Best FPS Games of 2018
It’s award season here at Twinfinite! Let’s look back at the best FPS games of 2018. Voted on by our editors, these were the best first-person shooters, whether multiplayer or single-player.
Let’s start with our two runner-ups and finally, of course, our overall winner!
Second Runner-Up: Battlefield V
Contributor Joseph Yaden: When it comes to first-person shooters, the Battlefield series has garnered lots of love and respect from the community. With Battlefield V, the foundation is on par with past entries in the series, with a few minor setbacks.
That being said, there is still a lot to love in DICE’s new take on WWII action. Enough to make it one of the best FPS games of 2018.
The campaign mode features impressive visuals to gawk at, some interesting mechanics to keep things fresh, and engaging snippets of narrative, all while maintaining that high production value feel. In spite of this, the single-player mode won’t keep you around for long, so to get the most mileage, you’ll want to try out the online multiplayer mode.
The rush of being on the brink of losing an online match, only to sweep in and emerge victorious is enough to keep you playing this for hours. Giant 64-player matches on massive maps are impressive, but it’s the gameplay at the heart of Battlefield V that makes this shooter stand out.
Shooting feels weighty and the weapons all have distinct nuances that incentivize you to want to try them all. The movement and traversal in Battlefield V is snappier and more fast-paced than previous installments, despite an even higher emphasis on tactical coordination with teammates.
Battlefield V is, in many ways, the beginning of what could be the best Battlefield game ever. Once its Battle Royale mode launches next year, and more DLC is released, it will surely feel more complete.
For now, Battlefield V is still worth mentioning as one of the best first-person shooters of the year, even with its shortcomings.
Best FPS Games of 2018
First Runner-Up: Far Cry 5
Associate Editor Tom Hopkins: Ever since Far Cry 2’s journey to Africa, Ubisoft’s series has been about more than just shooting at generic bad guys. Vaas, Pagan Min, and Joseph Seed have been fascinating maniacs who have been in control of vast, detailed locations.
Far Cry 5 moved away from the luscious paradises of the previous game, instead focusing on a religious cult that had taken over in the fictional Hope County, Montana. It may not be as bright and varied, but Blue Sky Country is no less beautiful.
Seed’s ‘The Father’ is terrifying, and the three storyline approach is interesting, even if the ending isn’t to everyone’s taste, but the over-the-top action will be what draws a lot of people in.
Few games offer first-person shooting that feels so great and can be used in locations like Hope County. You’re free to take on enemies however you’d like. You can head into outposts all guns blazing if you like, or take a stealthy approach with your trusty knife.
Then, with secrets to uncover, vehicles to steal, and even a bear called Cheeseburger to call on in combat, Far Cry 5 offers a more varied experience than anything else in the first-person shooter world, and it’s a lot of fun as a result.
Best FPS Games of 2018
Winner: Call of Duty Black Ops 4
Senior Editor Hayes Madsen: If there’s one major criticism you can levy against the Call of Duty series over the years, it’s lack of change. The franchise has been sticking to the same tried and true systems year after year, but 2018 sees the biggest change the series has had probably since the introduction of the original Modern Warfare.
Black Ops 4 makes some bold changes, and they really end up paying off. Of course, the biggest addition comes with Blackout, the brand new battle royale mode. It’s surprising that Treyarch managed to make a mode that feels so intrinsically battle royale, but sports the tight gunplay of Call of Duty.
Blackout is a phenomenally fun experience with a map that brings some diverse buildings and locales from across the Black Ops series, even looping zombies into the experience. Whether you want to play solo, duos, or quads Blackout is an experience that can stand toe-to-toe with PUBG or Fortnite, and with some quality support over the next year could really be something special.
Of course, that’s just one aspect of Black Ops 4, as the game comes packed with three brand new zombies experiences and the traditional multiplayer that puts a big emphasis on Specialists and their unique skills. Multiplayer this time around feels more in-line with a Hero Shooter like Overwatch due to the specialization of each character, but it still retains the heart and soul of Call of Duty that fans love so much.
Despite lacking a single-player campaign, Black Ops 4 feels like one of the most robust packages in the entire series. Its biggest benefit, however, is that it feels refreshing, something that Call of Duty has been in dire need of recently. It helps Black Ops 4 handily take the top spot as the best shooter of 2018.
