Duke Nukem 3D

3D Realms’ Duke Nukem 3D hasn’t aged well when examining its more risque elements. At the time, it stood out for imbuing some character into the first-person shooter genre, courtesy of Duke’s one-liners. The environmental interactions and destruction also felt fresh, to say nothing of bizarre weapons like the Shrink Ray for cutting enemies down to size.

SUPERHOT

What should be a gimmicky concept – time only moving when you do – results in an engaging, clever experience in the first-person shooter space. Superhot isn’t just about scoring headshots, throwing weapons, or swinging katanas to take out scores of enemies – it’s the assessment, the moments between each kill, that make it sing.

Valorant

Mix Counter-Strike: GO’s tactical shooting with characters befitting a hero shooter and you get Valorant, in a nutshell. As slow-paced and odd as it may seem, this is also one of the best tactical shooters, if not competitive multiplayer titles, out there. Despite only being out for a little over four years, Valorant offers tense gameplay that’s hard to put down.

Borderlands 3

Ignore the base game’s story, characters and writing for the sake of your sanity, and the gameplay in Borderlands 3 is a significant step up. From the smoother response and feedback and improved mobility to more varied gun types and deeper build crafting, it’s a strong looter shooter, though nowhere near as timeless as its predecessor.

DOOM 1 + DOOM 2

While fairly recent, DOOM 1 + DOOM 2 collects the best of both titles into one excellent package. Boasting all their additional content, Sigil, and a great new campaign by MachineGames, the release is made even better with in-game mod support, a stellar remixed soundtrack and cross-platform multiplayer deathmatch, with 26 new maps to cause chaos on.

Killzone 2

After the infamous E3 2005 incident, Guerrilla Games’ first-person shooter had nowhere to go but up, and subsequently knocked it out of the park. The gorgeous visuals were a factor, of course, but the well-designed missions, gunplay, intelligent AI, and tight level design made for an incredible experience (even if the ending was underwhelming).

Halo 3 ODST

Though not quite the follow-up that fans expected, especially after Halo 3’s thunderous conclusion, ODST was still a worthy side story. It focused on one of the most compelling units, the Helljumpers, as they infiltrated New Mombasa and engaged in urban warfare with the Covenant. Perhaps its biggest contribution is the introduction of Firefight, a Horde-style variant with difficulty modifiers, a shared lives pool, and multiple sets to overcome.

Bulletstorm

People Can Fly and Epic Games had a pretty simple goal with Bulletstorm – gamifying stylish ways to kill the opposition. The story and characters are ultimately secondary; kicking enemies into environmental hazards, sending them sky high for some skeet shooting, and more for extra points is ultimately what sold the experience. Even if it remains underrated (no thanks to its terrible VR port), Bulletstorm is still a hell-raising good time.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat

The Zone remains as haunting as ever in GSC Game World’s S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, the third title in the series and most compelling yet. Though it has its share of bugs, the sandbox gameplay combined with the atmospheric horror and survival elements make for a harrowing time, whether you’re dealing with Anomalies or the various factions.

Destiny 2

Bungie’s live service shooter has had a long history, one with many ups and downs. Even throughout all of the changes, it remains perhaps the best of its kind. Between excellent campaigns like The Witch Queen and The Final Shape, an unmistakable feel for its weapons, gorgeous art direction, and stellar raids, Destiny 2 is still worth playing.

Unreal Tournament

When Quake 3 Arena was believed to reign supreme, Unreal Tournament appeared out of nowhere and claimed the throne. While the former still held a strong esports presence, the latter was the overall better product, from its map design and visuals to the sheer variety of mode types. Assault alone is an incredible addition to the competitive FPS formula and playing with AI bots actually felt enjoyable, even on the higher difficulties.

Turok: Dinosaur Hunter

Turok may have initially come across as “What if FPS but killing dinosaurs instead of humans?” but surprised many with its exploration and gorgeous visuals on the Nintendo 64. Of course, the combat was no slouch either, as each of the 13 weapons resulted in ample gore. Together, these elements made for an unorthodox but memorable shooter.

Prey (2017)

What could have been with the Prey franchise if Human Head Studios’ sequel wasn’t cancelled? We’ll never know, but in the meantime, Arkane Austin’s 2017 reboot, which embraces a more immersive sim structure and deep space paranoia, is excellent. As Morgan Yu, players must survive in a massive space station overrun with Typhon, but not everything is as it seems. The result is one of the finest first-person titles ever made.

Far Cry 3

Moving away from Far Cry 2’s realistic sandbox, Far Cry 3 went much bigger, returning to the tropical island setting while introducing a compelling new villain. Though the story is far more structured, the open world is rife with quests, enemy camps, wild animals, and much more. To this day, Far Cry 3 remains in a class of its own.

Metro: Last Light

Much as Metro Exodus embraced an open-world-style approach to its large areas, there’s something about Metro: Last Light and its linear narrative. Maybe it’s how well-designed each section felt, whether you were escaping from captivity or slinking through the surface, avoiding contact with its mutants. Perhaps it was the moral dilemmas that Artyom faced. Either way, the series’ brand of survival and fast-paced gunplay is at its peak here.

Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (Classic)

Ignoring the utter cluster that Aspyr’s re-released turned out to be in the online department, the classic Star Wars: Battlefront 2 is still a timeless game. The campaign is enjoyable enough but Galactic Conquest was a game changer of a single-player mode, offering a Risk-like map to fight through and conquer. Multiplayer was still arguably the highlight of it all, especially with 24 maps and modes like Hero Assault.

Medal of Honor (1999)

Developed by Dreamworks Interactive, it was the premiere World War 2 title, immersing players in the conflicts of the time while offering a top-tier presentation. Allied Assault would be more remembered thanks to its recreation of the Battle of Normandy, but Medal of Honor still deserves its flowers.

Left 4 Dead 2

Decried as little more than an expansion pack before launch, Left 4 Dead 2 expanded so much on its predecessor’s already compelling co-op gameplay. New Special Infected, deeper campaigns with more varied objectives, a wider variety of melee weapons and guns, and incredible replay value courtesy of its AI Director were just some of the reasons it stood out. Of course, its modability over the years has also ensured some great laughs.

Resistance 3

As the conclusion to the Resistance trilogy, Insomniac’s Resistance 3 is also its least successful. It’s a shame because, on top of new and old weapons, the atmosphere and dark subject matter added to the stakes, making it feel like humanity’s last desperate attempt to stay alive. While it still needed some polish, the gunplay and overall presentation made for a fitting end to the series.

System Shock (2023)

One of the best first-person titles ever made, System Shock is also far from easy to remake. Nevertheless, Nightdive Studios took a swing, rebuilding the visuals from the ground up while staying true to the far-future cyberpunk aesthetic of the original. Even with the improved UI, overhauled Cyberspace and other changes, it still maintains that sense of dread and terror that defined the original.

GoldenEye 007

Rare was already pretty well-established before GoldenEye 007 and yet, its launch raised the developer’s stock considerably. It isn’t just one of the best video game adaptations of a movie (usually a formula for failure back then), but proof that console shooters could be great. The local multiplayer alone defined many gamers’ lives growing up.

Cyberpunk 2077

After all the updates, revamped perks, and improvements, Cyberpunk 2077 has gone from a good first-person shooter to a great one. It’s backed by actual build variety, whether you’re a manic Mantis Blades user, a Netrunner overloading every single enemy, or skilled in a variety of guns. Of course, everything else that makes the game great, from its side quests to its open-world activities, doesn’t hurt either.

Wolfenstein 3D

While not quite the first-ever FPS made, Wolfenstein 3D is what ultimately led to the genre’s rise. It was frantic and fast-paced, with revolutionary visuals and excellent weapons. Though it offered secrets to discover throughout its ten episodes, the simplicity is ultimately what made it such a universal hit.

Quake 2 Remastered

Crafted with Nightdive’s assistance, the recent enhanced edition of Quake 2 packs all the mission packs, Quake 2 64, and a new episode from MachineGames into one package. Then it adds the id Vault, AI opponents in multiplayer, 4K/120 Hz support, and various quality-of-life features, turning one of id’s best shooters ever into a contemporary must-play.

The FINALS

Embark Studios’ THE FINALS is often forgotten when discussing competitive shooters, especially free-to-play options. Nevertheless, it’s a strong package with some unique modes, dynamic combat thanks to full environmental destruction, and extensive strategy, thanks to the unique gadgets. The arena-style combat may not appeal to everyone, but it still makes for some intense PvP sessions.

Black Mesa

If developing a sequel to Half-Life is challenging, remaking the experience, especially as a small team of fans, is an almost Herculean effort. Yet throughout many years of waiting, Black Mesa was finally a reality, delivering everything we loved about the original with gorgeous revamped visuals and entirely new sections like Xen.

DOOM (2016)

Considering how diminished interest had been in the franchise, it’s a miracle that DOOM even released. The fact that it’s this good is just an anomaly. Everything about it, from the visuals and action, particularly the new Glory Kills, is simply fantastic.

Perfect Dark

GoldenEye 007 showcased Rare’s surprising expertise for incredible first-person shooters and Perfect Dark only solidified it. With a tighter narrative focus and strong characterization (as seen with the iconic Joanna Dark), it weaved stealth, tense gunplay, memorable set pieces, and stellar levels into one cohesive package. The fact that it delivered so much despite the Nintendo 64 nearing the end of its lifespan is an achievement unto itself.

Titanfall 2

While it’s a shame that the original didn’t become all that popular, Titanfall 2’s fate is even more tragic given the sheer quality involved. The multiplayer is much more involved with its variety of Titans, weapon types and abilities (even if some maps could be hit or miss). Furthermore, the campaign is simply an all-timer with its level design, boss fights, and stories, making it worth the price of admission alone.

Half-Life 2

When you’re in Valve’s shoes and Half-Life is the pinnacle of narrative first-person shooters, there are high expectations. Yet, Half-Life 2 surpasses with relative ease, from the presentation and world-building to the story-telling and characters. Each area is memorable and unique; the Combine makes for enjoyable foes to fight; and the Gravity Gun is iconic all on its own.

Here are the games coming to PC Game Pass:

• Return to Castle Wolfenstein
• Quake 4
• Wolfenstein 3D
• An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire
• The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard

Game Pass subscribers now also have access to a new perk which unlocks all playable Champions in multiplayer game Quake Champions.

id Software recently changed the way it sells its games on Steam, consolidating and re-bundling several of its games from the DOOM and Quake franchises. The changes were made largely to make buying, for example, DOOM 2, much less complicated than it used to be with different versions and expansions.

This change also introduced new bundles for DOOM Classic, the DOOM franchise, and the Quake franchise.

Hollow Knight – Path of Pain

The White Palace is already a pretty haphazard place full of platforming terrors but necessary for getting the best endings. The Path of Pain, added with the Grimm Troupe DLC, is on another level though. There’s your average range of spikes, buzz-saws, thorns and whatnot but this area tests your mastery of bouncing off obstacles with the Nail. Even if you happen to get through it all, there are two Kingsmoulds waiting to be fought.

Though Wolfenstein: The New Order is a brand-new adventure that explores alternate events of a Nazi-ruled world, it still has its roots firmly entrenched in the franchise. An Easter Egg for the game was unearthed which lets you play the original Wolfenstein. Check it out above.

When you’re about 30 percent through the campaign, you’ll enter a safe house with a mattress on the top floor in the Tool Room. You’ll be able to take a nap on it and B.J. Blazkowicz will flashback to the old days where he had to escape from Castle Wolfenstein. The entire game is represented with the old music and sprites faithfully rendered. Only Blazkowicz’s hands are 3D rendered and it certainly makes for an intriguing sight.

Wolfenstein: The New Order is out now for PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC. Have you played it and found this Easter Egg yet? Let us know in the comments.

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No World War II propaganda could’ve propelled us into killing Nazi much like Wolfenstein could. It served as the blueprint for Doom – and that went on to serve as the blueprint for every single first person shooter game since.

So when MachineGames and Bethesda Softworks announced Wolfenstein: The New Order, after much by way of rumours, there was much fanfare. And much criticism. Though he wasn’t specifically targeting The New Order, Deus Ex and Epic Mickey creator – also one of the guys who had a hand in the other John’s ION Storm – Warren Spector found the announcement of yet another first person shooter in the vein of just shooting and killing enemies to be redundant.

This is funny because despite the last Wolfenstein game trying something new with its powers and open world aspect, it wasn’t exactly trumpeted by the industry. Developed by Raven Software, it faded into memory despite the Wolfenstein name behind it.

He was roundly bashed for it, but some people had a point: Why not wait for the game to come out before criticizing it? But then, why not apply this same logic to Battlefield 4, which didn’t really do anything new with its gameplay, or even Call of Duty: Ghosts, another sequel in the long line of Call of Duty games that has been acknowledged as a cash cow?

Heck, why not to Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, since the predecessor was disappointing? If Wolfenstein: The New Order can be praised just based on its name, then any trailer, even that of actual gameplay, is irrelevant to public opinion. Just as one can’t say it’s awful, one shouldn’t be so quick to say it’ll be good.

This logic has bitten gamers in their collective arses before with Resident Evil 6, Epic Mickey 2 and Medal of Honor: Warfighter, among other disappointing games.

The real issue isn’t what kind of game The New Order is, or even how good it looks. The issue is the era we’re in, where looks and a brand name don’t guarantee a game will be fun. It’s about the era of first and third person shooters, with their recycled run and gun mechanics. Honestly, there is nothing that distinguishes games like Battlefield 4 or Killzone: Shadow Fall from previous iterations on lesser consoles, save for their looks.

We can look at games like The Last of Us, and very plainly infer that it isn’t just another third person shooter in the vein of Uncharted or Gears of War. We can look at FUSE and determine – to some extent – that it is trying to do something new with its co-op despite its boatload of clichés.

Can we honestly do that with Wolfenstein: The New Order if and when the gameplay comes out and it’s revealed to be the same old running and gunning experience?

There won’t even be a multiplayer component. So MachineGames will need to concentrate on making the best campaign possible. This isn’t difficult – heck, look at Halo 4, which still managed to be fun despite reminding one of how Bungie handled all these elements better – but in this set-piece/turrent segment/quick time event/slow shooting era, will it really happen?

Games like Bioshock Infinite are why we should treasure innovation. Because when it happens, it’s truly wondrous, whether it is in the setting, level design, story-telling, visual style, narration or gameplay mechanics (Skyhook FTW), since innovation is just that damn hard to come by.

We’ve been reduced to finely distinguishing between so many similar experiences that we’re dumbfounded when something truly new and magical comes out.

Even if Wolfenstein: The New Order doesn’t break new ground and is a fun experience, will we remember it as the game of its generation?

Will it be compared to the shooting greats and replayed for years to come on the strengths and merits of its single player experience like a Halo or a Half-Life or even Doom? Is it simply enough to be a good game with the Wolfenstein name, rather than to differentiate itself from the current crop of shooters?

Those aren’t easy questions to answer, for sure. But with Bethesda Softworks, MachineGames and id Software’s id Tech 5 Engine in the mix, one can’t deny that it looks enticing enough to warrant a further look as time rolls on.

Also check the above video featuring John Carmack, technical director of id Software, as he shares his insights into the creation and the development of Wolfenstein 3D while playing the game.

Bethesda will also be offering Wolfenstein 3D Classic Platinum, available on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, free for a limited time. To download Wolfenstein 3D Classic Platinum from iTunes visit: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wolfenstein-3d-classic-platinum/id309470478?mt=8.