Shooter games are among the most preferred choices by hardcore gamers. They are action-packed, create an adrenaline rush, and strategically and intellectually challenge gamers. The biggest shooting franchise is Call of Duty, with numerous sequels from different eras that now stretch for more than 20 years. They offer both amazing single-player campaigns and multiplayer clashes. However, Call of Duty was not the first shooter game ever to make the gaming community crazy. These are some of the games that were globally popular and renowned before the CoD series.
Counter-Strike
One of the most popular shooting games ever was released thanks to the game app developers of yet another video game classic, Half-Life.. The game was simple, yet innovative. Creative and intense enough to become the giant that is today. It is among the most famous esports games on which fans can bet on different gambling platforms such as Promoguy, or watch the live events when teams play against each other. The game pits two teams one against each other, Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists. Missions include rescuing hostages and dismantling explosive devices. And if you think that can easily get boring, there were numerous maps, weapons, and strategic options.
Max Payne
One of the best shooter games ever with the now famous “Bullet time” in shoot-outs, which gives a Matrix vibe to the game, and makes the player one tough anti-hero.
The story follows Max, who is a former NYPD cop, who went to DEA in an attempt to find the ones responsible for the death of his wife and child. Pretty straight-forward story from the ’90s action movies. His path of revenge leads him against the Italian mob, corrupt pharmaceutical company bosses, a crazy new drug called V or Valkyrie, and a ton of bad guys who want him dead. The game is a classic and has two sequels.
Halo
Master Chief has to be one of the most recognizable characters in the video gaming world. Believe it or not, the original game Halo: Combat Evolved was released in 2001, and besides being a first-person shooter it had an amazing storyline to follow. Placed in the 26th century when humanity conquered space and clashed against alien enemies. The story begins with the Covenants attacking the human space vessel that must crash land on the ring-world Halo. This is the place where our protagonist will face off with the Covenant forces, using space weapons which makes the combat system far more interesting. However, it seems that the Covenant is not the only thing about which the Master Chief needs to worry.
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
Probably the one that sparked the first part of Call of Duty, which can still be easily downloaded. Electronic Arts released the game at the start of 2002 and created a global phenomenon that was responsible for its numerous rewards and incredible revenue for that time.
The game itself is set in the World War 2 timeline and allows the players to engage in some of the famous battles of that period. Players were placed in combat in Algeria, Norway, and of course France. The most famous thing about this game is its representation of storming Omaha Beach on D-Day. It is an incredible mission that replicates the famous scene in Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan movie from 1998. It allows players to be a part of the Tom Hanks company in one of the most famous war movies.
Conclusion
Call of Duty franchise offers numerous video games and is a synonym for first-person shooter games. These games are incredibly developed, with great stories and even better gameplay. However, the CoD series has leaned on the success of shooting games that came before, and these classics can’t be forgotten. We have mentioned some of the games that are in the CoD timeline and haven’t even come to the relics like Doom, Half-Life, Quake, and others.
