FPS Rantings

Must have FPS games

by Matt on December 21st, 2006

As the Christmas season looms (Holiday if you want to be politically correct) people are always curious as to what games they should get for the gamer in their life. Sadly, if your special someone is like me they already own most of the good games and this list is kinda of moot, but if not, then hopefully you’ll be able to get them a game they’ll enjoy. I’ve had far too many Christmas’ where I was given games as gifts and I was like “WTF is this?”. Of course I said that internally and made a big show of “YEAH!! I ALWAYS WANTED THIS ONE” to the person who gave it to me.

Anyhow, enough yammering and on to the list. I hope that since this is FPS Rantings you’d realize that these are all shooters and if you’re not here for those then you should look elsewhere for your gift giving ideas.

The List:
• FEAR (PC)(360)
o FEAR EP(PC)
• Half Life 2(PC)
o Half Life 2:Episode 1(PC)
• Prey(PC)
• Call of Duty 3(360)
• Gears of War(360)

These following games are not out yet but they are definite pickups when they come out. So think of them as belated Christmas gifts.

• Crysis(PC)
• Unreal Tournament 2007(PC)
• Bioshock(PC)
• Half Life 2:Episode 2(PC)
o Portal(PC)
o Team Fortress 2 (PC)
• Halo 3(360)

Okay so let’s go over the list. That way you know what you’re getting into.
First off we have FEAR and it’s expansion pack, FEAR Extraction Point. You’ll notice the different little symbol thing to denote that FEAR EP is part of something else. If not then pretend you do and I’ll continue on.

You’re part of an elite group who investigates a military outbreak with some paranormal tie-ins. With some of the most brutal close quarters combat and a creepy little girl in a red dress scaring the crap out of you, you’ll be glad you’re spending the holidays with loved ones close by.
Good times. Extraction Point picks up where FEAR left off so naturally it’s also a pick up.

Half Life 2. The big sequel to the first Half Life, arguably one of the biggest FPS games of all time. At least, on a list of the top 5. This game continues the story and ramps up the gameplay a few notches.

The player again picks up the crowbar of research scientist Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, its resources depleted, its populace dwindling. Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa. And a lot of people people he cares about are counting on him.

Prey: This was an old game design/concept that finally saw the light of day and really took hold with it’s portals and gravity defying gameplay. It was enough at times to make you sick, but you kept pushing forward and showed those aliens that they don’t screw with Earth.

Or something like that.

Call of Duty 3: While not exactly anything new, CoD 3 continues the Call of Duty franchise letting you relive yet again WWII. With new graphics and other added features, it won’t be too much of a let down.

Gears of War: I know this one isn’t an FPS game, but it’s so damn good you need to get it anyways. GoW places you at the “end” of this war against an underground race called the Locusts whom like to pop out of the ground and make your life miserable. Toting Next-Gen graphics and some sweet gameplay, if someone’s got a 360 this is a definite buy for them.

And because I felt this post wasn’t long enough as it is, I figured let’s throw in some games that aren’t quite out yet. Games that can still make a good gift even if Christmas has passed.

Crysis: These guys are trying to set the standard for photo-realistic graphics and gameplay. With beautiful and almost completely interactive worlds this game is a buy for the visuals alone. There’s also supposedly a “deep” storyline of aliens and Koreans and whatnot but you’ll probably be too busy watching the leaves on the trees move as you cut them in half with your guns.

Unreal Tournament 2007: Using the same graphics engine as Gears of War, UT2007 expands upon the Unreal Tournament series which has always featured great online gameplay with fierce competition, amazing weapons, and some most fun vehicle mayhem.

Bioshock: From the guys who did System Shock 2 they take the slow story driven shooter to a whole new level. Focusing on in-depth gameplay and an involved plot, the story and beautiful graphics drive this game.

Half Life 2:Episode 2: Continuing with Valve’s episodic content, EP2 draws out the story of the Half Life universe again as you continue Gordon Freeman’s plight to drive back the aliens and find out wtf is really going on. Portal is also released with Episode 2 and this one features what looks to be a puzzle oriented shooter which will make your head hurt. The deal isn’t over though with Team Fortress 2 coming along for the ride as well. In a HIGHLY anticipated sequel to the original Team Fortress, you can expect a class based player system in which you have medics, engineers, assassins, and a slew of other types to make your team based game continuingly fun.

Halo 3: One of the biggest game series for the Xbox, Halo, has introduced many a jock to the joys of co-operative gameplay and online deathmatch. Bungie continues the fight with Halo 3. Not much can be said about it yet as details are still forthcoming but you can be rest assured that any real gamer will be looking forward to playing this one.

So that wraps up my list. I’m sure there are other games I’ve missed, but whatever. I hope you all have a wonderful wtf ever you celebrate.

Someone once told me “May you never run out of ammo and may your aim always be true”. I extend that to you as well.

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