First-person shooters (FPS) are some of the most popular video games in the world, known for their intense action and fast-paced gameplay. But while multiplayer modes are a major draw for many gamers, the campaign mode is equally important for those who crave a good story. So, which FPS games have a campaign that will keep you on the edge of your seat? In this article, we’ll explore some of the best first-person shooters that deliver an engaging and immersive campaign experience. From classic games to modern masterpieces, these are the FPS games that every gamer should play.

Top-Notch Campaigns in First-Person Shooters

Single-Player Campaigns That Impress

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
  • Emotional narrative
  • Realistic portrayal of war
• Battlefield 1
  • Historical accuracy
  • Thrilling multiplayer experience
• Infinite Warfare
  • Sci-fi setting
  • Innovative gameplay mechanics

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, one of the most popular first-person shooter games, delivers a gripping single-player campaign that has left players hooked for hours. The game’s storyline follows a soldier’s journey as he navigates through a war-torn country, facing various challenges and obstacles along the way. The emotional narrative is what sets this game apart from others, as it provides a realistic portrayal of war and its impact on soldiers and civilians alike. The game’s graphics and sound effects further enhance the overall experience, making it an unforgettable journey for the player.

Another game that has made a mark in the world of first-person shooters is Battlefield 1. The game’s single-player campaign is set in World War I, and it boasts of historical accuracy that makes the game all the more engaging. The thrilling multiplayer experience is just an added bonus. Players get to explore different parts of the world, fight battles, and make strategic decisions that can turn the tide of the war. The game’s graphics and sound effects are top-notch, and the gameplay is smooth and seamless.

Lastly, Infinite Warfare offers a unique sci-fi setting that sets it apart from other first-person shooter games. The game’s single-player campaign takes players on a journey through space, where they encounter different alien species and face challenges that they have never encountered before. The game’s innovative gameplay mechanics keep players on their toes, as they navigate through different environments and battle it out with their enemies. The game’s graphics and sound effects are equally impressive, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Multiplayer Campaigns That Deliver

• Halo 3
  • Cooperative gameplay
    • Halo 3’s multiplayer campaign is a standout due to its emphasis on cooperative gameplay. Players can team up with friends and work together to complete objectives, providing a more engaging and social experience.
  • Iconic characters
    • The game features a variety of iconic characters, such as the Master Chief and the Arbiter, adding depth and richness to the campaign. Players can choose to play as their favorite characters, enhancing their sense of immersion and personal investment in the game.
• Destiny
  • Multiplayer raids
    • Destiny’s multiplayer campaign shines with its challenging raids that require coordination and teamwork among players. These raids offer a unique and exciting experience, as players must work together to overcome tough challenges and defeat powerful enemies.
  • Dynamic worlds
    • The game’s world is constantly evolving, providing a sense of excitement and unpredictability to the campaign. Players are encouraged to explore and discover new areas, uncovering hidden treasures and unlocking new abilities, keeping the experience fresh and engaging.
• Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands
  • Team-based missions
    • The game’s multiplayer campaign focuses on team-based missions, requiring players to work together to achieve objectives. This collaborative approach enhances the campaign’s engagement, as players must communicate and coordinate their actions to succeed.
  • In-depth character customization
    • Ghost Recon Wildlands allows for extensive character customization, enabling players to create unique and personalized characters. This feature adds a layer of depth to the campaign, as players can tailor their characters to their preferred playstyle, making the experience more engaging and satisfying.

Campaign Length and Quality

Balancing Length and Content

• Doom Eternal
  • Short but Intense Campaign
    • Balancing action and storytelling
    • High replayability due to multiple paths and secrets
  • High Replayability
    • Multiple paths and secrets to discover
    • Encourages exploration and mastery of game mechanics
• Half-Life: Alyx
  • Immersive VR Experience
    • Innovative use of VR technology
    • Enhances player immersion in the game world
  • Well-Paced Storytelling
    • Engaging narrative with well-developed characters
    • Pacing allows for a balanced mix of gameplay and storytelling
• Wolfenstein: The New Order
  • Alternate History
    • Unique take on an established franchise
    • Provides a fresh perspective on familiar settings and characters
  • Memorable Characters
    • Well-written and memorable characters
    • Interactions between characters add depth to the game’s story
  • Engaging Storytelling
    • Compelling narrative with moral dilemmas and character development
    • Encourages player investment in the game’s story and world.

Crafting a Compelling Narrative

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is a first-person shooter that excels in crafting a compelling narrative. The game’s complex storyline follows the protagonist, Big Boss, as he navigates a world filled with political intrigue and betrayal. The characters in the game are well-developed and memorable, each with their own unique motivations and personalities. The game’s story is expertly paced, with twists and turns that keep players engaged from start to finish.

Bioshock Infinite

Bioshock Infinite is another first-person shooter that delivers a compelling narrative. The game’s thought-provoking themes, such as the nature of reality and the consequences of one’s actions, are woven seamlessly into the game’s plot. The game’s world-building is impressive, with a detailed and intricate story that keeps players invested in the game’s outcome. The characters in the game are well-developed and complex, with motivations that are not always clear at first glance.

Fallout 4

Fallout 4 is a first-person shooter that offers a vast and engaging campaign. The game’s sandbox gameplay allows players to explore a post-apocalyptic world filled with danger and opportunity. The game’s side quests are particularly engaging, with a variety of interesting characters and stories that add depth to the game’s world. The game’s main story is also compelling, with a strong narrative that keeps players invested in the game’s outcome. Overall, Fallout 4 offers a long and rewarding campaign that keeps players engaged from start to finish.

Factors Affecting Campaign Quality

Graphics and Sound Design

In the world of first-person shooters, graphics and sound design play a crucial role in delivering an engaging campaign. These elements work together to create an immersive experience that draws players into the game world and keeps them engaged from start to finish. In this section, we will examine three first-person shooters that excel in graphics and sound design: Rainbow Six Siege, Apex Legends, and The Last of Us Part II.

Rainbow Six Siege

Rainbow Six Siege is a popular tactical first-person shooter that places a strong emphasis on teamwork and strategy. One of the reasons why it delivers an engaging campaign is due to its realistic sound effects. The game’s developers, Ubisoft Montreal, have worked hard to create a sound design that accurately simulates the sounds of combat, from the metallic clang of bullets hitting metal to the muffled thud of a bullet hitting flesh.

Moreover, the game’s voice acting is top-notch, with each character delivering their lines with conviction and emotion. This attention to detail helps to create a sense of realism that draws players into the game world and makes them feel like they are part of the action.

Apex Legends

Apex Legends is a free-to-play battle royale game that has gained a massive following since its release in 2019. One of the reasons why it delivers an engaging campaign is due to its detailed character models and immersive soundtrack. Respawn Entertainment, the game’s developers, have put a lot of effort into creating characters that are not only visually appealing but also have distinct personalities and backstories.

The game’s soundtrack is equally impressive, with a diverse range of tracks that help to set the tone for each match. From the intense, adrenaline-pumping music that plays during the early stages of a match to the more mellow, contemplative tracks that play during the endgame, the soundtrack helps to create a sense of drama and tension that keeps players on the edge of their seats.

The Last of Us Part II

The Last of Us Part II is a critically acclaimed post-apocalyptic game that tells the story of a young girl named Ellie and her journey to find a cure for a deadly virus. One of the reasons why it delivers an engaging campaign is due to its stunning visuals and emotional sound design. Naughty Dog, the game’s developers, have worked tirelessly to create a game world that is both beautiful and haunting, with ruined cities and overgrown forests that are a testament to the power of nature to reclaim the earth.

The game’s sound design is equally impressive, with a powerful score that helps to convey the emotions of the characters and the situation at hand. From the haunting, ethereal music that plays during the game’s quieter moments to the intense, action-packed music that plays during the game’s more intense sequences, the sound design helps to create a sense of atmosphere that draws players into the game world and makes them feel like they are part of the story.

Gameplay Mechanics

When it comes to creating an engaging campaign in first-person shooters, gameplay mechanics play a crucial role. The following games have stood out for their innovative mechanics that make the campaigns both immersive and engaging:

Death Stranding

• Unique delivery system: Death Stranding’s campaign is centered around a unique delivery system where players must transport packages across a post-apocalyptic United States. This system adds an unexpected layer of complexity to the gameplay, making every delivery a high-stakes decision.
• High stakes decision-making: The campaign forces players to make high-stakes decisions that can have a significant impact on the story and the world around them. These decisions are not just about delivering packages but also about weighing the consequences of each action.

Dishonored 2

• Flexible gameplay: Dishonored 2’s campaign allows players to choose between two different protagonists, each with their unique abilities and playstyles. This flexibility in gameplay adds replayability and encourages players to experiment with different approaches to missions.
• Creative level design: The levels in Dishonored 2 are designed with multiple paths and hidden areas, encouraging players to explore and discover new ways to complete objectives. The game’s level design is a significant factor in creating an engaging campaign that rewards player creativity and ingenuity.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

• Exploration-based gameplay: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s campaign is centered around exploration, with a vast open-world to discover. The game’s map is filled with hidden treasures, puzzles, and enemies, encouraging players to explore every nook and cranny of the world.
• Dynamic world: The game’s world is constantly changing, with day and night cycles, weather patterns, and environmental hazards. This dynamic world creates a sense of unpredictability and urgency, making every moment of the campaign feel alive and unpredictable.

In conclusion, gameplay mechanics play a crucial role in creating an engaging campaign in first-person shooters. Games like Death Stranding, Dishonored 2, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild have demonstrated that innovative mechanics can create immersive and engaging campaigns that keep players hooked until the very end.

Campaign Variety and Replayability

Replaying Favorite Moments

First-person shooters offer an immersive experience, but some games go above and beyond in terms of delivering engaging campaigns. These games are designed in such a way that players often find themselves replaying their favorite moments. Here are a few examples:

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 is an open-world western action-adventure game developed and published by Rockstar Games. The game’s campaign is known for its rich storytelling and engaging characters. The player takes on the role of Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang, as they explore the vast and detailed world of the late 1800s.

The game’s story is full of twists and turns, and the characters are all unique and well-developed. Players will find themselves invested in the lives of these characters and the world they inhabit, making it easy to understand why many players would want to replay the game to experience their favorite moments again.

Red Dead Online

Red Dead Online is the multiplayer component of Red Dead Redemption 2. The game’s online mode offers co-op gameplay, allowing players to team up with friends and tackle the game’s missions together. Red Dead Online also receives regular updates, adding new content and keeping the game fresh for players.

Players can engage in a variety of activities, such as hunting, poker, and robberies, in addition to completing story missions. The online mode provides a unique social experience, and players can easily spend hours exploring the game’s world with friends.

Control

Control is a supernatural action-adventure game developed by Remedy Entertainment. The game’s campaign is known for its jump scares and mind-bending puzzles. The player takes on the role of Jesse Faden, the director of the Federal Bureau of Control, as they explore the mysterious Oldest House.

The game’s story is full of twists and turns, and the world is full of hidden secrets and Easter eggs. The puzzles are challenging and require careful observation and exploration, making it easy to understand why players would want to replay the game to discover more of the game’s secrets.

Trying Different Approaches

• Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
  • In Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, players are given the freedom to choose their own path, allowing for a highly personalized gaming experience. This choice extends to the dynamic quests, which can be approached in a variety of ways, catering to the player’s preferred playstyle.
  • Additionally, the game features an expansive open-world environment, enabling players to explore and engage in various activities such as hunting, puzzle-solving, and even naval battles. The game’s core missions are interwoven with these activities, providing a seamless and immersive experience.
• Far Cry 5
  • Far Cry 5 is a first-person shooter that boasts an impressive array of gameplay options. With its open-world design, players can engage in creative missions that involve sabotage, infiltration, and even the use of vehicles.
  • The game encourages players to think outside the box, providing them with a variety of weapons and tools to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies. This includes the ability to craft weapons, tune vehicles, and even recruit allies to join in the fight.
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
  • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt offers a unique experience with its multiple endings, allowing players to shape the story according to their choices. This level of player agency is further enhanced by the plethora of side quests available, each offering its own narrative and challenges.
  • The game’s main story is complemented by these side quests, creating a rich and immersive world for players to explore. This variety ensures that each playthrough of the game is different, making it a standout example of an engaging campaign in a first-person shooter.

FAQs

1. What is a campaign in a first-person shooter game?

A campaign in a first-person shooter game refers to the single-player story mode, where the player progresses through a series of levels or missions, often with a narrative that unfolds as they play. The campaign typically features a variety of objectives, such as combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving, and may also include cutscenes or other storytelling elements to advance the plot.

2. Which first-person shooter games have a good campaign?

There are several first-person shooter games that are known for their engaging campaigns, including:
* Half-Life series: The original Half-Life game, as well as its sequels Half-Life 2 and Half-Life: Episode 2, are widely regarded as some of the best first-person shooter campaigns of all time. The games follow the story of Gordon Freeman, a scientist who becomes a resistance fighter against an alien invasion.
* Doom series: The Doom series, particularly Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, are known for their fast-paced, intense campaigns. These games feature demonic invasions and epic battles, with a focus on combat and exploration.
* Battlefield series: The Battlefield series, particularly Battlefield 1 and Battlefield V, offer large-scale, multiplayer campaigns that also feature single-player stories. These campaigns often focus on historical events and feature a variety of gameplay mechanics, such as vehicle combat and stealth missions.
* Call of Duty series: The Call of Duty series, particularly Modern Warfare and Black Ops series, have offered some of the most popular and critically acclaimed campaigns in the first-person shooter genre. These campaigns often feature intense combat and high-stakes missions, with a focus on modern military settings.

3. What makes a good campaign in a first-person shooter game?

A good campaign in a first-person shooter game typically features a compelling narrative, engaging characters, and a variety of gameplay mechanics that keep the player engaged. A well-designed campaign will also offer a sense of progression, with the player unlocking new abilities or weapons as they progress through the levels. Additionally, a good campaign will often have a good balance between combat and other gameplay elements, such as exploration or puzzle-solving, to keep the player engaged.

4. Are there any other factors to consider when choosing a first-person shooter game with a good campaign?

Yes, there are several other factors to consider when choosing a first-person shooter game with a good campaign. These include:
* Game Length: Some campaigns can be quite short, while others can be quite lengthy. Consider how much time you have to commit to the game and choose a campaign that fits your schedule.
* Difficulty: Some campaigns can be quite challenging, while others may be more accessible. Consider your own skill level and choose a campaign that offers a suitable level of challenge.
* Genre: First-person shooter games cover a wide range of genres, from military shooters to sci-fi adventures. Consider what type of game you enjoy the most and choose a campaign that fits your preferred genre.
* Replayability: Some campaigns offer multiple endings or other replayable content, which can add value to the game. Consider if you would like to replay the campaign or if you prefer to move on to a new game after completing it.