Summary

First-person shooters are some of the most high-octane and engaging action games players can check out if they want to mow enemies down with a wealth of powerful weaponry. Nailing this formula is easier said than done, with developers having to ensure that every weapon feels unique and fun to use. For a new developer to tackle the genre for their first title is certainly a bold choice.

So, it’s always nice to see certain developers hit the ground running with these games and establish a name for themselves in the gaming industry. There are many amazing video games in this genre that players can check out if they want to witness the first-ever title their favorite developers made, letting them enjoy some fast-paced FPS gameplay that’s an absolute treat to engage with.

A creature attacking a player wielding a crowbar in a hallway in Half-Life

Pretty much everyone even remotely familiar with gamingknows whatHalf-Lifeis all about. Gordon Freeman’s action-packed adventure to escape Black Mesa after the creatures from Xen take over the facility makes for a great time, with Valve developing a cinematic FPS game that was ahead of its time and shaped the gaming landscape for the better.

Featuring a wealth of familiar and unique weaponry along with some tight shooting arenas that force players to utilize every weapon in their arsenal, it’s easy to see whyHalf-Lifegarnered so many fans and turned Valve into a household name. This title served as a stepping stone for the company to move on to bigger and better things, becoming one of the biggest video game companies of all time with their smart investments across multiple fronts in both software and hardware.

titanfall-original-shut-down

Respawn Entertainment is currently under EA’s wing, developing everything from thehit hero shooterApex Legendsto theStar Warsgames starring Cal Kestis. However, the first game this studio released after being formed is a title a lot of people are familiar with —Titanfall. While the lack of a single-player mode and dearth of content in the early going irritated fans who jumped into this title at launch, the game slowly made up ground and let players enjoy some of the best movement mechanics in an FPS for quite some time.

The sheer skill that players could exhibit inTitanfallafter mastering the movement mechanics and understanding which guns were perfect for their playstyle madeTitanfalla blast to play through. This title set the groundwork for a sequel that would be a huge improvement in every way, featuring an emotionally charged story that didn’t overstay its welcome coupled with a wealth of amazing improvements that made the shooting and movement more satisfying than ever before.

Image fom a Half-Life “Black Mesa” remake showing the main office complex.

Crowbar Collective is a studio that was formed with the sole purpose of modernizing one of the greatest first-person shooters ever made. Valve was clearly impressed by these developers and gave them all the time in the world to remake and polishHalf-Life, with the result being nothing short of spectacular. Featuring extended levels, new enemies, and a rework of the game’s much-maligned Xen levels, it’s easy to see why fans loved whatBlack Mesabrought to the table.

The gunplay was stronger than ever before and made this title a blast from start to end. The extension of Xen was amazing and let players immerse themselves in this alien world, getting a much-needed glimpse of life on this planet and the forces at play that manipulated the poor Vortigaunts to succumb to their will. Both old and new fans will love what Crowbar Collective has done here, letting them enjoy a spruced-up version of a legendary FPS that knows no equal (barring its sequel, that is).

metro 2033 redux

TheMetrotrilogy features some of the toughest and most nerve-wracking games that players can check out.The first game in the series,Metro 2033, happens to be the debut title developed by 4A Games, letting players place themselves in the shoes of Artyom, a person living in the Metro tunnels of Moscow following the advent of the nuclear apocalypse.

Players must deal with both human and mutant enemies while wearing a gas mask that protects them from radiation in certain affected areas. The combat in this game can be downright brutal at times, and players must try to avoid unnecessary damage if they don’t want their gas mask to break and leave them exposed to the elements. With its horror atmosphere and amazing level design, it’s easy to see why many critics and fans alike consideredMetro 2033to be a strong debut title for the studio.

Ninja stars are thrown at red nondescript people coming toward the camera with weapons

The idea of combining puzzle gameplay with first-person shooter gameplay is something that could’ve only happened with the rise of indie gaming. This is a huge reason whySuperhotbecame such a resounding success, with the eponymous team at the helm of this project developing a short yet rewarding experience that’s as engaging as they come.

With its unique story and excellent gameplay, it’s easy to see whySuperhotbecame such an indie gaming phenomenon. For their first title, the Superhot Team did an excellent job, with the VR version making the most of this immersive medium to let players enjoy a great time as they shoot and smash their way through enemies by putting themselves in the center of the action.