The Best Stories In FPS Games

Some of the best first-person shooters players can get their hands on come packaged with a brilliant narrative that will satisfy fans. Players will love engaging in action-packed set pieces as they get invested in these brilliant stories.

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While mindlessly shooting opponents has its allure, a great story can elevate an FPS game to new heights. The following titles are proof of this and will remain fresh in the minds of fans long after they’re finished completing these amazing experiences.

8

Far Cry 3

The Gameplay And Narrative Work In Harmony To Keep Fans Engaged

Released

November 29, 2012

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs

While Far Cry 3 was hailed as one of the greatest first-person open-world games of all time, what many fans didn’t realize was just how brilliantly the gameplay was tied to the narrative. Jason Brody was nothing more than a man wanting to enjoy his vacation before the pirates of Rook Island captured him.

Throughout the narrative, he’s injected with drugs and develops the combat skills needed to fight back against these pirates. The justification for his bloody rampages is surprisingly riveting and makes Far Cry 3‘s narrative an underrated highlight of this genre-defining title.

7

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

The Shift To A First-Person Setting Makes The Story More Unnerving Than Ever

Released

January 24, 2017

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is a return to form for a series that had remained relatively dormant for a while. Thankfully, P.T.‘s viral success compelled Capcom to develop a Resident Evil game with a focus on a first-person perspective to hammer in the game’s horror.

This led to Resident Evil 7 being a wildly compelling experience with the narrative to match. Without the ties to the game’s convoluted lore, players could enjoy a focused narrative where Ethan Winters struggled to save his wife from the clutches of the twisted Baker family.

6

Titanfall 2

The Amazing Writing Makes The Bond Between Cooper And BT Feel Fleshed Out

Released

October 28, 2016

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Violence

Titanfall is a game that was lauded for its movement mechanics but lambasted for a lack of content, especially when it came to the lack of a single-player campaign. Respawn heard these complaints and decided to let players enjoy one of the best narratives in an FPS game with its sequel.

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The story of Titanfall 2 is surprisingly riveting and features some clever levels that fans will have a great time with. At the heart of this story is the bond between BT and Cooper, helping players bond with an endearing mech who is more entertaining to interact with than most human players.

5

Wolfenstein: The New Order

A Reboot With A Surprisingly Poignant Story

FPS

Stealth

Action

Adventure

Released

May 20, 2014

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs

Wolfenstein is a legendary series that was rebooted by MachineGames with stellar results. The act of blasting through Nazis and dual-wielding any weapon in sight felt great, but what wowed people about The New Order was its incredible story.

B.J. Blazkowicz is a surprisingly engaging protagonist, with the writing ensuring that the other members of the resistance get their time to shine. Along with the game’s action, it’s the slower and more emotional moments that win over fans in The New Order because of the impact these scenes have.

4

Indiana Jones And The Great Circle

Indy’s Video Game Adventure Boasts Some Excellent Writing That Maximizes The Sense Of Adventure

Systems

Released

December 9, 2024

ESRB

N/A

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle became a surprise hit because of its faithful adaptation of Indy’s personality. This is coupled with a well-written main story where the side quests do a great job of tying into the main plot without feeling like obligatory distractions.

The game’s excellent writing lends itself to some compelling moments, with the game balancing its fair share of hilarious and serious moments. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a must-play for fans of Spielberg’s franchise who want to step into the shoes of everyone’s favorite archaeologist.

3

Fallout: New Vegas

Both The Main Story And The Side Content Boast Some Brilliant Storytelling Chops

Released

October 19, 2010

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs

Obsidian’s work on Fallout: New Vegas was lauded by many, with this game combining the best of both old and new Fallout to make for a delectable combination. The Courier’s quest to get revenge after being shot balloons into an epic plot to gain control over the city of New Vegas.

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During their adventures, the player will encounter several colorful personalities and powerful figures who will strive to enlist their services. The game’s excellent writing ensures that both the main story and the side content are full of engaging moments that will keep fans coming back for more.

2

BioShock

A Mind-Bending Story Set In The Immersive Underwater City Of Rapture

Released

August 21, 2007

ESRB

m

The beauty of BioShock stems from its excellent environmental design, helping the claustrophobic halls of Rapture feel more immersive than ever. The voiceless protagonist follows the advice of a mysterious figure named Atlas, who is seemingly looking out for everyone in Rapture as he kindly asks Jack to take out Andrew Ryan.

It’s not until the game’s midway point that a mind-blowing twist comes to light, recontextualizing the game’s events up till that point. Helping Jack regain control of his mind and take out Frank Fontaine makes for a bombastic conclusion that helps BioShock stand out as one of the greatest FPS games ever made.

1

Cyberpunk 2077

V’s Quest To Regain Control Of His Body And Mind After A Botched Heist Is Riveting

Released

December 10, 2020

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Cyberpunk 2077 is a game that was lambasted for a poor launch, and understandably so. However, CD Projekt Red knew that under all the bugs and unfulfilled promises was a story that would captivate players.

After numerous updates and a lot of work, Cyberpunk 2077 has transformed into one of the greatest video games ever made with a grand narrative for the ages. V’s struggles to prevent Johnny Silverhand from taking control of their body is an excellent premise that sets the tone for a philosophical and engaging narrative full of emotional moments and action-packed combat.

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