Best FPS Games That Encourage Weapon Cycling, Ranked

First-person shooters, especially older titles or those designed with a retro style in mind, tend to feature diverse arsenals that provide a range of combat tools. These weapons are often best suited to particular situations against specific enemies in precise locations, encouraging players to frequently switch arms.

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Thankfully, many games also provide quick weapon-ready animations and generous ammo pickups to ensure weapon cycling is both possible and easy to perform. For players who enjoy frantic, dynamic combat in diverse, expressive arenas that encourage movement and experimentation, these games are sure to please.

6

DOOM (2016)

Expressive Combat Arenas With Distinctive Enemies

Released

May 13, 2016

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

This DOOM reboot is a tight and streamlined FPS that excels with its fast-paced combat and expressive arenas. More importantly, however, is its variety of iconic weapons that each pack their own unique punch and allow for a great deal of expression.

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The abundance of enemies also helps to make each weapon feel useful, and the dynamic ways in which these foes are mixed into encounters consistently encourage the use of multiple weapons. As a result, weapon cycling is not only encouraged but fairly necessary for success.

5

HROT

A Combination Of CQB, Large Combat Arenas, & Unique Enemies

Systems

Released

May 16, 2023

Developer(s)

Spytihněv

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

HROT is a fairly straightforward old-school FPS that’s elevated by its immersive atmosphere, unique setting, and surrealist elements. However, while its gunplay is somewhat lacking, combat encounters still manage to feel engaging and dynamic thanks to a clever combination of enemy and weapon designs that encourage weapon cycling.

Many of HROT’s weapons are relatively classic in their design, and their individual uses will be immediately apparent to most FPS fans. This just makes the experience more approachable, allowing newcomers and veterans of the genre alike to enjoy its variety of encounters.

4

Quake

Distinctive Enemies That Must Be Dealt With Accordingly

Quake is particularly unique even today for its dark science-fantasy setting and distinctive level design that incorporates shortcuts, loops, and dynamic arenas. Furthermore, Quake consistently encourages players to experiment with multiple weapons, frequently cycling between firearms during combat.

Quake pulls this off via its distinctive enemy designs, speed of play, and clear uses for each weapon. As a result, each encounter plays like a high-speed combat puzzle in which there’s almost always more than one solution, and the only measure of success is how much health the player ends up losing.

3

DUSK

Large Arenas & Lengthy Combat Encounters

Systems

Released

December 10, 2018

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

DUSK is a first-person shooter with a retro style that extends through its art style and deep into its gameplay. However, its more immersive elements and particularly open-ended levels, packed with a variety of arenas both big and small, allow it to stand out from the crowd.

4:18

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DUSK frequently encourages players to cycle through weapons by throwing a variety of enemies at them in challenging combinations. Furthermore, many of the game’s arenas feature unique geometry that allows enemies to attack from a variety of ranges. Additionally, DUSK often throws multiple waves of enemies at players that offer ambushes and surprises that force them to adapt.

2

CULTIC

Open Levels With Dynamic Enemy Encounters

Systems

Released

October 13, 2022

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

CULTIC is a unique FPS with a lightweight horror twist that will likely appeal to fans of games such as Resident Evil 4. The slower pace of play promotes a methodical approach, and the open design of its levels facilitates combat encounters with dynamic range.

This often forces players to adapt, but many encounters can be approached from a variety of angles. Weapon cycling isn’t always necessary, but it can make a lot of combat scenarios much easier, as players are often able to snipe down distant threats, chuck dynamite, and blast away closer foes in the span of seconds.

1

Blood: Fresh Supply

A Diverse Arsenal Of Expressive Weaponry

Systems

Released

May 9, 2019

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

With its diverse arsenal of unique weapons and challenging combination of enemies, Blood is an old-school shooter that actively encourages players to experiment in order to survive. Many of Blood’s combat encounters are deadly, and this is in large part thanks to the inclusion of hit-scan enemies.

These enemies will happily kill unaware players in seconds, making any scenario in which they’re present a dangerous one. When other enemies are thrown into the mix, target priority and threat assessment become even more important and, as a result, choosing the best tools for the job on the fly is key to success.

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