Doom (1993)
Doomcaught the attention of early gamers. It was the first FPS game to dominate the hobby, with its iconic game design and sheer intensity that many modern FPS games still can’t match.
The game became the spark for the FPS style, unique in its ability to keep gamers glued to their screens as they tried to beat back the onslaught of demonic creatures that threatened the world.
It delivered a thrilling gaming experience unlike any other at its time, and it’s no wonder how it garnered legions of fans.
Looking back at it now,Doomdid what few games have ever done in a constantly evolving industry: it stayed relevant. Sure, the graphics and interface are outdated, but the experience isn’t.
Even younger gamers have a love for this game, and that’s proof enough of how this FPS survived nearly 30 years and remains perfect.
GoldenEye 007 (1997)
With the attraction of becoming James Bond more than enough to garner massive amounts of attention,Goldeneyethe video game is arguably better remembered thanGoldeneyethe movie - despite the game being based on the film.
WhatDoomdid for FPS games,Goldeneyedid for those that wanted to become their favourite action hero. Some will say thatPerfect Darkis a better game, and they may have a point - although both games are based on the same structure and engine - however,Goldeneyecaptured an audience that legitimised IP gaming forevermore.
AfterGoldeneye, other titles from other franchises lined up to become video games - with the likes of Superman and Spider-Man all seeing the light of the gaming world in the ensuing years - admittedly to varying degrees of success.
As a FPS experience,Goldeneyeoffered what the gamer wanted - plenty of weapons and challenging moments to play through in a fun campaign. The effect it had on the gamers of the era sees the game still held in phenomenally high regard, with a place reserved in the hearts of the millions of people that played it back in 1997.
Call of Duty (2003)
While the originalCall of Dutywasn’t the first FPS game to put players in the middle of World War II, it was unlike any before.
Call of Dutyshowed us the thrill of storming the beaches of Normandy and invading Nazi-occupied Europe, and in doing so, it pushed aside all other competition.
The developers concentrated the gamer’s visceral energy and made that the heart of the game, complete with bloody details and the cold brutality of war. It paved the way for theCall of Dutyfranchise, and that franchise hasn’t looked back since.
There were World War II games beforeCall of Duty, including oft-mentioned favorites inMedal of HonorandDay of Defeat, butCall of Dutywas so successful that it catapulted itself into being the number one FPS franchise for the experience of true war.
Call of Dutygave us an FPS experience that reacted to our yearning to be a soldier in war, allowing us to carve out our own paths as we participated in the fight against the Nazis.
Half-Life 2 (2004)
Half-Life 2is a mythical title, so much so that new FPS gamers still go back and play it for the first time to see what they missed.
Half-Life 2isn’t just a video game. It’s a symbol of what’s possible in gaming and how a single release can advance the industry in so many directions: story, gameplay, technology, and more.
Consider by many as the best game ever made, the FPS aspect ofHalf-Life 2took the genre to places that even the mightiest gaming houses and franchises—includingCall of Duty—couldn’t reach.
The gameplay mechanics, the story beats, the detailed perfection that pervaded every element of the experience have become the gold standard among video game developers.
Half-Life 2is so well-remembered and iconic that Valve is reportedly too afraid to release their long-promised sequel inHalf-Life 3, which can only disappoint fans who have spent nearly 20 years expecting a most perfect sequel to the most perfect game.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
How does a gaming franchise push the boundaries of its original idea to new heights? Well,Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfaredemonstrated that with a flawless execution that floored the gaming world.
Activision took the best elements of their first three games and then rewrote the book entirely.
Call of Duty 4wasn’t just a next step for the franchise; it was the moment this franchise stood up and became a behemoth. This entry shifted from being one of many players in the FPS market into being the only game worth having across every single console.
The visceral story, the slick game engine, the cutting-edge graphics, and the refined gameplay mechanics all came together to deliver a spellbinding experience of betrayal in war—except this time updated to take place in our own contemporary era.
The FPS experience had never before felt as real and immersive as it did inCall of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, and some argue that it still hasn’t been bested yet. The title changed online multiplayer gaming forever, becoming the standard for all future FPS games.
