Summary
The first-person shooteris a broad and varied genre, not to mention saturated. From the fast and frenetic pace of old-school shooterssuch asDOOM, to the slower pace ofCall of Duty, there’s something for all kinds of FPS fans.
Of all the qualities, good gunplay is perhaps the most important when it comes to first-person shooters. This, too, plays a pivotal role inmaking an FPS satisfying. However, other elements can make an FPS more gratifying to play, such as finely tuned hit responses and smooth player feedback.
Far from being a straight shooter,Neon Whiteis a truly unique title that emphasizes speed and quick-thinking. In the game, players blast through a variety of short levels in which they’re tasked with defeating every enemy and reaching the end as fast as they can.
What makesNeon Whiteso satisfying is its expressive movement and responsive weapons (represented by simple cards), which also double as special traversal abilities when they’re discarded. Many of these abilities are also satisfying to usethanks to responsive controlsand lightning-fast animations.
Fast-paced, frenetic, and borderline psychedelic,Post Voidisan action Roguelikewith a kinetic personality. In the game, players barrel through labyrinthine levels while battling against various enemies and their constantly draining health.
The ephemeral nature of the player’s health also helps to encourage speed and maintains the game’s pace. Players can also refill their health by killing enemies, discouraging them from simply running past every adversary. This elegant design is elevated by the game’s expressive movement controls and satisfying headshots. As a result, blasting through the many close-quarters environments ofPost Voidis a frequently gratifying experience.
6Maximum Action
A Responsive Action Sandbox With An Emphasis On Style
Though it features little in the way of challenge,Maximum Actionexcels with itsaction-sandbox gameplay, emphasizing style over mechanical depth. This is no surprise, given thatMaximum Actiontakes heavy inspiration from the action cinema of the 80s and 90s.
Thediverse arsenal of weaponryavailable includes a variety of firearms that are brought to life through snappy animations and punchy sound effects, resulting in satisfying gunplay. The fast pace, lack of stakes, and complete focus on action keepMaximum Actiona tight and rewarding experience despite a lack of narrative and progression.
ULTRAKILLis a fast-paced and intuitive first-person shooter with a focus on creative weaponry and pixelated gore. What’s unique and ultimately satisfying aboutULTRAKILLis the game’s distinctive blend of old-school shooters and character action games.
InULTRAKILL, players are rewarded for their skill with a classicscore-based grading system, drawing satisfaction from the most basic of actions. This is only furthered by fluid animations, snappy gunplay, and hit feedback that elicits buckets of pixelated blood.
Set in the rich,grim-dark worldofWarhammer 40,000and taking inspiration from both modern and retro boomer shooters,Boltgunis an excessively violent romp that puts players in the heavy shoes of an Ultramarine. This title makes every effort to make players feel like a Space Marine, emphasizing the weight of the suit with a heavy gait and stomping footsteps.
The movement alone is satisfying, but it’s complemented by the addition of a classicWarhammer 40,000chainsword and the ability to charge enemies. The chunky sound effects and impactful animations ensure that player feedback is both obvious and satisfying.
This competitive shooter features a heavy focus on tactics and teamwork, but gunplay remains a core part of its gameplay loop. The variety of weapons and attachments keepsRainbow Six Siegea strategic experience, but each firearm is satisfying to use in its own way thanks to punchy sound effects and weighty animations.
Hit response and player feedback are also fast and smooth, allowing this title to feel tremendously responsive. As with many competitive shooters,Rainbow Six Siegehas its fair share of problems, but the satisfying gunplay makes up for most of it.
Reviving fast-paced combat and arena-shooter gameplay with its relentless attitude and unabashed focus on action,2016’sDOOMis atremendously unhinged FPS.The exaggerated animations and the weight applied to each of them give each action an impactful response, resulting in thoroughly satisfying gunplay.
The hectic combat arenas that make up most ofDOOMare the perfect playgrounds for its arsenal of punchy firearms, further elevated by expressive movement and violent glory kills. These arenas are broken up by short passages of lower intensity, giving players a welcome palette cleanse between bloodbaths.
Taking equal inspiration from old-school shooters such asBloodand survival-horror games such asResident Evil 4,CULTICis a unique blend of satisfying gunplay, creative weaponry, and dense atmosphere. The horror elements are light, but certainly present, givingCULTICa distinctive flavor.
Excessive, pixelated gore and crunchy, retro-styled sound effects ensure that the moment-to-moment gameplay ofCULTICis weighty, bolstered by an arsenal of punchy weapons. All this results in truly heavy, impactful gameplay that’s tremendously satisfying.
