10. Left 4 Dead 2
The announcement of a Left 4 Dead sequel so soon after the original was initially met with skepticism. But much to the elation of zombie slayers everywhere, Left 4 Dead 2 improved upon every aspect of its critically acclaimed predecessor. The sequel added melee weapons, environment specific infected and cranked the gore up to 11. But in spite of its additions and improvements, its place on this list is secured by the same sublime co-op mechanics that also made the original great. Special infected like the smoker, hunter and charger forced teammates to work together and stay together or risk being left for dead… too. - James Duggan
9. Battlefield 1942
Battlefield games are on a scale unrivaled by almost all current FPS titles, but the franchise’s tradition of being bigger and grander than it’s competition started with its very first entry, Battlefield 1942. One of the first examples of class-based combat in a military shooter, 1942 boasted huge 64 player battles replete with tanks, planes and other vehicles. The game also was among the first to incentivize teamplay and objectives over individual K/D. Unlike any game of it’s era Battlefield 1942 left its players countless virtual war stories to share with friends for years to come. - Chloi Rad
8. Quake
Quake built on its predecessor, Doom, for fast-paced FPS movement unique to its time. Its contributions to online multiplayer were huge, too, both in gameplay and with its use of IP networking, which allowed one player to host a game and synched up player movements. As such, a very large part of Quake’s legacy is in its technology — 3D rendering through OpenGL helped to popularize graphics cards with PC enthusiasts, and its healthy mod scene gave rise to the machinima style of filmmaking in game engines. Its engine and mods also laid the foundation for Call of Duty and Team Fortress 2. - Kallie Plagge
7. Team Fortress 2
Picking up where the original left off, Team Fortress 2 shattered the conventional tropes of competitive team-based multiplayer. Gone was the concept of deathmatch and in it’s place a plethora of objectives designed to facilitate interactions between the game’s two teams and nine crazy classes. More than just a different loadout, each “class” boasted an unforgettable personality, aesthetic and design. The heavy for example with his massive health pool and bullet spewing minigun was in stark contrast to the spy, who took up the visage of other classes in an attempt to infiltrate and sabotage the enemy team. This dichotomy created strengths and weakness in each class that were only offset by communication and team play. And to think this stellar title was packaged with Half Life 2 and Portal for a mere fifty dollars on PC. - James Duggan
6. BioShock
In a genre that’s always at risk of drowning in military shooters, BioShock wasn’t afraid to go deeper — way deeper… like, at the absolute bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. BioShock’s tale of a radical industrialists gone off mad was strengthened by its fascinating, sub-aquatic setting, which blended biopunk, art deco, and horror to astounding effect. Aesthetics aside, Bioshock broke new ground with the inclusion a light rpg progression across the game’s linear narratively driven campaign. The chosen upgrades informed the player’s approach to combat encounters, a sentiment echoed by modern FPS campaigns today. - Chloi Rad
5. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Love it or hate it, there is no denying that Call of Duty is the most successful fps franchise in gaming history, releasing bi-annually to the tune of millions or pre orders and day-one sales. The formula of arcade military action, killstreak rewards and perhaps most importantly RPG-esque loadout and perk progression all started with the groundbreaking, innovative and excellent Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. And yes there was a time when the words groundbreaking and innovative were associated with a Call of Duty game. An immaculate single player campaign paired with a robust multiplayer suite, set a new bar for what a sixty dollar console purchase should offer. - James Duggan
4. Halo 2
Besides being one of the best multiplayer first-person shooters of all-time -- loaded with classic maps, great weapons, fun vehicles, and endless player customization -- Halo 2 was the killer app for online console multiplayer. Halo 2’s party system was the first time friends could group up and STAY together after each match. We take it for granted now, but it took years for other online games to catch up. Throw in an epic story (minus that ending, anyway), gorgeous graphics, and one of the best game soundtracks in the history of gaming, and Halo 2’s place in the FPS pantheon is unquestionable. - Ryan McCaffrey
3. Half-Life
This one wasn't an easy decision. There are plenty of things Half-Life 2 does better than its predecessor, but when it comes to pure action, level design, and shooting the original Half-Life comes out on top. In a genre not yet famous for its worldbuilding, Black Mesa cemented itself as one of the strongest and most iconic settings of the era. With an infamous opening sequence, fantastic gunplay, and an exhilarating tale of a normal work day gone horribly, horribly wrong, it’s hard to beat the adrenaline-fueled experience of the first Half-Life. - Chloi Rad
2. Doom
Doom may not have been the first first-person shooter, but there’s no question that without it, this list wouldn’t exist because neither would any of these other games. Doom changed everything by mixing an incredible feel, great weapons, menacing monsters, sublime level design into a lengthy, haunting campaign that could be played in co-op with friends. And, by the way, Doom also invented Deathmatch multiplayer. Released in 1993 Doom is so good that, somehow, it’s still amazingly fun today. - Ryan McCaffrey
1. Counter-Strike 1.6
The gameplay of Counter Strike 1.6 is perfect — or so close to it — that in the 17 years since it debuted as a mod for the Half-Life engine, it hasn’t ever had to evolve. Counter-Strike’s balance of sublime weapon mechanics, precision movement, deep strategy, and an endlessly high skill ceiling were and are the gold standard to which all competitive FPS games are compared. Quite the achievement for a game design in 1999. To master this game is to master the essence of what multiplayer first-person shooters are at their core, and what makes them rewarding. Not classes, nor loadouts, not perks or progression… just pure skill, strategy and teamwork. - Sean Finnegan
Overall I'd say it's a list that would surprise many who just came in this thread to shitpost about IGN. While these games aren't necessarily my favorites, they have some pretty decently written reasons as to why they made the list.
Opinions?
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