Favorite Obscure First Person Shooter?

[scrungus]

Lately I've been looking to dive into the less well known games in the FPS genre, so I figure, why not ask the community? Ideally this thread will simply be a space to share and discuss games that tend to go overlooked and underappreciated. Games with unique mechanics, interesting weapons or weird stories are welcome. Anything within the genre is allowed, even games that fit into multiple genres (ex. FPS/RPG.) Simply state the name of the game and tell us why you recommend players check it out!

To start off I'd like to set some boundaries to incite creative picks:

• No 'major' series, even the lesser known entries (Doom, Wolfenstein, CoD, etc.)
• No mods, they must individual titles
• No minigames or segments of non-FPS games - the majority of the game should be a FPS
• No games that can change perspective between third and first person at will (ex. The Elder Scrolls games)

I'll start off with my personal pick - Clive Barker's Undying. Written and partially produced by author Clive Barker, the game has a unique horror aesthetic that I find sets itself apart in the genre. Featuring some interesting weapons such as a scythe and a "Tibetan War Cannon", which shoots balls of ice and looks like a dragon as well as an upgradable list of spells that gives the player autonomy in deciding which spells to focus on improving.

 

[SHR-51]

This is the most obscure one that I'm aware of. Haven't played it myself.

Frogmonster on Steam

Discover some of the most charming and challenging bosses in Frogmonster, a Metroidvania FPS adventure where you explore a lively world filled with creatures, bugs, and beasts.

store.steampowered.com

 

[isleepinabed]

I'll start by stating that these days I'm not a fan of FPS games in general. I think I have developed shooting fatigue (not with shmups with non-human characters, though... yet at least)

I would point out one that came out last year, which I would classify more like a puzzle/FPS (you do shoot enemies with a gun), which is [ECHOSTASIS]. There's really not much comparable to it and the other games by the same developer are also precious gems.

Basically you have to dive into a sort of matrix world where your connection is time-limited. To progress you have to keep unlocking new areas that will allow you to cut corners until the finish line. I'd prefer to not spoil much more as it's really best experienced than explained. There is a demo available so that would really be best to try it, if you like what you see in the trailers and stills.

I would also point out the Dread X Collection series, which are 100% dedicated to offbeat indie/amateur horror games. Its volume 4, titled The Hunt, is dedicated to shooters.

 

[January's Ghost]

I'll start off with my personal pick - Clive Barker's Undying.

That would be my main pick too, a game that really deserves a remake (a remaster won't do) Even a sequel would do I think.

 

[DXCHASE]

Ok, here me out, this game actually has good FPS shooting...

420BLAZEIT 2: GAME OF THE YEAR -=Dank Dreams and Goated Memes=- [#wow/11 Like and Subscribe] Poggerz Edition on Steam

Prepare yourself for the long awaited sequel. You will blaze it. You will no scope. You will see some weird af s*** as you fight and xD in 999fps to destroy the Illuminati and rescue the memes. Are you ready for 420BLAZEIT 2????!!1

store.steampowered.com

It honestly does a good/funny job with mixing good FPS combat, with funny memes, sounds, kills, etc. Its not my favorite, but its been the weirdest one ive played recently.

Another good one, a little older, but still obscure with good FPS is Cruelty Squad

Cruelty Squad on Steam

An immersive power fantasy simulator with tactical stealth elements set in a sewage infused garbage world

store.steampowered.com

These 2 have been the most far-out FPS i played that actually has good gun play. I highly recommend them if you can get over the aesthetics of each.


Im currently playing a boomer-shooter called Beyond Citadel:

It has very good combat and the combat system is way more involved than other FPS i have played. You have to worry about guns jamming, loading the proper bullets, breaking your guns etc. and you can even turn all that off and have a fun original shoot-everything-pick-everything-up experience. Plus the storyline and enemies are...unique.

Beyond Citadel on Steam

Beyond Citadel is an anime style retro throwback shooter inspired by the classics of the 90's, with realistic gunplay mechanics, anime violence and fast paced combat. Fight your way through the heavily armed mechanical fortress and discover the secret that lies beneath.

store.steampowered.com

 

[ZedClampet]

I think the most obscure shooter I've played was Dead Effect, one of the early Steam greenlight games that was trying to, apparently, attract players by confusing them with a name that combined Dead Space and Mass Effect.

I've always assumed that it was a solo developer project. You just ran missions from the main menu, none of which had anything to do with anything or any sort of story to them, and the levels might as well have been procedurally generated, but somehow I enjoyed it quite a bit and still have fond memories of it.

Heck, I think I'm going to reinstall it.

 

[January's Ghost]

trying to, apparently, attract players by confusing them with a name that combined Dead Space and Mass Effect.

I think it was more trying to say "This game is like Dead Space and Mass Effect combined" confusing players by making them think would actually be good.

Either way gamers are good at confusing themselves.

 

[Pifanjr]

The most obscure one I've played (as far as I can remember) is E.Y.E: Divine Cybermancy. I'm honestly not really sure what the game is about, but I played through the entire thing somehow.

 

[Frindis]

The Terminator: SkyNET (1996) from Bethesda.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD4ZLkbnDCA&t=357s

 

[ZedClampet]

I think it was more trying to say "This game is like Dead Space and Mass Effect combined" confusing players by making them think would actually be good.

Either way gamers are good at confusing themselves.

You know, I misremembered a lot about that game. It's actually alright. Of course I now have an additional 10 years of playing indie and hobbyist games coloring my perceptions.