Shacknews Best FPS Game of 2024 – The Finals

As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours honing my aim and mastering movement mechanics across various FPS titles, I can confidently say that The Finals has truly struck a chord with me. This game has managed to perfectly blend snappy gunplay, exhilarating speed, and a level of destruction that leaves no stone (or wall, or roof) unturned.

The FPS genre is such a beloved staple in many gamer’s lives. We might venture away from them to explore other types of games, but sooner or later we get caught up in one that fundamentally alters our brain chemistry and tickles that deep desire to click pixels with abnormal accuracy. The Finals has managed to do that for us here at Shacknews thanks to its snappy gunplay, eye-wateringly speedy movement, and chaotic destructible environments.

The unexpected debut of the Finals occurred following the conclusion of the Shacknews Awards 2023 nominations, and since then, it has amassed a devoted fanbase reminiscent of cult status. This game’s concept revolves around the player assuming the role of a contestant within a virtual reality game show setting, where teams compete to secure the most cash. To achieve this objective, groups of three must grab a cashbox, transport it to a cashout location, and maintain control of that spot until the money is safely deposited. Accumulate the most in a single match, and you emerge victorious.

Essentially, what makes The Finals stand out lies in its focus on the action-packed shooting and movement mechanics, which are reminiscent of Mirror’s Edge. Given that Embark Studios, the team behind The Finals, consists of experienced professionals from DICE, this alignment with Mirror’s Edge aesthetics is not unexpected.

One key factor that sets The Finals apart as an exceptional first-person shooter is undeniably its gunplay. Each weapon in the game offers a crisp and gratifying experience when used against enemies, and it’s crucial to note that they function appropriately within their designed roles. Instead of bullets spreading randomly, each weapon has distinct recoil patterns, allowing skilled players to predict and adapt accordingly. Although there will always be a preferred set of weapons (known as the meta), The Finals manages to keep the weapons generally aligned with their optimal usage.

In this game, there are three distinct categories of weapons and accessories at your disposal, each with unique advantages and disadvantages. The choice of team composition significantly influences the outcome of battles. For instance, while only the Medium class can heal allies, it’s beneficial to include a Light character for swift takedowns, or a Heavy for its powerful environmental destruction capabilities.

The destructible environment is by far one of the most important aspects of The Finals. A cashout point might be in the attic of a three-story building, and in any other game the two access points would be your only option in. Not in The Finals. Blast through walls, obliterate roofs, or even level enter buildings in order to get to where you need to go

In contrast to games focusing solely on shooting and settings, The Finals pushes boundaries in movement mechanics. It embodies the swiftness characteristic of Titanfall 2, enabling players to leap significant distances using pre-positioned jump pads, which can be connected with player-created jump pads for even greater flight distance. Landing on a sloped rooftop maintains momentum via sprint-sliding. Add in ziplines and mantling, and you’ve got a movement technology that keeps the game fast-paced and prevents the monotony of running long distances to reach objectives.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve gotta say, The Finals is something special. It’s free-to-play with battle passes that let you earn enough currency to grab the next one. Plus, it’s always getting balance tweaks and fresh content, all backed by industry legends. That’s a winning combination if I ever saw one! The Finals has truly stolen the hearts of shooter game fans, earning it the prestigious title of Shacknews Best FPS Game of 2024.

Be sure to read over the rest of the Shacknews Awards in our Year of the Games: 2024 feature.

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2024-12-27 19:57