10 FPS Games That Ruined Every Other FPS

23.03.2024 - 17:47 / screenrant.com / Stephen Tang

The FPS genre is one of gaming's biggest and oldest. As a result, there have been many FPS titles throughout the decades, from the id Software giants, which started the genre back in the 90s, to the modern-day behemoths such as and Like with any genre in gaming, there are those that stand out above the others. In a market as saturated as the FPS genre, they have to or be lost to time as just another shooter with little to offer.

Thanks to how long FPSs have been around, many landmark titles are known to push the genre forward in ways their contemporaries were unable to compete with, whether that be due to presentation, mechanics, or storytelling. Some titles revolutionized the online, competitive scene of FPSs, while others gave gamers an experience so profound that they are talked about to this day. This genre is a gold mine that continues to be dug, even as the games industry leaps forward into a new generation.

To this day, many concede that is one of the greatest games to have ever been made. Although the story telling is superb and the gameplay is polished, the presentation of the game, down to its animations, atmosphere and technical brilliance, placed it far beyond its competition. It even surpassed its prequel,, despite it being as revolutionary as its successor.

What made Valve's gem stand out so much was its physics. In 2004, the physics of the Source engine had never been seen before, making it a technical marvel of its time. Its innovation pushed the entire games industry forward to the point where is considered a legend among gamers. The never-ending wait for a sequel that may never be, has become an inside joke in the fandom, although if it were ever to be made, it would have impossible standards to live up to.

was episodic. Although it was first released in 2004, the last episode was released in 2007. A third episode was canceled by Valve.

is considered to be the father of the FPS genre. Every similar game released around the same time was compared to id Software's brainchild and given the moniker of "," which included some well-known titles such as. Many of these clones utilized the Doom Engine, and because of the game's immense popularity in the 90s, many FPSs were inspired by elements in the title.

Although not the first FPS, sheer popularity convinced many that it was, as it dominated the gaming market despite its visceral gore. At the time, the quick, intense gameplay and sense of embodied movement, which became staples of the FPS genre, were rarely seen. This tight gameplay loop was enough to carry a franchise to endure to this day, with their latest release,, being a critical and commercial success.

better known as gripped the FPS player base back in 2012 and has yet to let go.