The First-Person Shooter (FPS) genre has evolved dramatically since its early days. From tactical teamwork to pushing boundaries in graphics, innovation, gameplay, and storytelling, these first-person shooters have made their mark on the genre. Whether you’re new to the scene or a seasoned player, these are titles worth knowing.
Doom (1993)
Core Mechanics: Fast-paced, visceral combat against hordes of demons, navigating maze-like levels to find keys and exits. Movement is king, with an emphasis on dodging projectiles and circle-strafing.
Why It’s Iconic: Doom popularised the FPS genre, establishing the “run and gun” mentality and setting the standard for immersive 3D environments. Doom popularised the “deathmatch,” a player-vs-player mode where players compete to get the most kills. This mode became a core component of competitive FPS gaming and directly influenced later multiplayer titles.
Quake (1996)
Core Mechanics: 3D environments allowing for fast-paced combat, varied weapon pickups, and fundamental movement techniques like “rocket jumping,” using explosive weapons to launch oneself and “strafe-jumping,” a technique combining keyboard inputs and mouse movement to build momentum and speed.
Why It’s Iconic: Pushed the boundaries of real-time 3D graphics and became the benchmark for competitive online multiplayer. Its powerful engine and modding capabilities spawned a massive community. It was a significant force in the early development of esports.
Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)
Core Mechanics: Regenerating shields, a two-weapon limit, fluid movement, and groundbreaking vehicle combat integrated into large-scale battles. Its controls were optimised for console controllers.
Why It’s Iconic: The definitive console FPS experience. It proved that shooters could thrive beyond PC, popularised regenerating health/shields, and set a high bar for immersive sci-fi narratives and local multiplayer. It was a major driver of early console esports.
Counter-Strike 1.6 (2003)
Core Mechanics: A round-based tactical combat game between two teams (Terrorists vs. Counter-Terrorists), focusing on objectives like bomb defusal or hostage rescue. Features precise, unforgiving gunplay and an economic system to buy weapons each round.
Why It’s Iconic: Solidified the competitive tactical FPS as a distinct genre. Its depth allowed skilled players to rise far above beginners, its emphasis on teamwork and strategic depth set the blueprint for countless tactical shooters. It was the undisputed king of PC esports for many years, establishing the format and community for professional FPS tournaments.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
Core Mechanics: Grounded modern military combat, highly cinematic single-player campaigns, and a revolutionary multiplayer progression system with perks, killstreaks, and persistent unlocks.
Why It’s Iconic: Its progression system became the industry standard, and its polished gunplay and dramatic storytelling set new benchmarks for cinematic shooters. It was very popular in competitive play and influenced how many approach competitive ladder systems.
Team Fortress 2 (2007)
Core Mechanics: Class-based FPS with nine distinct roles like Medic, Spy, or Engineer. Emphasis is on team coordination and completing objectives such as payload or control points.
Why It’s Iconic: Pioneered the modern class-based shooter and proved the viability of a cartoonish, character-driven FPS. Its hugely influential free-to-play model, driven by cosmetic items, changed the game industry.
Rainbow Six Siege (2015)
Core Mechanics: A tactical 5v5 shooter focused on destruction, gadgets, and close-quarters combat. Featuring unique “Operators” with special abilities and highly destructible environments must outplay each other using intel, traps, and verticality.
Why It’s Iconic: Siege rewards patience, communication, and map knowledge. The destructible environments and unique operators create endless strategic possibilities. With a strong esports presence and a loyal player base, it is a thinking person’s shooter.
Overwatch 1 (2016)
Core Mechanics: A vibrant “hero shooter” with diverse characters, each having unique weapons, abilities, and game-changing ultimate powers. Focuses on objective control and strategic team composition across distinct roles.
Why It’s Iconic: Heavily influenced by Team Fortress 2, it refined and popularised the hero shooter genre. It brought accessible gameplay, unique characters, and an emphasis on team synergy to a mainstream audience, winning Game of the Year. It was a monumental esports title, launching the Overwatch League in 2017. It was a monumental esports title, launching the Overwatch League in 2017 and building a dedicated global competitive ecosystem.
Titanfall 2 (2016)
Core Mechanics: Fast-paced “Pilot” parkour (wall-running, double-jumping, sliding) seamlessly integrated with combat inside powerful “Titan” mechs. Features a unique blend of infantry and vehicular warfare.
Why It’s Iconic: Mastered the art of fluid movement in FPS, setting a new standard for player mobility. Its single-player campaign is widely considered a masterpiece of innovative level design, demonstrating unparalleled creativity in FPS storytelling.
Destiny 2 (2017)
Core Mechanics: A hybrid of FPS and MMO with a focus on looting, character builds, space magic, and epic-scale PvE alongside competitive PvP modes like Crucible and Trials.
Why It’s Iconic: Solidified the “shared-world shooter” and “looter-shooter” subgenres, demonstrating how an FPS could successfully integrate MMO-like progression, social hubs, and an addictive grind for gear into a cohesive, long-term experience.
