I grew up playing many of great shooters back in my old days of gaming, starting from the likes of Wolfenstein 3D and Doom are the main pioneers of FPS genre that gotten so popular in early 90's, and then in mid-90's we have Quake that shifted to 3D technology making the first game to feature full time 3d rendering running with OpenGL graphics and had online multiplayer matches which is quite innovative at the time for PC gaming that made the game commercially successful at release, while giving credit to Rareware's most acclaimed N64 shooters like Goldeneye 007 for popularizing home console's split-screen multiplayer up to 4-players locally, and then in around early 2000s you have Halo Combat Evolved which features home console's online matches under Microsoft's network gaming services such as Xbox Live.
There are several of popular FPS titles that also shares with great single player campaign such as Half-Life 2, Bioshock, and Far Cry 3, which offers not only just the lengthy playthrough and engaging gameplay design, but also has well-written story and likable cast of characters that made these game quite entertaining to play.
While I've enjoyed playing these kinds of games that really defines my FPS childhood, but there are some of the others like Red Steel 2, TimeShift, and Area 51 which I considered it as long forgotten due to lack of popularity and poor commercial sales that made these FPS titles completely ignored by many people.
There are some of the decent libraries of the FPS game that could have been deserve a same praise which sadly being fail to notice in public eye or maybe not people may ever heard of it since the release.
I want it to explore some of the FPS title that are worth to check it out which is why I am here to list 5 games that may going to interest you in playing these kinds of FPS games that you may never heard of it, but willing to give these games a try and see if it's any good to play for FPS fanatics.
So without go further do, here is my top 5 underrated FPS games.
5 - Zero Tolerance (Genesis/MD)
There is a FPS game released in 1994 that no one had heard of it before was the Zero Tolerance for SEGA Genesis/Megadrive which was developed by Technopop who previously did worked on their early title such as The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin for SEGA's 16-bit hardware, while it was published by Accolade who was known for its infamous Bubsy franchise.
Don't let the publisher logo fooled you because this game is actually pretty decent for the 16-bit console system as it is one of the first game that never bought it at the PC hardware.
You take control of some playable soldier to take all down those aliens while aiming to beat the whole 40 levels of single player campaign.
The game is somewhat similar to early PC shooters like Wolf 3d as it plays on the first-person perspective. Instead of collecting keys to gain access at the new areas and proceed to the exit like normally from Wolf 3d, your goal is to kill all of the enemies on a level before proceeding to the exit, which is either a staircase or elevator leading down to the next level. I find the idea of the game's objective is pretty unique for its FPS genres as it adds a new elements of gameplay style.
Speaking of gameplay, I really liked the choice of weapons which had worked effectively against some types of enemies, the level design is quite simple and straightforward which makes the game less complicated to play, and the game's challenge is quite positive overall despite the game's difficulty is making harder to beat but really adds the fun factor of the game itself.
What makes the game even enjoyable was ability to use Link Cable support that allows you to play 2-player mode with your friends through couch co-op which I finding it very innovative at the time right before Sony did a similar approach with their PS1's Link Cable for some compatible multiplayer titles.
The graphics in the game is acceptable for the 16-bit hardware with useful layouts such as bottom map screen, top-screen weapon slots, and sides health and ammo percentages while in-game design is rather looking impressive for its level environments and 2D enemy's sprites. The gameplay had played decently regarding with SEGA's 3-button game controller had handled well for its combat playability and movement control which is absolutely spot on.
Due to lack of success of the original game which is why the sequel never got released till in around year 2022 where it got re-released for PS4, PS5, XBONE, XSX/S, and Switch as "Zero Tolerance Collection" by Piko Interactive packed with 3 games such as original, ZT: Underground, and of course an unreleased demo ZT: Beyond.
So if any of you are interested in playing this game, give it go cuz it's actually fine FPS title for Genesis/MD collectors, or you could get it on modern console platform I've mentioned above.
4 - Outtrigger (Dreamcast)
It's interesting to see any of Japanese companies like SEGA AM2 attempting to create an FPS game originally for Arcade running on SEGA Naomi hardware in 1999, and was later released on SEGA Dreamcast in 2001.
Outtrigger is a FPS title where you take control of anti-terrorist group traveling around the stages and taking out bad guys, as you will select any of 4 default characters where each of them has different weaponry such as rocket, rifles, guns, grenades, and etc, as well as having different attributes in speed and jumping.
What makes the game quite fun is that the single-player has two modes such as arcade and mission which shares with cool segments such as taking out many terrorist as possible, collecting all medals within time limits, dodge all of the enemies attacks, and destroy all bombs which is quite short, but plays decently for most time.
The main highlight of this game is the split-screen versus mode which is a local deathmatch where you must battle against the opponents within frag limits or time limits just like most arena shooters, and it also has online play adds the overall fun factor of the game which sadly lacked in PAL release back then, but the game still retains as the fun and addictive to play.
Outtrigger is the criminally underrated shooter for Dreamcast's library that you will be interested to play an arcade-style shooters like this deserves the attention to those who loves the FPS in general.
It's a shame that this is the only SEGA's FPS game that you will never see on other platforms which leaves Outtrigger being stuck on the Dreamcast, so hopefully this deserves an re-release or sequel for modern PCs and consoles platform if SEGA ever had a interest to consider in future perfect.
3 - Urban Chaos: Riot Response (PS2)
Interestingly the development team behind Batman Arkham series had made their debut to create very first title being released in 2006, so that is Urban Chaos: Riot Response for PS2 and Xbox original.
You get to take control of police riot squad Nick Mason fighting in the modern American city that has been overtaken by the notorious burners gang members armed with deadly weapons are attacking civilians, paramedics, firefighters and police officers, as he must defeat them in order to protect the city as well as rescuing injured civilians.
There are 11 single-player missions as well as 6 bonus missions where you had to not only just shooting down many bad guys, but also teaming up with supportive teams such as officers, fire fighters, and paramedics to help you throughout the single-player levels such as breaking down locked doors in firey building, recovering and transferring civilians into safe place, and protecting officers from the foes within.
What made the game quite interesting is the combat mechanics which heavily focuses on using riot shield as a protector equipment to prevent enemy's projectiles or hazardous objects from taking damage such as flames and explosion, as well as uses the riot shield as attacking object on enemies which I kinda liked the style of FPS gameplay which is quite different from any of shooter games.
There are 3 types of weapons such as the firearm are pistols, shotgun, and rifles, while throwing item has grenades, flash, and molotov, and of course the melee such as taser, cleaver, and of course chainsaw which I got to say it worked really well in the game.
This is one of the game that I adored it because I find the single-player campaign as whole quite engaging to play, and it has several of solid action-packed missions including both mains and unlockable bonus challenge as well as obtaining many medals as possible in each missions that keeps you feel well entertained which adds overall replay value.
Sadly it was often being mistaken with 1999's action-adventure game titled as "Urban Chaos" which has no connection to this game leading the mass confusion of these two games, so don't let the title name fool you because these both are completely a same name with different game.
Its kinda bummer that the game did not receive a re-releases on modern day console platform because it would have been awesome if they did in future, so that the newcomer can get a hands on with Rocksteady's debut title, and I was hoping the game will ever get a sequel only if the development team wasn't too relying on many comic book superheroes titles (Yes, I'm looking at you Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League).
Urban Chaos: Riot Response is a solid action FPS game that are worth playing on PS2 and Xbox Original, so please check it out.
2 - Alien Trilogy (Saturn)
Well that's kinda surprise even though the film franchise are quite successful back in 80's, but how can this game did not get attention it deserves? This is why I'm here to discuss about this game being on no. 2.
At the time in around between 80's and 90s when video games adaption based on films aren't as perfect as we are expecting from gaming companies like LJN as an major example of creating movie license turds like The Karate Kid part 2, Back to the Future, Friday the 13th, and Jaws that they couldn't get the game right as being unfaithfully to the film's source material.
There are some later ones in the 90s such as Batman Forever, Bebe's Kids, Cliffhanger, Disney's Fantasia, Independence Day, Congo: The Lost City of Zinj, and The Crow: City of Angels which are also sucked adding an huge insult to injuries.
There are some of the movie license games that does the right job like Alien 3, Batman (1989), Die Hard Arcade, Indiana Jones Greatest Adventures, Jurassic Park: Arcade Game, T2: Judgement Day Arcade Game, Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, and most surprisingly Goldeneye 007 are the pure examples of how to make a great movie license games.
There's one of the title was released in 1996 that catches my attention was Alien Trilogy for Saturn, and also on PS1 and PC as well. It was developed by Probe Entertainment and published by Acclaim Entertainment.
It loosely derived from the first threes films of Alien franchise where you take control of Lt. Ellen Ripley fighting through the infested colony and prison facility, as it consists of 30 levels and 3 queen alien bosses.
The game itself is basically a Doom clone in terms of gameplay design and visuals are quite too simplistic in mid-90s, but it's acceptable for movie license standards which made sense in the game.
You will have an corridor-like levels to explore, shooting down bunch of aliens for survival, collecting keys to unlock the new path, and head over to exit for the next level which is exact same thing as you see from Id Software's Doom.
What makes the game quite good is not the only solid combat play and overall level design just plays it well throughout the game, but also the environmental visuals and sound designs that creates the suspenseful atmosphere fits the overall presentation pretty nicely.
The music has two different kinds of style fused together with an upbeating and ambience tracks that are sure does its sounds catchy to listen which is pretty good for FPS standard.
While the game does get good praises at the releases, but unfortunately its nowhere near close the same level of quality as the other FPS titles in regards of gameplay and graphics in Alien Trilogy are quite dated for mid-90s back then, despite its a typical Doom clone are likely being declined due to gaming industry mostly focuses on successful FPS games like Quake and Duke Nukem 3D are the prime examples of taking the FPS genre to its new level thanks to bigger variety levels, more innovative gameplay design and creative weapons, and of course the online play.
As the PS1 and Saturn standards, It's quite an acceptable FPS title that are still worth to check out which made the Alien Trilogy an descent movie license game for 5th gen era, so give it a go and see if you like these kinds of old-school FPS games.
1 - PowerSlave/Exhumed (Saturn)
First of all, the SEGA Saturn is not an easy gaming system for 3rd party developers had struggled to create a decent video game port, so stuff like Battle Arena Toshinden Remix did had graphical shortcomings, Wipeout had an overall rough visuals and low resolution, and of course Doom is quite unplayable with insufficient frame rate which is why it's harder for them to ported the PS1 version over to Saturn hardware.
To be fair, not all 3rd party games on Saturn were pretty bad because look how good the Road Rash plays on the Saturn which is quite fast and playable, Gex is an excellent 2D platformer with clean visuals and plays just fine as it should, and there's most of Capcom and SNK's arcade games like X-Men vs Street Fighter and Metal Slug just ran perfectly on the Saturn than the PS1 version thanks to 4MB Extended Ram Cart that gives the Saturn hardware an huge advantages to add an enhancement that makes those games truly an arcade perfection.
There are one of the game that does it right job on the Saturn is PowerSlave (A.K.A Exhumed in EU release), an FPS title was released in 1996-97 for PS1, Saturn, and PC created by Lobotomy Software.
The game set in ancient Egyptian city of Karnak has been seized by unknown forces under Kilmaat, as you take control of the hero been sent in to the valley to save the city and the world.
So unlike the 1996's MS-DOS version which is a standard FPS game formula, the console version including PS1 and Saturn are more focused on the hybrid genres of FPS and Metroidvania, as the player must explore throughout the levels where you must obtain the new weapons and ancient artefacts over the course of the game.
You will gain abilities such as being able to jump higher, levitate, breathe underwater, walk in lava, and walkthrough force fields which allowing you to access previously unreachable areas which are connected with an overworld map.
I say its an quite different experience from any of standard FPS games because I liked the idea of having two genres being fused together adding a new innovation of FPS genres that allow players freely to explore an overworld levels, obtaining keys as well as gaining special abilities to access new areas.
This is way ahead its time before these hybrid genres of FPS and Metroidvania are used for later games like Nintendo's Metroid Prime, so I adored Lobotomy Software for experimenting their game that are doing something new and creative, rather than focusing on traditional FPS approach like most Doom clones you see from early 90s.
What makes the game so great is the level design as a whole involving lot of platforming as well as puzzle-solving elements, while fighting off hordes of extra-terrestrial insectoid beings for survival such as mummies, Anubis, scorpions, and evil spirits really adds the major fun factor of the game.
I considered Saturn counterpart as an superior version over the PS1 thanks to exclusive power-ups such as all-seeing eye, invisibility, weapon-boost, and bomb-boost.
The visuals and presentations as a whole is looking spectacular for Saturn's hardware thanks to SlaveDriver engine adds a true 3D world and coloured dynamic lighting which really proves the developer team could able to pull-off the technical power of SEGA's 32-bit machine pretty well, which is why I've seen games like Duke Nukem 3D and Quake uses the same engine are looking quite damn impressive to play it on Saturn's hardware, making it the best looking FPS game of Saturn library I've seen.
The game finally got re-released in February 2022 as remastered version for PS4, XBONE, XSX/S, Switch, and PC titled as "PowerSlave Exhumed" featuring modern controls, graphical enhancements, and various design elements from the PS1, Saturn, and MS-DOS versions of the original.
Any retro video game collectors should able to get it on PS1 or Saturn, but for the newcomer to this game should rather get the remastered version on modern PCs and console platform digitally instead (via PS Store, Microsoft Store, Nintendo eShop, and Steam).
Honourable Mentions:
Conduit 2 (Wii)
Red Steel 2 (Wii)
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger (PC & Consoles)
The Darkness II (PC & Consoles)
Disruptor (PS1)
Shadow Warrior 2 (PC & Consoles)
Singularity (PC & Consoles)
TimeShift (PC & Consoles)
XIII (PC & Consoles)
Project Snowblind (PC & Consoles)
Area 51 (PC & Consoles)
Cold Winter (PS2)
Poed (PS1 and 3DO)
Blood (PC)
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