Summary
First-person shooters tend to feature diverse arsenals that allow players to express their own style and/or inject variety into combat encounters.Games such asDOOMandQuake, for example, encourage frequent weapon cycling in order to defeat enemies efficiently. As a result, more weapon diversity usually (not always) results in a better FPS.
In the interest of diversity, these titles cover everything from RPGs such asBorderlandsandDestinyto more hand-crafted, indie experiences. Games that offer diverse, specific arsenals have generally been favored over games that use procedural generation or feature the typically repetitive weaponrycommon in multiplayer shooters.
Cruelty Squadmay be an assault on the eyes, butits combat sandboxallows for a great deal of creative problem-solving. Part of this is due to the variety of tools and weapons that players have available to them.
In fact,Cruelty Squadfeatures over twenty weapons, many of which are firearms. Furthermore, the game features a unique system for unlocking weapons that tasks players with finding them in levels and extracting with the weapon still equipped. This is a particularly satisfying unlock method that rewards players for committing to newly found weapons.
7Bears In Space
An FPS That Excels With Diversity
Featuring over 25 weapons, many of which can be upgraded,Bears In Spaceis able to offer a diverse FPS adventure. Similarly to games such asRatchet & Clank,Bears In Spaceoffers a broad arsenal of imaginative weapons that champion eccentric designs over practical ones. This results in a tongue-in-cheek experience that’s replete with visual variety.
Players that enjoy a more serious and down-to-Earth experience may want to steer clear, butBears In Spaceis a decidedly joyous title that excels with its unhinged charm. Furthermore,Bears In Spacefeatures a unique bullet-hell combat system in which to make use of the various weapons.
6Maximum Action
A Diverse Arsenal For Sandbox Play
Featuring very little challenge and a focus on style,Maximum Actiontakes inspirationfrom 80s cinemato provide players with a low-poly action sandbox. Taking clear inspiration from games such asFEARandMax Paynewith its bullet-time mechanic and slow-motion dives, this FPS title tasks players with blasting through each of its brisk missions as stylishly as possible.
The large variety of firearms inMaximum Actionpresent players with a constantly changing set of tools for each encounter, encouraging constant weapon swaps and stylishly grabbing weapons out of the air in cinematic slow-motion. Fans of 80s action cinema and stylish shooters are more than likely to enjoyMaximum Action, though it features no narrative thread, and it’s relatively light on challenge.
Borderlands 2is an action-packed combination of RPG and FPS that offers a tremendous amount of loot. With a gameplay structure that’s built around finding new, better weapons and slaying bigger, badder enemies,Borderlands 2excels with its massive variety of weapons.
However, this variety is afforded via a heavy dose of procedural generation. This makes the excitement and discovery of a new weapon heavily dependent on luck. While still enjoyable, it fails to offer the same experience that some players may get when finding a new hand-crafted weapon in a more nuanced FPS.
Destiny 2combines fluid gunplay and FPS action with the structure of an MMO to great effect, offering a unique experience in detailed 3D environments.The RPG character progressionand variety of build options creates a great deal of diversity, but it’s the aforementioned gunplay that keepsDestiny 2consistently engaging.
It’s a good job, then, thatDestiny 2features an abundance of loot. More specifically, the variety of weapons that players are able to acquire are many. Furthermore, although random generation plays a part in the specifics of each weapon, their designs are bespoke.
This old-school shooter is revered for its dark,pulpy B-movie tone, yammering cultists, and - most importantly - a diverse arsenal of expressive and eccentric weaponry. From the iconic pitchfork and the fiery flare gun to the utterly unhinged voodoo doll,Bloodveers confidently off the beaten path.
Sure, there’s the more regular machine gun and shotgun, but even these weapons are spiced up via alternate fire modes that add a great deal of expression to each combat.Bloodeven makes the classic grenade more fun, instead giving players heaps of dynamite to light and chuck at groups of cultists and gargoyles alike.
Fallen Acesis a stylish and wonderfully pulpy immersive-sim with an emphasis on FPS combat and first-person brawling. In keeping with its natureas an immersive-sim,Fallen Acesfeatures a diverse arsenal of weaponry that covers everything from powerful firearms to harpoon guns and frying pans.
This diversity of weapons allows players to get creative in and out of combat, supported by a durability system and limited ammunition that forces players to experiment and be resourceful. The open levels and generosity of the weapons sprawled across each of them also ensures that players will rarely beat a level with just one weapon, making flexibility key to success.
As with its predecessors,Halo 3offers a variety of weapons. This is facilitated by a design that allows players to pick up the weapons of fallen enemies as well as wielding the firearms of the UNSC. The ability to take weapons from friendly marines also ensures players are able to get a hold of favorite weapons more easily, making the overall experience more enjoyable.
Both the Covenant and UNSC have a diverse arsenal of weaponry, from beam rifles and energy swords to classic shotguns and the iconic assault rifle. For fans of sci-fi shooters and pulpy action,Halo 3and its predecessors are still worth playing even today, especially in co-op.
