Games With Lots of Weapons

Game Designer at RetroStyle Games | Mar 15, 2024

In the gaming world, players are divided into two categories. The first one is interested in updating skills and becoming better due to them. The second one wants to have as coolest weapon as possible to be the most frightening and powerful playable character in the game. And today, the point of our interest is the second category. More specifically, games with lots of guns and diverse and extensive weapon arsenals.

The Impact of Weapons on Gameplay

Some game companies don't admit that but in 2024, the most popular genre of games is shooter (including first-person shooter and third-person shooter).

According to the statistics, 1.21 billion people played shooting games at least once. Isn’t it a remarkable number? We can bet you are surprised! However, you still have one question: ‘How is it possible?’ We’ll tell you just now!

1
Strategy and tactics
Even if you're a fan of one kind of weapon while playing shooter you need to use distinct approaches to combat. By constantly analyzing such factors as range, rate of fire, damage output, and ammo capacity, players improve their strategic thinking and ability to overcome challenges.
2
Player skill and mastery
The gameplay can't be deep and engaging without mastering various weapons. So, players need to invest time and effort to become proficient with different types of guns. However, the result will be very pleasant: skillful play and continuous engagement.
3
Balancing and pacing
Balanced effective weapons are foundations of fair gameplay. While developing a shooting game, it's significant to maintain a level playing field for all players without dominating any single weapon. Another cool option is the opportunity to influence the gameplay by the availability and power of weapons. For example, some guns can accelerate or slow down the action.

Best Gun Customization Games

Games with character customization are very engaging but the gun customization games are even better! Some of the gun customization games offer players a deep experience, allowing them to personalize their firearms to suit their playstyle and preferences.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon

If you asked us what is the best gun customization game, our immediate answer would be Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon series. It has a specific Feature – Gunsmith that is particularly prominent in Ghost Recon Breakpoint.

In Gunsmith, players can modify nearly every aspect of their weapons, ranging from barrels and stocks to magazines and triggers. The system provides a vast array of attachments and modifications, allowing players to fine-tune their firearms to suit their individual preferences and playstyles.

We like Gunsmith a lot for its realism and attention to detail. Players can choose from a wide selection of real-world attachments, including scopes, grips, muzzle brakes, and more. Moreover, they even have unique effects, such as improving accuracy, reducing recoil, or increasing damage output. However, the customization options in Gunsmith go beyond just practical considerations; players can also customize the appearance of their weapons with various camouflages, paints, and engravings.

If you want to work with a team that pays attention to all the details, and knows what are weapon and asset design from our own experience, our artists, modelers, and designers are ready to help you!

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)

One of the best gun customization games online, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) showcases a significant evolution of the franchise’s weapon customization mechanics. Comparing all the games from Call of Duty (2003) to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023), this game is definitely the best if we’re talking about cool gun designs.

At the heart of customization mechanics is the ability to customize every aspect of a weapon, from its barrel length to its stock, optics, magazine, and more. Players can choose from a wide range of attachments such as improved accuracy, reduced recoil, faster aim-down-sights (ADS) speed, or increased damage range.

For us, the depth of customization in Modern Warfare is truly impressive. Whether the player wants to build a long-range sniper rifle with a high-powered scope and extended barrel or an assault rifle with a hybrid sight and under-barrel grenade launcher, the customization possibilities are extensive. Furthermore, the game allows for cosmetic customization, letting players apply different camouflages, paints, stickers, and charms to their weapons.

Battlefield 4

In Battlefield 4, gun customization is one of the most significant things for boosting players’ experience and allowing for a high degree of personalization on the battlefield. The game features a Weapon Customization menu where players can modify various aspects of their firearms.

The main options for customization include attachments such as scopes, grips, muzzle devices, and magazines, each of which affects the weapon’s performance in different ways. For example, players can equip different optics to enhance accuracy at various ranges, select grips to reduce recoil and improve weapon control, attach muzzle devices to reduce muzzle flash and recoil and choose magazines to alter reload speed or increase ammunition capacity.

Furthermore, Battlefield 4 introduces the concept of Battlepacks, which players can earn through gameplay or purchase with in-game currency. What is their main point? They contain random weapon attachments, camouflages, and other cosmetic items, providing players with additional customization options and rewards for their efforts on the battlefield.

Battlefield 4 is also very famous for its UI design. If you want to seamlessly combine unique customization options and easy-to-understand shooting game UI design, we will be happy to help you!

Dark Souls

Dark Souls isn’t the number 1 weapon customization game because the series primarily focuses on melee combat and magic. However, Dark Souls includes a variety of ranged weapons, such as bows and crossbows, which have unique customization options through upgrades and modifications.

In Dark Souls, players can enhance their ranged weapons by upgrading them at blacksmiths using various materials found throughout the game world. Upgrades increase the damage output, and range, and sometimes introduce elemental effects to the weapon. Additionally, players can modify their bows and crossbows with special arrows and bolts that inflict different types of damage or status effects.

While Dark Souls doesn’t offer the same level of gun customization as other games (especially shooters), such as the ability to attach scopes or change firing modes, the upgrades and modifications with a touch of magic still allow players to tailor their ranged weapons to their play style.

PC Games with Weapon Customization

Fallout

Among lots of weapon games like Skyrim with similar gameplay and mechanics, Fallout 4 gun customization options are one of the best. Here, customization is a central feature that allows players to modify and personalize their weapons and provides players with the flexibility to create unique and powerful firearms.

Fallout 4’s weapons customization system is intuitive, allowing players to modify various aspects of their guns using the game’s crafting system. Players can modify everything from the barrel and receiver to the stock and sights, with each modification offering different benefits and altering the weapon’s performance.

One of the key aspects of gun customization in Fallout 4 is the variety of weapons available in the game. Pistols, rifles, shotguns, energy weapons… Players have access to a diverse arsenal of firearms, each with its own unique characteristics and customization options. Furthermore, Fallout 4 introduces the concept of weapon attachments, allowing players to enhance their firearms with additional upgrades such as scopes, muzzle brakes, extended magazines, and more.

Fallout 4’s Creation Kit weapon attachments are one more amazing option for modders to create something unbelievable. Due to this user-generated content, players can access a wealth of new customization options and keep engaged in the gameplay long after release.

Talking about customization options, we want to showcase some details on a real example – The Problem Solver weapon. Just look at this handmade rifle with the Furious legendary effect! However, this gun isn’t just stunning. It causes the damage of each round to increase with each consecutive hit on the same target! This is only one example. Imagine how many cool gun designs there are in the game!

And, if you want something awesome and unforgettable, you can outsource the 3D modeling of your dream weapon to our team of artists and designers ;)

Borderlands

In the Borderlands, there is one outstanding reason why we adore this game so much: “bazillions” of procedurally generated guns. This feature perfectly showcases the importance of 3D modeling in games. Really, have you ever seen something like this before?

Explained in detail, each firearm in the game is generated procedurally, resulting in a seemingly endless combination of weapon types, manufacturers, parts, and attributes. Due to this feature, players constantly discover lots of weapons as they explore the game world.

Furthermore, Borderlands allows players to modify and upgrade their weapons through the use of weapon parts and weapon manufacturers. Players can mix and match different parts, such as barrels, stocks, and scopes, to create custom weapons with unique stats and abilities. Additionally, each manufacturer in Borderlands has its distinctive traits and bonuses.

Destiny 2

What do you think about using the game’s infusion and mod systems? Never mind, you can just download the game Destiny 2 and enjoy the power of its gun customization mechanics!

Infusion allows players to increase the power level of their weapons by sacrificing other weapons or materials, ensuring that players can keep their favorite weapons relevant as they progress through the game’s content. In return, mods can provide bonuses such as increased damage, faster reload speed, improved handling, or the ability to generate orbs of light on kills. Players can mix and match mods to create custom loadouts tailored to their preferred playstyles and activities.

However, Destiny’s weapon list isn’t restricted by typical guns. This game introduces the concept of exotic weapons, which are powerful and unique firearms with special abilities and perks. If you want to get an exotic weapon, you should complete some challenging quests or activities to obtain it, but they can significantly impact gameplay and offer new exciting ways to approach combat.

Star Wars Battlefront

Are you tired of typical games with weapon customization taken from real-life concepts? Then Star Wars Battlefront, a popular action-packed weapon customization game set in the Star Wars universe, where you can find a lot of iconic sci-fi guns.

In the game, players can unlock and equip different blasters, each with its distinct characteristics such as rate of fire, damage output, and accuracy. Usually, they revolve around choosing the right blaster for the player’s preferred playstyle and the demands of the battlefield. Some blasters excel at close-quarters combat, while others are better suited for long-range engagements. Players can experiment with different blasters to find the one that best suits their preferences and tactics.

Additionally, Star Wars Battlefront weapon customization offers players the ability to unlock and equip various attachments and star cards. They provide bonuses such as improved accuracy, reduced recoil, or faster cooldown times for abilities.

Look at this hyper-realistic sci-fi gun! It’s the main battle rifle of the Clone Army that can be modified for longer-range engagements or to offer devastating explosive damage.

Do you want to get something similar? Our artists have a lot of experience working with different genres (with sci-fi, of course).

Check up our 3D modeling portfolio and choose whatever style you want for your weapon game, and we'll make 3D military assets of weapon models just perfect for your title.

Explore Different Weapon Types

Melee Weapons

We have a question for you: what makes the game an RPG? Realistic characters? Open world? Our answer is melee weapons!

Melee weapons are a favorite type of armor of thousands of players because they offer a visceral and up-close combat experience in video games. The perfect example of melee weapons’ effective use is the Kingdom Come: Deliverance game. Also, melee weapons often provide players with a different set of tactics and challenges compared to ranged weapons.

1
Swords
Swords are perhaps the most iconic melee weapons. They come in different shapes and sizes, from massive two-handed greatswords to swift and agile katanas. They are often associated with knights, samurais, and fantasy settings.
2
Axes
Axes are another popular choice for melee combat in games, known for their raw power and ability to cleave through enemies. There are various forms of axes such ass single-handed axes, double-handed battleaxes, and throwing axes. Axes are often favored by barbarians, berserkers, and Viking-inspired characters.
3
Maces
Maces and hammers are blunt weapons designed to crush and pulverize opponents. They are typically slower than swords and axes but compensate with higher damage and armor-piercing capabilities. Maces and hammers are associated with knights, paladins, and heavy melee fighters, delivering devastating blows.
It's also worth mentioning the difficulty of fighting animations for these weapons, as your players need to feel the "weight" of the weapon.

Ranged Weapons

Zombie apocalypse, ecological catastrophe, nuclear war… When we play games with these themes we expect to see extra cool ranged weapons that will provide us with the ability to engage enemies from a distance. If you don’t know how to make a survival game with outstanding ranged weapons, we are ready to provide you with info about common types of them found in various video games ;)

1
Firearms
The most popular firearms are pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Pistols are versatile sidearms favored for their compact size and quick handling. Rifles are long-barreled firearms designed for accuracy and precision at long distances. Shotguns are powerful firearms known for their widespread and devastating close-range damage.
2
Bows
It's not a typical survival armor (bows are mostly an element of magical games such as Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura). However, you can still meet them in various survival games (for example, Dying Light 1 & 2).
Longbows are traditional ranged weapons consisting of a wooden bow and arrows. They offer high accuracy and long-range, making them perfect for sniping and stealthy engagements. Compound bows are modern variants of traditional bows, featuring pulley systems that increase draw weight and arrow velocity. Crossbows are ranged weapons that use a horizontal bow mounted on a stock to shoot bolts or arrows.
3
Thrown Weapons
Throwing knives are lightweight blades designed to be thrown at targets from a distance. They require skill and precision to use effectively but can be deadly in the hands of a skilled player. Throwing axes are similar to them but offer greater impact and damage. They are favored by characters who prefer brute force and melee combat but still want a ranged option for engaging enemies.

Variety in Online Multiplayer Weapon Games

Online Battle Arenas

Online battle arenas are games with dynamic and competitive environments where players engage in intense battles using lots of weapons. These games showcase a wide variety of weapons for players to choose from, ranging from traditional firearms like pistols, rifles, and shotguns to more exotic and fantastical weapons such as energy weapons, rocket launchers, and melee weapons.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

The perfect example of a successful shooting game is the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). This game features an extensive arsenal of weapons, including pistols, rifles, submachine guns, shotguns, and sniper rifles, each with its own unique characteristics and attributes. From the iconic AK-47 and M4A4 to the Desert Eagle, players have a wide range of weapons to choose from, allowing for diverse strategies.

The game’s economy system adds an extra layer of strategy, requiring players to manage their in-game currency to purchase weapons and equipment. Balancing cost with firepower becomes crucial, as players must decide whether to invest in powerful but expensive weapons or opt for more economical choices to maximize their resources.

What we like a lot in CS:GO is the opportunity to import weapon models from the game to Blender and create a unique gun! Studios that use Blender are very rich because of that: they create whole packs of outstanding weapons for online shooting games like CS:GO. Think about it ;)

Overwatch: Heroes and Their Arsenal

Overwatch, a highly popular online battle arena, distinguishes itself through its diverse cast of heroes, each of which has unique abilities and arsenal. The heroes in Overwatch wield a variety of weapon types, ranging from standard firearms like pistols, rifles, and shotguns to more unconventional weapons such as energy beams, rocket launchers, and sniper rifles.

Moreover, Overwatch categorizes its heroes into three main roles: damage, tank, and support, and everyone has a special weapon to use. Damage heroes excel at dealing damage to enemies, tank heroes absorb damage and protect their teammates, and support heroes provide healing and utility to their team.

Multiplayer

Many multiplayer weapon games feature team-based modes where players are divided into teams and compete against each other to achieve specific objectives with different unique weapons (usually not super-powerful). In contrast to team-based modes, free-for-all modes pit players against each other in a chaotic battle where everyone fights for themselves. In this case, weapons are very powerful and rare. However, they help to create a competitive and challenging experience for all players.

Diablo III

While Diablo III is known as an action role-playing game, it incorporates a variety of weapons and multiplayer features that create an engaging online multiplayer experience. Talking about a diverse array of weapons, you can find in the game swords, axes, maces, bows, crossbows, staves, wands, and more. Each weapon type comes with unique attributes, such as damage, attack speed, and special abilities, allowing players to choose weapons that complement their character builds and playstyles.

In addition to this, Diablo III features a robust trading system and item economy that allows players to buy, sell, and trade unique weapons with each other. This is the perfect opportunity for players to acquire powerful armor and weapons that they may not have obtained through their gameplay but really wanted to get somehow.

Battle Royale Games

Battle Royale games offer a wide variety of weapons for players to find and use throughout the game. These weapons range from pistols and rifles to shotguns, sniper rifles, explosives, and melee weapons. Each weapon has its characteristics, for example, damage, fire rate, range, and recoil, providing players with diverse options for engaging in combat.

A unique feature in Battle Royale games is that weapons and other items are scattered randomly across the game map. This randomized loot distribution adds a perfect element of unpredictability to the gameplay, as players never know what weapons they’ll find or where they’ll find them. It also ensures that each match feels unique and offers new challenges for players.

Fortnite

Weapons in Fortnite come in different rarity levels, ranging from common to legendary. Higher rarity weapons offer better stats and unique perks, encouraging players to seek out rare loot and engage in strategic decision-making when it comes to weapon selection. Talking about the variety of weapons, in Fortnite you can find pistols, shotguns, assault rifles, sniper rifles, explosives, and melee weapons with unique characteristics, such as damage, fire rate, and range.

PUBG

PUBG allows players to customize pistols, shotguns, assault rifles, sniper rifles, submachine guns, and melee weapons with various attachments, such as scopes, grips, muzzle attachments, and magazines. These attachments enhance weapon performance a lot by improving accuracy, reducing recoil, and increasing magazine capacity.

Also, PUBG features realistic ballistics and recoil mechanics, requiring players to learn and master the handling of each weapon. Factors such as bullet drop, bullet velocity, and weapon sway influence aiming and shooting accuracy, adding a layer of skill and realism to the gameplay. It is very cool that players must adjust their aiming and shooting techniques based on the weapon they’re using and the distance to their target.

How to Make Your Own Weapons Games

First step: define your concept

If you want to make weapons games, begin by defining the theme of it. Consider what type of weapons you want to feature (for example, firearms, melee weapons, futuristic energy weapons) and the setting in which the game will take place (modern, historical, sci-fi, fantasy).

Second step: design gameplay mechanics

Determine the core gameplay mechanics of your game, including how players will acquire weapons, use them in combat, and interact with the game world. Factors such as weapon balance, player progression, and the overall flow of gameplay are also very important so don’t forget about them while building weapons games.

Third step: create weapon models

To build weapons games you should also design the art and models for each type of weapon in your game, including mechanics such as damage, accuracy, rate of fire, range, and special abilities. You may think: ‘Who should I choose, 3D artists vs. 3D modelers for this task?’. Actually, you need both if you want to create an unforgettable game so it’s better to hire a team than a single person.

Fourth step: implement weapon customization

If you want to make the best weapons games, it’s necessary to add weapon customization features that allow players to modify and personalize their weapons. This includes options such as changing weapon skins, attaching different scopes and attachments, and upgrading weapon stats through gameplay progression.

Fifth step: build levels and animate details

Create levels and environments for your game that provide interesting and challenging settings for players to explore and engage in combat. Details with an unforgettable animation such as level layout, cover opportunities, and environmental hazards that can impact gameplay dynamics are very important for the final result. Our professional 3D animation services can easily help you to build a memorable weapons game.

Sixth step: polish and release

Once your game is polished and ready for release, consider publishing it on platforms such as Steam, itch.io, or mobile app stores. Also, making weapons games requires game promotion through social media, gaming forums, and other channels to attract players and build a community around your game.

Creating Games with Weapons in Your Chosen Style

If you want to make a weapon game, you should consider your style at the first stage. As a professional team that has experience in creating outstanding titles from games similar to Bioshock to survival titles about zombie apocalypse, we know all the intricate details of choosing a style for the game with weapons.

Let's not waste any minute and dive into the process!

Realistic vs. Stylized

While realistic art styles aim to replicate real-world visuals with varying degrees of fidelity, stylized art styles prioritize creativity, expression, and aesthetic appeal through exaggeration, abstraction, and simplification. Both approaches offer a diverse landscape of video game artistry.

Realistic Art Style

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Fantasy Realism
Combines elements of fantasy with realistic depiction, often seen in games like The Witcher series where characters and environments possess realistic proportions and features, but with fantastical elements such as magic and mythical creatures.
2
Hyperrealism
Strives for an extremely detailed and lifelike representation of characters and environments, often achieved through high-resolution textures, advanced lighting effects, and meticulous attention to detail. Games like Red Dead Redemption 2 showcase hyperrealistic graphics.
3
Photorealism
Aims to replicate real-world visuals to the point of being indistinguishable from photographs. Games like The Last of Us Part II push the boundaries of photorealism with stunningly lifelike character models and environments.

Stylized Art Style

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Semi-Stylized
Blends elements of realism with stylized features, resulting in characters and environments that have a recognizable but exaggerated appearance. Games like Overwatch employ a semi-stylized art style with bold colors, exaggerated proportions, and cartoonish aesthetics.
2
Monochromatic
Relies on a single color palette or limited color scheme to create a distinct visual style. Games like Limbo use monochromatic visuals to evoke a sense of mystery and atmosphere.
3
Flat
Features simplified shapes, minimal shading, and a two-dimensional appearance, often resembling traditional 2D animation. Games like Monument Valley employ flat art styles to create visually striking and abstract environments.

How about Weapons in a Casual Style?

Weapons in casual art styles are very popular in 2024 because they prioritize simplicity, clarity, and accessibility, with designs that are easy to understand and engage with.

Talking about casual style, weapons are portrayed in a simplified and minimalist manner. They may have clean lines, geometric shapes, and minimalistic textures, making them easy to recognize and interact with. Casual weapon designs prioritize accessibility and intuitive gameplay, often using visual cues to convey functionality and purpose without the need for complex explanations.

Evolution of Weapons in Video Games

The era of shooting games started in the 1970s, the early years of video gaming when limited hardware capabilities and primitive graphics technology meant that weapons were often depicted in simple and abstract forms. Games like Space Invaders (1978) and Asteroids (1979) featured basic projectile weapons such as lasers and missiles.

During the Golden Age (1990s), there was a vast variety of weapons. Games like Doom (1993) and Quake (1996) introduced a wide array of firearms, explosives, and melee weapons, allowing players to engage in fast-paced and intense combat against hordes of enemies.

The modern era (2000s-present) is the time when our studio was created. Weapons have become more realistic and detailed thanks to advancements in graphics technology and game design. Due to this, we’ve created one of our best projects Last Pirate Island survival game that features authentic depictions of real-world firearms, equipment, and tactics.

Our studio embraces creativity and imagination too! By using the best 3D modeling software for games, we can create amazing weapons by ourselves. Check out the most outstanding and unforgettable of them below!

The Impact of Weapons on Gameplay

Strategy and tactics

Player skill and mastery

Balancing and pacing