Community Blog - daikenjo: What makes a great FPS?

This will start as a weekly feature, and might become something more frequent provided that we get enough good stuff in the forums. Keep in mind that I will also be posting thread responses if they seem to fit the post. I will be featuring interesting discussions, impressions, reviews, or whatever as long as it's related to the world of video games. If you want to be featured, join the forums and post your thoughts!

I chose daikenjo's post this week because it was relevant to the times as Killzone 2 will be coming out soon, and because it received some good responses.

daikenjo

What makes a great FPS?

"I was just wondering since FEAR 2 and Killzone 2 are going to be the 2 biggest shooters this month. I never fully got used to console controls for fps games (i probably just need to play more), so i haven't played much at all. I'm more of an rpg/adventure gamer, but i'm trying to get into shooters and just wanted your opinions.

So..yes, what make up a great FPS? is it solid and intuitive controls, or is it innovation? I ask this because a lot of reviews say that KZ2, while it looks amazing, doesn't bring anything "new" to the table. I don't really know what "new" things they may have expected. can anyone enlighten me? do they mean along the lines or the slow-mo option in FEAR, or the limb-cutting aspect of Dead Space?

It also seems to me that this is a genre that pays more attention to realistic graphics than nearly any other, and is a heavy factor in the quality of a game for its immersive-ness. If a FPS had the graphics of say, Tomb Raider (which is a great platforming game, and looks great for its genre), I believe would get a lot of criticism. People i know who play a lot of FPS tend to compare graphics a LOT, and i don't think it's necessarily because they're "graphics whores", but because it's actually necessary in this genre. Do you think that's true, or do you think a great storyline and solid controls are enough make up for lackluster graphics?

I've heard mixed things about the storyline, whether it's very important or not to the overall quality of the game. Do you mainly play for the story? Or does the online and co-op make the game for you?

Sorry if my questions are stupid, FPS is a new genre for me. Just want your thoughts :] "


lordhumungus
"I like a realistic view in my FPS games. I wan't to atleast see the charactors feet. I remember I shat bricks when Halo 2 came out. I wish the devs would realize that your arms can he held farther away from your face than nine inches. "

evilplans
"why would you even want to see their feet.
when devs put legs in an FPS it usually looks stiff and like cardboard.
i feel like a lot of FPS games without the feet or legs in view, are just better.

i'm a weapon/gun detail whore.
nice smooth controls.
explosive environment.
cool stuff. "

Darknezz
"Balance, a good premise, a story, groundbreaking weapons (Zero-Point Energy Field Manipulator, anyone?), the feeling that you're just one soldier among many (of course, this depends on the story; Maybe you're a one-man-army super mutant, or something like that). I could list more, if I cared enough, but the above will never happen. We're just gonna see more "OMG SPACE MARINE ONE TWO FOUR GO!"

arrow91
"As long as the game play is good, story can be let loose, IMO.

The things that matter:
-Graphics. If they're not good, they can't be ugly. I've seen some games like some game with "Owl" (a Snake/Fisher copycat) and some Rambo-like guy. That game was UGLY. So in conclusion, the graphics must be bearable.
-Replay value. If it isn't worth playing over again, it probably won't matter much if you miss playing it once.
-Multiplayer PLUS (not or) with all of the above.

BrainCleaner
"story and location.

i want a reason to go around this corner, not just cos there's a guy there to shoot. So story is a big part for me. I love the 1st assault on the hollow in GoW2, when even tho' you are DELTA SQUAD, you still felt like you were working with other squads and gears to get stuff done!

Location. I like places to 'feel' alive. If i'm fighting a bunch of bastards in a school, or factory, or on a space ship, that place should BE what its is or was ment to BE. It may sound odd, but i like to look a round and see a place as what it was ment to be not just "this-is-here-as-an-obstacle-for-you-to-avoid-and- this-is-here -for-event-123-to- happen!" stuff.
As I said above there, story is the bonus."

Xalgar
"I like games where when you zoom in with a sniper rifle, your movement is limited. Yeah, screw you Halo."

skimers
"Besides the graphics, controls, and replayability, I enjoy the immersion that games like L4D or Half-Life gives. I like to be thrown into unique worlds that is not always about shooting but enjoying the scenery and atmosphere as you go through the game."

bigboss815
"Innovation, Tight controls, atmosphere, immersion, excellent soundtrack, good production values, creative story. Many things go into a good FPS game."

Wednesday_R
"I guess I'm a lover of spectacle because I loved Black.
Those gruelingly long, mid-combat reloads were totally forgiven by being so shiny and badass looking."


Please try to write to the best of your ability as there are plenty of eyes on this blog. So simple punctuation is appreciated. Yes I know... kettle black, glass house, etc.

Brad