In the realm of gaming, third-person shooter games have always held a unique allure. They offer an immersive gaming experience that combines strategic planning, quick reflexes, and a cinematic perspective that places the player right in the heart of the action. This article delves into some of the best offline, single-player third-person shooter games that you can enjoy on your PC.
Max Payne 3
Release date: 2012
Developer: Rockstar Studios
Released in 2012 by Rockstar Games, Max Payne 3 is a game that seamlessly blends cinematic storytelling with intense action sequences. This game continues the journey of former New York City detective Max Payne, who finds himself embroiled in a dangerous conflict in São Paulo, Brazil.
The gameplay of Max Payne 3 is a testament to the classic elements of the third-person shooter genre. The game incorporates a cover mechanic that allows Max to shield himself from enemy fire. Max’s signature bullet time ability, which enables players to slow down time for precise shots, makes a much-welcomed return.
With its high-definition graphics and realistic sound effects, Max Payne 3 offers an immersive gaming experience. The game’s visual aesthetic is complemented by an impressive voice acting performance that adds depth to the characters.
Remnant: From the Ashes
Release: 2019
Developer: Gunfire Games
Remnant: From the Ashes is a third-person survival action shooter set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by monstrous creatures called the Root. The Root is a mysterious force that emerged from another dimension and destroyed most of civilization. As one of the last remnants of humanity, you can customize your character’s appearance, skills, weapons, and gear. You can also upgrade your equipment by finding materials and crafting mods.
The game has a dynamic and procedurally generated world that changes each time you play. You can explore different biomes, such as Earth, Rhom, Yaesha, Corsus, and Reisum. Each biome has its own enemies, bosses, secrets, and quests. You can play the game solo or co-op with up to three other players. You can join or host public or private sessions, or use a password to play with your friends. You can also use a feature called World Analyzer to see the details of your current world and reroll it if you want.
The game has two DLCs that add new content and features. The first one is Swamps of Corsus, which expands the Corsus biome with new enemies, bosses, quests, items, and a survival mode. The second one is Subject 2923, which adds a new campaign that concludes the story of the game, as well as a new biome, Reisum, and new enemies, bosses, items, and modes.
Remnant 2
Release: 2023
Developer: Gunfire Games
Remnant 2 is a third-person shooter action role-playing game that is the sequel to Remnant: From the Ashes. It was released in July 2023 for PlayStation 5, Windows PC and Xbox Series X/S.
The game continues the story of the survivors and their fight against the Root, a race of evil plant species that seeks to destroy the multiverse. The game features a dynamic and procedurally generated world that changes each time you play, with different biomes, enemies, bosses, quests, and items.
The game can be played solo or co-op with up to three other players. The game also has DLCs that add new content and features. Remnant 2 is a challenging and exciting game that has received generally positive reviews from critics.
Gears of War 4
Release: 2016
Developer: The Coalition
Developed by The Coalition and published by Microsoft Studios, Gears of War 4 is a thrilling third-person shooter that serves as the fourth main installment in the Gears of War series. The game follows the story of JD Fenix, the son of the previous protagonist, Marcus Fenix.
Gameplay
Gears of War 4 continues the series’ tradition of intense, cover-based combat. It introduces new gameplay mechanics such as the Dropshot weapon that fires explosive drills and the Buzzkill that shoots ricocheting saw blades.
Graphics and Sound
The game boasts stunning graphics that bring the game’s dystopian world to life. The sound design in Gears of War 4 is top-notch, with every gunshot and explosion echoing with a satisfying punch.
Vanquish
Release: 2017
Developer: PlatinumGames, Little Stone Software
Overview
Vanquish, developed by PlatinumGames and published by Sega, is a fast-paced third-person shooter that redefines the genre with its unique blend of action, shooting, and sliding mechanics. The game follows Sam Gideon, a DARPA agent armed with the Augmented Reaction Suit.
Gameplay
Vanquish stands out from other third-person shooters with its innovative sliding-boost mechanic. This allows Sam to navigate the battlefield at high speeds, creating a dynamic and fast-paced combat experience.
Graphics and Sound
Vanquish boasts impressive graphics with detailed character models and environments. The game’s sound design is equally impressive, featuring powerful gunshots, explosions, and an adrenaline-pumping soundtrack.
Mass Effect Andromeda
Release: 2017
Developer: BioWare
Overview
Mass Effect Andromeda, developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts, is the fourth installment in the highly acclaimed Mass Effect series. It transports players to the Andromeda galaxy where they must lead humanity’s search for a new home.
Gameplay
Andromeda’s gameplay is a blend of third-person shooting, exploration, and RPG elements. The game introduces a new dynamic combat system, where players can utilize their environment, jump across gaps, and swiftly change weapons on the fly.
Graphics and Sound
Mass Effect Andromeda showcases stunning graphics, with expansive environments and detailed character models. The game also features an immersive soundtrack that perfectly complements its sci-fi setting.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Release: 2016
Developer: Naughty Dog
Developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is the critically acclaimed final chapter in the adventures of a treasure hunter, Nathan Drake.
Uncharted 4 builds upon the series’ cinematic third-person shooter gameplay with the addition of new mechanics like grappling hooks and expanded stealth options. The game also features intricate puzzle sequences and vast environments for exploration.
Uncharted 4 sets a high bar in terms of graphics, with detailed character models, dynamic lighting, and lifelike environments. The sound design is equally impressive, featuring immersive ambient sounds, powerful gunshots, and an engaging musical score.
The world of third-person shooter games is vast and varied, offering a plethora of choices for every type of gamer. Whether you’re a fan of intense action sequences, gripping narratives, or strategic gameplay, there’s a game out there waiting to be explored. Happy gaming!
Dead Space
Release: 2023
Developer: Motive
Overview
Dead Space, developed by EA Redwood Shores and published by Electronic Arts, is a science fiction survival horror third-person shooter. The game follows the story of Isaac Clarke, an engineer who finds himself battling necromorphs – reanimated human corpses – aboard an interstellar mining ship.
Gameplay
Dead Space stands out with its unique combat system that focuses on “strategic dismemberment”. Instead of aiming for the head or the chest, players are encouraged to sever the limbs of their enemies for a more effective way to take them down.
Graphics and Sound
With its detailed graphics and atmospheric lighting, Dead Space offers a truly immersive and terrifying experience. The sound design further enhances this with its eerie ambient noises and the horrifying sounds of the necromorphs.
Resident Evil 4
Release: 2023
Developer: Capcom
Overview
Developed and published by Capcom, Resident Evil 4 is a survival horror third-person shooter that is often credited for defining the modern third-person shooter genre. The game follows special agent Leon S. Kennedy who is sent on a mission to rescue the U.S. President’s daughter who has been kidnapped by a mysterious cult.
Gameplay
Resident Evil 4 features a unique over-the-shoulder perspective which became a standard in many third-person shooter games. The game also introduces a new context-sensitive control scheme, where the player’s actions change depending on the situation.
Graphics and Sound
Resident Evil 4 offers detailed graphics and atmospheric lighting that enhance the game’s horror elements. The game’s sound design, with its creepy ambient noises and the chilling sounds of the enemies, further contributes to the tense and terrifying gameplay experience.
Tomb Raider
Release: 2013
Developer: Crystal Dynamics, Eidos-Montréal, Feral Interactive (Mac), Nixxes
Developed by Crystal Dynamics and published by Square Enix, Tomb Raider (2013) serves as a reboot of the iconic Tomb Raider franchise. The game offers a more grounded and gritty take on the character of Lara Croft, focusing on her transformation from an inexperienced archaeologist to a hardened survivor.
Tomb Raider (2013) combines third-person shooting with platforming and puzzle-solving elements. The game features a free-aim system for combat, a cover system, and a progression system that allows players to upgrade Lara’s skills and equipment.
With its stunning graphics and realistic character animations, Tomb Raider (2013) offers an immersive gaming experience. The game’s sound design, featuring atmospheric ambient noises and a dramatic musical score, complements the intense and action-packed gameplay.
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Release: 2016
Developer: Crystal Dynamics, Eidos-Montréal, Feral Interactive (Mac), Feral Interactive (Linux), Nixxes
Rise of the Tomb Raider is a third-person action-adventure game that follows Lara Croft’s quest to find the legendary city of Kitezh and the secret of immortality. It is the sequel to the 2013 reboot of the Tomb Raider series and the second installment in the Survivor trilogy. It was released for Xbox 360 and Xbox One in November 2015, for Windows PC in January 2016, and for PlayStation 4 in October 2016. It also has two DLCs: Swamps of Corsus and Subject 2923.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Release: 2018
Developer: Eidos-Montréal, Crystal Dynamics, Nixxes, Feral Interactive (Mac), Feral Interactive (Linux)
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a third-person action-adventure game that is the sequel to Rise of the Tomb Raider and the final entry of the Survivor trilogy. It follows Lara Croft’s quest to stop a Mayan apocalypse that she has unleashed.
The game features a dynamic and procedurally generated world that changes each time you play, with different biomes, enemies, bosses, quests, and items. You can customize your character’s skills, weapons, and gear, and explore challenge tombs and crypts to unlock new rewards.
The game can be played solo or co-op with up to three other players. The game also has two DLCs that add new content and features, such as new story missions, modes, outfits, and weapons. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a challenging and exciting game that has received generally positive reviews from critics.
Star Wars: Battlefront II (Classic)
Release: 2005
Developer: Pandemic Studios
Developed by Pandemic Studios and published by LucasArts, Star Wars: Battlefront II (2005) is an action-packed third-person shooter set in the iconic Star Wars universe. The game offers both single-player and multiplayer modes, allowing players to partake in epic battles from the Star Wars saga.
Star Wars: Battlefront II (2005) features large-scale battles where players can choose from different classes of soldiers, pilot various vehicles, and even play as popular Star Wars characters. The game also includes a Conquest mode, where players must capture command posts while attempting to eliminate the enemy forces.
With its detailed character models and expansive battlefields, Star Wars: Battlefront II (2005) provides a visually stunning Star Wars experience. The game’s sound design, featuring the iconic Star Wars soundtrack and authentic sound effects, further enhances the immersive gameplay.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Release: 2015
Developers: Konami, Kojima Productions
Developed by Kojima Productions and published by Konami, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is a stealth-based third-person shooter that serves as the ninth installment in the Metal Gear series. The game follows the story of Punished “Venom” Snake as he ventures into Afghanistan during the Soviet-Afghan War and the Angola-Zaire border region during the Angolan Civil War to seek revenge on the people who destroyed his forces and came close to killing him during the climax of Ground Zeroes.
The Phantom Pain introduces open-world gameplay to the Metal Gear series. Players have the freedom to decide how they want to approach missions, whether it’s by stealth or through more aggressive means. The game also features a base-building system and a realistic passage of time and weather system.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain offers stunning graphics, with detailed character models, realistic lighting, and expansive environments. The sound design, featuring atmospheric ambient sounds, powerful gunshots, and an engaging musical score, enhances the immersive gameplay.
The Last of Us
Release: 2023
Developer: Naughty Dog LLC, Iron Galaxy Studios
Developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic third-person shooter that offers a perfect blend of action, stealth, and survival horror elements. The game follows Joel, a hardened survivor, and Ellie, a brave teenage girl, as they traverse the post-apocalyptic United States.
The Last of Us features a cover-based combat system where players can use firearms, improvised weapons, and stealth to defend against hostile humans and infected creatures. The game also includes a crafting system that allows players to customize and upgrade their weapons and equipment.
With its detailed graphics, realistic character animations, and atmospheric lighting, The Last of Us offers a truly immersive post-apocalyptic world. The game’s sound design, featuring eerie ambient noises and a haunting musical score, further enhances the tense and emotional gameplay experience.
Red Dead Redemption II
Release: 2019
Developer: RockStar Games
Developed by Rockstar Games, Red Dead Redemption II is a third-person shooter that’s set in an open world. The game follows the story of Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang, as he deals with the decline of the Wild West amidst the turn of the twentieth century.
Red Dead Redemption II offers a vast, interactive open world with breathtaking visuals. The game features a variety of missions and side activities that the player can explore at their own pace.
Red Dead Redemption II is a visual masterpiece with detailed character models, dynamic weather systems, and stunning landscapes. The game’s sound design, featuring atmospheric ambient sounds and a captivating musical score, further enhances the immersive gameplay experience.
Conclusion
This is a curated list of the outstanding offline, single-player third-person shooter games available for PC. Each game offers its own unique blend of gameplay mechanics, storylines, and visual aesthetics, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of survival horror, grand adventures, or intense action sequences, these games are sure to provide hours of entertainment.
