FPS Games Designed for Players Who Love Getting Lost

Some types of games really focus on direct, intense action, and first-person shooters are definitely a prime example.

Like most things in gaming, there are always exceptions. Some games stand out by doing something truly different and moving beyond what came before.

Just because a game is different doesn’t mean it’s good. Many unique games don’t really impress, but some successfully combine originality with polish and quality.

This is a very small group – in fact, you could probably count the number of games on your hands. I’m talking about ten first-person shooter games perfect for players who enjoy immersive, exploratory experiences.

10. Resident Evil Village

Embracing Open Spaces

Unlike previous games in the series, Resident Evil Village explored areas in a similar way to its direct predecessor, focusing on a different approach to exploration.

This isn’t just one large area to search; it’s a whole town you can explore, with streets linking the main sections. It even features the kind of backtracking you’d find in Metroidvania games, which is a new approach for this series.

The game plays more like a fast-paced action title than a truly scary horror game. The shooting is incredibly polished, and it feels less like you’re being hunted and more like you’re the one doing the hunting.

I realize Resident Evil Village won’t be for everyone. However, if you like good shooting and the series’ classic puzzles, you’ll probably enjoy exploring and fighting your way through as you figure out what to do next.

9. ULTRAKILL

Secrets upon Secrets

I stumbled across ULTRAKILL on this list, and it honestly threw me for a loop at first. It looks like a super straightforward FPS – just run around and shoot everything that moves. But there’s something more to it than that, and it’s a really interesting feeling!

Even though the game is fast-paced and action-packed, it’s surprisingly deep. Uncovering everything it has to offer takes more than simply winning fights – you’ll need to really explore and investigate.

You’ll solve puzzles, discover hidden spots, interact with objects, and complete mission objectives – all by shooting. However, determining where and how to do these things often requires you to pause and think, breaking up the fast-paced action.

When I first played ULTRAKILL, I rushed through the story and missed a lot of content because I wasn’t paying close attention. It wasn’t until I started thinking of the game as a complex maze instead of a simple path that I understood how much I had overlooked.

8. Metro Exodus

The End of the Apocalypse

The entire Metro series focuses on fully immersing players in its post-apocalyptic world, so Metro Exodus‘ larger, more open environments were naturally a grand and engaging experience.

Underground, Artyom’s movement was limited, but once he reached the surface, he found many more ways to explore and move forward than he anticipated.

I have to say, this game totally surprised me! It started out feeling like a pretty standard run-and-gun shooter, but it quickly became so much more. It’s like I’m an explorer on a real journey, and I’m not just solving problems with firepower. There are a ton of conflicts, but figuring them out isn’t always about shooting things – which is awesome!

Metro Exodus has a clean, simple design, tons of things to discover, and a compelling need to thoroughly explore every detail. It’s a game that truly immerses you, making you forget about the real world and even where you are – and that’s a great thing!

7. Deathloop

Unraveling the Cycle

Arkane Studios games are known for being a bit complex. They consistently aim for more than a standard first-person shooter, which often leads to some initial confusion for players.

Deathloop really showcases this idea; it’s not just about shooting enemies and using powers to get around – the core of the game is figuring out the mystery of the time loop the character is stuck in.

Thoroughly investigate every part of the facility, taking detailed notes as you go. Connect the villains to how everything works, and use all the information you’ve gathered from your time travels to make one final, informed attempt to solve the case.

Because of this, you’ll frequently hit roadblocks or challenges that seem impossible to overcome. That’s because Deathloop revolves around repeating events with small changes, slowly altering how your game unfolds, and this makes it both incredibly complex and truly enjoyable.

6. Far Cry 4

A Country to Liberate

Before Ubisoft started relying too heavily on a single formula, they created many games with impressively large open worlds, and Far Cry 4 was one of the most engaging, offering hours of gameplay.

The world of Kyrat, as presented in Far Cry 3, invites you to lose yourself in the experience. It’s about seeing the bigger picture – the whole landscape – instead of getting caught up in details, allowing you to fully appreciate everything around you.

The game seamlessly blends exciting activities – from raiding enemy camps and hunting wildlife to embarking on otherworldly trips – ensuring you always have something engaging to do. It truly shines in its ability to connect these diverse experiences.

The game’s story lets you explore freely, so you won’t be blocked from going where you want. Getting lost in Far Cry 4 isn’t about not knowing where you are, but rather not knowing what will happen next.

5. BioShock

Becoming One with Rapture

Constantly running into obstacles and reopening doors might not sound fun, but the stunning city of Rapture in BioShock somehow turns it into something truly special.

Honestly, the atmosphere in this game is incredible. The way the levels are designed just completely pulls you into this lost, underwater world – it’s breathtaking, even when I’m totally stuck and have no idea what to do next. It really feels like you are there.

Ken Levine, known for creating detailed and immersive games, clearly drew inspiration from titles like System Shock and Thief when making BioShock. A key design choice was to encourage players to explore and get lost, helping them learn the environment and understand how everything functions.

The game blends action and storytelling in a way that constantly encourages you to experiment and figure things out. It creates a wonderfully engaging cycle where you feel like you’re learning the rules of the world, even amidst chaotic situations like being pursued by divers with a massive drill.

4. Half-Life 2

A Campaign for the Sagacious

Some games truly stand the test of time, continuing to impress you with their cleverness and originality even years later. That’s exactly how I felt about Half-Life 2, even though I didn’t start playing it until long after its release.

Valve’s greatest achievement stands out because it prioritizes deep, believable experiences over simple gameplay. It builds a world you truly feel like you’re in, while still respecting your intelligence and skill as a player.

The game subtly guides you to become skilled, letting you learn through experience rather than direct instruction. This makes solving challenges incredibly rewarding when you finally figure things out.

Rather than just focusing on action or puzzles, Half-Life 2 truly shines because of its realistic and fluid events. These moments unfold so naturally that it feels less like playing a game and more like embarking on a digital adventure where the player’s own choices define the experience.

The main drawback of this method is that you’ll sometimes get stuck, missing a breakable object or a way to use the Gravity Gun to reach a new area. Despite this frustration, the overall experience is well worth it.

3. Deus Ex: Human Revolution

More Paths than you can Count

It’s not surprising that immersive sims often appear on lists of overlooked games. This genre uniquely focuses on letting players try different approaches and learn through experimentation, and that’s why Deus Ex: Human Revolution is a perfect example of what we’re discussing.

Adam Jensen isn’t just a character in action games; he’s adaptable and can handle situations in many ways – whether through sneaking, using technology, or even just talking his way through them.

Players can approach each mission in a way that suits their character’s unique skills and traits, creating countless interesting and challenging paths to explore.

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The game offers a lot of different tools because you’ll encounter many different challenges. Its levels are designed to be explored, rewarding players who venture off the beaten path rather than just following the main story.

Like most games of this type, you’ll find yourself in silly or awkward situations. Luckily, you’ll have your weapons to help you escape from whatever unexpected messes you get into.

2. Borderlands 2

Pandora at Your Mercy

The past ten years have seen incredible open-world games that really pushed the boundaries of what was possible. A prime example is Borderlands 2, which brilliantly combined open-world exploration with the excitement of collecting loot, making it incredibly addictive.

This game is the most enjoyable thing I’ve encountered in the gaming world in a long time. It’s incredibly captivating and makes it hard not to get completely hooked.

Whether you’re drawn to the troubled characters, the strange quests, the rewarding loot, or just endless shooting, Pandora in Borderlands is built to keep you playing for hours. It’s incredibly hard to put down, even for a quick gaming session.

Feel free to explore all the maps and clues Borderlands 2 offers, but you’ll likely find yourself battling creatures in a remote location while someone, probably a bit stressed, gives you directions over the radio – and that’s a really good thing.

1. Prey

A Labyrinth of Experiments

It’s a peculiar sensation when a place feels so well-crafted you almost want to live there, and that’s exactly how I felt when I first arrived on the Talos I in Prey.

This space station is incredibly large and intricately designed. It’s packed with systems and things to do that constantly challenge you to be creative and resourceful, rather than only when something goes wrong.

This location is a complex challenge, and the creatures wandering its crumbling halls force you to think strategically. You’ll have tools to defend yourself, but limited supplies, meaning you need to be resourceful and smart to survive.

While aiming for headshots is helpful, it’s even more crucial to explore the environment thoroughly to solve puzzles and complete objectives. This often requires visiting many different areas and carefully reading through lots of information.

It’s important to follow the story and events in Prey, though you’ll inevitably feel a bit lost at times. The game is designed to spark your imagination, but much of the experience involves exploring a stunning, yet often confusing, environment.

2026-02-02 22:42