Summary
- Some hero shooters lack story focus; single-player campaigns could elevate character depth.
- Overwatch 2, Rainbow Six Siege, Paladins, and Apex Legends have untapped single-player potential.
- Campaigns could enrich lore, spotlight unique abilities, and provide immersive narratives.
With most hero shooters, character design is the be-all and end-all—and rightly so. These colorful rosters are often the main selling point of the genre. However, it's sometimes disappointing when the story, lore, and overall setting feel tacked on as an afterthought. Don't get us wrong; the backstories are usually well-executed, adding incredible depth to games primarily centered around endless team battles.
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But every now and then, players can't help but wonder: wouldn't it be neat to see these bombastic characters star in their own single-player adventures? Imagine specific levels designed to showcase their dynamic abilities and gameplay styles—it would be a thrilling departure from the multiplayer mayhem.
7 Overwatch 2
What an Oversight
Overwatch 2
- Released
- August 10, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Alright, let's just get this one out of the way: we've all seen the cinematics, and they're incredible. Even the most jaded Overwatch fans can't deny it. Overwatch 2 technically introduced PvE "Story Missions" in its 6th season, presumably salvaging ideas from its now-canceled single-player campaign. But there was one catch—they were co-op, not true single-player experiences.
To make matters worse, it was reported that the PvE content didn't sell well enough for Blizzard to justify its continuation, leading to the heartbreaking decision to scrap further PvE missions altogether. This unfortunate turn of events highlights why PvE content and hero shooters aren't always a perfect fit. But hey—there are dozens of us who still want to see it happen someday.
6 Paladins
The Lore of the Paladins
Paladins: Champions of the Realm
- Released
- September 16, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
Paladins stands out as one of the few medieval fantasy entries in a genre that typically leans toward sci-fi or realism. And let's face it—any game with elves, orcs, goblins, and dragons has the potential for some pretty entertaining storytelling. The game already boasts a surprisingly deep and expansive lore that’s quietly been building in the background.
While the game has long been dubbed an Overwatch rip-off, it could break free from the shackles of that title with the addition of a single-player campaign. With each character's background already rich enough to warrant its own narrative focus, the game is practically begging for a story-driven expansion.
5 Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
- Released
- December 1, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
- Platform(s)
- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Amazon Luna, Stadia, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
For a franchise built on storytelling-rich novels, it was surprising when Rainbow Six Siege decided to go all-in on online multiplayer. But hey, it worked out for Ubisoft, turning the game into a sleeper hit with a fiercely loyal player base.
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While Siege does offer solo players offline training modes as a consolation, some long-time fans yearn for the days when Team Rainbow was neck-deep in high-stakes apocalyptic conspiracies. Bringing back a single-player campaign filled with tactical intrigue and global threats would be a nostalgic—and welcome—return to form.
4 Quake Champions
Keep On Fighting Till the End
Quake Champions
- Released
- August 22, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- id Software, Saber Interactive
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- Platform(s)
- PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Quake Champions marks the fifth entry in the esteemed Quake franchise. While Quake 4 was praised as an Xbox 360 launch title for its exquisite single-player campaign, the series has since reverted to the multiplayer-focused gameplay seen in Quake 3 Arena. And to be fair, it’s worked out well for id Software.
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Though Quake isn’t exactly lauded for its well-thought-out lore, it does have a wild card: the inclusion of Doomguy and B.J. Blazkowicz from Wolfenstein as playable characters. The sheer potential of a single-player campaign that somehow ties together these three iconic universes is both thrilling and daunting. It could either be a chaotic masterpiece or a glorious trainwreck—but it'd be a gamble worth taking.
3 Marvel Rivals
Superhero Fatigue Be Damned
Marvel Rivals
- Released
- December 6, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence
- Developer(s)
- NetEase Games
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Action, Multiplayer
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
This one’s a given. With literally hundreds, if not thousands, of stories to pull from and a constantly expanding roster of heroes and villains, the potential for a single-player campaign is immense. Of course, expectations like that are pretty unrealistic. Developing a full-blown campaign would be a massive undertaking for a team that's already running at full throttle. But this list can’t be bogged down with common sense. We’re here for wild and delusional takes!
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That said, this is probably the most likely entry on this list to actually get a single-player mode someday. Whether it's integrated into a battle pass or (more likely) saved for a sequel, there's definitely a chance. Fingers crossed!
2 Team Fortress 2
While We Wait For Half-Life 3
Team Fortress 2
- Released
- October 10, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
Team Fortress 2 is the grandaddy of hero shooters. So what better way for this video game elder to school these young whippersnappers than with a single-player campaign? Sure, after years of memes and fan edits, it might be hard to take its chaotic cast seriously—but that’s precisely the charm. The story itself could lean into this perception. Frankly, it would be a mistake if it didn’t.
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And for those unaware, TF2 actually has a backstory revolving around the antics of Mann Co., a company that sells weapons, munitions, and (of course) absurd cosmetics. Plus, let's be honest—any excuse to coax Valve into giving us another groundbreaking single-player experience is a cause worth rallying behind.
1 Apex Legends
We Were on the Verge of Greatness!
Apex Legends
- Released
- February 4, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Respawn Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Battle Royale, First-Person Shooter
- Platform(s)
- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, iOS, Android, Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Titanfall fans were crestfallen when Respawn Entertainment shelved plans for a third installment. Instead, they were hit with the surprise launch of Apex Legends—a hero shooter set in the same universe but without the beloved mechs and, crucially, without a single-player campaign. Considering Titanfall 2's campaign is widely regarded as one of the best (and most overlooked) in gaming history, the omission left many feeling crushed.
But there's still hope! Apex Legends is, after all, part of the Titanfall universe. We came tantalizingly close to greatness with the now-infamous Titanfall Legends—a canceled project that was rumored to be a hybrid of both IPs. Unfortunately, it never saw the light of day. Fans can only dream of what might have been.
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