Best Story-Driven FPS Games

First-person shooter games have evolved a lot over the years. From their action-heavy beginnings in Doom and Quake to the rise of online multiplayer games such as Apex: Legends and Valorant, the genre has become as diverse as the people who play it.

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With the rise in their popularity, developers often use FPS games as a way to tell exciting and engaging stories that push players’ abilities and expectations. Some of these titles blend multiple genres and take people to places no other genre can, all the while maintaining the fun, action-packed mechanics that make the genre such a joy to play.

Updated January 12, 2025, by Andy Chapman: Single-player FPS games continue to be popular among gamers. Returning titles such as S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 have received high-profile releases, and as the industry slowly moves away from big-budget multiplayer titles, story-driven FPS games are likely to see a surge in quality. More and more players are looking for fun, simple games that immerse them in another world. Single-player FPS titles do this better than almost any other genre, taking players into action-packed scenarios where they can live out their overpowered dreams. This article has been updated with additional entries to give a broader range of story-driven shooters.

1

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

An Epic Sequel to the Classic RPG Shooter

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STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl

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Platform(s)

Xbox Series X and Series S
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Released

2024-00-00

• Average Campaign Length 35 hours

While S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl’s initial release has been plagued with numerous bugs, this epic sequel has still received praise for its bleak atmosphere, expansive level design, and in-depth gameplay.

In the game, players control Skif, a Ukrainian veteran who has returned after a three-year deployment only to find his home destroyed by an anomaly. Broke and homeless, the character ventures into The Zone to earn some money while working for the scientist Doctor Hermann. While S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2’s early technical troubles may put off some players, the game is an epic RPG shooter that lives up to the original’s promise. The world is immersive and bleak and will please fans of the series looking to return to the world of The Zone.

2

Boltgun

Purge Daemons in the Name of the Emperor

• Average Campaign Length: 10 Hours

Warhammer 40k has enjoyed a recent surge in high-quality video games. From the CRPG, Rogue Trader, to the recent success of Space Marine 2, fans of the Grimdark setting have never had it so good. Boltgun is another critically acclaimed 40k video game that has enjoyed cult success.

This retro-style shooter is satisfyingly bloody as players surge through waves of enemies in near-unstoppable carnage. Players control Sternguard Veteran Space Marine Malum Caedo, who has been sent to the planet Graia to end a Chaos incursion. Boltgun’s story follows the events of the 2011 video game Space Marine, where a mysterious power source has been used to open a rift in the warp. Boltgun is a game that revels in its blood-soaked mayhem as players purge countless daemonic enemies. It is a simple, fun action game that will appeal to almost all FPS fans.

3

Ion Fury

A Retro Dystopian Modern Classic

• Average Campaign Length: 10 Hours

Over the last few years, numerous developers have released fun retro-inspired FPS games that take their influence from the genre classics of the 90s. Ion Fury is one of the standout releases in this popular indie genre, with fast-paced action and irreverent humor filled with pop-culture references.

The game follows Shelly “Bombshell” Harrison as she battles the cybernetic army unleashed by the villain Dr. Jadus Heskel. The game is heavily influenced by classic shooter Duke Nukem, bringing a cyberpunk aesthetic, wisecracking one-liners, and lots of action.

4

Prey

A Stunning Sci-Fi Open World

• Average Campaign Length: 16 Hours

Arkane Studios has become synonymous with unique FPS games that blend RPG, stealth, and action elements. Titles such as Dishonored and Deathloop have garnered cult followings for their immersive worlds and fun gameplay. Prey continues this trend with its engaging narrative and excellent open-world setting. Players control Morgan Yu, who must escape the orbital space station, Talos I, after an alien species known as the Typhon escapes confinement.

While exploring the game’s open world, players have access to a range of abilities and weapons they must use to defeat the Typhon. The game blends horror and RPG elements into an addictive narrative experience. Prey received positive reviews and was considered one of the best games of 2017.

5

Rage

A Solid Post-Apocalyptic Adventure

• Average Campaign Length: 11 Hours

Developed by FPS heavyweights id Software, Rage is a post-apocalyptic shooter where players explore a large desolate world. Highly influenced by the Mad Max series, the game features an assortment of customizable weapons and vehicles. Players take control of US Marine Nicholas Raine. After being placed in hibernation, the former soldier awakens 106 years later in a very different world. The game follows this character’s story, as he becomes a wanted man and must fight against the ruling power known as the Authority.

Rage is a solid action shooter that never quite reaches its full potential. The setting is fun, yet largely forgettable, with the action always taking center stage. The game was praised on release for its excellent combat, graphics, and mechanics. While games such as Borderlands or Fallout offer more cohesive apocalyptic settings, Rage provides an exhilarating, action-packed game that fans of chaotic shooters will love.

6

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl

An Atmospheric Survival Shooter

• Average Campaign Length: 15 Hours

Based on the renowned sci-fi novella Roadside Picnic, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl is a cult FPS classic. The game incorporates RPG and horror elements into a bleak open-world experience set in the post-apocalyptic region known as the Zone. The game follows an amnesiac protagonist, known as a Marked One, on a mission to kill the mysterious Strelok.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. has become a cult favorite and is often cited as a classic in the post-apocalyptic genre. Its non-linear narrative, multiple endings, and expansive level design have all been praised by critics and fans.

7

Metro: Exodus

Explore the Ruins of Russia

• Average Campaign Length: 15-16 Hours

The Metro series is a landmark in survival shooters. Based on the novel Metro 2033 by Russian author Dmitry Glukhovsky, the series is set within a post-apocalyptic Moscow. In the games, the remaining population is forced to live in the underground metro system, safe from the radiation and mutated creatures that roam the surface.

Metro: Exodus is the third game in the series. It expanded on the previous two titles in both gameplay and setting. Players once again take control of Artyom who, along with a team of allies, escapes Moscow and travels across the country, searching for a new home. The game features several semi-open world areas that are all diverse and fun to explore. Metro: Exodus was praised for its engaging storytelling, expansive gameplay, and excellent world-building.

8

Resident Evil Village

An Action Heavy Horror Experience

• Average Campaign Length: 9-10 hours

The second game to feature the character Ethan Winters, Resident Evil Village begins to move away from the horror genre and into straight FPS territory, with its greater emphasis on shooting. The story plunges Ethan into a European backwater community of vampires and monsters as he searches for his kidnapped daughter.

The game also features the iconic Lady Dimitrescu as one of the central villains, and with its fantastic world-building and action-packed set pieces, Resident Evil: Village is a memorable installment in the long-running series.

9

The Outer Worlds

An Underrated Sci-Fi RPG

• Average Campaign Length: 13-14 hours

Bringing role-playing mechanics and a retro-futuristic style to its game world, The Outer Worlds is an immersive FPS shooter that will please fans of both the FPS and RPG genres.

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Developed by the same team as Fallout: New Vegas, Obsidian brought the same level of interactive storytelling to The Outer Worlds. The game is considered the spiritual successor to Fallout: New Vegas. Although The Outer Worlds has a greater emphasis on its FPS elements, the story-driven nature of the game mixes perfectly with the action and setting, which takes players to a variety of alien worlds.

10

Turok: Dinosaur Hunter

The Original Dino-Shooter

• Average Campaign Length: 7-8 Hours

Turok: Dinosaur Hunter is a classic late 90s FPS game that received critical praise on release for its excellent graphics and creative level design. While the game never reached the iconic status of Doom or Quake, Turok remains one of the best retro shooters available to modern gamers.

The game revolves around a Native American warrior who takes up the mantle of Turok. This warrior is tasked with protecting a barrier between Earth and the Lost Land from the forces of the Campaigner. In the game, players will take on human enemies and various dinosaurs while navigating complex levels with hidden areas and platforming sections. Turok may look dated by modern standards, but it fits in perfectly with the wave of retro-inspired shooters that have become popular in recent years.

11

Cyberpunk 2077

A Vibrant and Violent Open World

• Average Campaign Length: 25 hours

Following on from the huge success of The Witcher 3, CD Projekt Red were under a lot of pressure with their next release. Based on the tabletop role-playing game, Cyberpunk 2077 was released to much controversy, with its numerous bugs and low quality on previous generation consoles.

The game has come a long way since its rocky start, and more players are discovering the rich and varied world of Night City. Cyberpunk follows mercenary V, who is implanted with the bio-chip of rockstar and terrorist Johnny Silverhand, played by Keanu Reeves. The game is a sprawling sci-fi epic that offers a lot of freedom in the player’s choices, spread over a vibrant open world.

12

Resistance 2

Defend The Earth From Alien Invaders

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November 4, 2008

• Average Campaign Length: 10 hours

Resistance: Fall Of Man was one of the PS3’s exclusive launch titles and was a fun, action-filled shooter set in an alternative timeline where aliens invaded the Earth in the 1940s. The game was a refreshing take on WW2 shooters and was generally well-received.

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It was only with Resistance 2 that the series came into its own. With a fleshed-out world and a deeper storyline, the game took everything great about the first installment and cranked it up. Resistance 3 followed later and was another great addition to this largely forgotten series.

13

Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus

Take On the Fascist Threat

• Average Campaign Length: 11 Hours

One of the most famous franchises in FPS history, the early Wolfenstein games helped define the genre. These action-packed titles plunge players into an alternate reality where supernatural forces are turned into powerful weapons, and where the Axis powers won the Second World War. This eighth installment brings series regular William Joseph “B.J.” Blazkowicz back into action, fighting the ruling Nazi regime in America.

The game follows Blazkowicz’s attempt to bring about a revolution in the occupied USA. With a variety of weapons and gadgets at the player’s disposal, The New Colossus is an over-the-top action-adventure journey into a history that never was. The game was praised for its strong narrative, well-written characters, and excellent combat mechanics.

14

Deathloop

A Unique Timeloop Shooter

• Average Campaign Length: 15-16 hours

Deathloop takes the familiar Groundhog Day time-loop trope and revitalizes it in a vibrant FPS game with a rich and detailed game world. Deathloop follows Colt, an assassin who must take out eight targets in a single day, or the loop resets and he must try again.

Set on a mysterious island known as Blackreef, players must learn the target’s patterns and locations to be successful. Colt can use a variety of actions to achieve his goals, including parkour, stealth, or even just going in guns blazing. Deathloop is a great example of how a narrative can inform gameplay, creating a unique FPS game that is both challenging and addictive.

15

Dishonored

A Cult Stealth FPS Classic

• Average Campaign Length: 12 hours

This popular FPS game has grown a cult following with its slick art style and fluid gameplay. Set in the fictional city of Dunwall, Dishonored follows the fallen bodyguard Corvo Attano, who must fight to clear his name after being framed for the murder of the Empress he was supposed to protect.

Based loosely on Victorian London, Dunwall is a grim backdrop with dark alleyways and dangerous gangs haunting the city’s streets. To help fight their way through the game, the player has access to various weapons and supernatural abilities, which include teleportation and slowing time. The game has become a classic in the genre and is a must-play for fans looking for a unique FPS experience.

16

Dusk

A Dark Action-Packed Retro Shooter

• Average Campaign Length: 7–8 hours

Another highlight in the recent trend of retro shooters, Dusk, pushed the indie trend to new popularity with its dark atmosphere, fast action, and simple storyline. Dusk follows a nameless treasure hunter who falls prey to the local cultists after eldritch ruins are discovered hidden beneath the rural farmland.

Dusk is a fast-paced modern classic with its fluid gameplay and retro graphics, giving players a fun and addictive gaming experience. With plenty of Lovecraftian inspiration, Dusk is a must-play for any FPS fan looking for a taste of retro gaming in the modern era.

17

Far Cry 3

Survive a Dangerous Tropical Island

• Average Campaign Length: 15-16 hours

The Far Cry series has consistently delivered exciting story-driven FPS games for many years, engaging players in their often vibrant and deadly game worlds. With multiple entries into the main series, as well as several spin-off games, the Far Cry franchise has cemented its place in FPS history.

The game that took the series to its current level is undoubtedly Far Cry 3. Set on a stunning tropical island, the story revolves around Jason Brody and his friends, who must go up against local Pirate Lord Vaas Montenegro and fight to take back control of the island.

18

Doom Eternal

Take on The Hordes of Hellish Monsters

• Average Campaign Length: 14 hours

While the Doom series isn’t known for its storyline, the central protagonist, The Doom Slayer, has become one of the most recognizable characters in video game history. Doom Eternal continues the story with plenty of fast-paced, bloody action. With Earth overrun by demonic forces, it is up to the Doom Slayer to take on the forces of hell and save the planet.

After Doom 2016 revitalized the long-running franchise, Doom Eternal cemented the series as a modern FPS classic. Its no-nonsense action gameplay is challenging and addictive, with epic backdrops, hordes of enemies, and powerful guns that rip through enemies at breakneck speed.

19

Titanfall 2

Control and Battle Powerful Mechs

• Average Campaign Length: 6 hours

Titanfall 2 was a genre-defining FPS game that blended the fast-paced action and movement of FPS games with the destructive firepower of Mech games. The game follows Jack Cooper as he discovers new abilities and gets to know his Titan BT-7274, all the while defeating multiple enemy types and navigating platforming obstacles.

Titanfall 2 was released to critical acclaim, perfectly blending a linear storyline with excellent gameplay, likable characters, and a fully realized game world. For players looking for an immersive story-driven FPS experience, Titanfall 2 comes highly recommended.

20

Borderlands 2

The Classic Looter Shooter

• Average Campaign Length: 30 hours

The vibrant and irreverent Borderlands is a stand-out series of FPS games that brings looting and shooting mayhem to a whole new level of fun. Merging mild RPG mechanics with a stunning cell-shaded art style, Borderlands looks great and plays brilliantly.

With the first game being heavy on action and light on story, it was with Borderlands 2 that the series came into its own. With the inclusion of antagonist Handsome Jack, Borderlands 2 found its narrative footing and fleshed out its world-building, creating a seriously fun gaming experience.