Third-Person Shooters That Would Have Been Better First-Person

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that the shift from first-person to third-person perspective in certain games has always been a matter of personal preference. However, when it comes to the games you’ve mentioned, I firmly believe that a first-person view could have added an extra layer of immersion and terror.

Third-person action games like “Star Wars Outlaws” are built around a unique camera perspective, seamlessly blending action and movement, resulting in an engaging gameplay experience. Occasionally, one might ponder what the game could be like if viewed from a first-person standpoint.

This doesn’t mean that third-person shooters are bad without the change in style. Some games would benefit from being able to choose between third-person and first-person, a function that not enough games implement. Meanwhile, some would benefit from a shift in perspective in either a sequel or reboot.

9 Fortnite

An Experimental Season Could Go A Long Way

Known as one of the pioneers in the Battle Royale genre, Fortnite has consistently offered strong third-person shooting gameplay. However, it has recently started to incorporate elements from more recent Battle Royale games such as fast running and climbing, which can be seen in titles like Apex Legends and Call Of Duty: Warzone.

Given that developers at Epic Games aren’t shy about trying out fresh gameplay mechanics for Fortnite, a future season featuring first-person perspective could potentially attract more players. This is particularly plausible because Epic Games has a history of creating excellent First-Person Shooter (FPS) games like Unreal and Bulletstorm in the past.

8 Mafia

The Games With Great Immersion

Generally speaking, games in the Mafia series are often viewed as close copies of the Grand Theft Auto games, but exceptionally well-crafted ones that have spawned a franchise. Nevertheless, it’s debatable whether the Mafia games have achieved the same level of fame as the Grand Theft Auto series due to their striking similarities, even extending to almost identical third-person camera angles.

The unveiling of Mafia: The Old Country may offer an opportunity to differentiate the games from others in its genre by introducing a first-person open-world perspective. Throughout its history, the Mafia series has demonstrated exceptional skill at engrossing players within its fictional cities such as Empire City and New Bordeaux, so incorporating a first-person viewpoint might have further enhanced this sense of immersion.

7 The Thing

The Camera Needed Fixing From The Start

It’s undeniable that The Thing stood out as a remarkable horror game for the PlayStation 2 era, embodying the eerie ambiance and suspenseful tension that made the John Carpenter film so frightening. However, one aspect of the original game that has definitely shown its age is the camera system.

Back then, numerous third-person games had this issue; the camera in The Thing was clumsy and frequently failed to cooperate with the controller. A first-person perspective might have functioned more smoothly and would’ve complemented the squad-based gameplay without disrupting the unsettling ambiance of exploring the Antarctic base under cover of darkness.

6 Resident Evil 4 Remake

Resident Evil: Village Proved It Could Work

The “Resident Evil” series significantly transformed the third-person action genre, particularly the groundbreaking title, “Resident Evil 4.” This game, with its innovative over-the-shoulder perspective, likely paved the way for numerous popular games as we know them today. Interestingly, the “Resident Evil” franchise has also demonstrated success in first-person perspective recently, with titles like “Resident Evil VII: Biohazard” and “Resident Evil: Village.”

It’s understandable that the remake of Resident Evil 4 stayed true to what made the original great, but allowing players to experience Resident Evil 4 from a first-person perspective would have certainly drawn in both longtime fans and newcomers. The horrifying scenes that were already unsettling in third-person would have been even more intense when viewed in the first-person perspective.

5 L.A. Noire

Action Was Not The Game’s Strong Suit

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to say that L.A. Noire stands out as a true gem among many games. It masterfully blends intriguing storytelling with gripping detective work and captivating performances. Yet, it’s undeniable that some gamers, including myself, find the third-person shooting aspects less than satisfying, particularly during extended gunfights. These prolonged showdowns can drag on due to the somewhat rigid controls.

It might have been more engaging for the remaster of L.A. Noire if detective Cole Phelps switched to a first-person perspective during action scenes. This change could also improve investigation efficiency by allowing players to spot clues more easily in a first-person camera view.

4 007: Blood Stone

It Didn’t Feel Like James Bond

007: Blood Stone boldly charted a fresh path for the long-running James Bond video game series, much like the Daniel Craig films did for the movie franchise. However, some found this title a step back in terms of quality compared to its predecessors, and part of this was due to the shift from first-person perspective to third-person.

As a fan, I’d say that the iconic James Bond games like GoldenEye, Agent Under Fire, and Nightfire stood out as exceptional first-person shooters in their era. They masterfully blended stealth and action, offering a challenging yet enjoyable play experience. However, Blood Stone was seen as lacking innovation due to its repetitive cover-and-shoot gameplay. Perhaps if it had offered a more immersive first-person perspective, it could have been even more captivating.

3 Aliens: Fireteam Elite

Blasting Xenos Is Better In First-Person

Overall, Aliens: Fireteam Elite delivered an enjoyable action gameplay, though it didn’t quite reach the peak of terror that some gamers might expect from Xenomorph encounters. The primary creatures lacked the fear factor because of the third-person perspective and UI elements, which leaned more towards action-adventure than survival horror. However, this choice resulted in a game reminiscent of Left 4 Dead, offering a good gaming experience.

As a die-hard fan, I’ve always appreciated the immersive experience of first-person games when it comes to the Alien franchise. Games like Aliens Vs. Predator have truly nailed the tension and terror that these films evoke. While Aliens: Fireteam Elite was a great step forward, it could’ve been what Aliens: Colonial Marines failed to become. Perhaps, for future Alien games or sequels to this one, we might consider the addition of a first-person perspective to enhance that heart-pounding, up-close-and-personal feeling of being hunted by these terrifying creatures.

2 Spec Ops: The Line

Walker’s Story Would Be Even More Horrific

Initially appearing as an ordinary shooter game, Spec Ops: The Line transformed into one of the most intensely gripping and unsettling single-player campaigns during the Xbox 360/PS3 era. By its conclusion, this game successfully distinguished itself from many other shooters of that time, with its third-person shooting mechanics being widely appreciated as genuinely strong.

It’s not to say that a first-person shooter wouldn’t have been an equally effective choice for Spec Ops: The Line. Considering the deeply unsettling and violent experiences portrayed through the eyes of Captain Martin Walker, a first-person perspective could have provided an equally harrowing experience for some players.

1 Dead Space Remake

Even More Anxiety Aboard The Ishimura

The Dead Space series is frequently compared to the Resident Evil franchise, both being hailed for their groundbreaking contributions to the horror genre. Remarkably, the third-person perspective in these games remains relevant today, as demonstrated by the remake which many believe surpasses its 2008 original version.

To put it another way, the original Dead Space is undeniably scary when the camera angle lets you see Necromorph monsters approaching from almost everywhere. However, if players were confined to a first-person perspective and needed to keep scanning every direction for incoming enemies, they would be even more petrified. This concept was partially demonstrated with the exclusive Nintendo Wii shooter, Dead Space: Extraction, which was played entirely in first person.

2024-08-28 04:34