First-person shooter gameshave been around for decades. And while the genre’s creative well seems to run dry every couple of years, somehow, developers manage to keep pushing the envelope one way or another. AAA FPS titles from multi-million dollar companies are really fun to play, as many of them have stunning graphics, well-developed characters, addictive multiplayer lobbies, and story-rich campaigns.
However,their AA counterparts also deserve some love, as they’re typically developed by mid-sized companies with higher budgets than indie developers, but considerably lower than behemoths, like Ubisoft. AA FPS games are often unique, as the studios that make them usually play to their strengths and strive to create something special that makes them stand out. Here are some of thebest AA First-person shooter gameseveryone must play.
Released back in 2011,E.Y.E.: Divine Cybermancyis set in a dystopian cyberpunk-style future, where players will take on the role of a member of E.Y.E, a task force within the mysterious organization Secreta Secretorum. As the organization plots to overthrow the mighty Federation, internal conflicts will arise, leaving the different factions of E.Y.E at war against each other.
E.Y.E.: Divine Cybermancyis lore-richand has a style reminiscent of timeless classics, such asHalf-Life. While the graphics aren’t the best, even for their time, the game delivers a pleasant experience that explores a world carefully designed with care by the developers. The New Eden area, for example, is whatCyberpunk 2077would probably have looked like if it had been released almost a decade earlier, which is a great compliment for an AA game.
6Painkiller: Hell & Damnation
Metascore: 64
One of the most beloved aspects of AA First-person shooter games and the studios that develop them is that sometimes, they can afford not to take themselves too seriously. WhilePainkiller: Hell & Damnationfeels a bit much like aDoomknockoff, Daniel is a likable leading man who will take players on a journey to collect 7000 souls and fight the forces of evil to get his wife back. Is there a more noble cause?
A fan favorite of this title is the Satan Claus boss fight, which will keep players on their toes and is one of the game’s high points. After all, what’s more epic than fighting a monster Santa Claus in a Christmas-themed arena while a metal version of Jingle Bells plays in the background?
5Hard Reset Redux
Metascore: 67
For players who likefuturistic environments and FPS gamesset in dystopian cyberpunk societies,Hard Reset Reduxis a must-play. This title is set in a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction, with the city of Bezoar being its last stronghold. Major Fletcher, a soldier from C.L.N., is the only thing standing between the machines and The Sanctuary.
While the overall boss count falls a bit on the shorter side, each one poses a fun challenge that will have players rethink their strategy every time. In terms of duration,Hard Reset Reduxisn’t the longest game out there, but for players who want 100% completion, it will provide around 14 hours of fun.
With the impending release of its sequel in the near future, it seems only fair to includeKilling Floor 2in this list. Developed byTripwire Interactive, this title will have players exploring mainland Europe, which has been overrun by monstrous clones called “ZEDs” that originated from a failed experiment by Horzine Biotech. The game hasa wide variety of powerful weapons, such as the FAMAS Masterkey, and the Stoner 63A LMG, which can be great for decimating enemy waves in an instant.
Unfortunately, likeHard Reset Redux,Killing Floor 2also has a shortage of bosses, but with some being as terrifying and challenging as Doctor Hans Volter, quality triumphs over quantity in this case.
Ever since the firstSniper Elitegame was released back in 2005, it was obvious that the franchise had a lot of potential. And for the most part, it has lived up to it. This franchise’s installment is set in 1943 and takes place on the Italian peninsula. Players will once again play as Karl Fairburne, who will join forces with the Italian Resistance to push back Fascists and ensure Allied victory.
Demanding careful stealth tactics, precision aiming, and a strategic approach to dispatching enemies,Sniper Elite 4is arguably a high point in Karl’s history. Witha decent mission listincluding the belovedRegilino Viaduct,and a relatively long completion time for perfectionists, this AA first-person shooter game deserves all the praise it gets.
For anyone wondering what the offspring ofCounter-Strike: Global Offensiveand early-daysCall of Dutygames would look like, all they need to do to find the answer isplayInsurgency: Sandstorm. This game is one of the few on this list that feels more like an AAA title than an AA one, as it has great graphics, amazing weapon handling, and an overall polished look and feel that demands being experienced.
Weapons like the FAL battle rifle are extremely versatile, as they can be used in both long and short-range situations, depending on the scope installed on them. And that’s just one of the many options the game offers players.Insurgency: Sandstormis a great example of how dozens of millions of dollars aren’t always necessary to create a great FPS.
When it comes to taking the look and play styles of several existing titles and combining them into a brand-new one, few have managed to do it as well asShadow Warrior 2.Set 5 years after the events of the first game, this title will put players in the shoes of Lo Wang once again. The antihero now works as a hired sword for the Yakuza and lives on the outskirts of the city controlled by his nemesis, Orochi Zilla. Players must take on several enemies and defeat demonic forces as the game progresses to free the world from evil.
With weapons and environments that look a lot like those inDoom Eternal, and powers reminiscent ofBioshock Infinite’sVigors, this AA First-person shooter title delivers formidable bosses and adrenaline-inducing combat. The King Skeletor Machine Gun, and the Lumberjack’s Caress Chainsaw, are a few examples of Flying Wild Hog’s seemingly endless creativity in weapon design. The voice acting inShadow Warrior 2is also quite good, with supporting characters like Kamiko, who delivers a believable performance that feels neither flat nor exaggerated.
