The Best Xbox Shooters
Halo: Combat Evolved
The Xbox’s breakout hit, Halo is a space-age shooter developed by Bungie. This title was an Xbox launch title, giving players their first glimpse of the iconic Master Chief. Halo is a masterpiece in gaming - the music, gameplay and music are all perfect, immersing the player in an awesome world of evil aliens and a futuristic military.
This title spawned a series of exciting games that has developed a huge fanbase of dedicated players. This title also introduced fun online gameplay with open maps of team deathmatches. Halo is a must-play for gamers of all-kinds and a beautiful experience all-around.
Halo 2
After the success of Halo: Combat Evolved, Bungie had to develop a sequel, and develop an amazing sequel they sure did. This title improves upon literally everything that the previous entry pioneered. There are many ways to tackle each of the levels, whether you are a fan of stealth or run and gun action, there is something for you in this game.
The AI in Halo 2 has also been improved, providing an even more immersive experience for players. Online play makes a welcome return as well. Fans of the series will be delighted with this entry, giving players another glimpse into this awesome universe.
Half-Life 2
One of the best narrative driven shooters of all time, the iconic Half-Life 2 has graced the Xbox library. This title is full of innovative mechanics, interesting level designs, and brutal enemies. Players will take up their trusty crowbar and don the HEV suit once again as they help the resistance force to liberate City 17 from the Combine and the alien force.
Players will explore this dystopian world, evolved from the ashes of the Resonance Cascade event from the previous game, meeting fun and interesting characters with exciting gameplay, elements such as the Gravity Gun, among many other tools used to complete challenges. Half-Life 2 is the Citizen Kane of video games and a must-play for everyone.
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
In this awesome Vin Diesel action game, players will take control of the titular Riddick to shoot and sneak their way through nightmarish levels. Players must creep through the shadows to dispatch aggressive enemies throughout an unfamiliar, mechanical prison.
This title borrows many different elements from other games, such as the stealth mechanics from Metal Gear and FPS elements from most modern shooters. While a lot of the mechanics are nothing too new, the level design and gameplay is still excellent and a lot of fun to play. The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay is an extremely exciting adventure through compelling new landscapes.
TimeSplitters 2
TimeSplitters 2 builds upon the thrilling, time-bending adventure of the original and makes it even more exciting. There are now three different game modes that allow players to experience this title in many different ways.
Players can choose between story, arcade, and challenge modes from the main menu screen. The story mode takes players through many different time periods in exciting, run and gun, cooperative action. Arcade mode is for players that do not care about the story but love the action. Finally, Challenge mode allows players to complete increasingly difficult puzzles or shootouts with specific requirements. TimeSplitters 2 is easily one of the most exciting and innovative shooters on the platform.
Doom 3
Doom 3 is a modern take on the classic and iconic first-person shooter series first given to players by Id Software all the way back in 1993. Players must once again explore a demon-ridden UAC facility as its only hope, clearing out any satanic threat that may lie in your path.
While other titles in the series have gone for more run and gun action, Doom 3 puts more emphasis on the horror elements of the series by leading players into dark corridors before being overrun by grotesque zombies and demons. Doom 3 is easily a worthy successor to the classics that came before it.
Far Cry Instincts
Far Cry Instincts is the console port of the critically acclaimed Far Cry. This open-world shooter has players take control of Jack Carver, a mysterious man with a shadowy past, as he is thrown into madness that requires quick thinking and plenty of survival skills.
This title plays in a non-linear fashion, allowing players to take out enemies whenever and however they want. There are plenty of outposts scattered across the map, giving the player plenty to explore, shoot, and steal. The AI and physics in this game are fantastic as well since this title uses the CryEngine. Far Cry Instincts is the fantastic beginning to an iconic franchise of first-person shooter action.
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon
This title, a well-made PC port, includes some of the best squad-based gameplay on the console. Ghost Recon includes the fifteen original levels as well as an additional eight that PC players received in an expansion pack.
While being a shooter, Ghost Recon heavily emphasizes stealth, making the player hide in the shadows as they take on intense peacekeeping missions throughout the world. The controls are tight, the gameplay is exciting, and there is plenty of content for players to enjoy as well as an awesome multiplayer mode for friends to face-off in fun combat missions. Ghost Recon is easily the best stealth shooter on the console.
Star Wars: Battlefront II
Easily one of the best Star Wars games of all time, Star Wars: Battlefront II drops the player into iconic battles stretching across six amazing films. The story mode in this title has been improved greatly with advanced AI and plenty of cool objectives to capture.
The multiplayer mode however, is the greatest draw to this awesome game. Players can pilot ships like the X-Wing, Y-Wing, and Tie Fighters in awesome space battles or take to the ground and play as the Trade Federation, Empire, Republic or the Rebels in fun combat. Players will also be able to control hero characters such as Anakin, Obi Wan, or Darth Vader. Battlefront II still holds up as one of the best Star Wars games ever made to this day.
Max Payne
The first title in a landmark series, Max Payne has players control the titular undercover cop as he seeks to prove his innocence of a murder charge and is being actively hunted down by the law and the mafia. This title takes many elements from successful shooters of the past to create an amazing, third-person shooter experience.
Max Payne is all about the narrative, giving players tons of content within an amazing redemption story. The gameplay is interesting as well with the famed bullet-time power which allows Max to wipe out a room full of baddies like it was nothing. Max Payne is a beautiful shooter with fun gameplay elements and an engaging story.
