Not every first-person shooter can go on to have a lasting legacy like Call of Duty or Battlefield. There are a lot of shooters that come out, get their one chance, or maybe second, and then that’s it. They could be some of the best reviewed games of all time and still not see a life beyond a single experience or two.
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The video game industry is a mystery, but thankfully, a good game never dies. It may get harder to play these games because of older systems, but shooter fans will find that these examples are worth looking into. With enough resurgence in the media, maybe they could even return properly.
Killzone: Mercenary
The PS Vita’s Secret Weapon
Killzone: Mercenary
- Released
- September 6, 2013
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Killzone: Mercenary was a spinoff for the PS Vita that actually got the shooting mechanics down right for the handheld, unlike Call of Duty: Black Ops: Declassified. One of the coolest mechanics was being able to swipe on the screen for knife-based melee kills during combat. Also, missions were open-ended as players assumed the role of a mercenary trying to buy favor with as many sides as they could to get ahead. Between the controls, visuals, and open-ended gameplay, this made Killzone: Mercenary one of the better entries in the Killzone franchise.
Darkwatch
Vampires And Cowboys
Darkwatch
- Released
- August 16, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
Darkwatch takes place in the Old West, but instead of playing a cowboy, players assume the role of a newly turned vampire. There’s a steampunk aesthetic to the game as players can wield all manner of hybrid weapons to take the undead out, from bladed revolvers to fast-action crossbows. At certain points, players will have to make a choice whether they want to spare NPCs or drain them of their blood, which will result in different vampiric powers. It’s a nice incentive to replay the game at least once.
Singularity
Soviet Time-Bending
Singularity
- Released
- June 29, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Singularity is an underrated sci-fi game wherein players are sent in to investigate a Soviet experimental testing area. Here, players will discover a glove they can use to manipulate time. For example, a staircase may be rusted out of commission, but with the glove, players can restore it to working condition. Between the different time powers, the otherworldly weapons, and the mutated inhabitants of this test sight, Singularity came close to the level of atmospheric horror that BioShock managed to capture.
Immortals Of Aveum
Gifted By Magic
Immortals of Aveum
- Released
- August 22, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Immortals of Aveum takes place in a fantasy world in the middle of a war. Instead of using guns or swords, soldiers equip magical gauntlets and accessories that allow them to cast spells, which replace normal weaponry.
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As a loot-based game, players can find the equivalents of rocket launchers, sniper rifles, and shotguns, along with other, more versatile spell-based weaponry. Players can use a whip and cast a shield, for example, and while the world itself may be a bit too up itself to realize it all sounds too ridiculous, the gameplay is great, and it’s truly one of the coolest shooters in recent memory.
Red Steel 2
Wild Wild Samurai
Red Steel 2
- Released
- March 23, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter, Beat 'Em Up
Red Steel was a launch game for the Wii that was not received well because the motion controls just weren’t up to snuff. Thankfully, the sequel fixed all of these issues and set itself in the Old West to differentiate itself from most current shooters of the era. In Red Steel 2, players could attack enemies with their sword in hand-to-hand combat, or they could shoot their revolver. The Wii wasn’t known for having tons of shooters, but this was certainly one of the better examples.
Syndicate (2012)
An FPS Reboot
Syndicate
- Released
- February 21, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Syndicate started as a series in 1993, set in a cyberpunk future wherein corporations fought for rule on the level of government factions. The 2012 game was a reboot that redressed the gameplay as a first-person shooter, but kept the corporate espionage background. Players could learn to mod their body in between missions to gain different aspects, like being able to see an enemy’s heart to get a better shot off. It didn’t hit the same highs as another cyberpunk reboot of this era, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, but Syndicate is certainly not a boring shooter and deserves a second chance.
The Darkness 2
Comics And Pasta
The Darkness 2
- Released
- February 7, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
The Darkness 2 was an improved sequel over the original in a few ways, like how it switched to a cel-shaded aesthetic to match the comic book origins. Players continued their role as the possessed mobster, Jackie, who now had a higher ranking among the families. That’s when other rivals come to claim their territory, but unfortunately for them, Jackie still has supernatural powers. Players can blast enemies away with all kinds of dual-weaponry, but the real fun is exploiting Jackie’s demon brethren. From little goblins to tentacles, the titular Darkness listens to one man and one man only: Jackie Estacado.
Roboquest
A Robo Roguelike
Roboquest
- Released
- November 7, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Roguelite, FPS
Roboquest is a roguelike shooter wherein players assume the role of a robot in a caravan for a traveling scientist. On each run, players can find all manner of guns, from ones that freeze enemies to rifles with intense speed.
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The platforming is decent along with the shooting, and after each run, players can gain various types of currency to beef up their robot hero for the next mission. It doesn’t have the epic story of Hades, a fellow roguelike, but Roboquest does have a decent assortment of weapons and upgrade paths.
RoboCop: Rogue City
Cease And Desist
RoboCop: Rogue City
- Released
- November 2, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Sci-Fi
The bar is not high, but RoboCop: Rogue City is definitely the best game based on the film franchise. As the titular RoboCop, players will be sent on missions to fight back the growing gangs in the city, and the best part is that it aesthetically matches the older films. While RoboCop may break down, he can be rebuilt between missions to make him stronger than before. RoboCop is slow and lumbering, but he is immensely powerful, which makes controlling him as fun as controlling a mech in other games.
Prodeus
An Old-School Shooter
Prodeus
- Released
- September 23, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature // Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS
For those who miss more simplistic shooters of the 90s like Doom and Wolfenstein 3D, then Prodeus is a good modern fit. Players will go through tight levels, packed with intense action against pixelated foes. It’s the type of shooter where players are expected to always be blasting and moving instead of ever taking a defensive stance. For those who never grew up in this era, it can be hard to get used to, but the controls, look, and design are more than enough to keep players interested in trying.
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