First person shooters date back all the way to the early 1990’s when the likes of DOOM took the world by storm with its revolutionary graphics at the time, along with its incredibly addictive gameplay. Before DOOM however there were the likes of Maze for the Atari that created the blueprint that would then manifest into a worldwide phenomenon that we all know and enjoy today. The perks about playing first person shooters is that they provide that adrenaline rush, you’re never too sure how things will turn out, and you’re racing against the clock in order to secure the win for your team. Whether you’re trying to protect the flag in capture the flag, or just playing a wild scrimmage in team deathmatch, the first person shooter genre almost always comes with excitement and thrills. One great example of this is the extremely popular Call of Duty franchise by Activision, that’s sold more than we can count and has become the go to shooter for not just fans of the genre, but also those looking for a nice entry point.

With a plethora of titles under their illustrious belt, Activision and Treyarch have put in a lot of hard work and dedication to ensure their titles maintain quality and performance in the long term. While their track record as of late has been quite hit and miss, their overall portfolio has a wealth of titles that have gone on to win countless awards. Call of Duty Black Ops 3 was one of those titles that really put Activision back on the map because, it showcased new ways of playing the game along with a wide selection of weapons that you can dabble with. One of the best aspects about Black Ops 3 is that you could scale walls in a very parkour fashion, allowing you to evade enemy onslaughts and infiltrate their base with finesse.

Much of the gameplay was easy to dive right into, with various modes to choose from such as Free For All and the popular Search and Destroy. What made it so addicting to play however was that despite it being a title anyone could jump right into, it took a very long time to really master all of the weapons and reach high prestige. This is the jewel of Black Ops 3 in comparison to its predecessors is that it incorporated a lot of new tricks that anyone could take advantage of, while still maintaining that very fun and fast paced action many love about the series. It’s wild, unpredictable and highly competitive and perhaps that’s the beauty of first person shooters. You’re always looking for new ways to improve your game while appreciating the finer aspects of teamwork along the way.

First person shooters require a lot of teamwork, and while you can simply play the run and gun solo style it doesn’t fare very well in the long run. Perhaps if you’re just playing for laughs then sure, going Rambo on everybody is truly another glorious experience of its own. However, if you’re really into the game and want to ensure consistent wins then focusing on team chemistry is imperative. Some titles promote this approach more than others which can truly create a more immersive experience. Some examples of this include Rainbow Six: Siege and CS:GO, where solid tactical prowess is rewarded more than blind rage, and can take your team well on their way to the upper echelon ranks. It’s important to note that while these tactical shooters are solely based on teamwork, the player must still adhere to the first person shooter rule in that mastering your technique is extremely pivotal to making a difference on the battlefront. One fantastic example is Blizzard’s very popular Overwatch, that demonstrates just how important getting along with everyone on your team is.

Blizzard is extremely well known for having loads of experience creating competitive games that focus heavily on teamwork. Starcraft of course is their glorious creation that has become perhaps the most successful eSport in the world, and now with all of that momentum behind them they’ve taken that same formula and threw it into the now extremely popular Overwatch. Overwatch is based solely around teamwork and players must constantly communicate with one another to ensure a successful match. With a large handful of colorful characters to choose from, Overwatch takes everything you loved from past spectacular team based titles like Valve’s Team Fortress and incorporates all of that into one amazing package. The amazing thing about Overwatch is that it’s incredibly easy to pick up and you don’t really need to have any background experience in the FPS field.

One thing is encouraged however, and that’s to really work together with your team under every circumstance and commit yourself to really understand the pace of the game. Matches are extremely fast but still require a load of attention because the opposing team are setting traps, placing their snipers in unseeable locations, and creating strategic formations to flank you at any moment. This is the absolute plus about Overwatch and what makes it such an addicting experience, because you can always try out new roles, meet new friends online, and if you work hard enough can take home the championship with ease.

FPS titles come with so many benefits that it’s hard to go through all of them, but they certainly come with a lot of unpredictable moments that only ignite that competitive flame in our souls. That’s what creates the sheer excitement about watching FPS games at a high level, because even though you’re the spectator there’s this feeling of involvement and so your contribution to boosting the team is impactful. Now with eSports taking the world by storm and the likes of Twitch streaming all of these events on the fly, the FPS genre is certainly gaining a lot of traction and doesn’t seem to stop anytime soon. Maps can sometimes be a hassle to get around by foot, and so using other means of transportation to invade the enemy base is also crucial. One title that really takes map design to a whole new level is EA’s more recent Battlefield 1, which takes players back to the dark days of World War I and throws you into an environment that truly feels like you’re right there in it all.

Battlefield has always been a series that’s renowned for it’s incredibly diverse maps that are truly massive to get around simply by foot. It’s a huge combat title that boasts up to 64 players in one single map, and you’ll be racing across the terrain trying to avoid grenades, enemy gunfire, and even planes that drop bombs from the sky. With so much immersion within the game, it feels as if you’re actually in a deadly war and every decision counts when it comes to your survival. Battlefield 1 allows you a lot of versatility in how you can approach the enemy, whether you like the up close and personal melee style, or sitting in a bush somewhere up in the hills and sniping unsuspecting enemies. This is so much fun with a group of friends because all of you are just wandering around together trying not to get shot down, while enemies are just spread out all across different sections trying to spot you.

The game boasts an array of modes to choose from, all of which come with their own perks for a genuinely exciting experience. One of the more standard and perhaps more popular modes is Conquest, where you and your team must work together to control various points on the map and generate points the longer you can defend them. This is crazy and unpredictable every time because you never know what direction the enemy is approaching from, and even if you do know there’s 20 other people rushing you from behind and there’s no escape. That wild back and forth in gameplay is what makes playing Battlefield 1 so satisfying because there’s simply no telling what the outcome will be and so you and your team must fight desperately to ensure victory lies only in your hands.