Even though the new generation is here, it doesn’t mean that the PS4 will go away anytime soon. Even today, many people still give love to the past generation of consoles. PlayStation 2 games are still talked about, and it’s not rare to find gamers who use their Xbox 360 every once in a while.
And I would say that the eighth generation of consoles has brought about some of the best (and worst) gaming experiences ever. From a resurgence of survival horror to better deals with PS Plus and Xbox Live Gold, it’s never been a better time to be a gamer.
Shooting games are a staple of gaming, having shaped a lot of gameplay mechanics that we still see being implemented in games of all sorts of genres, not to mention the competitive aspect grows hungrier by the day. This is why I thought it was appropriate to amalgamate some of the best shooting games available for PS4.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 On PS4
Alright, I have to admit I’m not the biggest Call of Duty fan. But just because I’m not personally adhered to a franchise, it doesn’t mean I’m not able to recognize its merits. Truth is that the Call of Duty saga has been genre-defying when it comes to shooters. In fact, the first game that pops up in most people’s minds when you mention a shooting game it’s probably going to be Call of Duty.
And, of course, it was hard to consider which game to put on the list considering the sheer amount of Call of Duty games available on the PS4. So I decided to go with the one I believe to be the best in the entire saga—the one where I enjoyed the single-player campaign along with the multiplayer thoroughly.
And that’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. A title so popular that both casual shooting gamers and die-hard COD fans can agree with when saying that it’s praise-worthy.
Originally released on the PS3, Xboc 360, and PC, the remaster allows you to revisit the campaign and with a surprisingly active online player base. It’s amazing to revisit this classic for those of us who played it back in the day and for the younger generation that was introduced to gaming in the last generation.
Far Cry 5 On PS4
While not exactly revolutionary, Far Cry 5 improved many mechanics from the previous Far Cry games.
The map is no longer a mini-map that attracts your eye at every turn and distracts you from the beautiful foliage around you. Instead, it’s a non-intrusive compass that provides the necessary information without feeling cluttered and encourages exploration like no other.
Unlike other entries in the franchise where the only sense of progression you got from the side activities was taking over enemies compounds; in Far Cry 5, every NPC you help, every little bit of lost treasure you find, every enemy camp you set on fire is a step closer to sticking it to the games’ various antagonists.
Most people assumed that Far Cry 5 would indulge in a thought-provoking narrative, especially considering the religious and political undertones in the marketing and the setting being in America for the first time in the series. Instead, it went the safe route and delivered what Far Cry has always been known for: a bombastic spectacle of fun with a wide variety of ways to play your way.
You want a diabetic bear to do the work and kill the enemies for you? You can do that. You want to go for the silent assassin route and clean out a camp without being seen as if you were a ghost? You can do that too. You want to grab a truck and run over the enemies at the entrance with music blaring and jump out the vehicle guns blazing while a mountain lion mauls everyone around you? You can do that as well! And you should probably see a therapist, but hey, we don’t judge here.
Destiny 2 On PS4
The first installment received a lot of bad rep, and while I was one of those who got tired after a short while playing the first Destiny back in the day, I can say for certain that it did not happen with Destiny 2.
In fact, Destiny 2 made my list of games that remain perpetually on my PlayStation 4 home screen. It’s one of those games that I’ll go back to in between games, and that’s capable of keeping my ass on the couch when I should be throwing out the trash.
The gameplay loop is addicting as any good loot-and-shoot game should be, but with a few extra benefits that set it apart from the rest.
The beautiful worlds you visit and the sense of accomplishment you feel every time you unlock new, better gear are enough to keep players hooked. Still, Bungie knows better and instead keeps releasing expansions for players to enjoy.
Not to mention that the community is growing more than ever, so it’d be surprising to find nobody else to play Destiny 2 with.
Titanfall 2 On PS4
Unlike most FPS games where the main campaign has an emotionally superficial plot, Titanfall 2 is set apart by the endearing effort that the developers put into the game’s single-player mode. The sad truth is that, in this genre, the single-player campaign feels like an afterthought, usually relying on the multiplayer mode to carry the game. And while that’s perfectly fine and has resulted in memorable multiplayer-tailored experiences, it’s still refreshing to see games like Titanfall 2.
Another thing that Titanfall 2 does differently is the movement. While it’s by no means revolutionary, it goes without saying that the gameplay feels faster and swifter than on other FPS games, and that’s thanks to Respawn Entertainment’s now-signature floor and wall sliding. Learning to shoot while sliding a wall and laying waste to your enemies is not only badass but also surprisingly challenging to master.
A must-play for lovers of the genre and one you’ll keep coming back to every once in a while.
Rainbow Six Siege On PS4
Rainbow Six Siege did not start with grace, but it managed to find its footing within the gamer community to the point of becoming one of the most played games on sites like Twitch. It’d be an understatement to say that Rainbow Six Siege focuses on strategy and teamwork rather than bombastic action, though there’s a ton of that too. This is no wonder, considering the destructible environments mixed with cool and varied gadgets; some explosions are bound to happen.
One of the most obvious downsides of Siege is no unique to the game but rather inherent to the multiplayer shooting genre, and that is always going to be much better to play with friends rather than randoms. If you don’t have a choice, Rainbow Six Siege is definitively still worth playing even if you’re stuck with people who have no idea what’s happening, or on the contrary, who are pro-league levels of good.
The combat’s engaging mainly because of the level design, which is mostly in close-quarters, making the experience more intense and, to some extend, claustrophobic. The wide variety of tools available for you mixed with the chaotic gameplay make it exciting enough so that no two matches will be alike.
The level of involvement from the developers of this game with the community it’s also worth praising, as that’s something sadly rare in the industry. Most companies leave their game to the player’s hands to never touch them again or simply add extra layers of content behind paywalls, but the people behind Rainbow Six Siege seem to be involved in the community, improving what works and fixing what doesn’t.
DOOM Eternal On PS4
The vast majority of games give their best in trying to make you, the player, feel like a badass that could take on anything. And while most games do a pretty decent job at it, very few manage to capture that exhilarating feeling of power that comes with being the most powerful person in the room. DOOM Eternal achieves this beautifully.
You’re not only encouraged but basically forced to engage in close combat with hordes of demonic enemies pulled straight out of the depths of hell. Instead of having you play safely with a cover system and regenerating health that encourages cheap shoot-and-retreat tactics, DOOM Eternal puts a spin on it by having enemies drop health and reward you for visceral attacks and finishers.
There’s not a single weapon in the game that doesn’t feel powerful, and the feeling it’s all the more prevalent as you progress through the game’s campaign slaughtering all sorts of demons thirsty for blood.
Killzone: Shadow Fall On PS4
A game that was released almost a decade prior, yet with amazingly stunning graphics that compete with games today. While not an open game by any means, it does give you the freedom to approach encounters your own way without forcing you into the narrative exactly as the developers want.
The IA has a little bit to be desired, as they seem adamant in letting you put bullets into their heads without much of a fight. This only makes it all the more frustrating when you die since you assume it was a faulty issue from the game rather than your own mistake. With that said, this is contrasted with the varied environments that allow you to experiment and mix some stealth here and there.
While not perfect by any means, Shadow Fall is one of the bests in the franchise and a first-person shooter that defined the PS4 generation when it came out.
Metro Exodus On PS4
After two amazing entries with Metro 2033 and Last Light, I wouldn’t have blamed you if you expected less from this game. It’s an overwhelming sad trend to see some of your favorite franchises get dumbed down in mechanics or lose a little bit of their soul after each installment. In most cases, thankfully, it just becomes repetitive and more-of-the-same-thing kind of ritual.
None of that is present in Metro Exodus. This game is an improvement in pretty much every aspect. The visuals are beautiful as always. The story has taken a pretty interesting route of having you explore a bit of the outside world, which is both refreshing and an organic way to expand the world of Metro.
The decision to have more open areas doesn’t sacrifice any of the aspects that Metro is known for. Let’s face it, when you think of Metro games, you probably think of claustrophobic passages and underground communities with a sense of being trapped that crawls under your skin, so it’s understandable that some hardcore fans might be skeptical of the decisions made in Exodus, but believe me when I tell you that this doesn’t water down the experience at all.
In fact, I’d say it enhances the experience. The open areas never cease to be as unnerving as the linear ones. The optional side missions make the game more ominous and full of stuff to do. There’s also a night and day cycle that can work wonderfully to your advantage and feels more fleshed out than in other games.
Borderlands 3 On PS4
Borderlands 3 is one of the best examples of “If it works, don’t fix it.” While I’m one of those who get excited every time a developer announces a new feature or game mechanic implemented in the next installment of one of my favorite franchises, I also appreciate it when developers realize what works in their games and decide to retain it.
It is sad then for me when gamers bash certain game sequels for not reinventing the wheel and staying a bit too close to home. And this is one of those occasions. While Borderland 3 has received overall critical praise, there’s still a few voices in the background that scream that this is just Borderlands 2 with new areas and weapons.
And while I do agree with them, I also wonder, is that so bad? I fell in love with Borderlands 2, then played the first one soon after. And now coming back for Borderlands 3, it’s like coming back home.
With that said, it’s worth noting that there are a few changes here and there that improve overall gameplay. The arsenal at your disposal is larger than ever, with enough variety to keep you trying new things. Co-op is more refined than ever before, and the optional missions are rich enough to be on par with main story quests.
Overwatch On PS4
A first-person 6-On-6 shooter where you’re able to select from various characters to fight in a cartoony arena, Overwatch has improved a lot over the years, and that’s saying something considering that Overwatch has always been a fantastic shooter to begin with.
It introduced a role-lock system to implementing a role queue with the option to use Quick Play for those who want to play it the same way as before in the Arcade section. Every mode has something different to offer to both veterans who have dedicated countless hours to this game and the newbies who are just starting out.
The chaotic gameplay mixed with various weapons, modes, game styles, and characters is a gift for gamers who thrive on multiplayer experiences. Overwatch definitively offers an amazing display of competitive action.
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