Tomb Raider Legend

The original Tomb Raider trilogy is one that has remained relevant through generations, and a lot of that praise could be credited to the constant innovation that the developers had done to each game back then. However, Tomb Raider Legend proudly stands above the trilogy thanks to an excellent amalgamation of brain-tickling puzzles, thrilling chases, and challenging platforming segments that never fail to keep you entertained throughout its run. If you had to experience just a globe-trotting adventure on the PS2, it definitely has to be this one.

]]> 620873 https://gamingbolt.com/15-years-later-these-15-first-person-shooter-games-havent-aged-a-day Sun, 22 Dec 2024 17:14:07 +0000 https://gamingbolt.com/?p=605992 The medium of video games is particularly susceptible to aging, with rapid technological advances often making many titles feel obsolete in just a few years. While elements like visuals and scope can quickly become outdated, certain aspects such as design and mechanics can help games maintain their appeal over time. These qualities allow some games to remain enjoyable long after their release. In this feature, we will be taking a look at 15 first-person shooters that still hold up 15 years later.

Black

Criterion Games might be best known for its work on the Need for Speed series, but its 2006 release Black also deserves a fair amount of appreciation. Despite being a far cry from what the developer was used to, Black was a compelling first-person shooter with some of the best visuals of its time. The story might not be something to write home about, but a solid set of shooting mechanics and thrilling firefights make Black a noteworthy game nevertheless – and it holds surprisingly well to this date.

Tomb Raider Legend

The original Tomb Raider trilogy is one that has remained relevant through generations, and a lot of that praise could be credited to the constant innovation that the developers had done to each game back then. However, Tomb Raider Legend proudly stands above the trilogy thanks to an excellent amalgamation of brain-tickling puzzles, thrilling chases, and challenging platforming segments that never fail to keep you entertained throughout its run time. If you had to experience just a globe-trotting adventure on the PS2, it definitely has to be this one.

Max Payne 2

Remedy Entertainment delivered a great first game with Max Payne, but the full potential of the franchise was realized with the sequel. Max Payne 2 spins an appropriately complex tale with twisted characters and never-ending conspiracies, and that paired with the metaphor-heavy writing makes for a consistently engaging time. On top of that, you have some amazing third-person gameplay characterized by slow-motion mechanics which makes for some really cool moments as you swoop through dozens of enemies before they have an opportunity to properly blink.

Black

Criterion Games is most known for its work on Need For Speed: Most Wanted, but it’s first-person shooter Black remains underappreciated. And that’s a shame since Black is an adrenaline-pumping ride through macabre factories and large open arenas complete with realistic shooting mechanics, destruction physics and graphics that were quite ahead of their time. It wasn’t a flawless experience by any means, but Black definitely had its own distinct charm that made it memorable all these years later.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Grand Theft Auto 3 is what put the series on the map, and 2002’s Vice City is what catapulted the franchise to greater heights. Set against the backdrop of a beautiful rendition of sun-soaked Miami, Vice City provides a playground of possibilities that will keep you engaged for dozens upon dozens of hours. Between an engaging story and flexible gameplay mechanics, Vice City is a really special game that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

God of War

2005’s God of War was the first stepping stone for a franchise that would morph into a massive behemoth, a game that would go on to represent the crown jewel in Sony’s roster of first-party releases. And that prestigious status can be attributed to a simple yet satisfying gameplay loop of toppling down one enemy after another, solving the occasional puzzle, and partaking in an engaging story of vengeance. Sony Santa Monica stitches all these elements in a splendid fashion, which makes this a rollercoaster of an action experience that’s characterized by brutal levels of violence.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty was one of the earliest games to be released for the PS2, and it’s safe to say that it set a high benchmark at the start of the generation. Kojima spins an intricate tale about the rapid spread of misinformation with its story, and the gameplay massively improves upon the concepts of the original in new and interesting ways. Add to that memorable boss fights and a clean visual style that surprisingly holds up well to this date, and Metal Gear Solid 2 becomes an unmissable game for fans of this ilk.

Hitman Blood Money

Hitman Blood Money took what worked in prior entries, and crafted a game that’s bigger and better in almost every regard. A suite of highly replayable levels, plenty of new gameplay mechanics, and improved graphics are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the improvements that Blood Money provided over prior entries. It’s safe to say that the pre-reboot series peaked with this game, and it remains a beloved entry in this long-running series even after these years.

Kingdom Hearts 2

The original Kingdom Hearts was an interesting mix of combat and several other gameplay mechanics, but Kingdom Hearts 2 was the true realization of that potential. The sequel makes great use of the expanded horsepower of the PS2 and renders beautiful worlds brimming with imagination, and combined with its unique combat makes for an unforgettable trek that’s punctuated with memorable sequences and unforgettable boss battles.

Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal

Before Insomniac Games would become synonymous with story-driven action adventure experiences, it made a name for itself on the back of amazing action platformers – including but not limited to Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal. Released in 2004, Ratchet and Clank takes you on an entertaining quest to defeat Dr. Nefarious and put an end to his evil schemes. In addition to a simple yet satisfying combat loop of defeating waves of enemies, the game also offers a set of diverse levels and wacky weapons that will keep you glued to the edge of the screen at all times.

Onimusha 3

The third and second last chapter in the Onimusha saga, Onimusha 3: Demon Siege does everything to take the monster slaying experience to the next level. It tells a wonderfully eccentric story about Jacques and Samanosuke traveling through time to reach alternate dimensions to slay demons. The gameplay of slashing through waves of enemies is just as refined as one would expect. With plenty of memorable levels and solid combat loop, Onimusha 3 is a game that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Silent Hill 4

When it comes to the Silent Hill series, the majority of praise is bestowed upon the second game. And while there are plenty of reasons why that is the case, Silent Hill 4 is also deserving of love. Konami’s Silent Hill 4 was the last game in the franchise to be developed by Team Silent, and it pays homage to what came before while also being its own thing. Set against the eerie backdrop of Ashfield, players have to find a way out of this nightmare before they get caught in a demonic cult. The music and voice acting shine brightly as they elevate the tension and create a sense of loss and anguish. It’s not a perfect game by any means, but it definitely does more things right than wrong – making for a great time for horror fans.

Gran Turismo 4

Developed by Polyphony Digital, Gran Turismo 4 provided a significant bump over A-Spec in almost every conceivable way. Right from the dozens of carefully curated car models and tracks to a strong simulation core and much more, Gran Turismo 4 impresses with its attention to detail. It’s a game that’s meant to be played for a long time, and the intrinsic motivation to get better at drifting across tracks in an effortless fashion will keep you grinding for days without getting bored.

Timesplitters

It’s safe to say that Timesplitters was one of the most creative shooters to be released for the PS2, and that’s largely due to its unique story of taking down time-traveling bandits in a bunch of diverse levels. The shooting mechanics were extremely enjoyable, and the writing also exudes a sense of personality which is something that not many games of the time can boast. While it has definitely aged in certain aspects, there is still quite fun to be had in revisiting this classic all these years later.

Bully

Rockstar Games’ Bully differs from its contemporaries thanks to its unique open-world setting, making it stand out all these years later. Jimmy Hopkins’ journey through the classes and dorms of Bullworth Academy is punctuated with plenty of memorable missions and fun activities – and you could easily spend hours upon hours wreaking havoc and causing mischief without getting bored. While the game has definitely aged in some aspects like the visuals, the gameplay remarkably holds up well to this date.

Freedom Fighters

IO Interactive delivered a great game with Freedom Fighters, an action-adventure game with plenty of interesting mechanics and an engaging story about leading a revolution. There’s great fun to be had in commanding your army of rebels; strategically placing them around corners and Manning a machine gun to clear out a massive herd of enemies. Between excellent level variety and unique gameplay, Freedom Fighters was a game that many more players needed to experience from start to finish.

Resident Evil Village

The Resident Evil series has seen its fair share of remakes in the form of the stellar Resident Evil 2 and the disappointing Resident Evil 3, but it has consistently delivered high-quality follow-ups. These include Resident Evil 7 and its follow-up Village, the latter of which represent the best of what the series offers. Resident Evil Village majestically swerves from one kind of horror to the next without any hiccups, and the action keeps pace with the changing scenery and shifting mechanics. The core gameplay of shooting down zombies is much faster than Resident Evil 7, but it retains the heft and groundedness of a survival horror game that comes together to make it one of the best in its class.

Double Barrel Shotgun – Quake

Quake’s Double Barrel Shotgun is a great example, annihilating foes with explosive-sounding shots that don’t outright overwhelm the player. They still feel powerful though and reinforce that feeling of being a nigh-unstoppable Ranger against the world.

On paper these were all things that you could find in countless other similar games before and after Black, but what Criterion was able to do with those core elements was dress them up in such an effective non-stop haze of explosions, bullets, and absurdly awesome-looking guns that you never really had a moment to realize how familiar those waters were. You were too busy having fun blowing up entire buildings with well-placed rockets and shooting doors off their hinges with SPAS-12s to think about that. For all the excellent work that went into Black, it was received pretty well by critics and sold reasonably well, too. Criterion’s unbroken devotion to over-the-top action and reloading animations paid off by making Black a hit with most critics, with the only prominent complaints being a lack of the multiplayer mode and limited replayability.

Like the lingering concussive after-effects of one of the game’s many explosions, Black continues ringing in the minds of shooter fans. Often ending up on prominent “top 10 first person shooters” lists and various other nostalgia pieces – like this one. Knowing that, you’d think Black would have become its own franchise by now – or at least earned a sequel or two, but no such sequel has ever surfaced. It’s not every day that a classic like Black comes out and doesn’t turn into a trilogy if not more than that. So why hasn’t it? Why hasn’t Black gone on to become a franchisee at least as long as many lesser shooters have? What the hell happened to Black? And where the hell is Black 2?

Something that’s probably worth pointing out before any theories get created;  Criterion was primarily a developer of sports and racing games. From the hoverboarding game Airblade early in the PS2s life, to the Burnout series, and eventually a couple of Need for Speed titles, Criterium wasn’t really known for making shooters, and that just wasn’t really their role within EA. They already had teams in place for Battlefield and Medal of Honor games, so one could surmise that to have a third team spending time in that same genre, while they were already seeing relative success in two completely different franchises, might seem like an endeavor into redundancy.

While you or I may be inclined to feel like, “hey, the more the merrier!”  I can also understand why people looking to maximize profits and get a good read on what franchises are doing the best within the company wouldn’t want to risk cannibalizing themselves and making their long-standing first person shooter franchises appear weaker than they actually are in terms of sales. I have no concrete evidence that this was the thought process over at EA but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if that came up when discussions of a Black 2 wear being had.

We do know that those discussions did happen though. According to an interview conducted a while back, co-creator and designer of Black, Stuart Black, did admit that plans for a sequel to Black were definitely a thing for a while, but we’re ultimately scrapped because of differences between Stuart and Electronic Arts. Unfortunately, details on what those differences were and how exactly they led to the downfall of Black 2 remain elusive.  but knowing how big game Publishers were trying to cram multiplayer modes into everything back then one could reasonably suspect that that might be part of the problem.

Black was criticized for not having multiplayer in a time where pretty much every shooter was expected to have one. Even the most generic, uninspired multiplayer modes generally added to how well games were reviewed back then, and it’s likely that a shift in focus from a highly orchestrated single player over to a more sprawling multiplayer experience might have been pushed on Criterion during development, which obviously wouldn’t have jived with the creators because that’s just not what Black was about. Black was a linear, focused, set-piece heavy game. For a sequel to be anything other than that would have just felt too different.

Regardless of what exactly happened, Stuart Black would eventually move on from Criterion and EA to make the closest thing to Black 2 he was going to be able to with the help of a new team over at Codemasters – another studio with a disproportionate amount of experience in racing games. The game of course could not be called Black 2, so the title Bodycount was decided on, which pretty much gets the same vibe across I suppose. Bodycount would sport a lot of the same ideas that Black did. Destructible environments, non-stop firefights, and a very purposeful devotion to action-movie style obliteration of the enemy.

Bodycount would add another layer on top of the moment-to-moment gameplay with almost Call of Duty-style scorestreaks that rewarded headshots with higher scores and devastating power-ups. Interestingly enough Bodycount would also have multiplayer in the form of competitive death matches as well as a co-operative horde mode where players would team up and survive as long as they could against wave after wave of enemy forces. Despite Codemasters bending to the apparent will of the market by including those extra modes and a scoring system that encouraged multiple playthroughs, Bodycount wouldn’t be received nearly as well as Black was. While most reviewers would cite that this type of action game never fully goes out of style, some common complaints among players and critics alike would surface.

For instance, the shooter market was different in 2011 than it was in 2006, and many other shooters like Bulletstorm had come along to claim the throne of insane bombastic gameplay that the original Black may have had a tighter grip on five years prior. This made Bodycount seem tame by the current standards, and thusly, not nearly as exciting. On top of that, the destructible environments had also already been done better by the Bad Company games, which also came out between Black and Bodycount. Aside from that, while the scoring system did provide a little bit of depth to the game play, it also sort of undercut its own gameplay ideas by encouraging you to play slowly and methodically to get the best possible scores.

If you played Bodycount the way you played Black, guns blazing and precision be damned, you would be punished with low scores. Yet, to be rewarded with power-ups and favorable scores, the gameplay would suddenly feel more like a much more generic affair. It’s hard to not respect what Bodycount was trying to do, but at the end of the day it was not a worthy follow-up to Black, and may have even contributed to EA’s lack of interest in the IP with how quickly Codemasters’ new game fizzled out.

That said the failings of Bodycount are not necessarily indicative of a lack of interest in Black 2. And given the climate of first-person shooters today, where you either have the action of Wolfenstein on one side and the straight down-the-line military shooters of Battlefield and Call of Duty on the other, I think there is an argument to be made that there is room for something to take the best ideas from both of those worlds and exist somewhere in the middle. Given that Criterion has recently been put back in the driver’s seat for the Need for Speed series, I wouldn’t expect them to have the time or the interest in a Black 2 for some time to come, but the IP still exists over at EA. If they’re ever so inclined to take a little risk we could end up with a Black 2 someday, but for now I wouldn’t hold my breath.

No One Lives Forever

Zany 1960s spy aesthetic, hilariously clever writing, unique mission objectives and an endearing protagonist. What more could you want? No One Lives Forever was also releasing in a post-Half-Life era where stronger story-telling was valued in first person shooters. Alas, its success wasn’t to be. Despite rave reviews from critics, NOLF would release in November 2000 and only sell 36,501 copies by the end of the year. Even worse is the fact that current-generation players can’t experience it due to muddled IP rights. Nevertheless, whatever the future may hold, Cate Archer will forever be in our hearts.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Though somewhat divisive over protagonist and range of metaphysical themes, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty was universally praised for its visuals. As a jump from the PS One to the PS2 era, the animations, texture work and cinematic direction saw monumental improvements. Despite the highly industrial setting, environments were realistic, right down to the grime, dirt and atmospheric lighting.

Criterion Games is downsized, and most of its talent gone. EA managed to retain a lot of the people who made some of the greatest arcade racing games of all time with the Burnout franchise, but some of them left the company and started a new development house. It’s called Three Field Games, and they are apparently working on something special.

We know that one of the games that they are working on is meant to be a spiritual successor to Burnout; however, their other game has been a total unknown. Until now. Studio head Alex Ward posted an update on the game on Twitter, and mentioned that fans of Burnout and Black – two of Criterion’s most well known IPs – will appreciate this other game that the studio is working on, though he did cryptically add that the new game has no cars or guns.

As someone who was always fascinated by Black, and who adores Burnout to this day, I can safely say I am very excited. Killing Burnout was the worst thing EA ever did, and I can’t wait for the franchise to return, roaring back to life, yet again, in some form.

One of the most underrated shooters of all time is probably Black, which was released by Criterion (of Burnout fame) for the PlayStation 2 and the Xbox right as that generation was drawing to a close, and big releases for the Xbox 360 were drawing far more attention and media coverage.

But Black was an awesome game, and those who played it, loved it. They have also often wondered why Criterion never went back to it, and now, it seems, we have our answer. They did. Or at the very least, they intended to, and for a good while, they were doing everything to make good on that intent. It’s just that everything fell apart before anything concrete could materialize.

As it turns out, Black 2 would have been developed for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3- initial plans were for it to be a numbered sequel, and Criterion intended for the game to expand into a new franchise. However, those plans eventually fell through, and Criterion’s new idea was to reboot the franchise entirely, and start over with a new game just called Black, that would have nothing to do with the first game and would be a standalone narrative- you can see the concept logo for this game above- sort of like another EA studio, DICE, would end up doing with another cult hit first person game of its own, Mirror’s Edge, years later.

The new Black concept didn’t have much of a story attached to it, though Criterion was exploring the notion of making it a co-op shooter. They were also looking at getting a third party to make the game, but then, creative disagreements between EA and Criterion led to the entire project being scrapped, and Stuart Black, a senior designer on the first game, actually left the company over the matter.

EA still planned on going ahead with the game, and even mentioned it publicly in an interview in November 2006, but that was the last of it, and after that, the concept was canceled, and so was the game.

Nothing would ever come of a new Black, and Criterion would go on to make Burnout Paradise for the Xbox 360, PS3, and later PC, before scrapping work on that series entirely as well.

There’s actually a wealth more of information on the purported Black sequel/reboot over on Unseen64, including quotes, concept arts, purported trailer screen captures, and more, so if you are curious, be sure to head on over there and check it all out.