While first-person shooters (FPS) are typically seen as multiplayer games and are judged by how strong the gameplay and controls are, there have been quite a few FPS titles with excellent plots. Games such as BioShock and Cyberpunk 2077 show us that FPS games can be a very immersive way to enjoy a good storyline. 

Unlike traditional third-person games, FPS titles put players into a more head-first scenario where it’s usually just them and their arsenal of weapons and explosives against the world. This can lead to many tense, engaging moments that greatly compliment the fast-paced plotlines in such games. 

Here are the first-person games with the best storylines.

First-Person Shooter Games With the Best Storylines:

BioShock 

Kicking things off is 2K Games’ 2007 atmospheric title, BioShock. In many ways a revolutionary game, Bioshock, with its disturbing dystopian setting, excellent writing, and impeccable gameplay, showed fans how FPS titles can rival even the greatest third-person campaigns in terms of writing. 

You play as Jack, a plane crash survivor that ends up in what became of the underwater city of Rapture. Destined for greatness, the city was struck with madness and civil war and ended up in ruins. The game is an essay on greed, capitalism, and human morality. The fusion of the survival horror and dystopian genres is done in a way that remains unparalleled. The gameplay is tense, and every area has a dark and disturbing vibe that greatly compliments the plot. 

Cyberpunk 2077

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Despite its controversial release, Cyberpunk 2077 is now in a playable state, and it is safe to say that due to its strong plotline, side quests, and RPG elements, Cyberpunk 2077 is among the best story-rich FPS games. 

Cyberpunk 2077 tells the tale of a person standing up against the biggest corporation in the world, and this is executed perfectly. With the multiple choices that affect have an effect on the campaign and the many side quests that can ultimately impact your ending, Cyberpunk 2077 has all the qualities of a solid RPG storyline while being a first-person shooter. 

Halo 3

While any among the first three Halo titles could have made this list, Halo 3 arguably has the greatest storyline in the series. Halo 3 is where the Master Chief and Arbiter finally join forces resulting in one of the most iconic duos in gaming. The two come together to fight the Covenant with the rising threat of the Flood in the background.

Alongside the strong writing, Halo 3 had some of the best moments in FPS games, Halo’s near-perfect controls, and music that is bound to get everyone’s heart rate flying. All this comes together to form a masterpiece of a title. 

Wolfenstein: The New Order 

Wolfenstein: The New Order was among the first few significant releases for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox one. The game has all the elements that make an FPS good, from fast-paced gameplay, to good enemy AI, to many options that add to gameplay versatility, such as two handling any weapons of the same class and a large variety of weapons to choose from. On top of all, the strong storyline gave us an alternative look at the outcome of the second World War, a feat not easily executed. 

Full of intense sequences and moments that often make you feel like you are watching a movie, Wolfenstein: The New Order remains a fantastic title even after all these years have passed. 

Metro Exodus 

4A’s Metro Exodus is among the most underrated story-based FPS games. Set in post-apocalyptic Russia, Exodus takes the linear approach of previous titles and introduces smaller open-world sandbox areas full of discovery and peril. Set in the underground Metro area, a place humans believe to be the last straw of humanity, Metro Exodus tells the tale of Artyom as he sets out in search of other human settlements. 

Metro Exodus features the current-gen’s stunning graphics, has a beautiful world full of relics of the past, and a story centered around betrayal, hope, and tragedy. The gameplay loop revolves around a train that stops at areas where you can venture out for discovery and progress the story. Each area is a mini open-world adventure with tons of RPG elements and much to explore. All in all, Metro Exodus is an excellent FPS title with a strong story that every fan of the genre needs to give at least one shot. 

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

COD: Modern Warfare 2 is well known as one of the greatest Call of Duty titles to date, and for good reason. Modern Warfare 2 followed the revolutionary gameplay and level design of Modern Warfare and took it all up a notch. 

The story is exceptional, featuring an excellent cast of characters and nail-biting, tense missions. While the premise is basic and predictable at times, the execution was near flawless, and the campaign still stands as one of the most iconic COD campaigns of all time. 

Far Cry 3

There is a reason why every Far Cry game after Far Cry 3 has tried to follow its formulae. Far Cry 3 is a masterpiece of a first-person shooter with some of the best storytelling in the genre.

Set on a fictional island overrun by modern pirates, Far Cry 3 features lush green landscapes and is very picturesque all around. The antagonist, Vaas (played by Michael Mando), is known as one of gaming’s greatest villains and is always mentioned in a discussion of gaming’s most vile and gruesome villains.  You play as a tourist who, after escaping a kidnapping from Vaas, sets on a quest to take him and his organization down. What follows is a gripping tale of revenge and anger. 

Titanfall 2

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The whole world looked forward to Titanfall due to the impressive, fast-paced multiplayer of the original, and then the game released up and gave us an impeccable story no one expected. 

Despite being known for its unique, quick gameplay and multiplayer, Titanfall 2 has a story all fans of the genre are bound to enjoy. The story revolves around Jack Cooper and his Titan, BT. Without going into too many spoilers, what can be said is that this is an exceptional, emotional journey that explores the evolving bond between Cooper and BT despite the very hostile environment they are in. Titanfall 2 pleased even the harshest critics and is a game everyone should play at least once. 

This concludes our list of the greatest FPS storylines. This is in no way a complete list, and we would love to see what your favorite FPS storylines are in the comments below!