Top 10 Best First Person Shooters of 2022
#10: “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II” (2022)
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We are very well aware of the fact that “Call of Duty” releases virtually the same game every single year, and the franchise has become stale in recent years. But compared to the recent outings of “Vanguard” and “WWII”, this sequel to 2019’s “Modern Warfare” manages to be a little more fun than the aforementioned titles. The campaign doesn’t feel as overly explosive or hokey as previous games and it presents a decent challenge thanks to its strong level design. The only reason we didn’t put it higher was because of the occasional bugs and glitches.
#9: “BONELAB” (2022)
One of the biggest hurdles in VR development is incorporating motion that’s fluid enough for the player to handle. It’s part of the reason we’ve seen so many stationary FPS games in the VR space. Developer Stress Level Zero manages to mitigate these problems as if they never existed. “BONELAB” is a true marvel in VR technology with its visuals, physics, and insanely accurate feedback. Very few VR games can nail the same level of responsiveness let alone malleability in modding the way “BONELAB” has. If you have a VR headset, you absolutely need to grab this!
#8: “Kingdom of the Dead” (2022)
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“Kingdom of the Dead” is arguably the most strange FPS game on this list. You play as an investigator named Agent Chamberlain, who must bring an end to Death and his forces. In addition to the unique visuals in environments and enemy design, “Kingdom of the Dead” offers up a creative experience for fans of boomer shooters with its story, weapons, and creepy atmosphere. Sure, it plays a little slower than most other shooters, but this speed is perfect for a game as eerie and terrifying as this.
#7: “Isonzo” (2022)
Remember the days when military shooters told new stories, ones that took place during eras like WWI and explored regions of the world and how the events back then affected them? Where franchises like “Battlefield” have failed, “Isonzo” has charged through and stolen the mantle. As the name implies, “Isonzo” takes place during World War One when Italy fought Austria-Hungary for control over the titular river. Set up a crow’s nest to snipe enemies from afar, forge materials to build structures, and customize your stache as you fight for control across the Alps and claim the Isonzo river as yours. And if you want more WWI games to experience, developers M2H and BlackMill Games also put out games about the Battle of Verdun in France and the Battle of Tannenberg in Germany.
#6: “Neon White” (2022)
Platforming used to be a real hassle to deal with in the old days of FPS games. (Never forget Xen in "Half-Life"...) Thankfully, most FPS games have found ways to make it work, which is why "Neon White" deserves recognition. On top of the smooth framerate and fluid controls, the game is designed in such a way that players can find a handful of shortcuts to shave seconds off their runs. We'll admit that "Neon White" can get a little too weeb-y with its story and characters, but this is certainly a gem worth picking up and sticking around for the gameplay.
#5: “PowerWash Simulator” (2022)
Though it isn't an FPS in the same sense of a shooting gallery, "PowerWash Simulator" is a game in first-person and requires you to shoot with something. So, it counts. It's also weirdly satisfying to play. There's something about blasting dirt and muck off and making something look shiny clean that prevents us from wanting to put it down. Perhaps it's the time investment and seeing a timelapse of your job from start to finish after completion. Maybe it's because it's a chill game that lets you shut your brain off and catch up on that podcast. Or maybe we have some hint of OCD in us. Who's to say?
#4: “Fashion Police Squad” (2022)
Of all the boomer shooters we've seen since the genre's resurgence, this is the funniest on the market. "Fashion Police Squad" puts you in the stylish shoes of Sergeant Des, who notices a weird surge of fashion-related crimes cropping up across Trendopolis. Weapon swapping is the name of the game here as enemies can only be defeated with weapons that match their fashion crimes. Trim down enemies in oversized suits with the Tailormade rifle, blast color into gray corporate minions, or do away with those wearing socks and sandals with explosive Sock Gnomes. Afterwards, celebrate your justice by sending the former criminals onto the walkway. How can you not want to play this?
#3: “Gloomwood” (2022)
Not every FPS needs to be loud and frenetic like grandpappy “Doom” or Uncle “Wolfenstein”, but with “Thief” being dormant since 2014, the stealth-shooter genre has been noticeably vacant for a long time. This is where “Gloomwood” comes in. Inspired by the likes of “Thief” and other horror shooters and stealth games of the 90’s and 2000’s, “Gloomwood” will quickly captivate you with its enemy design, morbidly beautiful locations, and emergent gameplay. Use whatever you can from your arsenal or even random objects to sneak your way around or whip out the cane sword and guns for an old-fashioned shootout! And if you still aren’t onboard (for whatever reason), the producers of “Ultrakill” and “Dusk” also worked on this game. So, you know it’s good!
#2: “Prodeus” (2022)
For those itching for an experience that resembles “DOOM 64”, look no further as “Prodeus” will scratch that itch and more! Your mission is simple: track down the titular creator of the world and destroy it. Yes, the gameplay and gunplay feel very much like “DOOM 64” and even “Quake”, but the main attraction is in the visuals. The game manages to keep itself looking ancient as hell, yet still gorgeous with its lighting, particles, and smooth framerate. It’s almost hard to believe this isn’t a port of some other FPS from the 90’s.
#1: “Nightmare Reaper” (2022)
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Of all the shooters we’ve played this year, “Nightmare Reaper” is the best of the best. A young woman is trapped in an asylum, forced to fight her inner demons in a satanic realm. Use a variety of fantastical and vicious weapons to fend off the beasts as you seek to escape your prison of torment…and play GBA games to upgrade your skills. From weapons to enemy design to its kickass soundtrack from Andrew Hulshult, “Nightmare Reaper” is truly the best boomer shooter we have played since “DOOM” 2016. Just give it a few minutes of your time, and you will understand why.
