The 10 Most REVOLUTIONARY First Person Shooters

10 Most Revolutionary First Person Shooters

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re looking at first-person shooters that influenced their genre for years to come!

“Wolfenstein 3D” (1992)

We’ll start with what is often referred to as the grandfather of the FPS, and for good reason. When “Wolfenstein 3D” was released in 1992, there wasn’t really anything else like it. Sure, there had been first-person games before, but none of them truly grabbed player attention en masse like this one did. Id Software rebranded the classic PC adventure series, challenging players with escaping from and thwarting the plans of Nazis. It was fast-paced, delightfully violent, and quickly became the standard for what first-person shooters should feel like. While successors would naturally surpass it, the ripple effect of “Wolfenstein 3D’s” success was vast to say the least.

“Borderlands” (2009)

Say what you will about “Borderlands,” but it’s a fairly unique take on the FPS. Other than its cel-shaded visuals and crass humor, it popularized one of the biggest sub-genres of the modern era: the looter shooter. Blending FPS mechanics with the RPG’s grinding for gear pleased a lot of players. There was also more emphasis on your character’s build and power through varying skill trees, making the experience more customizable. It gave every combat encounter, big or small, a layer of excitement over what loot an enemy might drop. Sequels refined this element to perfection, and it would go on to be successfully used in other FPS games like “Destiny” and “The Division.”

“Team Fortress 2” (2007)

In the majority of multiplayer first-person shooters, if you want to change up mechanics, you have to find different weapons. “Team Fortress” changed all of that, having a roster of characters with different abilities. Its sequel, though, completely blew it out of the water. Distinct classes stayed, with a new art style adding some much needed personality. It’s an incredibly well-balanced cast of characters, with all of them having strengths and weaknesses depending on the opposing team. Not only did it influence developers to create their own hero shooters, like “Overwatch” and “Valorant.” But its fan base continues to thrive thanks to the fact that Valve still updates and supports it over 15 years later.

“Quake” (1996)

Better get used to us mentioning id Software and Valve a whole lot in this video. After striking gold with “Wolfenstein” and “Doom,” id Software expanded on what they were capable of with 1996’s “Quake.” Here, firefights took place in massive, sprawling arenas, fully realized thanks to the engine custom-built to run it. Plus, the studio was naturally well-versed when it came to shooter mechanics. It was a blast to play alone or against others, and was an early trailblazer for online matchmaking. It instantly influenced the trajectory of multiplayer games moving forward, and would receive multiple sequels for years afterward. Also, the score from Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails did a lot to establish the game’s atmosphere.

“Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare” (2007)

“Call of Duty” has certainly had its ups and downs. But there’s no way “Modern Warfare” isn’t the franchise’s absolute peak when it comes to influence. Before this, most military FPS games were set in the past, usually around World War II. By jumping into the modern day, “Call of Duty” included all of the thrills, politics, and weaponry that came with it. It may seem like a no-brainer now, but it was refreshing in 2007. It was also a multiplayer juggernaut with plenty of modes that easily sucked up your time and a solid progression system before the advent of microtransactions. There’s a reason it got sequels, a remaster, and a reboot: it’s awesome.

“Counter-Strike” (2000)

What started as a mod for Valve’s own “Half-life” is now one of the biggest multiplayer franchises on the planet. While many shooters around the time emphasized action, “Counter-Strike” took a more tactical approach. It pitted two teams against each other, one of terrorists and the other those trying to stop them. No matter your team’s objective though, strategic thinking was a necessity. You needed to know map layouts exactly, including choke points, and make the best use of your custom loadout as you could. It was just the right blend of different and familiar to catch everyone’s attention, earning multiple sequels and helping give birth to the modern ESports scene.

“GoldenEye 007” (1997)

In the middle of PC players getting FPS banger after banger, Rare and Nintendo delivered one of the best tie-in games of all time. “GoldenEye 007” did a pretty stellar job of adapting Pierce Brosnan’s first outing as James Bond. Its gameplay and visuals were extremely impressive for the time considering it was released on the N64. However, we all know it was the addictive multiplayer that made it a hit. Incredible levels, a variety of weapons, and an iconic roster of characters resulted in countless hours of fun. And it was honestly a breath of fresh air for those who didn’t game on PC. “GoldenEye” fans have been searching for a similar high ever since.

“Halo: Combat Evolved” (2001)

Microsoft hit the ground running with the original Xbox, primarily thanks to the first “Halo.” It was a monumental leap forward for first-person shooters, especially those on a home console. The futuristic campaign was explosive and cinematic, introducing the world to the future icon, Master Chief, as well as this universe’s unique and interesting lore. It was another to push multiplayer to the forefront as well. A co-op campaign is all well and good, but the competitive modes were where “Halo” truly shined. Many of us have fond memories of LAN parties, since Xbox Live wouldn’t arrive until the following year. Naturally, “Halo” turned into Microsoft’s flagship franchise almost immediately.

“Half-life” (1998)

1998 is generally regarded as one of the best years for video games. Valve’s “Half-life” was not only one of the most important games released that year, but of any year. As the silent scientist, Gordon Freeman, players took on an invasive alien species from an alternate dimension. It was extremely fun, and there were a lot of elements it innovated on. Enemy AI was much more clever, which made the overall experience more dynamic than just running in and spraying bullets. Its narrative also played out in-game rather than in cutscenes, making for a more cohesive, smoother experience. It was as immersive as video games could get back then, and we owe a lot to “Half-life” for paving the way.

“Doom” (1993)

You knew we’d get to it eventually, right? Following the release of “Wolfenstein 3D,” id Software shattered expectations with 1993’s “Doom,” which is saying a lot. With a facility on Mars overrun by demons, that was all the excuse players needed to let loose. And “Doom” allowed them to do so with gameplay and enemies that never stopped feeling fresh and exciting. It became an instant hit, earning as much revenue in a single day as “Wolfenstein” earned in a month. Naturally, expansions, sequels, and copycats followed. These days, “Doom” is an incredibly respected franchise thanks to its modern revival. But even though it’s been more than three decades, the first remains a fantastic game that’s fun to revisit time and time again.

What FPS do you think revolutionized the genre? Share your thoughts in the comments and be sure to subscribe to MojoPlays for more great gaming videos every day!