The Shambler (Shotgun)

The Shambler shotgun in Metro Awakening: VR

About six hours into the game you’ll get your hands on the Shambler, which is stored just like your Kalash and Helsing over your right shoulder.

The Shambler is another Metro classic. A homemade shotgun that fires buckshot shells, and has been present in each Metro game since Metro 2033.

The Shambler works like a shotgun revolver that can be loaded externally. There are five slots for shells and an extra one in the central chamber for a total of six shells that can be loaded at one time.

Once you get your hands on the Shambler ammunition for it is fairly plentiful and can be found regularly, though generally just one or two shells at a time. After you acquire the Shambler you can also find some human enemies that use it, and you can take the shells from their weapons by just pulling back the lever on top until all the shells pop out.

Like shotguns in most games the Shambler is most effective up close, and while it does extremely high damage at close ranges, the effectiveness of its shells drops off sharply at even medium range. Though despite being semi-automatic the Shambler has a very good rate of fire, meaning that it is very effective against mutants who charge towards you.

Shells for the Shambler in Metro Awakening: VR

To load the Shambler place shells into the empty shell slots on the exterior of the weapon, and then pull back the handle on top to load a shell into the chamber. If there is a single shell loaded on the exterior the cylinder will spin until that shell ends up in the center and is loaded.

Since the Shambler does incredible damage at close range and is easy to aim due to the wide spread of the buckshot shells it fires it is recommended to primarily use it against large mutants where it is the most effective. Make sure to use lulls in fighting to reload shells on the exterior of the shotgun so that you don’t run out of ammo.

The Blowpipe

The Blowpipe in Metro Awakening: VR

The Blowpipe is the final weapon that you acquire in Metro Awakening and is also stored over your right shoulder.

The Blowpipe, aka the Blowgun, is a primitive but deadly weapon that fires poisoned darts with complete silence. In Metro VR it is heavily ornamented, but in the end is basically just a tube with a wide end and a shorter end with a crude sight mounted on top of it.

Despite its crudeness the poison in the darts used in the Blowpipe is very deadly and each shot does very high damage. While loading the blowgun can take some getting used to with some practice you can load and fire it extremely quickly, making it a very potent but very skill based weapon. It is quite hard to aim.

The power of the Blowpipe weapon in Metro Awakening: VR is also diminished by how rare ammunition for it can be throughout most of the game. Unlike other ammunition types it isn’t usually found just lying around, but rather in the necks of victims of its use, who you will find during the story of Metro Awakening.

Luckily used Blowgun darts can be retrieved much like used Helsing bolts. So make sure to retrieve the darts when you can.

Finding a dart for the Blowpipe on a body in Metro Awakening: VR

To use the blowpipe put a dart inside the wide end of it and then raise it up to your mouth before pressing the trigger to fire the dart out. The darts actually come out with a surprising amount of force and stay on target pretty well at even medium range. However the very rudimentary sight makes aiming the blowgun sort of hard, and so does the slow travelling speed of the dart when compared to other weapons in Metro Awakening.

That being said the blowgun can be fired even more rapidly than the Helsing if you are good with it, and the massive damage that it does makes it useful in any situation as long as you manage to actually fire it accurately. This can be tough against fast moving enemies, but if you hit your shots the Blowgun is amazing.

Well those are all of the Metro Awakening weapons that you will find in the game. Enjoy yourself in the Metro!