From gaming’s early, experimental days (think Doom 1993) to gaming becoming a multi billion dollar industry today, first-person shooter (FPS) games have always been a popular staple.
The FPS scene consistently graces us with iconic games and franchises (who DOESN’T know Call of Duty?) and has constantly evolved, becoming a hub for game developers to innovate and create new experiences.
As we usher in the new year, let’s look back at what FPS games have impacted us the most in 2021.
5. Ghostrunner
Yeah, yeah, Ghostrunner is technically a first-person platformer (FPP), but I just had to include this beautiful, immersive game here. (You play with a katana, so it is a FPS: First-person slicer!)
Developed by One More Level and co-published by All In! Games and 505 Games, Ghostrunner is an action-packed platformer that takes place in a cyberpunk dystopia. You play as the protagonist of the story, a cyber-enhanced swordsman/assassin, making his way up humanity’s last bastion, Dharma Tower, after reawakening without a sliver of a clue as to who you are and what’s happening. A voice in your head, that of the Architect, a former ruler of the tower, guides you as you slice and dice your way to find out the truth.
Ghostrunner’s fast-paced nature and unique gameplay mechanics, coupled with its gorgeous setting and sick soundtrack make for a truly immersive experience. The obstacles that you have to get through are daunting and fun to conquer, especially when using your set of skills that add so much to the gameplay experience. The game is also the definition of crisp, with each action being clean and quick and with the beautiful, futuristic aesthetic of the world. The narrative is delivered in tangent with gameplay, which is always welcome in my books. The story angle, while not fantastic, fleshes out a morally-debatable argument that gets you thinking.
Ghostrunner is not an easy game and tests your skills, so players may find it frustrating, but that only makes getting through the game that much more rewarding.
4. Back 4 Blood
As someone who has spent countless Saturday mornings watching my father slay zombies on the Xbox in Left 4 Dead back in the day, I was ecstatic when the trailer for Back 4 Blood, the spiritual successor to the Left 4 Dead franchise, dropped. Now, it was MY turn to bust some zombie heads open. And I was not alone in my excitement, the internet went wild too. Hey, it’s been 84 years!
A co-op FPS developed by Turtle Rock Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Back 4 Blood sees you playing in a group of 4 (duh) cleaners, looting and shooting through hordes of zombies, known as Ridden. Of course, true to the Left 4 Dead games of old, you can also play as the Ridden in the PvP Swarm mode.
First-off, let’s talk about the cleaners and the tone of the game. Sure, it’s a game with scary zombies, but Turtle Rock Studios always knows how to make the end of the world a good time. Filled with likeable characters that can easily lighten the mood with funny or snarky remarks, players are sure to have a fun time. Only time will tell if they will be more iconic than the original 8 (let’s be honest, probably not.)
The Ridden are an interesting bunch, complete with old quirks from the Left 4 Dead series, as well as new gimmicks. They also look downright scary, which is a huge plus point. My favourite Ridden? The Tallboy. Come on, the goofy name creates such a strong (and funny) contrast when compared to how horrifying they look!
Lastly, the game is very replayable and you can greatly customise your experience, which is especially fun when playing with your friends. This is thanks to the Corruption Card system, similar to the Perks of Dead by Daylight. Hours upon hours of experimenting and creating the best deck to mow down the Ridden? Sounds like a perfect weekend with the boys.
3. Deathloop
In the world of FPS, games are often made to follow trends. Deathloop, however, offers a unique concept for those hungry for a fresh, new experience (by letting them live through that experience many times.)
Developed by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks, Deathloop is an innovative FPS that takes place on Blackreef, an island trapped in an endless time loop, where two assassins battle it out: Colt, fighting to stop the time loop and Juliana, fighting to stop Colt.
There’s so much to talk about in a game like Deathloop, but a really interesting aspect of the game is its take on the multiplayer experience. Of course, you can play as Colt, who is the main protagonist. However, you can also play as Juliana, trying to stop another player’s Colt from ending the loop. Look, I’m a fan of team multiplayer FPS games like Overwatch and Valorant, but this is something really refreshing and cool.
Of course, the gameplay is something special too. Constantly learning as you go and repeating objectives over and over again, Deathloop is definitely not for everyone, but boy does it achieve what it sets out to.
Lastly, the art style! With a retro yet futuristic vibe in hand, Deathloop’s overall look is very well-done, especially its colour scheme. No wonder it won Best Art Direction at The Game Awards.
2. Valorant
2021? Oh, you mean Riot’s year? Arcane, new games and the inaugural Valorant Champions Tour: Riot fans were certainly spoiled senseless in 2021.
Since its 2020 release, Riot Games’ Valorant has been steadily making its way to becoming one of the most popular team-based FPS’ there is. A hybrid between Overwatch’s ability-centric gameplay and CS:GO’s gunplay and map design, Valorant is a 5v5 team FPS that sees players control agents, each with their own unique abilities, to defend and attack objectives.
Valorant’s ever-expanding roster of agents are the most important aspect of the game. They bring life to the game with their different, fun personalities, and although many of their abilities serve the same purpose (like flashes and smokes), each agent has a uniquely them version, which is great for players of every playstyle. Finding out who your main (who you play best) is especially rewarding (Phoenix main, anyone?)
The gunplay is also fun, with a decent collection of guns that have different speeds, recoils and pull-out times that can greatly shape the course of the game. Learn what guns work best for you and that’s half the game won. A game that makes you come up with different strategies on the fly while working together with your team, brains and brawn beautifully intersect in Valorant.
- Halo Infinite
One of gaming’s most iconic franchises, Halo has been dominating gaming charts (and our hearts) for two decades. To put that into perspective, my best friend and my father are both fans, with an age gap of 30 years.
This year, Halo Infinite enters the fray, proudly carrying the legacy of the series. This time opting for an expansive, open-world approach, as the third installment of the “Reclaimer Saga”. Continuing the story after Halo 5: Guardians, in which rogue A.I. Cortana becomes an antagonist, the Master Chief now traverses the world of Zeta Halo.
First, let’s talk about the story in the campaign: it’s well done. Before its release, many fans were uncertain about how the story would progress after Halo 5’s fiasco, but it seems like they weren’t left disappointed. Sorry, no spoilers here, but we can tell you that the story has pretty good emotional chords.
The open-world concept gives players many things to explore and do and by doing so, creates a level of immersion that makes you feel like you ARE the Master Chief. The A.I. enemies are surprisingly intelligent, making gameplay challenging (in a fun way, of course), especially when facing off bosses. Also, the world-traversing aspect of Halo Infinite means that Halo’s iconic vehicles are especially useful, and what’s not to love about that? AND all these stand out in single-player, so imagine how exciting it would be when co-op comes out in May next year!
A good campaign after years of anticipation, a free-to-play blast of a multiplayer and the priceless nostalgia that bridges gamers of every age. Halo Infinite delivers those and so much more. For that, it’s our best FPS game of 2021.
Honourable mention: CS:GO, an oldie but a goldie
As it approaches its 10th anniversary since its release in 2012, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) has pretty much become a staple of the FPS scene. Known for its unique marketplace and players with god-like aims, CS:GO is still alive and more than well. Need we really go in-depth? If you know FPS, you know CS:GO. Long live the king.
