Though tentpole franchises like Call of Duty rely on realistic warfare in their gameplay, some FPS games eschew reality and enter a world of fantasy instead, such as the Witchfire. While they may be somewhat rare, first-person shooter fantasy games usually result in some of the most interesting and creative installments in the genre.
From sword and sorcery games like Heretic to sci-fi/fantasy mashups like Prey, the history of video games is dotted with phenomenal FPS games for the avid fantasy fan. Though there have been a few games to check both boxes, only the best excelled at weaving a compelling fantasy narrative while also delivering top-notch gameplay.
Hexen: Beyond Heretic (1995)
Though there are still many modern FPS fantasy games, the 1990s truly was the golden age of the sub-genre. Hexen: Beyond Heretic acts as a spiritual successor to the game Heretic, though it takes place in an entirely different realm. In the game, the takes control of a warrior who sets out across the land to vanquish the Serpent Rider known as Korax.
Importing classic elements of fantasy including dungeons, castles, and magic, the player chooses between three separate classes each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Hexen offers a strong balance between ranged attacks and melee, and is not as limited as other FPS games that rely only on shooting.
Shadow Warrior (2013)
Acting as a hard reboot to the Shadow Warrior shed many of the more problematic elements of its predecessor. The player is cast as Lo Wang, an assassin who, after botching a deal to purchase an ancient katana, must fight through a horde of ancient demons.
The gameplay is fluid and the mix of shooting and melee attacks keeps the action fresh. The fantasy elements in the game are unique, and it stands out from the usual sword and sorcery epics that fantasy fans see most often in video gaming. Though it isn't as beloved as its cult classic big brother, the modern Shadow Warrior nevertheless uses newer gaming technology to further explore its fantastical themes.
Heretic (1994)
Utilizing the groundbreaking Doom engine, Heretic introduced players to the future franchise and added new elements to the FPS genre. Parthorsis is under the sway of the evil Serpent Riders and one elf must journey across the land to vanquish the evil by any means necessary.
Like Doom, Heretic incorporates horror elements into its gameplay and isn't just a stereotypical fantasy story. Using magic to blast through hordes of the undead, the gets a classic FPS experience but with guns subbed out with spells. While it may seem primitive by today's standards, Heretic pulled no punches on its atmosphere and broke new ground for the burgeoning FPS style.
Ziggurat (2014)
Drawing strong inspiration from the past, Ziggurat is a modern FPS game that delivers a retro feel, and overall seems like a love letter to classic games. Entering the dreaded Ziggurat, the assumes the role of a young sorcerer who journeys through procedurally generated levels and battles deadly bosses along the way.
Leveling up is important, and the game's randomized nature keeps things from growing too stale too quickly. The fantasy elements of the game are familiar to most fans of the genre and its inspirations are worn right on its sleeve. Like the variety of guns in other FPS games, the variety of spells adds additional layers of challenge and replay value to the charming indie game.
Blood (1997)
Though it is usually only ed as one of the best "Doom clones" of the '90s, Blood actually had much more to offer than being a simple copycat. The player controls Caleb, an undead gunslinger in the early 1900s who sets out to get revenge against his former master, the demi-god known as Tchernobog.
As its name suggests, the game is soaked in gore and was a gruesome spectacle for its time period. The fantasy elements are integral to the story, though they aren't the usual Tolkien-like hallmarks found in most fantasy epics. Instead, voodoo is incorporated, as well as esoteric religious practices, and the occult is inseparable from the gameplay as a whole.
Paladins: Champions Of The Realm (2018)
With arena FPS games like Paladins threw its hat in the ring with a unique fantasy twist. The player competes on a team in order to achieve various goals using a mix of sci-fi and fantasy weaponry.
Set in The Realm, the gameplay is very similar to Overwatch, but it is done with knights and other fantasy characters who wield guns instead of swords. The art style is playful and cartoonish, and the arena gameplay makes for excellent replay value overall. While it is often overshadowed by the bigger franchises in its sub-genre, Paladins offers a great fantasy alternative to the typical FPS games crowding the market.
Prey (2006)
Prey could have simply been an interesting sci-fi FPS game, but by adding fantasy elements it was elevated to another level. Tommy is a Cherokee man living on a reservation who is abducted onto an alien ship known as The Sphere.
Fighting through swarms of aliens on his journey to escape the ship, Tommy is helped by his spirit guide, and can even allow his spirit to roam away from his body. The weaponry in the game is entirely alien in nature which allows for more unorthodox fighting, though ultimately it conforms to typical FPS archetypes. Prey excels because each piece of its narrative is integral and there was a clear attempt to tell a great story as well as a fun game.
Amid Evil (2019)
Further proving that the classics truly never die, Amid Evil made no secret that it took its inspiration from some of the best FPS games of all time. Cast as a character known simply as "The Champion,", the player enters the higher realm in order to do battle with the terrifying "Evil Force" that has corrupted all the land.
Replicating the non-linear level style of older FPS games, the must explore all corners of the game in order to advance further in the story. Deftly mixing its melee weaponry with a wide range of spell attacks, the FPS elements of the game share the stage with classic dungeon-crawling action. Drawing frequent comparisons to games like Heretic, Amid Evil's dark fantasy theming allows for great storytelling and world building.
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath (2005)
Set within the unbelievably unique Oddworld universe, Stranger's Wrath blends elements of fantasy, sci-fi, and westerns into an unforgettable video game mixture. The player takes control of the Stranger, a mysterious bounty hunter who collects dangerous bounties in order to pay for expensive life-saving surgery.
In a world that is entirely alien, the game tilts from sci-fi to fantasy with relative ease, all within the framework of a classic Western story. The Stranger utilizes a crossbow that incorporates ammunition that is different living creatures, each with their own effects. Capturing bounties alive earns a higher payout, and it encourages players to approach the game with more finesse.
Dusk (2018)
Horror and fantasy unite in the retro-style FPS game Dusk which unabashedly draws its inspiration from classic games like Doom. After a series of mystical ancient ruins are discovered beneath a small town, an unnamed treasure hunter sets out to infiltrate the ruins and procure a huge bounty of priceless loot.
Variety is the name of the game, and though Dusk pays homage to the classics, it does so much more than the older games could. The has their choice between conventional and magical weaponry, and the enemies range from possessed cows to bloodthirsty magicians. The game progresses in a straightforward manner, and the goal is to simply make it to the end without being consumed by the evil of the ruins.
