Summary
TheFPSgenrehas gone through periods of innovation and stagnation through the years. Beginning with pioneering titles such asDOOMandQuake, as well asBUILD Engine classicssuch asDuke Nukem 3DandBlood, first-person shooters eventually shifted toward cover-based gameplay and twitchy reactions.
With multiple styles of FPS firmly established, modern indie developers have a deep well from which to draw when creating new first-person shooters. From games such asULTRAKILLthat blend FPS gameplay with a character action-style system, toPost Voidwith its mash-up of twitchy movement and roguelike structure,there’s something in the indie scene for all kinds of FPS fans.
8Maximum Action
Stylish & Wholly Unconcerned With Challenge
Maximum Actionisa low-poly indieFPS that takes clear inspiration from games such asMax PayneandFEAR. Using a combination of slow-motion “bullet time,” excess gore, and flashy dives,Maximum Actionemphasizes style over challenge in an accessible action sandbox.
This focus on expressive action and creative style makes for a fresh experience, showing that first-person shooters don’t have to be about careful positioning or fast reactions. The often brisk nature of each mission and the action cinema homages also allowMaximum Actionto stand out as a purpose-built sandbox.
7Chop Goblins
A Micro-FPS With Stripped Down Mechanics
Chop Goblins’gameplay is fairly straightforward,old-school FPS action. However, through a combination of tongue-in-cheek humor, ultra-simplistic controls (even forgoing a jump option), and—most importantly—an incredibly short runtime,Chop Goblinsmanages to be a truly refreshing experience.
Players used to bloated experiences or even typical labyrinthine episodes of old-school shooters will find inChop Goblinsa fresh pace. This tight, efficient design is packed with constant changes of scenery that players can blast through in less than an hour. While the lack of a jump button certainly limits players, this limitation allows for a deeper focus on the fundamentals, simultaneously allowingChop Goblinsto be more accessible to a wider audience.
Though it pushes the definition of a first-person shooter with its lack of gun models and focus on pure movement, this is precisely what makesNeon Whiteso innovative. Through intuitive controls and clear, easy-to-read level designs,Neon Whitebecomes an accessible runner, but it’s the way it encourages speed running that makes it such an innovative experience.
Neon White’sgameplay loop is truly unique, blending trigger-happy FPS gameplay with expressive movement abilities andfluid level design. Most importantly, the medal system, and the way it drip-feeds players with unique hints, provides constant encouragement to replay levels to achieve faster clear times before moving on.
Perhaps the most obvious distinguishing feature of this title is its distinctive art style, which blends pixel art, voxel-based models, and 3D environments with a heavily stylized color palette. This immediately stylish presentation isn’tCULTIC’sonly innovation, however, with its gameplay combining elements of survival horror with classic old-school first-person shooter action.
CULTICis far more of a shooter than a true horror game, but it takes clear inspiration fromgames such asResident Evil 4. Furthermore,CULTICinnovates with its slower pace, though it does allow experienced players to blitz through levels, facilitated by clever enemy encounters that often force a methodical approach.
Deep Rock Galacticis not a typical FPS, though it does borrow from tried-and-true formulas of horde-based co-op games such asLeft 4 Dead 2. In the game, players delve into procedurally generated caverns, which themselves are generated in a distinctive and naturalistic manner, completing set objectives as they explore and fight off deadly alien bugs.
The combination of mining, exploration,and horde survivalprovides a fresh experience, elevated by co-op play and consistent progression. This is elevated further by phenomenal character classes that each offer particular strengths and weaknesses, allowing each player to explore and combat enemies in their own way.
ULTRAKILLis aslick, stylish FPSthat plays at a breakneck pace, supported by short levels that combine corridor shooting with expressive combat arenas. The game stands out not only for the speed of its gameplay, but for its chunky art style, imaginative weapon designs, and character-action combo system.
Fans of fast-paced shooters and character-action games such asDevil May Crywill quickly find themselves at home withULTRAKILL. However, despite its familiarity,ULTRAKILL’stactile controls and mash-up of game mechanics feel decidedly fresh.
Fallen Acesis a stylish combination of FPS, brawler, and immersive sim. This game excels with its pulpy comic book art style, which practically leaps off the screen. However, it’s the aforementioned blend of immersive sim gameplay and first-person brawling that makes this title so refreshing to play.
The immersive and open design of the game’s levels and the variety of approaches they facilitate allow for some truly expressive gameplay. Furthermore, the sheer level of polish within the game’s presentation, controls, and environments make for an experience that stands out from the crowd almost immediately. Add to this a distinctive combination of art styles and immersive gameplay mechanics, andFallen Acespresents players with a unique flavor of pulpy action.
This fast-paced and psychedelic indie FPS lacks weapon variety, a narrative, and even hand-made levels. However, these perceived shortcomings only play to the game’s strengths, allowing for a more focused and tightly-designed experience that emphasizes speed, ace aiming, and quick thinking above all else.
Its scratchy, gritty art style with its bright and psychedelic visuals go hand-in-hand with a chaotic soundtrack and fast game speed. This speed is mechanically encouraged via a constantly-draining health bar, an innovation that has clearly influenced more recent titles such asCRUELand even the upcomingBloodthief.
