Monday, September 1, 2008

GP & VFH's Top 10 First Person Shooters


Time for us to tackle what is arguably the most popular genre of this generation. Thats right, the First-Person Shooters. The genre has changed and evolved unlike any other in the last decade and is home to some of the best games out there. From the megaton's like Halo and Half-Life, to classics like Doom and 007. This is the Top Ten.

10. Doom 3 (PC, Xbox)
Unlike Unreal, Doom 3 made it on our list because of it's awesome single player mode. Doom 3 brought up one of the biggest questions in gaming history. “Why can't this guy hold a flashlight and a gun, at the same time?”. Indeed, the question has stumped the gaming community for ages. Don't think that Doom isn't a good game though. It was a mix of fun, and spooky. The damned zombies and aliens seem to jam themselves in the most unexpected places. Sometimes, it seems like they just come out of the thin air. The game has its fair share of weapons, and some pretty gruesome boss battles. And lets not forget how good the graphics are, especially for the game being so old. Simply put, Doom 3 snagged our final spot on GP and VFH's top 10 FPS list.
-Wade

9. 007: Agent Under Fire (PS2, GCN, Xbox)
That's right little kiddies. We chose Agent Under Fire, instead of Goldeneye. One of the biggest reasons that Agent Under Fire is better than Goldeneye, is because you can use the grappling gadget. Flying around the map, like Spiderman with a gun, kept me and my friends entertained for hours on end. The jetpack was also a very nice addition to the game. The single player mode of Agent Under Fire was...average, at best. But, honestly, I didn't think Goldeneye's single player was any better. Whether or not you like our choice, 007: Agent Under Fire, took the nine spot for the best First Person Shooters, of all time.
-Wade

8. Timesplitters 2 (PS2, GCN, Xbox)
Timesplitters 2 is one of the few FPS around that still has a sense of humor, and a classic feel to it. For this reason alone it could have been considered for the top 10, but a fun co-op story mode, and crazy entertaining versus modes ensure this a spot on the top.
-Nick

7. Counter-Strike (PC)
Counterstrike is one of the many amazing games from Valve, thus it's no surprise it's on the list. The CounterStrike series has been on the leading edge of competitive gaming since it hit the mainstream. Taking the theoretical “user created torch” from the quake series, Counterstrike is full of user created maps, and sounds. Not to mention genius ideas. There is plenty of room for play and work here, and CS utilizes both aspects to their fullest.
-Nick

6. Unreal Tournament 2004 (PC)
I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride. Now, at first glance, you might think that what I just stated, has nothing to do with Unreal Tournament, but I assure you, it does. And the first person to tell me what it has to do with the game, will win a fabulous prize! Anywho, onward to the ramble! Unreal Tournament is a great game, basically for it's multiplayer. The thing that I like the most about Unreal, is the variety of weapons and vehicles it has. If you've played the game, then you know that it doesn't have your average fps weapons. Between, the Redeemer (which is pretty much a miniature nuke), the Lightning Gun (self explanatory), and the Mine Layer (shoots out mines, that crawl like spiders, and seek out the enemy), Unreal has a arsenal full of kick ass alien/futuristic weaponry. Basically, Unreal took the six spot, because of its bad ass multiplayer mode.
-Wade

5. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii)
Whether you like the Wii, or despise it, you have to admit, Metroid Prime 3 is a good game. Not to mention that, falling down a tube. While avoiding obstacles. And fighting a gigantic dragon that shoots laser beams at you, is the way a game should be started. Not that we should expect any less from this franchise, Metroid has always had some insane boss battles. The graphics of the game are on the up-side of what we have seen on the Wii, thus far, possibly the best looking Wii game yet. There are also plenty of super duper power-ups to find! Some old, some new, but you can be sure that all of them will play a big part in this game. One of the negative things, is the lack of multiplayer. Metroid Prime 2, might not have had the best multiplayer, but it was not bad either. In any case, they could have given it a shot, and at least improved the multiplayer. There are plenty of reasons that Metroid Prime 3, is the prime (yea, I went there) candidate for our number five spot.
-Wade

4. Bioshock (PC, 360)
One of the best FPS I've played in a long time, Bioshock is truly a experience. The out of the ordinary art style, story, and even themes make this unforgettable and truly atmospheric. The city of rapture is a beautiful backdrop for the wild ride that is Bioshock. Never before has a FPS been able to captivate me so much, as did this one, with the interesting surroundings, subtle and not so subtle story elements, and the all too iconic Big Daddy. The mix of action, thrills, story, interesting imagery, and very memorable scenes make this a perfect candidate for our top 10. I can honestly say that I will never forget the time I jumped out of a vent just to beat one of the crazy girls down with a wrench. Oh so entertaining.
-Nick

3. Half-Life 2 (PC, Xbox)
One of the most critically acclaimed FPS of all time, Half-Life 2 has earned its way into the top 3. With amazing physics that really bring the world to life like no other game, along with very diverse, believable and likable characters, the game is nothing less than a masterpiece. The game throws the most epic moments at you one after another like its nothing and continues to impress the entire way through. But even if none of the captivating storyline or interesting environments aren't enough to keep you playing, the always entertaining rag-doll physics will. You cannot beat watching your enemies limp body plummet from a tower. You just cannot.
-Nick

2. Halo 3 (360)
Poor, poor Halo 3. It lost the number 1 spot because of a small little tic-tac-toe match. But, that doesn't mean that Halo 3 was bad game. Not by a long shot. It was a step up from the second game, for sure. Now that it included equipment to use in battle (bubble shield, power drainer, etc.), new weapons, new maps, and new game types. There is no doubt that Halo 3 was above the 2nd game in the series. Halo 3 was everything it was made out to be. The ability to make your own maps was a big addition. As well as being able to record game footage (something that Halo 2 definitely needed). Bungie seems to be working harder as well, changing up the maps every now and then, and having already added seven new maps. The only thing that seems to be wrong with Halo 3, is the increasing number of noobs found during online play (it truly is annoying). Aside from that, Halo 3 is the perfect game for the number 2 spot.
-Wade

1. Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PC, 360, PS3)
Yes, thats right, Call of Duty beat out all the Halos. Why? Well technically because I beat wade in tic-tac-toe. But seriously, the multiplayer just kicks Halos ass. There are none of those crazy “noob” weapons that just ruin the game for everyone and make it a “get the __ first!” fest. Call of Duty is all about what FPS should be about, killing friends and strangers alike. But what makes this all the more sweet is a small feature that makes a big difference. The ability for your bullets to penetrate certain walls. You do not know the meaning of satisfaction until you shoot down that nasty little sniper through his safe little wall who had thought he was safe. The leveling up and achievements and perks and new guns and customizable classes just make the addictive nature of the gameplay ten fold. Why play one insanely fun match when you can play 10 and get a new rifle? I'll tell you why. There is no reason why. So you play more. Oh wait... did I mention the single player? Because that NEEDS to be mentioned. For a game seemingly so focused on multiplayer, the single player mode is just fantastic. Brilliant at times. Whether its the breathtaking sniper mission which feels as if taken straight from a war movie, the action packed epilogue which is just loads of fun to try and beat on Vet difficulty, or the countless jaw dropping moments throughout the game from the very beginning to the end, Call of Duty 4 is just a real piece of work that any gamer would be proud to own.
-Nick

Honorable Mentions: Perfect Dark (N64), Quake (PC), Wolfenstein 3D (PC), F.E.A.R. (PC)

Posted in collaboration with: GamersPlatform

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