Destiny 2

Destiny 2 has one of the best raid designs in multiplayer gaming and a Crucible that can be genuinely compelling for PvP-focused groups. The reason it sits here rather than in the top ten is the accessibility score, which is not harsh but is honest. Getting a new player up to meaningful content takes time and patience, and the content sprawl across years of expansions creates genuine friction for anyone coming in cold. For an established group that already knows the game, though, it remains one of the more complete combined PvE and PvP packages on Xbox.

The gunfeel in Destiny 2 is genuinely the best in the genre. I do not say that casually. When a weapon handles well here it handles better than almost anything else you will fire on PS5. The problem, and it is a real one, is that getting a new player to the point where a raid makes sense requires either a lot of patience or a very good guide. I have introduced two friends to this game over the years and the content sprawl nearly lost both of them in the first hour. If your group is already familiar, the PvE depth here is extraordinary. If you are all starting fresh, begin somewhere else and come back when you have more context.

Destiny 2 has the best gunfeel of any FPS in this catalog. That is a strong statement and I stand by it. The way weapons handle, the audio feedback, the recoil patterns, nothing else on this list matches it at the mechanical level. The problem is the onboarding, which remains one of the most confusing first-hour experiences in modern gaming. New players are dropped into a content ecosystem with years of layered systems and no clear map. If you can get past that, or if you have a friend who already plays and can show you the ropes, the long-term loop of chasing better rolls on weapons and pushing through harder PvE content is genuinely compelling.

Destiny 2 has the best gunplay of any first-person shooter on PS5, free or paid. Pulling a trigger in this game feels like pulling a trigger. The problem for this list is that the free slice is genuinely stingy now. The best strikes, the most interesting story content, the endgame that makes the shooting worthwhile long-term, most of it sits behind expansion paywalls that accumulate quickly. I started it free and found myself frustrated by the walls within ten hours. If you are willing to spend, Destiny becomes a different and better game. For a list specifically about free-to-play value, that matters enough to keep it out of the main ten.

Destiny 2 has the best gunfeel of any shooter on this list. That is not a small thing. Raids with a dedicated fireteam are among the most satisfying structured co-op experiences available on PS5, full stop. The problem is everything around that core. Years of expansions, vaulted content, seasonal rotations, and a fragmented free-to-play structure make it genuinely difficult to recommend to anyone who is not already invested. If you have a group of friends who play regularly and are willing to bring you up to speed, the raids alone justify the entry. If you are going in cold and expecting to find the good stuff quickly, prepare for a longer road than most games ask for.

There was a time when Destiny 2 would have been near the top of a list like this. Cross-platform fireteams for raids and strikes remain genuinely useful, and the gunplay is still among the best in any shared-world shooter. The reason it lands in honorable mentions is that the game asks a lot before it gives a lot back. The expansion model, the vaulted content, and the community fatigue from years of seasonal cycles make it harder to recommend to someone starting fresh. For existing fans or groups with returning players, the crossplay still works and the endgame is still compelling.

Destiny 2 is the only game that offers high-end co-op raids, dungeons, and a competitive PvP mode in the same package, and that breadth is genuinely impressive. The gunplay is excellent, and experienced players will tell you that a good raid group is one of the best multiplayer experiences available on PS5. It slipped out of the top ten because the new-player experience is genuinely overwhelming, and the value proposition is complicated by years of paid expansions and episodic content. The free-to-play entry point is real, but much of the meaningful endgame sits behind additional purchases. For players already familiar with the game, it absolutely belongs higher.

Destiny 2 ranks third because the co-op it offers for free — Strikes, Vanguard Ops, and core playlist activities — is genuinely well-designed and keeps matchmaking healthy. Playing Strikes with two friends on PS5 still feels polished and satisfying in a way that few free games match. The problem is the ceiling. Raids and Dungeons, which represent the best co-op design in the genre, sit behind paid expansions. Free players in 2026 have a narrower activity pool than early adopters did. I'd still recommend it as a starting point if your group is considering eventually buying in — the free experience is a real sample, not a demo. Just don't expect the full picture without spending.

Destiny 2's three-player fireteam isn't a limitation — it's the design. Strikes, seasonal missions, and Dungeons are all built around exactly three, and the game has been refining that loop for years. The free base game makes it easy for a squad to try before committing, and crossplay across PS5, Xbox, and PC means platform differences don't break up a group. What nobody mentions enough is the onboarding problem: new players face a genuinely confusing 'what should we do first' moment. Get one experienced player in your group to act as a guide, or budget an extra session just to find your feet.

Destiny 2's six-player raids are the most demanding and rewarding co-op content on this entire list. Nothing else comes close to the coordination required. Full crossplay across PS5, Xbox, and PC works well, and Bungie's cross-save is the strongest on any game here — characters, gear, and purchased content all transfer. The problem is everything around the raids: paid expansion complexity, a declining player base following Bungie's 2024 struggles, and raid matchmaking that requires third-party LFG tools rather than built-in systems. For a committed group of six who are already invested, it belongs in the top ten. For everyone else, the barrier to enjoying the best content is genuinely high.

Destiny 2's raids are the best co-op PvE encounters available on PS5. Six players, intricate mechanics that require every person to understand their role, and encounters designed around genuine communication—nothing else here competes at that level of coordinated teamwork. The reason it's here rather than the main list comes down to friction: the content vault has removed content players previously paid for, the new-player story context is genuinely confusing, and accessing the activities that make it worth recommending requires purchasing current expansions. Cross-play is fully supported. If your group already plays Destiny 2 or has a veteran willing to guide newcomers, it belongs much higher.

Destiny 2’s Crucible is an arena-style PvP option with standout shooting feel and movement that makes duels exciting. It lands in honorable mentions because PvP is not the game’s primary pillar, and the competitive framework doesn’t feel as consistently ranked-first or transparent as dedicated esports-style shooters. Structured playlists and Trials-style events can deliver intense matches when populations are strong, but balance is tied to a wider sandbox, which can lead to uneven competitive clarity. Best for players who love crisp gunplay and want occasional serious PvP sessions, rather than a full-time ranked home.

Destiny 2 layers RPG buildcrafting—subclasses, exotics, armor mods—onto exceptional FPS mechanics, making it a unique hybrid. Free New Light content lets you experiment with progression systems and sample strikes and PvP, but most raids and story campaigns require expansions. It's an honorable mention because the free slice feels like an extended trial rather than a complete RPG experience.

Destiny 2 earns its spot for delivering some of the best weapon feel in any shooter, free or paid. Crucible PvP is fully accessible, letting you experience Bungie's legendary gunplay and evolving metas without spending a cent. The trade-off is steep: raids, dungeons, and campaigns require expansions, so free players get a slice of the looter-shooter rather than the full meal.

Destiny 2 blends cooperative PvE strikes with competitive Crucible modes, all backed by smooth matchmaking and reliable servers. Seasonal updates keep activities and loot fresh, while the free package offers meaningful progression in both spaces. Some premier raids and story content require expansions, but the core multiplayer loop—solo queue or with friends—remains accessible and polished.

Destiny 2 delivers cinematic sci-fi action with best-in-class gunplay and stunning visuals, all playable solo in strikes and patrols. The free offering showcases Bungie's polish through bite-sized missions and buildcrafting, though it's always online and major campaigns sit behind paid expansions. Best for FPS fans wanting premium production quality and satisfying moment-to-moment combat in short sessions.

Destiny 2 ranks high for polished 3-player strikes and 6-player raids that reward tight teamwork and smart buildcrafting. Its best-in-class gunfeel, instant matchmaking, and massive crossplay community ensure you'll always find a fireteam. Free players get dozens of cooperative hours, though the deepest endgame content sits behind expansions. Perfect for squads prioritizing shooter quality and repeatable missions.