Holiday Gift Guide – First Person Shooters
In a year that saw the launch of the biggest first-person shooter in console history, it’s easy to forget some of the other titles that are just as worthy of your attention. Surprisingly, after reviewing my picks, they were all from established franchises. I hope I’m not overlooking something, but I don’t remember a single FPS original IP that I enjoyed more than the ones I list for your below. If you can think of some, drop me a note in the comments section below.
I toyed with the idea of throwing 3rd person shooters in here too, but I found enough good stuff in both categories to keep them separate…
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Developer: Infinity Ward
Publisher: Activision
MSRP: $59.99
Release Date: 11/10/2009
Platforms: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Windows
You may not even have to buy Modern Warfare 2 at all. It’s sales are most likely over the 5 million mark by now, so odds are the FPS fan on your gift list already has it. Sales numbers like that is a testament to how good this game really is. While I wasn’t as impressed with the single player side as I was with the co-op & multiplayer, the whole package was still one of the most solid games to be released in recent years. With 3 difficulties, a 6 hour solo story mode, 23 cooperative missions, & an endless amount of multiplay, gamers will be playing this forever…or until Modern Warfare 3 launches in 2 years. Modern Warfare 2 is dueling for my pick for Game of the Year (against Uncharted 2) & should be in every FPS fans collection.
Developer: Monolith Productions
Publisher: WBIE
MSRP: $19.99
Release Date: 02/10/2009
Platforms: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Windows
Out of all the games on this list, I think Project Origin has been overlooked the most. In fact, the majority of the non-journalist folks I talk to about it think F.E.A.R. 2 launched in 2008. Sequel to the 2005 Windows title (it hit the 360 in 2006 & the Playstation 3 in 2007), F.E.A.R. 2 continues the scares with the return of the Alma, fresh off the shooting of the latest Grudge sequel. The slo-mo combat is back as well, only this time we are out of the office & roaming the city streets. There has been a couple of DLC packs released throughout the year, including Reborn, which expands on the single player storyline. Both the first game & this one were received really well & will definitely fill the horror FPS void in any gamers library.
Developer: Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
MSRP: $59.99
Release Date: 08/18/2009
Platforms: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Windows
While Wolfenstein was the best shooter this year, it still had a ton of nostalgic pedigree behind it that made it worth a look. A sequel to 2001’s Return to Castle Wolfenstein, it brought some new additions to the mythos including the Veil, a sort of trans-dimension sighting tool. The story puts us once again in the shoes of BJ Blazkowicz to kick more Nazi butt. Though the critics weren’t very happy with the multiplayer & general lack of innovation (considering the steps the previous titles made in the genre), it’s mixed reviews still leaned toward the positive. Odds are many people passed on this when it launched in anticipation of Batman: Arkham Asylum (which launched a week later), so there’s no reason not to gift it to your gamer for Christmas.
Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
Developer: Techland
Publisher: Ubisoft
MSRP: $39.99
Release Date: 06/30/2009
Platforms: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Windows
Bound in Blood is actually a prequel to the 2006/2007 Call of Juarez. Personally, I didn’t care for the first game. But critically, both titles have done acceptably well. This time around, the clunky stealth mechanic has been given the boot, focusing more on what it should focus on: gun-slinging! If your looking for a true-to-life style Western, you may want to mosey on down the road as Bound in Blood is more reminiscent of the spaghetti westerns of the 1950’s. It’s rather short, but the distinct play styles of the two main protagonists warrant a second run through. All told, a single jaunt in this western shooter will last about 7 or 8 hours, but there’s enough action here to make it a satisfying Saturday afternoon. Even though it carries a $40 price tag, it’s not unreasonable to find it for $20 or $25, especially online.
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
Developer: Starbreeze Studios
Publisher: Atari
MSRP: $19.99
Release Date: 04/07/2009
Platforms: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Windows, Mac OS X
Did the gamer on your shopping list miss out on the first Riddick from back in the original Xbox days? One of the best games based on a movie property, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay was lauded by critics & fans alike. So when the idea of a sequel came about, Starbreeze decided to refresh the old game & include it at no extra cost. Dark Athena picks up right where Butcher Bay left off: Riddick, following his escape from the brutal penal planet, gets captured by the mercenary ship Dark Athena. It’s up to you to take control of the night-sighted Riddick & help him escape. The game was reviewed pretty well, although the multiplayer was cited as the weakest component. With that said, it’s still a solid game & one of the best movie-based titles available. Plus, for $20, you can’t lose.
Other honorable mentions:
Any of the Fallout 3 DLC packs – 800 MP or $9.99
Battlefield 1943 – 1200 MP or $14.99
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