Summary
- Crackdown offers a unique and addictive progression system in a sandbox world.
- Max Payne 3 features the timeless and fun Bullet Time shooting mechanic.
- Gears of War remains immersive and fun with satisfying guns and co-op even today.
Though third-person shooter games continue to be immensely popular, back in the mid-2000s and 2010s, it was difficult to get away from them, considering how oversaturated the market had become with this specific sub-genre of games. While this inevitably meant that many third-person shooters ended up going under the radar or were forgotten about entirely, there were still those that were a bit more experimental and unique that have managed to stand the test of time, being just as fun to dive into today as they were when they were released.
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For these kinds of games to stand out, they need to prove they offer something out of the ordinary to keep players engaged, and that's exactly why the games listed below manage to still feel like fresh and modern experiences, despite their age. It's time to see which third-person shooter games have aged the best and why exactly they haven't faded into obscurity over the last decade.
8 Crackdown
Crackdown Features An Incredibly Addictive Progression System And Vehicles That Can't Be Beat
Crackdown
- Released
- February 20, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Open-World
Unlike a lot of games that were coming out at the time of its release, Crackdown didn't try to present itself as a dark and realistic shooter experience. Instead, the game takes a more cartoonish art style and gives the player a ton of freedom to do essentially whatever they want in a massive sandbox full of gang members, all of whom can be taken out to make the Kingpin a little weaker in the final battle.
While the core gameplay is beloved because of how wild, chaotic, and unpredictable it is, what makes the game fun to boot up even so long after its initial release is the progression system. Collecting small Orbs that boost strength and mobility may sound like a basic idea, but because the Agents can become so absurdly powerful in the mid to late game, it ensures that a typical playthrough never becomes bland.
7 Max Payne 3
Bullet Time Is Still One Of The Most Fun Shooting Mechanics In All Of Gaming
Max Payne 3
- Released
- May 15, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
When the Bullet Time slo-mo mechanic was first introduced in Max Payne, it was seen as a revolutionary system that, while a little clunky, had plenty of potential. Once the series was handed over to Rockstar, the beloved developers managed to polish up the gameplay mechanics in their unique way to create a third-person shooter experience that plays like no other, a compliment that still applies even today.
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While Max can slow down time while diving his way around corners and through windows, the brand-new Last Stand mechanic also allows players to catch a second wind when on their last legs, ensuring fights never feel too unfair, considering Max is almost always outnumbered. Though the lackluster story of the game was the main focus for many critics when it was released, now that the dust has long settled, people have been able to appreciate the beauty of the incredibly experimental gameplay system that the title offers.
6 50 Cent: Blood On The Sand
This Chaotic Arcade Shooter Has Become A Hidden Gem Over Time
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand
- Released
- February 20, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand is a game which was largely panned by critics when it was released in 2009, but that's because it came out at the wrong time. Nowadays, short, quick and chaotic shooters are much more popular considering a lot of people are worn out from huge and overwhelming open world games, which is why Blood on the Sand's reputation has gradually improved over time.
Sure, it might not have the most complex or exciting story, but because of how big and bombastic each encounter feels, thanks to the sound effects and devastating melee attacks, it's a game that keeps players' eyes glued to the screen at all times. Finding a short and accessible co-op shooter can be a little harder these days than it used to be, but 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand is always a reliable pick to return to with a buddy.
5 Vanquish
Shooter Games Have Struggled To Replicate The High-Speed Intensity Of Vanquish
Vanquish
- Released
- October 19, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Action, Third-Person Shooter
After being the spearhead of the Resident Evil franchise since its inception, Shinji Mikami would go on a small-run throughout the late 2000s of directing a bunch of weird and experimental games that stood out for their unique gameplay and overall presentation. One of these was Vanquish, a lightning-fast shooter where players assume control of Sam, a soldier suited up in an Augmented Reaction Suit, which allows him to zoom his way around an environment in the blink of an eye.
As players use their rocket boots to hop, slide, and skate their way through levels, they'll also be able to throw out all kinds of flashy attacks to finish the enemy machines off for good. Of course, there are also tons of weapons that are designed to be as outlandish as possible, which is far from a bad thing. Though Vanquish's story isn't anything to write home about, the intense and addictive gameplay loop is why so many people continue returning to it.
4 Spec Ops: The Line
A Psychological Thriller With Tight And Responsive Action-Packed Gameplay
Spec Ops: The Line
- Released
- June 26, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
On the surface, Spec Ops: The Line can seem like any other gritty third-person war game, and while that's exactly what it is from a gameplay standpoint, what makes the game so timeless is the story. At first, Walker's mission to save those stranded in a deadly sandstorm that has swept across Dubai seems pretty straightforward, but it soon becomes clear that the game is essentially acting as a fascinating dissection of the third-person shooter genre as a whole.
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The gameplay itself is still solid, especially when making use of the team orders to move allies in and out of combat to get the leg-up over an enemy group. However, what has allowed the game to continue being relevant is how it plays with the player's expectations of the genre in all kinds of weird and interesting ways, whether that be through gameplay segments, audio design, or even just the loading screens and main menu. Anyone who feels as though they are getting a little bored with the rinse and repeat gameplay formula of third-person titles owes it to themselves to try out the thought-provoking Spec Ops: The Line.
3 Resident Evil 4
Capcom Caught Lightning In A Bottle With Their Soft Reboot Of The Resident Evil Series
Resident Evil 4
- Released
- January 11, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Capcom's classic survival horror title, Resident Evil 4, may have received a remake in 2023, but this isn't to suggest the original game felt outdated or inaccessible. In contrast, Resident Evil 4 still stands as arguably the best third-person horror game ever made, thanks to its intriguing story, spooky environments, and satisfying gameplay.
If players are patient enough to line up their shots, they will be able to stagger the Ganado and monsters that Leon faces along his grueling journey, leaving them wide open for a melee attack. One port that has aged especially well is the Wii version, where players must use the motion controls to aim their reticle, allowing them to get even more immersed in the game's world. Though there are many third-person shooter horror games out there that are incredible in their own right, Resident Evil 4 still stands as the very best in the eyes of many, given how high quality it is in virtually every department, from enemy variety to the progression system, all the way to the memorable characters.
2 Mass Effect 2
BioWare Decided To Integrate A Little More Action Into Mass Effect's Gameplay, And It Paid Off
Mass Effect 2
- Released
- January 26, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Third-Person Shooter
The original Mass Effect game felt a lot more rooted in the RPG genre than its sequel, but while Mass Effect 2 may play like more of a traditional shooter, it still features enough unique mechanics to make it stand out. When players aren't blasting away Collectors and hostile aliens or humans, they'll be having conversations with NPCs where their choice of words will end up impacting the story, including the ending.
The Suicide Mission remains one of the most intense final levels in all of gaming, and with the whole game essentially building up to this moment, it makes every level feel important and relevant to the wider story. The combat has been made a lot more loose and responsive compared to the first game, and thanks to the range of available classes and companions, it can result in plenty of chaotic gunfights. Mass Effect 2 continues to be the shining example of a third-person shooter RPG hybrid done right.
1 Gears Of War
Epic Games's Chaotic Classic Is Still As Fun Today As It Was Back When It Released
Gears of War
- Released
- November 7, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
While all the Gears of War games are excellent titles and well worth playing, it's the original that many people look back on so fondly, and it's not hard to see why. Gears of War's dark and moody aesthetic was so immersive that many games in the genre would try to replicate it, but none of them could quite match the eerie atmosphere of that first Gears. Even today, Gear of War's guns still feel immensely satisfying to use, especially the shotgun, which was still far too overpowered for its own good back in the day.
What elevates the whole experience, though, and makes it so much fun to dive into over fifteen years after release, is the fact that the campaign supports co-op. Being able to partake in epic battles against the Locust horde is never not going to be a ton of fun, and while many people have memories of playing this game with friends when it initially launched, it's still just as enjoyable to experience today, whether that be with the original game or the modern remaster.
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