Top 5: Best First-Person Shooter Games
In a genre vastly populated with mediocre games it takes a lot to stand out. First-person shooters really took off with the likes of Doom and Wolfenstein 3D, but have since evolved to include much more than just loud noises and invincible protagonists. Here, James reveals his top 5 list of FPS games.
One of, if not the most memorable World War 2 first-person shooter game (that isn’t Call of Duty), Medal of Honor: Frontline checks all the boxes when it comes to an emotional, yet action-packed experience. The game which, ironically paved the way for the later success of Call of Duty, Medal of Honor: Frontline is the highlight of the series, putting players into the shoes of James Patterson, a Lieutenant tasked by the OSS to disrupt German operations.
The start of the game is probably the most notable, taking inspiration from the movie Saving Private Ryan, in which the American squad storm the beaches of Normandy. This scene was again ironically used by the recent release; Call of Duty: WW2. What also springs to mind is the classic opening sequence, in which the game logo is shot, and the player is briefed, whilst a beautiful soundtrack that seems to perfectly capture the essence of the game (and the war in general) plays in the background. A top game in both the FPS and WW2 genre, it’s a shame that the series hasn’t been shown much love since this title.
A game that pushed the PS3 to its limit, Crysis 3 follows on from the previous game, as the re-awoken Prophet (Alcatraz) fights to take down the corrupt CELL corporation and the alien race known as the Ceph. The story, which can be hard to follow if you haven’t played the equally great Crysis 2, focuses on Alcatraz’s inner struggle with his Nanosuit as it, quite literally, transforms him. This creates a unique dynamic with the games’ supporting characters, such as Psycho.
Crysis 3 introduced a more open level design, which as previously mentioned, looked fantastic on PS3. The game also made use of stealth mechanics with the inclusion of Nano-Vision, allowing players to plan attacks, abilities such as cloak mode, and the compound bow. A fun multiplayer mode was also featured, and allowed players to take their Nanosuits and hunt each other online. While Crytek have stated that a sequel is not likely (possibly due to the game not meeting EA’s lofty expectations), here’s hoping that Prophet finds a way to return soon.
A game which personally I am incredibly glad has received a sequel, Metro: Last Light introduces gamers to bleak, post-apocalyptic Russia, where civilisation has moved underground, and mutated creatures roam above. Last Light follows on from the events of 2033 (inspired by the work of writer Dmitry Glukhovsky), and allows players to explore the underground labyrinth of Moscow’s metro system as the Ranger Artyom, as well as the dangers that lurk on the surface.
A game which lends itself to a hard difficulty setting (Ranger mode is perfect for full immersion), Last Light makes good use of weapon and air filter scavenging, and subtly creeps towards the horror genre with the inclusion of the ominous ‘Dark Ones’. Overall Metro: Last Light is simply one of the most atmospheric shooters of all time, and fully deserves praising. With Metro: Exodus poised to be more of an open-world experience, it will be interesting to see if the developers can retain the feeling of isolation that the previous games had.
A game that needs no introduction, Wolfenstein: The New Order was possibly the best comeback a game franchise has ever made. The game re-introduces players to familiar hero William “B.J.” Blazkowicz as he, along with pilot Fergus Reid, attack General Deathshead’s fortress. This ultimately fails and results in Blazko becoming comatose, and the Nazis winning the war.
The game is unashamedly over the top, with futuristic, robotic enemies, weaponry ahead of its time, and a plot which would make even the most action-centric films gaze in amazement. The New Order received a sequel, The New Collossus, last year, which itself is a fantastic game and a stand-out in the FPS genre. MachineGames have said that they initially planned the series to be a trilogy, so we will have to wait and see what else is in store for Blazkowicz and the Kreisau Circle resistance fighters.
The Campaign begins with John “Soap” MacTavish, a rookie sent to join the 22nd SAS Regiment, and Sergeant Paul Jackson of the USMC 1st Force Recon, who is deployed in the Middle-East. The game unfolds as the combined forces fight to stop members of an ultranationalist party, led by Imran Zakhaev, from launching nuclear missiles towards the West. The most well-known mission, “All Ghillied Up”, focuses on a young Captain Price as he and his mentor MacMillan infiltrate Pripyat to assassinate Zakhaev.
The combination of the shift away from the WW2 era to modern-day combat, and the revolutionary Multiplayer make Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare an absolute classic, and easily one of the best FPS games ever to release. Fans will have to wait and see what Infinity Ward have in store for next year, as recent rumours for a remaster of MW2 gain steam.
Click to read the full article at TryRolling.com.
Click to see more by James.
Medal of Honor: Frontline (PS2)
One of, if not the most memorable World War 2 first-person shooter game (that isn’t Call of Duty), Medal of Honor: Frontline checks all the boxes when it comes to an emotional, yet action-packed experience. The game which, ironically paved the way for the later success of Call of Duty, Medal of Honor: Frontline is the highlight of the series, putting players into the shoes of James Patterson, a Lieutenant tasked by the OSS to disrupt German operations.
The start of the game is probably the most notable, taking inspiration from the movie Saving Private Ryan, in which the American squad storm the beaches of Normandy. This scene was again ironically used by the recent release; Call of Duty: WW2. What also springs to mind is the classic opening sequence, in which the game logo is shot, and the player is briefed, whilst a beautiful soundtrack that seems to perfectly capture the essence of the game (and the war in general) plays in the background. A top game in both the FPS and WW2 genre, it’s a shame that the series hasn’t been shown much love since this title.
Crysis 3 (PS3)
A game that pushed the PS3 to its limit, Crysis 3 follows on from the previous game, as the re-awoken Prophet (Alcatraz) fights to take down the corrupt CELL corporation and the alien race known as the Ceph. The story, which can be hard to follow if you haven’t played the equally great Crysis 2, focuses on Alcatraz’s inner struggle with his Nanosuit as it, quite literally, transforms him. This creates a unique dynamic with the games’ supporting characters, such as Psycho.
Crysis 3 introduced a more open level design, which as previously mentioned, looked fantastic on PS3. The game also made use of stealth mechanics with the inclusion of Nano-Vision, allowing players to plan attacks, abilities such as cloak mode, and the compound bow. A fun multiplayer mode was also featured, and allowed players to take their Nanosuits and hunt each other online. While Crytek have stated that a sequel is not likely (possibly due to the game not meeting EA’s lofty expectations), here’s hoping that Prophet finds a way to return soon.
Metro: Last Light (PS3)
A game which personally I am incredibly glad has received a sequel, Metro: Last Light introduces gamers to bleak, post-apocalyptic Russia, where civilisation has moved underground, and mutated creatures roam above. Last Light follows on from the events of 2033 (inspired by the work of writer Dmitry Glukhovsky), and allows players to explore the underground labyrinth of Moscow’s metro system as the Ranger Artyom, as well as the dangers that lurk on the surface.
A game which lends itself to a hard difficulty setting (Ranger mode is perfect for full immersion), Last Light makes good use of weapon and air filter scavenging, and subtly creeps towards the horror genre with the inclusion of the ominous ‘Dark Ones’. Overall Metro: Last Light is simply one of the most atmospheric shooters of all time, and fully deserves praising. With Metro: Exodus poised to be more of an open-world experience, it will be interesting to see if the developers can retain the feeling of isolation that the previous games had.
Wolfenstein: The New Order (PS4)
A game that needs no introduction, Wolfenstein: The New Order was possibly the best comeback a game franchise has ever made. The game re-introduces players to familiar hero William “B.J.” Blazkowicz as he, along with pilot Fergus Reid, attack General Deathshead’s fortress. This ultimately fails and results in Blazko becoming comatose, and the Nazis winning the war.
The game is unashamedly over the top, with futuristic, robotic enemies, weaponry ahead of its time, and a plot which would make even the most action-centric films gaze in amazement. The New Order received a sequel, The New Collossus, last year, which itself is a fantastic game and a stand-out in the FPS genre. MachineGames have said that they initially planned the series to be a trilogy, so we will have to wait and see what else is in store for Blazkowicz and the Kreisau Circle resistance fighters.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PS3)
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. A game so good they remastered it for current-gen consoles, and quite frankly, the game responsible for the amount of multiplayer shooters seen today. It wasn’t just the ground-breaking Multiplayer mode that made COD4 so great however, as the game featured some of the most memorable characters, and paved the way for a whole series, not to mention the future of the genre.
The Campaign begins with John “Soap” MacTavish, a rookie sent to join the 22nd SAS Regiment, and Sergeant Paul Jackson of the USMC 1st Force Recon, who is deployed in the Middle-East. The game unfolds as the combined forces fight to stop members of an ultranationalist party, led by Imran Zakhaev, from launching nuclear missiles towards the West. The most well-known mission, “All Ghillied Up”, focuses on a young Captain Price as he and his mentor MacMillan infiltrate Pripyat to assassinate Zakhaev.
The combination of the shift away from the WW2 era to modern-day combat, and the revolutionary Multiplayer make Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare an absolute classic, and easily one of the best FPS games ever to release. Fans will have to wait and see what Infinity Ward have in store for next year, as recent rumours for a remaster of MW2 gain steam.
Honourable mentions
Unfortunately the likes of Star Wars Battlefront 2 won’t be featured here. Honourable mentions go to the Halo series, BioShock, Resistance, Overwatch, Rainbow Six: Siege, Doom, Half-Life, Battlefield and the Killzone series, though some of these I admittedly haven’t sank much time into.Click to read the full article at TryRolling.com.
Click to see more by James.
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