FPS Video Game Series Better Than Borderlands

I still remember when the original Diablo came out in ’97 – it totally changed what action RPGs could be and ruled the genre for ages! Then, in 2009, Gearbox Software came along with Borderlands, and it was a completely fresh take. It was a really solid shooter, but with RPG elements – four different character classes and tons of loot to share with your friends when you played together. Nothing else felt quite like it back then!

Since its debut in 2009, the series has changed a lot, even getting its own movie, but the core appeal – collecting loot and unusual guns – has always stayed the same. While it’s a one-of-a-kind game, other shooting games, or series of games, often excel in certain areas more than Borderlands does.

Halo

The Master Chief Of It All

First Game: Halo: Combat Evolved (Xbox, 2001)
Latest Console Game: Halo Infinite (PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, 2021)

The Halo series fundamentally changed console shooting games. When Halo: Combat Evolved launched in 2001 for the original Xbox, it instantly became a must-have title for the system. The game featured excellent shooting mechanics, expansive and open levels, enjoyable vehicles, and creative weapons. On top of all that, Master Chief was a truly iconic character. He was calm, focused, and effective, and his status as one of the coolest characters in video game history remains strong today. While he isn’t a deeply complex character, that doesn’t take away from his appeal.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator isn’t a complex character, but he perfectly embodies the ‘cool’ factor in action movies. The Borderlands series, however, lacks that single, defining character. Lilith comes closest, though Claptrap is more of a fun, recognizable symbol. While Handsome Jack is a fantastic villain, Master Chief remains in a league of his own. He’s unmatched with a gun, and despite the Halo franchise not reaching the same peaks after Bungie moved on in 2010, it’s still a more polished shooter than any Borderlands game. Halo prioritizes quality over the sheer number of weapons you find in Borderlands.

Call Of Duty

Fighting The Good Fight

First Game: Call of Duty (PC, 2003)
Latest Console Game: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, 2025)

The Call of Duty series started in 2003 as a World War II shooter, but it became incredibly popular with the release of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. That game significantly improved the shooting mechanics and made the multiplayer mode a huge success. It introduced a system where players could earn experience, unlock new weapons, customize them, and even reset their progress for new challenges. While the campaigns are also well-made, it’s the diverse multiplayer – with modes ranging from Domination to the popular Zombies – that has kept the Call of Duty franchise thriving.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare really raised the bar for video game campaigns, creating memorable, action-packed levels. With so many Call of Duty games available, it’s tough to choose the best, but the gunplay feels fantastic – similar to Halo, with incredible sound design that truly pulls you into the action, especially with good headphones or a surround sound system. While some entries have been better than others, Call of Duty consistently delivers strong single-player and multiplayer experiences. It’s surprising that Borderlands hasn’t explored large-scale multiplayer modes like those found in Call of Duty.

Titanfall

Mechs? Yes Please!

First Game: Titanfall (PC, Xbox 360, and Xbox One, 2014)
Latest Console Game: Apex Legends (PC, PS4, and Xbox One, 2019)

What really makes Titanfall different from Borderlands is its use of mechs. While Borderlands does have mechs in some form, Titanfall‘s – called Titans – are much more central and impressive. The first Titanfall game, released in 2014, was focused entirely on multiplayer, with a story that unfolded as players played. What stood out was how seamlessly players could fight both inside and outside their Titans – both felt fluid and natural. Titanfall 2 built on this with a single-player campaign that many shooter fans consider to be one of the best ever made.

Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind this game, was formed by developers from Infinity Ward, the creators of Call of Duty. Given their history, it wasn’t a shock they could deliver another excellent shooter – this time featuring mechs. While their popular spin-off, Apex Legends, is also great, it doesn’t quite fit the comparison because mechs aren’t central to its gameplay. Ultimately, this feels like a showdown between the Borderlands series and Titanfall 2. It’s a strong statement, but Titanfall 2 is technically the superior shooter thanks to its incredible gunplay and smooth movement, both when playing as a pilot and controlling a Titan. The game’s story and exciting levels keep the action flowing, and mech enthusiasts will especially enjoy piloting the Titans, making it a standout experience alongside other games in the genre.

Far Cry

Blow It Up

First Game: Far Cry (PC, 2004)
Latest Console Game: Far Cry 6 (PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, 2021)

The original Far Cry in 2004 didn’t immediately become a hit, and it took a while for the game to gain traction. Far Cry 2 moved the series closer to success, but it was Far Cry 3 in 2012 that truly made it popular for Ubisoft. Its setting – a tropical environment where a character is pushed to their limits and forced to make difficult choices – felt like something out of an 80s action film. Later games in the series continued to build on this epic scope. However, what really sets the Far Cry series apart from Borderlands are two key elements.

Many open-world games offer large, connected environments and lots of ways to get around, like cars, boats, and even paragliders. While games like Borderlands have good vehicle options, Far Cry really shines when it comes to the fun, unpredictable chaos players can create – similar to the Grand Theft Auto series. You’ll have a huge range of weapons at your disposal, from assault rifles to explosives, letting you fight to reclaim territory from dangerous groups. While Borderlands has its share of explosions, nothing beats the feeling of taking back land in a Far Cry game.

Metroid Prime

Puzzles, Adventure, And More

First Game: Metroid Prime (GameCube, 2002)
Latest Console Game: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (Switch and Switch 2, 2025)

The Metroid series started in Japan in 1986 and came to North America on the NES in 1987. For more than ten years, Metroid games were primarily 2D platformers. That changed with Metroid Prime, a spin-off developed by Retro Studios, a company not owned by Nintendo. Metroid Prime became so popular that it eventually overshadowed the 2D games, leading many to think of Metroid as a shooter series. While games like Borderlands, Call of Duty, Titanfall, and Far Cry focus on over-the-top action, Metroid Prime and the other main Metroid titles offer a different experience.

Metroid games are best described as immersive, atmospheric shooters. Each game typically traps the main character, Samus, on a different alien planet, allowing players to freely explore, solve puzzles, and engage in combat. This leads to discovering new abilities and facing increasingly dangerous enemies. The newest installment, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, even gives Samus psychic powers to manipulate her surroundings. These games are designed to be savored and experienced at a deliberate pace – something Borderlands isn’t built for. Metroid Prime excels at storytelling through its environments, achieving a level of immersion that surpasses even the most elaborate cutscenes in Borderlands.

2026-02-12 08:35