2017 was an amazing year in the world of gaming. Here are few of the best shooter games that were released, some of which might have flown under your radar, but are still well worth your time and attention.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
A first person shooter that takes place in 1961, in an alternative history where the world has been conquered by Nazi Germany in World War II. You play as a battle-hardened war veteran named B.J Blazkowicz, leading a rebellion against the tyrannical Nazi regime.
This is a direct sequel to 2014’s Wolfenstein: The New Order. Like in the original, expect to see completely over the top cinematic storytelling, which does not take itself too seriously.
The action has that same ludicrous intensity as the story. Your character can dual wield a variety of crazy looking weapons, adding to the character’s personality and the downright absurdity of the world you find yourself in.
This game is a throwback to old school first-person shooters, with some new elements mixed in. If you enjoyed the original game, then this is a must have. Luckily, you do not need to have played the first to enjoy this title, as there is a quick recap of important events.
Warning: This game is extremely violent and not for the faint of heart.
Metacritic rating: 87 out of 100
Available on: PC, Playstation 4 and Xbox One
Call of Duty: WWII
The fourteenth main installment in the Call of Duty series. It is set in an historically accurate version of World War 2 ( well, as accurate as an action focussed video game can get). The main story follows the battles of a squad in the 1st infantry division on the Western Front of the war. The player takes control of a single character and is able to give directives to the rest of the team.
The multiplayer features a revamped class system called “divisions”. Players can choose between 5 divisions, each with a unique playstyle and weaponry. Additional perks can be unlocked by leveling up the rank of each division.
This game is a must for fans of the Call of Duty franchise and those who enjoy some stiff competition.
Metacritic rating: 79 out of 100
Available on: PC, Playstation 4 and Xbox One
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands
A third person tactical shooter taking place in a modern day Bolivia. The first in the series to feature an open world to explore. If you are familiar with the ghost recon series, expect to see some welcomed improvements and additions.
The player is a part of team delta company, First battalion, 5th special forces group, also known as “ghosts” . As part of Operation Kingslayer; your team’s job is to take down a international drug cartel called Santa Blanca and link them to the current local government, by any means necessary.
Players have to scout out the area using a host of tools at their disposal and carefully plan their approach when carrying out a given mission. There are multiple ways of completing your mission such as; sneaking around stealthily, going in guns blazing, getting up close and personal with melee combat, using a captured opponent as a human shield and many more.
You are also free to explore and interact with all the officials or the rebels of the world. You can build friendly or hostile relationships with the groups, but be warned that any action you take has consequences and will affect the game’s world.
This game is great for anyone who enjoys mapping out a strategy and having a massive variety of options to do so.
Metacritic Rating: 70 out of 100
Available on: PC, Playstation 4 and Xbox One
Prey
A first-person shooter survival horror. The game is set in an alternate version of history on the Talos 1 space station. You play as Morgan Yu, a researcher that conducts experiments on a shapeshifting alien race called the Typhon. Naturally, things go horribly wrong and the hostile aliens go on a rampage. Expect an engaging story full of plot twists and mystery.
The Player is able to freely explore the space station; gathering any weapons or resources needed to survive the ordeal. There is a constant threat of danger. Your enemies are able to shapeshift into any common object in sight; this can make you nervous and even extremely paranoid. The game has multiple endings, depending on the choices made during the course of the adventure.
This game is great for people who enjoy a tense atmosphere and a compelling narrative focus.
Metacritic rating: 82 out of 100
Available on: PC, Playstation 4 and Xbox One
Sniper Elite 4
Another third-person tactical shooter, but here stealth is the main element of the game play. It is set in Italy in 1934, an immediate follow up to Sniper Elite 3. As a member of the Royal Navy named Karl Fairburne, your initial mission is to take out Nazi officers who oversaw an attack using a new weapon.
Players scope through the area with a pair of binoculars and kill their enemies primarily using a sniper rifle from a long distance. It features an X-ray kill cam system which players can use to see the exact trajectory their shot took, even showing how it enters an opponent’s body and shatters their bones! Enemies will actively start looking for you if they notice your presence. Killing enemy officers early will lead to the retreat of the army, but the longer you take the harder it will become to finish your mission.
This game is great for anyone who enjoys using stealthy strategies and likes a sense of urgency added to a situation. Prepare yourself for a lot of jump scares
Warning: This game is extremely violent and not for the faint of heart.
Metacritic rating: 78 out of 100
Available on: PC, Playstation 4 and Xbox One
Resident Evil VII: Biohazard
A classic survival horror. It is the first Resident Evil game that uses the first-person perspective. Critics have hailed it as one of the best entries of the series in a long time and one of the best games of 2017.
The story follows Ethan Winters. After receiving a mysterious message from his missing wife, who has been presumed dead, he sets off to find the source of the message. His search leads him to the home of the deranged Baker family; they attempt to capture him upon sight. The house also harbours a seemingly supernatural entity, hell bent on destroying everything around it. Ethan discovers too late that he has been trapped form the moment he set foot on the property and he desperately attempts to escape.
The player controls Ethan through his ordeal. You get various weapons and tools to aid you, but Ethan is by no means a soldier. The game is more focused on creating a tense and desperate atmosphere than on action. Ammunition and tools are scarce, so they need to be used carefully. The aim of the game is to survive, not kill your enemies. There are also a lot of puzzle solving elements, which adds to the mystery of the ordeal.
People who enjoy the survival horror genre will absolutely love this game. Expect a lot of jump scares.
Warning: This game is extremely violent and not for the faint of heart.
Metacritic rating: 86 out of 100
Available on: PC, Playstation 4 and Xbox One
Star Wars Battlefront II
An action shooter game set in the Star Wars universe, spanning over a variety of planets seen in the franchise.
The story covers a 30 year time period. You play as a soldier of the empire Iden Versio, who, after witnessing the atrocities the Empire commits, decides to join the rebel alliance and fight against it. This is quite an unusual, but welcome departure from the standard Star Wars stories seen from the alliance perspective.
The multiplayer features five game modes, taking place in massive maps that can host up to 40 players at a time. Players choose from different classes of soldiers to play, each with their own unique weapons and play styles. Players can upgrade their classes as they progress through the ranks. There are also opportunities to play as either heroes of the alliance or villains of the empire.
This game is a must for any true fan of the Star Wars galaxy.
Metacritic rating: 66 out of 100
Available on: Playstation 4 and Xbox One
Destiny 2
An online multiplayer first-person shooter, with some light role playing elements, set in a mystic science fiction universe that is shared by all players simultaneously. Players create their own unique avatar, selecting from three species and then further customising their appearance.
You play as a guardian, a protector of the last city on Earth, who wields the power of light against various alien species. During the opening events of the story, a species called the Cabal invades and strips the guardians of the light. You set off on a journey to regain your lost light and defeat the Cabal.
The game is split between story driven content and multiplayer competition . Players can choose between three classes, depending on their preference of play style. These classes can be further upgraded and customised to be tailored to your specific tastes.
People familiar with MMO games will feel right at home here. The game is continually updated with new content, ensuring you will be entertained for years to come.
Metacritic rating: 85 out of 100
Available on: PC, Playstation 4, Xbox One
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