From historical warzones to post-apocalyptic landscapes, Guerrilla Games has spent decades crafting immersive,visually-stunningand mechanically-refined experiences. Before Horizon turned the studio into an open-world powerhouse, Guerrilla was synonymous with Killzone, a series that pushed graphical fidelity and intense FPS gameplay to new heights.
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Their latest efforts continue to evolve with a LEGO-infused spin-off and a departure into new multiplayer projects, but among their humble portfolio, these games rank among the best.
7Shellshock: Nam ‘67
A Brutal First Step
Shellshock: Nam ‘67
Guerrilla’s first game was far from the sci-fi spectacles they would become known for. Shellshock: Nam ‘67 plunged players into the horrors of the Vietnam War, offering a grim and unfiltered take on one of history’s most controversial conflicts.
While many Vietnam War games glorified firefights, Shellshock emphasized the brutality of war through unsettling imagery, psychological breakdowns and disturbing encounters with war crimes. Guerrilla didn’t hold back – the game featured captured soldiers tortured in POW camps, drug-fueled Viet Cong ambushes and warlords profiting off human suffering.
Though the third-person combat felt clunky by modern standards, Shellshock stood out for its commitment to realism. It wasn’t a polished blockbuster, but it set the foundation for Guerrilla’s signature grit and attention to detail.
6Lego Horizon Adventures
A Lighthearted Take on the Post-Apocalypse
LEGO Horizon Adventures
Lego Horizon Adventures reimagines Horizon Zero Dawn as a lighthearted co-op action game, condensing Aloy’s journey into a colorful, comedic adventure. The twelve-hour campaign takes players across familiar locations like the Sacred Lands and Sunfall Desert, blending Lego’s signature humor with recognizable story beats. Combat remains engaging, allowing players to target machine weak points while wielding random elemental weapons, though the limited variety in level design makes encounters predictable.
Customization shines, offering town alterations, quirky outfits and a rewarding community board. While the removal of classic Lego game secrets like cheat-filled red bricks is a letdown, the vibrant world, fun skill trees and returning voice cast (minus the late Lance Reddick) help keep the experience engaging. With multiple difficulty settings and couch co op, Lego Horizon Adventures is a charming, if simplified, adaptation that offers plenty of fun – just don’t expect the same depth as its source material.
5Killzone: Shadowfall
A Beautiful but Divisive Leap Into the 8th-Gen
Launching alongside the PlayStation 4, Killzone Shadow Fall had the unenviable task of showcasing the console’s power while carrying the weight of Guerrilla’s flagship shooter series. Graphically, it delivered – its environments shimmered with stunning detail, from neon-lit cityscapes to lush, overgrown ruins. The transition from Killzone 3’s bleak warzones to a more open-ended, semi-sandbox approach was bold, though not universally praised.
The campaign introduced an OWL drone that added tactical depth, allowing players to scout, attack and hack enemies dynamically. But while Shadow Fall looked the part of a next-gen shooter, its story struggled to resonate and its multiplayer – though ambitious – lacked the staying power of previous entries. It was a visual marvel, but one that marked the end of Killzone as a major franchise.
4Horizon Zero Dawn
The Birth of an Iconic World
Horizon Zero Dawn
When Guerrilla pivoted from Killzone toan open worldRPG, few expected Horizon Zero Dawn to redefine their reputation overnight. The game introduced one of the most memorable settings in modern gaming: a post-apocalyptic Earth overrun by mechanical wildlife, where human tribes survived in the shadows of their forgotten ancestors’ technological failures.
Aloy’s journey from outcast to warrior uncovered a deeply-layered story about AI, human extinction and the unintended consequences of technological progress. But it was the combat that made Horizon shine; every robotic creature had weaknesses to exploit, armor to tear away and attack patterns that demanded strategic thinking.
Despite early skepticism about Guerrilla’s ability to craft a compelling open world, Horizon Zero Dawn proved to be a masterclass in world-building, securing Aloy’s place as one of PlayStation’s most iconic protagonists.
3Horizon Forbidden West
A Bigger and Better Sequel
Horizon Forbidden West
Where Zero Dawn introduced players to a breathtaking world, Horizon Forbidden West refined every aspect of it. Aloy’s expanded toolkit gave her more ways to navigate the world, from gliders to grappling hooks, making exploration smoother and more dynamic. Underwater environments added a new layer of traversal, while the story deepened Aloy’s connection to her allies and the larger mysteries of her world.
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The sequel introduced even more dangerous and intricate robotic enemies, forcing players to rethink their strategies. Itsside questsalso received a major overhaul – many were just as engaging as the main narrative, proving that Forbidden West wasn’t just about Aloy’s journey but the world and people around her.
With its richly-detailed environments, evolved combat and improved storytelling, Forbidden West stood as a true showcase of Guerrilla’s growth as a studio.
2Killzone 3
A Brutal Conclusion to a Legendary War
Killzone 3
The Helghast never looked more terrifying than in Killzone 3. With its breathtaking visuals and relentless action, this installment cemented the franchise’s reputation as one of PlayStation’s most technically-impressive shooters.
Killzone 3 ramped up the spectacle with explosive set pieces – players fought through snowstorms, piloted mechs and even took the battle to space. The weighty, tactile gunplay remained a highlight, giving every firefight a visceral, grounded feel. Multiplayer was another standout, offering objective-based Warzone matches that required teamwork and strategy.
It also introduced jetpacks, which fundamentally changed how players approached combat, adding verticality to an already intense battlefield. Though Killzone wouldn’t continue beyond Shadow Fall, Killzone 3 was arguably the peak of the franchise’s FPS excellence.
1Killzone 2
Guerrilla’s FPS Magnum Opus
Killzone 2
The hype surrounding Killzone 2 was immense, fueled by an infamous E3 2005 trailer that seemed too good to be real. Shockingly, the final game nearly matched those visuals, delivering one of the most technically-advanced shooters of its generation.
Set on the hostile planet of Helghan, Killzone 2 was a masterclass in atmosphere. The oppressive environments, harsh weather and unrelenting enemy AI made every battle feel like a desperate struggle. The weighty, responsive gunplay set a new standard for console shooters, emphasizing realistic recoil and movement that forced players to adapt.
Multiplayer was just as groundbreaking, introducing a dynamic class-based system that influenced later FPS games. Though the Killzone series eventually faded, Killzone 2 remains one of Guerrilla’s greatest achievements – a high watermark forfirst-person shootersthat few have managed to surpass.
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