The FPS

Edward Cross

Review Writing

What makes a shooter Good

     The first person shooter (FPS) is the most pervasive and imitated genre in contemporary gaming. Developers have refined them since the early days of Doom and Duke Nukem into multi-billion dollar franchises. Even games with a heavy roleplaying slant like, Mass Effect, Fallout, and Skyrim adopt the mechanics of this genre. The reliance on such a ubiquitous genre begs the questions: Why is the first person shooter used so much? And what makes this genre so popular? There are a myriad of reasons that can answer those questions. Trying to find out what makes them good games is more important and the crux of why gamers buy them so much.

     What makes a first person shooter good is a combination of gameplay and ease of use. The genre used to be an exclusive to the computer, where players had to be as fast as the Flash with keyboard and mouse clicks to succeed. Transitioning to consoles meant switching to controllers. The games had to change to accommodate this new form of control. It opened up the floodgates for a new generation of gamers that could not afford PCs, but could now enjoy shooters on something affordable. The acclaim of games like Halo and the Call of Duty Franchise made the genre mainstream. This is why conventions that fuel the genre are borrowed so often in other games. The old clichéd adage of imitation being the best form of flattery is true. It helps that both those franchises made billions, too. Everyone latches on to success.

    Gameplay in FPS titles is always straightforward. Point your gun, sword, or spell at something and pull a trigger. That appeal is what makes those games great. Players get to experience action at a frenetic pace that involves tactics just as much as it does flourishes and showmanship. Shooters are simple to grasp for casual players to have fun, and complex enough for hardcore folks to find something competitive. People make a living from shooters nowadays. Gamers pounce on these games because they are just so easy to pick up and enjoy, even if what they are simulating is violence. What makes them good games is their broad appeal and ability to encompass a wide, diverse audience.

     Games that borrow from shooter conventions then morph into something unique are another reason the genre is so pervasive. Games like, Borderlands, in all criticisms is a rather standard FPS. What makes it great is that it isn’t just that. It combines aspects of the massive multiplayer online role-playing-genre (MMORPG) to make itself a unique experience, and not just another uninspired Halo clone trying to cash out. Players can join their friends and do quests while they hunt for loot and enjoy fast action. Not many other console games, let alone a shooters offer that experience. Other titles like Mass Effect and Gears of War change from first to third person to tell a story from character perspective instead of immersing the player as the character. These titles are good games because they take the best parts of what makes an FPS great and makes them special. The FPS is a staple now for that reason alone. Bioshock, or Duke Nukem, strictly conventional shooters, mix in a great story and comedy to offset the linear nature of the genre. It just works as a vehicle to tell great stories with intense action. The genre perpetuates itself so much because it mimics what makes Hollywood blockbusters great: the action and storytelling.

     High-end franchises like Call of Duty have billion dollar budgets now. Those games are the most linear and uninspired shooters on the market, yet they sell millions of units every year. The same goes for the Battlefield franchise. Each of these titles requires something games mentioned before don’t require. Teamwork is vital to be successful. Players can unlock weapons and customizations at their own pace in these shooters. A team, just like in real life, improves a player’s chances of finding fun and common ground among peers. Shooters always depict violence, but encourage people to work together towards goals and win. Cooperation is encouraged, which is another reason why FPS games are so good. The broad appeal of the genre fosters camaraderie among strangers. The gameplay may get repetitive, but people usually don’t.

     The FPS genre will only get better as technology improves. Developers and writers will continue to utilize the genre and the premier storytelling medium. The games are good, and always will be.