This generation’s gaming library is constantly filling up with numerous new titles for players to experience. Through the magic of backward compatibility and re-releases, the PS5 and Xbox Series X started off their lives with a wealth of classic titles in their libraries. Among these are a plethora of retro first-person shooters that players can boot up on their new consoles.
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Most of the following games are bona-fide classics, though one is a newer game with a retro aesthetic. A few are straight-up ports with almost no new bells and whistles added, but a couple of have gone above and beyond to create the definitive version of the classic. It’s time for a trip down gaming’s memory lane.
8Doom
Doom’srelevance will never fade, but it has been especially vital to the modern gaming landscape since the 2016 reboot. Fortunately, the entire series is available to play on both PS4 and PS5 thanks to the re-releases developed by Nightdive Studios. The original trilogy came out separately, whileDoom 64was re-released alongsideDoom Eternal.
The first two games are timeless classics, whileDoom 3’shorror approach turned off some fans. Players should not ignoreDoom 64, either, since it is arguably on par withDoom 1and2in terms of classic FPS action.
7Quake
Id’s next game afterDoomis just as important to the FPS canon.Quakeinnovated and improved on the FPS genre with its 3D visuals and focus on movement as a part of gameplay. The remaster came out in August of 2021, and surprised everyone with its announcement and release.
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The quality of the remaster, also done by Nightdive Studios, received particular praise. The remaster also comes withfull online multiplayer support.The action inQuakeis not as hectic as inDoom, but it makes up for it with the creative level design and unique monsters.
6Red Faction
TheRed Factionfranchise might not be ubiquitously known as an FPS, but it started its life as one. These days,Red Faction: Guerrillamight be the most well-known entry, anopen-world third-person shooterwith a focus on destructible environments.
The first game in the series still takes place on Mars, but is a linear first-person shooter. However, there is still a focus on destroying the environments around the protagonist. The game holds up well and makes players wish thenext game in the franchise would return to the series' FPS roots.
5Serious Sam
This first-person series knows exactly what it isand does not try for anything different. The controls and levels are simple, butSerious Samprides itself on the sheer amount of enemies and destruction it can throw at players.
It is especially fun to go through these games with buddies.Serious Sam Collectionincludes the first three games. Like many FPS games from the 90s and early 2000s, it involves an adventure full of time travel and aliens.
4Star Wars: Republic Commando
Star Wars: Republic Commandoshows fans the world of the legendary franchise through the eyes of a clone trooperduring the Clone Wars. It is a traditional tactical first-person shooter, so don’t expect to engage with any force powers.
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When it came out in 2005, the game was exclusive to Xbox and Windows. The 2021 re-release put it on the PS4 and Nintendo Switch. There was a sequel in development, but it was canceled before the project got off the ground.
3Duke Nukem 3D
Duke Nukemhas been out of the spotlight for a long time. The most recent entry in the franchise, 2011’sDuke Nukem Foreverwas in development limbo and actually canceled beforeGearbox Softwarerevived it.Unfortunately, it received poor reviews and potentially doomed the series forever.
However, players should not ignore the third entry in the series,Duke Nukem 3D.Even if the aesthetic turns the player away, they should still jump in for the creative level design. Even ifDuke Nukemnever makes a proper return,Duke Nukem 3Dwill always remain one of the most celebrated games of the 1990s.
2Ion Fury
In this day and age, some new games seek torecapture an older aesthetic and feel.Ion Furyaims to look like it was from the 1990s. It even goes so far as to utilize the Build Engine, which powers classics likePowerslave, Duke Nukem 3D, and Shadow Warrior.
It is also a prequel to a previous game from publisher 3D Realms calledBombshell.The game was originally calledIon Maiden,until a lawsuit from the band Iron Maiden forced the developer to change the title. The game is more than just nostalgia; it actually received solid reviews from critics. As if being on the same engine is not enough to connect it toDuke Nukem, Jon St John, the voice actor for Duke, plays a role in the title.
1Turok
GoldenEyeandPerfect Darkare not the onlyiconic FPS games for the N64.Turokcame out before both of them and was celebrated as a great console FPS that felt great on the N64. Plugging in an N64 now and popping theTurokcartridge in reveals a lot of technical limitations, however.
Fortunately, Nightdive Studios did a lovely remaster of the first two games and released them for modern consoles. The new versions clean up the graphics significantly and make the first two games more enjoyable to play than ever.It doesn’t look like there are any plans to bringTurok 3back, but most agree that is a significantly weaker entry in the series. Many fans are perfectly happy enjoying the first two games.
