Great FPS Games With Free-Form Level Design

First-person shooters are a broad and varied genre, covering everything from the run-and-gun style of old-school titles such as DOOM to twitchy multiplayer games such as Call Of Duty. While modern FPS titles tend to be geared toward multiplayer play, a somewhat recent resurgence of old-school design in the indie scene has brought level design back to the forefront.

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More specifically, these games champion free-form level design that emphasizes non-linear exploration and elevates player agency. While this open-ended design may more often than not rely upon a lock-and-key structure, some of these games manage to break free of the norms.

7

Neon White

An FPS Speed-Runner That Encourages Multiple Approaches

Neon White is an inherently linear, level-based FPS title that focuses on speed and movement over typical shooter gameplay. In each level, players are tasked with blasting through demons as fast as they can on their way to the end goal, competing to beat their own best time.

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To do this, players are given a variety of unique cards, each of which represents a distinctive weapon. These weapons are not only used to dispatch the aforementioned demons but can also be used as movement abilities, allowing players to reach shortcuts and/or cut corners.

6

CULTIC

Slow-Burning Exploration Across An Atmospheric Campaign

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Cultic

Systems

Released

October 13, 2022

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

The levels of CULTIC can sometimes veer closer to linearity than others, but within its single-player campaign are many environments that champion free-form design. In true boomer-shooter fashion, CULTIC allows players to, for the most part, explore levels at their own pace. Alongside a smattering of secrets to find and a winning sense of atmosphere, CULTIC’s levels are consistently fun and immersive to explore.

Each level is packed with various aggressive enemies, diverse environments, and even a few sparse scripted moments that are truly memorable. This experience is only elevated by crunchy sound effects, stylish old-school graphics, and an excellent soundtrack.

5

DUSK

Well-Hidden Secrets & Immersive-Sim Elements Elevate Exploration

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DUSK

Systems

Released

December 10, 2018

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

DUSK’s levels can be somewhat short, but others offer experiences that are less linear, requiring exploration and backtracking in order to progress. There’s also an abundance of secrets hidden throughout each of DUSK’s free-form levels, some of which can be reached using the game’s background immersive-sim elements.

These immersive-sim elements are secondary to DUSK’s design, but they help to support the game’s free-form nature and distract from the lock-and-key structure. Best of all, the dense, STALKER-inspired atmosphere and B-movie horror that DUSK is wrapped in help to make each level a memorable one.

4

HROT

Typical Gunplay Elevated By Evocative Environments

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HROT

Systems

Released

May 16, 2023

Developer(s)

Spytihněv

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

This dry and dismal first-person shooter features old-school 3D graphics and pixelated textures that are sure to invoke a little nostalgia. While the brown-heavy color palette and dour setting may be too much for some, it provides a palpable atmosphere that elevates the overall mood, an aspect that is supported by free-form level design.

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Many of the levels in HROT are typical boomer-shooter designs, with plenty of combat arenas and labyrinthine complexes that require players to engage in meaningful exploration. The gunplay may not be significantly polished, but the level design and immersive atmosphere more than makeup for this.

3

Quake

Secrets, Shortcuts, & Satisfying Loops

Certainly a staple in the FPS genre, Quake is a classic for good reason, offering players fluid movement controls and expressive combat encounters in diverse, labyrinthine levels. The lock-and-key structure of Quake is elevated by clever level design and a unique science-fantasy setting, both of which help to present the player with a dense atmosphere.

Many levels in Quake are littered with secrets, shortcuts, and satisfying loops that make exploration a rewarding experience. Best of all, Quake has been around for many years, and there’s plenty of custom content to soak up even after players have exhausted the extensive main content.

2

Gloomwood

Open-Ended Levels Supported By Immersive-Sim Gameplay

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Gloomwood

Systems

Released

September 6, 2022

Publisher(s)

New Blood Interactive

Channeling survival-horror classics such as Resident Evil 4 alongside immersive sims such as Thief: The Dark Project, Gloomwood is a unique beast. Featuring gloriously old-school graphics bolstered by immersive lighting and immersive environments, Gloomwood is able to offer an atmospheric experience that emphasizes creative problem-solving through free-form level design.

Gloomwood is built from a set of simple, intuitive mechanics that focus heavily on stealth, supported by immersive sim systems that allow players to overcome obstacles in creative ways. There’s a small variety of firearms that players can make use of in Gloomwood, though in true survival-horror fashion, their ammunition tends to be limited. This only emphasizes the free-form design all the more, forcing players to be careful with their choices and explore thoroughly in order to succeed.

1

Fallen Aces

An Old-School FPS/Brawler With Immersive-Sim Level Design

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Fallen Aces

Systems

Publisher(s)

New Blood Interactive

ESRB

t

Sporting heavy influences from the immersive-sim genre, Fallen Aces is a brawling-focused FPS in which firearms and ammunition are powerful but limited. This results in gameplay that feels scrappy, often encouraging players to explore every nook and cranny of any given level.

Each level in Fallen Aces is tremendously open-ended, providing miniature open-world areas gated by classic lock-and-key design. All this without mentioning the game’s tremendous comic-book art style, music, voice-acting, and sheer attention to detail within its environments.

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