Summary
TheNintendo Wii’sflagship motion controlsmade it the perfect platform for a thrilling FPS experience, and thankfully, this beloved console racked up a pretty considerable number of these games across its long and celebrated lifespan. Of course, the gunplay of an FPS matters a lot since it’s going to be at the core of the gameplay, but in order for them to stand out from their peers, they also need memorable characters, a compelling story, and a noticeable sense of progression to prevent the gameplay from ever becoming monotonous.
There were more than a few games for theNintendo Wiithat fit this description, but when matching them all up side-by-side, which one is considered the best in the eyes of fans and critics? It’s time to reflect on the very best FPS games that were ever released for the Wii to understand what makes them so fun to play, and whether they have stood the test of time in terms of quality and longevity.
Metascore: 82
Dead Space: Extractionis a terrifyingly fun prequel to the first entry in the series, and it follows a group of survivors who make a desperate attempt to escapethe USG Ishimura, which is in the middle of being overrun by Necromorphs. While the enemy designs already provide enough nightmare fuel, the unnerving sound design and dark and dingy environments also add to the scare factor of this game, making it suitable for both FPS and horror fans alike.
It’s also just nice to play an FPS where the player is made to be on the backfoot, rather than giving them enough power to take out every monster they see without breaking a sweat. Since this is still a horror game, players will need to scavenge for supplies and seek out documents to uncover how the Necromorph outbreak started, and whether there’s any chance of stopping it.
5Conduit 2
Metascore: 64
Completely switching gears;Conduit 2isa fast-paced and adrenaline-pumping shoot em' upwhich follows Micheal Ford, a soldier who must do battle with endless hordes of reptilian enemies who are thrown his way. The good news though is that, early on in the game, Ford is gifted a black exoskeleton suit which has its fair share of special abilities for players to make use of.
For example, Ford cannot only run at superhuman speeds, but he can also flip over large objects to cover. The game follows a “corridor-based” level design, which is quite reminiscent of the classicDoomin how straightforward and chaotic it is. The story forConduit 2is admittedly a little light, but the frantic heart-pounding gameplay helps to make up for this shortcoming.
There have been several versions ofCall of Duty: World at War, some of which contain unique features and missions, but because the Wii edition of the game was released alongside the Xbox 360 and PS3, it follows the same main storyline and is virtually the same game. This is great consideringWorld at Waris often viewed as being one ofthe most immersive and engagingCall of Dutygames out there, especially due to the story and characters, which do an amazing job at drawing players into the experience.
When booting up the game, players will be free to choose between either the American or Soviet campaigns, both of which feature entirely different missions and unique viewpoints on the war itself.World at Waralso features some breathtaking action setpieces which feel incredible to take part in, with notable examples being the storm of the Reichstag and the Battle of Peleliu The game is also known for being incredibly difficult, which might put some people off, but anyone who welcomes the challenge will have a brilliant time running through this classic FPS title.
Though the firstRed Steelwas seen as an ambitious new IP that was full of colorful characters anda breathtaking visual art style, the FPS gameplay was unfortunately pretty lackluster and unresponsive. Luckily, Ubisoft aimed to rectify these issues in the far superior sequel,Red Steel 2, which is also gorgeous to look at, while also being an absolute blast to play. By far the biggest improvement is the tighter motion controls, which allow players to slash and parry their swords with ease, while also having pinpoint accuracy when aiming a firearm.
The mysterious futuristic setting that the game takes place in allows it to get pretty creative with its level and enemy designs, adding a lot of variety to the gameplay and keeping a playthrough from ever becoming predictable. As players venture through each level, they’ll stumble upon safe rooms where they can buy new armor, weapons, and abilities, which also adds a nice sense of progression to the journey.
Often touted as the game that ushered FPS multiplayer into the mainstream,Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfareis a game that is easy to understand, but still so much fun to actually play. The Wii version of the game does make a few changes, such as removing split-screen multiplayer, but it also adds ina co-op campaign, which is an amazing addition considering how varied and exciting the story of this game is.
Modern Warfarehas long been admired for its tight and snappy gunplay, leaning a lot more into the retro arcade shooters of old rather than the more sluggish modern style of games in the genre which aim to be more realistic. As a result, while there’s definitely still a sense of realism intact here, especially in some of the darker campaign missions, there’s still a run-and-gun mentality to the gameplay which makes it so enjoyable to play over and over again.
Though blasting away monsters withSamus' arm cannonis at the core ofMetroid Prime 3’sgameplay, it also incentivizes players to explore their environments, since the game’s many worlds are packed full of items, locales, and secrets to uncover. Because of this, it creates an engaging gameplay loop of venturing through the richly-detailed planets and areas, filled with platforming sections and puzzles, before then partaking in an explosive shootout with a few bloodthirsty aliens.
The addition of Hypermode, which will power up Samus' attacks when she’s on her last legs, incorporates quite a unique risk-and-reward element to the gameplay, which really becomes important during some of the trickier late-game encounters. The internal conflict between Samus and Dark Samus also adds a lot to the already amazing story and goes a long way in fleshing out more of Samus' character.Metroid Prime 3really is a game that has it all, and one which longtime FPS fans, or even newcomers to the genre, really ought to try out.
