Since then, the FPS genre has developed at a breathtaking pace, leveraging novel gameplay mechanics and advanced graphics technology to create legendary titles that are still referenced today.
Not to mention the multiplayer feature and online modes added, allowing gamers to meet friends from all over the world and shake up the virtual world together. With today’s high-end titles and hardware-intensive graphics, do the classic games still have a place? Of course, there are many ways to assess a game and see if it remains appealing today; one of those methods is based on Metacritic scores. Depending on the type of game and its version, a title can cost up to millions of VND, which is no small amount.
Therefore, players need to determine whether a game is worth purchasing and experiencing, and Metacritic serves this purpose. The Metacritic score is widely recognized in the gaming industry and can directly influence the success or failure of any game. Here is a list of the 20 highest-rated FPS games in history according to Metacritic.
BioShock Infinite (2013) – 94 points
This can be considered a spin-off of the original BioShock series. Infinite has its own storyline but retains much of the gameplay mechanics, not very different from the first two BioShock titles. And you all know how much gamers praised BioShock 1 & 2 and how well the press reviewed them. Before the game was released, it had already won over 85 titles and awards; after its official release, it became the game of the year for many different publications.
Portal 2 (2011) – 95 points
Portal is a classic puzzle game, and this is indisputable. But when Portal 2 was released, it did even more than that; it became a phenomenon in the gaming world at that time, especially as it elevated the famous portal gun to a legendary weapon that would be remembered for ages. You might think that a game could only be as good as Portal, but Valve proved that Portal 2 surpassed its predecessor.
Halo 2 (2004) – 95 points
It was thought that Halo: Combat Evolved was too big of a shadow for Halo 2 to surpass, but Bungie refused to back down and made a breakthrough that astonished the Xbox community and gamers in general. The game used a new engine, introduced new weapons and vehicles, and enhanced the multiplayer mode with many new maps. Halo 2 was the most popular game on Xbox Live until Gears of War (Xbox 360) was released two years later. Additionally, it became the best-selling game on Xbox with over 8 million copies sold worldwide.
Half-Life (1998) – 96 points
Half-Life hardly needs any introduction. A game that has become legendary, tied to the childhood of many gamers from the 80s and 90s. With a single-player mode that balances story and intense action mixed with intellectual puzzles, Half-Life has won numerous prestigious awards for Valve. It’s puzzling why, despite such immense success, Valve has yet to make a third installment for gamers.
GoldenEye 007 (1997) – 96 points
GoldenEye 007 was released on the Nintendo 64 and is regarded by many as one of the best games, ahead of its time in terms of storyline and multiplayer mode. It also marked an important turning point, proving that FPS games were suitable for consoles and transitioning from the Doom shooting style to a more realistic approach. GoldenEye 007 was also a pioneer in the stealth action genre and multiplayer deathmatch mode.
BioShock (2007) – 96 points
In 2007, BioShock made a significant impact with its storyline revolving around moral choices, allowing players to either kill or save certain characters in the game. Critics also praised BioShock for its breathtaking in-game environment and impressive setting (an underwater paradise city sounds magnificent). It is considered a work of art and is listed as one of the greatest games of all time.
Half-Life 2 (2004) – 96 points
Following the success of the first game, Half-Life 2 continues the story of Gordon Freeman and his new ally Alyx Vance—a female rebel fighter. In addition to the elements that made the Half-Life series famous, this installment introduced the iconic Gravity Gun, often regarded as a powerful weapon in gaming. Half-Life 2 received widespread acclaim for its modern physics engine, animation, sound, graphics, AI, and captivating storytelling. The game won 39 Game of the Year awards and became one of the legendary games.
Halo: Combat Evolved (2001) – 97 points
Released alongside the Xbox console, Halo: Combat Evolved was a key factor in the system’s unexpected success. The game was both a commercial hit and received critical acclaim, recognized as one of the essential games to include in gaming history. Halo was so popular that it spawned many clone shooter games with a nearly identical style. It can be said that without this game, the Xbox console might have met its demise.
Metroid Prime (2002) – 97 points
As the fifth installment in the Metroid series, it made a remarkable change. Instead of using 2D side-scrolling gameplay like previous versions, Metroid Prime harnessed the GameCube’s hardware power, shifting to a 3D FPS style. The game achieved impressive sales, selling over 1 million copies in North America alone. Many critics and gamers believe it deserves a spot on the list of the best games of all time.
Perfect Dark (2000) – 97 points
Similar to GoldenEye 007, Perfect Dark is considered a game far ahead of its time (probably due to both games having the same developer). Released on the Nintendo 64 platform, Perfect Dark shares many similarities with GoldenEye 007 and was designed based on Rare’s next-gen engine. Theoretically, this is one of the most advanced games on the N64 platform as it requires players to use the Expansion Pak to play both campaign and multiplayer modes. Shortly after its release, it joined Nintendo’s “Player’s Choice” lineup and received several prestigious awards, also making it onto the list of the greatest games of all time.
Source: What Culture, translated by Gearvn