The 28 Best FPS Games

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

The 28 Best FPS Games

By The Gamepros

From the dystopian corridors of BioShock's subterranean "paradise" to the Strogg-infested space stations found throughout the Quake franchise, First Person Shooters have found countless ways to establish themselves as rich, enjoyable experiences, capturing the hearts and trigger fingers of gamers worldwide.

Even if it's just blasting away wave after wave of demons in Blood, or perhaps saving mankind from itself as you traverse Half-Life 2's City 17, the FPS genre has proven itself time and time again.

We're here today to pick out the best of the best the shooters that made your jaw drop the moment you booted them up. So grab a med-kit, holster your rocket launcher, and join us as we take a look at the Top 28 FPS Games!

#28: Return to Castle Wolfenstein

Why It's Great: Wolfenstein 3D was one of the founding fathers of the first person shooter genre and made it's re-introduction into modern gaming with the extraordinary Return to Castle Wolfenstein. There's not a whole lot more fun to kill than zombie-Nazis, and the game did it well with its wide variety of sieg heiling abominations. On top of the game's interesting foes, it also had one of the longest campaigns you'll come across in the FPS genre.

#27: Blood

Why It's Great: Monolith's classic shooter caused quite the commotion as a group of angry parents campaigned against the "bathtub of blood" marketing campaign. Thank goodness they never played this slaughterfest, because then they'd really have something to whine about. Blood lived up to its name by delivering buckets upon buckets of the titular crimson liquid as our hell-bound protagonist, Caleb, massacred wave after wave of demons in his quest for revenge. While Blood won't win any originality points for its Evil Dead-inspired story, the action was incredibly satisfying. The single-player mode is a modern upgrade on the Doom formula -- monster closets, card keys, and simplistic scenarios -- but the bountiful horror film references and sly humor kept us playing. The real draw was the multiplayer mode, in which players fired flare pistols, Tommy guns, and Tesla rifles at each other in some of the best deathmatch action since, well, Doom.

#26: Tribes 2

Why It's Great: The first two Tribes games practically invented modern online shooters such as Halo 3 and Team Fortress 2. Tribes 2 is a prime example of community gaming done right, with a simply astonishing multiplayer dynamic met with stunning and creative level designs to explore on foot, via jetpack, or while piloting an array of driveable vehicles. From Capture the Flag rounds, a stellar Siege mode, and good old fashioned 50+ player deathmatch, Tribes 2 was a landmark for online gaming, and still remains one of the most inventive (and addictive) shooters out there. A truly innovative game that is still highly regarded among hardcore shooter fans.

#25: Turok 2: Seeds of Evil

Why It's Great: You know you have a winning formula when one of your game's weapons consists of a gun that fires parasitic insects which then proceed to bore into your enemies' skulls before showering your camera with a crimson mist. Turok 2: Seeds of Evil simply took everything that made the original Turok: Dinosaur Hunter such an amazing experience and turned it up to eleven. With behemoth monsters to battle, lush environments to explore, and with easily one of the most inventive selection of weapons and enemies to date, it's no wonder that gamers worldwide have only the fondest memories of Seeds of Evil. But whatever you do, don't play the god-awful sequels (though the new, re-invented Turok on PS3 and Xbox 360 is worth a look).

#24: The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay

Why It's Great: It's rare to find a movie-based game that's better than the film itself -- much less a Vin Diesel one (XxX for the GBA, anybody?) Amazingly, Chronicles of Riddick took the gaming world by storm with a genuinely original gaming experience, impressive HD visuals, and smart stealth-based action. Taking place before the Riddick films, Escape from Butcher Bay told the tale of how Riddick came to be the badass you meet in Pitch Black, all the while painting a gritty environment with the "inescapable" prison world of Butcher Bay. Throw in note-perfect voice work by Diesel himself, Ron Perlman and even acclaimed rapper Xzibit, and you have a cinematic experience that's not only unexpected, but simply excellent.

#23: No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way

Why It's Great: No One Lives Forever had all of the elements for a winning FPS formula: a tongue-in-cheek script, fantastic visuals, tight controls, imaginative weapons, and of course, a shag-tastic 60s leading lady. Throw in outlandish situations such as shooting while skydiving or gunning it out in the eye of a tornado and you have the makings of an unforgettable experience. A savage spoof on the James Bond genre of spy films, NOLF2 is a deserved cult classic and is not to be missed.

#22: Alien vs. Predator 2

Why It's Great: We've already covered the fact that movie-based games aren't usually quality works, but that was the beauty of Alien vs. Predator: the movie hadn't been made yet! Borrowing creatures and imagery from both prestigious film series, Alien vs. Predator 2 paved the way for the films with its steamy, murky environments, authentic audio design, and a choice of three seperate characters: a hapless marine, a vicious Alien, and the tactical Predator, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. This potential was truly explored in the game's online multiplayer, pitting all three classes against one another in one of twelve richly detailed maps. Now, if we can just get a decent Alien vs. Predator movie out there.

#21: TimeSplitters: Future Perfect

Why It's Great: It's not often that you get to bend the space-time continuum on a regular basis, teaming up with versions of yourself from both the past and the future to solve puzzles. For Cortez, the protagonist of the TimeSplitters series, this is day-to-day life. TimeSplitters had a quirky, surreal style that fit right at home with the time-traveling dynamic, allowing players access to a wide array of weapons from both the future, present, and past. One minute you may be dueling it out with six-shooters, the next firing plasma guns at your enemies -- talk about weapon variety! With a rich single-player campaign and addictive multiplayer modes, TimeSplitters 3 is a shooter well worth revisiting.

#20: Counter-Strike: Source

Why It's Great: Before there was Halo, there was Counter-Strike: the game that everyone played, even if they didn't play games. What started out as a Half-Life mod turned into the most popular online shooter ever created. Its simple, round-based, terrorists vs. counter-terrorists gameplay was fueled by a genre-first weapon purchase system, and the elegance and perfection of Dust sealed the deal. CS: Source came along when Half-Life 2 was released, porting the game into a next-generation engine and stopping the rampant cheating. Despite what some critics said, Valve made the right choice with the port; CS is an experience that will stay pure forever.

#19: Thief: The Dark Project

Why It's Great: Thief pioneered the use of stealth in the first-person perspective. Though not truly a "shooter," Thief's innovative use of first-person conventions opened it up to an audience thirsty for a new experience. As Garret, a creature of the night, it was your mission to slip between shadows, sneak around guards, and steal to your heart's content. When trouble popped up, as it often did, you rarely responded with force. Garret packed a hefty bag of tricks, from water arrows to douse torches to a nifty blackjack that could down an enemy guard with one whack. By melding first-person shooter gameplay with a deep stealth component, Thief was truly ahead of its time.

Continues at GamePro

Such a good list :yes: I think they got all my favourites in there :happy:

[Sethos]

First of all, could they have spent more than 10 seconds looking for proper screenshots on some of the games, CS: Source?!

Second of all, most of the great shooters are listed though I don't agree with the placing of most games.

Edited October 11, 2008 by Sethos

[Smigit]

First of all, could they have spent more than 10 seconds looking for proper screenshots on same of the games, CS: Source?!

haha Deus Ex and Aliens Vs Predator has the same screen shot

edit: not to mention they have the pre release hydra shot of HL2.

[NEVER85]

Half-Life 2 over GoldenEye? What?

[addc182]

most of the great shooters are listed though I don't agree with the placing of most games.

+1

my top 3 would be completely different

i still don't quite understand the hype of bioshock

[Dotdot]

Hmm not agree-ing with a lot of this. Seems a rather naff list in places.

[HideAndGoatse]

I think the title is a little misleading, I would call this list The 28 Most Classic FPS Games, I wouldn't say some of these were the best ever, but when they were released they were the best so try and look from that point.

[Kronir]

Decent enough. They covered most of the great games, even if I don't agree with placement. Although I don't know if I'd consider Thief a FPS (though I do love the game), and Halo 3 should be nowhere near the top 25 of that list.

Notably missing games: the original Half-Life (should be in the top 5), Doom 3, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear, Serious Sam (First and Second Encounters), Call of Duty 2, and Medal of Honor: Allied Assault.

[Doli]

NOLF 1 > NOLF 2

Tribes 2... Hell yea

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

Decent enough. They covered most of the great games, even if I don't agree with placement. Although I don't know if I'd consider Thief a FPS (though I do love the game), and Halo 3 should be nowhere near the top 25 of that list.

Notably missing games: the original Half-Life (should be in the top 5), Doom 3, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear, Serious Sam (First and Second Encounters), Call of Duty 2, and Medal of Honor: Allied Assault.

If you include Doom 3, you include Halo 3 :yes:

I don't think we really need to go into detail which is the bigger success etc ;)

Just because people don't like a game, doesn't mean it should be wiped from the list. There is some games on there that I don't like but I still acknowledge/respect what they did for the genre.

[Andrew Lyle Global Moderator]

Perfect Dark, Goldeneye, COD4 MW, & Bioshock are all my favourite shooters. Glad to see them all on there :D

[Scirwode]

I don't agree with some of the placing as well but I do think Wolfstein 3D should have been in there. But my first choice is still Half-Life 2, I haven't had as much fun playing FPS as that games, as well as TF2 :p .

Scirwode

[qdave]

hmm where is quake 3 :p

good list but placement is indeed weird.

[sanctified Veteran]

Half-Life 2 is the only one in that list that indeed belongs in the top 5. Halo 3 over games like Deus Ex or System Shock 2? The original Half-Life and Clive Barker's Undying beign ignored? HALO 3 IN THAT LIST?!?!?!?

Nah, bad list, honestly.

[Kerm]

I don't agre with the order of the list, I mean Halo 3 or Bioshock shouldn't even be on it for me.

Unreal Tournament should be first, Counterstrike second.

But better than most list you see.

[Smigit]

The original Half-Life and Clive Barker's Undying beign ignored? HALO 3 IN THAT LIST?!?!?!?

Like so many of these lists they seem to have only put one game from any single series of games. I don't know why they do that IMHO as it's not a best franchise list. Something such as Half Life 1 deserves to be there (and IMHO at number 1) as does others like the before mentioned Quake 3.

The ordering IMHO is off too.

[sanctified Veteran]

Like so many of these lists they seem to have only put one game from any single series of games. I don't know why they do that IMHO as it's not a best franchise list. Something such as Half Life 1 deserves to be there (and IMHO at number 1) as does others like the before mentioned Quake 3.

The ordering IMHO is off too.

I think they did it because the wanted to be "fair". Otherwise the Half-Life and the System Shock franchises alone would have taken half the top 10 spots :p

I am shocked with the Deus Ex position. That game is one of the most revolutionaries pieces of gaming ever and its beign outscored by the likes of FEAR or Halo? :no:

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

Half-Life 2 is the only one in that list that indeed belongs in the top 5. Halo 3 over games like Deus Ex or System Shock 2? The original Half-Life and Clive Barker's Undying beign ignored? HALO 3 IN THAT LIST?!?!?!?

Nah, bad list, honestly.

Maybe in your opinion, but I'm sorry to break it to you, you're not the one who decides what is a good/bad game for the rest of us.

[Spookie]

Unreal Tournament should be first, Counterstrike second.

But better than most list you see.

UT should be top 5, CS top 10, but HL2 (though I recon the first is more deserving) deserves the number one spot.

[sanctified Veteran]

Maybe in your opinion, but I'm sorry to break it to you, you're not the one who decides what is a good/bad game for the rest of us.

It's obvious, thats why there is no need to add the always political correct, condescending "in my opinion". Well, its not needed until someone gets offended or worked up ;)

However I stand that IN MY OPINION there are a lot of objective points to be made about a better list, taking into consideration legacy, impact and influence in other games, gameplaying, character development and plot (Yes, I discard, because is my opinion, automatically multiplayer games, they are fun but they lack substance).

[Smigit]

I'd probably have

1) HL1

2) Goldeneye

3) CSS/Quake 2

Chosen for the fun I've had on them more than anything. Ones like Halo might figure in the top 10 but certainly not my top 5. I dont think it'd be a popular choice but I'd probably have Far Cry right up there in 5th with CSS or Q2 filling out 4th.

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

It's obvious, thats why there is no need to add the always political correct, condescending "in my opinion". Well, its not needed until someone gets offended or worked up ;)

However I stand that IN MY OPINION there are a lot of objective points to be made about a better list, taking into consideration legacy, impact and influence in other games, gameplaying, character development and plot (Yes, I discard, because is my opinion, automatically multiplayer games, they are fun but they lack substance).

Thank you, much more like it :yes:

Just because you dislike Halo or FEAR doesn't mean the rest of us have to or we're less "hardcore" or "elite", w/e lame tag you want to give to your precious acquired/limited taste ;)

[sanctified Veteran]

Thank you, much more like it :yes:

Just because you dislike Halo or FEAR doesn't mean the rest of us have to or we're less "hardcore" "elite" or w/e lame tag you want to give to your precious acquired/limited taste ;)

Thanks for jumping to conclussions. I love FEAR, but I consider it more than an action, hollywoodish shooter that added nothing to the genere, unlike Deus Ex.

In the end, what's the point of you debating me? Why is my opinion more debatable than the one in the original article? Why so defensive? Because you obviously care about what I said, otherwise you would've never replied.

But hey, sorry for hurting your feelings so much that you had to use personal insults, seems these things are sacred to you. Or maybe is something personal by you since I am not the only one stating my opinion in this thread.

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

Neither game is sacred to me and I certainly wasn't getting personal :laugh:

It just seems whenever a list like this comes up it's always "wrong" and you know the only correct list. Just gets a little tiring to read once you keep hearing "HL2/SS2 > everything!"

I love the games just as much but jesus christ...

edit: you never hurt my feelings either, I hope I didn't do the same to you :) :p

[Green_Eye]

Halo doesn't belong on the the top 25?

Explain using logic why it shouldn't be? And others on that list should.