FPS Games That Let You Play as Different Species

Key Takeaways

Many FPS games tend to center around human characters, but there are a few options for those who want to spice things up.
Playing as non-human characters in FPS games Evolve can provide players with novel, entertaining gameplay experiences alongside traditional human character options.
From Destiny 2’s Exo and Awoken races to Overwatch 2’s robots and animals, there are a ton of wacky and interesting non-human characters to choose from.

As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless hours navigating the virtual battlegrounds of numerous universes, I must say that these games truly stand out for their unique perspectives and immersive experiences. Each one offers a fresh take on the traditional first-person shooter genre by allowing us to step into the shoes of species other than our usual human protagonists.

First-person shooter games are a dominant and popular category in the world of video gaming. Titles like “Call of Duty” and “Titanfall” are familiar to many gamers who have likely played at least one. It’s striking that these games, even with fantastical backdrops, often feature human characters as protagonists. The appeal of an everyday hero character and the significance of player identification in shaping game narratives is noteworthy.

Although it may seem unusual, there are several first-person shooter (FPS) games that enable players to select non-human characters such as robots, aliens, monsters, or even hamsters. These games provide diverse options for the player, offering unique skins or entirely new gameplay styles based on the chosen species.

8 Destiny 2

Robots And Purple People

FPS Games That Let You Play as Different Species

When designing a guardian within Destiny 2, players can opt among three playable species: Humans, Exos, and Awokens. This decision mainly enhances character customization, providing a level of depth cherished by many Destiny gamers over the game’s almost-decade journey. Despite their distinct origins, these races all have connections to humanity in one way or another.

In this game’s storyline, the Exos are mechanical bodies housing human consciousness. Since the Exo manufacturing facility on Europa has been inactive for centuries, all Exo beings are quite ancient. Interestingly, many of them don’t remember their extended lifespans due to a feature that allows them to be reset, which erases their memories and subtly alters their personality with each reset. The Awoken, originally human, were a group that escaped into the cosmos from a world situated between realities, leading to alterations in their physical forms over time.

7 Metal: Hellsinger

Demon Rockstar Gives Doom Guy A Run For His Money

In the game “Metal: Hellsinger”, you assume the role of “The Unknown”, a wandering soul who battles their way through the underworld to protect their life and reclaim their memories and voice. The character’s primary weapon, a skull named “Paz”, guides their journey as he too recovers lost memories about the events leading up to the game’s start. The gameplay closely resembles recent installments of the “Doom” series, but instead of just shooting, you must also dodge, hack, and slash in rhythm with the song being played. If executed skillfully, a score multiplier increases, adding more depth to the music until eventually, the vocals join in.

This action game sets itself apart by blending first-person shooter (FPS) mechanics with rhythm game elements. Although customizing and playing as a demon capable of toppling deities is intriguing, The Unknown may not be compelling enough as the game’s main attraction. However, Paz’s narration compensates for the limited dialogue from The Unknown and provides insight into the character that allows players to develop an emotional connection.

6 Star Wars Battlefront 1 & 2

A Whole Host Of Alien Species

In this first-person shooter game set within the Star Wars universe, players have a variety of extraterrestrial races at their disposal. During Clone Wars-era skirmishes, gamers can assume command over Clones, serving as part of the Republic army, or Droids, belonging to the Separatist Alliance. While battling as a Battle Droid is entertaining, joining imperial era conflicts grants players a wider range of alien species they can embody.

If a player aligns with the Empire, they’ll have multiple helmeted troopers to pick from. Conversely, if they opt for the Rebellion, they can play as a variety of races spanning across the Star Wars universe. This selection doesn’t affect the gameplay mechanics of Battlefront, but it enhances the experience by mirroring the diverse and unconventional nature of the Rebellion portrayed in the films – making these games feel authentically like one of the most immersive Star Wars first-person shooter experiences available.

5 Overwatch 2

Humans, Robots, And A Hamster

In Overwatch 2, players have the opportunity to command a diverse roster of characters, with most being humans. Yet, there’s also an option for players to select robotic characters like Bastion, Echo, Orisa, Ramattra, and Zenyatta, or animal characters such as Winston and Wrecking Ball. Although the variety of species might not seem vast, the game skillfully leverages these non-human characters to deliver engaging, distinctive play styles. The idea of controlling a hamster in a massive ball or a gorilla wielding an electric gun is absurdly amusing!

Regarding the balancing challenges presented by its extensive character selection, Overwatch 2 still distinguishes itself as one of the few hero-based first-person shooter games available that effectively incorporates intriguing non-human characters. It’s challenging to find rivals when it comes to the unique gameplay styles, memorable designs, and vibrant visuals of its characters in Overwatch.

4 Halo 2/3

The Arbiter

One of the most renowned first-person shooter series, “Halo,” has been a dominant force in the gaming industry for years. In the initial game, you control Spartan Master Chief, but subsequent games allow you to switch roles and play as a member of the Covenant, specifically an elite known as the Arbiter. The designers did this to provide a fresh viewpoint, enabling players to command an enemy species they had spent the previous game annihilating. This was intended to foster a more compassionate perspective towards the Covenant in the player.

In both games, The Arbiter and Master Chief exhibit distinct gameplay styles to set them apart from one another. Although they share access to similar weapons, The Arbiter’s unique ability to become camouflaged for stealthier gameplay sets him apart from the more action-oriented Master Chief. What truly makes The Arbiter memorable is not just how he handles, but rather his role in challenging players to think about their roles as a powerful Spartan warrior wreaking havoc on Covenant forces.

3 Evolve

Take Control Of The Monsters

Incorporating Evolve into this list might be seen as an unfair advantage due to the fact that monsters cannot be played from a first-person perspective. However, it’s important to note that the game offers a first-person shooter experience when controlling human characters. As such, one could argue that Evolve is technically a first-person shooter (FPS) with the unique feature of allowing players to assume various species roles. For those who may not be familiar, Evolve is an asymmetrical multiplayer game where four players control hunters in an FPS-style gameplay. Their goal is to fight against the fifth player, who assumes control of one of several monsters, playing from a third-person perspective as they attempt to survive by hunting humans.

While not the standout game on this list, Evolve showcases exceptional monster designs, catering to diverse playstyles. Moreover, it’s one of the few games here that provides a detailed view of the different species players can assume, offering a unique perspective. Despite its initial lackluster reception, it remains an enjoyable game that hasn’t received enough appreciation over time and deserves some additional recognition.

2 Aliens VS Predator

It’s In The Title

The game “Aliens versus Predator” delivers exactly what you’d expect, providing an opportunity for gamers to assume roles as both the aliens and predators. Each side in the game features a fully playable first-person shooter (FPS) campaign, along with a multiplayer mode that allows players to pick their preferred species once more. Although numerous games have stemmed from both the “Alien” and “Predator” series, this 2010 release is frequently considered one of the best. Unlike games like “Alien: Isolation”, “Aliens versus Predator” replicates the thrilling chaos of the “AvP” films rather than the suffocating dread experienced in the main “Alien” movies.

Each group – Xenomorphs, Predators, and humans – offers a distinct approach to gameplay, even though they share similarities as first-person shooter characters. The thrill of embodying creatures that have long haunted gamers’ nightmares fills an irreplaceable power fantasy. There’s nothing quite like stalking human marines or battling predators, when playing as a Xenomorph. However, the game’s appeal has diminished somewhat over time due to its age.

1 Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior

A Warhammer Game Where You Aren’t A Space Marine

Released: 2003
Developer: Kuju
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 2

“Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior is often overlooked compared to other games in the Warhammer series. Instead of the usual Space Marine or strategy games that mimic the tabletop game, this title puts players in control of a lone Tau warrior. Their mission is to outwit overwhelming odds to protect their species. Despite its aging graphics, Fire Warrior distinguishes itself among other Warhammer games because it offers the perspective of a character that many other games have conditioned players to view as an enemy.

Regardless of its flaws, “Fire Warrior” offers an enjoyable adventure through its gritty universe, presenting a fresh viewpoint, albeit one where human characters seem to outshine the Tau character development. While “Fire Warrior” may not be the top-tier FPS in the “Warhammer” series, it stands out distinctly and deserves more acclaim than it has received thus far.

2024-11-15 06:35