Over the past few years, more and more players have expressed that they're feeling fatigued by certain video game genres, and the one that often receives the most complaints is the open-world genre. It is pretty easy to see why, as it can be exhausting to explore gigantic worlds over and over again, many of which can take dozens of hours to even scratch the surface of, which is frankly too much time for even some die-hard players.
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This means that lots of gamers are on the hunt for more streamlined experiences that can be digested in a much shorter period of time, while still feeling engaging from a gameplay and narrative perspective. Thankfully, there are so many great linear games out there, specifically in the FPS space, giving players burned out on open worlds the chance to enjoy a shorter yet equally enjoyable playthrough that they can easily get through in a weekend.
DOOM Eternal
As Good As A Boomer Shooter Can Get
- Fast-paced and short levels loaded with secrets.
- Constant motion and action.
DOOM Eternal is considered by many to be the best game in the series, and in the world of FPS games, it sits pretty close to the top. Right from the start, players find themselves running and gunning down demons left, right, and center, constantly moving forward and never slowing down for long to avoid the countless incoming attacks.
What makes the game so great is how well each level is designed: there are always different ways to approach a new area. While it is certainly a very linear experience, there are still enough secret passages and sneaky alternate routes to reward keen-eyed players with some extra resources and collectibles should they choose to explore just a little further.
BioShock Infinite
All In Due Time
- Guided exploration through linear sections.
- Strong story focus throughout, despite the frequent shooting arenas.
BioShock Infinite is a surreal and exhilarating story about the past, present, and future, taking players on a journey that twists and turns as much as any other game in the industry. It doesn't take long for the guns to start firing, and players have a huge arsenal at their disposal to respond with, ranging from pistols to rocket launchers and a few special powers to help them when things get dicey.
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These games make players feel all-powerful as they blast their way through waves of enemies.
As fun as the gunplay is, the world-building is where the game really shines. Not only are players running around a breathtaking city in the sky, but they are also following a compelling story that will keep them guessing right up until the end. It is the perfect game for players who enjoy story-focused campaigns with a lot less side content to distract them from the importance of the main quest.
Metro 2033
Claustrophobic In The Best Way
- Tight environments create constant tension.
- Meaningful locations rather than bloat.
Metro 2033 rejects open-world excess in favor of suffocating environments that add tension to every encounter. It doesn't matter if players are navigating underground tunnels or making a mad dash on the surface; the sense of vulnerability never leaves them, something that just wouldn't be possible in a large open world.
As players progress, they will be forced to manage their resources and pay attention to their surroundings, as one wrong move can easily lead to a quick trip to the afterlife. In a lot of ways, linearity isn't a constraint but a tool used to increase tension through confinement, as even when the action seems to die down, there is always a chance for a surprise around the corner.
Wolfenstein: The New Order
Always Moving To The Next Objective
- Insistence on moving forward.
- Fast tempo shifts during combat.
Wolfenstein: The New Order thrives on constant momentum. Levels are built to push players forward, blending stealth and action without ever deviating too far from the main path. This structure allows combat encounters to escalate naturally, maintaining a constant level of pressure while giving just enough breathing room so players never feel overly panicked.
The linear format also strengthens its surprisingly emotional narrative. Rather than encountering characters across a giant world, players are confronted in a controlled manner, ensuring that every beat lands and the importance of the mission never leaves their mind.
Half-Life 2
Still An FPS Titan 20 Years Later
- Seamless transitions between levels.
- No need for backtracking.
Half-Life 2 is as close to gaming royalty as it gets. Not only was it exceptional on release, but it remains one of the best FPS games ever made to this day. Part of what makes it so great is how well-paced the narrative is. Rather than rushing players from location to location, they can take a much slower pace if they choose, picking off enemies and using different techniques to clear out rooms rather than just unloading a mag and moving on.
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As things progress, new mechanics are introduced that alter how players engage with enemies and the world itself. At the same time, these mechanical jumps never feel too drastic, instead slotting into the gameplay perfectly without ever breaking the flow of the narrative that holds it all together.
ULTRAKILL
Aggression On Another Level
- Compat, challenge-driven stages.
- No downtime or filler, just constant action.
ULTRAKILL boils the FPS genre down to a single word: insanity. From the moment players enter a stage, they will be thrust into the thick of it, having to take out enemies up close and from afar while maintaining speed and precision to reach those higher grades.
Every level feels like a test, and players need to study to see if they are not just able to eat them but also reach the highest grade possible. It's messy and brutal, but at the end of the day, it's just plain old shooter fun, condensed into bite-sized segments that can be enjoyed one at a time or all in a row should players want to.
Neon White
Chaining Jumps Into Shots At High Speed
- Almost puzzle-style level design that rewards finding shortcuts.
- Focuses on precision over excess.
Neon White is a speedrunner's dream made real. Rather than clearing out hundreds of enemies to reach the next level, players have to manage their ammo counts and strategically use each weapon at the correct moment, whether for movement or fighting, in order to make it to the end of the stage as quickly as possible.
This game is all about speed, and players need to get their running shoes on if they want to have a chance of unlocking the best medals for each stage. Because of how straightforward yet mechanically dense the later levels are, a nice balance between game knowledge and raw skill is created, something that very few other games achieve.
Resident Evil Village
Never Far From Danger
- Easily learnable locations.
- Strong emphasis on suspense and fear.
Resident Evil 8 takes a step away from the horrors of the previous game and focuses more on action-heavy sequences, while still providing enough scares to satisfy long-time fans of the horror franchise. Zombies are replaced with werewolf abominations and vampires galore, each presenting a new challenge that forces players to think on their feet.
There are a few more open areas, but these consist of little more than a few houses, most of which are only there as an extra source of loot. For the most part, players will move down a single path, avoiding confrontations where possible and shooting anything that happens to get too close when necessary.
Titanfall 2
Every Section Has A Purpose
- Constantly introduces new mechanics.
- A quick story campaign with zero padding.
Titanfall 2 is often cited as one of the finest linear FPS campaigns ever made. After each mission, the game introduces a new mechanic or idea, explores it fully, then moves on, keeping things fresh and ensuring a constant sense of progress.
The freedom of movement is enough for players to feel liberated, without the need for a large open world to explore. Despite the levels being smaller in scope, they still manage to deliver enough action and intensity to satisfy both die-hard FPS fans and newcomers as well.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
Old-School Visuals, Modern Polish
- Straightforward design philosophy makes it easy to get into.
- Combat-first approach ups the entertainment value.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun brings the 40k universe to the boomer shooter genre in the most brilliant way possible. Trading high-fidelity graphics for a retro art style, the game successfully captures the old-school feel of classic FPS games while incorporating enough modern mechanics and polish to avoid feeling clunky or dated.
In terms of actual levels, there are no side quests or expansive skill trees; only constant shooting and forward motion towards the next horde of beasts. Boltgun doesn't innovate in one specific area or break much new ground, but what it does do is combine dozens of great elements into a single, cohesive experience that delivers nonstop shooter fun from the moment it starts until the credits roll.
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