
First-person shooters embody fun action gameplay, a type of gaming that is up most people’s alley. The idea of shooting down waves of enemies using an array of explosive weapons simply never ceases to be tiring for most fans of the genre.
The marketing hype train can become incredibly strong for games that end up capturing mainstream attention with their previews. While some games fail to live up to this hype in this regard, others justify this marketing investment. For those looking to check out such titles, here are some of the best FPS games that lived up to the hype.
Battlefield 1‘s previews came at a time when gamers had grown tired of futuristic settings in their favorite FPS games. Infinite Warfare‘s reveal was derided, allowing the World War 1 setting of the newest Battlefield game to take over the mainstream.
The game’s incredible gameplay and compelling setting ensured that Battlefield 1 would leave a lasting impression on players. The campaign may be a bit too short for most people’s liking, but the rest of the package is solid.
The idea of Ken Levine working on another BioShock game was music to the ears of countless fans who loved the first game and missed Levine’s direction in the sequel. This was more than enough to kickstart the marketing hype train for BioShock Infinite.
Upon release, the game shattered all expectations, quickly becoming one of the greatest video games of all time in the eyes of many. While some retrospective reviews have highlighted the game’s many plot holes, there’s no denying that Infinite was a major sensation back in the day that many players simply couldn’t get enough of.
The Metro series has slowly but surely attracted its fair share of players, with many loving this title’s post-apocalyptic gameplay. This ensured that the announcement of Metro Exodus would generate a ton of hype, although some fans were worried about the shift to an open world.
Metro Exodus silenced all its would-be critics when it launched, letting players enjoy a mix of tense linear levels in between the open-world exploration. It made for a magical experience, helping the title stand out as one of the most immersive FPS games that fans of the genre can get their hands on.
It’s only a given that the announcement of a new entry in the beloved Half-Life series would generate a ton of hype. Fans with VR headsets (especially those that shelled out the big bucks for Valve Index) rejoiced at the idea of playing what they expected to be the best VR game in quite some time.
Half-Life: Alyx didn’t disappoint, allowing players to enjoy one of the best VR titles of all time. The amazing Gravity Gloves felt perfect in VR, permitting players to use creative resources in order to take out the Combine and other foes that appeared in this excellent title.
For an old-school series that had seemingly been forgotten, many fans still remember just how hyped they were when Doom was staging a massive comeback. The previews looked great, and the promise of channeling the energy of boomer shooters enticed many fans.
When 2016’s Doom came out, the majority of fans were floored by the satisfaction of the game’s shooting, its glory kills, and the game’s narrative, which was perfectly in line with Doom‘s approach without being too heavy-handed. It made for a game so incredible that the sequels haven’t lived up to the impact of this FPS in the eyes of many.
Valve is a master of developing quality video games that spawn massive communities, and Left 4 Dead is no exception. This co-op shooter was a blast to play, and it’s easy to see why so many fans were hyped for the sequel.
Left 4 Dead 2 didn’t disappoint, featuring a greater variety of special infected, tightened combat mechanics, and pulse-pounding gameplay that. Most people will argue that this game doesn’t even need a sequel, although the idea of a Left 4 Dead 3 isn’t the worst thing.
Halo: Combat Evolved was the start of something special. Fans fell in love with this title’s amazing world-building and fun combat, with the act of taking on the Covenant and the Flood proving to be a truly unforgettable blast.
As such, it’s easy to see why the hype train for Halo 2 was chugging along at a breakneck pace, and fans were elated when they finally got their hands on the final product. Everything from the multiplayer mode to the set-pieces of the campaign was great, and the only minor negative was the cliffhanger ending, but this downside isn’t enough to mar the overall beautiful experience that Halo 2 offers.
It’s only a given that a sequel to one of the most groundbreaking FPS games of all time would be hyped to kingdom come. Half-Life 2 had a massive task ahead of itself, leaving many to wonder how this title would justify its position as a sequel and live up to the legacy of the original.
The introduction of the Combine, an amazing physics system that was highlighted with the Gravity Gun, and some memorable levels ensures that Half-Life 2 will leave a lasting impression on the minds of many. The title is in a class of its own, with Gordon Freeman’s adventures being so riveting that new fans will join the chorus of voices demanding a Half-Life 3 to let them enjoy more of what this universe has to offer.