First person shooters and Role playing games Don't cross swords too often. result There are obvious exceptions, but it's more common for FPS games to take a more linear or semi-linear approach where your “character build” mainly comes down to what guns you like and what attachments you want to have. RPGs, meanwhile, are all about stats, gear, and abilities, as well as some narrative decisions to help shape the story.
These next games manage to blend both of these genres, and many of their core ideas, exceptionally well. They tell compelling stories, offer stellar gunplay, and allow you to customize character creation to suit your playstyle. It's not common, but these FPS RPG masterpieces Stand out as the best example of this combo genre. Just for the fun of it, we're going to rank them too, to definitively determine which game is officially the greatest of all time.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
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Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Easy (5) Medium (7) Hard (10)
8
Border 2
An undefeated classic
Long running for the IP and loaded with spin-offs border, It's impressive and a bit incriminating Border 2 Almost 15 years after its launch it is still the best game in the series. almost every border area That game came later Border 2 Formula: (more with DLC add-ons) Choose one of four characters to play, explore semi-open areas full of main and side quests, and collect hundreds and hundreds of guns.
Guns are the main attraction of the series, mainly because each game features an absurd number of weapon permutations, including some that can completely reshape your playstyle in an instant. What rises above Border 2 Above the rest is its story. Handsome Jack is still the most iconic border area The villains, while the cast of main characters remain the most likable in any iteration of this universe. Well, except for Claptrap, but you gotta hate him.
7
System shock 2
Can I get SHODAN?
It's a bit of a legacy choice, but it's a good one. System shock 2 It didn't sell very well, even less than its predecessor, but critics loved it, and so did other game developers. When it comes to RPGs and immersive sims, many modern devs will cite System shock 2 As a major influence, from bioshock who Half life 2.
There is a lot of that System shock The series has gone mainstream, from audio logs to providing player agency in exploration and enemy encounters. However, the calling card of the series is its main villain. SHODAN, the adorable evil AI that manipulates the player throughout System Shock 1 and 2, is one of gaming's most iconic antagonists. While she's a more in-your-face presence in the first game, the uneasy alliances you strike up in the sequel make her more complex and more interesting as a result. Gameplay in System shock 2 Didn't quite catch on, but its influence on modern gaming is undeniable.
6
black ice
Cyber-rainbow overload
Seriously, why isn't anyone talking black ice? It may be that the game is still in early access (and has been since 2014), and it was originally planned for a full release in 2025, that has not yet materialized. It's not an abandoned game, though. Updates are still being rolled out, adding new content regularly. The thing is, even in early access, black ice Have a hell of a good time.
It is a cyberpunk looter shooter that looks like a visual style Tron The melted gummy drops into the bucket of worms. It's an open-world RPG where your goal is to hack several greedy megacorporations, steal their technology, and battle their automated robot defenses. To do this, you have wild, creative weapons to wield, and a ton of build-crafting options that can make for some truly quirky gameplay experiences. All of this is delivered through some glorious mobile movement, not unlike modern doom Remake. If you can ask questions black ice belongs to this list. Trust us, it does. Go play now.
5
Fate 2
The king died, long live the king
Yes, we're moaning a little here because of the loss Fate 2 Still fresh, but that doesn't mean it doesn't deserve a spot on this list. Bungie's masterpiece of a PvE live-service shooter remains the benchmark for the genre (just ask Warframe devs), and its absence leaves a huge hole in the gaming industry that Bungie's follow-up release, MarathonCan't seem to fill. Not yet, anyway.
the reason Fate 2 Such a hit is twofold: its gameplay, and by extension the way it plays off of that gameplay. As is Bungie's forte, within the gunplay Fate 2 Second to none, and even with the absurd variety of guns, each one feels great and lends itself to some great builds to use. Then there are the extensions. at launch, Fate 2 Doesn't offer much, but with each add-on, things start to take shape. Raids became community events, the story became a community obsession, and with each update players came together to parse what made up the new meta. It was a great game with a fantastic player base. we will miss you, Fate 2.
4
Deus East
Break free from inhibitions
Yes, there are two reboot games that are worth your time, but they still don't compare to the genius of the 2000s. Deus East. It's a game that formalizes the immersive sim genre, offering dozens of ways to approach encounters and allowing you to build your character around your preferred gameplay style. It didn't pioneer these systems, but it's hard to argue that it didn't perfect them.
Escape from an underground prison and fight the Triad in Hong Kong, Deus East It's a globe-trotting adventure in a way that only new games aren't, and while it may not have as strong a sense of place as Eidos Montreal's take on the franchise, the setting variety it offers in exchange is, in many ways, perfect for a game like this. Deus Ex's The visuals may be dated, but its gameplay holds up perfectly, and its influence on modern gaming is undeniable once you experience it for yourself.
3
hunting
Typhon for every taste
You've probably noticed the trend of immersive sims on this list. That's because most FPS RPGs (keyword: most) lean in this direction because it allows character creation and player expression to appear in other ways, while more traditional fantasy RPGs can carry that burden of carrying weapons and gear. This is the reason why we bring this up hunting With one small exception, lean heavily in this direction.
You won't find dozens of unique weapons, just your usual pistols, shotguns, beam weapons, and some creative twists on the standard FPS arsenal. Then there's the GLOO gun, which is used less for combat and more for building new paths in the world, literally shooting globs of goo at walls that harden quickly, allowing you to create new platforms and ramps where none existed before. Gods of Arcane listed both System shock and Deus East As an inspiration for hunting, And it's easy to see why. It's a game that offers almost unlimited ways to solve any problem, and encourages you to find a solution. The same goes for its story, and especially its side quests, which introduce multiple paths to success without telling you which is the “best” outcome, giving you no choice but to take that path. you Think of the best.
2
Cyberpunk 2077
A bunch of chicks with chrome on the brain
What a change. six years ago, Cyberpunk 2077 Didn't belong anywhere near the “best of all time” list, but now? Maybe it's not even a question. CD Projekt Red has turned this title into one of the strongest RPGs ever made, from its amazing open world to its unprecedented combat. It's sort of an FPS in passing. Sure, shooting is what you'll be doing a lot, but the game doesn't stop you from swinging a sword throughout its entire runtime (or using your fists), and the real draw is the cybernetics, or “chrome” if you're bad.
The appeal of cyberpunk RPGs is the opportunity to build your character not only through their individual skills and weapons, but to literally infuse them with tools built into their skin that enhance their abilities. We're talking about everything from the ability to double jump or cloak to giant blades bursting from their hands. It's awesome. CDPR is par for the course, Cyberpunk 2077 The story is exceptional, with a rocking performance by Keanu Reeves as the long-dead rock star Johnny Silverhand. It took some work, though Cyberpunk 2077 Easily one of the greatest RPGs ever made, FPS or otherwise.
1
Fallout: New Vegas
Still the best
This is probably not surprising, but yes: Fallout: New Vegas The greatest FPS RPG of all time. It's not really close, to be honest. The fact is that Obsidian put it together in 18 months (using grants, assets and engines from Result 3) It's amazing. Sometimes necessity breeds innovation, and in this case, it breeds genius. Janky talent, sure, but it doesn't take anything away from the complete package. If anything, it exacerbates it.
Where to start New Vegas. The incredible character creation options, from stat balancing to faction selection to weapons, are surprisingly responsive. Seriously, try making a character with 1 Intelligence stat and a maxed-out Luck stat. It has unique dialogue options. Speaking of factions, the way your choice of faction reshapes the world is a kind of organic world-building that modern RPGs still struggle to match (Baldur's Gate 3 excluded). Even when compared to other modern ones result game, New Vegas They stand head and shoulders above. It's no surprise that as we watch the Xbox burn down the roster of first-party studios, one of the few active moves announced/leaked is getting Obsidian to work on another one. result the game It's a wonder it took them so long.
