Once-Great FPS Game Franchises That Lost Their Identity

First-person shooter games became incredibly popular in the 1990s, and remain a leading genre today. Over time, these games have become more dynamic, incorporating features like role-playing elements and online multiplayer to drive innovation in the video game world.

Many classic shooting game series have either lost their spark or struggled to define themselves. Wolfenstein was losing popularity until Wolfenstein: The New Order successfully refreshed the franchise. Other FPS series aren’t necessarily failing, but they’re starting to feel less distinctive and could benefit from a similar reboot or a truly innovative new game to push the genre forward.

Halo

The 343 Issue

First Game: Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)
Last New Game: Halo Infinite (2021)
Upcoming Projects: Halo: Campaign Evolved (2026)

Bungie created five popular Halo games that were only available on Xbox. They were Microsoft’s most trusted developer, and fans loved their work. However, when 343 Industries took over with Halo 4, things started to change. While it was still a solid shooting game, many players felt it wasn’t quite the same.

As a long-time fan, it’s been tough watching the newer Halo games. I was really surprised when Master Chief was suddenly portrayed as a villain and wasn’t even the main character all the time! And then the latest game went completely open-world. It just doesn’t feel like the Halo I fell in love with – that focused, action-packed shooter with the awesome, silent Master Chief. Honestly, it hasn’t felt the same for over ten years now.

Medal Of Honor

WW2 Perfection That Went AWOL

First Game: Medal of Honor (1999)
Last New Game: Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond (2020)

While not the very first World War II shooter, Medal of Honor was one of the earliest and most popular on consoles. The series became particularly well-known as a flagship title for PlayStation, starting with the original game on PS1 and continuing with titles like Medal of Honor: Frontline on the PS2.

Medal of Honor: Frontline is often considered the peak of the series, with subsequent games not quite living up to its standard. While the franchise attempted to reinvent itself with a modern setting, it wasn’t well-received, and now the once-popular World War II shooter has largely faded from memory.

Call Of Duty

Lost Its Innovative Luster

First Game: Call of Duty (2003)
Last New Game: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (2025)

The Call of Duty franchise is a consistently reliable first-person shooter series, remarkably releasing a new game annually. The initial three installments were set during World War II, but Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare dramatically shifted the series with its contemporary setting, improved gunplay, and groundbreaking multiplayer. Despite frequently changing development teams, creating these games year after year still presents challenges.

While many enjoy Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, some fans feel the multiplayer has become repetitive and lacks fresh ideas, despite being well-made. The campaign’s exclusive online requirement is also a drawback. Though the games aren’t poorly made, the Call of Duty series might benefit from a period of reinvention, similar to how Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare revitalized the franchise.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon

The Phantom Shooter

First Game: Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon (2003)
Last New Game: Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint (2019)
Upcoming Projects: Unknown FPS Title (TBA)

The Tom Clancy video game franchise began with the Rainbow Six series, but Ghost Recon soon became the more popular title. For roughly ten years, most of these games focused on squad-based action, where players gave commands to their team members, like telling them to take cover or provide fire support. Then, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands and its sequel changed the formula, evolving the games into large, open-world tactical shooters.

I loved the first Ghost Recon game, but honestly, the second one didn’t quite hit the same way. It feels like the series has lost its way a bit with all the different spin-offs, changes to how the game plays, and even some projects getting cancelled. It’s not the Ghost Recon I fell in love with, that’s for sure. I’m really hoping the next game can bring it back to its former glory, though!

Duke Nukem

The King Is Dead

First Game: Duke Nukem (1991)
Latest New Game: Duke Nukem Forever (2011)

Duke Nukem was a very popular first-person shooter in the 1990s, though it actually began as a side-scrolling game. Fans especially enjoyed Duke Nukem 3D, which was a humorous take on the shooter genre, offering a fun experience comparable to classic games like Doom and Wolfenstein.

After a series of side games and a long wait for Duke Nukem Forever – which didn’t live up to hopes – the Duke Nukem brand isn’t as strong as it once was. It remains to be seen if the series can regain its popularity with future installments.

Red Faction

Destruction Was Its Gimmick

First Game: Red Faction (2001)
Latest New Game: Red Faction: Armageddon (2011)

The original Red Faction games were innovative for their time because they allowed players to destroy walls – a unique feature for a first-person shooter. While the first two games were fairly straightforward shooters, the third installment significantly expanded the level of destruction and changed the gameplay to a third-person perspective in a larger, open world.

The most recent game followed a fairly straightforward path, but it introduced a new element to the destruction-focused gameplay: players could now fix things they’d broken. However, aside from letting players destroy environments, the Red Faction series hasn’t really established a strong identity beyond this core mechanic.

Turok

The Dinosaur Hunter

First Game: Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (1997)
Last New Game: Turok: Escape from Lost Valley (2019)
Upcoming Projects: Turok: Origins (TBA)

The Turok games perfectly blended the childhood fun of playing with dinosaurs and the excitement of first-person shooter games. Originally starting as comic books, the franchise launched into video games with a groundbreaking N64 shooter in 1997.

The original Turok game was a hit because it offered a unique experience, but later installments didn’t live up to the standard, eventually leading to a reboot that fans didn’t enjoy. The series has lost some of its spark over time, but there’s optimism that a new game, Turok: Origins, could bring it back to life – if it actually gets released, as many Turok projects have been canceled in the past.

F.E.A.R.

A Once Great Paranormal Shooter

First Game: F.E.A.R. First Encounter Assault Recon (2005)
Last New Game: F.E.A.R. Online (2014)

When it first came out, F.E.A.R. was impressive thanks to its graphics and unique paranormal elements. The first two games, including the multiplayer modes, received a lot of positive feedback. However, the third game wasn’t as well-received, and the series hasn’t had a major new release since 2011.

Following the original three games and their expansions, a multiplayer-only title called F.E.A.R. Online was released in 2014, but it didn’t capture what made the main games special. We really need more scary first-person shooters, and a new F.E.A.R. game could be fantastic for the genre if it were ever made.

2025-11-29 02:37