Regardless of world events, 2020 was a huge year forFPSgames, with arguablysome of the best(and worst) game releases of all time. Starting off strong withDoom Eternal,and carrying through with the addictive surges ofValorantandCall of Duty: Warzone, alongside the many releases from indie devs, there really was no shortage of entertainment last year.
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Fromindie highlights to ports, there was a lot to love all year long, but a lot of games went totally under the radar because of the bigger releases taking the spotlight. For anyone looking for something new to shoot, here’s a look at some of the most underrated FPS games of last year.
5Too Little: Prodeus
For anyone following the recent craze of boomer shooters following the popularity of New Blood’sDuskandAmid Evil,Prodeusprobably isn’t a surprising addition to the list. Following in the spiritual footsteps of ’90s classics likeDoom, Hexen,andBlood,Prodeusis a fast-paced gory shoot-em-up taking the quality of triple-A gameplay and adding a neo-retro aesthetic.
Not only is it a beautifully faithfulDoom-like, but its development team is full of star creatives and industry veterans, making it an all-around fantastic experience unlike most other shooters out today. On top of the campaign, there is also a fully integrated level editor, and tons of community maps to add near infinite replayability.
4Too Little: Doom 64
Sure,Doom 64is a game from 1997, but even back then it was overlooked in favor of a plethora of bigger releases, not to mention its N64 exclusivity.Doom 64may have gone under the radar twice now, but with its porton the Nintendo Switch, it deserves another look.
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This entry has an atmosphere much like its predecessors, only upgraded with the new lighting optimization and demon models. For fans of classicDoom,it’s a must-buy, and for new audiences brought in with the 2016 reboot and last year’sDoom Eternal, the classic entries are some of the best-aged games of all time. They are well worth a shot for their price point and wide availability.
3Too Little: Post Void
Post Voidis radical in the same way thatDoomandWolfensteinwere back in the ’90s. This game is exactly what suburban moms were worried about, with an added visual touch ofFear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Post Voidis colorful, hypnotic, fast-paced, and sick to its core. It’s also ultra-cheap on Steam and promises a good amount of replayability for anyone looking for a quick and addictive octane buzz.
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Valuing speed above all else,Post Void’s gameplay feels a bit like classicDoomwith a surrealarcadey roguelike loop, and a violent streak as long asHotline Miami. The game has an epilepsy warning due to the intensity of its visual style and breakneck speed.
2Too Little: Serious Sam 4
Much like theDoomgames and their recent reboots,Serious Samhas had apretty long runrelative to other shooters, going on 20 years now with the fourth installation. Unlike its gritty modern compatriots,Samtakes a more classic approach with its action, supplementing high-octane gunfights with quippy one-liners and bright, vivid visuals.
A lot of players unfamiliar with the franchise discountedSerious Sam4as just a dumb boomer shooter undeserving of their attention, but this is a much more refreshing game than it lets on. For the price point, any FPS fans should check this one out.
1Too Little (In Some Ways): Half-Life: Alyx
Half-Life: Alyxis an interesting piece of gaming history, as it’s objectively one of the best virtual reality games of all time, pushing the medium forward with its technical innovations. On the other hand, it’s not the most accessible game out there, and most players had to experience it through YouTube instead of their own hardware.
Alyxpushes the envelope of whatVR games can accomplish, giving players more realistic mechanics and immersion than ever available before. On top of that, the physics work amazingly well, with realistic liquid in breakable bottles, markers that can draw in real-time on various surfaces, and hand tracking that makes juggling, aiming, and throwing much more tactile experiences.
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Looking closer,Half-Life: Alyxwas one of the most talked-about games from a lot of people who never even got to play it. With its technical advances, obviously, not everyone would be able to get their hands on hardware strong enough to handle the game even at its worst.
Valve might argue that not enough people played its game, butHalf-Life Alyxwas not really made available to those who couldn’t afford adequate setups. In this case, the closer truth is thatAlyxgot plenty of love from Valve but not enough from its deserved audience.
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