Summary
Shooters are a massive part of gaming, with first-person shooters specifically playing an important part in its history. Games likeDOOMandQuakechanged the way people thought about games, and many of these early first-person shooters focused on movement and fast-paced gameplay.
Althoughgames such asHalf-Lifepushed shooters towards a more narrative-focused approach, many games still retained that aspect of fast-paced movement and shooting. Despite some larger studios still producing movement shooters (it could be argued thatHalo 5fits the bill), a recentresurgence in “boomer shooters”, which often include solid movement controllers, has seen indie games, in particular, taking up the mantle.
This retro-inspired game takes influence fromclassic 90s shootersfor both its aesthetic and gameplay. InImpaler, players zip around a small arena, fighting off waves of enemies and impaling them with magical spikes.
Impaler’sgameplay is brutally fast-paced, andits retro aestheticis well-crafted. The game features a variety of upgrades that players can pick and choose from throughout each run, and the movement options include the ability to bunny hop and strafe jump.
2REAVER - A Unique Twist On Ultrakill
Steam User Rating: 96%
Although it’s apparent thatREAVERtook a heavy dose of inspiration from New Blood Interactive’sUltrakill,REAVERhas a few tricks up its sleeve that help to distinguish it from the indie behemoth. One trick in particular isREAVER’sweapons, which feature two firing modes, as well as combos akin to a fighting game.
These weapon combos setREAVERapart from its influences, and make up a lot of the game’s skill-based gameplay. Furthermore, many of these combo-moves use the player’s “Rage,” a resource that must be managed carefully to succeed.
Inspired by classic old-school shooters likeDuke Nukem 3D,DOOM, andQuake,Turbo Overkillis a brutal, gore-filled cyberpunk FPS. The game features plenty of movement options that allow players to wall-slide and dash around levels, but most notably,Turbo Overkillgives players a chainsaw leg to slide around with, simultaneously using it to kill enemies.
Turbo Overkillfeatures cyberpunk-style augments, weapon upgrades, and even a talent tree. However, it’s the game’s chainsaw slide, grappling hook, wall running, and the visceral break-neck speed of its combat that make it worth playing.
This classic shooterdeveloped by id Softwarechanged the way that fully 3D first-person shooters were made, having a dramatic impact on the genre and gaming as a whole.Quakestill holds up today as a smooth movement shooter with well-crafted levels, a variety of enemies, and weighty weaponry.
WhileQuakemay be rougher around the edges than a modern shooter, its ingenuity and well-crafted design still shine through its increasing age, making it an old-school game that’s still readily accessible today. For fans of movement shooters who want a pure, old-school experience that still feels good to play,Quakeis arguably the best choice.
Created by indie developer David Szymanski (the developer behindIron Lung),DUSKtakes clearinspiration from 90s shooters, predominantlyQuake.DUSK’sQuakeinfluences are apparent in its visuals, the frequent verticality of its level design, and its movement.
Bunny hopping, rocket jumping, and - most importantly - sliding, allow players to move around quickly inDUSK. These movement options are important to master if players want to discover the game’s many secrets, but players will also need to master the movement to beat the game on its harder difficulties.DUSKisn’t afraid to ambush the player, or to throw waves of enemies and projectiles at them at once, and moving quickly and efficiently through its levels is integral to success.
This complete revitalization of the classicDOOMfranchise took the series in a new and modernized direction while remaining faithful to its roots. Because of its loyalty to its source material,DOOMmanages to be a refreshing shooter experience thatfrequently hearkens back to its origins.
DOOMgives players a tremendous amount of speed, a generous jump, and snappy glory kills that allow players to dash toward enemies that would otherwise be just slightly out of range. WhileDOOMdoesn’t feature crazy movement abilities that push boundaries, it’s undeniably built for speed, and its design often results in fast-paced, non-stop intensity.
This slick science fiction movement shooter features giant mechanized suits, high-octane gunfights, ridiculously high speed, and an abundance of movement options that focus on momentum. Gaining and maintaining momentum inTitanfall 2is integral to success, as being still for more than a few seconds almost always results in death.
It’s this focus on momentum that makesTitanfall 2such a well-made movement shooter, as its well-designed movement options turn gameplay into a non-stop experience that’s constantly moving forward. Wall-running, grappling hooks, and break-neck speed makeTitanfall 2an action-packed shooter that’s perfect for fans of fluid movement.
This ultra-violent, fast-paced shooter, like many indie movement shooters, takes heavy inspiration from classic 90s shooters. However,Ultrakillhas many elements that set it apart. The game’s crisp, pixelated textures, ultra-violence, style system, and “blood-is-fuel” mechanic make it a truly unique movement shooter experience that’s shaping up to be a modern classic.
Bunny hopping, wall-sliding, rocket jumping, sliding, and dashing, among other technical tricks, mesh together to create a varied and expressive set of movement controls. This fluid movement allowsUltrakillto be one of the most intense, fast-paced, and stylish movement shooters available.
