FPS in 2016: a year for the record books?

Funny how with a beta here, a new trailer there, all of a sudden we have a huge year on our hands in the gaming community. Unfortunately, for those who dislike the genre, FPS is about to have quite a year. The games lineup set to release in the coming months is so impressive that it is impossible for fans to not be excited about at least one upcoming game.

From the big name titles to the out-of-left-field choices, there is something for everyone this year. Especially for a genre that is usually shut off to a large amount of gamers. 2016 for the FPS genre could likely challenge even the greatest of years in the past. Take a look at a few of the games that are likely to be the reason why.

Overwatch

Well, when I’m wrong, I’m wrong. Last week before Overwatch released its open beta on console, I posed the question ‘what if it isn’t all that great?’ Well, I was met with ‘you should play the game before coming to that conclusion’. Life lesson kids, play it before you hate it because you may just love it and boy do I love Overwatch.

Apologies to those in the Slack chat whom I shamed with my doubting of this beautiful game, I was young and naïve a week ago but I now see the light. Overwatch is tons of fun and truly something different. Blizzard has done a fantastic job jumping into the arena shooter genre and making an impact. The game is based on heroes that do battle against other heroes over a certain objective. The game modes are nothing new, and the maps are hit or miss, but the game has characters have plenty fun to offer. A roster of 21 heroes will certainly allow you to find at least one you’re comfortable using. The constant head games you play trying to combat the other teams 6 heroes are endlessly entertaining — now just get rid of Bastion and this game will be perfect!

 Overwatch will release on PC, PS4 and Xbox One on May 24^th, 2016.

Doom

It’s kind of weird to think Doom may have the least amount of buzz — positive or negative — around it, especially with some of the other games I mention. That is a shame because id Software have created a hell of a good time, ‘no pun intended.’ Doom is a tour de force in blood and gore. While shooting is required, it is not inherently necessary, as ‘Doom guy’ has no problem destroying demons with his bare hands — or even a trusty chainsaw.

From the ability to turn into a demon, to the constant Easter egg nods to the old games, this version of Doom will not disappoint. The recent beta periods, and all of the gameplay videos released, have looked promising and this should be a really fun and fast-paced blood fest.

Hell opens up when Doom releases on May 13^th, 2016 for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

Stop throwing tomatoes at me while reading this and let me explain. I don’t care how much you hate Call of Duty. The idea of going further into the future has ruffled the fans’ feathers and they want blood. Just as Activision and Infinity Ward are set to burn at the stake, the announcement that Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare remastered was made. When fans found out that the game wouldn’t be sold separately, and would have to fork over $80 for the Legacy Edition in order to relive the glory years, they went back to disliking the reveal trailer.

18 gazillion dislikes later and Call of Duty has been dragged through the mud, but who knows? Maybe Infinite Warfare will surprise and redeem the franchise. Until we see gameplay and play it ourselves, we can only wait and see. Perhaps Activision, in a panic move, will decide to make the remastered Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare a standalone affair. However unlikely that possibility is, the game will likely still sell well.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare blasts you into space on November 4^th, 2016 and will be available for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

Battlefield 1

World War 1 never looked so good. EA and DICE were rumored to be working on a Battlefield game set during World War 1 but when it was actually announced and revealed in a kick-ass trailer, the shock and awe set in. Fans flocked to the closest electronic device to put the trailer on loop and heap praise on the developers at DICE.

The Battlefield 1 reveal trailer has already been named the most liked trailer of all time, and that was in less than a week, and without even revealing gameplay. While the worry over server function is always present when discussing DICE, the recent server stability of Star Wars Battlefront — at least on consoles — should help ease the nerves.

Battlefield 1 will release on October 21^st, 2016 for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

That’s not all…

There are plenty of other FPS titles that are well worth gamers’ time coming out in 2016. Games such as Homefront: The Revolution, Battleborn, Shadow Warrior 2, Superhot, LawBreakers, and plenty of other titles all have something unique to offer fans. The FPS genre is getting one solid addition after the other this year. Which game are you most excited for? Let me know which game and why in the comments section below.