7 Hero Shooters Desperately Needing a Thrilling Single-Player Campaign!

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Summary

  • Some hero shooters lack story focus; single-player campaigns could elevate character depth.
  • Overwatch 2, Rainbow Six Siege, Paladins, and Apex Legends have untapped single-player potential.
  • Campaigns could enrich lore, spotlight unique abilities, and provide immersive narratives.

In many hero shooter games, the design of characters is what grabs players’ attention first – and understandably so, given their vibrant lineups that often make these games stand out in the genre. However, it can be a letdown when the narrative, history, and game world feel like they were added as extras rather than integral parts of the gameplay experience. To clarify, while the character stories are usually well-crafted, providing rich layers to games that primarily focus on constant team fights.

Occasionally, gamers can’t help but ponder: wouldn’t it be exciting to witness these flamboyant characters leading their own single-player journeys? Visualize stages tailored to highlight their distinctive skills and gameplay modes—it would offer a captivating change from the multiplayer chaos.

7. Overwatch 2

What an Oversight

First things first, let’s address the elephant in the room. We’ve all witnessed the cinematics, and they are nothing short of amazing. Even the most hardcore Overwatch players would find it difficult to argue with that. In its 6th season, Overwatch 2 introduced PvE “Story Missions”, which seem to have been rescued from the scrapped single-player campaign. However, there was a condition—these missions were cooperative, rather than true single-player experiences.

It turned out that the PvE content didn’t generate enough sales for Blizzard to continue its development, causing them to regretfully abandon further PvE missions completely. This sad situation underscores the fact that PvE content and hero shooters may not always be a good match. However, there are plenty of us who still hope for its success in the future.

6. Paladins

The Lore of the Paladins

Among the limited options in medieval fantasy games, which usually favor sci-fi or realistic genres, Paladins certainly distinguishes itself. With characters like elves, orcs, goblins, and dragons, this game offers a rich opportunity for captivating narratives. Remarkably, the game has developed a substantial and detailed backstory that’s been gradually unfolding subtly.

Although the game has often been labeled as a clone of Overwatch, it could distinguish itself by introducing a standalone single-player campaign. Given the depth of each character’s backstory, the game seems to be calling out for a narrative-focused expansion, effectively creating its own unique tale.

5. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

It might have been unexpected given its roots in story-driven books, but nonetheless, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege opted for a full commitment to online multiplayer. However, this move paid off for Ubisoft, transforming the game into a stealth success with an exceptionally devoted player community.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but miss the thrilling days when the world was on the brink of an apocalyptic conspiracy in the multiplayer mode of Siege. Although it currently provides solo players with offline training modes as a consolation, many veterans like myself yearn for those times. Reviving a single-player campaign that delves into tactical intrigue and global threats would be a heartwarming—and eagerly anticipated—revisit to the game’s roots.

4. Quake Champions

Keep On Fighting Till the End

In simpler terms, “Quake Champions” is the fifth installment of the highly respected “Quake” series. Notably, “Quake 4” was celebrated as a standout launch title on Xbox 360 due to its immersive single-player mode. However, after that, the series has primarily focused on multiplayer gameplay, similar to “Quake 3 Arena”. This shift in focus seems to have served id Software well.

Though Quake isn’t particularly renowned for its in-depth storyline, it boasts an intriguing element: the presence of Doomguy and B.J. Blazkowicz from Wolfenstein as playable characters. The prospect of a single-player campaign that manages to link these three legendary universes is both exhilarating and intimidating. It might turn out to be a brilliant mess or an epic disaster, but it would certainly be a risk worth taking.

3. Marvel Rivals

Superhero Fatigue Be Damned

It’s clear that the possibilities for a solo campaign are enormous, considering the vast collection of tales to draw from and the ever-growing cast of characters, both heroes and villains. However, setting such high expectations might be overly optimistic. Creating an entire campaign would be a monumental task for a team that’s already working at maximum capacity. Yet, this discussion isn’t about practicality; we’re here for outlandish and dreamlike speculation!

It seems quite plausible that this option will eventually feature a solo player mode at some point in the future. Either incorporated within a season pass or possibly introduced in a subsequent game release, it could certainly be a possibility. Here’s to hoping!

2. Team Fortress 2

While We Wait For Half-Life 3

Instead of letting young gamers outdo it in multiplayer matches, Team Fortress 2 decides to impart its wisdom through a single-player mode instead. Despite the years filled with amusing memes and fan edits that might make its character’s antics seem less than serious, this timeless game still manages to charm us. In fact, it would be a missed opportunity if its story didn’t play up to this quirky image of itself.

For those who might not know, the game TF2 has an intriguing background centered around Mann Co., a firm specializing in weaponry, ammunition, and, of course, outlandish cosmetics. Frankly, any opportunity to persuade Valve into developing another outstanding single-player adventure is certainly something we can get behind.

1. Apex Legends

We Were on the Verge of Greatness!

Fans of the game Titanfall were disappointed when Respawn Entertainment decided not to proceed with a third installment. Instead, they were taken aback by the sudden release of Apex Legends – a multiplayer shooter game set in the same universe, but lacking the iconic mechs and notably missing a single-player mode. Given that the campaign of Titanfall 2 is often praised as one of the best (and most underrated) in gaming history, this omission was a significant blow to many fans.

Nonetheless, there’s a glimmer of possibility! Remember, Apex Legends is actually set in the Titanfall universe. We almost reached greatness with the notorious Titanfall Legends—a project that was whispered to be a blend of both franchises. Sadly, it never materialized into reality. All we can do now is imagine what could have been.

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2025-02-08 12:35