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Retro games, abandonware, freeware and classic games for PC and Mac

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Best first-person shooters

The first-person shooter emerged as one of PC gaming's most defining and influential genres, fundamentally changing how players experienced action games by putting them directly behind the gun. While earlier experiments with first-person perspective existed, the genre truly began with id Software's Wolfenstein 3D in 1992, which used a clever raycasting engine to create smooth, fast-paced 3D corridors on 386 machines. Players took the role of B.J. Blazkowicz, escaping from a Nazi castle while mowing down guards with increasing firepower. The formula was perfected in Spear of Destiny, the standalone prequel that refined the gameplay mechanics and introduced more varied environments.

But it was Doom in 1993 that elevated the FPS from novelty to phenomenon. id Software's masterpiece didn't just improve the graphics and speed - it created an atmosphere of dread and intensity that was unprecedented. The game's engine allowed for more complex level geometry, varying light levels, and multiple floor heights, while the shotgun-wielding space marine became gaming's first true action hero. The addition of networked multiplayer through deathmatch modes created an entirely new social gaming experience that would define PC gaming culture.

The genre quickly diversified beyond id's sci-fi and military themes. Raven Software's Heretic transported the DOOM engine into a dark fantasy setting, introducing inventory items, flying mechanics, and magical weapons that showed how the FPS template could adapt to different universes. Doom II expanded on the original's formula with larger, more complex levels and the infamous super shotgun, while maintaining the relentless pace that made the series legendary.

Duke Nukem 3D revolutionized the genre again in 1996 with 3D Realms' Build engine, which allowed for truly interactive environments, destructible objects, and multiple route gameplay. Duke's wisecracking personality and the game's adult humor created a more character-driven experience, while technical innovations like room-over-room architecture and realistic locations made levels feel like actual places rather than abstract mazes.

id Software reclaimed the crown with Quake in 1996, introducing full 3D polygonal graphics and establishing the template for modern FPS design. The game's gothic horror atmosphere, combined with revolutionary online multiplayer through QuakeWorld, created the foundation for competitive FPS gaming. Quake II, despite being less horror-focused, refined the formula with improved graphics, more sophisticated AI, and mission-based gameplay that influenced countless future shooters.

The late 1990s saw remarkable genre experimentation. Monolith's Blood combined the Build engine with genuinely disturbing horror elements and creative weapons like the flare gun and voodoo doll, creating one of the most atmospheric FPS experiences ever made. Meanwhile, the same company later created No One Lives Forever, which proved that FPS games could successfully incorporate stealth mechanics, spy gadgets, and sophisticated storytelling, paving the way for more narrative-driven shooters.

From the simple corridor shooting of Wolfenstein 3D to the complex, story-driven experiences that followed, the FPS genre evolved rapidly through the 1990s, establishing gameplay mechanics, technical innovations, and design philosophies that continue to influence game development today.

Halo: Combat Evolved windowsmac-osx

Halo: Combat Evolved is a sci-fi first-person shooter created by Bungie Studios for Microsoft and released for the Xbox in 2001. GearBox later ported it to Windows and Macintosh in 2003.

Year: 2003 Genre: Shooter

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Quake II windows

Quake II doesn't need any introduction. The first-person shooter created by id Software was released in December 1997. The legendary John Carmack worked personally on coding this gem, that was not planned to be a sequel to Quake.

Year: 1997 Genre: Shooter

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Duke Nukem 3D dos

Duke Nukem 3D is a sci-fi first-person shooter created by 3D Realms and published by GT Interactive Software for PC in 1996. The game is the sequel of Duke Nukem and Duke Nukem II...

Year: 1996 Genre: Shooter

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No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way windows

No One Lives Forever 2 is a first-person shooter with stealth elements created by Monolith and published by Sierra in 2002 for PC and Macintosh. As you may imagine, NOLF2 is the se...

Year: 2002 Genre: Action

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Quake dos

Quake is a first-person shooter developed by id Software and published by GT Interactive in 1996. With the success it had with Doom in 1993, id Software decided to capitalize its m...

Year: 1996 Genre: Shooter

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Doom dos

Doom is the legendary first-person shooter created by Id Software and released for DOS in 1993. It was Id Software’s follow-up to their genre-defining Wolfenstein 3D. This was ...

Year: 1993 Genre: Shooter

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Blood dos

Blood is a horror first-person shooter created by Monolith Productions and published by GT Interactive in 1997 for MS-DOS. The game was designed by Nicholas Newhard, which was also the lead programmer.

Year: 1997 Genre: Shooter

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Wolfenstein 3D dos

Wolfenstein 3D is a first-person shooter developed by Id Software and published by Apogee Software in 1992 for DOS. It has since been ported for several systems including PC-98, Mac, Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

Year: 1992 Genre: Shooter

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Doom II dosgame-boy-advance

Doom II is Id Software's follow-up to their award winning Doom. Published by GT Interactive, it was released for DOS in 1994, just one year after its predecessor. Unlike most sequels, this one is actually good.

Year: 1994 Genre: Shooter

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Heretic dos

Heretic is a first-person shooter developed by Raven Software and published by id Software in 1994 for the PC and Mac. The game was published by the prestigious American company id...

Year: 1994 Genre: Shooter

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Hexen: Beyond Heretic dos

Hexen: Beyond Heretic is a fantasy first-person shooter developed by Raven Software. It was released in 1995 as a sequel to Heretic, which had been published one year before. It is the second chapter of the Serpent Riders series.

Year: 1995 Genre: Shooter

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No One Lives Forever windows

The Operative: No One Lives Forever, also known as NOLF, is a first-person shooter/stealth game created by Monolith Productions. It was published by Fox Interactive for PC in 2000.

Year: 2000 Genre: Action

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Rise of the Triad dos

Rise of the Triad: Dark War is a first-person shooter developed and published by Apogee Software in December 1994 for MS-DOS. It is a fast-paced first-person shooter that stands a...

Year: 1994 Genre: Shooter

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Star Wars: Dark Forces dos

Star Wars: Dark Forces is a single-player first-person shooter set in the Star Wars universe, created by LucasArts Entertainment in 1995 for MS-DOS. In this game, you are a mercena...

Year: 1995 Genre: Shooter

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