questions about the FPS genre

[lord of the mark]

prompted by finishing HL

Mainly about different sub genres.

My sense is that there are a number of key factors that distinguish different FPS's from one another. These include:

A. Linearity - on rails vs open world

B. Extent of story - lots of story, vs relatively little. Perhaps also integration of atmospherics with story?

C. Complexity of tactical puzzles - complex tactical thinking necessary, versus "button mashing"?

D. Emphasis on combat, versus other stuff.

E. SP vs MP emphasis.


My sense is that HL leans towar linear, lots of story, complex tactical puzzles, and medium on combat - mainly combat, plus the jumping puzzles.

Is this an accurate charecterization of where HL falls? Are there other key factors Ive left out.

How much of what Ive experienced in HL was typical of the earlier FPS's like Quake, Doom, and Wolfenstein? How much was introduced by HL, but then became cliched? How much is unique to HL and has not been immitated?

What are games that would fall in different subgenres based on the distinctions above, or on more relevant distinctions.


Oh, and I take it not many FPS's are as long as HL. Is that right?

[Imran Siddiqui]

I think one of the things that distinguished HL was the extent of the story. It actually had a deep story, which was rare to most FPSs. That's in addition to the combat being pretty good.

[Kuciwalker]

Linearity in an FPS is not a weakness or failure.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
Linearity in an FPS is not a weakness or failure.

I didnt intend the list of factors to be criteria of quality, so much as definitional of different styles. What Im not sure of is whether these are key factors determining styles.

This is practical, rather than idle, as I would like to have a basis for comparing HL to other shooters, when I decide to get another shooter.

[Kataphraktoi]

You could try something like call of duty for a ww2 shooter. Its linear but quite intense and quite realistic compared to others imo

[Wiglaf]

COD is not realistic. At all. Especially the 2nd one.

[Colon™]

There's non-linear FPS out there? I think that if it wouldn't be linear it'd be an RPG. Same thing with emphasis on combat. It's first-person-shooter, remember.

The games are made for fast-paced shooting and visual action, which also doesn't leave a lot of room for meaningful storylines. Even Half-Life's story is fairly shallow and cliché. Don't know about BioShock though.

[Skanky Burns]

For a "recommend me another FPS"-style thread, you may want to specify which features you enjoyed and which you didn't.

One nice FPS which is somewhat similar to HL is Deus Ex. It is a much more open game, with multiple goals most missions and many many different ways to complete these goals. The tactical puzzles tie in with this. To get into the tower in the first mission, for instance, you can sneak onto the roof past the guards, disable the trip wires and make your way to the enemy leader without ever firing a shot, or you can storm the place using a sniper rifle to remove the guards and a rocket launcher to remove the sentry robot and any doors that may be in the way. The story is deep and interesting, particularly if you are a fan of conspiracy theories.

[Skanky Burns]

Originally posted by Colon™
There's non-linear FPS out there?

System Shock 2, Deus Ex, presumably Bioshock as well.
Thats 3 examples off the top of my head.

[Wiglaf]

Bioshock isn't exactly non linear. Both of those other games are old. Deus ex would give me a headache if I tried playing it today.

[Gamecube64]

I vote Wolfenstein 3D for WW2 shooter!

[Gamecube64]

Ack... double post

[Colon™]

The way I see it is that once you get serious non-linearity and relevant storylines (meaning it's not just window-dressing for the sake of immersion) you're into the RPG genre.

[Gamecube64]

Originally posted by Colon™
The way I see it is that once you get serious non-linearity and relevant storylines (meaning it's not just window-dressing for the sake of immersion) you're into the RPG genre.

RPG is a badly labeled genre. Since we are talking about video games, genre is defined by gameplay. The way you are talking it sounds like there should only be two genres: RPG and "not RPG."

[Skanky Burns]

Originally posted by Wiglaf
Both of those other games are old. Deus ex would give me a headache if I tried playing it today.

Neither of which invalidates my point. Also, considering that the OP is asking for games comparable to HL (released in 1998), complaining that Deus Ex (released in 2000) is old is particularly inane.