Summary
There’s arguably no more iconic genre in gaming than the first-person shooter, to the point where the genre is almost synonymous with video games as a whole, and for good reason; first-person shooters offer action, excitement,and often a narrative to tie it all together.
Before the advent of the FPS, games were much less linear, and outside the scripted experiences of point-and-click adventure games, narrative games were relatively rare. Although first-person shooters and 3D games were being experimented with back in the 70s with niche games likeMaze War, they didn’t really hit their stride until the 90s withthe innovations of iD Software. Furthermore, there aren’t many FPS games that were released before 1991 that can be played on modern hardware. Each of these games, however, can be played through Steam and/or GOG.
Updated on March 15th, 2024, by Harry Ted Sprinks:First-person shooters have remained one of the most popular genres of video game, covering a multitude of sub-genres from arena-shooters and battle royales all the way to immersive sims. With so much space for design and innovation, the FPS genre was once one of the most exciting video game genres to be a fan of. Starting with iD Software, the FPS genre was born and quickly boomed, feeding fans with a constant stream of new and exciting titles. Because of this, the FPS genre is rich in its history, and it’s always worth looking back on old classics like Halo and TimeSplitters 2, to see how they hold up. That’s where this list comes in, and a couple of new entries have been added to further that goal.
With the technical prowess of John Carmack and the work of fellow founders John Romero, Tom Hall, and Adrian Carmack, iD Software produced their first FPS:Catacomb 3-D.It’s a fun experience for those interested in gaming history, though as a predecessor of the arguably superiorDOOM, it’s more of a curio than a masterpiece.
This game,set in a dark-fantasy worldand tasking players with slinging spells with their fully-animated hand, helped to pioneer “raycasting” in video games.Catacomb 3-Dwas particularly impactful for its ability to render the world according to the camera, rather than rendering the entire level at once. This enabled levels to be larger, and dramatically helped performance.
This fast-paced, violent shooter tasks players with blasting away Nazis during WW2, battling through the various mazes of a Nazi prison in order to escape. This loose but effective narrative theme combined perfectly with iD Software’s breakthrough technology and innovative gameplay, built on the back ofCatacomb 3-D.
Wolfenstein 3Dis one of the most influential FPS games of its time; its episodic structure, variety of weapons and enemies, and action-packed visceral combat made it an instant hit that paved the way for future iD Software productions.
As one of the most famous and revered games of all time, it could be argued thatDOOMwas the beginning of modern gaming, setting the industry on a path that it would follow for the foreseeable future.
DOOMwas notable for its exceptional lighting and more interesting geometry than iD’s previous attempts withWolfenstein 3D, thanks to John Carmack’s continued technical abilities. The game had a solid theme and narrative that was easy for players to latch onto (a space marine fighting endless hordes of demons), andan iconic soundtrackthat fueled thefast-paced gameplay.
Widely regarded as one of the first, and best, immersive-sims of all time,System Shockwas a groundbreaking FPS game that featured a strong narrative and immersive gameplay that encouraged player agency and freedom.
System Shockis relatively non-linear, allowing players to explore the space station freely as they attempt to stop a rogue AI. Due to the game’s more complex mechanics and design,System Shockis less accessible than other games on this list (such as the relatively straightforwardDOOM), but its newer “Enhanced Edition” makes it easier to experience. Furthermore, for those that want a more modern experience, the game received a remake in 2023.
TheStar Warsfranchise has long been a subject of video games, butStar Wars: Dark Forcesis arguablyone of the best, making for a competent FPS with detailed environments and characters, as well as a classicStar Warsnarrative that fits the themes and universe of the franchise.
Star Wars: Dark Forcesdoesn’t feature a save system, instead tasking players with beating missions in one sitting using a limited pool of lives. While this might not be for everyone, the game’s loyalty to theStar Warsfranchise, great fan service, and solid FPS gameplay more than make up for it. Furthermore,the game received a remaster in 2024from Nightdive Studios.
Arguably one ofthe most influential FPS games of all time,Quakepushed the boundaries of modern hardware in 1996 with detailed textures and geometry, excessive gore in the form of “gibs” (blood and guts flying out of enemies), and even 3D models for the enemies and weapons.
Quakealso featured bodies of liquid that could be traversed, as well as the ability to jump - and “rocket jump”.Quakewould go on to spawn various sequels, and eventually pave the way for competitive multiplayer gaming. Furthermore,Quakeis often used as the cornerstone of modern retro games likeDUSK, and it’s still an enjoyable and polished experience that’s worth playing today.
This gruesome, Lovecraftian horror FPS features a variety of horrific, highly-detailed creatures and an incredible atmosphere.Bloodputs players in the shoes of the mentally-deranged, hyper-violent Caleb, and has them blasting away cultists and creatures alike with a notoriously creative arsenal of weaponry.
Bloodis violent and challenging, but it remains one of the best “boomer shooters” of all time, and an FPS that’s still worth playing even today. The game also features plenty of tongue-in-cheek pop-culture references, and the excellent voice work of Stephan Weyte as the diabolic protagonist. The game received an enhanced edition in the form ofBlood Fresh Supplyin 2019.
Pioneering a linear gameplay structure and visual storytelling,Valve’s iconicHalf-Lifeput a crowbar in the hands of the physicist Gordon Freeman and tasked players with guiding him through a laboratory dealing with an outbreak of horrific creatures.
Half-Lifestill runs well on modern hardware and is arguably one of the most influential FPS games in terms of the way it handled its narrative and gameplay structure. The game also features great sound design, competent AI, and some light exploration that’s mostly present in its larger levels. Most importantly, though, it could be argued thatHalf-Lifeis responsible for popularizing storytelling in video games.
4SWAT 3: Close Quarters Battle (1999) - An Innovative Tactical Shooter
Available on: Steam, GOG
SWAT 3took the isometric, 2D real-time tacticsPolice Quest: SWATgames and gave them 3D environments and characters, as well as FPS mechanics, perspective, and controls. This dramatically changed the way the game was played, and gave the series more of a boots-on-the-ground feel, making it grittier and more immersive than the previous games.
It could be argued thatSWAT 3’ssquad commands and intuitive controls, as well as its focus on realism, were largely influential on future tactical shooter titles, though the classicRainbow Sixgames shouldn’t be discredited. However, it’s very rare that titles likeSWAT 3are released in the modern day, making this (and its revered sequel,SWAT 4) a game worth playing even today, as there are very few alternatives on offer outside the dark and gritty FPS,Ready Or Not. It should be noted that although the game did release in 1999, the more widely available “Game Of The Year Edition” was released in 2001.
3Soldier Of Fortune (2000) - A Gritty Military FPS
Available on: GOG
This military FPS was developed by Raven Software, now known more for theirCall Of Dutygames. However,Soldier Of Fortunewas a solid and innovative entry in the swathe of FPS games that were saturating the market towards the end of the 90s and the start of the 2000s.
Soldier Of Fortuneis perhaps most notable for its highly detailed visuals for the time, as well as its extensive character “gibbing” and damage system that allowed for different damage effects based on where enemies were hit, which is something that players often take for granted in the modern day.
