FPS's are a fickle bunch to get right, they can either be fun and whacky adventures exploring the simplest necessities of shooting games in order to create a timeless classic (we'll get back to what that means in a bit) or creating an emotionally charged series of events impacted by your own skills as a gunnery expert. Whether it be on the PS1, PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, Xbox 360, PS 3, N64 or computer, I've always beleived that if a particular FPS chooses to follow one of these lines, then it either has to do one or the other so well that all else becomes irrelevant or attempt to find a healthy balance between the two for the setting. Either way you look at it or what the essential components of a good FPS are, they are almost never easy to pull of and so I'm going to take on the laborious task of telling you all my top ten of this genre. Don't envy me.
Number 10 - Unreal Tournament 3 (2007)
Image source: http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d9/Unreal_Tournament_3.jpg&imgrefurl=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unreal_Tournament_3&h=325&w=256&tbnid=g_aIvgYIfwJzQM:&tbnh=186&tbnw=146&usg=__-f5r2aqixUioBapAWB9ZazgOvkY=&docid=Fhs4xz7HlyqGMM&itg=1
Admittedly, Unreal 2 (2004) is probably the bigger leap in terms of graphics and gameplay compared to the previous installments in the series for the mid-2000s but I personally find my fondest memories with the series as a whole to be centred on this game in particular. Unreal Tournament 3 is another one of those underappreciated shooters from the golden days of the Halo series (2001-present) and Call of Duty series (2003-present). As a result, I feel it gets unfairly lumped in with the weaker entries in both those mega-franchises and as a result, as was unfortunatley the case with Unreal Tournament 2004, this fourth game in the series was unfairly pushed aside as another, linear, gunmetal grey shooter.
But NOT SO I dare say!
Admittedly, some weapons and vehicles (particularly those of the Axon army) are rehashed from previous games, I never liked the driving controls a huge deal and the story from the main campaign is a bit crap (but is that always the main focus with this series?) and some of the abilities are a tad bit overpowered. However, even taking all this into account, this is easily the best game in the series so far even considering the brilliance that featured in Unreal Tournament 2. It's fluid gameplay and varied game-modes along with colourful and weapons of differing effectiveness for different play-styles more than makes up for the game's shortcomings. Overall, reception to this cracker of an FPS was pretty good with the PC version (the one being what I played the most of) having an average score across the board of about 84% or 4-5 stars out of 5. Even disregarding my own gushing over this game, you have to admit that such praise cannot go unaccounted without any investigation. Seriously though, this one needs more recognition.
Number 9 - Painkiller (2004)
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=painkiller&biw=1366&bih=599&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIlPH4qsngxgIVi5bbCh2huwTW&dpr=1#imgrc=u2SbCRKW6bvaQM%3A
Even more so than Unreal 3, Painkiller released in 2004 for the Windows PC and Xbox was a well-praised but commercially unsucsessful FPS with markedly more simple a game style and design than Unreal 3 but with considerably more colourful gameplay. This relates back to my earlier point about FPS's either having to follow a path of marked realism or cartoon-esque whackiness and occasionally balancing the two. Painkiller pretty solidly lands in the second of those categories but with a setting and plot right out of a early-20th century supernatural thriller chock full of references to world religions, hell itself and the damned as main character has to venture through the planes of hell, heaven and purgatory to protect his wife and himself, don't worry, the plot isn't the main focus for how mental it is.
Rather, while the plot is suitably backwards in places and sometimes madder than a box of ritalin-infused frogs, Painkiller focuses on making its gameplay the centrepiece of the peformance and tarts it up with enough design aspects and differing effects for each weapon and multiple effects derived from how and in what way you use different power-ups. Without a doubt the jewel in the crown of this centrepiece is the two main weapons one of which features a circular saw that shoots harpoons and another that shoots both shurikens and lightning...let me say that again...YOUR TWO MAIN WEAPONS CONSIST OF A HARPOON LAUNCHER WITH A SAW AND A LIGHTNING GUN THAT SHOOTS SHURIKENS!
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=painkiller&biw=1366&bih=599&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIlPH4qsngxgIVi5bbCh2huwTW&dpr=1#imgrc=iZQw_S6PxMFSJM%3A
Even taking into account that the gameplay is quite simple and the plot quite stupid, there's just enough design, love and passion overflowing in this game that it outweighs most shortcomings that the game might have wether it be the regurgetation of some enemies in the original game or the aforementioned stupid plotline. Still, if you're looking for a pure fun FPS with plenty of expansion packs, design out the wazoo and a nice semi-gothic horror setting to boot, I say give Painkiller a look.
Number 8 - Star Wars: Republic Commando (2005)
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=star+wars+republic+commando&biw=1366&bih=599&tbm=isch&imgil=PelfnGb7DYYICM%253A%253BSJ6DUFaGGkiGAM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fstarwars.wikia.com%25252Fwiki%25252FStar_Wars%25253A_Republic_Commando&source=iu&pf=m&fir=PelfnGb7DYYICM%253A%252CSJ6DUFaGGkiGAM%252C_&usg=__glX8wDuwi5sDQ9OhwF0XDocdnVw%3D#imgrc=T8LAFml7VaCyDM%3A&usg=__glX8wDuwi5sDQ9OhwF0XDocdnVw%3D
Go on, say something bad about this game, I'll fucking nut you. I know this didn't receive as much praise as Painkiller and definetly not Unreal Tournament 3. I know it's a partial tie-in to the worst Star Wars movie (Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones (2002)). And yes, I realise that the three-stage setup for the single-player campaign works only truly for games like the House of the Dead series (1996-present) or the Time Crisis series (1996-present) and less so for an in-depth tactical shooter like Republic Commando. HOW FUCKING EVER, I still maintain that this is without a doubt one of the most criminally underrated Star Wars games and FPS of all time.
Whereas the first two games on this list focused primarily on the skills of the player alone against hordes of enemies with swathes of varied weapons, Republic Commando uses a more tactical approach to the FPS formula using less weapons but with more defined roles for them as well as a tactical squad-gameplay mechanic built into the singleplayer in order to really bring home the feel that you are but a low-ranking officer in the vast armies of the republic in the midst of the bloody clone wars. This means that at least from a gameplay standard, Republic Commando is a suprisingly tightly-put together game that just flew short of becoming a real full on success like Star Wars Battlefront II or Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy (2005 and 2003 respectivley). This is also to be seen with the reviews that commonly rated this game as average or mediocre. True, the source material is dubious in places, the plot of this game is kind of forgetable and one-note and the plainess of the multiplayer is a bit weird when contrasted with the varying gameplay designs and settings of singleplayer.
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=star+wars+republic+commando&biw=1366&bih=599&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAmoVChMIjePi5dHgxgIVJS_bCh0knAxM&dpr=1#imgrc=TR5w_ZQ0JbSNYM%3A
Regardless, unlike Unreal 3 where the multiplayer and LAN was one of the main attractions of the show, the singeplayer is really the strongest part of Republic Commando as it has the most varied and neatly designed gameplay out of nearly every sci-fi shooter coming out in the mid-2000s. However, as a result of its association with the lukewarm Star Wars prequel trilogy and weak marketing campaign, this was one unfortunatley missed gem that flew under the radar.
Number 7 - Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (2008)
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=rainbow+six+vegas+2&biw=1366&bih=599&tbm=isch&imgil=8fV_YMQvljDdiM%253A%253BWzukuAlrjMZ7LM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Ftorrentsgames.org%25252Fpc%25252Ftom-clancys-rainbow-six-vegas-2-pc.html&source=iu&pf=m&fir=8fV_YMQvljDdiM%253A%252CWzukuAlrjMZ7LM%252C_&usg=__u-2REfsg9VBr4j2tAWd6ilsDRrI%3D#imgrc=B_VTuXcBg3ChPM%3A&usg=__u-2REfsg9VBr4j2tAWd6ilsDRrI%3D
Ok, I can probably see why, more than the other games so far but with partial exception to Republic Commando, why people might not like this game and I do. The first Rainbow Six Vegas (2006) was a tightly knit game that like Painkiller, focused primarily and almost solely on the gameplay over the story. Admitedly the story is everything and more as to what you'd expect from something akin to a Tom Clancy action/espionage novel and yet it still manages to be overshadowed by the in-depth tactical and semi-squad-based gameplay. In turn, this sequel took away from the gameplay and gave much more focus to the plot which seems this time round that Michael bay mixed his crack with some of that frog ritalin I mentioned earlier.
Like Republic Commando unfortunatley, the squad-based aspect of this game mainly plays out in the singleplayer and the plot is kind of weak but even so; the gameplay is so good and the plot so bad that its good that you can't help but smile while blazing your way through a veritble aray of poorly-voice acted mercenaries and Mexican cartel soldiers. And OOOOOOOOOOHHHH! The voice acting in THIS GAME man! I swear, no bad voice acting list is complete without some of the gems from this game with Mexican mercenaries standing in a vault room in a vegas casino that you have just blown to smithereens, all by their lonesome, shouting to themselves "Cover me! Fuck you, cover me!" while all of their squadmates have literally just been annihilated in front of them by a barrage of grenade shrapnel and MP5 rounds.
However, even disregarding the stupid plot and 'interesting' voice acting, this is not only a great followup to the first game by tightening the controlls and squad mechanics and streamlining the whole gameplay process but its a good game in its own right. The shooting mechanics in this game are less punchy than in something like Painkiller and bullet drop is wierdly absent in a game that otherwise treats weapons ballistics with unerring accuracy but the gameplay by comparison to something like Painkiller is so intensley realistic with each gun having fatal stopping power that you have no choice but to play it tactical and carefully. This might be seen as a drawback by some but in a game of this particular orientation, I think that it more than makes up for the gameplay shortcomings. Perhaps you might like something that goes the whole hog with the realism or stick to arcade style FPS games but I'd still give this a check out if I were you.
Number 6 - Doom 2: Hell on Earth (1994)
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Doom+2&biw=1366&bih=599&tbm=isch&imgil=v0pYEJN6XjYrFM%253A%253Bc6kH8LDcA1TG0M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fdoom.wikia.com%25252Fwiki%25252FDoom_II&source=iu&pf=m&fir=v0pYEJN6XjYrFM%253A%252Cc6kH8LDcA1TG0M%252C_&usg=__4nUz_BZJCakKNRWBDvQXcEPPEyw%3D#imgrc=v0pYEJN6XjYrFM%3A&usg=__4nUz_BZJCakKNRWBDvQXcEPPEyw%3D
Yeah, bet you didn't expect to see a game on here so old that it was released the same year that I was born did you? And no, I didn't play this game when I was one year old or generally when I was little as I only really started to give homage to old-school 1990s FPS games like this around the time I became a teenager. And for the mindset of teenagers growing up in the 1990s, I, as someone who grew moreso in the early 2000s can see why this sequel to the original game from id software was so popular. Literally, because of the success of this game and its predecessor, the term 'doom-clone' was adopted as shorthand for cheap and easy-to-make semi-3d FPS games in the 1990s and while I think that the term was a potent one, the game that it stemmed from is a really solid FPS in its own right both as a game and as a follow-up.
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Doom+2&biw=1366&bih=599&tbm=isch&imgil=v0pYEJN6XjYrFM%253A%253Bc6kH8LDcA1TG0M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fdoom.wikia.com%25252Fwiki%25252FDoom_II&source=iu&pf=m&fir=v0pYEJN6XjYrFM%253A%252Cc6kH8LDcA1TG0M%252C_&usg=__4nUz_BZJCakKNRWBDvQXcEPPEyw%3D#imgrc=H-TB8LRE0A27XM%3A&usg=__4nUz_BZJCakKNRWBDvQXcEPPEyw%3D
Although, the wierd thing is that Doom 2 isn't really much of an upgrade from the original except for in three very important areas. Firstly, I've always felt that Doom 2 had the alround more solid level design compared to the original and was a bit more open than even the levels of Doom 3 (2004). Secondly, even with the contiuation of guns over from the original like the BFG 9000, the gameplay always felt more fluid and varied in this sequel compared to the original. And thirdly, I always felt like the world in this game was more expansive than in the other two games in the series. Sure, Doom might be the most fondly remembered and Doom 3 might have the most advanced technology, design, gameplay, graphics and story but Doom 2 felt to me like the all-rounder of the series. If it wasn't sufficent to the others in one area it would probably be in another. In general, I don't know if Doom 2 can really stand up to modern FPS's particularly the ones I've listed here, however, this one more than most brings on feelings of nostalgia and while that can cloud judgement in certain cases, I think it's more than justified here.
Number 5 - Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Halo&biw=1024&bih=657&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMI3-iJnvXmxgIVRrYUCh2Qqwur#tbm=isch&q=halo+combat+evolved&imgrc=rAf4KTk9JC9IPM%3A
You know something? I really didn't get all that much into the Halo series (2001-present) until considerably after all my freinds did. From what I remember, I started playing the games around the time my brother went to university circa 2008-2009. all the time I'd been hearing about how good these games were and was never really driven towards trying them as I was a fan of the Call of Duty, Half-Life and James Bond 007 games up to that point. However, once I tried Halo 3 (2007) one tieme when visiting my brother at his uni I realised that the hype surrounding these games was pretty well-founded. I might still not be as big a fan of these games as my two best freinds are but even I can admit that in pretty much every aspect (except for the physics engine which I've had issues here and there with) it's very well-made. But for me personally, if there's one game that stands out above the rest of the series, it's the little old game that started it all on the original Xbox.
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Halo&biw=1024&bih=657&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMI3-iJnvXmxgIVRrYUCh2Qqwur#tbm=isch&q=halo+combat+evolved&imgrc=0wUMHMIQu7GnuM%3A
And when I say 'started it all' I REALLY mean it. Seriously! Think about the impact that this game has had! It's true that nowadays the series is in serious competition with the Call of Duty and Battelfield games but back in the early-2000s, this game series was pretty dominant. Admittedly, other series like Doom, Quake and Unreal Tournament had tried the expansive with a linear objective line in a futuristic sci-fi setting with multiple weapons with the odd alternative gameplay segment thrown in here and there. You could argue in a sense that Halo was merely born out of this trend but what I beleive sets it apart from the other sci-fi set FPS series is four things. Firstly, the individual style of weapons in the game differentiates it to other FPS's of the time. Second, the gameplay segments that break up the normal sections of FPS footslogging are more varied than in previous sci-fi shooters. Thirdly, there's a clear sense of character being defined within the supporting cast and even the main character to a degree that at the time, only the Half-Life (1998) series could beat. But finally, and perhaps the main reason why so many love this game and all its sequels and spin-offs is the story. I'm not going to act like the Halo series has the best story ever, although it does come close, but the story that it does have is epic enough that you have to take pause and of course it all came from the original game's sense of adventure and desperate heroism as you are thrown into this fresh conflict at the behest of a besieged humanity in order to stop its destruction from an alien religious slave army and then a parasitic force of corruption.
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Halo&biw=1024&bih=657&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMI3-iJnvXmxgIVRrYUCh2Qqwur#tbm=isch&q=halo+combat+evolved&imgrc=oeLOit8fEISh8M%3A
In a sense, it seems that the story is the main core of why this is such a good game and such a good start to an excellent series (excluding Halo 4 (2012) and Halo Wars (2009) of course) but even then, the game as a whole is still great as is the majority of the series. Even taking that into account, Combat Evolved has some of the most suprisingly fluid and yet solid gunplay and CSQ combat not to mention a wide variety of guns with clear and defined effects and purposes as well as a fluid physics engine which while unstable, provides for more than enough oppourtunities for excellent skill shots and kills to colour up the gameplay. To be fair, while I'd definetly recommend Combat Evolved to any FPS fan, chances are most of you've already played it.
Number 4 - Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Modern+warfare&biw=1024&bih=657&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIktKIxYbnxgIVyFwUCh2qFAtw#imgrc=wfha3BBflaEf2M%3A
Ok look, you guys must've seen this coming. I mean, I don't have anything against any of the other series I've mentioned so far in this list but when there's such a gap in enjoyment with this game and the others mentioned that I couldn't help but put the first game in the Modern Warfare trilogy (2007-2011) so far up this list. After all, this was technically the first modern/current-day-set FPS that I ever played and while the series increasingly became more and more run-of-the-mill after Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 (2009) but even taking that into account, the first Modern Warfare is still one of the best games that I've ever played and is easily among my top 20 favourite games of all time in general. You might argue that this is a bit predictable considering the cultural impact of the Modern Warfare trilogy along with the rest of the Call of Duty games but even regarding that, this is still one of the most solidly-made FPS shooters of all time and was a great way to start off the 7th generation of video games.
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Modern+warfare&biw=1024&bih=657&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIktKIxYbnxgIVyFwUCh2qFAtw#imgrc=GZee80k7ykgFFM%3A
So what exactly makes this such an enjoyable game for me and why do I think it was a great way to start off the 7th gaming generation? Well in regards to starting off the 7th and seeing off the 6th generations of video gaming, COD4 managed the right blend of satisfactory story, graphics that showed off the basics of the new generation of consoles, solid gameplay and a clear indication that not only games and FPS in general but the Call of Duty series were all moving along with the times. As for my personal enjoyment of the game, it comes primarily from how simple the gameplay and how the game combines that with a suprising number of environs both in single and multi-player while providing a relativley safe enviroment in which depending on your personal skills, anyone could kill anyone. There were kill-streak rewards in this game's multiplayer but unlike in seceeding games, these rewards are quite tricky to get as they require genuinley allot of effort and skill to acheive. As for turret and vehicle sections in the main campaign, they are both decently made and sparsley spread out enough that they don't drag down the experience of the single-player.
The gameplay itself is quite simple really as I mentioned before which is refreshing in a way as sometimes all you need is simple gameplay with lots of weapons and/or power-ups to spice up the stew that is the gameplay. So I guess the other main thing with which Modern Warfare could possibly impress us is with its Tom Clancy-style conspiracy theroy storyline. I'll admit that the story is not as mad as in later COD games and perhaps that's what makes the campaign such a good experience, its mad but just keeps within the boundaries of what is acceptable with over-the-top game storylines. Combine this overall solid and enjoyable storyline with some of the biggest plot twists in video gaming history and you have a great experience that combines some of the best experiences in an FPS possible both in a gameplay and narrative sense. So say what you will about the rest of this franchise, but for my money, this is easily the best Call of Duty game ever made.
Number 3 - Battlefield Bad Company 2 (2010)
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Modern+warfare&biw=1024&bih=657&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIktKIxYbnxgIVyFwUCh2qFAtw#tbm=isch&q=battlefield+bad+company+2&imgrc=Ew2J_BuAjUwNPM%3A
However, if there is at least one modern-FPS that can outdo arguably the best of the Call of Duty games its this world-class follow up to 2008's excellent release Battlefield Bad Company. This game does have a weaker story in single-player than Modern Warfare but there are several aspects of the gameplay and design that raise it just above that other masterpiece. First off is arguably the best bit of this game which is the gunplay and how all the weapons feel to use. More so than Call of Duty or Unreal Tournament III which are certainly more arcady than Bad Company 2, this game puts greater emphasis on bullet ballistics and bullet drop giving your skill at shooting and tactical awareness a far greater importance than in most FPS games. Therefore, even more than in Modern Warfare, Bad Company 2 allows for unskilled players to have at least a fighting chance against skilled players especially with the online servers usually decent rebalancing capabilites even on the online servers of the Battlefield: Vietnam expansion pack.
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Modern+warfare&biw=1024&bih=657&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIktKIxYbnxgIVyFwUCh2qFAtw#tbm=isch&q=battlefield+bad+company+2&imgrc=0RxhVr4YHwwQXM%3A
On top of this, unlike in most FPS games, the driving of vehicles both on water, land and air is generally pretty solid and easy to get to grips with only requiring a moderate degree of experience and practise to truly become proficent. Years after the game came out, there are some people on the online servers who tear shit up in their prefered environs with kits suited to their playstyles but that doesn't mean you can't. Putting aside the cheesiness of that sentence, what I say is true as the customisation of each class that you have available, of which there are four (Assault, recon, medic and engineer), gives a truly terrifying amount of customisation and variety to the gameplay of a strikingly mixed yet straightforward FPS that I guarantee will keep you hooked for many hours even despite the odd texture-copout in the graphics or the odd glitch.
If there was one real criticism that I could level at Bad Company 2 is that it's singleplayer campaign is pretty weaksauce with predictable-plot-twists, bland side-characters and a bizarre lack of humour that made the single-player campaign of the first Bad Company so enticing to play over and over again. Another aspect that holds this sequel's story back somewhat is the precence of a few sections that throw you into harsh difficulty curves and smash the immersion that you've been snuggling into (I'm looking squarley at that FUCKING GODAMN MORTAR BARRAGE SECTION). Yet even despite this, the singplayer isn't all that bad and the main aspect of the game that really works and should entertain you is the excellent multiplayer and the great expansion pack released soon after the game Battlefield Vietnam. Overall, I would say that this has probably the weakest singleplayer out of all the games on this list but even taking that into account, this is still one of the best FPS shooters of all time and yet its only the second-best modern-set FPS I've ever played...
Number 2 - Operation Flashpoint: Red River (2011)
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Modern+warfare&biw=1024&bih=657&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIktKIxYbnxgIVyFwUCh2qFAtw#tbm=isch&q=operation+flashpoint+red+river&imgrc=tFr8_IV7B8XLGM%3A
So yeah, THIS in my eyes is the best modern day-set FPS made so far. Although, unlike pretty much every other game on this list, Red River wasn't received all that well when it came out garnering it a number of poor ratings from multiple sources. Gamespot and Steam both gave the game a rating of only 6-6.5/10, Metacritic a 3.5/5, IGN a 7.5/10 and PC gaming criminally giving the game a 45/100. Now while I can understand some of the critiques about the graphics and story, the game aside from all of this is actually pretty excellent and is about as close to perfection as a modern-FPS can get with exception as I said to parts of the graphics and story. Even more so than Bad Company 2, the bullet ballistics are given a striking amount of focus in this game to the degree where your skill with particular weapons and coordination with your squad is absolutley paramount in order to survive and defeat the enemy. WAY more so than Republic Commando, your allies in your squad are key to your success and sruvival particularly during the harder missions such as mission 5 where you're faced with countless waves of better and more heavily armed enemy riflemen covered by smoke and mortars. The countless scenarios that can be created from the mixture of realistic bullet balistics and physics along with the lenient health system, varied and defined weapons, decent driving mechanics and one of the most underrated funny video game characters in First Seargant Knox creates a truly excellent single-player character with enough pros in the gameplay to transition well into the online and LAN multiplayer.
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Modern+warfare&biw=1024&bih=657&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIktKIxYbnxgIVyFwUCh2qFAtw#tbm=isch&q=operation+flashpoint+red+river&imgrc=zJpkEu4C5BOjmM%3A
Seriously though, I know that the story of the singleplayer is a bit weak and that even by the standards of 2011 the graphics could've been better but the game actually still does look pretty good and the story is more so about the survival and desperate struggle of normal, everyday US Marines against both the forces of an elusive insurgency in Tajikstan as well as a much larger and equally organised professional millitary force later on in the game (play the game and you'll see what I mean). Even taking into account how simple the characters and story are, this allows for a more pure and visceral story looking into the bravery and culture of the USMC highlighted by the player's own experience in adverse and difficult circumstances as well as the grim humour of the battle-hardened veteran Knox who leads your platoon in the story.
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Modern+warfare&biw=1024&bih=657&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIktKIxYbnxgIVyFwUCh2qFAtw#tbm=isch&q=operation+flashpoint+red+river&imgrc=cc5_VoWIrrEkoM%3A
But here's the thing, while I firmly beleive that this is not only one of the best FPS's and games in general of all time, I think that perhaps because of the marketing it had, the overall popularity of the Flashpoint series and how the game was received that maybe, just maybe, it was meant to end up as an underrated gem yearning to be played and discovered more and more by fans of FPS shooters and other likewise enquiring gamer minds. Perhaps that's why I'm less angry that this did less well than expected as I am with Republic Commando or Painkiller, I can still recognise that it is criminally underrated but its just so good that I feel, in a wierd way, that this outweighs the tradgedy of how unsucsessful the game was upon release, despite that, I would still recommend this to any avid fan of FPS shooters.
Number 1 - Serious Sam: The Second Encounter HD (2010)
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Modern+warfare&biw=1024&bih=657&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIktKIxYbnxgIVyFwUCh2qFAtw#tbm=isch&q=serious+sam+the+second+encounter&imgrc=lh2MNzeMm3C31M%3A
I can acknowledge to some degree that many of you will disagree that the other entires on this list should've been placed elswhere and that's fine. This list afterall is highly subjective towards my own experience with the FPS genre. However, in my honest opinion, I firmly beleive that this game is FUCKING AWESOME...and uh...easily the best FPS ever I guess. I can point to FPS shooters with stronger stories and I still enjoy this game more. I can point to games with more varied weapons (which is rare as this game's arsenal is large and varied) and I still enjoy this game more. I point to games with more varied environs and enemies and I still enjoy this game more. I look to games with better boss fights and while the boss fights in this game are pretty lame, I still enjoy it all more. Perhaps with the other games I can admit that they might not be as good as I think because of their faults on this list, realistically though, I just can't hate this game in any way. Seriously, this is among my top ten favourite games of all time man, I JUST FUCKING LOVE IT WITH A SIDE OF DAUPHENOISE POTATOES AND A GLASS OF RED WINE!
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Modern+warfare&biw=1024&bih=657&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIktKIxYbnxgIVyFwUCh2qFAtw#tbm=isch&q=serious+sam+the+second+encounter&imgrc=Q4F049TZInfAzM%3A
Ok, alright, sorry about that. Let me just chill for a second by talking about one of the best aspects of the game; the enemies and weapons. There might be games out there with a greater number of weapons and enemies but this is easily one of the most varied selections of weapons and enemies I've ever seen. The enemies all have at least two variantions which provide you with enough oppourtunities to explore different ways of approaching a certain situation with the numerous weaposn you have at your disposal to progress as efficently as possible. This is with exception to a couple of boss fights which require particular weapons or tactics with which to kill them each time you face them but the rest of the game is markedly liberal about your freedom and capabilites to tackle each situation how you want. The weapons in turn are also highly varied going from a revolver, to a double-barreled shotgun to a pirate-era cannon that your character can wield like a grenade launcher for some reason. All of the weapons with perhaps some exception to the actual grenade launcher all suit a defined purpose and allow for different skills and capabilities to be exploited to the best with which the player is comfortable with. I can easily say that the gameplay and gunplay in this game is among the most varied and liberal I have ever seen even if it is a bit simple.
The enemies I mentioned before are also combined with sprawling level design that either presents you with desperate pitched battles against hordes of mixed enemies or ambushes by particularly tough or fast foes perched in unsuspecting locations. Some of the ambushes are a tad cheap but they keep the sense of adrenaline and tension up to exceptional levels particularly if you're going for a power-up, health item or one of the many ingeniously hidden secret items and easter eggs. In fact, these secrets which are dotted frequently thoughout each level of each stage spice up the game enough that not only are you enticed enough to explore in this HD remake of the original but that you have a chance to marvel at the game's suprisingly nice looking skybox and enviroments. On top of this, compared to The First Encounter (2001, released in HD 2009), there is a markedly greater number of easter eggs and secrets in the slightly more expansive levels of The Second Encounter which further entices you towards exploration. This I feel makes up for the lack of a strong story. While Serious Sam 2 (2005) and Serious Sam 3 (2011) had defined narrative structures and decently-told stories, they also had charm that was less unironic and spontaneous and naturalthus coming across as more unironically funny and charming.
On top of this, while I mentioned earlier that the story isn't anything to write home about, it does the basics of forcing you along by the urgency of the situation to each section through simple necessity. You're told early at the start that Serious Sam (that's you) is the only possible hope for saving humanity against the alien and demon forces of the evil lord Mental and the only way to do this is to go back in time to stop said conflict before it even happens. Through this, you and Sam go on gun-happy adventures through ancient egypt and babylon, exploration-era south america and medieval Poland not to mention one wierd section in a winter wonderland. Each chapter has its own special enemies mixed in with the varied reoccurring ones and its up to you to batter your way through them in order to defeat each of the main bosses placed at the end of each chapter. You could argue that this doesn't allow for a great deal of character-development or deep storytelling but I've never beleived that was the main point that Croteam were going for when they made this game. I even beleive that this is true to some degree with Serious Sam 2 and 3 but I don't think I'll put money on that. So all in all, the story, gameplay and design of Serious Sam: The Second Encounter HD combined alltogether more than makes for the finest FPS experience I've ever had.
...What?...You thought that I had any criticisms for this one?...Well that's the thing, there only is one criticsm I have for this game and it's for one of the enemies so its quite minor but regardless, I FUCKING HATE THE KLEERS.
On top of this, while I mentioned earlier that the story isn't anything to write home about, it does the basics of forcing you along by the urgency of the situation to each section through simple necessity. You're told early at the start that Serious Sam (that's you) is the only possible hope for saving humanity against the alien and demon forces of the evil lord Mental and the only way to do this is to go back in time to stop said conflict before it even happens. Through this, you and Sam go on gun-happy adventures through ancient egypt and babylon, exploration-era south america and medieval Poland not to mention one wierd section in a winter wonderland. Each chapter has its own special enemies mixed in with the varied reoccurring ones and its up to you to batter your way through them in order to defeat each of the main bosses placed at the end of each chapter. You could argue that this doesn't allow for a great deal of character-development or deep storytelling but I've never beleived that was the main point that Croteam were going for when they made this game. I even beleive that this is true to some degree with Serious Sam 2 and 3 but I don't think I'll put money on that. So all in all, the story, gameplay and design of Serious Sam: The Second Encounter HD combined alltogether more than makes for the finest FPS experience I've ever had.
...What?...You thought that I had any criticisms for this one?...Well that's the thing, there only is one criticsm I have for this game and it's for one of the enemies so its quite minor but regardless, I FUCKING HATE THE KLEERS.
Image source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Modern+warfare&biw=1024&bih=657&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIktKIxYbnxgIVyFwUCh2qFAtw#tbm=isch&q=serious+sam+the+second+encounter+kleers&imgrc=TzOQhgKoM6PvvM%3A
These ugly fuckers are literally the bane of my existence whenever I play through this game as they are undoubtedly the enemy that gives me the greatest amount of trouble. What sets these guys apart from most enemies in the game is that they have two attacks that tailor to their movement style. On one hand, their powerful claws tailor to their eratic approach patterns and high running speed but combine this with thown bone projectiles hurled at you as they charge your position and you're forced to constantly shift your fire. Then there's how these douchebags attack which they either do by jumping out at you in corridors and giving you a heart attack or swarming you in nigh-unstoppable suicidal mobs. On top of this, while they individually can be killed easily, they still do allot of damage and when bunched together, can pose a considerable threat. Easily, these bony fucknuts are one of my least favourite enemy types in all of video games.
But I guess that shows my love for this game, even despite this, it still manages to be my favourite FPS ever made even above all the others mentioned so far that I would still highly recommend to anyone into video games. All of these games are good to a majority degree but only Serious Sam: The Second Encounter HD provides a truly sublime experience for me from start to finish.
