Asking about first-person shooters (FPS) today will have gamers recommend the likes ofApex Legends, Call Of Duty, and evenBattlefieldto friends. However, during the 1990s when gaming was still in its infancy, there were a lot more experimental FPS games before hit franchises likeBattlefield,Call Of Duty,andApex Legends.
In fact, fans who look further down gaming history will see some great FPS games that have been forgotten. Nevertheless, fans of the genre might want to play these games for themselves to understand how some of their mechanics may have contributed to enjoyable FPS elements today.
Updated on July 28, 2025 by Rhenn Taguiam:With 2024’sCall of Dutyteased for an October launch, fans of the acclaimed franchise may turn to other FPS titles such asApex Legends,Valorant, and evenCall of Duty’s ownWarzonefor their first-person shooting fix. However, for fans who want a true change of pace, perhaps looking into more classic FPS titles might help them understand the evolution of the popular genre. In fact, in terms of FPS history, it’s titles in the 1990s that formed staple mechanics that the genre enjoys today, with forgotten titles making small marks in the field through mechanics such as reinterpretations of hit sci-fi films about a lethal alien and stopping a future dominated by robots, a pilot of a mecha suit against an evil geneticist, a gory experience packed with pop culture references, and a hit mecha title.
Developer
Genki
In the near future of 2038, the story ofKileak: The DNA Imperativelets players take on the role of Captain Matt Coda as he explores a military base in the South Pole on behalf of the International Peacekeeping Force. As players navigate the base using Coda’s SJ 107 Assault Suit, a wide variety of enemies such as monsters and mutants start attacking him. While the story ofKileakitself has the undertones of a dark military tale, its gameplay also cements a worthwhile challenging encounter for players out to complete a dangerous mission.
Similar toDark Soulstoday,gameplay inKileakis often criticized for its difficulty. After all, Matt can only move in one direction while rotating his camera, with the game letting his Assault Suit equip a wide variety of armaments that consume either ammo and energy. The game’s difficulty spikes not only with challenging encounters but also its survival component, as the game ends not only if the Suit is destroyed but if it also runs out of power completely.
Bethesda Softworks
Considered as among thebest FPS titles in the 1990s,The Terminator: Skynetremains a niche experience today due to its more straightforward take on missions and objectives. The game takes place across eight levels, where players take the role of a Resistance fighter tasked to infiltrate a secret base. Unfortunately for players, this future remains dominated by the deadly Terminators, forcing players to use a wide variety of weapons in tandem with various upgrades.
The game is known for being among the first FPS games to use the keyboard and mouse to explore, while also allowing them to navigate terrain on foot or even in vehicles. The game’s enjoyable multiplayer mode also allows players to fight each other in multiplayer, be it as humans or Terminators.
Monolith Productions
Film fans may be surprised to learn that the action-packed horror flickPriestwas adapted from a manhwa that was, in itself, inspired byBlood. This 3D FPS title was released in 1997, where players embark on a journey across various dimensions while killing cultists, monsters, and demonic beings. Not much is known aboutBlood’s story unless players see its readme text document and Monolith’s website, whereBloodis stated to on a journey of revenge of gunslinger Caleb against his former master Tchernobog.
From a thematic standpoint,Bloodbecame a cult classic among fans for its inclusion of dark humor and pop culture references across its levels, monsters, and items. Similar toDoom, gameplay inBloodtakes place across levels where players need to find exit while killing monsters along the way. The game is one of the earliest FPS titles to feature secondary attacks, while the game’s “Guns Akimbo” is a temporary dual-wield “super mode”.
While the popularity of Ellen Ripley of theAlienfranchise has reached crossover levels such asher appearance inDead By Daylight, the legendary character also appears in some of the franchise’s earlier video game adaptations. Such an example is theAlien Trilogy, an FPS loosely based on the first threeAlienfilms as players control Ripley in her journey through survival. Instead of railroading players through a story, the game makes use of the films' settings to create an evocative and terrifying horror landscape.
Similar to the films, Ellen also has access to a wide array of advanced weaponry to wage war against the Xenomorphs. Using these guns form an important element of gunplay inAlien Trilogyas enemies take on various forms of the Xenomorph - from chestbusters, the iconic adult alien, and even, Queen alien bosses. The game is the first ever title to use 3D motion capture tech, with the Xenomorphs specifically using the system for their movement patterns.
Hailed asone of the best games from Monolith Productions,Shogo: Mobile Armor Divisionmay as well be a love letter to the Japanese mecha genre. InShogo, players take the role of Sanjuro Makabe of the United Corporate Authority during the war that decides the fate of the planet Cronus. Makabe does this mission as a Mobile Combat Armor pilot, where he takes a large mech in a series of battles to kill the rebel commander known only as Gabriel.
The game is memorable for its inclusion of critical hits, where constantly hitting foes has a chance of healing players while also inflicting more damage to foes. However, the enemies also share the same mechanic against the player, forcing more tactical plays while not sacrificing the game’s inherent intensity. This removal of a clunky “mech sim” element while paving the way for action mechanics has madeShogoa memorable FPS for fans.
Refraction Games
It’s not every day that a first-person FPS enters the open-world setting, and yetCodename Eagleattempted this as early as 1999. While it doesn’t boast the same level of depth and exploration as inBethesdatitles,Codename Eagleintroduces the unique blend of features such astypical FPS elementswith drivable land, sea, and air vehicles.
The game is set in an alternate history, where somehow the 1917 October Revolution didn’t happen and World War I didn’t occur. Players take on the role of Agent Red of the Shadow Command, an alliance of the world’s free nations that want to oppose a malevolent Russian Empire. Missions in the game involve high-stakes objectives in sprawling areas, with players deciding how to pursue objectives.
Cyclone Studios
A lot of fans may not have heard aboutRequiem: Avenging Angelback in 1999, and perhaps even when it received a re-release in 2016. However,Requiem: Avenging Angelis an early attempt to subvert the typical FPS formula of wartime and instead includes fantastical elements. InRequiem, players take on the role of Malachi, an angel serving God tasked to stop rebel angels of the Fallenled by Lilithfrom instigating Armageddon.
Unlike other titles at the time,Requiemtakes a lot of inspiration from concepts in Christianity and the Bible, with descriptions and themes used heavily in the gameplay and story. WhereasDOOMhad a more gory theme,Requiemhad a more stylish take on its shoot-em-up premise. For instance, Malachi begins his mission in the realm of Chaos, the realm between Heaven and Earth. Before getting access to conventional weaponry, he must use his angelic powers - akin to Force powers inStar Wars: Jedi Knight- to survive against hordes of monsters.
Zombie Studios
It’s not necessarilyMedal of HonororCall of Dutythat spawnedrealistic tactical shooters, andSpec Ops: Rangers Lead The Waywas perhaps one of the games that were already exploring the genre’s potential. Released in 1998,Spec Opswas the first title of an eponymous game series, which spanned 10 titles up to 2012.
Fans of tactical shooters will appreciate the level of realism inSpec Ops, primarily because it’s intended to be more of a simulation of ground forces control than an actual game. Devs from Zombie Studios particularly did extensive research in the game, as reflected in the game’s unique design at the time. Missions include eliminating enemy forces, blowing up infrastructure, and recovering data, all weaved in a realistic story. Gameplay-wise, tactical shooter fans will love the element of choosing a team of two soldiers across a variety of specializations, alongside personalized inventory and weapon choices.
Action Forms Ltd
Hunting games remain a staple in FPS, especially in its early days. However, those who want a twist in theirvirtual hunting experiencemight appreciate the sheer thrill inCarnivores 2. This sequel to the original 1998 release packs a lot more punch when it comes to its creature offerings and AI. Whereas the originalCarnivoresoffered a more timid and relaxing hunting experience,Carnivores 2had the dinosaurs actually fight back more often.
Similar to the previous game, players begin as a hunter with 100 Credits. They use this currency to select an area, a particular dinosaur to hunt, and even a weapon they can use. As they advance their hunting skills, more dinosaurs could be hunted and more weapons could be used at the same time. This simple approach transformsCarnivores 2into a very immersive experience and is the closest to an early yet decentJurassic Parkgame.
Xatrix Entertainment
It’s hard to imagine a game likeKingpin: Life Of Crimehad been largely forgotten when it got quite a lot of media attention for its heavy profanity and graphic violence. Set in the modern day, the player begins the game with their character beaten half to death by thugs of the Kingpin - establishinga mafia premise. For an unexplained reason, the Kingpin wants the player out of Skidrow, the setting of the game. Picking up a piece of lead piping, the player begins the game plotting revenge against those who wronged him.
Despite the negative media buzz, the game garnered praise for its depiction of the metropolitan underworld, and gameplay elements such as improved AI and even area-based damage when shooting. Moreover, the game also offers weapon modifications - with players being able to modify various properties of weapons. Unlike other FPS, players can also interact with NPCs and choose responses, determining whether fights may accidentally begin or not.
