Iconic FPS games that still play well

FPS game has seen many changes over the years. The graphics have become more realistic, the gameplay has been accelerated and the entire genre has moved away from previous conventions, all in the name of innovation and progress. But as amazing as the modern landscape is, sometimes it's nice to turn back the clock and return to it classics, many of which still hold surprisingly good today.

Not all games manage to have that timeless appeal, with some suffering from outdated mechanics or styles that can make replaying them feel more like a chore than a joy. Nevertheless, there are still quite a few icons that not only defined the genre in their time, but have also stood the test of time and continue to impress players worldwide even decades after their initial release.

BioShock

A timeless story with timeless gunplay

• Satisfying abilities and combos.

• Heavy gunplay that fits the flow of the story.

BioShock has consistently ranked near the top of many people's FPS lists, and it's held onto its podium over a decade since its release. Deep beneath the waves, you're treated to a terrifying yet enticing adventure full of steampunk goodness and a healthy dose of magic, complemented by a surprisingly satisfying gunplay loop that feels as good as ever.

My two playthroughs were years apart, but somehow I feel like my last few sessions were actually more fun. Even though you don't have any crazy movement abilities or super-fast encounters, you're still put through the wringer and pushed to the limit. The world of linear FPS games has become more contested over time, yet BioShock leftovers a fantastic example of how to get the formula just right.

Half-Life 2

Physics is king

• Classic Valve game.

• The physics engine drives much of the combat.

Valve is virtually incapable of making a bad game, and even though it's been a while since they've released a single-player title, even their early work feels great to play. Half-Life 2 is among their oldest creations, but age has never been a problem for the game, thanks to the incredible physics engine and perfect level design that continues to surprise you all the way to the finish line.

Playing on my Steam deck felt like the most appropriate way to replay Half-Life 2and no matter how far into the game I got, there was always another curve in the way that kept the momentum from ever slowing down. It has a responsive feel to more modern shooters, with an older but timeless aesthetic that effortlessly captures the oppressive atmosphere of the universe and the history within it.

DOOM (1993)

Who needs sequels anyway?

Details:

• Staple FPS design

• Mobility and goal setting dominate

The original DOWNFALL established many of the foundations that first-person shooters still use today, and somehow many of these game concepts continue to hit just as hard in their original form. The mix of speed, aggression and maze-like levels created an experience unlike anything seen at the time, and the game's simple controls and instant responsiveness make it easy to jump in even for modern audiences.

I think what does DOWNFALL and the rest of the early franchise so timeless is its focus on pure play. No long cutscenes or complex progression systems stand between you and the action, just a carefully crafted combat sandbox filled with secrets and relentless action that proves the power of a game-first design approach.

Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Exceptional then, a masterpiece now

• Incredible film campaign.

• Grounded and floating multiplayer matches.

When people discuss the best Call of Duty games, you rarely hear a name other than that Modern warfare take the top spot. For starters, it fundamentally transformed the military shooter genre by moving away from World War II and embracing a contemporary setting, bringing with it a campaign filled with dramatic backdrops and a multiplayer mode that developers still point to several console generations later.

The game's core mechanics also deserve a lot of credit for its longevity. Everything from the responsiveness of the weapons to the smoothness of movement contributes to the timeless nature of the experience. I have followed the COD franchise practically since the beginning, and having played through almost every release under the sun, I would still put Modern warfare among the best in the series.

Halo: Combat Evolved

To define an entire generation

• Groundbreaking early PvP gunplay.

• The poster child for LAN parties.

Halo helped prove that first-person shooters could thrive on consoles and that multiplayer games were about to become the next big craze. Selling Xbox consoles with its name alone, the game delivered on the promise of a sci-fi shooter that you could actually feel a part of, from the campaign missions to the amazing PvP that has long been hailed as one of the best of all time.

I think a lot of the game's lasting appeal comes from the enemy AI and the lack of scripted encounters in the missions. You are always forced to adapt instead of just shooting at targets. For that reason alone, there are always reasons to come back and play, even more so if you have an eager group of mates ready to kick back some friendly competition.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon

Tactics that actually matter

• Realistic and tense gameplay.

• Strategic team management adds depth rarely seen today.

Ghost Recon took a very different approach to many of his contemporaries. Instead of focusing on quick action and quick feedback, it emphasized planning and teamwork, which requires much more care in decision-making, as a single mistake can end an operation in seconds.

Compared to modern shooters that often prioritize spectacle, I much prefer the more coordinated nature of the game, which feels genuinely rewarding to learn and master across a range of missions. For gamers looking for a more methodical FPS experience, few classics have aged as well as Ghost Reconwith the game showing the height of potential for a more strategic style in an otherwise action-heavy market.

Counter-Strike

Revered all these years later

• Amazing map designs that are still in CS2.

• Strategic rifle that rewards precision.

Counter-Strike has gone through so many iterations in its lifetime, but it doesn't matter how many updates or changes the IP receives; many players still cite 1.6 as the best of all time. The concept of two teams pitted against each other in objective-based rounds governed by an economic system seems simple, but that simplicity has endured countless genre shifts and industry movements, well into the 2020s.

What I value most about the game is its reliance on player skill. You are not rewarded for mindlessly running around the map, but powered by your mechanics and game knowledge. This makes matches more exciting overall, as only the best and brightest players come out on top and carry their team to victory.