FPS game that forces you to be good

The central concept of an FPS is to have a large number of enemies blasting/charging at you as you fight back in first person. The games are then confrontational and often very difficult. While some are solo experiences, many revolve around a multiplayer component, and seasoned co-players are the most challenging enemies we'll face in a game. A newcomer to an FPS who ventures online will find themselves demolished in no time if they run into experts in a lobby.

When this happens, or when a single player FPS proves too difficult, you have two choices. You can cut your losses and quit, or you can commit to practice and become endlessly familiar with the mechanics until you become the threat you once feared. While some FPS titles have very long histories, these have hard difficulty curves and will require you to get good in order to compete, or even simply to survive.

6

Doom: The Dark Ages

Mix the old and the new

At its heart, Downfall is one of the simplest and purest concepts in gaming. You know exactly what you're getting into with one Downfall gameplay: Hordes of horrors stand in Doomguy's way, and he sets out to tear them apart. With some backtracking and key card streaks to break up the relentless action, of course. Those who entered Doom: The Dark Ages waiting for another Doom Eternal was, in many ways, very wrong.

From the moment the Slayer is deployed in the region of the demon-ravaged village of Khalim, your weapon is immediately out and the battle is joined. The most important thing, however, is the shield he now carries. Previously, the defense in Downfall The series has only focused on evasion, but now you have a tool to block attacks, parry and Shield Charge, among other neat tricks while the campaign is going on. Without a moment's thought, you're thrown into the deep end, and the number and variety of enemies continuously increases all the way to the end. Practice is key, as this is the most fundamentally different series entry in years, and don't be afraid to lower the difficulty to a comfortable level as you adjust.

5

Overwatch 2

So many heroes, so little time

The interesting thing about fighting games, hero shooters, and other titles with traditionally huge rosters is that most players only engage with a small percentage of them at most. There's a good reason for that, of course: Learning match-ups, perfecting strategies, and mastering the arsenal of each individual character would, for high-level players, be a time sink of impossible proportions. Overwatch 2 has a much larger selection of playable characters than the first title, so it stands to reason that newcomers (and not-so-newcomers) will spend a lot of time trying to adapt to the heroes they play against, how their abilities and ultimates work, and what to do to counter them. There's also the small matter of fulfilling your own role and providing what your team needs.

When everyone is at the same skill level and the matches are close, it's the kind of game that keeps players hooked for hundreds of hours. Getting flattened repeatedly and having terrible stats to show for it, on the other hand, is absolutely deflating. There is a large difficulty curve to learning a game that Overwatch 2but if the genre clicks with you and you stick with it, you'll find yourself improving and having more and more fun.

4

Super Threat: Mind Control Delete

An innovative FPS that takes some getting used to

Super hot was one of the most unique things to happen to the FPS genre in a long time. Its time-manipulating gameplay, where your enemies don't move unless you do, immediately caught the attention of genre fans. However, the question was whether the team could expand on it and not just run it again in the sequel, Super Threat: Mind Control Delete.

This 2020 title added a more involved level structure and more opportunities to customize your character in the form of, as befits the digital theme, hacks. Between stages, for example, the player can “hack their brains” with ricochet.hack, which bounces shots that missed back at enemies, or strtkatana.hack, which gives instant access to a katana at the start of a stage. Combined with the more influential cores, the player can create an efficient build, reducing some of the repetition that could be introduced with the first title. Like the original, the game also has a way of disorienting even FPS veterans, meaning it takes patient practice and engagement with its quirks to beat the tricky levels.

3

The escape from Tarkov

You can escape Tarkov now, but few ever will

Part of the industry's appeal is that there is something for every taste and mood. If you're looking to play something with simple, minimalist mechanics, you'll be well catered for across a range of genres. If you prefer an in-depth, realistic and difficult experience, the incredibly punishing The escape from Tarkov is a title that suits you perfectly.

For newcomers, there are few more dangerous environments in video games than being dropped onto a huge map and searching for supplies among a group of others. This is no Fortnitehowever: There are additional issues with dealing with any damage you may also suffer, beyond finding the essential resources. The game's raids are brutal and almost incomprehensible before learning the ropes, with no handy HUD showing your remaining ammo, map or other details that fans are used to relying on in the genre. It's a very hostile environment, which of course was the developer's intention, and you have to get extremely good to hold your own.

2

Cruelty Squad

A wonderfully bizarre, frenetic adventure

The genre has had its share of repetitive settings and copycat releases that emulate the likes of Call of Duty. What we haven't seen very often is a title that is willing to defy convention, to confidently convey its message, and to simply let the player experiment with what they can and can't do. It is Cruelty Squadgreatest strength.

The player takes on the role of an assassin from the Cruelty Squad, who tries to seek out his new targets in a world he is becoming increasingly disillusioned with. So is everyone else, judging by their distinctly dystopian dialogue. The bleakness of the game's world is reflected in some pretty terrifying visuals, not to mention the chaotic design of the stages. Players will need to utilize every movement strategy possible to progress, with countless opportunities for failure. There is nothing else quite like it Cruelty Squadbut it is best enjoyed by those who remember the classic FPS title creations like rocket jumping and feverishly practiced them.

1

Apex Legends

To be a legend you have to put in the time

Apex Legends, even if it takes the battle royale route, it's a title very much in the vein of Overwatch 2. There are nearly 30 playable characters in Respawn's shooter, between the Recon, Skirmisher, Assault, Controller and Support classes. Fans have all the characters they just seem to click with and the ones they don't, so they can stick with them, as mentioned. Here, however, team play is perhaps even more critical, and maneuverability is emphasized in the level design and character movements. More freedom in map traversal is a big plus as well, and something that has been established Apex Legends as a title that took the battle royale trend in its own direction.

However, this means that there is an extra layer of strategy to consider, and not learning how to use it leaves a player at a huge disadvantage. As with anything else, be patient and stick with it and you'll be plodding around the battlefield with confidence. That's what getting good is all about, and this is a great co-op title to get into if you're looking for one.