10 – Doom (2016)
I know Doom (2016) being this high on the list is going to upset a lot of you, but hey, this is my list, and I love every game in here. I just happen to enjoy some more than others. Doom (1016) is the game that finally managed to properly create a modern take on the classic boomer shooter original, and it ended up redefining the FPS landscape with its relentless action, fast-paced gameplay, and unapologetic brutality (like the original, but newer!). As a first-person shooter, it thrusts players into the role of the Doom Guy, an always angry man hell-bent on eradicating the forces of hell because they’re being naughty, and every sane human being would do exactly the same if their nap was disturbed.
In Doom (2016), players traverse through sprawling levels filled with familiar demonic hordes and twisted Martian, industrial and hellish landscapes, all the while armed to the teeth with an arsenal of iconic weapons upgradable with devastating new abilities.
With its breathtaking visuals, fantastic sound design, relentless gameplay, and an absolute banger of a soundtrack, Doom (2016) managed to steal the first-person shooter crown as the best game to come out in years! It’s weird to think the game is already 8 years old.
9 – Half-Life 2
Half-Life 2 was developed by Valve and saw the light of day in 2004. Two decades later the videogame stands as a monumental achievement in the realm of first-person shooters (FPS). Building upon the foundation laid by its revolutionary 1998 predecessor, Half-Life. Half-Life 2 thrusts players once again into the shoes of crowbar-wielding physicist Gordon Freeman in a dystopian future ruled by the oppressive Combine (aliens) regime. The game’s set in the decaying urban landscape of City 17.
At its core, Half-Life 2 still remains a masterclass in narrative-driven FPS gameplay. Players are not merely passive observers but active participants in a gripping tale of resistance and survival against the combined menace. Today, Half-Life 2’s innovative physics engine still stands proud as the monumental technical achievement of Valve during their heyday, adding another layer of depth to the gameplay, allowing players to manipulate objects and solve environmental puzzles with unprecedented fidelity.
If you’ve never played Half-Life 2, you’re doing yourself a disservice. In the year Half-Life 2 turns 20, you need to boot this gem and enjoy its unparalleled level of immersion and attention to detail. From the haunting beauty of the dystopian landscapes of City 17 to the eerie silence of the abandoned city streets, every aspect of the game’s world feels meticulously crafted. Valve’s commitment to atmospheric storytelling is evident – Half-Life 2 remains a timeless classic that continues to influence the FPS genre to this day. Now, where is Half-Life 3, Gabe?
8 – Hell Let Loose
A couple of years ago picking Hell Let Loose over Red Orchestra could raise suspicious eyebrows. But with the addition of the Eastern Front to Hell Let Loose, there’s not a whole lot of the excellent, but old Red Orchestra 2 does better than Hell Let Loose. It’s, at the present time, the best and most realistic depiction of PVP World War 2 tactical warfare. 100 Players battles, a comprehensive arsenal of American, German, Soviet and British weaponry. With large maps, beautiful graphics, and a community with a penchant for realism and roleplay, World War 2 grunts are sure to enjoy themselves amidst the chaos, from Normandy to Stalingrad. Add to that, that the whole game is enjoyable even without teammates to play with and it’s easy to drop him, get on with the fight and leave without much of an investment. Firefights are super intense and ingrained into your brain, every fight is a story. That is, to me, the best Hell Let Loose and games of this genre bring to the table. Emergent storytelling.
Hell Let Loose is a fun, semi-realistic romp through the battlefields of the Western front with a rich roadmap ahead, promising a lot of new content that will keep World War 2 aficionados engaged for years. Hell Let Loose is a solid tactical-shooter and the uncontested king in its timetable of the late 1940s.
7 – Brothers In Arms: Hells Highway
Brothers In Arms: Hell’s Highway is a historical first-person shooter set during World War II, offering players a gripping and immersive gameplay experience. As an FPS game, it follows the story of the 101st Airborne Division as they fight their way through the harrowing events of Operation Market Garden.
There are thousands of reasons as to why the previous two entries in the series could be here instead of Hell’s Highway but the last piece in the B.I.A series was a visual treat when it came out all the way back in 2008 and it remains beautiful to this day, even more so if the machine you’re playing on can run it at 4K, maximum settings. The third entry follows along with the Market Garden misadventures of the 101st Airborne Division. It’s an FPS that turns third-person when in cover, making for cinematic, movie-like scenes reminiscent of Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan. Coordinate your fire teams to suppress your enemies and flank them for ultimate victory. The gunplay paired up with the tactical movement of squad elements and fantastic set pieces carries the campaign.
6 – Battlefield 1
What can I say about Battlefield 1 that hasn’t already been said? To me, this is the best Battlefield ever made. It took the series almost 20 years to thrust players into the harrowing and chaotic battles of World War 1. Yes, Battlefield 1 isn’t realistic, nor is it trying to be, it instead opts to reinterpret the popular image people have of the war, and it captures it flawlessly.
The same Battlefield formula applies here: as an FPS game, it places players in the boots of soldiers from various nations, tasked with engaging in large-scale warfare across a variety of iconic WW1 settings with semi-authentic weaponry. From the Western Front to the Middle East, there’s a slice for everyone to enjoy.
Even today, Battlefield 1 is an excellent game, with stunning visuals (and art style), immersive sound design, and pixel-perfect animations.
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